Chapter 41: Stay with Me

“Is there no news from the organization calling itself the Apostles of the Black Relic?

There’s no guarantee they won’t interfere in this matter and cause another terrorist attack. Are countermeasures prepared, Association Head Yu Ji-hye?”

Just when I thought a question finally came from the committee side, which had been lounging about, it was the same person who had previously criticized the Sanguine Obsidia capture plan.

Even though most of the committee members, except for a few, were slacking off as the briefing and meeting showed signs of dragging on, his eyes still hadn’t lost their sharpness.

Not that it made him any more likable, though.

“…Since I reported at the last committee meeting, there has been no contact from them. However, as long as they are hostile to monsters, I believe the possibility of them interfering is low.”

I only informed a few trustworthy people of the truth.

About the madman named Jimmy, about the magic they use, utilizing the corpses of spirits.

What the committee knew was processed information, that is, they were an armed group whose goal was to replace the position of magical girls, using magic with special magestone technology.

The committee bureaucrat who asked the question only sat down after hearing my answer that I would personally step in and stop them if they appeared.

‘I think he definitely had a finance-related position in the government.’

‘If he was satisfied, I wish he would have given some additional budget support, but I guess there won’t be anything like that this time either. Even though things have improved a lot compared to before, the government is still stingy towards the Magical Girl Association.’

Eclipse readily sent reinforcements.

It’s just deplorable that these guys called the Magical Girl Association Steering Committee are less helpful than a mere civilian.

“…It’s been ages since I cut ties with the Association, and you’re asking me to send support?”

“To be precise, it’s a training dispatch. We’re severely short on manpower, but it’s not like our magical girls will get hurt by mere demons. The problem is the increasing civilian casualties, that’s what I’m saying.”

A few days ago, when the logistics center was destroyed and the gift I was going to send to Eclipse was lost, I contacted her again using that as an excuse, and this time, I stated my demands bluntly.

Hoping that since she ended the last communication with her own trauma flare-up, she might listen a little more favorably.

“And, on our side, there’s no one who doesn’t know that you basically raised the current Busan branch. Well, just introduce a few people as if you’re lightly sending them for training. We’ll make sure they diligently accumulate training and practical combat experience.”

And then, I took out a bottle of expensive, branded liquor, sparkling with a brilliant amber hue, in front of the camera.

“I got a whole box of this good whiskey this time. It’s much better than the stuff that got burned up when I tried to send it last time.”

I borrowed it again for free from the kind Chairman, but of course, I have no intention of paying it back.

“Mmm…”

Eclipse, on the screen, groaned, her left prosthetic eye rolling around. It was a habit when she was thinking, but the sight of only her left eyeball rolling back and forth and side to side while her right eye remained fixed was somewhat grotesque.

“If you put it that way… I’ll accept volunteers and let you know.”

And the next day, magical girls suddenly appeared at the Association’s outdoor training ground.

Even the arrivals themselves seemed bewildered, looking around for a long time.

Teleporting from Busan to Seoul via the spirit world, even for her, whose body was practically a spirit, must have been quite taxing.

‘Was she that thirsty for good liquor…’

To think of it as her consideration for wanting to help a childhood friend feels a little embarrassing.

It’s pitiful that Eclipse, despite being able to use such magic, is still bound to that place where she was impaled, that 6-year-old memorial, unable to break free even a little.

And today.

While introducing the magical girls dispatched from Busan as reinforcements and trainees, I glared at the Chairman’s side,

But he just stroked his Santa-like, comforting beard and smiled, as if telling me to be satisfied with just receiving military radar support.

I really should have beaten up all those committee b*stards back then, but I missed the chance because some mentally unstable person calling herself Soda Pop or something barged in.

…It can’t be helped. I’ll have to talk to them separately later.

Blanc, who was smiling brightly and waving at me even while clearing up the hall after the meeting.

Though I was happy, the sight of her chatting amicably with Vera, who had sat down next to her at some point, caught my eye.

***

Perhaps because the days had grown longer as early summer approached, I had stayed too long without realizing how late it was.

A time when, in just a few minutes, it could be called night.

On my way out after finishing organizing materials, I saw familiar figures.

Glacia Azure and Rosa Alisa, training late outdoors.

And the green-haired magical girl, Materia Viridis.

Though the addition of just her made it an unfamiliar sight, the three of them were happily exchanging magic, laughing.

“Thank goodness.”

Blanc, who had approached me unnoticed, spoke.

“Materia recovered from her injuries and returned quickly, but… she was struggling a lot mentally.

Outwardly, she was active and achieving results, but her complexion gradually worsened. It was difficult to do anything since she vehemently denied and refused…

For the past two days, she even holed herself up in her room. I was going to talk about what to do after the meeting, but it seems she’s gotten better.”

‘…I should have paid more attention.’

A child in her early teens lost her family, and a child who clung to her identity as a magical girl and the Association witnessed the deaths of seniors and comrades she trusted, yet I couldn’t personally care for her.

Saying I was too busy lately is no excuse.

Has the initial resolve I had when I became the Head of the Magical Girl Association faded?

At this rate, what I want to achieve…

“It’s okay, you’re doing well.”

I felt the touch of Blanc’s small, warm hand grasping mine. Because of the size difference, my hand ended up enveloping hers.

“You can’t hold everyone else in those two eyes of yours…”

That lovely smile, bathed in the setting sun, somehow looked sad.

“Glacia also had a time like that.”

“When she brought me her resignation letter? Hmm…”

Two years ago, right after I was inaugurated as the Association Head, I did have a hard time placating Glacia Azure, who suddenly came to me saying she would quit.

Thanks to Blanc’s help, it was quickly resolved, and the catastrophe of the already short-staffed Magical Girl Association losing a talented individual did not occur.

…I shouldn’t think like this.

When I think of people other than Blanc, I unconsciously categorize them as necessary or unnecessary.

The only exception is Eclipse, a truly old acquaintance.

“Glacia must have felt something back then too… ‘I hate unnis, I’m going to freeze the entire broadcasting station,’ that crying child has grown up so much, I’m happy.”

According to Blanc, Glacia visited the holed-up Materia, comforted her, listened to her worries, and talked with her.

Materia, like a typical adolescent girl, was easily hurt but also easily healed.

And now, Rosa Alisa and Materia have become close, and the three of them are laughing together.

Like a scene from a cliché youth drama.

…I also wanted to be someone like Glacia, like Blanc, who could heal and save other magical girls.

Just like Blanc is now raising her arm high and placing it on my head, comforting me.

This small, kind-hearted unni sometimes tries to pat me like a child.

Though that part is cute.

Looking at that smile as she looks up at me with wide eyes, an impulse to kiss her right away and embrace her arises.

The burning passion, the weariness, all passed,

And I thought our relationship had become dry and withered, or perhaps natural, after we stopped living together,

But it seems that’s not quite the case.

For the first time in a really long time, I feel a strong palpitation in my chest as I look at her.

Is it because many things have happened recently, making me sentimental,

Or have my thoughts just increased after a tiring day?

The line of steel connecting guard posts, fences, and automated turrets embedded with magestones along the Han River.

The riverside park, once filled with people of the 20th century, had long since disappeared into burning mana, gunfire, and screams, and all that remained were the wreckage of old bridges that hadn’t been cleared,

And the products of desperate efforts to stop the monsters that might crawl out from the vast Han River at any moment.

It’s an everyday scene.

Though we both live right next to the Association building, we sometimes drive far across the city,

Feeling the night breeze blowing through the windows, all the way to the city’s edge.

Muttering to ourselves that we, the magical girls, have protected people this much.

A daily routine of reviving our dejected mood with a rather good meal and sweet dessert, and spending a gentle night.

Following the rhythm created by Blanc’s voice as she hums while holding the steering wheel, I tap the passenger seat window with my fingers, and our eyes meet once in a while,

Blanc’s gaze lowers from my smiling face towards my chest.

“You’re staying over tonight, right?”

Blanc says, playfully sticking out her small tongue and licking her lips.

Turning my head away from that blatant gaze, I heard a chuckling sound.

It feels like I’ve gone back to that time when we first met again after becoming magical girls, a poignant feeling.

“What are you thinking? You pervert.”

Though at the Association, she shows a truly angelic appearance, treating everyone with utmost sincerity, affection, and maternal love, when it’s just the two of us, she’s like a mischievous imp, despite her small stature.

Both are her true nature, and both are good.

Unlike me, who only shows one well-packaged side, while the other side is full of hypocrisy.

Therefore, Bistour Blanc, Hyeonjeong unni, who embraces my other side as well,

Is a precious person, irreplaceable by anything.

…After dealing with Sanguine Obsidia, I should rest for a while.

So that unnecessary thoughts don’t arise.