Chapter 51
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Dessert Stomachs Are Separate
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A short while later, the negotiations wrapped up smoothly. ...Not that I'm sure you could even call it negotiations, but whatever.
"Man, what a fulfilling day this has been."
"She was glaring at you like she wanted to kill you at the end there."
And so, after leaving the zoo and arriving at the exit back to reality...
"Since it's a rare occasion, how about a cup of tea before we go?"
"Didn't you just drink a ton not long ago?"
"I only had a sip."
Even after devouring an entire giant cookie jar, I found myself surprisingly tempted by Bell's invitation.
"Know any good spots?"
"Of course."
With that, I followed behind Bell—who was still cradling the old jar in his arms—having released my transformation.
"By the way, Miss Ha-yul... Does all that really fit inside you?"
In a quiet corner of the cozy cafe, as I eyed the extra-large parfait I'd just ordered and licked my lips, Bell asked with a look that screamed he'd already had enough just looking at it.
"You can't get stuff like this back home. Gotta eat it while I'm here."
"Fair enough... But what about dinner?"
Yeah. Totally valid question. Back when I used to hang out with Yu-na, I'd wondered the same thing plenty of times. Not that I ever dared ask out loud—I was too scared.
"Didn't you know? Dessert stomachs are separate."
But now I got it. Dessert is dessert. Meals are meals. No idea why, but that's just how women are. Exhibit A: me right now.
"...Don't blame me if you gain weight."
"It's fine, it's fine."
I'm not trying to look pretty for anyone, so as long as I keep it to a level I like, that's good enough. With that thought, I started scooping the parfait from the top, slowly savoring it.
Bzzz...
Bell had tactfully tapped the table, erecting a transparent barrier to keep any sound from leaking out.
"So, you're serious about giving me Magical Girl-level power...?"
I rolled the spoon around in my mouth with my tongue and leaned back in my chair as I asked.
"Yes, completely serious. Of course, it all depends on the script going according to plan."
"Hm."
"No need to worry. Even Magical Girl-grade magic power wouldn't actually be a threat."
As expected, he couldn't ignore my gaze on that point... Unlike his usual playful self, he was dead serious as he tried to persuade me. Instead of answering, I held a finger to my lips.
"Hold on a sec. Let me think it over."
I stared at Bell's face as he obediently fell silent.
Magical Girl power. Or more precisely, magic power on par with a Magical Girl... But comparing it to a Magical Girl rubbed me the wrong way. It felt a little unpleasant.
"......"
It was like some puny Villain was treating Magical Girls like a joke. Maybe I should just go back and smash everything right now. As that impulse crossed my mind, instead of standing up, I looked at the man in front of me—Bell, scratching his head with a guilty expression.
"...If you explain things properly from now on, I'll let it slide."
"Miss Ha-yul...! You're an angel...!"
"Shut up. Don't react like that."
His harmless-puppy face, staring at me so earnestly—it was creepy, but I ended up conceding defeat. Had I gotten too used to this woman's body? Stuff like that actually seemed cute now.
Nom.
Probably, after seeing me polish off that whole cookie jar earlier, he'd dragged me here on purpose—not to bribe me with sweets, but knowing I'd want more anyway.
"Well, since it came up... Let me give you a quick rundown of this script."
Lost in such trivial thoughts with my face buried in the parfait cup, Bell—sighing in relief when he thought I wasn't looking—brought up the next topic.
"Miss Ha-yul. Ever heard of sabotage?"
Sabotage. Sneaking into enemy facilities and wrecking them, right? Something like that.
"Everything so far was just propaganda. Now it's time to get serious about world conquest♥"
Bell was about to excitedly explain the next script's details, his eyes sparkling like a kid's. My immediate response?
"Hang on. Let me order another parfait real quick."
I grabbed my now-empty parfait cup and headed to the counter to pick out a different flavor and place a new order.
Meanwhile, after the two had left... One person remained in the spacious office.
"......"
The monster with a Doberman's head on a human body, Brent, stared silently out the window with an expressionless face.
"Damn clown."
Outside, a man in a suit was poking at the deep-purple Magical Girl with a playful grin, teasing her—while shooting Brent a meaningful smile.
Crack...!
Even as the teacup in his hand shattered, slicing his skin and spilling blood, Brent didn't blink. He just kept glaring at Bell and Robelia's retreating figures until they vanished from sight.
-Even trash can be recycled and useful sometimes.
That greenhorn punk—who'd barely gotten a taste of power by sheer luck—was looking down on him, someone who'd fought to survive all these years.
Grrr...
His rising fury brought a dog's growl leaking from his lips.
"Fine. This time, I'll play along with your damn clown show."
The guy had said if things went well, he'd grant power rivaling a Magical Girl's. Not the most trustworthy sort—but at least he'd never broken a promise spoken aloud. Whether he was even human was debatable, but still.
"Damn Magical Girls. Damn clowns. Everything in this world's just a bunch of damn pests."
As Brent roughly shook off the glass shards embedded in his hand and let out a heavy sigh...
"That's just how the world works. Scum like that latch on everywhere, leeching off whatever they can."
There'd been no sound of the door opening, no footsteps at all. Yet a woman's voice casually addressed him from where she'd perched on the reception table.
"...Tania."
"Puppy. What'd you do with your 'chairman' dignity?"
He turned to see a beautiful woman with striking white hair cascading down.
"Anyway, Magical Girls are all the same. Cocky as hell."
Had she overheard him? Or...
"Of course from the start."
"......!"
"Oh? Surprised, puppy?"
She answered as if reading his mind—the woman known as the Villain Alliance's chairman, Tania. Brent fell silent.
"Poor little pup. Licking my boots for 20 years just to survive, and now you're about to crash and burn."
Licking boots. Blunt as hell, but not wrong... Before the predator who made even eye contact impossible, Brent quietly dropped to his knees.
"Heh. That's why I like dogs. Quick on the uptake."
Satisfied with his reaction, Tania stepped down from the table with the sharp click-clack of her heels and spoke.
"Puppy. Wanna give that insolent little bitch a smackdown?"
Insolent bitch. Brent wasn't dumb enough not to know who she meant.
Nod.
Instead of words, he nodded. Tania flashed a seductive smile, gripped his chin, and forced his gaze to meet hers.
"Perfect timing. I'm in the mood too."
Her slit-pupiled crimson eyes gleamed like a snake's. Brent stared blankly, entranced.
"Wanna make a deal with me? I'll give you what you need. Work for me."
Her voice so sweet, he was ready to prostrate himself and lick her shoes in submission.
That evening.
"Ugh, my stomach still feels like it's gonna burst..."
"Sigh, I told you to eat in moderation."
Clutching my still-bloated belly and leaning on Bell for support as we got home, I collapsed straight onto the sofa, panting heavily.
"Is this what it feels like to be pregnant?"
"Miss Ha-yul. I think you should apologize to mothers across the country right now."
Saying that, Bell dutifully fetched a digestive aid from the fridge in the kitchen. I groaned as I propped myself up, then sighed in relief as the cool mint slid down my throat and settled my churning gut.
"Whew, thought I was gonna die."
"You know, sometimes you act just like an old man, Miss Ha-yul."
Feeling a bit better, I flopped back on the sofa and flicked on the living room TV.
"Miss Ha-yul. Change clothes first, even if it's a hassle. You'll fall asleep like that."
"Just a little rest."
"Hey now."
"You my mom or something...?"
Bell blocked the TV screen with his body, stern-faced. No choice—I got up and headed to my room.
"Ugh, such a pain..."
Once in my room... Too lazy to change, I just stripped off what I was wearing, crawled into bed in my underwear, and...
Yawn...
The comfort of being home, plus the lingering fullness—it was overwhelming. Succumbing to the irresistible drowsiness, I sprawled out starfish-style and drifted off to sleep.