The End of a Long Adolescence – 7

“Hooh… impressive.”

The Witch was genuinely impressed.

Even though it was an attack launched without full power, she never expected the Persona, on the verge of death, to withstand it.

“But, what’s next? Can that pathetic human body block my next attack?”

The Witch’s words were correct.

Kang In-ho’s body, tattered like a rag, was trembling as it stopped her fist with his body.

It looked like he would fall over if she flicked him with her finger.

“If this goes on… Rider.”

He recited the incantation for transformation, but the mask did not appear.

“What’s with that old-fashioned incantation? Is that a transformation spell? Oh~ what happened while you were gone? I’m so curious?”

The Witch chuckled, hearing his transformation spell.

“Curious… are you?”

The voice he barely squeezed out was like a dying flame, a fading voice.

Smack, the Witch slapped him across the cheek.

“You better watch your mouth.”

Her giant fist opened and grabbed him.

He coughed up dark red blood from the pressure constricting his body.

“Nothing more to show? I was expecting more since you seemed stronger… this is disappointing?”

The Witch sneered, watching Kang In-ho bleed profusely.

The Witch’s eyes narrowed at the sight of Kang In-ho, head bowed, held in her giant hand.

“What, did you faint?”

The Witch snorted, as if her excitement had been dampened, and approached him.

The sun set, and the moon began to rise.

The stars in the sky, hidden by the sunlight, were gradually revealing themselves.

“……..”

He muttered something quietly, his head bowed.

“What is he saying?”

The Witch smiled, thinking he was about to use a hidden trump card, and moved even closer.

No matter what method he used, it wouldn’t work against her, she wanted to tell him that.

When she was close enough to hear his breathing, the Witch felt a sensation of ‘heat’.

“…?”

Before the Witch could even recognize it, a massive explosion occurred.

As the final, final exam ended, the students poured out of the school gates.

The sun had already set, and it was long past dark.

The students with fresh faces embraced their families waiting for them in front of the school gates, bringing an end to their arduous three-year journey.

Some laughed, some cried, releasing the emotions that had built up over time.

Watching the close emotional exchanges between families, Kim Sung-ah walked out of the school gates, step by step.

She looked around, but the man who should be waiting for her was nowhere to be seen.

“The fight seems to be over.”

The collision of powers that had been raging fiercely had stopped a little while ago.

Perhaps he hadn’t been able to return here yet.

She looked up at the sky.

“…!!”

Light descended from the sky. It was a star.

In the sky where the sun was setting, scattered fragments of light decorated the evening.

Anyone who saw that subtle light, even someone who had lost their dreams and hopes, would have marveled at the beauty of nature.

Scattered fragments of light embroidered the sky.

It was truly beautiful.

And for some reason, she felt tears welling up.

The anxiety she had been suppressing throughout the exam suddenly surged.

In the midst of the crowd, Kim Sung-ah soared into the sky.

Leaving a comet-like trail, she flew to where the star was falling.

Having already transformed, she arrived at the rooftop of a building.

“…Uncle?”There, she saw Kang In-ho lying sprawled out in a ‘D’ shape.

Thump, her heart dropped.

“Uncle!”

She rushed to him, panting.

Her heart was beating fast. The blood in her body felt like it was drying up.

“Uncle!”

Kim Sung-ah sat next to Kang In-ho and shook his body.

“Why!”

He suddenly sat up with the same voice as usual, and Kim Sung-ah quickly scanned his body.

He didn’t seem to have any external injuries.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, it was a tough fight… but I won for now. The opponent was pretty tough.”

“Just who was it? Did you fight one of the Four Heavenly Kings?”

“I got rid of the Four Heavenly Kings, and I fought a Witch too.”

“What? A Witch?”

The Magical Girl’s eyes widened.

Then she began to feel his body. She couldn’t believe that he had returned unharmed after meeting a Witch.

“Hey, where do you think you’re touching so casually? Hands off. Or I’ll report you for sexual harassment.”

Just as she was about to scan his body with magic, Kang In-ho gently pushed her away.

“…Are you not hurt?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. But I missed the Witch.”

“If you missed her, does that mean the Witch ran away?”

“That’s right. She was so surprised by my strength that she ran away in a hurry.”

“Uncle, I’m not in the mood for jokes.”

The Magical Girl’s eyes narrowed.

“I’m not joking either.”

His face became as calm as a lake.

“I took a big hit, so she won’t come here for a while… but she’ll regain her strength and come back someday.”

Kim Sung-ah also became thoughtful at his serious face.

“I guess so.”

“But since she lost her subordinates, won’t it be peaceful for a while?”

“That’s true too. It’ll feel like a holiday for a while.”

“Right. Heave-ho!”

Kang In-ho got up. Then he smiled and looked down at her.

“Did you do well on the college entrance exam?”

At his usual tone,

“I messed it up because I was worried about you, Uncle.”

Kim Sung-ah chuckled.

“Still, you worked hard. You worked hard studying all this time.”

He raised his hand and stroked her hair.

She closed her eyes and felt his touch.

“How was taking the college entrance exam? Do you feel relieved?”

“…I don’t know. I’m not sure.”

“Now you have no choice but to graduate high school.”

A cool breeze blew on the rooftop of the building.

The wind tousled his and her hair.

“I guess so. Ah~ I wanted to be a high school student forever.”

She turned and headed towards the stairs, as if she really regretted it.

Following her slow movements, he also moved his steps.

“Seong-ah, being an adult isn’t really a big deal.”

“Is that so? I’m still anxious.”

“Adults and teenagers are the same. They always make mistakes, fall, get frustrated, feel sad, and get angry… Adults are just as immature as teenagers.”

“Haha… why are you suddenly being so serious? It’s awkward.”

“You’re going to make a lot of mistakes in the future.”

“Uncle?”

“You’re going to make a lot of mistakes, fall so hard you can’t get up again, get frustrated with many things, feel sad about being alone, and get angry at the absurdities of the world.”

“…Why are you suddenly like this?”

Kim Sung-ah turned to look at him.

A blue light was illuminating his body.

“Stricter standards than when you were a student will evaluate you. It will be more harsh and cold.”

“U, Uncle?”

His body was fading.

The Magical Girl focused her eyes. And she looked inside him.

She slightly opened her mouth when she saw his empty, hollow body.

“But don’t be afraid to try.”

He smiled. Not a smile after making a boring joke and laughing lightly, not a smile trying to hide awkwardness by laughing loudly, just a smile.

“Adults are not complete beings. It’s just the beginning. It’s okay to fail a lot, despair, and… try little by little.”

It was the smile of a man named Kang In-ho.

“Ah… I wanted to see you get into college. It’s a shame. Oh, but don’t go to art school.”

He muttered, as if he was disappointed.

“What are you talking about! Right now!!!”

“If I had a few more years, I might have been able to accept your feelings… I was about to say.”

With a playful face, he joked even as he disappeared.

“Uncle!”

The Magical Girl reached out and ran towards him.

“There are side dishes in the fridge. Eat well. Be healthy. Be happy….”

“Uncle!!!!”

“I hope you become a wonderful adult who protects your dreams and hopes.”

“Uncle!!!!!!”

That day, shattered starlight lingered on the rooftop, and Kim Sung-ah lost another precious person.

That’s how puberty ended, and the Magical Girl finally became an adult.