Chapter 56

“How is it?”

Eve’s expression was completely twisted. Her pale face, flushed red with anger, looked exactly like a boiled octopus, but she didn’t say anything out loud.

“Ha… Aqua… this damn girl… even if she causes trouble, why this kind of trouble…”

“Right?”

The problem is, watching this video, I too am seething with anger.

My anger is completely justified. Honestly, if I stayed quiet while someone tormented my daughter in front of me, I wouldn’t be a mother.

Kabe, submerged in water, was writhing in pain, unable to breathe. Because of that, bubbles kept escaping from her mouth, and Aquamarine’s smiling face was clearly captured in the video.

“So, Yoon-Woo, what do you want to do?”

“What can I do…”

“There are two ways.”

Eve seemed just as angry as I was. She’s not usually this type, preferring to resolve things through words, but it was clear she was holding back her anger.

“One, I can take care of her myself.”

“And the second?”

“I can let you take care of her.”

“Second option.”

I understand Eve’s desire to handle it herself. But she can’t. Not just because of anger, but if Eve, the vice-president, takes down Aquamarine, it would look like the association president is attacking the vice-president.

Magical Girl Association internal conflict! I don’t want to see that headline. Plus, what if Eve gets pushed out? What if she demands the house back?

Considering all that, there’s only one choice. The second option.

“What’s with the ‘Ooah’ battle cry? Are you using some kind of martial arts? Did you spend too much time in arcades? Played too many fighting games?”

“Shut up, you bitch.”

The screen was starting to wrap up.

“No, Aquamarine does have a taming skill. She’s tamed other magical girls’ mascots and caused trouble before. I warned her strongly about it.”

“Why is a crazy girl like that the vice-president? Do magical girls get higher ranks the more their personality falls apart?”

“Then what am I? My wife really talks like a dog.”

“Right? She talks so beautifully.”

“Let’s not talk about that. Anyway, she’s the magical girl who appeared after me, so she’s strong. Really strong. Even if it doesn’t seem like it, even if she got beaten by you, she’s S-rank.”

I have to admit she’s strong. If it weren’t for the unconventional method of using Bedel as a throwing weapon, I probably wouldn’t have won. In a fair fight, I wouldn’t have been able to beat her.

“But… hmm. If you fought again, could you win?”

“It depends on where we fight.”

“You should decide that.”

We should avoid water. I’ve painfully experienced how strong Aquamarine is in places with a lot of water. If even the water in a bathroom can give her that much power, she’s really not in her right mind.

“And, what’s the justification?”

“There it is.”

Eve pointed at the monitor with her chin. The video had finished playing, and the monitor had turned completely black.

“Send me that video file. I’ll edit out the parts that shouldn’t be leaked, call the reporters, and create the justification…”

What are you talking about? Why should you do that?

“Why should you create the justification? I should do it. You just edit the video and call the reporters.”

“You?”

Of course, I should do it. The anger of almost losing Kabe is starting to burn in my chest again.

No, the fact that it had subsided is the problem.

Until now, even though Kabe calls me mom, I had been thinking that she wasn’t my biological daughter, that I didn’t give birth to her.

I think that’s how it was. But after this incident, I decided to let go of the thought that Kabe isn’t my real daughter.

Do you have to give birth to have a daughter? A daughter born from the heart is still a daughter.

Kabe is my daughter. No matter what anyone says, she’s my daughter.

The villain who tormented Kabe in front of me deserves appropriate punishment. Just putting a hole in her head isn’t enough to satisfy me.

“You edit the video and call the reporters. I’ll initiate it. The anger of the mother exploding directly is different from the father, who wasn’t even there, saying something.”

“Are you going to bite your tongue again?”

“Damn it. No, I won’t. From now on, I’ll just go with ad-libs from the start!”

“Alright, got it. Send me the video file by email… oh, wait.”

A sudden ringtone. Eve, who answered the phone, started to look more and more tense.

“Got it. I’ll be right there. Seriously, what a mess.”

Eve hung up the phone irritably and started scratching her head.

“Yoon-Woo, sorry about this.”

“Yeah, sure. Go ahead. Is it something serious?”

“There was an electric shock accident in Evangelin’s hospital room.”

“Isn’t she the one who uses electricity? Why would she get electrocuted?”

“No, not Evangelin, but Prilly… Anyway, I have to go. I’ll finish editing the video by the day after tomorrow and let you know.”

“Okay. Be careful. Don’t go too far.”

“Yeah, you’ve had a tough time too.”

After Eve left, I went into the kids’ room and saw Kabe and Bedel lying on the floor, asleep, after playing who knows what.

They played at the playground today, so they should be washed, but waking them up to wash them seems a bit much, and they might catch a cold.

What can I do? I’ll wash them tomorrow.

One by one, I laid them on the bed, made sure the windows were tightly closed to keep the cold air out, checked if the heater was working, and turned it on.

After turning off the lights in the kids’ room, I saw someone sitting on the living room sofa.

“Dusik?”

“Yes, older sister.”

“Is something wrong?”

Dusik, looking at me, was smiling brightly.

“No, what, does there have to be a reason to come see you? I came to see you, that’s all.”

“That’s true. Want some cola?”

“Yes, please.”

I opened the fridge, grabbed a can of beer and some cola, and sat across from Dusik. Handing the cola to Dusik, I realized, oh, I forgot to bring snacks.

I got up and brought a bag of jerky, tearing it open. It’s a bit dry from last time, but it doesn’t really matter. It’ll get moist as I chew, just need to adjust the taste.

“Dusik.”

“Yes, older sister.”

Dusik was looking at me. A faint smile on his lips. His eyes staring straight at me. His golden hair shimmering under the moonlight.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

Now’s the time, right? I can’t just ignore it.

“Something to say…”

Dusik was fiddling with the cola can, smiling awkwardly.

Dusik, who has feelings for me beyond just being an older sister. Me, who already knows about those feelings.

Can Dusik really tell me the truth?

“Something to say…”

I took a sip of beer and chewed on the jerky without saying anything. The salty flavor spread in my mouth.

Dusik didn’t say anything. His gaze, which was looking at me, had now lowered to the floor.

I just kept looking at Dusik, not saying anything. Just raising my hand to drink beer and chew jerky.

In the living room, bathed in moonlight, Dusik and I sat in silence, not saying a word.

“Older sister.”

“Yes.”

“Do you have someone you’re dating now?”

“No.”

I really don’t.

“Do you have someone you like?”

“Kabe.”

It’s true. Of course, that’s not the answer Dusik was hoping for.

“Not parental love…”

Dusik gave a bitter smile, clearly not the answer he expected.

“Someone you like, romantically?”

“Yes.”

Hmm. If I say I like a woman now, it would seem like I’m into same-sex relationships, right? But if I say I like a man, that’s too much. I still have memories of being a man. My consciousness is like that too.

“No.”

That’s also true.

“Older sister.”

“Yes.”

Yeah, here it comes. I know what Dusik is going to say next. The words I anticipated are coming. What should I do?

“I… like you, older sister.”

Is that so, should I have answered like that? I didn’t say anything. I just kept looking at Dusik, then turned my gaze to the living room decor.

“Last time, at the police station. It was the first time I saw someone get so angry for me. I didn’t really believe that you could fall for someone so quickly.”

But it’s possible, huh— Dusik chuckled.

“Older sister, you’re probably normal. Not like me, a lesbian. It’s okay if you don’t answer me now.”

No, Dusik. In a way, dating you would be normal for me.

“No. Older sister, please don’t answer. Just stay as you are. My older sister, just stay as you are.”

I haven’t said anything since earlier. I couldn’t respond to Dusik’s brave confession. Even if it wasn’t Dusik’s request, I wouldn’t have been able to say anything.

Besides, I don’t think of Dusik as a romantic interest.

“Dusik.”

“Yes, older sister.”

Dusik wasn’t crying. He looked relieved, even refreshed, as he looked at me.

“Feel better?”

“Yes. A lot. I should have confessed earlier.”

“Is that so? Then come here.”

I patted the spot next to me on the sofa, and Dusik quickly sat down beside me.

“Ah, this kid.”

I put the beer can on the table and hugged Dusik tightly, pulling him close. The scent of shampoo from his hair tickled my nose.

“Dusik.”

“Yes, older sister.”

“Don’t be shy, put your arm around my waist.”

After a moment of hesitation, Dusik put his arm around my waist. Now we were hugging each other tightly.

– Pat… pat… pat…

I patted Dusik’s back like I was soothing Kabe, not saying a word.

“Thank you for liking me, older sister.”

Good or bad, yes or no. I didn’t say any of that. Who am I, how great am I, to judge Dusik’s sincere feelings?

Since Dusik asked me not to say anything, I just complied.

“I’m okay now.”

With Dusik’s words, the arm around my waist loosened. I also let go of Dusik.

Dusik wasn’t crying. He was just smiling brightly, like the moonlight.

“But older sister, you look thinner when you’re dressed.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“I could tell when I hugged you. Your chest is really huge. What did you eat…”

“Is… is that so…?”

“And, older sister. I’m not giving up. I’ll make you like me eventually. Just wait and see.”

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