episode_0027
by adminI can confidently say that I’ve received quite a lot of attention from those around me since I was young.
Even when I was in kindergarten, boys and girls alike would stick to me like glue, no need to distinguish.
Even when I went to elementary and middle school, there was never a time when people weren’t around me.
Naturally, some of that attention came from girls.
However.
Even if I combined all that attention and gazes, could it surpass the stares I’m receiving now?
I will say this with certainty.
Absolutely not.
-Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump!
A heart rate pounding madly fast.
Breathing gradually growing rougher.
The tension filled me up to my head, to the point where I couldn’t breathe properly.
And my ears started to go numb.
The gazes and murmurs of many passersby.
“Oppa… you should walk?”
The only thing keeping me sane amidst the noises was the child hugging my arm.
However, it was also the child who created this noise and confusion.
‘Why…?’
I couldn’t understand the child’s behavior.
As magic girls are related to idol entertainment, there are also taboos for magic girls.
Things like generally not dating much until retirement.
Or not deceiving fans.
Well, things like those ethical standards.
But the child’s current actions completely overturned those commonsense norms.
Especially dating rumors, which are a big blow in idol entertainment, would they just burst out like this?
‘Just what is she trying to… do from now on.’
Being a position loved by many people, the scariest thing when you turn around is attention.
If this leads to dating rumors and works out badly?
The child will just retire….
‘Retire?’
No way.
Is she thinking of causing dating rumors like this, retiring, and marrying me?
The child’s unfathomable actions only led to many thoughts.
Rather, I should first get out of here….
First, to leave before any more strange misunderstandings arise, I tried to move my steps in the opposite direction.
-Clench.
The child gripping me firmly as if unwilling to allow it.
“Ai…”
“It’s a joke, Oppa… The perception-impeding magic is cast.”
“But what’s with this reaction?”
“That?”
What was with this reaction when the magic was cast?
And how did they recognize Ai?
The child just observing me while smiling.
“I did cast it… a bit weaker than last time.”
“Huh?”
“Simply put, they’ll be confused too. Whether I’m Ai… or someone else.”
“Then…”
“Yes, as long as you, Oppa… act naturally, everything will be okay.”
At the child’s words, I looked around once more.
More people were taking pictures or staring at us, but they tilted their heads as if something was strange.
-Looks like the real Ai…. Or maybe not?
-Hey, would Ai suddenly walk around arm-in-arm with a guy?
-No, that hair color… *Sigh*. There are many girls who dyed their hair following Ai too, you know.
-But she’s damn pretty.
It was just as the child said.
Although they couldn’t fully recognize her due to the perception impedance, the gazes were focused.
Rather, if we stayed here for a long time, a person who recognizes Ai might appear.
So, she smiled and hugged my arm tightly.
“Let’s go quickly, Yeonwoo Oppa.”
“…Okay.”
I had to get away.
That was the only thought.
I walked, calming the nausea in my stomach due to people’s stares.
Please.
Please….
That no one recognizes me.
I prayed desperately as I passed through the crowd that parted like the miracle of Moses.
One step. Two steps.
The background gradually changing.
“Hehe, doesn’t people staring like this feel kind of like getting married?”
Marriage.
I don’t really know.
Because right now, it doesn’t feel like walking down a wedding aisle, but like walking out into a thorny path.
***
Only after finally arriving at a place where there were almost no people’s stares could I breathe properly.
The sensation of my body feeling paralyzed by tension was also gradually disappearing.
‘Just why did it turn out like this…?’
I don’t know where it started to become like this.
The child is definitely not someone who would do this… Why.
Even if she liked me, she was a girl who truly cherished her life as a magic girl.
Did she commit today’s act with the resolve to give up that life?
Just, why?
Even if it were a normal love, this isn’t an easy decision to make.
Because there was no need to do this in the first place.
“Oppa, are you very angry?”
-Tight hug.
She hugged me from behind as I sat there.
A soft and warm warmth felt on my back and shoulders.
But I couldn’t help but narrow my eyes and glare slightly at the child.
“…Ai.”
Instead of answering, the child just hugged me.
“I’m sorry, Oppa… I won’t do this again next time.”
“That’s not what’s important. Do you know how dangerous that was just now?”
Her life as a magic girl almost ended.
Even if I graduate, I cannot tolerate Ai’s life as a magic girl ending.
Because I don’t want her, who is everyone’s hope, to fall before she can properly spread her wings.
That’s why I was even more angry.
“Alright, shall we get going?”
“Before that, Ai.”
I pushed away Ai’s hand and stood before her.
I can’t let it go any further now.
Because we have to settle one thing for sure before leaving.
“Make sure to use the perception-impeding magic.”
“Yes. Is that all?”
“And…”
I narrowed my eyes sharply again and cornered Ai against the wall.
“Don’t… ever cause this kind of thing again. If… this happens again… I… might not be able to be Ai’s handler.”
“…Mm. Yes.”
The child answering nonchalantly.
But perhaps understanding my words clearly, she nodded and waved her finger.
Light scattered and covered Ai’s body.
It seemed like she used magic.
‘This makes it awkwardly embarrassing.’
I tried to create a certain atmosphere and cornered Ai against the wall as if warning her.
But instead of shrinking from the atmosphere, Ai was smiling brightly as if she liked it.
“Yeonwoo Oppa… You’re unexpectedly full of charisma? Like this, so aggressive… Did you originally like this kind of thing, Oppa?”
“Ai…”
-Tap.
A warm hand cupping my cheek.
And.
-Kiss.
Only a soft touch was felt on my lips.
“I love you.”
“Please… restrain yourself a little, Ai.”
“No.”
I wish she would restrain herself a little, and stop causing trouble.
Especially if a major incident like today happens again….
Because just thinking about it is terrible.
***
After the date with Ai ended.
I was walking aimlessly through the night streets.
The reason I quietly walked, rejecting Ai’s suggestion to take me home, was simple.
‘I just want to walk a little.’
I felt a bit mentally exhausted.
-Buzz. Buzz.
My phone notifications kept buzzing.
[Prayfe: Counselor-nim… When are you coming home?]
[Prayfe: I saw a post on the internet… That’s not true, right?]
[Prayfe: I want to see you quickly.]
[Prayfe: Counselor-nim?]
Texts coming from Prayfe.
It seemed like her dependency was flaring up again.
[Me: I’ll arrive home soon.]
I sent one simple text and then turned off my phone.
I just wanted to rest.
-Creak. Creak.
A swaying swing.
Perhaps because it was a playground late at night, there was no sign of anyone other than me.
The leisure of exhaling the cold night air and enjoying the swing I used to ride often as a child, all alone….
It felt somewhat good, yet sad.
“Oh my, why does your face look so downcast? Did you perhaps get heartbroken?”
“…You are.”
A woman’s voice naturally coming from beside me.
It was a captivating and beautiful voice.
A voice that felt as if you would be instantly sucked in if you lost your mind.
A woman who was somehow riding the swing beside me.
“Esther… Miss.”
“Yes~ It’s Esther. Does our Counselor-nim not seem happy to see me?”
“…Honestly, I’m not happy.”
“Heh, is that so. I also came chasing magic power, and I was surprised to see you. The lingering scent keeps getting stronger every time I see you, you’re not really a magic boy or something, are you?”
I shook my head.
Looking at Esther, my body started to tense up.
The fallen magic girl Esther in front of me is clearly a dangerous person.
But if I run away now, can I escape from this woman?
No. That’s impossible.
From the moment she was before my eyes, my life was in her hands.
“So, what is your business?”
“Nothing, just curious because our Counselor-nim’s face was dark. Even if I look like this, I’m a former magic girl, so I can’t just leave something like this.”
“Ah… Is that so.”
A former magic girl….
It was hard to believe that a fallen magic girl would say such a thing.
It was so different from the image of ‘fallen’ that I had until now that I was simply surprised.
“So, what happened? I actually really like stories about love lives and such.”
“It’s not that kind of story. I’m just tired.”
“Mentally tired… That’s a shame.”
“You’re not exactly in a position to say that, are you?”
“Heh, I guess you’re right.”
It felt somewhat comfortable.
Since I didn’t have to worry about the other person’s feelings when speaking, it felt refreshing.
And for some reason, I also felt like Esther’s atmosphere easily melted people’s hearts.
‘Surely I’m not under a spell, am I?’
Since the other person was a magic girl, I suspected she might have used magic, but I quickly dismissed it.
Because there’s no reason for her to specifically cast hypnosis or something like that on me.
“Hmm… It seems like a guest has arrived?”
“A guest?”
“Yes, a very angry guest.”
-Thump.
“Counselor-nim…”
The one who appeared at the playground was Prayfe.
And it was Prayfe wearing a dress symbolizing a magic girl.
“You…”
“Oh ho, quite different from last time, aren’t you? It seems like there have been many changes in your heart.”
“Move away from Oppa’s side.”
Esther smiling along with Prayfe’s sharp gaze.
Prayfe started to get into a battle stance, ready to fight at any moment.
Magic wrapping around her hands and arms.
Esther, looking at them, let out a snicker and waved her hand.
“Mm, alright then. Well then, good luck, Counselor-nim?”
Esther, who was leaving far too obediently than expected.
Prayfe also seemed to have no intention of stopping her, perhaps not wanting any further fight.
Esther, opening a black portal and leaving, waved goodbye to me as she left.
The fallen magic girl who appeared and disappeared like the wind.
I, feeling the lingering presence, looked at the swing she was on, then slowly stood up.
“Let’s go back… Counselor-nim. To our home. I have a lot to talk about.”
-Tight hug.
Following Prayfe, who hugged my arm, I headed home.
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