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I got scolded by my parents.

No, Ha-yoon thought, it’s probably a bit different from the typical concept of being “scolded.”

Usually, when other kids get reprimanded, it’s because they did something wrong.

Entering too late, skipping school, not doing their chores—at least, that’s what I’ve heard from the other kids in Ha-yoon’s class.

The complaints of children who got scolded by their parents at school the next day weren’t that serious.

But.

“………”

Ha-yoon entered her room and lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

The room was well organized, but it probably wasn’t her mother who had done it herself. It seemed a bit too spacious to clean alone, so they likely hired someone to do it. This room was probably the same.

Ha-yoon didn’t think her parents didn’t worry about her. They probably loved her in their own way.

But that “own way” only focused on money and power.

“Where did it all go wrong?”

Ha-yoon murmured quietly.

If her parents mentioned that she had run away from home without permission, it might have made her happy. If they had pointed it out with worried voices after she went out dangerously, it wouldn’t have felt bad.

But if, despite that, she had heard compliments for having fought against those who might have endangered the world, Ha-yoon might have been able to smile.

The story she had was not about such things.

Rather, the two of them looked at her with very disappointed expressions. They didn’t yell or blame her, but the way they silently gazed at her made it feel as if Ha-yoon’s existence was the cause of some issue in their relationship with the federation, and that was something even Ha-yoon found hard to bear.

Yeah, deep down, she knew this would happen. That’s why she didn’t want to go back.

On her way home, she had made up her mind about something.

She wanted to confidently say that she helped Ji-eun. She wanted to talk about how she fought risking her life.

Even if they blamed Ha-yoon, she thought she could argue back.

“Even if you hadn’t done that, nothing dangerous would have happened to us.”

But at that moment, Ha-yoon forgot what to say when her father made a point.

“Even if that had happened, nothing would have occurred to us. The federation wouldn’t approve such things.”

But what about Ji-eun?

Yeah. That statement may not have been entirely wrong.

Since the federation, they might have continued their research solely on Hope Circuit while considering human rights.

They could have operated the generator with the personnel they received support from and planned to supply energy to the entire globe, and even export it beyond space.

They might have confidently criticized Noir Corporation’s extreme methods and cut off relations entirely.

But in that process, Ji-eun surely became a victim. That day, Ji-eun had almost been taken elsewhere for sure.

‘There’s no reason for such things to happen to us.’

‘So cutting off relations is disadvantageous for us.’

That “us” definitely did not include Ji-eun.

“…I’m going to my room.”

By then, she had lost her will to continue the conversation, and Ha-yoon said that before going upstairs.

She could hear voices calling her from behind. Perhaps they would ask if she was okay if she continued the discussion.

But still, would it make sense to hear those words only after the initial conversation?

Fortunately, they didn’t try to shout to pull Ha-yoon out of her room or knock on the door.

After all, did they think she would just come back?

Ha-yoon looked at her wrist.

The Circuit was taken by her parents. It seemed the federation did plan to recover it. After all, it didn’t seem like something easily made.

“………”

For the first time in a while, she felt a sense of helplessness.

Even though she was lying alone in a room larger than the orphanage, Ha-yoon’s heart felt constricted. She thought that being huddled together with the kids in that cramped room was much more liberating.

“It’s okay.”

Ha-yoon murmured to herself.

Yeah, it’s okay.

After all, she had to go to school tomorrow. No matter how much her parents were involved, they wouldn’t stop that. A “perfect daughter” doesn’t deliberately skip school.

No, that “perfect” had already been shattered.

If Ha-yoon said she had someone she liked, what kind of expressions would they make? Would they be disappointed that she didn’t choose someone they selected? Or would they try to verify what kind of person it was?

What if they found out that the person was a girl?

It’s strange. Ha-yoon felt like her parents might get angry for some reason. Though there was no basis for it, she felt they’d probably try to separate them in various ways if they knew two girls liked each other.

What if she had already kissed that girl a few times? What would they say then?

The “perfect” had already been broken.

At least in Ha-yoon’s opinion, she was no longer an existence that could be perfect alone.

No, saying “no longer” doesn’t quite fit.

From the moment she met Ji-eun, Ha-yoon had already become a being that couldn’t be perfect alone.

A smile crept across her lips.

Not yet. Not yet has she escaped from here, but someday—

As she thought that while bringing her hand to her lips, she then heard a sudden knock.

“Hey?”

Startled by the sound coming from the window, Ha-yoon jumped up from her place.

She looked once at the window and rubbed her eyes.

When she looked back at the window, there was an angel dressed in pure white clothing beyond it.

That angel had Ji-eun’s face.

No, actually that description was wrong. To Ha-yoon, Ji-eun was nothing less than an angel.

For some reason, she didn’t know how or why, but Ji-eun was always there whenever Ha-yoon felt alone.

Even now.

Ji-eun smiled at Ha-yoon from beyond the window. Dressed in white, it was a little revealing for a wedding dress and incredibly surreal, making the worries that had dominated Ha-yoon’s mind not long ago vanish into that fantastical realm.

Ha-yoon rushed to the window.

As she opened it, Ji-eun, who had been sitting on the windowsill, jumped down. The fluttering white dress was beautiful.

It didn’t seem like Ji-eun had come to fight; she didn’t have any weapons in her hands.

“Why do you look so gloomy?”

Ji-eun asked, still with a smiling face, enveloping Ha-yoon’s cheeks in her hands.

Her hands were warm.

Right after previously feeling a little better thinking about Ji-eun, that comfort turned slightly gloomy again.

It wasn’t because of Ji-eun. If anything, it was because Ha-yoon’s heart was just reacting that way.

She wanted to act like a spoiled child.

Ji-eun must have had many concerns, and certainly, she was also struggling with parts she couldn’t solve just like Ha-yoon.

But perhaps because Ha-yoon had been relying on Ji-eun too much since childhood, she rushed into Ji-eun’s embrace.

And with her face buried in Ji-eun’s chest, she hugged her tightly.

For a moment, Ji-eun looked surprised and raised her hands, but then she gave a gentle laugh and slowly lowered them to Ha-yoon’s back.

And as she softly patted her back, she said,

“Why did you become such a spoiled child?”

“………”

She hadn’t been like this before.

It was probably because she had relied too much during the time they were both magical girls.

Being close together felt so natural that being apart seemed awkward.

In that old house, when the cold air came through because the wind couldn’t fully be blocked out, Ha-yoon had clung tightly to Ji-eun.

Yeah. She had to admit it.

Ha-yoon liked that.

Even if it had been a terrible time for Ji-eun, however miraculous it was, for Ha-yoon, just being able to stick close was what she liked.

What kind of expression would Ji-eun have if she told her that?

This smell, this feeling. This warmth.

She wanted to stay.

Ha-yoon lifted her head.

Her vision was blurry.

Ji-eun gently wiped beneath Ha-yoon’s eyes with her hand.

“Was it so hard that you were nearly in tears?”

Ji-eun asked.

Her face was still smiling, but it wasn’t as bright as when she had come in.

It was probably because she had seen Ha-yoon’s tears.

“………”

Once the tears were wiped away and her vision cleared, she could see Ji-eun’s face. Clearly, and up close.

Only then did Ji-eun look a little embarrassed as if realizing how close their faces were.

Once again, selfishly, Ha-yoon liked that face.

In fact, Ha-yoon liked every expression that appeared on Ji-eun’s face, but particularly liked it when it changed because of Ha-yoon herself.

“Uh, wait a second, Ha-yoon. Th-that’s…”

Ji-eun stammered, clearly flustered.

“Cough.”

Before Ha-yoon’s face could completely touch Ji-eun’s, a cough came from the side.

Ha-yoon jumped, turning her head quickly towards the voice.

There stood Ji-hye, a girl dressed in a mint green and green dress.

“Ji-eun?”

Ji-hye called to Ji-eun.

“Uh, hold on.”

Ji-eun spoke with a startled expression as if trying to come up with an excuse.

Ha-yoon didn’t like that.

So—

Kiss.

She quickly turned and pressed her lips to the side of Ji-eun’s face.

“Wha!?”

In this situation, Ha-yoon’s actions seem to catch Ji-eun off guard as her face turned immediately towards Ha-yoon.

Ha-yoon didn’t miss that opportunity. Her magical girl instincts captured the moment perfectly.

This time, it was the softness of lips that connected.

Ji-eun’s hand that had been on Ha-yoon’s back tightened with surprise.

It was probably not intentional, she just squeezed hard due to her astonishment.

Ha-yoon liked that.

It was still Ji-eun, holding onto her tightly because of her surprising movement.

Thoughts of Ji-hye on the side witnessing such a ridiculous situation had already flown away.

*

Ha-yoon entering home was fine.

Even hugging Ha-yoon was okay, well, it was good. How could it not be? Ha-yoon is one of the prettiest girls I’ve seen.

And even the kiss was fine. It was acceptable. They had done it several times already, after all.

But honestly, it irked me a bit.

I knew the girls around me liked me. I know that affection overflows.

But it was a little annoying when those girls who liked me kept toying with me.

So, I tightened my hold around Ha-yoon’s waist. I felt her flinch in surprise.

Just like how I did to Ji-hye earlier—

Uh, wait a minute.

Earlier?

To Ji-hye?

……

Oh.

I pulled my mouth away from Ha-yoon.

For some reason, the room was quiet. I mean, there shouldn’t be anyone else making noise aside from us. The level of noise should be pretty much the same ever since we came into this room.

Right. “We.”

I glanced sideways.

There stood Ji-hye, arms crossed and one leg crossed over the other.

Wearing a mint green dress suited her very well, but the pose made her look very unbalanced.

“………”

I gently released my hands from Ha-yoon’s waist.

But Ha-yoon didn’t let go of me. Instead, she tightened her arms around me.

Her face was buried in my chest—now that I think about it, my outfit wasn’t appropriate for this situation.

……

Honestly, I felt a bit wronged.

While I can’t say my behavior had no fault in this situation, in the end, it was Ha-yoon and Ji-hye sticking to me. It’s kind of annoying that they get jealous about it.

No, I guess this is just an excuse.

The more I think, the more it feels like my words are turning oddly contrived, so I swallowed my grievance and held back tears.

“Ah, um, right.”

I finally recalled our reason for being here.

“Ha-yoon.”

“Yeah.”

Ha-yoon replied without lifting her head. I could hear my heart beating, and the area where our lips met felt slightly ticklish. I wished she would just pull her head back even a little.

Yeah, probably impossible. That is to say, if there’s a reason she’s in this position, she must have gone through something.

“I was thinking of flying through the sky, what do you think?”

“Flying through the sky?”

“Yeah.”

Even though it was a season with fine dust back in the world I lived in, here, there was no need to worry about things like that.

Breathing in the clear night sky, flying around—that sounded romantic, right?

Ha-yoon finally lifted her head.

“Honestly, tell me. You had something depressing, didn’t you?”

“……Yes.”

Ha-yoon answered heavily to my question.

Looking down at Ha-yoon’s face, I said, “So, let’s fly. We can do that, right? It’s a chance to relax.”

Until now, every time we flew, it was only when there was somewhere we needed to go. And almost always, there was a target involved.

We would fly to fight and get hurt. In the end, although it’s exhilarating, that whole act isn’t solely pleasurable.

Beating the enemies you hate until you feel good about it lasts only a day or two. Sometimes, it’s important to just have a time to calmly rest.

Thus, flying.

“Without any purpose, without wanting to go anywhere, just floating along. We’ve never done that, right?”

Ha-yoon stared at me blankly.

Then she suddenly lowered her head.

But this time, she wasn’t hiding her face against my chest.

The face that had smiled at me just moments ago and seemed happy just looking at me suddenly lost its strength.

I felt the grip of her hands around my waist loosen, and I let her go as well.

Ha-yoon gently stepped back and spoke with a slightly bowed head.

“I… now… don’t have the Circuit.”

“Uh?”

I found myself muttering that absentmindedly while blinking.

“What do you mean, you don’t have the Circuit?”

Only then did I see Ha-yoon’s wrist. It was true. The Circuit that had almost always been there like a wristwatch was not visible now.

“What happened… Ah.”

Then a potential possibility dawned on me a bit late.

Ha-yoon’s parents are involved with the federation. They probably weren’t directly part of it, but they’re the ones who negotiate between the government and the federation for all kinds of coordination.

Naturally, they have to consider the federation’s opinions too.

And the Circuit Ha-yoon had on her wrist was literally a “weapon.” A very expensive advanced weapon at that.

Of course, it’s natural that the federation would want to retrieve it.

“……….”

I bit my lip and spoke again.

“It’s okay. I’ll get it back for you.”

I hadn’t thought exactly about how. After all, any Circuit would do as long as it goes on Ha-yoon’s wrist. It would be great if it were the one she had been using, but…

“Until when will they have it? Until tonight?”

“Maybe… yeah, they’ll probably go to work tomorrow.”

“Aren’t your parents asleep yet?”

As I said while rubbing my chin thoughtfully, Ha-yoon nodded. This time, perhaps sensing something in my voice, her eyes widened.

“Ji-eun, don’t tell me…?”

“Um, well, I’m not sure. Just think it over for now.”

For now, I decided to think about it until both of them fell asleep. That way, I could sneak in and take it out.

“More than that…”

“Uh, eek!?”

Suddenly I slipped my hand beneath Ha-yoon’s knees and lifted her up, causing her to scream and quickly cover her mouth with both hands.

“Even without the Circuit, you can still fly, right?”

I’m not sure, but Ha-yoon’s weight felt significantly lighter than the hammer I usually carried around. Having lifted both, I could say it for sure.

Ha-yoon naturally looped her arms around my neck. Of course, that was only to say, in this position, there weren’t many other ways to hold her.

No matter how confident I might be, it felt convenient that the other person was being proactive about clinging to me.

I turned around with her in that state—only to face Ji-hye who had a very pouty expression.

“………”

Uh, um.

“……I’ll do it for you later.”

“Really?”

Ji-hye asked, still puffed up.

“……Really.”

As I held back a sigh and said that, a slight smile appeared on Ji-hye’s face.

…Well, what can I say?

Isn’t this request going to be similar when Jua asks for the same? At least I need to make sure she doesn’t say it in front of them.

I still don’t quite know how everything got to this point.

“………”

I shook my head to clear my thoughts. After all, I didn’t come this far just to have such trivial worries.

“Let’s go.”

I said with a little stronger tone as I headed for the window.

Ji-hye leaped out the window first.

Seeing her floating in the mint green outfit—

“You look like Tinkerbell.”

“So, you’re Wendy?”

Is that how it works?

I’m Peter Pan, and Ha-yoon isn’t Wendy?

……

Nah, if I said that, I’d probably be slapped again, so I simply jumped out the window.

Having no experience jumping from a high place without the Circuit, Ha-yoon held tightly onto my neck. It was impressive she didn’t scream.

A glimpse of Ha-yoon’s lips appeared from where she buried her face.

That smile, which couldn’t be hidden, suggested that maybe things had gone well after all.

 

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