Chapter 12 : Active high school girl

The Magical Girl Support Team is not a very large department.

Support is generally indirect in nature, and there aren’t many major tasks besides that.

The gate detection system could be considered the main body.

When something happens, they get busy without a moment to breathe, but normally it’s a relatively easy department.

If there’s any difficulty, it might be that they have to work in shifts?

Since they can’t let their guard down 24 hours a day, someone must always be at their post in the support room.

“The octopus was tougher than it looked.”

A young male staff member muttered while scanning a report.

The octopus is the nickname for the monster recently defeated by the 5th generation magical girls.

It was a tricky monster that could instantly regenerate even if its tentacles were cut off.

“They call it the Hydra Tentacle. That’s the official name.”

Senior supporter Kim Taehyun leaned back in his chair, holding a mug.

“Eh, octopus sounds catchier though.”

“I’m just afraid it’ll become a habit. If you say that in a meeting, you’ll get scolded.”

“Who do you think I am? Usually it’s seniors who present in meetings anyway.”

When he glared sharply, the young man hurriedly turned the page pretending to work.

“By the way, what rating did it get again?”

“Hm… it’s D. The big one is C.”

“So it was another error after all.”

System errors have been frequent recently.

If they hadn’t reinforced the power after sensing something suspicious, they might have heard about a magical girl’s death.

“As you said, contacting Scarlet Lily was a godsend.”

The young man said that, but Kim Taehyun looked dissatisfied.

“This can’t go on. If it really is an error, fixing the sensor should be enough, but we might have to overhaul the entire rating system.”

Since the appearance of the dinosaur-like monster, accidents have been occurring one after another.

More precisely, ever since the large-scale gate incident.

It was as if someone was intentionally disrupting the system — the analysis results kept missing the mark.

“Wow, that octopus monster is no joke. Its central tentacles apparently had a paralysis effect. Does it use that to catch its prey?”

He flipped through the pages reading the analysis results.

“What happens if you get caught? I bet some people would totally lose it over this—”

The cold stares of the female staff froze him.

“…Sorry.”

The young man lowered his head, reflecting on his careless remark.

“I heard some were caught even without Scarlet Lily’s help, is that true?”

Kim Taehyun propped his chin on his hand.

“Probably. The average D-rank ones were probably tough, but the 5th generation are growing fast.”

The 5th generation lack battle experience.

They are used to E and F ranks, but hunting down D-ranked ones without help is something else.

“There were some C-ranked ones too, right?”

“Yes. The first ones taken down.”

“Who caught them?”

“Scarlet Lily. She finished them off cleanly with her Scarlet Beam this time too.”

The young man shrugged.

It’s no longer surprising, but still impressive.

“What do you think it really is? Do you know something, senior?”

“I don’t know. And I don’t intend to find out.”

“It seems they’re hiding it as a top secret.”

“If I had the authority, I’d classify it as zero-level top secret.”

Kim Taehyun sipped his coffee.

“Is it really that important?”

“It’s like opening Pandora’s box while simultaneously cutting open the goose that lays golden eggs.”

It’s ideal for magical girls to just be magical girls.

That was Kim Taehyun’s long-held belief.

“That’s true. If Scarlet Lily sticks around for a long time, Korea won’t fall. Though the monster analysis team must be having a rough time.”

No matter the rating, they get taken down in one blow.

There’s no time to collect data like that.

I could relate.

“Maybe you’re right.”

“Aaaah!”

A shrill scream echoed through the bustling district.

People panicked at the monster’s appearance.

The area became chaotic.

People rushed into the subway station or fled far away from the monster, leaving the streets deserted in an instant.

A bipedal bull-like creature from mythology, the Minotaur.

A muscular monster wielding a hammer in each hand began to rampage violently.

It smashed building walls and crushed cars.

With that furious look, people trapped inside buildings could only hold their breath and watch from behind windows, unable to move.

“Grrr!”

As it snorted hot breath and searched for the next target, the magical girls — guardians of peace — appeared!

“Ready? Let’s go!”

Leading was Parfait Alpha, followed by two girls charging at the monster.

All three held spears.

Alpha and Beta stood in front, with Gamma covering behind.

“This guy is really tough! Everyone be careful!”

Gamma stabbed the spear into its back, but it didn’t go deep.

Its muscles were tough and resilient.

“Shall we go with a combination attack?”

“Good idea!”

At Beta’s words, the others agreed and kept their distance from the monster.

Fire, ice, and electricity.

Elemental magic fired from the spear tips made the monster writhe in pain.

“Aqua, now’s your chance!”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Aqua hovering in the sky.

“Water Bullet!”

She used her specialty magic, unleashing a barrage of water bullets.

The monster was holding a close-range weapon.

It wasn’t suitable for fighting airborne targets.

If they kept pushing like this, they might win.

While maintaining the pressure without giving the monster a chance to counterattack, suddenly it threw a hammer.

“Ugh!”

A hammer brushed against Aqua’s thigh.

Pain breaks concentration.

Magic control faltered, and the effect of the levitation spell was lost.

Is it finally my turn to step forward?

I had been waiting for a moment like this.

I, who was on the ground, flew toward the falling Aqua.

I sped up and caught her with some room to spare.

After catching her in a princess hug, I landed on the ground.

“…Thank you.”

It didn’t seem like a serious injury; Aqua was able to stand on her own.

The monster charged with the one remaining hammer, but its movements were slow, probably due to accumulated damage.

When the four of us concentrated our magical fire, it didn’t take long before it collapsed.

“Everyone did well!”

We exchanged high fives and celebrated the victory.

“That was said to be a strong monster for D-rank. Almost C-rank!”

In a quiet place a little away from the scene,

Aqua spoke while looking at the magical girl app.

“We’ve already grown that much!”

Parfait Alpha rejoiced, and the others also had satisfied expressions.

The four of us gathered here live nearby, so we often hang out together enough to be considered fixed members.

Because of that, our bond was strong and teamwork excellent.

‘I kind of miss it.’

It reminded me of my rookie days.

A time when even modest growth could bring joy.

The purity that only a newly contracted magical girl can have.

To me now, it’s a dazzlingly shining youth.

“Um…”

While chatting, Aqua suddenly spoke to me.

“What’s wrong?”

“I think it’s pretty late, but I feel like I have to say this.”

She fiddled with her hair, hesitating.

Why is someone who’s always lively like this acting so?

I waited, and Aqua finally spoke.

“I’m sorry for the harsh words last time. I didn’t mean them sincerely…”

Ah, that’s why.

The first day we met, Aqua had pushed me hard.

She nitpicked at me even though I wasn’t at fault, and Parfait Alpha gave her a proper lesson.

“I forgive you. Let’s get along from now on.”

That was my answer.

I deliberately used the word ‘forgive’ for Aqua’s sake.

There are other ways to say it like ‘It’s okay’ or ‘I don’t care,’ but those felt insufficient.

I chose ‘I forgive you’ to clearly show that I had cleaned up any bad feelings.

If she acts sulky afterward, it would simply prove that my patience is small.

It can be said that it contains delicate consideration in its own way.

“Yeah, let’s get along.”

Aqua smiled.

She seemed relieved that I accepted her apology.

“So, this means we’re reconciled?”

Parfait Alpha teased with a playful grin nearby.

Aqua was shy but somehow looked relieved.

Although a bit rough, I was able to become friends with the 5th generation magical girls.

It seemed like it would be rough from the start, but it settled smoothly.

Because of these ups and downs, the relationship grew even stronger.

However, one small problem remained.

“Everyone, good work.”

Around 3 PM, we parted ways.

“Ah… I said I was going to the bathroom, but what should I tell the teacher?”

“You should have said you were going to the infirmary.”

“I was healthy until just before, so it sounds like a lie.”

“You can say your stomach hurts.”

“Sigh, next time I’ll do that.”

My comrades were trying hard to make an alibi.

The 5th generation are active high school students.

Since they juggle magical girl activities and schoolwork, they need a reason when leaving their seat.

“What does Lily usually say?”

Aqua’s sudden question.

“I’m preparing for the GED…”

I messed up.

Another setting I never had was added.

“So that’s why you could broadcast during the day too~.”

My comrades accepted it.

They firmly believed the story Armo made up that I recently contracted as a 5.5 generation.

“Well, I’ll go then.”

“Bye bye.”

“See you again.”

Everyone left, and I was left alone.

I ended up saying something that admits I’m a teenager.

A wave of self-loathing came over me.

That’s why I couldn’t get mad when Aqua started picking a fight.

Because I’m a high schooler.

Before parting, I couldn’t forget the expression on Parfait Alpha’s face who knew the truth.

…I want to jump into the Han River just like this.