Shiyeon, the mascot, putting one piece at a time into her mouth, perhaps because she has no hands.
In contrast to the sea serpent, a shabby Gomtaengi that had been starved for several days.
As soon as she finished speaking, the sight of her voraciously stuffing fries into her mouth was not very pleasant.
Besides, how long has it been since she ate galbi-jjim?
On a moonlit night where both the Magical Girl and the mascot were well-fed.
Unlike humans, lying down immediately after eating poses no problem; a quiet conversation began with the soft murmur of the Gomtaengi.
“Wow, I really like festivals.”
“Monsters don’t have things like that?”
In a languid atmosphere, I asked the Gomtaengi, who was sprawled out on the floor, about the life of monsters.
It pondered, recalling its old life, and slowly recited the many considerations that come with the life of a monster.
“Each species has different cultures; there are those without the concept of work and rest… In any case, it’s a part with a lot of friction.”
“That might be a bit enviable.”
Listening to what it was saying, I began to dream of a cosmic life of my own.
No concept of work and rest? What kind of sweet life is that?
The Gomtaengi continued explaining as if it weren’t something to be envious of.
“That’s not really something to envy; it could mean that all they do is eat, sleep, and relieve themselves, which means cultural development is so minimal that they don’t need holidays…”
“Isn’t eating, sleeping, and relieving oneself all that matters? Isn’t that the best?”
“What… are you a primitive person?”
When I responded to the Gomtaengi, who was pointing out the disadvantages, asking if it wasn’t the best, it blamed me for being primitive.
Thinking of the villains that popped up in my head at that accusation, I began to seriously consider that perhaps a primitive life would have a higher happiness index.
As long as one can eat well, relieve themselves well, and sleep well, there shouldn’t be any issues with living.
No worries about cigarette smoke from downstairs, no worries about noise from the upstairs neighbors.
Anyway, if one is strong, that’s all that matters.
In any case, feeling stirred up, I pushed back against the one who said they were enjoying the festival so much.
“What kind of amazing cultural life have you enjoyed?”
“…….”
With that question, the conversation abruptly came to an end.
It seemed it had something unforgettable in its mind, and I could sense a panic in its still-lying state.
At the end of a conversation that left nothing but wounds, I suggested a truce.
“Let’s stop talking about this.”
“Okay.”
Thus, the atmosphere in the house suddenly became solemn.
In contrast to that solemn atmosphere, there were monsters spending their day in a bright, festival-like spirit, even more festive than Earth’s festivals.
Inside the spaceship, there was a room where various species were living together.
Due to each species’ cultural and biological characteristics, this place usually had constant small and large disputes; however…
For some reason, that place, which used to be a gathering of complaints and irritations, was now filled with cheerful laughter.
“Oh dear, I’m sorry.”
“Haha, it’s okay, it’s okay!”
“It’s a festival!”
The festive atmosphere on the spaceship had been going on for several days.
The reason for this was obviously due to the “cessation of Black Zone deployment” led by Medik Tenkl.
The project, which required approval from higher-ups, was documented in detail, showing cost-cutting measures, improved morale among combatants, and reduced numbers of incapacitated monsters.
Finally, approval had been granted from the higher-ups.
Thus, for the monsters who had to head toward Earth, there was no way they could contain their cheers.
The mere fact that they were not heading to the Black Zone was enough to uplift their spirits beyond the cosmic far reaches.
On a stage where defeat was nearly guaranteed, the joyful gestures they made confirmed this.
“Can I go? I’ve heard new recruits are said to feel less pain.”
“Stella, that one hurts a lot too… I’ll pass.”
“I’m in charge of the Magical Girl Saturn; is there anyone who can switch with me?”
“Oh, me! I want to switch.”
As the hopeful conversations among the monsters continued, did they ever think?
That something would quietly writhe within the spaceship, destined to become a seed of despair for them…
In the monster research and development room of the spaceship, that seed of despair was being created.
Medik Tenkl asked the head of the monster research and development room, the Maker.
“So, is there any progress?”
“Well, I can’t guarantee it.”
The Maker was a master of life sciences who could easily create a simple monster if the base organism was available, quickly synthesizing organic matter.
Some monsters had parents while others were created based on certain organisms.
With his synthesis abilities and the spaceship’s ancient equipment, it was not difficult to create something in the form of a monster, even if it couldn’t communicate.
Like the cat monster that the Sun had smashed.
Medik Tenkl’s precious time on the 20th Setre.
During that time, the Maker’s goal was to somehow produce an organism that could contend with the Sun.
While it was easy to say, it was naturally not easy, even if he were to use up his lifetime granted to him.
“If you could make such things from the start, would we be going through this kind of hardship?”
“Well, that’s true…”
As Medik Tenkl listened to his reasonable theories, he recalled the horrors he had faced with the Maker, gently stroking his smooth head.
He wouldn’t say they should defeat everyone including the Sun.
At the very least, he wished there could be a custom-built monster that could respond to her.
But even that realization was proving difficult for Medik Tenkl.
Though the Maker’s busy mechanical hands moved diligently, there seemed to be no appropriate answers, and they were simply moving busily.
“How about a monster extremely specialized for heat?”
“To survive thrown into the sun? Are you out of your mind?”
“I guess that’s too much…”
“Well, the data you’ve provided is useful. If I catch any clues, I’ll come looking for you.”
The two monsters parted ways, promising to meet again, transitioning back to a warm conversation among colleagues.
However, they were unaware that the clue the Maker was desperately trying to grasp was waiting beyond the veil that hung from the drawn thread.
What would become a calamity that would envelop the spaceship…
Ultimately, the real culprit being the Sun and Mary.
Whether a calamity grew within the monsters’ spaceship or not, she was simply placing a small cake on the table and singing on that promised day.
“Happy birthday to you— happy birthday to you—”
With the cute flames on about eight candles, she sang the song.
As the applause grew louder, just like Shiyeon’s smile, the clapping echoed in time with the rhythm.
“Oh love, be…! Happy birthday—! Wow!”
“Phew—!”
As the clapping finally turned into a seal clap.
The cute flames blew out instantly with a breath that rushed in, leaving only faint smoke behind.
Turning the lights back on, which had been turned off to match the atmosphere, I removed the melted wax from the cake, placing it into a plastic bag before it touched the surface of the cake.
The cake was a rich chocolate cake filled with mousse, reflecting Shiyeon’s tastes.
“Now, since it’s your birthday, that chocolate decoration is for Shiyeon.”
“Yay—”
Presenting a carefully cut piece of chocolate cake to the obviously excited Shiyeon, I also took a piece for myself and placed it on my plate.
Chocolate cake, which I had stopped eating around high school because it was too sweet.
Imagining the sweetness that would hurt my tongue, I put it in my mouth, but…
‘It’s not that sweet…?’
Strangely enough, my body was accepting it now.
Whether it was a side effect of my younger body or simply that this chocolate cake wasn’t overly sweet, I couldn’t really tell.
In any case, it wasn’t too sweet to the point of being unpleasant, so I approached my fork with a light heart.
I only left a couple of pieces of cake for the fridge.
Having eaten the birthday cake, it was time for the presents.
“Here, Shiyeon’s birthday present!”
“Gift?!”
As Shiyeon excitedly tore open the clumsy wrapping paper, what she encountered was the latest model of a smartphone.
A full three tiers more advanced than mine.
The case was made of jelly so that it wouldn’t break even if dropped.
I had also stopped by the store to complete the setup so that she could use it right away.
The plan even included an unlimited data package, so data worries would be a thing of the past.
“Smartphone!”
The sparkling eyes of Shiyeon as she held the smartphone transmitted her joy to me.
Seeing her so happy like that, there was no way the one who bought it wouldn’t feel joyful too.
As I felt proud while organizing the smartphone box, Shiyeon rushed over and buried her face in my chest.
“Umpf.”
A heartfelt hug, the best response she could give.
“Mary, you’re the best!”
