episode_0021

– Wheeeeeee…

– Woo woo woo woo

– Tap tap

The sound of machines ringing.

The sound of fans turning.

The sound of various switches and levers being pressed and moved.

The Magical Girl Research Lab was running as brightly as day, even in the middle of the night.

The lab was all white.

The large, cube-shaped room had six sides, all flawlessly white.

The walls, the floor, and the ceiling shining with light were all white.

In the center of the rectangular floor was a large glass tube, big enough to stretch your limbs in.

It was surrounded by machines filled with panels and consoles, and people were seated at every station.

Even though the room was so stark white that it seemed cold, the heat from people’s passion was intense.

In the center of the glass tube surrounded by people was one magical girl.

Was she suspended by an unidentified force? Or was an invisible force acting from below? Or was she not affected by gravity?

Wearing only a plain, thin white dress, she floated in the air, swaying like seaweed in water.

Her arms were spread out to the sides, and her listless form made her look like a criminal or a saint hanging on a cross.

The girl, who seemed to be unconscious with her eyes gently closed, looked exactly like the magical girl Spica.

Even someone who knew Spica well would have no choice but to think it was her.

[Um, isn’t it over yet?]

“Ah, Ms. Spica. You’re not supposed to open your mouth during the examination~ It’s almost over~”

[……..]

It was natural that she looked like Spica.

Because it was Spica.

A few hours ago.

Spica, who was drinking tea at Si-hyun’s main residence, had an epiphany.

It was such an intense epiphany that she was glowing all over.

Not in a figurative sense, but literally emitting light.

She tried to pretend nothing was happening and have a meal, but Si-hyun pushed her to get an examination and kicked her out of the house.

No matter how much Spica said she was okay, Si-hyun’s will was firm.

She wanted to fly here, carrying Si-hyun as she had when she came to Si-hyun’s main house, but Si-hyun forbade her from using magic, saying that she didn’t know what might happen. Spica had no choice but to take a car provided by the association to get here.

However, the place the car headed to was not a hospital, contrary to Si-hyun’s expectations.

It was the Magical Girl Research Lab.

“How is it?”

“Ah, Director. Most of the values, such as maximum output, average output, and endurance, have increased slightly but definitely compared to the most recent measurement results.”

A middle-aged woman leisurely appeared behind the person who was diligently looking at the screen and making adjustments.

The woman, who wore glasses and seemed to take thorough care of herself, had a slightly gaunt but healthy body. She had a gentle expression, but her eyes held an undeniable sharpness.

The young man was slightly surprised by the sudden appearance of his superior behind him, but he quickly pulled himself together and continued his report.

“Is that so? Compared to the data after the special awakening?”

“Yes, of course. In particular, unlike other values, the control is significantly higher. Both output control and spell control have increased in quantity and speed.”

“Oh. That’s surprising.”

“We’ll have to see the overall values to know for sure, but it seems that the stability has increased.”

“Good. It doesn’t seem like there’s any particular danger to the body.”

“Yes. I think so too.”

“Then, since it’s late, let’s all finish up quickly.”

“””””Yes!”””””

“Ms. Spica. You can come out now!”

[Okay~]

Spica, who was floating in the air, slowly descended and touched the floor.

——————————————————————————————————————————————-

The head researcher was getting ready to leave work.

There wasn’t anything special to take care of.

She had just finished getting ready to leave work before she suddenly got a call saying that Spica was coming.

Being a head researcher wasn’t a special position anyway.

This was just one of many magical girl research labs.

Something she had done a little bit of in the past had turned out well, and she had ended up with this undeserved position, but she was just an office worker.

She wanted to go home.

– Knock knock

[Can I come in?]

“Yes~ Come in~”

If it hadn’t been for the knock at the door, she would have.

The head researcher thought it couldn’t be helped. Managing people was part of the job of a higher-up.

She had to work more because she was paid more.

However, the person who opened the door was not a subordinate.

“…Spica, is it.”

“It’s been a while, Team Leader. Or should I say, Head Researcher now?”

“It has been a while. How have you been?”

“Yes. I’ve been well.”

It was Spica.

She thought she had gone home after the examination, but it seemed she had come to her office to see her.

She used to see her every day, but it felt like it had been a long time.

“…..Mother.”

“Spica!”

The head researcher was taken aback by Spica calling her mother.

She was so surprised that she shouted, but she quickly worried that the sound might be heard outside.

Fortunately, it was quiet outside. It seemed that everyone had gone home and the office was empty.

When she looked up again, Spica had a slightly hurt, bitter expression.

“S-sorry, Spica. I was so surprised that I shouted.”

“No. It’s okay.”

“But what if you suddenly say something like that outside?”

“I guess… I can’t let other people hear it….”

“Of course! What if someone misunderstands….”

“Misunderstands… I see…”

Spica muttered to herself.

The beautiful magical girl looked like a painting as she spoke sadly.

“Am I… not allowed to call you mother?”

“Of course not!”

The head researcher strongly rejected Spica’s title of mother.

She rejected it so vehemently that it was as if they really weren’t related by blood.

“I’m not Spica’s mother!”

“Mama…”

“That’s why I said people will misunderstand if they hear you?!”

Because they really weren’t related by blood.

The head researcher and Spica have no blood relation at all!

“Mother! Madre! Haha! Crazy! Ummun!”

“It doesn’t work even if you say it in another language?”

“I can’t call my mother, mother…”

“Are you Hong Gil-dong?!”

“Sniff sniff… You said I could call you Mom…”

“I never did?”

“You did.”

“I didn’t.”

“You did! I clearly remember!”

“…..I did?”

“Yes!”

Spica said it so confidently that the head researcher seemed to be getting convinced.

The head researcher tried to recall the memory.

The days she ate with Spica every day.

They studied, watched movies, and drew pictures together.

They shared many stories about each other.

“No. I don’t think it ever happened.”

“Tch.”

“Ah! You just clicked your tongue! So it never happened?!”

“Team Leader was supposed to be my Mama.”

“I told you it didn’t happen! What if it ruins my chances of getting married!”

Spica was puzzled by the head researcher’s desperate protest.

“Were you planning to get married?”

“Of course! I want to get married and have a happy family!”

“….Now?”

The head researcher was more hurt than ever before.

Middle-aged woman. Never even had a boyfriend until now!

“Weren’t you dedicating your life to research?”

“My life is just mortgaged to research!”

“Then weren’t your standards too high?”

“What do you mean! My standards aren’t that high!”

The head researcher said that, but Spica looked at her with a suspicious look.

“I just like someone who is kind and who I can communicate with…”

“…..”

Were those common requirements?

However, Spica did not remove her suspicious gaze.

“Do you usually talk to other people?”

“Of course! Do you think I have a communication disorder?”

“Other than work?”

“Of course!….”

The head researcher thought for a moment, but when she thought about it, she just went home and slept after work these days.

She didn’t say anything other than greetings and words of gratitude to the person who did the housework.

“You said someone you can communicate with. What are you going to talk about when you meet them?”

“Weather…”

“Yes?”

“No, no. Hobbies! Hobbies!”

“Oh… what hobbies do you have?”

The head researcher had a conscience and couldn’t bring herself to say reading papers.

She subscribed to an OTT service thinking she might watch something, but she only watched it for about two weeks after signing up and now she was just paying the subscription fee.

She was the type of consumer that OTT companies really liked.

“It’s… It’s okay. Someday there will be a fateful encounter!”

“If it hasn’t happened until now, wouldn’t it be better to just give up?”

“Keuk…. My heart hurts…”

The head researcher was almost in a daze from the continued barrage of facts.

Spica took advantage of the weakened gap.

“Now. Don’t worry. Marriage isn’t the only way to create a family.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes!”

“Then what else is there?”

“Adoption. Mama! Hug me!”

“Is that what you wanted after all!”

Spica’s request was not fulfilled due to the head researcher’s stubborn refusal.

Spica decided to wait for the next chance.

“Have you eaten? Or would you like to go out for a meal together?”

“I’d love to talk to Spica after a long time. But is it okay if you don’t go to your lover?”

“Sometimes family time is important too.”

“Hmm. That’s true.”

Chatting amicably, the two headed towards the city.