episode_0012

After settling down and living in the former magical girl Citrus’s house, Hyein,

Anyone who sees eyes burning with such intensity will likely be very rare.

The passion she used to see when baking her favorite bread seems to have come alive again here.

Perhaps it was the news she just heard about the release of a new dress-up doll.

Normally, her younger sister would take on that role, but as her sister grew up and moved into the dormitory, it became really difficult for her to do it herself.

Hyein, who always liked cute kids, but felt particularly cute about Bine, what switch was turned on in her heart when she became the target?

Of course, when she fought directly, when her body was on fire. She tried to pick up that little naughty kid, redeem her, and make her a great little sister, she thought.

Various factors overlapped, moving Hyein.

“Yunseul, wait a moment. I’ll be ready soon.”

Seeing Hyein so excited, whether it was the first time or just felt like the first time in a long time, Yunseul, taken aback, simply nodded slowly.

Hyein, who had rushed into her room as if racing indoors in a wheelchair, came out quickly after preparing while Hyeon and Yunseul were having a trivial conversation.

Even though she hurried to get ready, her shining beauty appeared even more radiant.

“I’m all set, guys! Let’s go now!”

“Unnie, are you sure you want to go together…? The department store is a bit far from here.”

“Yeah, it’s okay. We’re going to see Bine’s clothes, right? You’ll definitely need this unnie’s help!”

“Unnie, are you really okay?”

“Don’t underestimate this unnie. Let’s go!”

Excited Hyein, for some reason in a hurry, struggled to open the stubborn front door herself and urged the kids to come out quickly.

* * *

…Sigh. What is going on?

I expected to come to the department store today.

With Blanc, and my precious scarf, I could comfortably choose clothes while hiding my body.

Well, Blanc isn’t that famous, so she might have stood out a bit, but isn’t it solved if I hide behind her?

And who would remember the Eden executive who collapsed three years ago?

The losers are just that. It’s better to be forgotten.

But what should I call this?

Citrus was such a famous figure.

I expected Blanc or Wulbo to some extent.

Why is Citrus surrounded like that?

Later, I found out that the bakery run by Citrus is a famous bakery on the internet.

After retiring as a magical girl, it became a popular bakery with good taste and a nice coffee aroma.

It was also used as an unofficial gathering place for former magical girls, and sometimes magical girls would come out saying, “I came out because Hyein unnie asked for help~” and work as part-time employees.

Although her time as a magical girl was short, her fame was different from others.

So, I’m really embarrassed. This.

Already being dragged out by Wulbo and Blanc, I left my scarf at home and barely covered my face with a hood.

Those people recognized me. Again, again.

What if they ask why I’m here, telling me to disappear from this world?

I pulled my hood tighter and stuck closer to Blanc.

Even though Blanc is being swarmed by the crowd, serving her fans, she hasn’t left me yet.

In this situation where I have already distanced myself from Citrus and Wulbo, I am a little lost.

“Oh my, who is that child next to Magical Girl Blanc?”

“Oh, really? I thought Blanc didn’t have a younger sibling?”

“She’s so tiny, that child.”

“Judging by her shabby clothes, did she come here for volunteer work or something?”

“Indeed, she’s the Savior Magical Girl. Even though she’s like that, she still says she’s lacking and remains humble.”

“But it seems like the child is very shy. Being so close to Blanc like that, they really don’t seem like sisters, do they?”

“Oh, she’s really cute~! So adorable! Hey, don’t be shy! Can you look over here for a moment?”

A huge amount of voices filled the escalator.

The grip on Blanc’s arm tightened.

The stares were intimidating.

The overwhelming attention was frightening.

They may see her as just a little child now, but will they still think the same after seeing my face?

I must not let them find out about my true identity as Vina.

I lower my head even more.

I hide my appearance even more.

But the more I do that, the more the attention that was on Blanc shifts to me.

This is why I wanted to be forgotten.

Even if I try to think that I’ve forgotten.

When I think about the things I’ve done, I probably haven’t forgotten at all.

If only the Savior would appear.

Please help me again. Anyone will do.

“Excuse me, everyone! Please make some room!”

“Gathering like this is dangerous! Please disperse!”

“Let me out!! It’s dangerous!!”

Voices of people appearing from somewhere.

The crowd dispersing.

The sound of footsteps turning back.

The suffocating feeling slowly eases.

I raise my head slightly to check, and some of the crowd has disappeared.

It seems that the department store has become crowded, so they sent security guards to ensure safety.

“Are you Magical Girl Blanc and Miss Shin Hye-in?”

The person who seemed to be the leader among those protecting us asked Blanc.

“Yes, that’s us.”

“I’m sorry. We didn’t expect Blanc and Hye-in to come to our store, so we weren’t prepared for the crowd. We’re truly sorry.”

“No, it’s mostly our fault for moving without a plan. When Hye-in and I move, more people tend to gather than other magical girls.”

“No, we apologize for causing any inconvenience. We will escort you safely.”

“Yes, if you could do that… we would appreciate it.”

Seeing Blanc relieved like that, the tight feeling in my chest also eased somewhat.

I glanced around.

I looked around, turning my head this way and that.

“Oh, there. Isn’t that ‘Vina of the Dark Vines’?”

“Seriously? Are you talking about Eden’s Vina? Where, where? Is it really her?”

“Vina came to the department store? Really?”

“Squeal!! Vina is so cute!! What she did wasn’t cute, but she’s so adorable, it seems like those people who said everything is forgiven if she’s that cute were right!! Quick, take a picture! She’s too cute!!”

“Huh? Vina? Where?”

And then, the people’s attention started to focus on me.

Why is that?

I don’t want this anymore…

“Vina! Give me your autograph!”

“Vina!! Take a picture with me!”

Huh? What did you say?

Just now, what did I hear?

As if they want my autograph, what’s that about?

Humans all hate me.

I destroyed and desecrated their homes, workplaces, and places of rest.

Of course, they should hate me, so why do they like me so much?

“Ugh, ugh…”

“Squeal!! Vina looked at me!! It feels like I got hit by her ultimate move! I can’t breathe!”

“You fool, it must be me, not you! My heart hurts so much!!”

Surprised by their reactions, I asked Blanc.

“B-Blanc, why are these people acting like this towards me? Why are they treating me like this?”

“Well, usually, the people who gather around magical girls are fans. Regular people usually just pass by, thinking of them as guard dogs, but fans are a bit different.”

“Moreover, aren’t you my only rival? Shouldn’t I be cheering for you even more?”

“This is strange. Why am I receiving cheers? I have done things. Isn’t this all part of your scheme to only show the good things? Isn’t it?”

“Hmm, if it was my scheme, I wouldn’t be this flustered, would I…?”

“No, that’s not possible. The attention I have received while being alone until now is so different from what you’re showing. It’s like the opposite side of a coin. What have you done? Tell me the truth.”

“No, I haven’t done anything. Hmm, maybe it’s because the area where you lived received a lot of attacks from villains, so there was more resentment.”

“Not only the area where I lived, but other areas were also attacked late at night. This is strange. Why…”

“Hmm, for now, isn’t it more important to quickly go shopping and leave? Let’s talk about this later when we get back home.”

“Ugh… I understand. This kind of attention is really new to me. Even when I was in Eden, I never received this kind of attention from people.”

“Yeah, Hyein unnie and Hyewon also got free. Unnie! Let’s quickly go to the children’s clothing section and come back. It might be difficult to look around comfortably.”

Finally freed from the crowd, Citrus, pushing the wheelchair, came and said, “The staff said they would help. We can take our time.”

“Still, it’s too much trouble. Why are there so many people here today? It’s a bit different from usual.”

“They seem to be showing a magical girl movie in the upstairs cinema. It’s a movie where you’re the protagonist. And they said there’s some event today too.”

“Oh, if that’s the case…”

“Vine, what’s wrong? You have a strange expression on your face.”

“Oh, me? No, nothing’s wrong. Let’s go quickly. I’m feeling a bit tired.”

“Hmm, Vine. If you have any worries, you can confide in this unnie. Come on, call me unnie.”

“Citrus, just go without saying that. We’re not far from the exit, are we?”

“Ugh, are you always this serious?”

“If Citrus says that, then it’s Citrus, right?”

Why is this person suddenly like this again?

And why am I feeling so annoyed?

Being surrounded by people like that.

I’m not even tired.

Really, am I the only one who doesn’t know the reason for this?