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One of the few things I liked after coming to this world was the clear sky.

On this Earth in the universe, I no longer had to worry about global warming. Of course, the environment hadn’t completely returned to normal, but at least there were no more talks about how it would be decades in the future like in the world I used to live in.

I’m not sure what the exact principle behind it is. Well, the politicians probably did something about it. I’ve heard they made power sources nearly eco-friendly and shifted from livestock consumption to cultured meat, yet claiming that global warming was solved within just five years seems a little extreme.

Then again, it was likely just a convenient setting the author created. It turned into something much larger when it became reality.

Anyway, for various reasons, there were quite a few days when the sky looked bluer in this country. And I liked that. Just looking at the sky felt refreshing.

Today’s sky at the time of my discharge was just like that.

The white clouds scattered about were beautiful. After stepping a few paces out of the hospital, I looked up at the sky absentmindedly for a while.

“Ji-eun.”

Ha-yoon came up behind me.

When I turned around, she was holding some documents in her hand. She must have told me to wait a moment while she went to take care of some reception.

“Now, we just have to go back.”

Seeing Ha-yoon smile and say that, I nodded.

“What are you going to do?”

I’ll be going back to the orphanage. Luckily, I’m still at an age where I can be there. I should be able to stay for another two and a half years.

There are some inconveniences, but still, that place is the only one I consider my ‘home’ in this world.

“Ah, I….”

But Ha-yoon isn’t the same.

Neither are the other Magical Girls.

In the eyes of others, these kids are just runaways. Sure, they’re called Magical Girls, but they’re still minors, and their parents are all perfectly fine.

Thinking back, one could even ask what we were doing with such minors… but well, considering how hard I fought alongside those minors, I can’t say such things.

I pondered for a moment.

Ha-yoon’s parents aren’t particularly good parents. I’ve barely met them, but they seem to think my existence, as Ha-yoon’s friend, isn’t very favorable.

They sent Ha-yoon to an inconvenient school too. I worked incredibly hard to keep up.

I don’t think they’d stop Ha-yoon from taking the bus to school after she enters high school, though.

…But isn’t that because they know that if they did that, Ha-yoon’s power as a Magical Girl would diminish?

“For now, let’s go back.”

That’s what I said.

Yeah. That’s the best way.

I know that her parents wouldn’t openly hit Ha-yoon or anything. To others, they would appear to be the type of parents that dote on their daughter terribly.

“……”

Ha-yoon lowered her head at my words.

Could it be that she thinks I’m sending her away because I don’t want her?

That’s not it.

I approached Ha-yoon and took her hand.

Ha-yoon looked up at me again. It’s strange, why is she making that face when we’re not parting forever?

It must have been that, for Ha-yoon, the time spent with me was enjoyable. We’ve had a lot of various experiences, and there were quite a few dangerous situations, but still.

And frankly speaking, I felt the same way.

“If anything happens, make sure to tell me. You’ll take the call device with you, right? You can contact me anytime you want.”

There shouldn’t be any interruptions in communication; even if my phone cuts off, the call device’s signal won’t drop.

“If you think it’s dangerous, I’ll definitely come running.”

“……Okay.”

Ha-yoon nodded at my words. Seeing a smile slowly appear on her lips, it seemed she liked my suggestion.

I glanced over at the other kids.

It seems the hospital doesn’t control the lobby at all. Considering the size of this hospital, there would be a lot of patients coming every day, and they can’t exactly interfere with all of them.

Other people were watching us from a distance, while the other kids stood a bit away, smirking at us.

Hmm.

I can tolerate these gazes now. Honestly, I’m the one who’s had huge headlines in the newspapers about kissing and forced to wear revealing outfits every time I transform.

It’s a bit odd to feel embarrassed about it now.

“So, where do you want to go to hang out today?”

I purposely asked in a bright voice.

“It’s likely our last day together. How about we play for as long as possible before heading home?”

“That’s not like you to suggest.”

Rose said in surprise. That was more annoying than her usual ‘acting surprised’ act.

I mean, no matter what, I’m someone who proposes different things to Ha-yoon. I’ve asked about going somewhere fun to unwind and all…

Still, I wouldn’t say such things to Rose.

“……So, you don’t want to?”

Rose chuckled at my question and looked around at the other kids.

“Well, Lily’s suggestion is like that. What do you think?”

Calling me Lily here is probably an attempt to embarrass me. Sorry, but I’ve kind of gotten used to it by now, so I don’t mind.

“That sounds fine. Anyway, if we’re all going back, it would also be nice to have a great time on the last day.”

Jua nodded in agreement. The other kids also chimed in one by one.

“Um, can I suggest something first?”

Rose said with a smile.

“How about we go back to where we used to hang out one last time?”

…Well, that’s just great.

It was such a good suggestion that I couldn’t even counter it.

*

Maybe because they’re called Magical Girls, they really enjoyed playing with the kids. And since the kids also loved Magical Girls, it couldn’t be a more perfect combination.

It wasn’t forced acting; seeing their truly smiling faces made even Rose look like an angel.

Dalia and Delphinium were the same.

Ironically, Ji-hye and I weren’t that popular for Magical Girls in this orphanage.

Is that to be expected? After all, the two of us are just people who live here rather than Magical Girls.

Even if we transformed, we’d probably be seen as just sisters wearing Magical Girl outfits.

Thus, what they claimed was fun times ended up being more like community service.

When that time, which was essentially service, was over—

“Well then… it’s time to part ways today. It’d be a bit problematic to just leave without any reason.”

Rose was the first to speak up in front of the orphanage.

“Are you already really angry?”

“Maybe?”

Rose scratched her head.

The truth is, I hadn’t really heard much about the other Magical Girls’ parents aside from Ha-yoon. Those who could be called ideal might not exist, but they could at least be somewhat better than Ha-yoon’s parents.

At least Rose seemed confident in herself, and her personality didn’t seem too prickly.

Actually, it might be that she’s changed a bit by living together with Ha-yoon.

“…….”

Rose stared at me for a while before suddenly reaching out her hand toward me.

“Take care.”

I silently looked at her outstretched hand for a moment, then extended my own to shake it.

“Thank you too….”

This time, Rose didn’t take my words jokingly.

She just nodded seriously and stepped back.

“If it weren’t for you, we would have just been used until the end. We wouldn’t have known anything about what was happening behind the scenes. Thank you. You’ve helped relieve my chest a little.”

“……If you ever need anything you don’t understand at school, feel free to come to me.”

Dalia and Delphinium were the same. I held hands with the two of them in order, and then turned toward Jua and Ha-yoon.

“…….”

Jua hesitated for a while, choosing her words, before stepping towards me hesitantly.

And awkwardly raised both hands slightly.

Is she not just wanting to shake hands?

Actually, I kind of understand what she’s thinking. For some reason, since a certain moment, she seemed to have developed a fondness for me.

I’m not sure what exactly that mindset is, but…

Looking at Ha-yoon next to her, it seemed she was a bit restless too.

I took a deep breath and scratched my head.

Then, I opened my arms wide.

The two of them blushed but awkwardly hugged me. After all, there’s no way a hug here would be the same as a hug when we’re just together.

After we finished hugging and turned to Rose, Dalia, and Delphinium, the three of them quickly shook their heads.

Seeing that was oddly amusing.

“Well then… see you tomorrow.”

I said to Ha-yoon.

“……Yeah, tomorrow.”

Ha-yoon, who had looked quite gloomy just a moment ago, nodded and smiled at my words.

Yeah, since we’ll meet again tomorrow anyway.

The work as a Magical Girl isn’t completely over, and we also plan to go to school every day, so it’s alright.

The kids slowly walked out of the orphanage.

They all seemed to glance back at us as if they were reluctant to leave. I guess they’re all students. The time spent at a friend’s house is bound to be fun.

It might be a bit troublesome if they had to live like that for a lifetime, but still, having fun is fun.

I quietly watched the kids as they walked away for a long time.

The pink-haired girl kept glancing back toward me.

I waved every time Ha-yoon looked back at me. At the end, she faintly smiled and waved back at me.

I know what she’s feeling.

After all, Ha-yoon is a friend I’ve known for a long time.

She probably wanted to show me that bright smile without any reservations.

Eventually, the kids disappeared from sight, and I stood still for a while, feeling a sense of emptiness in my chest.

And finally, as I turned to leave—

“Ji-eun?”

I found myself facing Ji-hye, who looked a bit annoyed.

…Ah.

Now that I think about it, I didn’t hug Ji-hye, did I?

 

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