---

Looking back, I don’t think I studied that hard during my exam period in my past life.

I had my own worries about the college entrance exam and did study some, but I couldn’t really focus.

I was just hoping that this period would end soon, whether I was going to college or getting a job.

In fact, once I got to university, keeping up with classes and exams was way tougher than studying for the entrance exam.

That said, I wasn’t slacking off like other third-year students.

Because, after all, there were always hardworking kids around me.

Ha-yoon was definitely studying hard. So was Jua. Both were eager kids who put in a lot of effort into everything they did.

Ji-hye, too, studies hard. She clearly divides her time between relaxation and studying, sticking to it rigorously.

I tried to study diligently by mimicking them. Just sitting next to them made it impossible to not study because we’d naturally ask each other questions and help out.

“Ta-da, juniors, I came to hang out!”

Seniors would often drop by while we were studying to tease us.

If they were only teasing, I could have just gotten mad and released my frustration, but they kept bringing snacks whenever I was just about to blow up.

Usually, it was stuff like cake or coffee that you could munch on during breaks.

By the way, while we were studying at the Magical Girl facility, for some reason, Pang-pang would tag along and study beside me.

“I have a lot to learn too.”

She didn’t seem like she had plans for university, but then again, running a company probably requires more than just basic knowledge. I’d heard that the next generation inheriting big corporations starts learning from childhood.

Thanks to the grades I pulled in second semester of my second year and the studying I did during winter break, my grades and mock exam results in third year ended up being pretty decent.

I didn’t think about going to the best university in Korea, but I felt I could at least get into the same one as my friends.

“…It feels a bit strange.”

Around June, I mumbled while sitting in the orphanage’s swing.

“What feels strange?” Ha-yoon asked from next to me.

“I’ll be an adult next year. There’s only about six months left.”

This would be my second time becoming an adult, but both times felt really awkward.

I still didn’t feel very “grown-up,” but the gradual push of time felt a little frightening.

Once I enter university, our time at the orphanage would increase a bit.

But that doesn’t mean we could stay here forever. ‘Independence’ was like an unavoidable deadline for us. There was no way to extend that time, unless we were to leave first.

I had to figure out recyclables on my own, clean up after myself, and deal with food waste. I’d have to pay taxes while working, cover rent, and manage living expenses with a budget.

Living separately would have its perks, but sadly, I was the type to worry first before thinking about the positives.

Well, at least I wouldn’t have to worry about finding a job. After all, we were Magical Girls.

“Totally…”

Ha-yoon replied while looking up at the sky.

“It’s been so long since we met.”

Wow, that’s true.

It really has been that long.

I don’t know how I’ll feel in my 40s or 50s, but right now, ten years in my age feels immensely significant.

The time Ha-yoon and I shared surpasses half our lives spent in this world. The same goes for Ji-hye.

Right now, every single year feels huge and precious to us.

“I get why the seniors keep coming around.”

A ‘mere year’ doesn’t really exist for us.

But saying ‘a whole year’ makes sense. And if we think about time, it’s already been two years since.

Ha-yoon’s and the seniors’ timelines are even longer than that.

Wow.

There might be a strong reason why relationships formed with friends from childhood feel more significant; it might just stem from how much that time really matters during our formative years.

“…”

I briefly fell into thought before speaking.

“Ha-yoon.”

“Yes?”

“Shall we visit the seniors sometime when we have the time? It’s not too far, right?”

Sure.

Even though I’m a student, it’s not like I don’t have any time at all. Sure, some people seem to wish for that, but I’ve never lived that kind of life in either life.

“That sounds good.”

Ha-yoon responded with a smile.

*

Meeting Seo-hee wasn’t that hard.

She had already come to us several times, telling us when classes would end.

Even though we didn’t ask, she was clearly eager for us to come visit.

As I held up a piece of cake high above my head—

“Ahhh!”

Seo-hee screamed and came running towards us.

“That doesn’t suit you at all.”

Hearing a scream that Seo-hee would never normally make made me say that, and she frowned at me.

“Why not? I just wanted to have fun like the others.”

“Others do that?”

“Probably?”

Oh well, whatever that means.

I knew what kind of image she was aiming for.

“Well, since the juniors have come by, I can’t just sit around and do nothing.”

It’s not like she could have even gotten comfortable being a new university student yet.

True, the semester is ending soon, so she could say she was slowly shedding her old skin.

“I already told the others in advance. It won’t take long. I made sure our class schedules are pretty simlar.”

Even though we went to the same university, the majors were different.

Seo-hee led us to the school lounge.

There weren’t that many people… oh, it’s Friday. University students must be busy hanging out.

Especially the first-years, finding joy in being free from last year’s exams, and feeling liberated as adults able to do what they want are probably all having a blast.

We took over a decently big table in the lounge and placed our cake and coffee on it. Since nobody seemed to mind us doing that, it looked like it wasn’t a big deal after all.

“University, huh…”

I glanced around.

The people passing by were all different. Some were staggering tiredly, while others were laughing and chatting excitedly. There were even couples everywhere.

Not everyone looked overwhelmingly happy, but still, it seemed rather nice.

“So, have you decided which university you want to go to?”

Seo-hee boldly unwrapped the cake as she asked, making me say incredulously, “Aren’t you waiting for the others?”

“They’re going to come anyway, so what’s the rush?”

I had no words for that. It wasn’t a logic dilemma or anything; it was just clear she would eat whether I said something or not.

Ha-yoon and Jua giggled. Ji-hye had a more familiar expression than them.

“So, which university? What major? Isn’t it about time to start preparing?”

“So you’ve been preparing all along? You know what you’ll be doing in the near future?”

“Honestly, not really.”

This time, Jua had a look of disbelief on her face.

“I mean, most kids heading to university just pick a major they think will get them a job based on their grades. That’s basically it. Overthinking it will only make it harder to choose.”

True, those who genuinely went to university for self-actualization were definitely admirable.

“But we have jobs lined up already, and to be honest, I doubt either of us is struggling financially in the future, right?”

“Huh?”

“If your friends are doing well enough, just borrowing money from one of them occasionally could keep you set for life.”

“I’m not planning to do that.”

“Still, that means we could afford to do what we want. Even if we retire from being Magical Girls, you could still sell the energy you make.”

“…”

Is that so?

“So, since childhood, is there something you’ve wanted to pursue? Just tell me, and I’ll listen.”

That doesn’t sound like something someone dripping cream from a cake should say.

Well, still…

I looked around.

It wasn’t just Seo-hee; everyone was looking at me, eager to see what I would say.

Maybe it was because of that: something I want to do.

I’ve already achieved something I once wished for in this world. To win in battles. Or to reach a level where I could fight on equal footing.

To defeat evil, become a Magical Girl, and become the protagonist of my own life.

I’ve accomplished all of that already, so what else do I want?

As I got lost in thought, I chuckled.

“Don’t laugh too much.”

“I’m not laughing.”

Seo-hee suddenly spoke with a serious tone.

“Among the people here, no one will laugh at your dream.”

“…”

Saying something like that just made it harder to answer.

Well, whatever.

I thought briefly before slowly opening my mouth.

“I want to write a story.”

I had thought about doing manga, but honestly, I don’t think I can go to a related department just to start drawing now.

So, for now, I want to learn how to write stories. Create characters, plot out stories, that sort of thing.

It doesn’t have to be manga. Although the stories I’ve seen so far were manga, you never know. If I keep writing, someday it could become a comic.

It might even turn into a movie or drama someday.

So, for now, it’s about stories. I just wanted to write my own story, whatever format that might take.

“…That’s great.”

Seo-hee replied with a smile.

If it weren’t for the cream on her face, her expression was pretty much the epitome of a senior.

 

---