episode_0061

The reason Ha Yoon responded in that way wasn’t just due to emotional reasons.

Of course, that’s not to say there weren’t emotional reasons. If we were to list the reasons in order of priority, the reason of emotion would definitely take a high rank.

However, aside from that, Ha Yoon had her own reasons that she had thought about.

Ha Yoon… fought for justice.

She didn’t believe in a perfect justice without flaws in the world. But even so, there were clearly better choices to be made.

To stand against injustice, to try to fix the wrongs of the world.

No matter how much power she had, making the world a perfect place of good was impossible. But still, she always made an effort and moved forward.

However, the members of the Federation were not the ones to be chosen as the ‘better choice.’

“I wish you had cooperated with me when I seek revenge.”

Ji Eun’s face appeared as she spoke.

The distance was close enough for their breaths to touch.

Her black eyes were like bottomless pits.

Ha Yoon had seen the eyes of Ji Eun after she transformed into a magical girl. There were stars engraved in her pupils. Even though they weren’t brightly shining stars, it felt like they were gazing at that light.

A black hole is also a celestial body. Even though it doesn’t shine by itself but rather attracts light from others, if it doesn’t shine, we can’t say that the moon shines either.

Hope is the power that can be held onto without giving up.

Even if Ji Eun’s power didn’t originate from hope, Ji Eun didn’t give up. That was important.

After staring at each other for a while, Ji Eun was the first to leave.

Ji Eun turned around and moved away from the house.

Should Ha Yoon follow her? After a moment of hesitation, she turned around.

Not yet, not yet.

She needed time.

She could share her story. At least, Ji Eun didn’t reject Ha Yoon.

So, there was still hope.

… The people who followed her would have to tell Ha Yoon what happened. At least, so that Ji Eun wouldn’t feel uncomfortable knowing that others were here.

*

As I took a brief break to catch some fresh air, my body shivered.

The wind came in through the holes in my clothes. I couldn’t withstand the cold and eventually went back home.

How could I endure tonight?

I wrapped plastic around the house to block some of the wind, but it wasn’t a complete solution to the cold.

The children didn’t have thick blankets, and they weren’t wearing thick clothes either.

I didn’t want to worry, but I also didn’t want to wake up to find someone sick or worse. I’ll say it again, I’m not a murderer.

Thinking of a way to drive them away, I entered the house and felt the warmth in the room, which surprised me.

“Ji Eun!”

The poorly managed sliding door opened, and I heard Ha Yoon’s voice. She peeked her head out from the kitchen.

… Did she light a fire?

Well, I’ve lit a fire before. There was some smoke, but no real danger.

The youngest came in, followed by Iris. The rest of the three were still fidgeting in the room.

Well, with five people and a fire, there was no need to move, but in this situation, not moving might seem suspicious.

“….”

I stared at the kids for a moment before speaking.

“… Dinner?”

There was no response.

Since they had followed impulsively, they naturally had no idea what to do. They hadn’t brought anything.

Meal is the least of my worries right now, I don’t even have spare underwear for tomorrow.

I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths.

… Alright.

I clenched my teeth and entered the tent, opening my bag.

I do have emergency rations.

I picked up the leftover spam can, but then just silently put it back down. I hesitated for a moment.

Canned food is the most edible among what I have. Whether it’s tuna or pork, at least they can be called “meat”.

Besides, they are heavy and a bit more expensive compared to their weight, so I couldn’t bring a lot.

Instead, what I brought was something like hardtack. In fact, I bought it not to eat as a main meal, but to fill my stomach in case there’s really nothing to eat, or in case I get tired of eating only canned food.

Dry crackers, hardtack, nuts…

“Hmm.”

James chuckled as he saw me seriously contemplating.

“It seems like you’re not willing to share even your food.”

I stared at James in silence for a moment.

Yeah, I know. It’s a selfish thought. But still, I didn’t bring these just to eat alone.

It didn’t feel very pleasant to change my plans like this.

But… what can I do?

In the end, I unfolded the hardtack. It was a big bag filled with barley hardtack that didn’t look very appetizing.

As I stepped out of the tent and put it down, the children’s eyes turned towards me.

“This is all I can offer.”

I said as I sat down.

“Endure with this today, and think about what to do from tomorrow.”

I put down the lantern and looked around at the children’s faces.

Their faces, illuminated from below, looked pale. Why do they seem to regret it already?

The mealtime was quiet.

The children couldn’t eat much of the hardtack. Even though they must have been hungry after fighting and not being able to eat.

But what can we do when there’s nothing to eat?

I hope they’ll beg to run away after surviving today. Then I can just take them somewhere else and leave them.

I moved to a different spot.

While moving, I also replenished some food with the money I still had.

After the meal, even until I entered the tent, the children didn’t have any other conversation except for stealing glances at each other.

“Good night, Jieun.”

Just before entering the tent, I heard Hayoon’s voice.

I stopped for a moment, then entered the tent without a word.

Even though I zipped it up, it was impossible to block out the sounds from outside the tent.

But even after lying down for a while, I couldn’t hear any other conversation. Are they aware of that? Are they afraid I might eavesdrop on their conversation?

… Let’s not worry about it.

Even though I slept so much during the day, I was still tired.

It didn’t take long for me to fall asleep.

*

After the rustling sound inside the tent was heard for a moment, regular breathing soon followed.

Perhaps I was extremely exhausted, as it was almost the sound of snoring. It sounded like deep breaths.

Listening to that sound, Rose clutched her head.

“What should we do?”

Iris asked, her face filled with concern.

“It’s much worse than I thought…”

Dahlia whimpered.

…

Delphinium silently looked around the tent before glancing towards the entrance.

The inside of the tent was so dark that it was impossible to tell if anyone was inside. Only the sound of breathing could be heard, indicating that Ji-eun was still alive.

So, she…

Has she been staying here all this time…?

It was a sufficient conclusion to shock the girls.

They knew that Ji-eun was being chased by the government, companies, and the federation. But they never thought she would be living like this.

How much time had passed? It had already been over a month. Even though it was a little warmer during the day now, just a while ago the weather was still close to winter.

“She must have been staying in multiple places.”

Ha-yoon said.

“In this way, hiding in unseen places, she couldn’t be found…”

“….”

A heavy silence.

There were stories that came out during Ha-yoon’s process of persuading the magical girls.

But no one had thought that it would be like ‘this’. They had thought she would somehow hide her identity and move around changing bathhouses, PC rooms, or accommodations.

“…There must have been a reason she didn’t appear on CCTV.”

Rose said with a sigh mixed in her voice. It sounded somewhat regretful.

“…Well, she only moved around places where she wouldn’t be seen in the first place.”

“My goodness…”

Delphinium and Dahlia added a word each.

Torn clothes. It made sense. The appearance the magical girls saw was Ji-eun’s transformed appearance. No matter what clothes she wore, right after she used magic on her body, she naturally appeared unharmed. They might get torn and ripped during fights, but they would be restored when they met again.

After fighting, getting tired, and hurt, she would return here. Or maybe it was an even worse place than here.

In a place where the wind couldn’t be blocked properly – no, in ruins, she barely set up a tent as if it were a shelter.

If someone passing by had ill intentions, Ji-eun might have suffered a terrible fate.

With that thought, Ha-yoon’s heart grew heavy.

There was also a reason why no one had left.

It was guilt.

Even if they hadn’t been involved in the matter – even if anyone here had just stood up and said that Ji-eun wasn’t the one responsible, there was no reason for that child to be in this situation.

She might still be a combatant, or she might have been fired, but at least she would have been living a normal life going to school and receiving proper protection.

It was the five of them who had pushed that child into this situation.

“….”

Ha-yoon placed her hand on her chest.

A painful expression that she couldn’t reveal in front of Ji-eun appeared on her face.

Yes, there is hope. They can talk to Ji-eun. She hasn’t given up everything yet. Ha-yoon found solace in that fact.

At the same time –

– There might have been another way.

Ji-eun was beautiful. Her figure was incomparable to other kids her age. So, she might have used that to her advantage.

Of course, Ha-yoon didn’t want that. Naturally, objectively speaking, it would be an immoral act. It would violate several laws.

But she would have been more comfortable than now. At least physically.

Why didn’t Ha-yoon choose that option?

Because she hated it. Or because she couldn’t even trust the person she would meet in the process.

Ji-eun was smart. Maybe she had thought ahead. Perhaps she thought that living like this would be much less troublesome.

But even so, Ha-yoon was truly grateful to Ji-eun.

For not giving up. Even in this situation.

“….”

Iris reached out silently and picked up a piece of bread that was still in front of her, tasting it for the first time in her life. It was dry and nutty, but it couldn’t be compared to cookies made with butter. It might be a taste that some people liked, and there might be enthusiasts, but Iris felt that the reason for choosing this was not just because she liked it.

“Wow.”

Iris muttered once again.

To think that they had been enduring this for over a month as their staple food.

Their determination was frightening.

And—

“How can we… handle this?”

Rose murmured.

“Jieun said that helping with revenge would make a difference.”

“Are you really going to do it?”

Dahlia asked, her voice tinged with a hint of fear this time.

“I will. If we leave Jieun in this situation, it could lead to an irreversible disaster.”

Her words silenced everyone.

Indeed, that was true.

If they continued to live like this, it was only natural for them to feel anger towards the one who put them in this situation. And all five of them were inside that person’s mind.

Jieun’s fighting style was becoming more aggressive. Especially when she fought against those who were hostile towards her, she showed no mercy.

In such a situation, what would the person who put Jieun in this situation think when they met her face to face?

“…It’s my responsibility.”

Hayoon said softly.

The situation had escalated to this point because Hayoon had knowingly let it happen.

There was no excuse for not knowing it would come to this. The deed had already been done.

As Jieun had said, it was too late. They had come too far.

So, before it was too late, before they drifted further away.

Hayoon could only do what she could.

“…So, if you don’t want to stay, it’s okay to go back. I just wanted you to understand what I’m trying to do.”

Hayoon looked at the other girls with a slightly anxious expression.

“Jieun has said it multiple times. Just, if you don’t interfere with what I’m trying to do—”

“You’re making it sound so pitiful.”

Rose said, furrowing her brows.

“We can’t just ignore it when we’ve come this far.”

“… ”

Hayoon looked at Rose.

“Well, I’m not one to talk, I said maintaining the status quo was the best until we got here, but…”

Rose looked up at the ceiling.

Even though there was a lot of plastic, the concrete wall was exposed without it.

Just looking at it made the atmosphere gloomy.

“…I’m not without conscience enough to create this situation and leave alone.”

Iris nodded as well. She didn’t say anything, but it seemed like she wanted to stay here.

Delphinium and Dahlia also nodded with pale faces.

“Thank you.”

They didn’t know what they could do yet—

“It’s a truly tear-jerking friendship.”

Someone interjected into their conversation.

It was James.

Slowly crawling out of the darkness, James sat down next to Hayoon and looked at her.

“I may be able to help a little.”

“Why are you saying that? I trust you don’t really think that this girl survived in this world alone in this situation. If she didn’t have strong technical support, she would have found ‘another way’ long ago. Or, even if she didn’t know herself, others would have taken action.”

Hayoon looked down at James, but he had a fearless expression.

“I’ve heard that voice before.”

Hayoon said.

“You, from the place Jieun was investigating.”

“Well, well, it’s an honor that you recognize me.”

James bowed his head slightly and said.

“The situation may be regrettable in many ways, but there are various things we can exchange with Jung Ji-eun. It may not be smooth sailing, but we have been maintaining a cooperative relationship.”

“….”

“In that sense, I can offer you help as well.”

“Help?”

“Yes. If you can even use magic, you can help in your daily life, right? Jung Ji-eun has not shown any signs of exhaustion so far.”

At those words, Ha-yoon’s shoulders twitched slightly.

The room was warm at the moment. And Ji-eun showed a reaction that didn’t pay much attention to Ha-yoon putting in the effort.

No, maybe she just turned a blind eye.

James, seeing that reaction, seemed to be in a good mood and said, rubbing his small hands together.

“Your circuits are complex, and there are many places to check, so I can’t help you right away. However, there is a spare circuit that Jung Ji-eun used. Although it is far from what Jung Ji-eun used, it should be quite good assuming that you are using Jung Ji-eun’s ‘energy.’”

“….”

The children’s gaze turned to James.

“Ultimately, um. I will give you a circuit that has completely removed the tracking system.”

“You seem to trust me.”

“Well, should I say I trust the magical girl?”

James replied as if he had heard an interesting story.

“No, it would be better to say that I trust you as a magical girl rather than a magical girl.”

James looked up at Ha-yoon and said.

“I think you can guess what the government wanted to do with Jung Ji-eun. And I am the only one who can properly support Jung Ji-eun with strength. Do you think I will hand Jung Ji-eun over to the federal technicians? Or to the company?”

“….”

“Well, at least you can’t give up Jung Ji-eun as much as you like her as a friend. So I can’t give up either. Jung Ji-eun needs me to be better off. Above all, do you think the current Jung Ji-eun will trust you more, or me more?”

At those words, Ha-yoon couldn’t answer.

Ha-yoon bit her lip.

“Well, there’s no need to worry too much. I have my own thoughts on how to survive here. If you cooperate, I will help you endure a little longer.”

Ha-yoon thought for a moment and looked at the magical girls.

In the end, Rose nodded her head. The other children followed suit.

“Alright.”

As she said that, Ha-yoon felt a very uneasy feeling when she saw James smiling, but at the moment, she couldn’t think of a better way.