episode_0013

A being in stark contrast to the monster, the magical girl.

An existence far superior in physical abilities than an ordinary human.

To feel this exhausted from a body like that of a monster.

Claiming to be more fatigued now than when working at the construction site for over a month, only eating sugar water.

How can one feel like this, just from going out to look at clothes?

Looking at us from outside the store, more scared of the pile of clothes there than the people cheering every time I come out in a new outfit.

No, wait. Citrus? How do you manage to pick out clothes in such a narrow space while sitting in a wheelchair…?

“Blanc, do you really need this many clothes? A few comfortable outfits should be enough.”

“Huh? I only bought casual and indoor clothes. And, I actually need more. Still have a few more places to look at.”

“What? Just hoodies or something would be fine…”

“No. Wearing clothes like this on such a nice plate, isn’t it a waste?”

Citrus, who was stacking clothes for me to try on, interjected into Blanc and my conversation.

“Um, I’ve heard the same thing from Ellie, but I don’t mind. I just like comfortable clothes.”

Yeah, Ellie always said that when bringing clothes for me.

Why did she always ask why I only wore suits and take all the suits from the closet?

Suits were so comfortable, not to mention subtly ensuring mobility without having to worry about fashion.

It’s just a hassle.

How difficult it was when Ellie restricted the days I could wear suits.

Well, I complained to Ellie that it was a hassle, but always got scolded and pinched on the side.

It’s probably similar now.

How many times have I been pacing back and forth in the dressing room. Really.

How many times is this now?

Putting on and taking off clothes isn’t difficult.

It’s been a long time since I’ve lived in this body.

Clothes being uncomfortable. That’s fine too.

I’ve gotten used to it.

But, putting on and taking off this many clothes…

Yeah, if the plan was to make me so uncomfortable that I couldn’t get up again…

Then it’s a success…

The pile of clothes that barely reaches half my height on that chair is only half of it…

Save me, not as a person, but as a monster…

“Alright, I’m out… What do you think?”

“Wow… amazing… V, let’s go to the town hall right now and have you officially adopted as my little sister. I’ll prepare all the adoption papers. I’ll take care of you, raise you, and rehabilitate you. Let’s go? Let’s be sisters, V… I’ll think of a name later, let’s go.”

“Um, Citrus. I’m really scared… Why are you like this?”

“Alright, Unni. You didn’t have to go that far, did you? Right?”

Fortunately, Blanc was the one who stopped Citrus from getting more out of control.

Of course, Blanc is starting to act a bit strange too.

“No, Yoonseul. Look at that face. How can she be a villain with that face? She’s just a magical girl who breaks a few buildings and hurts a few people. I’ll take responsibility and educate her to grow up as a proper adult. Yeah. Can you let go of her? Yoonseul?”

“Unni, calm down. You’re getting too excited. Yes, she’s cute but… if you keep going like this, V will be scared too. Come on, calm down…”

“She looks calm?! Ow, Yoonseul, stop pinching my shoulder… Ow, it hurts! Ahh! The magical girl is using violence against civilians!”

“Unni, calm down.”

“Okay, I got it! Ahh!! Stop putting magic in your hands!!”

Hmm, really, each magical girl seems to have a screw loose.

Just looking at the former magical girl and the one known as the strongest magical girl causing a ruckus for ridiculous reasons is enough to see that.

“Hey, next is this one… Ugh, why are you like this…”

“Yes? Is there something wrong with me?”

“No, just take the next one. Hmm, actually, I don’t think you need to try it on anymore. Those two over there are buying everything anyway.”

“Yes? I don’t really need that many clothes… Ugh. I’ll go change and come out.”

After going in and out of the fitting room dozens of times, Blanc and Citrus found themselves with a bag full of clothes they had tried on and were now sharing photos of me saved on their smartphones while making payments…

I couldn’t understand why they were doing this at all.

“The total is *** won.”

“Yes? What…! I don’t need that much!”

“Vine, think of it as company welfare.”

“What nonsense are you talking about! Why do you think I would need to spend this much money!”

“Take it all. If you don’t pay now, I’ll put it all on credit for you.”

“Yes?! What kind of extortion is this!”

“Just take it without complaint. Now, Unni! What’s next?”

“Yes, hehehe… so many cute things…”

“Ugh, please…”

After sweeping through all the children’s clothing stores in the department store, I was finally able to leave. Casual wear, accessories, pajamas, even underwear, all of it.

I couldn’t understand why they were doing this to me, especially after I had fought with them so much.

And Citrus even hurt her leg.

But why are they being so nice to me?

Why are they doing this. Why.

With those thoughts in mind, as I stepped outside, the sun had long since set behind the mountains.

The reddened sky and the purple sky on the other side indicated that time had already slipped away, and I decided to part ways with Citrus here.

“Vine, if Yoonseul asks you to do something strange, you must come running to me, okay? I’ll take care of you, give you a job, food, and a place to stay. Understand?”

“Why are you talking about Unni. You crybaby, go and take care of Citrus. I’ll prepare dinner. Blanc, drop off your luggage and go grocery shopping.”

“Yes, okay. Take care, Unni.”

“Yoonseul, don’t do anything strange to Vine. Do you think I won’t know your evil intentions? Stop Vine from sleeping, huh? Then you can’t write. Got it?”

“Unni, I’ve never thought of such a thing… that’s all in your mind…”

“Then I’m leaving! Bye, Vine~”

Without finishing her sentence, Blanc leaped towards the sky.

And so, after some time passed. I returned to the dormitory and put on a scarf from a box in the corner before heading out again.

“Vine, do you really need that scarf?”

“Yes. I prefer to remain hidden from the world, in that darkness. It’s better if the civilians outside see me less.”

“Earlier, there were people there. They’re all magical girl fans.”

“Oh, is that so. Then why do they like me? I’m supposed to be a target of their hatred.”

“Well, popular villains are charming.”

“I’m not like the villains in movies who don’t harm people, I have the blood of many people on my hands.”

“The screams of many people, begging for mercy. They all. Remain with me.”

“I’ve hurt them, so why do they like me.”

“Perhaps, they enjoy the fear of the removed threat.”

“Or maybe they enjoy the fear itself.”

“Isn’t it strange to be a magical girl fan? After all, you are also people who are not in a creative work, but in actual combat.”

“Real battles where blood splatters, where you could even die or become disabled. Isn’t that strange?”

Blank, after pondering my question for a moment, replied like this.

“I feel more empowered because there are people who like me. Because they support me. Of course, that support sometimes goes in a slightly strange direction, but that’s okay.”

“And also, liking you is because you are charming.”

“After all, even after defeating and turning away from me, you struggled to grow.”

“How creepy is the thought that all my attacks are read. So, I analyzed the battles intensely and eventually ended up here.”

“And, when I actually saw you, that you are kind. Those people must have felt it as soon as they saw you. They are more enthusiastic. After meeting you.”

“No, something is strange. What about all the people I’ve met so far?”

“Where did you meet those people?”

“I tried to find narrow alleyways to avoid people’s gaze, but…”

“In a narrow alley where no one looks. Did you really think it would be safe for a child like you to wander around?”

“Since there are no people, they wouldn’t attack me as much. It’s obvious…”

“In a narrow place, if a person who is heavily drunk looks weak and turns out to be a villain, have you never thought it wouldn’t matter if you hit them?”

“Oh, no… Rather than being attacked by a group of people…”

“Haah, really. How… Anyway, there won’t be such a thing in the future. Don’t worry.”

“No, um, then. Haah, isn’t it really reckless?”

“Yeah, anyway, since I’m by your side, it won’t happen.”

“Haah, for now. For now, I’ll follow along, but please give me the scarf. I still need time.”

Blank silently waited for me to put on the scarf and then opened the door.

The incomprehensible psychology of humans, the society they created.

Why are they trying to accept me?

I should be a being that should be rejected.