Chapter 15 : Friendship (2)

It was fortunate that I became close with Leaf.

I thought it would be the hardest to get close to her, but contrary to my expectations, it turned out to be surprisingly easy.

If it’s this easy, maybe I can get along with Blaze and Icicle too.

It’s amazing how you managed it.

“You know, the most important thing for a magical girl is positive emotions. To draw those out, you need to get close first.”

That’s right.

It’s not just about checking whether they’re minors or not.

By getting closer, I can expect them to grow stronger to some extent.

But are you serious about this?

“About what?”

About flipping things around if they’re just kids.

Instead of answering, I walked over to the window, stepped onto the ledge, and looked outside.

“Do you see it?”

See what?

“People.”

A magical girl’s eyes can see many things, but one of them is simply enhanced vision.

Looking at the children playing in the distant playground, I couldn’t help but think.

“It’s a bit awkward to say this to you, but… I’ve seen a lot of rough things, you know.”

Yeah… I’ve had many close calls with death.

It’s no wonder my personality turned out like this.

I wasn’t overwhelmingly strong from the start either.

I was just a kid, so my magic was clumsy, and back then, humanity didn’t know how to deal with monsters.

So, most of the time, I secretly stepped in, dealt with the monsters, used their power to recover, and then disappeared from the scene.

Plus, my area of activity was worldwide back then, so I was constantly hunting monsters whenever I had time.

Even the other magical girls who were active at the time have either retired or died by now.

As I grew older, I realized that this power shouldn’t be given to children.

The responsibility was too great for them to handle.

“I’ve been through it. I’ve seen a lot, so I want to stop kids from becoming magical girls.”

That’s all.

It’s not about ethics or some grand moral principle.

Using innocent children who know nothing… I just can’t bear to watch that.

“…”

You’re truly amazing, Hayul.

“Suddenly praising me?”

I’ve lived among humans for 20 years, and I’ve changed a lot too.

The biggest change would be my values… or maybe my perception of humans, including you.

Gomteng sat on my shoulder and continued.

One thing I’m sure of is that you’re truly incredible.

Honestly, I respect you.

“That’s embarrassing.”

I mean it.

“Hmm… I wish everyone in Fairyland was like you.”

I suddenly thought that.

The mascots may seem harmless on the surface, but there’s something subtly twisted about them.

At least, that’s how Gomteng was when we first met.

I didn’t notice it when I was young, but… by the time I was mature enough to realize it, Gomteng had already become the one I know now.

I’ve just changed after living here with you for 20 years.

Those who only theorize from their desks never understand the hearts of those on the front lines.

The higher-ups in Fairyland only see me as the strongest magical girl with overwhelming talent and experience, and they grumbled about it.

Sometimes I think I understand why your concept was designated as love.

“Suddenly?”

From a third-party perspective, there are things you can see.

I’m not sure.

Even after 20 years of activity.

I still don’t know why I was given the concept of love.

I don’t know if I’ll ever figure it out.

At least, not for me.

.

.

.

Anyway, it’s a good thing that I became close with Leaf.

Ding!

[Unnie, are you awake?][Sorry for contacting you at this hour, but I have a request.][Honestly, it’s suffocating and frustrating staying here all the time. Can you take me outside just once?][The others want to go out too.]What should I say?

Since we’ve gotten closer, the boundaries seem to have blurred, and she’s making such requests so casually.

It’s complicated.

But since I’m a soldier, I just let it go…Seeing this, maybe Hayul is right.

Looking down at the messages sent to me overnight with a subtle expression, I replied that I’d try to make it happen and put my phone away.

Actually, I thought Blaze would be the easiest to get close to.

But seeing how I became close with the one I thought would be the hardest, maybe Blaze will be tougher.

Are you introducing me today?

“Of course. You didn’t show up yesterday. How could you just leave without saying anything? Gomteng, attention!”

Sorry.

Laughing, I headed to the special unit and slammed the door open.

“Welcome, unnie!”

As soon as she saw me, Leaf started waving her hands wildly, and Blaze’s jaw dropped at the sight.

“Wha, unnie?! She called you unnie?!”

Icicle, who usually stays quiet, also seemed surprised and turned to look at Leaf.

But Leaf didn’t seem to care at all and ran over to me, hugging me tightly.

The difference in our sizes made it look like she was lifting me up.

“Uh, uh, wait, what are you…”

“Hehehe…”

Why is her affection like this?

We only talked for a bit, so why has she changed so much?

“Did you see the message I sent yesterday?”

“No, I did, but… didn’t I just reply?”

“Ah, yes, I saw your reply!”

Her cheerful smile made me laugh awkwardly.

What should I do?

Uh… even if you’re in charge of love, brainwashing is.

“It’s not brainwashing, you lunatic!”

Brainwashing?

What nonsense.

“Huh? A flying doll?!”

Blaze was shocked when she saw Gomteng.

Normally, people would call it a mascot, but the fact that she called it a doll shows how little she knows about magical girls.

Well, mascots usually only stick around with exceptionally strong magical girls.

Hehehe, I guess I should introduce myself?

“Do it or don’t.”

Just call me Gomteng.

I do have a real name, but… I don’t really like it.

“You like Gomtang?”

I didn’t know that.

It has a nice ring to it.

Judging by her expression, she’s serious.

Is she crazy?

“G, Gomteng-nim!”

It’s a bit weird, but yes.

“Wow… this is amazing…”

Blaze looked at Gomteng with pure wonder, examining her from all angles.

Gomteng, who had suddenly become a spectacle, seemed to enjoy the pure reaction and started posing like a model.

Though it was just a small teddy bear doll striking poses.

“…Oh right! Leaf! I have something to ask! Hey, why are you calling Min Hayul-nim so casually?”

“Because we’re close?”

“You were lying around saying you were bored just a while ago!”

“That’s different from this.”

Why are they fighting again?

Looking at this, they really seem like kids…?

Gomteng, who was watching the two fight, cautiously flew over and asked.

Yeah.

My doubts are slowly turning into certainty.

If they were really adults, would they fight so childishly…Would they…’…Or not?’

Adults are usually more childish.

Hmm… it’s complicated.

As I was looking down at their fight with a troubled expression.

“…Stop it.”

Icicle’s cold voice froze them both.

“Uh, okay…”

Blaze, looking somewhat dejected, sat back down, while Leaf kept glancing at me.

Somehow, it feels like things have gotten harder……”Yesterday, I talked with Leaf, so who should I talk to today?”

Only Blaze and Icicle were left.

“I, I’ll do it!”

Suddenly, Blaze raised her hand.

Since I had to choose one of them, it wasn’t a bad choice.

Icicle didn’t seem interested.

“Then today…”

I’ll go with Blaze.

Just as I decided on today’s schedule…Weeeee!”Huh?”

An alarm?

It’s a monster alert… the level is… around mid-to-high E-rank.

“E?”

Mid-to-high rank is pretty strong.

“How far?”

Not too far.

An E-rank might be just right.

Originally, I planned to have a session with Blaze today, but real combat experience is valuable.

“Everyone?”

All eyes turned to me.

I pointed outside with my finger and said.

“Shall we go out and keep my promise to Leaf?”

To get some real combat experience.

“Yes.”

Icicle’s eyes lit up at those words.

She was the first to respond.

Even though she’s usually quiet, her enthusiasm is something else.