Ch.55Chapter 10. What Can Be Done (2)

In a modern democratic nation where no one can maintain permanent power without a coup, controlling the media completely is difficult.

One might attempt it, but certain preconditions are necessary for such attempts to succeed.

First, the issue must directly affect those who run broadcasting stations. Leaders of any sufficiently large organization are typically concerned with self-preservation, and they’ll actively block anything that might cost them their positions.

Unfortunately for the government, the Black Magical Girl had little connection to the media in this case.

She had no parents—not because she lost them in an accident, but because she never had any to begin with. Nor did she have many acquaintances. Even if she had, those connections wouldn’t have reached high-ranking people at broadcasting stations.

While news stations had previously portrayed the Black Magical Girl as a villain, news content changes frequently. Such inconsistencies are easily explained away.

Especially in this case, where the Federation, government, and corporation were all hiding the truth.

The second condition is that the news story must not be profitable.

Media outlets typically avoid unprofitable information that might irritate the government, Federation, or corporations. It’s only natural—the government has broadcasting regulatory agencies, the Federation likely stands above the government, and corporations pay for advertising on broadcast stations.

But this issue wasn’t unprofitable at all.

Broadcasting it guaranteed good ratings. Plus, this country has multiple corporations. Even if Noir Corporation pulled its advertising, the ad slots before and after such high-rated news would still be expensive.

As a result, the Black Magical Girl’s plea dominated the main news slots on all broadcasting stations.

The story even spread overseas. Foreign broadcasting stations, particularly those with no reason to consider the Korean government’s position, thoroughly dissected the facts.

The Federation refused all interview requests.

While interview requests came from countries beyond Korea, representatives from other nations expressed reluctance, saying: “The Federation spans the entire galaxy. Just because part of the Federation did something doesn’t mean it represents the Federation’s overall intention.”

In other words, the mistakes of those overseeing Korea were their own fault.

But such explanations couldn’t easily quell public opinion.

Magical girls, heroes, or special forces—organizations with members who could activate Hope Circuits existed throughout the world. All were under the Federation, and most members were young.

So naturally, after this incident in Korea, people began to wonder: “Could this happen to us too?”

The “positive image” the Federation had cultivated over the past five years suffered serious damage. They had branded a minor as a terrorist while letting the “real terrorists” escape.

Even beyond Earth, planets with developed civilizations typically distinguish between “minors” and “adults.” News that Earth’s minors were treated this way spread gradually to nations affiliated with the Galactic Federation.

After all, the position of magical girl was quite famous even outside Earth.

The Federation wasn’t the only one in trouble.

Other countries operating similar groups also criticized the incident.

Most spoke up before they themselves could be criticized.

Such criticism couldn’t be ignored entirely. Answering questions inevitably reveals vulnerabilities.

To contain the situation, a “solution” was needed.

Within the government, opinions varied on how to approach this solution.

Of course, among the Federation, government, and corporation, the company suffered the greatest blow.

Noir Corporation’s reputation plummeted to rock bottom.

Their image wasn’t particularly positive to begin with, but public sentiment grew so hostile that calls for boycotts emerged.

Perhaps this was a reaction to how completely the Black Magical Girl had been vilified before.

Until then, public opinion had favored quickly capturing and trying the magical girl.

Having held such opinions themselves, people now more vehemently demanded “punishment for those responsible” when contrary evidence emerged.

There was also much discussion about the “magical girls.”

They still hadn’t expressed their views. People wanted to know what they had been doing while the situation unfolded, but even the Federation remained tight-lipped on the matter.

Three days after the broadcast, the world remained in turmoil.

And what the turbulent world most wanted to know was the whereabouts of the “Black Magical Girl” who had exposed everything.

Where on earth had she disappeared to?

*

I spent the first night camping in the hills.

No, I’m not joking. I was literally camping.

I wore a mask on my face, tied up my hair differently, and put on casual clothes before going out, but I didn’t know where to hide.

I had saved some money, though not much, so I looked for somewhere cheap and safe to spend the night, which led me here.

It was somewhat risky. Setting up a tent outside a designated camping area could attract attention.

I chose a spot with few people nearby, at least.

To be honest, I’m not even sure where this is. Seeing the burial mounds behind me, this probably isn’t an official camping site.

“What would you have done if I weren’t here?” James asked smugly.

“Want me to grill you too?” I asked expressionlessly, which shut him up.

Naturally, I changed James’s appearance too.

Fortunately, there are apparently some Squeakeans in this country. Most work for companies, and they have their own network, though James, true to his character, doesn’t seem to belong to their community.

They also come as tourists occasionally, though I’ve never seen any. Makes sense—they’d get trampled underfoot walking on streets, so they probably make other arrangements.

Still, his distinctive fur color was too recognizable, so James used technology similar to what created my face to disguise himself. Now he had brown spotted fur.

Even with this disguise, James stayed in my bag. It’s best to remain out of sight completely.

I quickly looked around after responding to James.

Fortunately, there was no one nearby.

It’s a weekday, and we’re near burial mounds. We might have bad luck if today happened to be the death anniversary of someone buried here, bringing mourners, but judging by the height of the grass on the graves, we should be safe.

“We can’t stay here long,” I said.

“Obviously. This is just a quick place to stay for now.”

James had prepared the tent.

Naturally, it wasn’t meant for campgrounds but a lightweight tent in case we needed to sleep in the hills. It was light enough to fit just me and my bag.

If it felt too heavy, I could always stuff it into subspace.

…I wonder if I could live in subspace myself? Probably not possible, or I would have tried already.

“Do you really not eat meat?” I asked.

“I don’t particularly need to. If you insist on preparing something, larvae like mealworms would be better.”

“Fine. I’ll eat it all myself.”

It’s not like I was offering anyway.

And I don’t want to handle mealworms.

“…”

I silently watched the meat cooking.

What a luxurious fugitive lifestyle.

My body still hurts. I’d really like to just collapse and sleep.

But I was also starving. The first thing I did after setting up the tent was take out the canned food I’d packed.

For reference, James was cracking sunflower seeds inside the bag. I’d brought some that I’d bought for him while hiding in Pang Pang’s room. So I wasn’t worried about James’s food. That would last him a while.

…I’m a bit envious. His body allows him to hide in any corner and call it escape. Though I suppose in the wild, he might become cat food.

Hearing the sizzling sound, I picked up my chopsticks.

The well-cooked surface of the canned ham appeared.

Grilling ham on a camping stove in the hills—should I call it atmospheric or lament my situation?

It’s definitely illegal, either way.

…I miss Pang Pang’s house.

Though they say spring is coming, it’s quite cold outside. I’m not sure how long the tent and sleeping bag will hold up.

And long-term stays in places like this aren’t an option. Should I wander through hills, pitching my tent anywhere? That would be too conspicuous.

Going back to Pang Pang’s house is probably impossible.

Despite the delicious smell of the nicely browned meat, I couldn’t help these gloomy thoughts.

*

The next day.

I left the campsite.

I folded the tent somewhat properly, stuffed it into my bag, and slung the large backpack over my shoulders.

I really disliked hearing James’s voice from behind my head when he spoke, but I had no choice.

James had already disassembled the pager I received from Hayun and disconnected its power. He planned to modify those parts into a pure paging device without tracking capabilities.

The top part of my backpacking bag, which reached the back of my head when worn, had become something like James’s laboratory.

In a sense, I was James’s mobile hideout.

That also displeased me greatly, but as someone who needed help, I had no other options.

…Still hurts.

There wasn’t even a proper path around here. Just enough signs that people had passed through before, but nothing substantial.

I don’t even know where we are.

The black hole certainly took me somewhere no one knows. Not even I knew where I was, which says it all.

At least there’s a road nearby, so I’m hoping if I follow it, I’ll reach somewhere.

“What now?” I asked.

“Finding accommodation is the priority. Somewhere that doesn’t require ID.”

“…”

I wonder where such a place exists.

I considered moving from mountain to mountain but quickly lost energy at the thought.

“What about a guest house?” James suggested.

“Those places tend to be expensive for what they offer. We’d use up all our money in a week.”

Well, we could stay longer if we just paid for lodging, but we need to eat too.

Plus, since it’s someone renting rooms in their own home, we’d inevitably encounter the owner frequently.

That would dramatically increase the chances of my identity being discovered.

…I’d rather avoid that.

“An abandoned house would be ideal,” James said.

Better than nothing, I suppose.

“Maybe I should ask the magical girls for help.”

“Are you insane?”

James questioned my muttering.

“Don’t you realize the magical girls are under surveillance? This incident where they helped you has surely been reported to the Federation. No, that’s not even a question. They went there and failed to stop you. It wouldn’t be surprising if they’re no longer allowed to continue as magical girls.”

“…”

If Hayun had to stop being a magical girl.

Would she be okay? She’d certainly be deeply upset.

I rubbed my face with my hand.

Jihye.

I’m worried about Jihye too. I only saw her being taken to the hospital before I left.

I can’t watch news or read newspapers here. I have no idea how things have developed.

I got up again.

Whatever happens, I needed to walk for now.

I was about to follow the road but changed direction. If another car spotted me on the road, things could get complicated.

I decided to walk where I could see the road but maintain enough distance that cars couldn’t see me. I probably couldn’t maintain that distance consistently—mountains are mountains, after all.

When that happens… I’d have no choice but to walk on the road.

With that resolution, I walked diligently.

*

Lucky, I suppose.

“Hmm.”

James was looking up at a dilapidated house with his hand on his chin.

While walking near the road, I found another path with just traces of human passage, like the one leading to the burial mounds.

But this path was much rougher than the one to the burial mounds.

Though it was just the beginning of spring, weeds grew abundantly along the path. They reached almost to my shins, suggesting they might reach my waist by summer.

Having already walked for several hours by that point, I was exhausted and looking for somewhere to rest.

I was just following the path hoping to find a tree trunk to sit on, but…

“This seems suitable for a temporary stay,” James said, looking at the dreary village.

Yes, it was a village.

Quite spacious. About six households.

Six houses might seem small for a village, but some plots only had foundations remaining, suggesting residents had gradually left until these six houses were also abandoned.

“Setting up a tent inside one of these houses should be manageable,” James said.

“Are you serious?”

“Surely you’re not seriously asking that? For accommodation that costs nothing and requires no ID, this is about as good as it gets.”

“…”

I looked at the house once, then surveyed the surroundings.

It’s incredibly dreary even in daylight. Of the six single-story houses, this one was highest up and in the best condition. Most of the others were half-collapsed.

This house at least maintained its structure…

I approached the house with reluctant steps.

Above the small porch, just big enough for one person to sit, was a rusted sliding door. At least the windows remained unbroken.

Usually, such abandoned houses get vandalized by enthusiasts, but this place was probably too remote to be found.

When I opened the door, a creepy creaking sound echoed.

And a damp smell wafted from inside.

The interior, uninhabited for a long time, could barely provide shelter from rain.

“…”

Wouldn’t the burial mound area be better?

“If you pitch a tent in here, at least you won’t freeze to death. You could even use fire without being discovered, if you cover all the windows. As for the mold… well, we’ll clean it up gradually as we stay.”

“That’s my job, isn’t it?”

“Of course. My robot has already become your equipment.”

“…”

There was much I wanted to argue about, but I had no choice.

I sighed deeply and looked around.

It’s a bit larger than Pang Pang’s place, at least.

…Well, fine.

“Can you make something like a radio?”

“By adapting circuits, I can power basic items for your living needs. This location is suitable in that sense too, isn’t it? You need minimal energy to open subspace.”

That’s why I carried the backpack all this way.

My circuit calmed somewhat with the reassurance that nobody knew where I was.

Maybe it’s also because I confirmed Hayun doesn’t hate me.

That’s one less potential enemy, right?

“…”

Though James’s comment was honestly a bit annoying.

If I get hungry with nothing to eat, I might consider James as food.

“Aren’t you thinking something extremely uncivilized right now?”

“At least you can read facial expressions better these days.”

When he was the Administrator, he didn’t seem to understand my expressions well.

I sighed deeply and put down my backpack.

James scurried into the backpack. For him, the backpack is his tent.

I unzipped it and took out the tent to set up.

I didn’t stake it down, but it wouldn’t blow away in the wind anyway.

After setting up the tent, I looked around the “abandoned house” itself.

…I don’t know how long I’ll stay, but in a place like this, I could probably manage a few weeks.

If so, I’d prefer the inside to be clean.

I sighed deeply.

My body hadn’t fully recovered, and the prospect of hard labor was extremely unappealing, but—

Well, what can I do?

For now, I need to hide until Hayun calls for me.

…Judging by how my heart races at that thought, I really am beyond help.

*

I heard various things.

Most commonly, I heard people asking, “How could you do that?”

All the adults said the same thing.

That I should have captured Jieun no matter what happened.

That if she had grievances, she could have properly explained them.

“…Lies.”

Hayun muttered.

“After saying that, they would have said there was no choice once she was captured.”

Should I have just run away then? If I had fled far away with Jieun.

“…”

But ultimately, Hayun couldn’t make that choice. Sticking with Jieun in this situation would only provoke her further.

But still.

Still, I wanted to see her.

Ever since realizing that Jieun didn’t completely despise Hayun, I’ve just wanted to see her.

Did I make the wrong choice then?

Should I have begged on my knees to leave together?

I hated everything. Truly.

The circuit was reclaimed.

It’s probably not taken away forever. They’ll likely call Hayun and return it only when needed.

Just like handling a tool.

“Hayun…”

Cherry called to Hayun, who lay on the bed staring blankly at the ceiling.

But there was nothing more to say.

Even knowing it wasn’t Cherry’s fault, emotions aren’t easily controlled.

Hayun turned her head.

She saw the pager placed at her bedside.

The spare pager she had received before.

…At least having that made her feel connected to Jieun.

A single thread of hope.

Perhaps that one reason alone was why Hayun hadn’t gone berserk yet.