I always knew I would never make a good impression. Isn’t that right? A villain who swings around tentacles while making weird noises—how absurd.
Even I feel a bit uneasy about it. Still, I thought the lines delivered during an execution were kind of cool…
Listening to such direct comments made me feel rather sad.
“Is it really that bad?”
“Yes. Thinking about using tentacle-like things to charm women is just the worst.”
“…It’s pretty bad, alright.”
After that, Noah’s relentless barrage of facts continued. It was strong enough to hurt even me, who knew it was all an act.
That kid seemed to have the worst encounter with the Kraken. He was flustered to the point where I wondered if he’d ever been this angry before.
“Hmph…”
“You must’ve hated it a lot, huh.”
“Yeah, because it got to this point.”
When the kid shook his notebook, my gaze followed. Soon, Noah’s story began again.
+++++
Helplessness is a terrible feeling.
Lying on the floor, Noah was now acutely aware of that helplessness.
How long has it been since I felt like this? Probably since I saw my father lying in bed, unable to move.
“Haa…”
“Noah, would you like some water?”
“I’m fine. QQQ, take a rest too. You’ve been busy lately.”
“QQQ… Call me if you need anything.”
Spreading its wings, QQQ flew out the window. It will likely perch on a tree and keep watch nearby.
My body felt drained.
I didn’t want to move.
Thinking about why I was like this, what came to mind was the bizarre villain I had met.
“Kraken.”
True to the name of the legendary monster, the villain had many tentacles.
He was difficult to deal with, skillfully handling both offense and defense, and his mouth was incredibly sharp. I almost died there on the spot more than once.
“…I almost died.”
Realizing that fact, Noah’s body trembled.
It’s been a month since I became a Magical Girl. Noah realized anew just how dangerous this job was.
I was prepared for it to some extent. Getting injured is commonplace, and I’ve endured pain many times because of it.
However, this was the first time I truly almost died.
“Haa…”
Worries flooded Noah’s mind like a tidal wave.
What will happen to Dad if I die? We don’t have much money. Will the government provide support?
Well, those sorts of worries. My chest felt tight. The reality was becoming heavier and heavier, and I just wanted to escape from it.
A voice echoed in Noah’s head.
“Running away may be embarrassing, but it can be helpful, right?”
It’s an embarrassing memory. Crying uncontrollably in front of someone was a first for me. But the words of Shin Hyun Uncle are etched firmly in my memory.
“…Running away.”
Yeah. No matter how harsh reality is, isn’t it possible to still dream?
With that thought, Noah sat at the table with a notebook and a pen.
Noah turned on the video site and watched a video.
The protagonist in the video, having received a terminal diagnosis, created a ‘bucket list’ of things they wanted to do.
In the short video, they enjoyed their desired activities with friends and ended with a happy smile.
“Wow…”
An admiration escaped Noah’s lips.
The true joy one experiences at the end of life.
“I’ll try it too.”
Although the day of death isn’t set, I’m doing something where dying anytime wouldn’t be surprising.
Yeah, if I do the things I want to do before I die, it won’t feel as regretful when I go.
“Let’s see…”
Noah rewound the video and started writing down his own list. One by one, items filled the blank page.
When the page was fairly full, Noah nodded and grabbed the remote to turn on the TV.
First thing to do.
[Watch favorite programs]
The TV, which looked like it was salvaged from a junk shop, flickered to life.
Though it wasn’t comfortable to watch, it was better than nothing.
“Oh, this is on.”
Just as Noah’s favorite show was airing, he stared blankly at the TV.
“…Huh?”
It wasn’t particularly enjoyable. Well, it was good, but it didn’t seem like something I’d wish for before dying.
“Sniff…”
Was there something wrong with what I did?
While watching the video again, Noah suddenly realized something.
“This person is having so much fun watching.”
The man in the video laughed heartily with his friends.
On the other hand, in the real world, Noah was just sitting curled up, staring blankly.
Am I enjoying myself now?
“…No.”
After pondering for a while, Noah discovered a significant difference between his list and the one he had written.
[Watch fun programs with friends.]
[Watch fun programs.]
There was no one to share it with.
Only then did Noah understand.
That there was no family or friends left to share this with.
And another thing.
The reason the main character in the video could laugh wasn’t because they were doing what they wanted to do, but because they had people to enjoy it with.
“Ugh…”
Mom passed away and Dad is hospitalized. I’ve never had many friends…no, in fact, there was only one.
Now, even contact with her is lost…
“…”
Noah, why are you like this? What about your parents?
“…No parents.”
Then, friends?
“No friends.”
Plop.
Noah lay down on the blanket.
“There’s nothing here.”
A hollow laugh escaped.
Me, Noah, what kind of life have I lived?
“I’ve just been living recklessly.”
The only people who opened my heart were Dad and my childhood friend, whose contact has now been severed. And at best, QQQ.
…Recently, one more person was added.
‘Should I think about things I want to do with that uncle?’
Recalling the face of the uncle, Noah continued writing the list. It was a strange experience.
“Why…why is it going so well…”
Unlike before, the pen moved smoothly.
[Make and eat delicious food together.]
[Go to the amusement park together.]
[Talk in pajamas.]
[Hold hands together.]
[Lie down and sleep together.]
Something seems off. Rather, isn’t this just the dream of a pubescent girl filled with desire?
“Ugh…”
Despite trembling hands, Noah continued writing.
Just as the girl’s desires reached their peak.
[Kiss like the protagonist in a romance novel.]
“AAAAAAA!!!”
Noah crossed out the list with diagonal lines. It was unbearable. His heart raced, and his cheeks flushed.
“Noah, get a grip.”
Noah slapped QQQ.
“Just a perverted uncle.”
Someone who’s oddly kind, makes me inexplicably feel safe, and someone I just want to lean on—
“Get a grip!”
This won’t do.
If I keep going like this, my head might really go crazy.
Turning the page, Noah hastily wrote down another item.
[Eat something delicious with a close friend.]
“…Hmm.”
This should be enough.
Noah gathered ingredients and headed to the convenience store. After causing such a commotion, it was already dawn. Soon, it would be time for the uncle to finish work.
‘Just a close friend. Yeah. What’s wrong with eating with a close friend?’
He’s just a close friend. Noah kept reminding himself earnestly.
After finishing reminiscing, Noah looked at the uncle. The uncle, with an interested expression.
“Just curious. Things you want to do before you die?”
“Yeah? Having something like that would be nice.”
“Since you’re doing dangerous things, it’s good to have something like this.”
Of course, there’s no need to tell him everything.
+++++
Saying that, Noah stood up.
“Alright, the story’s over. Now I’ll do the dishes. Uncle, finish up and give me the dishes.”
“Okay.”
As Noah started cleaning up, I sat at the table and finished the remaining egg roll when I heard a thud.
Looking back, Noah’s notebook had fallen open.
Perfectly flipped to the list section.
Apparently, these were canceled items. Among the heavily crossed-out lines, a few items were visible.
Amusement park, pajama party, holding hands? Sleeping together?
“Feels like lovers.”
The last one was the cherry on top.
Kissing like the protagonist in a romance novel?
“Definitely a kid.”
Dreams and thoughts that only dreamy girls would write as things they want to do.
Well, kids at that age do fantasize about princes on white horses.
While thinking this and about to pick up the notebook,
“Uncle! You’re not supposed to look!”
Noah dashed forward and snatched the notebook.
Zap. The kid’s eyes turned fierce.
“…You saw it, didn’t you?”
“Well, accidentally.”
“Really…!”
A few steps back, Noah’s face turned as red as a strawberry. His eyes were shooting lasers. Afterward, he hid his face behind the notebook, embarrassed.
“…This is amusing?”
Noah’s reaction was quite refreshing.
Until now, the kid’s reactions were mostly three types.
Cool, crying, or strangely laughing.
Seeing him embarrassed like this was a first, and without realizing it, a mischievous urge arose.
Maybe I wanted to cheer him up a little.
“Noah~”
I stood up and approached Noah, wearing a big smile.
The kid flinched upon seeing me approach and slowly backed away.
“Uncle, your smile is scary.”
“Eh, what? Anyway, you can easily stop me, right?”
“That’s besides the point…”
Soon, Noah hit a dead end.
“Noah.”
“What?”
I smiled as much as I could and asked the kid.
“You mentioned a final wish, right?”
“Yes.”
“…Who were you planning to kiss so badly that you wrote it like that?”
