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“……”

“Uh, hey, Ha-yoon?”

On the way out after work—well, not exactly work, more like training for now—but anyway, after that.

We hadn’t really become full-fledged office workers yet, so it wasn’t that late when we came out.

Cherry’s words about not wanting to interfere with her studies were sincere. I mean, there were moments in the original where magical girls were enraged by having to go on missions during exams, and the absurdity of that was a comedic element, so it made sense for the group to care about such things.

Training schedules were from 10 AM to 12 PM in the morning, followed by a lunch break from 12 PM to 1 PM, and then back to training until 3 PM in the afternoon.

So, right now, it was 3 PM.

As I was thinking about whether to go somewhere with Ha-yoon on the way out, Ha-yoon herself—

“Hmph.”

I don’t know, it seemed like she was intentionally turning her head with that sound.

I thought seriously about it.

There was a bit of an acting vibe to it. I’ve never actually seen someone sulking while making a ‘hmph’ sound in real life.

So, right now, Ha-yoon’s behavior seemed to intentionally display her dissatisfaction.

……

Uh, but if she’s sulking because she has a complaint, isn’t that genuine sulking? Do magical girls get angry like in cartoons?

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

Regardless of anything else, it’s only natural for me to console Ha-yoon. I’ve done it before, and she’s probably showing this on purpose hoping I’d react that way.

“You’ve changed, Ji-eun.”

“Changed… huh?”

I gave it a serious thought again.

Is this really the time to be having that kind of conversation? Isn’t it something typically said during a lover’s quarrel?

Of course, we aren’t in a romantic relationship. I’ve never confessed my feelings to Ha-yoon. She hasn’t said anything like that to me either.

So, this must be one of Ha-yoon’s little jokes.

“Don’t just hang out with your senior today.”

Ha-yoon puffed out her cheeks.

Ah.

Got it.

I suppose I really haven’t been paying enough attention to Ha-yoon lately.

By not paying attention, I don’t mean generally, but specifically during the time I was in training.

Normally, we would definitely pay attention the same way. Since we’re in the same school and class, we talk all the time, and if someone tries to cut in, Ha-yoon would often drag me off to a corner somewhere.

We would go out and eat delicious food together, maybe go to karaoke and sing songs.

But since we both started training, we’ve certainly had less of that time alone together.

In the meantime, I had been training with Rose.

Like someone who just started a high-difficulty game, I was thinking hard about how to win against Rose in battle. And throughout my training hours, I fought fiercely with Rose.

It seemed that Ha-yoon perceived that as me spending time with Rose.

“Eh.”

Once I realized that, I felt a little relieved. So, Ha-yoon isn’t really mad at me; she just wants me to hang out with her.

I raised my hand to place it on Ha-yoon’s shoulder and said, “But that’s training, you know? We need to improve our skills before becoming magical girls.”

“Yeah… but still. Doesn’t it hurt?”

“It doesn’t hurt.”

The one who brought me here was Ha-yoon, after all. It felt like she was carrying a bit of guilt.

In the original story, the relationship between Ha-yoon and Rose wasn’t all that bad. While they might not be best friends, at least they fell within the realm of friends.

But for some reason, Ha-yoon has been acting a bit cold towards Rose lately.

It seemed she couldn’t help but be affected when her close friend was getting beaten up.

Hmm.

Cute.

“… Don’t laugh.”

Maybe Ha-yoon thought her own thoughts were a bit strange, and seeing me laugh made her turn her head away in annoyance again.

But she didn’t brush off my hand on her shoulder. Relying a bit more on that fact, I turned with her in the direction she was walking and said, “Well, it is a bit fun.”

“Fun?”

“Yeah. I mean, I haven’t really taken on anything this challenging in my life.”

Ha-yoon looked up at me with wide eyes. Her mouth was slightly agape.

Yeah, that was definitely the case.

There’s someone I really want to beat in a fight. That person is Ha-yoon.

But how do I fight? Ha-yoon hasn’t become a magical girl yet. And even when she becomes a combatant, how can she win? A combatant wouldn’t stand a chance if they came at a magical girl in groups—they’d get wiped out in an instant.

Right now, it’s different.

The more I fight, the more I can see my skills improving. There are even people who sincerely want me to get stronger, adjusting their skills while fighting me.

So, how could I not feel motivated?

Plus, one day when both Ha-yoon and I become magical girls, I’m sure we’ll have a real chance to duel.

“Thanks to you.”

I said that while looking directly at Ha-yoon.

“Thanks to you, I feel like I’ve found direction in life.”

Hmm, maybe that was a bit too much? It doesn’t sound like something a middle schooler should say.

But who cares?

Ha-yoon had a somewhat dreamy temperament. How else would she be a magical girl? Even Iris, the most practical and realistic of all magical girls, had some dreamy aura to her—what about our protagonist, Ha-yoon?

“Thanks, really.”

As I said that, Ha-yoon’s eyes blinked.

The sulky expression was completely gone by now.

Ha-yoon’s face turned red as she lowered her head. But there was no hiding that her ears and the back of her neck under her ponytail were flushed.

I laughed out loud again and walked on.

“Well then, since I’m grateful, should I buy you something today?”

“Uh, huh!?”

When I grabbed Ha-yoon’s shoulder and started moving forward, she gasped in surprise.

“No, well, you already do so much for me usually…”

“… No, I’m not that generous, though…”

Is that so?

In terms of costs, I must be the one spending the least. I do buy drinks or snacks from time to time, but they’re more like small gifts compared to what Ha-yoon gives me.

I mean, things like CDs can cost thousands of won each—thinking about that, I’ve definitely benefited more.

Most importantly, hasn’t she given me the chance to become a magical girl?

Even if something crazy happens and I don’t become a magical girl, this experience itself is already quite valuable.

In the end, Ha-yoon got dragged along by me, drank a calorie-bomb beverage, burned off the calories happily at karaoke, and went back home.

It was only when I returned home that I realized my whole body was sore, and I collapsed on my bed.

Ji-hye looked at me with an expression of disbelief, which made my heart ache a little.

*

The battles with Rose continued steadily, but as someone who aspired to be a magical girl, I had my own dilemma.

I don’t have a wand.

Other magical girls have them, and even Ha-yoon, who’s still in training, has a wand, but I’m just fighting with my bare fists.

To begin with, I still haven’t figured out what’s important to me in this world. I think that’s the issue.

The mindset of fighting to protect something.

Rather, I’m fighting to win.

If only I had someone like Iris around, I could at least ask if they could make me a wand, but Iris hasn’t even joined us yet.

“Hmm.”

Talking it over with Ha-yoon didn’t bring any answers. Ultimately, after a few days of pondering, I coincidentally bumped into Dalia in the facility’s rest area.

“Hmm.”

“Hmm?”

After hearing that lackluster sound, I returned the same sound.

“Why are you doing that?”

“Why do you care?”

“It’s just that I don’t get why someone would make that sound at the sight of another person’s face.”

“Not much reason, really.”

Dalia answered while stretching out her legs on the sofa.

“I just thought you were managing to hang in there under Rose.”

“……”

I think I understand what that means.

But to be honest, it felt a bit infuriating to hear.

At first, I thought Rose was just the type to enjoy beating people up, but now I know that she’s just someone chasing her dream in her own way. In fact, in a way, she seems to be finding a new dream after losing the old one.

I’m starting to understand the whole notion of talking with your fists, even if it’s just a bit.

Oh wait, am I also developing some muscle-brained mentality like Rose?

“Hmm?”

Dalia tilted her head when she saw my expression.

“Now that I think about it, seems like that’s not the case? Are you enjoying the fights with Rose?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“…… You’re a bit impressive, huh.”

When I answered confidently, Dalia responded with curiosity.

“Well, I think you’re not a bad person.”

“…… If you say so, then I guess that’s what it is.”

Dalia shrugged nonchalantly.

It seems we really aren’t close.

…… Well, whatever. It’s a problem that won’t be solved by the time the main story kicks in, so what can I do?

I have no intention of getting caught up in emotional battles. I have more important dilemmas to deal with.

 

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