episode_0086

When we arrived at the lake, the sunset was just beginning to set.

The time when the sun, rising in the eastern sky, bids its final farewell as it returns to its resting place.

A peaceful space where even the lake ripples with greetings, with warm greetings being shared equally by everyone.

“It’s peaceful.”

“Is that so? I only remember fighting here… ”

“Really…? I don’t even remember. I had more good memories than bad ones.”

“Usually bad memories don’t last longer, right?”

In my conversation with Hye-won, I have one question.

Bad memories linger for a long time and eat away at people.

Even though the source of that memory lies in one’s own sins, karma, and mistakes.

They are very specific and detailed about the damage they have done, and sometimes even exaggerated, to the point of being mind-numbing.

It’s natural that bad memories are usually more memorable, so they are used as nutrients to increase your influence.

But how could Hye-won, who recalls good memories better, overwrite those memories?

… Since they were the victors, did their memories get embellished?

I, who was defeated, wouldn’t know.

No, because you can turn it over at the end.

When that time comes… will I be able to understand Hye-won?

In the future where Eden has risen again and won, if only I could bestow this kind of mercy upon Hye-won, Blanc, and the other magical girls.

Well. I plan to ‘dispose’ of the magical girls according to the boss’s orders… but if I use my power as the commander, wouldn’t I be able to make their ‘karma’ disappear?

If I have to commit more evil deeds in the process, that would be a sacrifice to the country for the greater good. It doesn’t matter.

I can just resolve that karma again.

Such thoughts are still too distant a future to contemplate.

We haven’t even succeeded in the crucial moment that would turn the defeat around yet. We shouldn’t be drinking kimchi stew like this yet. Yeah.

If you eat a lot of kimchi stew like this, you might fail from the start… You definitely have to be careful with this kind of thing.

“Vine, you’re laughing after saying that.”

“… Oh, is that so? I didn’t do that.”

I thought you were hiding your expression.

“Hmm… When you smile, it shows a lot. Do you know that if you always have that expressionless, sullen expression, you look better?”

“Yes…? What are you talking about? Bad memories kept coming back to me from this lake. The laughter you saw, wasn’t it because I was remembering those moments when I won? I’m also a being that thinks.”

“Really? Well, I guess that’s what it is.”

“Yes, that’s right. Oh, I fought Citrus here. I remember it was a long time ago. It must have been a fight before I remembered my past. ”

“I see. Ahh… I’ve been a magical girl for quite some time. It’s hard to remember. Here, hmm… Ah, that was the empty lot over there.”

“Yes. On the other side of here… there’s a park over there.”

“It’s under the sun.”

“It may be dazzling. You don’t have to look for it. After all, wasn’t the battlefield the sky above this lake?”

“Was it like that? Oh, I remember. In that full moon high in the night sky.”

“Yes. Energy Efficiency Experiment 232, Negative Emotion Formation Reactivity Experiment through the Lake Monster.”

“Really, how do you remember that?”

“Well, I’m a little smarter.”

As I spoke, as if I was praising myself, Citrus’s eyes became dim. But, what can I do? He really is smart.

“What… Who doesn’t know that you’re smart? But, hearing you say it out of your own mouth, it’s a little… ”

“Why are you like that? Citrus. Hye-won also brags about her strength often… ”

“Really? Our Hyewon did that?”

Turn the citrus gaze away from me. And, at the end of that gaze, place a similar person so that that person remains in the memory.

No matter how right I was, I couldn’t just keep watching Citrus stare at me like that…

If I had left it alone, Citrus’ perception of me would have definitely become strange.

If you’re a sister, you probably know what your little brother is like. But what if you drop some information that might be a fresh shock?

The aftermath unfolded right before my eyes.

“Oh, no, that’s never happened, right? Bi, Bi, you’re lying… !”

“Oh, that’s it, my little brother?”

“Eww… ! No way… !”

Phew. There’s no way I’d miss out on a prey to tease my little brother.

Time passes while watching the two people bickering like that.

While the two were making a fuss, I decided to enjoy a little more contemplation.

A peaceful park with people walking around. It’s a place where you wouldn’t think a villain or a magical girl would fight a big fight at all.

A space where a giant monster had passed through, but it was cleaned up so cleanly that not even a trace remains.

As if wanting to share one last word with the sky, the red-tinged sun leaves behind, and now the moon, shining brightly in the darkness, hangs in the sky to gently illuminate the lake.

Citrus and Hyewon stopped making noise and joined in their thoughts.

“… It’s getting dark.”

“Because the sun is setting.”

“We’ve always worked in the dark, haven’t we?”

“Hmm… I don’t think that was the case. I remember going on raids a few times during the day.”

“Hmm… But, usually it was a dark night, right?”

“That was the time when people’s emotions were most agitated. But now that Eden is gone, doesn’t it matter whether it’s day or night?”

“I see… Well, I do run out a lot when I’m working during the day. Phew… But it’s better than the old days when I’d work hard at night and go to school tired and listless the next day.”

“Well, anyway. I mean, I didn’t always work in the dark.”

“Well… Still, darkness suits me better than light. Don’t you think?”

“I like darkness. But aren’t you more of a light person?”

“Yeah, that’s right. There’s light and there’s darkness. And next to it, um… the light that’s off?”

“Hey, the light is off. It’s still shining?”

“Oh, what? You retired, right?”

“Dal… Ah, haa… Really, anyway, is your sister still shining?”

“Ah, yes, yes. Vine too. Well… Let’s call it light for now.”

“I am darkness. I am utter darkness. Out there between the stars. Darker than that pitch-black darkness.”

“Why, there is light between the stars, right?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“What, that’s fine. Light and darkness. As long as it’s peaceful, that’s fine. Okay, it’s dinner time. How about eating Western food again? I made a reservation at a nice beef restaurant over there.”

“Beef… Good. I’m asking now, but if you spend so much money, is your wallet okay…?”

“You know. We get support money from the association, and sometimes we get a salary. And we get a separate magical girl allowance. And my sister sitting next to me. She’s the building owner…?”

“Yes…? What, what, main?”

“Building owner. That bakery building is my sister’s.”

“Yes… ?”

“The building next door and the building behind it. Those are the buildings my sister owns. They were bought with the support money and compensation money at that time… ”

“No, is the subsidy that much…?”

“He lost the use of his legs for the rest of his life. Then of course he should be compensated. The president of the association will definitely compensate him. In addition to that, the world where the mascots live also provides support in various ways.”

“… This was my fault too.”

“Here we go again. I told you it was an accident. If you forgive me, it’s over. I have no feelings anymore.”

“… The reason you’ve been a magical girl up until now is to get revenge on me.”

“Even after you went to prison, I continued to work as a magical girl. Was I only working as a magical girl for revenge?”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. Oh, time. I made a reservation. Let’s go quickly. It’ll be difficult if we’re late, right?”

To Hye-won’s words, the answer seemed to be to get up and push Citrus’ wheelchair. Let’s go. Quickly.

I’m urging you.

Absolutely not, I’m not saying this because I have nothing to say.

By the way, the beef I ate at the restaurant was the best beef I’ve ever had.

Hye-won, who had tasted it once, ordered more meat, so the amount on the bill was more than I expected.

Filled with belly, parted with citrus.

I need to go back and check the store before it gets too late.

It takes a long time to get there on your own wheels, so you have to go now.

Even though Hye-won and I said we would take her, she refused until the end and went back alone.

Oh, right, that sister is like that. She’s stubborn as hell.

Is it because your hair is yellow?

* * *

Before heading back, Vinnie and I stopped by the lake again.

While eating and helping with digestion, I took a look around the lake at night.

The lake, illuminated by the moon, was shining leisurely even in the darkness.

I found a suitable park bench and sat down with Vine, with a view of the moon and the lake.

“It’s quiet.”

“Okay.”

I didn’t really have anything else to say, but I still wanted to say something.

The time that I could have spent getting a little closer to Bine is running out. It’s a shame to end it like this. Seriously.

I think I finally understand a little bit. I think I can finally open up to you.

“Why, what do you have to say? In such a dark place on such a night? It’s a place that makes you want to do ‘fireworks’.”

“The fireworks you’re talking about, they’re different from the ones I know. Right?”

“Of course I’m talking about a grand firefight between a magical girl and a villain… Haa, well, that can happen. Powerful firepower and a fiery taste… Ah, I understand. Please stop looking at me like that… ”

Phew.

Seriously, does Binnie know that while he still thinks like a villain, his actions are completely different from back then?

“Yeah. Even if it’s not the kind of fireworks you’re thinking of, regular fireworks would be really pretty. Like the reflection on the lake, or the night view of the city.”

“Hmm… Is that so.”

It seemed as if Vine was imagining such a fireworks scene.

Look around, looking around. Take a look at the lake. Look at the night view, trees, streetlights in the park, and people.

“It would be pretty. Very pretty.”

“Yes, I guess so.”

“There’s a bean there.”

“Yes, Hyewon.”

“… Did you have fun today?”

Please, I hope this isn’t just a day I enjoy.

I hope she enjoyed today as much as she could.

And, it’s just a personal greed.

I hope you will remember this day from now on. I ask this question.

As if I had asked the question with a troubled expression, Binette lowered her head as if she was thinking deeply, then looked straight at me and answered.

“Of course.”