Ch.8181. Vines and Citrine (2)

“Is this really Citrus in real-time?” – Anonymous(67.34)

Wait, I just came to Yeouido Department Store after a long time and saw blonde sisters on the way.

People with blonde hair pushing a wheelchair—isn’t that Magical Girl Citrus?

So who’s that small child next to Citrus?

-If it’s a small child, isn’t that Vinay? There’s no one else who hangs around with Citrus.

-Is that so? Now that you mention Vinay, it does look like her… But didn’t she always run away when people asked for autographs? Is she okay now?

-On-site!! Go quickly and confirm if it’s really Vinay!

-OMG hahaha Vinay hahaha

“Real-time at Yeouido Department Store” – Anonymous(10.91)

That’s definitely Vinay

I just watched them up close

I saw them through the children’s clothing section. Looking at her eyes and behavior, it’s totally Vinay.

She was having a really hard time trying on clothes and getting annoyed at Citrus. I witnessed her getting irritated at former-generation Citrus firsthand

Then a staff member walked by and noticed them. Ah haha, if I really saw Vinay, this is totally worth it haha

But isn’t former-gen Citrus unable to use her legs because of Vinay? Yet they’re getting along so well? She must be a total saint…

(Close-up photo of Vinay)

(Vinay entering the fitting room with clothes, looking gloomy)

(Vinay twirling around in front of former-gen Citrus with a smile after changing clothes)

-Vinay? It’s really Vinay? I’m going right now haha. Can’t resist as a magical girl fan haha

-Ah haha that Vinay haha I need to rush over there hahaha

-But if that’s Vinay, I don’t see her choker? Aren’t villains required to wear chokers after release?

↳Does she really need one when she’s walking hand-in-hand with a magical girl?

↳But still, it’s Vinay we’re talking about, walking around without a choker…

↳There’s a necklace on her neck, isn’t that it? Looks like something new from the Association. It’s super cute…

↳Ah haha if that’s the case, then it’s fine.

-She looks completely different from when I first spotted Vinay. Seems like she’s cut ties with Eden completely and now hangs out with magical girls.

↳Info: The buildings Vinay destroyed, medical expenses, etc. easily add up to hundreds of billions. Why do people like such a villain? I don’t understand Vinay fanboys at all

↳Troll, get lost. How long has it been since Vinay was released?

↳Honestly, Vinay only got a reduced sentence because she charmed the judges with her looks haha. If the victims saw this, they’d be in tears haha. Sigh, are you idiots so desperate that you’re simping for a villain?

↳Idiot, how long has it been since the final verdict from the Supreme Court? Seriously, what a troll… Plus, they said victim compensation would come from Eden’s seized assets, and Vinay only injured people, never killed anyone. At least she’s better than the mass murderer Flanc.

↳They’re all the same villains, why compare? Are you defending villains? I’m reporting this to the Association

↳You’re the idiot haha. Vinay’s name has been gone from the official villain list for a long time haha. Can’t your mom even afford to take you to the Association Museum?

“Real-time Vinay update” – Anonymous(102.202)

See those clothes piled up behind former-gen Citrus? Those are all for Vinay to try on hahaha

Me? I’m secretly watching Vinay’s fashion show

I guess it’s okay since I haven’t been caught yet? They probably think I’m here to see Citrus

She really is small, for real. How could such destructive power come from…

-Info: Just the buildings Vinay destroyed…

↳Ugh, that template again

↳We get it haha. Who doesn’t know that case has already been settled?

-Think about it. Blanc-level destructive power coming from that tiny body. Plus, you can’t see it now since it’s probably been confiscated, but her destruction beam tail and unpredictable magic control were legendary

↳There’s a video where she was complaining that someone should make their bullet patterns denser since her hitbox is so small.

↳Isn’t that from the Han River Park battle 6 years ago, Blanc/Garnet vs Vinay? I remember Garnet getting frustrated because none of her crossbow shots were hitting.

↳Your Garnet’s weapons don’t hurt at all even with direct hits haha. Getting slashed by Iris’s scythe would hurt way more haha

↳Troll, get lost

↳That’s a famous troll. Just ignore them

* * *

“Is this the end…?”

“Yeah, that’s the last one here. Should we check somewhere else?”

“I’m starting to get tired… How about we go get lunch?”

I try to lure Citrus with the promise of food. If I suggest going now, I’m sure Hyewon would understand too.

“Hyewon, aren’t you hungry too? You’ve been following us around all day. Aren’t my clothes heavy? Let me carry them.”

“No, if you carry them, I’ll definitely get scolded. With your disguise, people would say a magical girl is making an elementary school kid carry her bags.”

“Well… the disguise seems pointless now anyway…”

In reality, if I look around, everyone might seem to be doing their own thing, but they’re all watching us.

I’ve seen that person before.

That’s someone I ran into last time I was out with Citrus.

They’ve been following us enough that I remember their face.

Using such passion for fangirling instead of something like journalism…?

It’s a bit absurd.

People who like villains—no matter how I think about it, it’s strange.

“Hey, Hyewon. That person.”

“Ah… the one in the checkered shirt? I know them too. Why, does it bother you?”

“No, no. I’ve seen them so often that they don’t feel threatening anymore… but, were they famous?”

“Hmm… among magical girls, yes. I heard they travel all the way to remote villages in Gangwon Province to see magical girls.”

“Gangwon Province… If I remember correctly, there was a magical girl with purple hair.”

“Hmm… you don’t even know her name?”

“As you know better than anyone, I only remember people I acknowledge.”

“If Seoa heard that, she’d be really sad.”

“Oh… were you close?”

“Hmm… she’s the girl who came to the magical girl gathering because she likes me.”

“If my memory serves me right, I don’t recall seeing her at Ragnarok.”

“That’s right… we only took the elites with us then. It would have been difficult for Seoa to step up. Though now, it might be a different story.”

“Oh? Could you explain so I can understand?”

“She’s at the level where she could give Yuri unnie a hard time if they fought.”

“What? You mean that unemployed woman…?”

“Yes. Yuri unnie doesn’t just stay cooped up in her room; she goes on missions too. She can even handle small villain groups by herself. So she’s quite highly regarded in the province.”

“Why doesn’t the Association send such talent to Seoul?”

“Because there are many people to protect. This country isn’t just Seoul.”

“Hmm… has she never expressed a desire to come to Seoul?”

“No, she says she likes her hometown. You can see the ocean, and it’s nice. How about it? Want to pick a day and go visit?”

“Hmm… using your time just to meet her…”

“No, I mean let’s go see the ocean. Meeting Seoa would just be a bonus.”

“The ocean… the ocean… Would I be able to see the Mariana Trench?”

“Probably not. At most, you’d see the East Sea, which is basically Japan. The Mariana Trench is to the south. But we could go to Gangwon and then straight to Japan, which would be nice.”

“Aren’t you planning this too casually? Besides, you’re talking about taking a villain like me abroad? That doesn’t make sense…”

“Come to think of it, you’re not a villain anymore, are you? I remember your villain designation was removed on the condition that you wear that choker…”

“What…?”

“You can travel. Let’s think about going abroad later. I should ask the Association Director first. But, aren’t you hungry?”

“I’m fine, but what about you and Citrus?”

“Unnie, aren’t you hungry?”

When I asked Hyewon if she was hungry, she directed the question to Citrus, who was still contemplating which clothes to put on me.

Now that I think about it, she’s been using so much energy since we arrived—picking out my clothes, dressing me up, and reacting to everything. Even with her magical girl enhancements gone, she’s still so energetic.

It’s a bit scary…

“Ah… right. I forgot.”

“How could you forget that! Vinay must be hungry too. Were you planning to just make her try on clothes without feeding her?”

“No, of course not! I made a restaurant reservation! For 12:30…”

“It’s 12:20 now.”

“We’re in the department store! We should make it if we go now, right?”

“Sigh… Unnie, really… Let’s pay quickly and go. Vinay must be hungry.”

“I-I’m really fine…”

“No, you’re not. Did you pay, Unnie?”

“Yes, we can pick them up later. Vinay, let’s go. Sorry… were you hungry?”

“No, I’m truly fine… I’m more worried about you. Aren’t you tired from moving around so vigorously without eating anything? Maybe Hyewon and I are okay, but you don’t have much strength…”

“Huh? I’m just sitting, so it’s not tiring. I only use half the muscles other people do, you know?”

“Don’t joke like that… sigh… Since the payment is done, let’s go to the restaurant you reserved. Hyewon, is that okay?”

“Sigh… I’ll push Unnie’s wheelchair, so you just sit there. Don’t come asking me for help with muscle pain when we get home.”

“Okay. The restaurant is on the 6th floor. Let’s hurry. The elevator is that way.”

“Citrus, hands off the wheelchair. You’ll hurt yourself.”

“Tch. I was trying to move secretly. Hyewon, I’ll leave it to you then.”

And so, the three of us left the children’s clothing section.

Kids around my height seem to be staring at me…

And thankfully, those magical girl fans following us are just quietly watching.

If they had rushed at us like last time, I would have collapsed again.

Hmm… I wonder if they noticed despite my disguise.

Well, who else would be a small child hanging out with these two?