Chapter 28

“Since becoming a Magical Girl, my taste has changed.”

“No way. You definitely said your taste changed because you became a girl.”

“You must have misheard.”

Eve’s face was filled with suspicion. Cold sweat dripped down her back.

“What are you trying to say?”

“Transform back right now.”

She’s persistent. Did she used to be like this? Not really. Maybe her personality has changed a bit.

“This is me untransformed. Stop talking nonsense. Boss, give me a bottle of soju here!”

“We don’t sell alcohol here.”

Ah, right. This is a tteokbokki place. What do I do?

-Didididididik. Dididididididik.

By sheer luck, Dusik called at the perfect timing.

“Hey, Dusik. Eve, hold on. I need to take this.”

-Older Sister, where are you?

“I’m out with Eve for a bit, why?”

-Kabe is crying because she wants to sleep with Mom, and you’re not in your room.

Now that I think about it, I can hear Kabe crying over the phone.

“Ah, really? Got it. I’ll be right back. Oh, Dusik, do you like tteokbokki?”

-Tteokbokki? Of course I do. What high school girl doesn’t like tteokbokki?

“Alright, got it.”

No matter what, I can’t just leave the tteokbokki I’ve already started eating.

“Eve, let’s go. Kabe is crying.”

“Alright…”

I quickly packed up the remaining tteokbokki and dragged Eve, who was still glaring at me with suspicion, back to the hotel.

*

Is it because I became a girl…?

Eve sat alone in the Association President’s Office on the top floor of the Magical Girl Association building, lost in thought.

After telling the Mother-Body that she was going to put Kabe to sleep, Eve left the hotel but didn’t go home. Instead, she returned to the Association President’s Office.

There wasn’t anything particularly bothering her.

But that one line from the Mother-Body stuck in her mind.

Most people would have brushed it off, thinking they misheard, but Eve, being a Magical Girl who transforms from a boy to a girl, knew better than anyone that it wasn’t impossible for a boy to “become” a girl.

Moreover, Dusik, who transforms from a girl to a boy, is also a Magical Girl, so it’s not an impossible scenario.

What if the Mother-Body is also that type?

What if, for some reason, she “became” a girl from a boy and then became a Magical Girl?

Eve reached out and pressed a button under the desk.

At the same time, a flash of light appeared just below the lightning rod on top of the Association building.

The light carved the character for “ninja” three times in the dark sky before disappearing.

About ten minutes later.

-Knock knock.

A knocking sound came from the window facing outside the 36th floor.

Eve answered without turning around.

“Come in.”

A girl dressed in deep indigo, reminiscent of a kunoichi, appeared before Eve, bowing deeply.

“Under the cover of night, Association President. Magical Girl Yoran, answering your call.”

“You came quickly.”

The girl slightly raised her head to look at Eve.

“This speed is nothing special…”

Seeing Eve’s frown, the girl quickly corrected herself.

“This speed is normal. Responding immediately to the Association President’s call is my duty.”

“Can you stop mixing Japanese and English like that?”

Despite Eve’s annoyed tone, the girl seemed unwilling to compromise on this.

“But Association President, this language is engraved in the soul of us ninjas. It’s not something I can simply stop.”

“You’re Korean!”

*

There was a bit of a commotion. Eve, holding her throbbing head, handed a file to Yoran.

“This is…?”

“Yoon-Woo. Someone who recently registered with our Association. So, from now on, this is what you need to do.”

Do I really have to go this far?

Eve hesitated for a moment.

Looking at Yoran, who was flipping through the file, Eve finally made up her mind.

“Investigate her. Dig up everything about her identity.”

“Understood. But doing that will cost a lot.”

“I don’t care. Spend as much as you need. Find out everything. Got it?”

“Results are key.”

“Go.”

After Yoran left, Eve sat in the empty Association President’s Office, wondering if this was the right thing to do, if she was unnecessarily stirring up trouble.

But what’s done is done. There’s no turning back now.

*

“Press conference and live broadcast, the day after tomorrow, okay?”

“Are you really doing this?”

“It’s about time.”

After that, Eve didn’t mention my slip-up again. It’s a relief, but now this huge mountain of a broadcast is blocking my path.

Isn’t there any way to avoid this?

I don’t mind showing my face. It’s not like I’m ugly or anything. No need to hide it.

But my pronunciation from the last broadcast left such a big trauma that I’m scared just thinking about going on air again.

“We’ll prepare the script for you. The press conference is just answering questions from reporters, and if there’s anything uncomfortable, just tell them to leave. You’re the villain anyway. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“You really talk like it’s someone else’s problem. Do you know how annoying that is?”

This is my second time visiting the Magical Girl Association building.

Last time was for a meeting, and today I’m here to discuss something with Eve.

Taking the Association President’s private elevator straight to the top floor, I stepped out into a vast space that felt like a sports field.

Magically treated, the scenery changed with each step—ocean, dense forest, valley, desert…

It felt like a showcase of what money can do.

“We’re going to clear all this out.”

“What?”

These are the things I was admiring, and you’re going to clear them out? Isn’t that a waste?

“We need to make space for you guys.”

Am I causing more trouble than I thought? I felt a slight pang of guilt.

“It’s not that expensive. Nothing to regret. Anyway, let’s go.”

The Association President’s Office was even more impressive.

It felt like three of the hotel family rooms I’m staying in combined. In the center was a desk, and behind it, an entire wall was a window.

“Must be hot.”

“Not really. Want a drink?”

“Give me a cola.”

Sitting on the sofa, a cola was placed in front of me. Nice and cold.

“Anyway, continuing from our conversation in the elevator.”

Eve, sitting across from me, continued.

“Don’t worry too much about the broadcast. We’ll handle all the preparations, so just think of it as showing your face.”

As if it’s that easy.

Honestly, I’m already feeling the pressure.

Shouldn’t an evil organization stay in the shadows and then strike suddenly? That would be better.

“Alright. I’ll do it. It’s not like I’ll make the same mistake again, right?”

“Right. And… after the broadcast, the next day. 28th floor, remember?”

“That’s where we had the meeting, right?”

“Right. Let’s run a battle simulation there. You should get a feel for it. How many minions do you have now?”

“24.”

“That’s a bit low. The production device installation is scheduled for the end of this month, so you’ll be able to mass-produce then. For this simulation, let’s use the 24 you have. Tell them all to come here that day. There’s a freight elevator, so we can bring them all up at once.”

A freight elevator, huh.

“Hey, they’re like my children. Isn’t a freight elevator a bit much?”

“Really? Have you thought about what would happen if Magical Girls and minions shared the same elevator?”

Oh, right.

“Got it. From now on, my kids will use the freight elevator by default?”

“That’s how it’ll be. You’ll have to deal with that inconvenience.”

Eve’s right. I need to earn money and become independent soon.

“And, about actual combat.”

“Yeah.”

“Prilly will be the captain this time. She’s grinding her teeth, saying she won’t lose this time.”

If you lose, you lose. Can’t she just accept defeat? That’s ugly.

“I don’t care.”

“You should care. You need to learn how to fight too. You can’t just rely on Rocket Punch forever.”

Eve’s right about that too.

“Keru is more of an office worker, so it’s a bit awkward for her to teach you. So, for a while, I’ll have Karin assist you.”

Even after Eve’s explanation, I couldn’t remember who Karin was. Seeing my blank expression, Eve sighed deeply.

“She’s on our side, the good guys. Part of the Light Realm Bureau of Administration. She has a lot of combat experience. I’ll bring her to the hotel today so you can learn some basics.”

“Got it. Thanks.”

“Karin, come out now. I know you’re there.”

“Alright.”

A faint blue portal opened behind Eve. And from it emerged—what I assumed was Karin. My jaw dropped.

A horse.

A white horse.

Slightly shorter than Kabe, clearly not suitable for riding.

A shiny golden mane.

And a long, sharp golden horn on its forehead.

“…A unicorn?”

“Let’s see. You’re the Mother-Body… Oh my. Oh my goodness, this can’t be!”

The horse’s eyes widened as it looked at me. Something even more bizarre than a cat making a face was happening right before my eyes!

The horse, Karin, rushed towards me and started circling around me. As I awkwardly stood up, she sniffed me a few times and then poked my butt with her horn.

“Karin, what are you doing!”

A flustered Eve tried to pull Karin away, but Karin stayed rooted to the spot, staring at me.

“Oh my. Oh my goodness. After living as a unicorn for half a millennium…”

What, she’s lived that long? Is this a long-lived species? Wait, do unicorns even exist?

“Such a perfect maiden! In all my years as a unicorn, I’ve never met such a perfect maiden…!”

This is a mess. What is this?

---