episode_0032

When we arrived at the association, we decided to first go up to meet the association president.

Well, it’s not that nice to see the president again since it’s been a few days…

“Where are you? Wait a minute.”

It’s sad to see him working hard on paperwork in the association president’s office.

There’s a mountain of documents over there. I didn’t even see them when I came here last time.

I guess that’s why he’s acting like that now because he’s busy with work.

I sat down for a while and waited for the association president.

“Okay, that’s it for now. Let’s go eat. Where should we go?”

“Isn’t that what you were eating below?”

“Yeah, right? But we can’t have guests eat in the cafeteria.”

“I don’t mind, but… ”

“That can’t be. There’s a good restaurant nearby. Should we go there?”

“If it’s a restaurant, aren’t there a lot of people? Is there anything I can do to relieve stress while eating? I don’t like it.”

“Hmm, there probably won’t be that many people. Why don’t you go and take a look?”

The president of the association now began to urge Blanc to go.

What the heck, you just want to ignore my advice and go?

In response to the association president’s question, Blanc readily accepted.

“I’m fine. The president is shooting, right?”

“Okay, I’ll buy it for you.”

“Steak and pasta?”

“All. Okay, let’s go!”

“Oh, no. Are you ignoring my opinion? Hey, President? Blanc?”

“Why, the president of the association bought it for me. If not now, then when would I eat something the president of the association bought me? Right?”

“Ha, I don’t need any of that… ”

“Quickly. Let’s go?”

“Haa. Really… ”

The distance I was dragged out again was somewhat comfortable to walk.

At least on the streets, I didn’t get that stuffy, scary feeling.

Why is that?

I’m not sure, but I guess it’s a good thing that I’m a little used to it.

A restaurant where people gather. The association president pointed to it and said.

“They’re all here. Over there.”

“There are so many people. I don’t like it, but… ”

Despite my words, I couldn’t refuse Blanc, who grabbed my arm and dragged me inside.

The restaurant, with its calm atmosphere, was bustling like any other family restaurant at lunchtime.

People talking here and there.

This noisy atmosphere is a bit chaotic, but whatever…

“How about a window seat in the corner?”

“Yeah, that looks good.”

I’ve gotten a lot of stares as I’ve walked through the crowd, but this is the first time I’ve received this much attention since the department store.

But I think most people are looking at Blanc, so I feel a bit better.

First, I take a look at the menu to divert my dizzy mind.

“Eek… ”

The first thing that caught my eye on the menu was steak.

It’s probably the restaurant’s signature dish, so it’s probably listed first.

That’s not what surprised me.

What is the price of a piece of meat…

For me, who still hasn’t forgotten that life, the price for one serving was enough to make me lose my mind again.

“No, what price is this… This is for one person… ? Huh… ?”

“Yeah, why? The president told us to come here because he wanted to buy us something nice.”

“Ah, no. No matter what, this, this is… ”

The president of the association saw me continuing to look at the menu and said to me.

“It’s okay, so you can eat expensive food.”

“Ah, no. Ugh, this is… ”

“It’s okay. I live alone anyway, so I don’t have anywhere to spend money. I’m spending it on things like this. Okay, you can choose whatever you want to eat.”

“Ah, no. How can you do something like this… ”

Even if you look at the menu, it’s full of similarly priced dishes. What kind of pasta costs over 50,000 won? Is this even for one person?

No, is this a reasonable price?

I would probably spend the same amount of money I spend preparing meals at home on one meal for three people.

No, maybe even more…

“So, what do you want to eat, Binnie?”

“Ah, that’s cheap… I’ll have the salad.”

“What kind of salad is that? I told you to just pick whatever you want without thinking about the price. Oh, Mr. President, this steak is recommended.”

“Okay? Then I’ll order that and you want some pasta too?”

“Yes, that’s good.”

Again, the menu is being decided without my opinion being considered.

That steak is 160,000 won… That pasta is 48,000 won…

Running away from the dizzying storm of numbers, I looked out the window and saw people taking pictures of the magical girl.

Ugh… It’s uncomfortable…

Yeah, let’s watch Arin’s training video.

I thought so.

Before that, a staff member came to take our order.

“I’ll take your order, oh my! Are you the magical girl Blanc?”

“Yes. I am currently working as a magical girl. Haha… ”

“Wow… This is my first time seeing a magical girl while working here! Ah, I’ll take your order!”

“Yes. Here, this one and this one, and this soup… Oh, and medium rare, please. And the drink… Vine, what do you want?”

“Oh, I…don’t you have any water?”

“Yeah, you should have some cherry aid. Since you like cherries, I think you’ll like it.”

“Where did I get the idea that I like cherries… ”

“Then, please give it to me like this. Please!”

“Yes! Okay. Can I ask you a favor? ”

“Oh, of course! Feel free to talk.”

“Excuse me, please give me a picture and an autograph…! Is that person next to you…!”

“Yes, that’s about it. Are you talking about this? It’s Vine.”

“That, that Eden!”

“Yes, that’s the one.”

“Oh my…! I’m a huge fan! You’ve always been the one opposing Blanc…! Vinnie! Is a photo okay? And an autograph!”

“Huh, huh?! Sa, sa… A picture… ?”

Blanc answered the question on behalf of the employee who suddenly showed interest in me.

“Yes, where can I find some paper?”

“Yes! Thank you! I’ll bring it when I place my order! Just a moment!”

Blanc looked at me as he saw the employee quickly running to the counter.

And then, he said one word.

“Okay, so what? There’s definitely someone here who likes you.”

“Did you keep that in your heart… ”

“Yeah, I guess so. You asked me to sign it, right? You’ll do it, right?”

“What good would it do to have the signature of a villain who has already been defeated?”

“Well, if you want it, you should do it. Right?”

“Haa… ”

A little while later.

The employee brought two sheets of thick A4 paper and a pen.

“I, this is my first time seeing a magical girl! Wow… I always saw her on TV… Then, who is this person across from me… ”

“I’m the president of the Magical Girls Association.”

“Aha… Ah, Mr. Bine! There was something I wanted to tell you!”

“Huh? Are you talking to me…?”

“That last one, during Ragnarok, when you took on 20 people by yourself. That was really cool! And also, I was touched when you secretly took care of people!”

“You’re touching me…? Why…?”

“The evil organization is busy killing villains and people, but you, Binenim, didn’t do that?”

“I’ve killed a lot of people too… ?”

“Ahahaha… Rumors spread that it was all because of Eden’s brainwashing?”

“Huh? Brainwashing…?”

“Our fans have been speculating that Eden brainwashed Binenim to make her feel guilty and order her to destroy more, and we have proof!”

“Huh? What is that…?”

“Okay, sign here!”

I think I heard something suspicious from the employee who came in so brazenly.

Brainwashing, that can’t be happening.

It was all done by my own hands. It was done of my own free will.

I’m so out of my mind.

That can’t be true.

Even if there was brainwashing, what I did cannot be justified.

Before I could even think about that, I received a fan from her.

“Okay, over here!”

Wait, I’ve never signed anything like that before.

What should I do…

First of all, let’s help Blanc as soon as possible…

“B, Blanc… How do I sign…?”

“Huh? Have you ever done a Vine sign before?”

“When did you say I would ever sign anything? I’m not famous like you… I’m just a villain… ”

“Just do whatever you want. That’s your sign.”

“Ugh… ”

I just drew on the paper with a fan, as my heart desired.

Vine.

Vine, Vine.

A line wrapped around V twice.

Follow the line all the way to the last letter.

It’s a little weird, but anyway…

“Here you are… ”

“Wow… Thank you so much! Then, I’ll take a picture here!”

At the employee’s request, Blanc gave his permission, and in the end, the employee, Blanc, and I were included in the photo together.

“Thank you! The food will be ready soon, so please wait a moment!”

The employee went to the counter waving the paper he received from me and Blanc.

And after the employee left, people started coming in more and more.

Most of them were fans of magical girls.

And they kept complimenting me, saying I was cute and cool.

Why.

Even if you ask a villain like me, it’s still brainwashing and the shock of reconstruction.

Because I kept saying things I never even thought of.

Most of the time, Blanc deals with them.

It wasn’t that hard because the things they said to me weren’t that bad.

Except for the pressure that comes from being crowded.

Their visits became less frequent after our meal was served.

Creamy pasta and what the heck, a tomahawk steak, served on a fancy plate.

“Come on, let’s eat. There are a lot of people.”

“Hehehe, yeah. That’s a bit much. I knew it.”

“What, isn’t this what usually happens when magical girls eat out?”

“Well, I’m used to it now. The president knows, right?”

“Yeah, as always, no one talks to me.”

“If the president is so expressionless, no one will want to talk to him. How scary.”

“I see. Okay, it’s raining. What’s wrong? Let’s eat quickly.”

The president of the association said when he saw me not lifting the utensils.

“Oh, yes.”

I was so out of it that I couldn’t even think about eating.

Hmm, okay. Let’s eat.