episode_0027

When I opened my eyes, it was a place I had never seen before.

Is it a hospital?

No, there was no need to question it; it was definitely a hospital. And it looked like an expensive private room.

The white and clean atmosphere of the private room seemed like a place where a lot of money would be spent.

I screamed after trying to sit up in a panic.

My whole body hurt so much.

Normally, if I were treated at the usual clinic, even if my bones were broken, I would be better in a few hours. In fact, that standard of “a few hours” is for when you are severely injured, and injuries at the level of a couple of ribs would take less than an hour to recover.

Is there still a place that hasn’t healed? Did I not go to the clinic because I came straight to the hospital?

“Jieun!”

Before I could even check my own condition, I heard a voice calling me.

It was a familiar voice.

“Jihye….”

“Yeah, I’m here!”

Jihye said that as she held my hand. I had to grit my teeth to suppress the pain.

“Oh, sorry.”

Seeing my face change, Jihye quickly let go of my hand. So, I must have looked a little better.

“What’s wrong?”

“When you went on your field trip, there was an accident. Nuar Corporation and the magical girls often fight. It seems the magical girls had some business there. They were fighting and… there was an unexplained explosion.”

“…Is that so?”

Was there no mention of me? I wasn’t with the students at that time; I was fighting alongside the magical girls in combat gear.

And, covered in black substance, I fought like some kind of monster, then got caught…

I stopped thinking about it.

“You were injured there.”

“The cause of the explosion is still unknown?”

“Yeah. It was all over the news for almost a week. People from the Galactic Federation and people from Nuar were on the panel and fought fiercely.”

“And the magical girls?”

Hayoon…

As I thought of Hayoon’s face, I felt blood draining from my head.

Jihye still seems unaware that I was involved in the battle. If she knew, she would have mentioned it first.

… And, the fighters aren’t exactly well-regarded.

“They’re still not saying anything officially. So far, only representatives from the Galactic Federation have been coming out. I don’t know who the high-ranking person is. After all, they’re not even from Earth.”

“I see.”

I sighed.

“How long… have I been like this?”

It might be because of this that my whole body hurts. Maybe they changed my position to prevent bedsores, but still, my whole body was stiff and painful, as if I was moving forcibly.

“A week.”

“…A week.”

I lay back in bed to see Wisdom again.

“It’s okay. They probably won’t say anything at school. The news mentioned it, though.”

“From the news?”

“Yeah. Since you’re the only one injured among the students…”

Whether there was a problem with the teacher’s leadership or the crisis management was not properly done by the company, for some reason, it seems like nothing is being asked of me.

“….”

In fact, even after hearing the whole story, I had no idea how things were going.

“And… Hae-yoon came too.”

“Hae-yoon?”

I raised my head again and frowned.

“Yeah. She always comes first before I do and keeps sitting there. You’re… friends with her, right? She’s probably really worried too.”

“Did anyone else come?”

“Yeah. Other magical girls, and someone from the company. A foreigner in a suit.”

It’s probably James.

After hearing Hae-yoon’s name, my head sank instead.

I don’t really know why Hae-yoon came to see me. Maybe she has something to ask. It might have been for a get-well visit, but I have so much to answer.

Will Hae-yoon understand?

Even though we’ve known each other for so long, her reaction is beyond my imagination. That’s probably why I’ve become calmer. Nothing changes just because I worry.

Of course, seeing herself would completely change my thoughts.

“Hey… Ji-eun.”

“Yeah?”

Wisdom cautiously called my name, and I turned my gaze back to Wisdom.

Wisdom seemed to be thinking about something.

“Um, back then…”

But before Wisdom could bring up the topic with me…

Knock, knock.

The sound of knocking on the door was heard.

“Oh, come in.”

Instead of continuing her words, Wisdom turned to that direction and spoke.

The door opened.

The person who entered was the “foreigner in a suit.”

James.

“Are you awake?”

James said with a nonchalant expression, meeting my eyes.

Unconsciously, I looked around the hospital room. Was there perhaps a CCTV? But upon inspection, there was nothing. Well, if such a thing were installed in the hospital room, it would raise issues regarding patient rights.

“I’m sorry, but can I have a conversation with Miss Jung for a moment? I have an important matter to discuss.”

“Huh? Oh, sure.”

With a slightly flustered expression, Wisdom stood up.

“I’ll wait outside.”

Wisdom said as she looked towards me. When I nodded, Wisdom went out and carefully closed the door.

James sat down on the chair where Wisdom had been sitting just a while ago.

He crossed his legs and placed his hands on his knees. After staring at me for a few seconds, he spoke.

“Are you in good mental and physical condition?”

“…I’m fine.”

“Do you remember everything that happened that day?”

“…”

“Well, it’s okay if you don’t remember everything. The fact that you remember some parts is important.”

James rolled his eyes as if organizing his thoughts.

“Every day for the past week, someone has come here. They came exactly at this time. I didn’t want them to come and run into a magical girl. It’s a bit of an inconvenience. Right now, we are the ones handling the hospital bills. Unfortunately, it seems we can’t refuse anyone from entering this hospital room. If they are authorized by your… guardian, then everyone can come in.”

“The orphanage teacher?”

“Well, yes.”

James nodded.

“If they had come as a magical girl, it would have caused a commotion, but when they came here, they were just a student. At times like this, the position of being a magical girl worked out perfectly. Your friend and those friends of yours were all able to come in.”

“They are also inside.”

“We are in the position of paying the hospital bills, and above all, that situation is connected to our company. We are… responsible for the damages you suffered. I am speaking as the representative.”

So, at least externally, it wasn’t a matter of ‘superior and subordinate’ relationship. That was somewhat fortunate.

“As far as I can tell, it seems like you revealed the identity of the magical girl.”

James said, without a particularly cautious tone.

“…”

“Well, that’s okay. The fact isn’t so fatally damaging. You’re not a spy, you’re a combatant.”

It’s important to me.

“What’s really important is the data on your helmet. The video there… was amazing. It could potentially be the key to unlocking technological wonders.”

“So what?”

Without realizing it, I reacted a little sharply.

“Are you saying I’ve become an important asset to the company?”

“I think so.”

“Doesn’t anyone else think so?”

“That’s right.”

James let out a deep sigh. It seemed like a sincere sigh. Whether his appearance was real or feigned, James looked genuinely tired and annoyed.

“First of all, I want to make it clear that the explosion wasn’t the intended purpose.”

“If it wasn’t you, then who was it?”

“It would be another executive from the opposing group, or maybe a third party. What’s certain is that the company hasn’t been able to identify it at all.”

“You weren’t trying to pin it on the magical girl, were you?”

“I suppose that could have been the purpose. It’s possible, but even if it were true, it wasn’t me. There were actual researchers there.”

I couldn’t speak for a moment.

“Well—”

“Yes, he died. Several employees at the surveillance station also died.”

I bit my lip.

“It seems like the higher-ups at the company are planning to blame that on me. And if they do, then asking you about the cause would be the most effective.”

“Excuse me?”

As I gave him a puzzled look, James explained slowly.

“You’ve been a combatant for the past three years. But being a combatant doesn’t qualify as a career. Sorry to put it this way, but it’s just simple labor, no different from part-time work.”

I couldn’t find any words to refute that.

Right. The position of a combatant doesn’t require any special skills. It’s not like there’s regular combat, and in the first place, you don’t receive any particular training; you just go out and swing your circuits.

There may be industries that recognize it as a career, but it’s probably not seen as a ‘professional’ occupation.

“But still, I didn’t hesitate to support you. I handed over a prototype device that no one else has used yet, and I even upgraded it for you.”

“So, are you saying I’m the cause?”

“I don’t think you’re the cause, but let’s just say the Galactic Federation and the company are aligning their stories very rarely. They’re in a competitive relationship to expand their influence on this planet, but they don’t want to be completely driven out.”

“…”

“The Galactic Federation wants to hide the fact that they took away their researchers. Magical girls want to maintain the impression of being invincible. Unlike combatants, the talent of being a magical girl is as hard to find as yours.”

James continued to explain patiently to me, who was completely unconvinced.

“The company doesn’t want to admit that explosives were brought in through their security department. Yes, that’s right. It’s also my mistake. So please don’t make that expression. The story isn’t over yet.”

Looking at my expression, James raised both hands as if to calm me down.

“It’s a sloppy story. It’s something everyone knows. I think so too. But how do you think those outside, who don’t know the truth, would perceive it?”

I gritted my teeth.

Yeah. It’s not entirely impossible to completely turn an event that never happened upside down for someone. It’s possible to turn the person who first discovered and reported a bomb threat into a suspect.

But why does it have to be me?

“How are you going to handle this? I didn’t even touch the bomb.”

“We won’t focus on the bomb. We’ll use the data from the helmet. It will be said that a major accident occurred after repeated rampages. The energy at that time was too significant to ignore.”

“….”

“It’s a stupid thing.”

James muttered as if he were angry.

“No matter how smart individuals are, when those intelligent beings come together as a group, they often do terribly stupid things. This time is no different. The company is satisfied with the current ‘circuit.’ They seem to need an existence that can extract sufficient energy from individuals who have no talent, while constantly breaking the circuit and producing unstable output.”

“So, me…”

“They are truly, disgustingly stupid beings. Don’t you think so?”

The reason James was so angry was probably not because of me.

He is most likely furious that the project he was working on has completely collapsed, and above all, his own position has become precarious.

“But my abilities…”

“It’s an excellent ability. It’s an ability that no one has been able to emulate so far. I’ve also thought that it’s not just a matter of effort, but that it fits some aptitude in the individual. Like magical girls.”

James let out a deep sigh as if genuinely pitiful.

“I’ve been called a third party, but I actually think it’s the company’s internal doing. Someone in the company… must have extreme hatred for me. Maybe they felt threatened when they saw the talent I unearthed.”

“If there is such a person, shouldn’t we catch that person?”

I lost my temper.

“Why would I…!”

“Again, when originally intelligent beings gather, they often become a stupid collective.”

James said, looking straight at me.

“If the fight at the top tilts in one direction, naturally those below will also be affected.”

“… ”

“Let me tell you one thing. At the same time as your accident, the chairman of NuA Corporation has gone missing.”

“Were they on your side?”

“Yes. They were someone who was trying to make good use of the new discovery.”

Even though the main purpose was probably the dehumanization of humanity.

“Our company is not a public corporation. It’s a privately held company where the owner holds complete control. That means—”

—If the chairman disappears, it also means that everyone below will be in trouble.

Of course, in most cases, it’s a stupid thing to do. The representative who is suspected doesn’t receive the trust of those below them as much. Especially when the incident is as obvious as this.

“Bribery and corruption,” James said. “Forming and preparing to dominate factions.”

“What about the government? Someone died. Surely if they investigate properly—”

“They’ve already predetermined the results. Of course, the company must have given something. It’s likely a crucial part of space navigation technology. Isn’t that the kind of technology the government would keep an eye on? In fact, we know they risk their lives infiltrating other countries to steal technology.”

I stared at James, dumbfounded.

“Obviously, our company will suffer significant losses.”

As James had mentioned several times, foolish humans only care about their own gain, regardless of what happens to the rest.

… Just like I’ve been doing all along.

“But, you, how can you…”

“It’s upsetting.”

James said.

“It’s infuriating to see this situation continue as it is. Enough to want to put pressure on the other party.”

James rummaged through his pocket and placed an item on my bed.

It was a small watch that looked like a smartwatch.

“It’s a circuit. One of the things we were researching.”

James said, looking at me with burning eyes.

“What do you want me to do with this?”

“Run away.”

James said.

“Take this circuit and run. You must not be arrested under any circumstances.”

“But where to…”

“As long as it’s not Seoul. And flee to a subsidiary company unrelated to our company. You can even escape beyond Earth using a warp gate.”

“…”

“Perhaps the situation might get sorted out in the meantime? Then you can come back and resolve the rest.”

“B-but Wisdom, the people at the orphanage…”

“It shouldn’t be a problem.”

James said, chuckling as if my worries were absurd.

“You’ve already received an enormous amount of donations, haven’t you?”

“…”

“You should be able to use it for several years. Besides, the country provides support funds. Oh, right, all the threats I made to you are useless now. Since there’s nothing I can do right now.”

James spat out the words. He truly seemed upset.

“What will you do? If you choose to stay here and be captured, I won’t have anything to say. I just suggested one option.”

“…”

I thought for a moment.

His heart kept pounding. Could James’ words be true? Is he trying to deceive me?

“…I can’t believe it.”

“Then don’t believe it.”

James shrugged.

“I didn’t say I wanted you to believe me. I’m just extremely frustrated and angry right now.”

James stood up and headed for the door.

“I’ll go get our friend from outside. Please think about it carefully.”

And James left without hesitation.

As I blankly stared at the closed door, it cautiously opened again, and Ji-hye entered.

“Ji-eun?”

Ji-hye asked cautiously as she looked at my expression.

“Why? Did you hear something bad?”

“No.”

I shook my head.

Then I hid the watch under the blanket.

“No, nothing happened. It’s okay.”

Even though I said that, Ji-hye didn’t look relieved.

Maybe because my face didn’t look relieved at all.

But I have no idea how to control my expression.

I lay back on the bed and looked at the ceiling.

Now, what should I do?

Of course, there was no clear answer coming to mind.

*

“Hey, back then…”

Were you wearing a combat uniform?

Ji-hye tried to ask.

In fact, whenever the magical girls came, she vaguely mentioned her past.

That Ji-eun was working at Noir Corporation.

And that ‘work’ was being a combatant.

After hearing the story, the way Ji-eun had been acting made a little more sense.

Ji-eun, who often came in late at night looking very tired.

Each time, Ji-hye teased her, thinking she must have a boyfriend.

So, was Ji-eun also present at the scene of that incident?

She couldn’t tell the story properly because of the person who came into the room later.

Perhaps it was fortunate. Being at such a scene meant witnessing something terrible.

Moreover, Ji-eun… The person who attacked her was none other than…

As she looked at Ji-eun, who was staring blankly at the ceiling, Ji-hye wondered.

Why was Ji-eun involved in such a thing?

Was it because of money?

“…”

Her chest felt tight. She had no idea what kind of situation the child she had been with all this time had been in.

But she didn’t know what to say.

The two of them remained silent for a long time.