Ch.96Chapter 16. Intimacy (5)

Anyway, since the radio had announced the date for summoning the chairman, we prepared in our own way.

For a week, we rechecked the circuits. With Cherry’s help, the magical girls’ hope circuits could now be used without the threat of being tracked. Apparently, while removing those parts, they disassembled them and used various components in other circuits.

Quite embarrassingly, my hope circuit was powered by Hayun.

This is neither a joke nor a misunderstanding. I honestly wanted to deny it, but when Hayun stuck close to me and smiled, the circuit spun that much more vigorously.

Moreover, while my heart was racing, the output maintained a certain level.

But having the circuit screen glow white was too embarrassing.

Well, now that this fact had been exposed, even if I removed this function, Hayun would still smile at me whenever she saw me.

Hayun seemed satisfied just being able to be friends with me again.

My attitude was also gradually changing along with Hayun’s expressions. Whatever happened in the past, I had always liked Hayun. Even if someone told me to change those feelings now, I couldn’t.

Some clingy emotions still remained. I couldn’t exactly identify what that sticky black mass deep in my heart was, but I could tell it was a tangled mess of jealousy and inferiority.

…I hide such feelings as much as possible. Revealing them would be dangerous right now, wouldn’t it?

Since we’re getting into the same bath and sleeping in the same tent.

Hayun still confidently enters the tent.

I still haven’t taken down the tent. I didn’t want to show the other girls what position we sleep in.

Hayun would definitely cling to me regardless of others’ gazes…

This certainly didn’t happen when we were in school. It’s not like we never went on school trips together.

While it’s true that Hayun considered me a very close friend, she wasn’t the type to cling like this.

Perhaps she felt something similar to the shock I felt when I almost lost her.

Maybe she thinks it’s okay to show such behavior to those around us. She was reluctant to get too close with our classmates, but her feelings toward the magical girls might be different.

Besides—

“…”

Recently, our night walks have gained another companion.

“Ju-a.”

Hayun called out to Ju-a. Standing to my right, Hayun was tightly holding onto my arm.

To be honest, it’s extremely awkward. I try my hardest to keep my arm still when Hayun holds it, as it naturally sways when I walk. If I move it somehow, it could easily lead to… misunderstandings.

Given how Hayun was clinging to me, I didn’t think she’d say anything about such things, but still, as a person, it felt like I shouldn’t.

“What?”

Regardless of my thoughts, Hayun and Ju-a continued their conversation.

“…When did you two become so close?”

For some reason, that question scared me a bit. Hayun couldn’t possibly feel jealous about me, could she?

Ju-a was like a comrade who had consistently fought alongside Hayun. The content of the conversation might be easy to misunderstand, or rather, I might be one-sidedly thinking that way, but in reality, it probably wasn’t like that.

“…”

Ju-a remained silent for a moment in response to Hayun’s question.

Ju-a wasn’t clinging to me like Hayun was. Instead, she was firmly holding onto my sleeve. To be honest, I wanted to ask Hayun the same question.

The problem is, it would be awkward if “I” asked such a question.

Imagine this: You have a friend you think you’re close with, and while walking with them, they suddenly ask, “Were we that close?”

You’d probably be hurt and never talk to them again.

Actually, that’s almost like bullying.

Instead of directly answering Hayun, Ju-a looked up at me.

It seemed like she wanted me to say something.

After a brief contemplation, I spoke.

“…You remember I was a combatant, right?”

Hayun blinked at my words.

I wasn’t asking because I thought she didn’t know or had forgotten. I was asking to emphasize the point.

“Yes… that’s right.”

“Ju-a was the one I encountered most frequently back then. We had quite a few comedic situations.”

“I-I see…”

Hayun made an extremely awkward expression at my explanation.

Even Ju-a, who had seen me, had a similar expression.

Why? I explained because they asked.

…

Ah, right.

I was injured in those fights. Of course, Ju-a wasn’t the only one who hurt me. Hayun, Rose, Dalia, and Delphinium all injured me at some point.

I think it was an unavoidable situation. It would be a lie to say I didn’t harbor any ill feelings because of it. The inferiority complex that still lingers in my heart is because I still carry those memories deep inside.

But, yes. Let me emphasize again, it was unavoidable.

Back then, the bigger issue was me being captured.

It was a time when I was trying my hardest not to reveal to Hayun that I was a combatant, and I even deliberately provoked Ju-a to get hit by her beam and be thrown far away.

Besides, I also swung my sword and threw punches at them.

Just like it’s foolish to point a gun at an American police officer and expect not to get shot, it was natural for someone to get hurt in a battle between a combatant and magical girls.

I never broke anyone’s arm or leg, but honestly, I never controlled my strength to avoid doing so either.

Anyway.

The reason why both of them now had awkward expressions is quite simple.

Both of them had hit and hurt me, and now they found it strange to be clinging to me like this.

But despite their expressions, neither Ju-a nor Hayun moved away. As expected of magical girls. Their mental strength is impressive.

“…To add an explanation.”

Ju-a spoke in a somewhat apologetic tone.

“Back then, Jieun was the only one who boldly provoked me.”

“And that became a reason to get close?”

“Human emotions aren’t easily understood, are they? It’s not uncommon for people to become friends after fighting. That seems to be the case for me.”

“…”

Is that so?

But it does seem that way.

While I was fighting for my life, thinking back to Ju-a during our fighting days, her attitude did seem somewhat light.

After hearing Ju-a’s words, Hayun’s expression became thoughtful again.

Seeing the two fall into silence, I found myself at a loss for words again.

Wait, we’re on a walk right now.

It’s refreshing… well, not really since it’s spring and the air isn’t that great, but we came out to get some fresh air, and now what’s this all about?

We could just all be friends and resolve this, so what’s the point of having such a conversation?

…I guess I’m not one to talk. Until just recently, I was saying things like “I’m the king here, and you all do as I say.”

I even pushed Hayun against a wall and said things like “Anything?”

“Jieun?!”

Hayun exclaimed in surprise as my knees wobbled.

But I let go of Hayun’s hand and crouched down on the ground.

“…”

Back then, I was trying to express my anger in my own way, but looking back now, it was an incredibly irrational act.

No, before being irrational, it was just embarrassing. What on earth was I doing?

I wanted to tear my hair out.

Yet strangely, my circuit didn’t turn towards despair. I’m not sure if this circuit has completely changed as James said or what.

Maybe I can’t despair over just embarrassment anymore.

Because Hayun is by my side.

I felt even more embarrassed.

This time, it was internal embarrassment.

“Jieun, are you okay?”

Hayun crouched down beside me.

Even while crouching, she lightly held onto my arm.

Ju-a was still standing, closely observing my condition. I wish she wouldn’t do that. Her expression was strangely serious, making it seem like she was genuinely concerned about my state.

I wonder if I could go back to the days when I was in despair? At least then, I wouldn’t feel this embarrassment.

…

I’m just saying.

I know this state is better.

*

“…”

“Hey, Ju-a.”

Hayun spoke to Ju-a, who was staring intently at us.

Ju-a’s usually sharp eyes were half-closed. She was looking at the two of us very suspiciously… no, maybe “suspicious” isn’t the right word?

Anyway, it was a very “strange” gaze.

Hayun and I were sitting inside the tent, and Ju-a was outside.

Normally, it would be time to close up and prepare, but since Ju-a was crouching outside, looking in, we couldn’t lie down as usual.

Wait.

Doesn’t this mean that both Hayun and I are aware that our sleeping position might be a bit inappropriate for others to see? And yet we still confidently lie down embracing each other?

Of course, the “embracing” was just because I turned to face Hayun when lying down, but still.

“Do you have something to tell us?”

Hayun asked somewhat cautiously.

After hearing that, Ju-a stared at us for a few seconds before speaking.

“It’s unfair.”

“Huh?”

“I know this tent belongs to Jieun. I can’t say anything if she wants to sleep in it.”

Before Hayun could ask “So?”, Ju-a quickly continued.

“But it’s a bit unfair that only Hayun gets to sleep inside. It’s a bit cold outside.”

Is it cold? I’ve only slept outside once, but it didn’t seem that cold to me.

Well, weather isn’t consistent every day, so it might suddenly feel cold one day, or maybe that one day I slept outside was just warm. Even though it’s spring, if someone said they’d sleep outside without a tent, they might be considered strange.

“So, you’re saying we should take turns sleeping inside?”

“That’s how we do it with the baths.”

Actually, we only switched bath partners by drawing lots once.

Come to think of it, the person I bathed with that time was also Ju-a. Just once, though.

I’ve never felt that was something to regret.

“So, you’re saying we should draw lots to decide who sleeps in the tent?”

Hayun asked in a very incredulous voice.

And I also found it a bit absurd after hearing that.

Wait, Hayun starting to sleep in here wasn’t based on any fair rule either, was it?

She just suddenly came in and started sleeping here, and it’s been that way ever since, right?

More than that, I don’t understand why Ju-a wants to sleep in here. It would be uncomfortable to sleep with me. The two of us… since Hayun unilaterally clings to me when sleeping, space isn’t particularly limited, but…

I started imagining Ju-a sleeping next to me like Hayun does, but quickly shook my head to erase that thought.

Am I crazy? It’s not like I’m a teenage boy fantasizing about girls around me.

“Whether it’s drawing lots or setting a schedule, I think some measure is needed.”

“I’ll pass.”

Rose, who had been quietly listening, raised one hand and spoke.

That’s the normal reaction, I guess. To sleep in here, you’d either have to kick me out or sleep with me, and the former is somewhat prevented by my maintained bravado, while the latter would be extremely uncomfortable.

Seeing Dalia and Delphinium shaking their heads, it seemed they had no intention of doing so either.

Hayun and Ju-a’s gazes met.

Ju-a’s gaze wasn’t much different from usual. Hayun looked a bit perplexed. I probably did too.

…Didn’t you grab my arm and then run away once? Why are you acting like this now—

While thinking that and looking at Ju-a’s face, I could see that her face was a bit red.

“Are you sick? Do you have a cold?”

It could be a cold, but I hadn’t noticed any typical cold symptoms. She wasn’t sniffling or coughing.

If that’s the case, maybe she’s feeling a bit under the weather from living in harsh conditions. Accumulated fatigue can lead to a cold if it suddenly puts strain on the body.

“…It seems like it.”

Ju-a readily admitted.

I fell into thought for a moment, then scratched my head and stood up. Both Hayun and Ju-a’s faces followed me.

“Then, sleep in the tent. I can sleep outside. You two can stay in the tent.”

“Huh?”

That sound escaped from Hayun’s lips.

“That’s… no, there’s no need for that.”

“If you have a cold, it means you’ve been enduring it for a while now.”

Thinking about it again, that might explain why Ju-a’s face was red. Her strange behavior… could be because she was moving carelessly due to a headache. Maybe she went outside because she didn’t want to show others she was sick.

And if it became unbearable, she might want to sleep somewhere warmer.

But Ju-a has a strong sense of pride. She’s probably the most prideful among the magical girls. So naturally, it would be hard for her to ask to sleep inside now.

So she might suggest drawing lots like this.

“…”

I think I understand a bit why I felt a strange sense of familiarity with Ju-a.

This might make Ju-a angry, but she gives off a bit of a “kindred spirit” vibe. The type who isn’t honest, hides their thoughts here and there, and ends up messing things up by delaying speaking.

…I’ve done similar things trying to push Hayun away. And ended up bathing with Ju-a because of it.

“Wait, Jieun.”

Hayun stood up with me.

“Then I’ll sleep outside too.”

“…Outside?”

I asked, a bit surprised, and Hayun looked at me with a broad smile.

“Yes!”

If she sleeps outside, she’ll probably sleep next to me, and might even fall asleep while back-hugging me again.

…I wonder if it’s okay to show such a sight to the other girls.

But…

I looked at Ju-a, who was looking up at me with a flushed face and a somewhat dejected expression.

In a few days, we’ll be going to confront the chairman. If someone’s condition is poor in that situation, it could immediately become a problem.

We don’t know how many kaijin might be hiding. Naturally, the chairman would be worried about us rushing in.

Maintaining optimal health is best for everyone.

“…”

Leaving Ju-a in the tent, she looked at the two of us with a complex expression.

For some reason, Rose seemed like she was about to burst into laughter while looking at me. Is my face that amusing? I consider myself quite pretty.

Hayun followed me as I expected.

And when I lay down on the ground and covered myself with the vinyl blanket, she came inside.

At this point, anything I say would be too late.

Instead, I just pulled the blanket over my head.

I heard Hayun giggling behind me, but I tried not to pay attention.

*

The next morning.

When I woke up, I was embracing Hayun.

This time, I hadn’t woken up in the middle of the night and consciously moved.

This time, I could truly use the excuse “it just happened while I was asleep.”

Hayun was sleeping soundly in my arms.

As I was seriously contemplating whether it was okay to move, I noticed my back felt strangely damp. As if I had sweated.

“…”

There was someone behind me.

Someone who had placed their forehead or head against my back, curled up, and was breathing softly while sleeping.

Since only Hayun had ever come and clung to me like this, I couldn’t distinguish by the sound of breathing alone, but…

Somehow, I instinctively felt like I knew who it was. There was no particular basis for this feeling.

Being careful not to wake Hayun, I slightly turned my head to check who it was.

All I could see was the crown of their head.

But there’s no way I could forget that intense purple hair.

The person who had placed their forehead against my back and was curled up sleeping was none other than Ju-a.

Wasn’t she supposed to sleep in the tent? Did she come out and get under the blanket during the night?

There’s even a sleeping bag in the tent.

Maybe she got too hot sleeping in the sleeping bag and came out. Once you start sweating, it can get really hot, so that’s plausible.

In her half-asleep state, and still feeling unwell, she might have mistakenly found the wrong blanket to get under.

In the cold morning temperature, she might have clung to the warmer side.

It was a plausible story.

Because of this, I found myself in a predicament, wondering how to get up in the morning.

If Ju-a wakes up first, she’ll see Hayun and me embracing each other. If I move first, Hayun will wake up.

And though I had no basis for this feeling, I somehow felt that Hayun wouldn’t be too pleased to see Ju-a clinging to my back.

Actually, I don’t understand why I’m being so considerate of these two.