Ch.5555. Sleep Well.

“You don’t need to go out of your way like that. I can ignore such things on my own, so it’s fine. Well, that’s just like Ellis being Ellis. Even though it’s been a while since I last saw Ellis, she definitely left an impression on me.”

“Ah… is that so…? Hah. Still, this crosses the line…”

“Well, I told you, didn’t I? I’m fine with it. Sure, it gets annoying sometimes, but it’s tolerable. Besides, I think you’ll mediate things well enough.”

“What? I thought Ellis would… Haah. Well, if that’s what you want.”

“Then, umm… let’s consider it settled. I’ll replace all the beds before you return.”

“But will they actually fit in everyone’s rooms? Even though the rooms are spacious, they’re full of luggage. There’s furniture too, isn’t there?”

“Yes, they’ll all fit. You don’t need to worry about it. As long as we’re not dealing with someone like Yuri unnie who uses her room so narrowly, a queen-size should fit in all of them. If needed, we can buy storage beds to create extra space.”

“Hmm… I see. But is the reason for getting new beds really just… for that…”

While I was standing there dumbfounded, Arin cut in.

“Yunseul unnie! Sleeping together with Bine unnie… I mean, you said they’ve been used for a long time, right? And, and the springs seem weird too… hehe…”

“Right? See, even Arin thinks it’s not good to let people sleep on these beds, don’t you?”

“No, that’s not what…”

“Since we’re doing it anyway, it’ll be cheaper to do them all together. I’ll replace the one in your room too.”

“No, the bed in my room is barely over a month old…!”

“Alright, let’s end the bed talk here. So, Ellis, are you satisfied with this room?”

“Oh, right! I need to pack my things from my place. Ugh… I have so much stuff. Even though I live alone, moving an entire apartment…”

“You can just throw away what you don’t use and bring your clothes. With your strength, you’ll be done in no time. If needed, we could ask the Association Presi— No. You can ask the Association President to help you move, so don’t worry about it.”

“Ah, no. I can go myself, but the Association President… Besides, he’s not a moving company, and using such valuable manpower for something so trivial seems wasteful. What kind of novel idea is that…”

“Well, he’s a busy person, but he could use some exercise, get some energy back. He hasn’t taken a vacation this year, so he should use up his leave days somehow. And Bine, you’re injured, so you’re excluded.”

“No, what are you… Haah. I’m fine when using physical strength since I don’t use magic. And couldn’t I schedule the moving time for after I leave here…?”

“You’ve been working too hard, Bine. That’s why I allowed you to hire Ellis. How could I make one person do the housekeeping for five people, especially magical girls in their prime? I was thoughtless. Now work with Ellis.”

“…It seems nothing ever goes my way… Do you really think Ellis will work that easily…”

“Ellis? You’ll work, right?”

Blanc interrupted my response to ask Ellis directly.

Of course, with a cold and frightening voice that made it clear all her previous kind attitude toward Ellis had been fake.

With a voice so scary and stern that it could easily shatter any newfound convictions Ellis might have had.

“Y-yes! O-of course! Even without Blanc-nim’s orders, I was naturally going to work with B-Bine. No, I was going to do all of Bine’s work myself! Bine can just relax, eat, and sleep! H-hehe…”

“See? You heard her.”

Why is she talking as if it’s so obvious?

Blanc was looking at me with a smile.

While Ellis, who had been eavesdropping on our conversation, was trembling so much that her hands were cold with fear.

That was an order backed by intimidation.

No, more than an order… it was something beyond that… hmm.

“Come on, Ellis? I told you I don’t like that attitude.”

“U-um! S-sorry!”

And now she’s even correcting the way Ellis spoke to her…

Scary.

“What did I just witness, Blanc?”

“Hmm? Ellis and my Q&A session?”

“Haah… What do you think is causing my sighs?”

“Hmm. I don’t know. Are you tired? Or maybe oxygen deficiency? There might not be enough oxygen in this room with so many people. Well then, let’s set the moving date for before Bine leaves. Ellis, can you handle it all by yourself?”

“Y-yes!”

“Tsk.”

“Ah, u-um! Of course! I-I’m a monster too, you know? With my magic, I can easily handle all of this! Yes!”

Ellis was still trembling as she answered, the fear from that intimidation not yet gone.

“Ellis, why are you answering so obediently? Blanc, I’ll help too. I can’t yield on this. I really can’t. If you don’t want to find out how stubborn I can be—as stubborn as you are—don’t deny me this.”

At my declaration, Blanc made a face of disbelief.

Then she asked again with a worried expression.

“You’re in a really difficult situation, you know.”

There seemed to be some regret in that expression.

Blanc thought for a moment.

What was she thinking?

Was she preparing a single phrase that would break my stubbornness?

“You’re already being forced to work at the dormitory. I can’t make it harder for you.”

Blanc spoke with a serious expression.

Who would believe her when she suddenly gets so serious?

Still, the sentiment behind those words seemed genuine.

“Even if it was… forced, it’s not that difficult, so it doesn’t matter. And I didn’t collapse because of work, did I? So, you just need to quietly say ‘okay.'”

“…”

Blanc’s troubled expression was, well.

How could she stop me if I want to work?

“And my body will be fully recovered anyway. What are you so worried about? Actually, I have no problems moving around or working even now…”

“Still, it’s hard for you, isn’t it?”

“I’m a monster, you know. If I’m not handling magic, I’m fine. Didn’t I tell you before? I was an ace at construction sites.”

“What does that have to do with anything? It’ll be hard for you.”

“It’s not hard at all… The foreman said, ‘You looked young, but you work better than that useless Kim who just eats!’ Moving some luggage is nothing…”

Blanc held her head for a moment, thinking, and then finally gave permission.

“Haah… Fine, fine. I give up. But in return, make sure you rest properly for this week. Don’t think about anything strange. Especially don’t think about training. What if you collapse again from overexertion? And…”

“Ah, enough, enough… I get it… Why are you taking care of me so much? If you’re going to care, care during battles. I’ve taken so many hits over the past decade or so. You know how painful those merciless attacks were.”

“Alright, alright. Bine, you rest well. Ellis, come with me for a bit.”

Ellis, who had just been relieved that the attention had shifted away from her, looked at Blanc in confusion and stammered.

“W-why, no, why me?”

“Why? Obviously, seeing photos wasn’t enough. I need to see in person and tell you what’s lacking.”

“U-um? D-do we really have to…? I-I’m fine with it…”

“No, let’s go. Isn’t it better to be certain? That’s what I think. Don’t you agree that being certain is better?”

Surprised by the subtle coercion in that voice, Ellis… well.

“Y-yes! O-of course! I was wrong! Yes, yes! Let’s go quickly! I’m so curious…!”

She looked like an obedient puppy who had succumbed to intimidation.

Like prey looking at a predator.

Like a mouse looking at a cat.

“Right? Then Bine, stay here. I’ll be back with Ellis.”

“To Ellis… Haah. I’ll talk to you later. Just go for now.”

“Okay. Let’s go, Ellis. Bine, get some more rest. If you need anything, call. Arin will help you. Or you can ask Seohyun.”

The red-haired girl who’s just looking at her phone as if she doesn’t care?

Hmm… until just a moment ago, yes, until we were talking about beds, she seemed somewhat interested.

But now, she doesn’t seem to care much.

“Yes. Don’t worry about that, just don’t make our Ellis suffer. Really…”

“Don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried about you… Haah. Take care.”

“Okay.”

With those final words, Blanc left with Ellis.

Ellis shot me desperate glances, begging for help, but…

Sorry. I don’t have the power to save you, Ellis.

And…

“Unnie, please tell me if you need anything! I’ll be your hands and feet and help you with everything!”

A cute girl stuck right by my side, saying that.

“W-wait! Don’t tell me you knew about this…!”

“Of course Ellis doesn’t know. Why would we share conversations between magical girls with a villain? Hurry up and follow Blanc unnie!”

“Y-you!!”

Ellis’s eyes seemed filled with vengeance as she was dragged away.

Ah, well.

There’s nothing I can do.

Yes. Fighting, Ellis.

As for me…

“Arin, it’s fine. Let’s… rest for now. *yawn*… I’m sleepy. I’ll take a nap during this unexpected break time.”

“Ah, yes, unnie. Then I’ll join you.”

“Come here. It’s surprisingly cold.”

I’ll just take a nap.