episode_0041

Yumina squatted against the front door of the library and buried her head. Cha Haneul is too much. If a friend calls and suddenly starts talking, shouldn’t you kindly ask the reason? I wonder how it is that every single word is so cruel, it’s too much. It should be embarrassing to suddenly call and say that he is annoyed, unlucky, or rude, but it is still so. How can he talk to me without a single kind word? It is really too much.

It is questionable whether it is true that Cha Ha-neul considers him a friend. You are always the one who visits to have fun, and no matter what contact or appointment you make, you are the one who suggests it. Cha Ha-neul has never talked about it first. Now that I think about it, it seems like it was always me who spoke up in class. When I think about it more carefully, I don’t think Cha Ha-neul has ever approached me first, not just to this extent, but in the entire relationship. If I had to point out, there were cases where someone sneakily approached me and copied me when I had an assignment, but that’s not comforting at all.

But that doesn’t mean that Cha Ha-neul doesn’t really consider him a friend. Usually, when classmates ask Cha Ha-neul to go somewhere together, Cha Ha-neul flatly refuses, saying she doesn’t like it, but she often listens to her own suggestions, so she must be a good friend. But I have doubts about whether I should be happy about something like this. Why do you treat Do Yoo-geon so well, but do this to yourself? It seems like he will answer if I ask, but I am afraid that he will give a reason that is not really a big deal.

“That’s just it….”

As I was muttering darkly, a stray cat came up to me and rubbed its body.

“Are you comforting me, cat?”

I picked up the cat and held it in my arms. As I buried my face in the cat, I smelled something refreshing.

“You are a clean cat. I wish Cha Ha-neul had a clean personality too.”

When I breathed in, it was a really refreshing scent. It is not the scent that comes from a stray cat. The white fur is also soft, just like a domestic cat. Suddenly I realized something, so I raised my head and looked around. There was no one who appeared to be the cat’s owner.

When I looked at the cat in my arms again, the cat also looked at me. It’s a white cat that looks somewhat familiar.

“Young cat, do you really know how to talk?”

The cat tilted its head.

―Cats can’t really talk, right?

Well said.

Feeling cold, I stretched out my arm and the cat naturally landed on the floor.

―It was an emergency situation before, so I couldn’t convey it properly, so I came back.

“……what?”

-Magical girl.

I washed my face dry. After doing that for a while, it seems to calm down.

“What did you say?”

-Magical girl.

A talking cat and a magical girl are very suspicious. I moved my squatting position a little and got away from the cat.

―Why are you avoiding me?

“That’s suspicious.”

-Where are you going?

“When a white cat comes to you asking if you want to sign a contract to become a magical girl, you look like a fraudster.”

-I guess so. Don’t worry though. I’m not a fraudster.

“Hmm….”

I can’t believe it.

Still, I was curious, so I moved to a nearby bench.

―If you become a magical girl, you can use magic.

“Are you shooting fireballs like a pyromancer?”

-The method is a little different from that. Magical girls turn imagination into reality. It’s not limited to formats like fireballs. Of course, the imagination that can be realized is different for each magical girl.

“Interesting. Making cash or something?”

-It is possible, but there are no magical girls who can do that yet.

“It’s a shame. Is there no price for using magic?”

-Is that possible? There is no magic without a cost.

“Then what price do magical girls pay?”

The cat laughed.

-The soul!

It was a refreshing answer. It was so refreshing that you almost didn’t think the soul was that important.

“Huh….soul?”

-yes.

He smiled at the answer and asked the same refreshing question.

“Are you a devil?”

-I’m Schrödinger.

For a moment, I wondered what he was talking about, but then I realized that this was the cat that Cha Ha-neul was talking about. Cha Ha-neul said that he couldn’t see Schrödinger because his skills disappeared, so it seems like he tried to approach and seduce Cha Ha-neul, but gave up because of Cha Ha-neul’s personality. It’s worth giving up.

“Anyway, are you a devil?”

-no. I think there is a misunderstanding when it comes to soul. Becoming a magical girl doesn’t mean you have to take your soul in return for a contract or anything like that.

“then?”

―If you become a magic girl, you will be given magic tools. Magic is not used by magical girls, but by magic tools. Machines need fuel to run. Likewise, you need a soul to realize your imagination.

“Then it’s not a misunderstanding at all.”

-There is no big problem if a little bit of soul is consumed.

“What’s the little problem?”

―If you sleep late, you will suffer from sleep deprivation, right? That feeling can make you feel tired and lethargic.

As Schrödinger said, it was difficult to know whether it was really a small problem or not. That’s because even if I go to bed late while looking at my phone, I feel tired and lethargic.

“…What happens if too much is used up?”

Schrödinger laughed.

-Life expectancy is shortened. If I keep using it, I’ll die, right?

I could feel that I myself had become agitated.

-Do not worry. No matter how much you throw a fireball, it’s difficult to shave off even a month’s lifespan.

No matter how much I hear about it, it seems like a scam. As I was thinking back and thinking about what I had just said, Schrödinger also stopped talking and licked his fur.

I heard footsteps and turned my head. A girl was coming to the library. The girl looked this way and walked toward the front door of the library. I feel a strange sense of kinship coming to the library even though it is closed.

Then it suddenly occurred to me.

“If the cost of using magic is your soul, then what do you receive as a magical girl contract?”

-There is no compensation in the contract. You’re not asking about the principle of good faith, right?

“That’s not true, but it doesn’t make sense to provide magic tools without paying anything in return.”

It felt like this was how magic contracts were usually scammed.

―The magic tool is a wreath. It is rented out by paying a monthly rental fee. It’s not free. If you don’t pay, they will take it back.

“Soul for rental fee…?”

-Money.

I was speechless because I felt like I had suddenly fallen back to reality.

―When you become a magical girl, you can receive quests. Upon completion, you will be paid a labor fee. That’s how you pay the rental fee.

“Oh, yes.”

I sat blankly for a moment. Since I was a magical girl, I thought of something tragic and hopeless, but when money came up… … , wake up a bit.

“Then, rather than asking and answering questions like this, I’ll just read the contract. Is there…?”

-of course.

Several pieces of contract paper fell from the air. It was a very common contract that described the contractual relationship between party A and party B. Upon closer inspection, there was nothing magical about it; it was just a carefully crafted contract.

“It’s really a contract, huh… Are you sure you just signed this with drops of blood?”

-What are you imagining? If you drop a drop of blood, it spreads. Would you like a ballpoint pen?

I shook my head.

“If I sign here with a ballpoint pen, does it have magical binding properties?”

―You’re expecting too much from the contract.

“Yes, but…”

―If you don’t believe me even if I give you the answer, then just don’t ask.

“Ah! Completing the quest is mandatory?”

-There is no such clause in the contract.

“No, I’m not asking that.”

―Really, why are you asking?

I don’t even know why I’m asking. I stopped talking and looked at the contract. There will be at least a poison clause.

“I asked why they were here and it turned out that it was closed and there was no one there.”

I raised my head when I heard a voice coming from close by. The girl who was heading to the front door of the library earlier was standing there. He was about as tall as Cha Ha-neul and looked like a first-year middle school student.

The girl calmly sat down next to the bench.

“Don’t ask the cat, ask me. I can’t trust him just because he looks like that.”

-It’s a cat.

“Because it’s a cat. How about changing its appearance? Even the color of its fur.”

-I like it now.

We are having a really natural conversation.

“Are you a magical girl?”

“That’s it.”

We talked about some side stories and then got to the main topic.

“There are many different types of quests. We do system maintenance, work related to magical girls, crack down on drug dealing and other things to maintain public order.”

“Wait a minute, why do magical girls maintain security?”

“In the first place, magical girls maintain security. Don’t you know they are vigilantes?”

“Why do magical girls maintain security in centralized Korea, especially in the middle of Seoul?”

The girl tilted her head.

“Because you need it?”

“That’s what the police do.”

The girl opened her mouth.

“You’re smart! I’ve never seen a magical girl say that before. That’s right, the police do it. But it’s still necessary, so we do it too.”

“Whether it is necessary or not, if there is a problem, it is right to report it to the police.

“That’s right! You’re really smart.”

I looked at him because I felt like he was trying to turn something around, and his expression was just smiling. Since I don’t know his personality, I don’t know what his intention was.

“If you don’t trust the local police station, you can report it to a higher authority. If you can’t trust it, report it to a higher authority.”

“That’s right! You’re really, really smart.”

It didn’t seem like a compliment with good intentions, but I still said it anyway.

“If you don’t trust the police, you can report it to the prosecution.”

“amazing!”

The girl clapped her hands.

“But even so, magical girls also maintain security. We don’t know why, but there must be a problem somewhere with manpower, budget, priorities, maybe responsibility, etc.? We don’t know the reason, so we can’t explain it.”

“That can’t be possible… Maintaining public order is one of the top priorities.”

“Even if you say that, there is a drug trade going on right now in the middle of Seoul and we are cracking down on it?”

“……Have you ever reported it to the media?”

“Wow! You’re really smart! It’s a little fun to have your existence denied.”

The magical girl got up from the bench.

“If you become a magical girl, you will come with me. If that happens, please take care of me in the future.”

He held out his hand and I shook it.

“I’d like to talk more, but I have work to do, so I’ll leave first!”

The magical girl has left. It was just a moment.

-Would you like me to explain? I don’t think the labor cost was explained at all.

“Uh…yeah.”

* * *

Cha Ha-neul finished the cappuccino. I have some cake left. Shall I make another drink? There was a bit too much cake left to eat without coffee.

As I was taking out the capsule coffee, I received a call from Yumina. Why are you calling me when you just left?

I received a call.

“why?”

I pressed the coffee machine button. A cup of espresso was made. I like it because it’s convenient.

“You’re annoying.”

Why is he like this all of a sudden?

“What are you saying all of a sudden?”

“He’s rude, unlucky, and annoying.”

I don’t know what to do.

“I know.”

“Even though you know now, you’re not fixing it? It’s even more annoying.”

“So what.”

“this person……!”

I stopped and listened because I was wondering if he was saying something right. After doing that for a while, the phone suddenly hung up. what.

Milk was poured into the finished espresso. Why did you call me? Is it puberty? I finished making cappuccino and went to my seat. Did we do something wrong here? Umm. There are too many of them, so there’s nothing worth mentioning.

As I took a bite of the cake, something came to mind. Could it be because of my grandfather’s behind-the-scenes work? In the past, I found out that I tried to do it with Do Yoo-geon and received an apology, but this time, I don’t know because it’s Yumina.

I made a call.

“Oh, heaven. Did you miss this old man?”

“no.”

“Hum hum….”

I drank a cup of coffee. Oh, it’s hot. I took my mouth off and cooled down.

“Grandpa, what did you do to Yumina?”

“Hehe, as expected, Director Lim gets things done quickly.”

“Are you confident?”

“I just warned you in advance that your classmate was wandering around at night.”

“Without asking my doctor?”

“Oh my, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I asked. This old man is getting older and forgetting.”

I guess so.

“Then please be careful next time. Don’t make me angry by doing the same to Do Yoo-geon for no reason.”

“Sky. Aren’t you really attracted to that kid?”

“It’s not like I’m being dragged around.”

“I’m worried that Haneul will be hurt. A one-sided relationship is not good.”

“Not to that extent.”

“It’s not good for the child to keep being dragged around.”

There is nothing to say as it is a straightforward opinion.

“I’ll take care of that. Don’t worry about Grandpa.”

“Of course. It’s heaven, so you’ll do well.”

Ugh. I took a bite of strawberry cake. It’s useless.

After that, we chatted for a bit and hung up the phone. I’m feeling a little tired. I’m tired.

I finished my coffee and got up and stretched. Wow. Even though I wanted to sleep, I had to stay afloat and go out, so I did some stretching. I made it stiff because it wasn’t flexible enough, but there was nothing I could do about it.

After packing a few types of cookies and going up to the house, I washed my face, changed my clothes, and got ready to leave.

After that day, I was worried that Do Yoo-geon might have suffered mental shock, but I left him alone to stay with his family, but there was no contact at all for the past few days. I may not hear from you for a few days, but since I don’t even say hello at a time like this, I’m feeling unlucky so I’m thinking of going to my house. Actually, you could contact me first, but that would be a bit much.

I left the house and spoke to the driver, and the car headed toward Do Yu-geon’s house.

First of all, you should contact me in advance before going home. I took out my phone and made a call. The signal went on and then disconnected as the call was busy. Yes. Should I call you later? I put my phone away. If I had known this would happen, I would have called earlier.

The car continued to run. Meanwhile, it was by chance that I spotted Do Yoo-gun walking down the street. I almost made a fuss because I wasn’t at home.

I stopped the car and got out. I followed Do Yu-geon and stabbed him in the waist.

“hi.”

“Huh? Cha Ha-neul?”

“What a coincidence we met here. Where were you going?”

Do Yu-geon looked a bit embarrassed. I guess I’m not happy about it. I feel strangely sad.

“Ah. A cafe near here. Someone asked me to meet them.”

“Really? Then, shall I have a cup of coffee too?”

“No, no. You’re a stranger so it’ll be awkward.”

“Then you can’t do it.”

If you’re going to a cafe, I can’t give you cookies. I said hello and parted ways. Do Yu-geon entered the alley and disappeared out of sight.

But I feel a bit reluctant. It’s only been a few days since that day, but who is it that I’m meeting with? It’s possible to have a friend like that, but… … .

Umm.

I followed behind.