Even if I dismiss my trivial past recollections, even if I suddenly get dragged somewhere in a dream and hear, “Actually, you’re a goddess!”—something like me being a goddess never happened.
It was just one of those “Oh, okay” moments.
And why wouldn’t it be? Nothing had changed.
I didn’t suddenly gain the ability to use magic I couldn’t before. No new powers popped out of nowhere. If something had changed, I’d feel it, right?
What’s urgent right now is the duel with Aquamarine tomorrow. If I win there, maybe something will come of it.
If I had awakened as a goddess and could spam magic left and right, I’d feel it, and it’d be great. But since that’s not the case, it honestly doesn’t resonate with me.
“Yoon-Woo.”
What’s up with her now?
I was drying my hair after a warm shower when Eve contacted me.
Answering right away feels a bit off, right? Let her sweat a little.
I tossed my phone on the sofa and deliberately ignored it.
She didn’t plant someone in my house or install cameras again, did she…?
I grabbed a can of beer from the fridge, plopped down on the sofa, and popped it open.
At this point, I’m starting to think maybe I’m the problem.
In my 27 years of life, it hasn’t been that complicated, but ever since becoming the Mother-Body, it feels like the number of crazy people around me has skyrocketed. Should I disinfect the place or something? But it’s not that bad.
Thinking about it, from Priqu to Aquamarine… And I thought Eve was normal, but she’s not at all.
I thought she was a magical girl defending light and justice, but what’s this lawless girl nonsense?
Sigh… No matter how deeply I sigh, nothing changes. The best I can do is just keep doing what I can.
—
The sudden vibration of my phone startled me awake. Ah, I must’ve dozed off for a moment.
Falling asleep while holding a beer can… I must be tired.
I glanced at the phone I’d tossed aside and saw a familiar name pop up.
“Older sister.”
Dusik, why is she texting at this hour…?
“Were you sleeping?”
“No. You’re not sleeping?”
“Are you sleepy?”
Maybe that short nap helped because I’m fine now.
“No, not really. Why?”
“Come out with me for a bit. I found a good place.”
“Alright. Got it.”
If Dusik says it’s a good place, it must be. Without a second thought, I agreed, and soon got a reply to meet on the first floor in 10 minutes.
Opening the master bedroom door, I saw Kabe hugging Keru, snoring away. Even with the heating on, kicking off the blanket in this cold weather is a sure way to catch a cold, so I fixed the blanket and quietly closed the door.
Kabe sleeps deeply now, so she probably won’t wake up easily.
I threw on a white parka over my workout clothes and headed down to the first floor, where Dusik was waiting.
“Did you wait long?”
“No, I just got here.”
Dusik smiled brightly and grabbed my arm.
“Let’s go quickly~”
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see when we get there!”
Half-dragged, I walked arm-in-arm with Dusik through the night streets.
The moonlight is so beautiful. I’ve always liked the moon. Unlike the sun, which shines brightly and is admired by everyone, the moon quietly illuminates the night. Maybe that’s why I like it so much—I’m not the type to be a protagonist, so I’d rather be someone who quietly holds their place.
Under the moonlight that bathed us, Dusik and I walked together. After a while, we stopped in front of a large commercial building.
“Here, the second floor!”
“Second floor?”
I looked up at the building, about eight stories tall. The second floor’s sign…
“Coin Karaoke Room?”
“Yes!”
“Dusik, are you good at singing?”
“No, not really.”
“Then why the karaoke room?”
“Hey, if you’re good at singing, you become a singer. If you’re not, you practice at a karaoke room.”
Makes sense.
Seeing Dusik stick out her tongue and giggle, I couldn’t help but laugh too.
Karaoke… It’s been a while. The last time I went, it was ages ago, and even then, I wasn’t the one singing—I was just the tambourine shuttle.
With a bunch of ladies and all… Ugh, what am I thinking?
“Older sister, do you dislike karaoke?”
“No.”
Who doesn’t like singing? I smiled brightly to make sure Dusik didn’t feel awkward.
“Dusik, this older sister can sing a bit, you know?”
The problem is whether the songs I like are even in the karaoke room.
“That’s a relief. Let’s go quickly. After blowing off some steam, your victory tomorrow is guaranteed!”
Is it that simple?
“Well, if Dusik says so, then it must be. Let’s go!”
Alright, let’s go. Singing a few songs at the karaoke room will definitely relieve the tension.
—
“Hmm.”
This karaoke room is different from what I imagined. I thought “Coin Karaoke Room” was just the name, but it turns out you actually insert coins or bills to get song credits.
I was fumbling around looking for the counter when Dusik pulled me in. She took out a couple of 1,000-won bills from her wallet, inserted them into the machine, and—voila—six songs.
“Older sister, do you want to go first?”
“Uh, no… I’ll pick something. Dusik, you go first.”
I don’t know many songs, and the ones I do know are all by male singers. Singing them with my current voice would be… well, very awkward.
Can I change the key? Even if I could, I’m not sure I could capture that male singer vibe.
Otherwise, it’ll just end up being a mess…
“Then, I’ll go first!”
“Alright. I’ll watch.”
The booth wasn’t very big. With the monitor and speakers, it felt half-full with just Dusik and me inside. It’s probably designed for three to four people.
But it’s got all the essentials, including a tambourine.
“Wow, Dusik, starting with Tears? Going hard already.”
Isn’t that a tough song to sing? Dusik looked incredibly confident.
—
“Johnny~! Don’t insult me~! I’m a woman~!”
Dusik was right. If you’re good at singing, you become a singer. If you’re not, you practice at a karaoke room.
To put it bluntly, Dusik wasn’t great at singing. But so what? She was belting it out with all her heart, and I enjoyed watching her.
“Ugh, I’m out of breath. Next song… Oh, older sister, what’s this?”
“Hmm.”
I took the mic Dusik handed me and stood up. It’s a song I’ve listened to a lot, and I’ve memorized the lyrics, but with my old male voice, I could never sing it.
Nightwish’s “The Escapist.”
It’s a dark, somber song, but it’s one of my favorites, and it suits my current voice, so I thought I’d give it a try.
“Wow, older sister, the intro is so atmospheric.”
“Right?”
The intro is a bit long, but since it’s not a timed karaoke room, it’s fine.
As the song started, my voice filled the room through the mic. A dark, heavy, yet powerful voice enveloped the karaoke room.
“It all starts with a lullaby—”
Wow, this works. I can hit these high notes. I can’t believe it’s me singing.
“Wow… Older sister, you’re amazing.”
“Right? I’m good at singing…”
“I had no idea you could sing pop songs!”
Ah.
That’s what you’re impressed by?
I thought I did really well, but I didn’t expect you to be amazed by the fact that I sang a pop song.
After singing Nightwish’s “She Is My Sin,” we added more coins, and Dusik sang enthusiastically. Now, only one song was left.
Huh.
This song sounds familiar. Just the intro is enough to recognize it.
“Older sister, let’s sing this together.”
I took the mic Dusik handed me and stood up. But as far as I know, this song…
“Dusik, but this…”
Before I could finish, Dusik transformed. Dusik, who’s a head taller than me, grinned at me.
Oh, right…
Then it’s no problem. Yeah, that’s how it should be…
And before I could say anything, the song started.
“Every day on the school bus, I always sit in the same seat and see her~”
Dusik belted out the male part with ease and winked at me. Now it’s the female part, so I guess it’s my turn.
“No, I’m fine~ Don’t feel burdened~ I don’t have a boyfriend anyway, but why don’t you say anything? You know I need you now~”
“On the Bus.”
It’s a good song. Hmm.
—
“That was refreshing.”
“Right?”
After finishing “On the Bus,” we left the karaoke room. It was already late at night, and the streets were mostly empty. Even the path back to our officetel was deserted.
But the streetlights were plentiful, so it wasn’t dark. The lights chased away the darkness, and our shadows stretched long behind us.
We walked forward, but our shadows stretched backward. At the next streetlight, they leaned forward before stretching back again.
“Older sister.”
Dusik’s hand slipped into my parka pocket. Her icy hand felt pitiful, so I held it, and she giggled happily.
“I’ve been really happy lately.”
“Is that so?”
I don’t know why, but if Dusik’s happy, that’s good. If Dusik’s happy, I’m happy too.
“Ever since I met you, every day has been happy.”
“That’s great.”
Dusik suddenly stopped. With her hand still in my pocket, I had to stop too. Wondering what was wrong, I turned to face her.
“Older sister.”
“Yeah.”
Dusik was smiling brightly at me. Her golden hair shimmered beautifully under the streetlight.
The orange streetlight and her golden hair looked stunning together. Just as I was captivated by the sparkle, Dusik spoke.
“Turn around.”
“Like this?”
I turned my back to her.
“Older sister.”
“Yeah.”
Dusik’s arms wrapped around my waist. Warmth seeped through my parka.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For relying on you so much…”
“…”
I didn’t respond. No, I couldn’t. Dusik’s face rested against my back, and my parka rustled.
“I’m sorry for always burdening you.”
“Dusik.”
“If we were just a bit stronger, we could’ve lightened your load.”
“…”
This is…
She’s still in her teenage years, so she’s being emotional, right? Honestly, she doesn’t need to think that way.
“I want to get stronger quickly so I can share your burden.”
What should I say to this?
Even if I say it’s okay as it is, or that I’m grateful, nothing can match the purity of Dusik’s feelings right now.
So, I just turned around and hugged her without saying anything.
“It’s cold. Dusik, let’s go inside.”
“Yes, older sister!”
Dusik’s face, smiling brightly, looked much more refreshed and relieved than when we left the karaoke room.
![[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come](https://i3.wp.com/darkmtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737407792-8993-TS-The-end-of-magical-girls-has-come.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come")
