Jiguppa was clearly on my side.
If she had suspected me, she would’ve handed me over to the police right away.
I couldn’t stay in this room forever, but at least I wasn’t being kicked out immediately.
I was really grateful for that.
And then there’s James.
I had a pretty good guess as to how James ended up here.
The circuit that’s still spinning on my wrist right now—if James made it, it would naturally have tracking functionality.
To prevent someone with power from escaping, of course.
The company that developed the method to detect and track the energy used by magical girls is the same one behind this.
So, it should be possible here too.
Well, at least since the Galactic Federation or the company hasn’t burst through that door, it seems like there’s some kind of countermeasure in place.
“It seems like I’ve been speaking informally…”
“Ah.”
I had forgotten because it was a hamster in front of me.
Seeing that he couldn’t offer any real resistance besides struggling when I kept bothering him made me underestimate him a bit, so without realizing it, I did the same.
The head of the robot James had been riding was half-blown off.
It was obvious that someone had intended to blow James out of that head.
If his life was truly in danger, then it was clear that James, without me, would find it hard to survive in this situation.
In that case, what we had to do was cooperate.
And naturally, cooperation means we are equals.
Yeah, that’s what I decided.
It’s not that I didn’t want to use polite language just because he’s a hamster.
“How could I use polite language when I’ve been wronged?”
James squinted and looked up at me.
His expression didn’t look intimidating at all—it actually seemed harmless.
The human-shaped robot he had been riding had worn a much scarier expression.
“Well, never mind.”
James seemed to realize that his situation wasn’t entirely positive, so he decided not to worry about the finer details.
“You asked earlier what was going on, but how much do you actually know about the situation?”
He had switched from calling me “you” to “that person.”
Well, I guess it’s similar since I dropped the formal language.
“I know I’m being chased.”
I answered in a gloomy voice.
The circuit on my wrist began spinning rapidly.
Yeah, I remember it all.
Beyond my blurred vision, Hayoon was the one I was facing.
I wonder if I’m being treated like a monster.
I probably am.
The equipment they used to capture me was the same equipment used to capture monsters.
“Yeah, probably.”
James answered and then placed his hand under his chin, taking a moment to organize his thoughts.
He then plopped down, sitting on the floor.
“First of all, I was almost assassinated. I managed to escape at the last moment using a warp.”
“Warp? You had a personal warp device?”
“It’s very unstable and a one-time-use device. I made it myself. Of course, using it drained a lot of energy.”
“You stole from the company?”
“It’s not stealing, it was an investment for the future. I used the investment funds meant for my department.”
But James continued speaking as if he didn’t care about such things.
“Anyway, after I used it, it must’ve been completely broken, so no one should be thinking of chasing me. Originally, it was equipment being developed for VIP escapes.”
He said it like that, but I thought that James had made it completely his own. It didn’t seem odd at all.
“They were trying to purge you at the company?”
“They carried out a permanent dismissal. By now, the company is probably rolling on the floor, holding its head, in panic with the Galactic Federation.”
“The company and the Galactic Federation?”
“As I mentioned in the hospital, the company gave up on you. Foolishly, I might add.”
“It seems the Galactic Federation was planning to take your data and conduct similar research. It wouldn’t matter what kind of verdict you received, whether it was a few months or a few years. After just a few months of research, you would have become a citizen of the Galactic Federation and somehow ’employed.'”
“Me?”
The Galactic Federation is a scale larger than the largest national governments.
It’s not hard to imagine what the ‘advanced countries’ in this world are doing behind the scenes.
The Galactic Federation…
“They’re doing things like that in the background.”
They capture people like me, use them as research subjects, brainwash them, manipulate their testimonies, and then ’employ’ them, using them however they want.
“Wait, then what about Hayoon?”
“Hoh.”
James responded with a voice that seemed both slightly intrigued and somewhat mocking.
“Are you really worrying about the magical girl in such a situation?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t I worry?”
Right now, I was more worried about myself.
I didn’t want to die, nor did I want to end up as a research subject in some lab.
I just wanted to live a normal life, no matter what.
Though, it seemed like that opportunity was gone.
“Hayoon is my friend.”
“It would be better to worry about your own safety first, don’t you think? Are you, by any chance, in hiding?”
The hamster’s words were sharp.
Is he still holding a grudge from when I gave him that ‘high-high’ lift earlier?
“…So? What are you trying to say?”
I hugged my knees and sat, staring at the hamster in front of me.
As my wrist drew closer, the sound of the circuit turning grew louder.
I followed it.
Seeing it heat up, the power efficiency really is amazing.
Well, that’s probably why everyone is so desperate to catch me.
For a brief moment, I faced off against all the magical girls, and even before transforming, I flipped several police cars and knocked people aside while running far away.
In the end, I even flew into the sky.
Now, though…
If I had just used my full power from the start, I wouldn’t be this bewildered.
I’d still probably have used it cautiously, though.
Over the years, I never let anyone know I was an important figure, and now, if someone says “that’s how strong of a villain they are,” I have no idea how I should respond.
Wait, is it because I’m a writer that things are like this?
Was leaving a comment saying I was disappointed and quitting the show really an act worthy of such animosity?
I’m not sure.
If I regret that event, it’s the same as regretting coming into this world, and regretting becoming friends with Hayoon.
But I couldn’t help but regret it.
If I had stayed there, at least I would have lived a normal life.
A life that’s long and quiet, without being someone who could die at any moment.
I think that’s much better than being a major character who might die at any time.
Ah, thinking like this again just makes my head more complicated.
“What should I do?”
“How about revenge?”
James said.
I lifted my face from my arm.
James was looking directly at me.
The word “revenge” didn’t sound like an empty one at all.
“I may look like this, but I’m a Chikchik species from planet Chikchik.”
Wait, is that really the official name?
I know it’s the only sound they can make, but still, isn’t that a bit much? I think calling it “Hamster Planet’s Hamster Species” would sound a bit better.
“And my planet has produced countless brilliant engineers. Despite our physical limitations, the technicians from our planet are at the core of the Galactic Federation’s technology.”
I looked at Jiguppa.
Jiguppa nodded.
“That’s true. The population is large, and each person is extremely smart, which means they have the capability to sell starships. There are plenty of repair centers around, and they’re good at fixing things even in cramped spaces.”
At Jiguppa’s words, James spoke confidently, continuing with his explanation.
“That’s right. So, I can repair your circuit and even enhance it.”
“Without any materials?”
“I brought with me a collection of cutting-edge technology.”
Jiguppa and I both looked over at what could only be described as the remains of James’ “corpse” in the corner.
Well, if it’s a robot, then sure, it would be a collection of advanced technologies.
“So, let’s take revenge. I think I’ll feel better once I get revenge on the executives from the company that tried to kill me. And the ones who hurt the chairman too.”
I stared at James.
“I will give you a ‘normal life,’ of course, for now, it will be temporary.”
“How?”
“The robot I was riding had a ‘face.'”
James said as he looked up at me, almost as if he knew I was going to accept his proposal.
“And, thanks to that, there’s enough material in this room to make a pretty convincing face mask. I can make you a detailed ‘mask’ that will keep you from being chased for a while. What do you think?”
That was indeed a tempting offer.
“And ultimately, I’ll help you stop those forces chasing you. I don’t have a concrete plan right now, but—”
James shrugged.
“Right now, you don’t have many options yourself, do you?”
That was true.
In the end, I had no choice but to nod.
“Alright. Let’s cooperate for now.”
James said with a triumphant expression.
I found it a bit annoying, so I grabbed James with both hands and started messing with him.
James yelled out loudly again, but I didn’t really pay attention.
However, I noticed that Jiguppa seemed to look at me a little warily, so I decided to hold back a bit.
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