Everyday Life and Extraordinary Magical Girls
Magical girls. The name pretty much means the same thing wherever you go. Just like it sounds, they're mysterious girls who use magic, dress in frilly outfits, and fight monsters called beasts or magical creatures. I used to think they only existed in comics.
At some point, they became reality, just like that.
These days, nine out of ten shorts you swipe past are magical girl-related. My algorithm's totally polluted because of it, and now watching them on my commute home has become a natural routine.
"…."
Come to think of it, it's been a while since I started this habit. At first, seeing a real magical girl outside of books or screens made my heart race like crazy. But after staring at them for so long, there's no thrill anymore. Can't be helped. Novelty wears off with familiarity—it's only natural. The excitement evaporated ages ago, but changing a routine that's set in is a hassle anyway, so I just blankly watch whatever pops up. Partly because I can't find anything better to replace it with.
Sometimes I half-wish a monster would smash up the subway near my place or the office, giving me a legal day or two off. I'd love to witness that glorious moment firsthand. Labor Day on steroids! Of course, it's never happened, so it's just wishful thinking. Shame.
Let's see if there's anything worth watching today—
Swipe, swipe.
As I mindlessly scrolled, my finger stopped.
I'd found a video that looked pretty damn entertaining.
In the center of the thumbnail: a massive wolf-shaped monster at least as tall as an apartment floor. Surrounding it, magical girls with grim expressions closing in as it roared. No way I wasn't clicking that.
Oh.
The video started with a bang. The giant monster swung its front paw once, and the asphalt tore like paper.
The shockwave swept away four or five magical girls.
Still, there were tons holding the line—easily over ten.
Not often you see this many magical girls gathered.
This monster must be a strong one.
I glanced down out of habit. Hundreds of chats flooded in: people worrying about the girls, complaining about delayed commutes, trolls spamming nonsense. No breathing room, even in low-quality mode. Impressive firepower.
Amid the magical girls zipping around, a girl in a pink frilly dress appeared and thrust her palm toward the camera. White electricity sparked from the wolf's mouth—massive sparks flying everywhere. One hit and you're done for.
Our streamer seemed to value the shot over his life, refusing to budge. Kids half his age protecting him, and he pulls that? If he dies, it's game over.
I sighed inwardly as resolute voices filled the video. The girls knocked down by the claw swipe stood back up, covered in dust. Their trembling legs and tight grips on their staffs were all captured on screen. Tough little kids. Doesn't it hurt? Sure, they grew up on hero anime, but facing a monster up close is worlds apart from watching it.
Meanwhile, our precious streamer was about to eat an attack point-blank and wasn't moving. A magical girl was yelling at him to dodge, but he just stood there like an idiot. The monster's massive jaws opened, energy cannon charging—
Another magical girl flew in from somewhere, wrapping her comrades in a blue barrier.
Boom!
The screen shook with the explosion, dust billowing everywhere.
Luckily, the barrier held, saving both the streamer and the girl unscathed. Close call.
[This stop is Sinchon, Sinchon Station. Doors opening on the...]
Man, that wolf's seriously strong. More girls kept showing up, but things weren't improving. It looked way bigger than any monster that's hit Korea before. Something felt... different.
[Doors closing.]
"Ah."
Almost missed my stop.
...A monster, huh.
Wonder what it'd be like up close.
Honestly? I'd pass out on the spot. Confidence in that, at least.
I shook off the pointless imagining and blended into the crowd exiting the train, heading down the platform.
Beep.
[Adult fare.]
How much time passed like that? The mechanical gate chime snapped me back to reality. But my eyes stayed glued to my phone.
...Cutting off right at the good part.
The video had ended at the most exciting moment. The girls seemed to be losing ground, then big-name Korean magical girls started arriving, turning the tide. Hard to tell them apart in those identical dresses, but whatever. Flashy effects piled up like CG, reversing the battle.
Just as victory tilted their way—
The monster twisted, unleashing sparks dwarfing the previous ones.
Static, crackle.
Noise filled the screen, and the stream cut out. That was moments ago.
"…Ah."
Probably an electric-type; its blast fried the equipment. Too bad. Wanted to see the end.
Tsk.
My idle hand fiddled with the now-dark screen. The overwhelming scene was gone, replaced by my blank face reflecting on the black glass.
"…."
No sign of the stream resuming, so I shoved the phone in my pocket.
Crack, pop.
I rolled my stiff neck from staring down too long.
"Phew…."
If it disrupted signals that bad, tomorrow's headlines were guaranteed. Maybe even delay my commute train.
Eh, they'll handle it.
I checked the time quick, left the station, and headed into my familiar apartment complex.
Pushed the elevator button and glanced at my reflection. Classic weary office drone face.
"…."
Hm. I look way better post-shower, that's for sure.
Rubbed my eyes, peeked at the phone hoping for a stream revival. Still black.
Sun's setting soon—were the girls still fighting?
Magical girls.
[Ding-dong. Floor 15.]
Zoning out brought back childhood fantasies. Right around their age—innocent dreams I'd forgotten amid the corporate grind.
Beep beep beep, bleep—
I punched in the door code, lost in thought as it opened.
Come to think of it, as a kid I'd play pretend concepts all the time. Jumping between furniture like the floor was deadly lava, hiding snacks in "secret bases" under playground slides. Fun times.
Especially coming home, I'd get paranoid delusions that someone was hiding inside—
"Hiding won't help, you know."
…Like that.
Ah.
Saying it out loud hit me with massive cringe; my neck burned.
Sigh. Not a kid anymore, spouting embarrassing crap like…
Shame flooding in late, I hurried to kick off my shoes and crash—
"…Is that so. Keen senses, I see."
A deep voice echoed from my room, freezing me solid.
What.
Why the hell is there actually someone there?