Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Out of Plan
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It's raining.
I didn't check the weather forecast before coming, but I had no idea it'd pour like this before the rainy season even started.
But the way the rain's slamming against the windows feels ominous. It's heavy enough that some high school dropout middle school girl might be bawling her eyes out somewhere. Who made her cry?
Anyway, I turned on my phone to check, and it said the rain would continue steadily for the next two hours. Clear skies after that.
'Should I buy an umbrella?'
This is the most annoying situation.
It's not like I don't have money, but do I really want to shell out for a lump of junk I'll use for just two hours and toss?
Still, I figured I should, so I trudged over to the convenience store. But the one at Busan Station only had these ridiculously long umbrellas.
For reference, "ridiculously long" by adult standards means "ridiculously, ridiculously long" by Ha-rin's standards. Unusable.
'What now?'
Anyone around to give indecisive Ha-rin some divine guidance?
Gurgle.
'Oh.'
There it is.
Perfect timing for lunch—my stomach clock went off—so I decided to hunker down at the station until the rain stopped. Gotta get a burger.
I didn't have anywhere specific to go anyway. Sword said she'd meet me at the station around 2 p.m., but maybe the KTX got me here too early.
The ITX probably would've timed it perfectly, but since I'm the one unilaterally asking for a favor, I should arrive early and wait.
I ordered a cyber burger set from the station's burger joint, adding a chicken drumstick. The classic Seol Ha-yoon order.
"Hup."
After taking about three bites of the piping hot fresh burger, a sudden realization hit me.
'Right. My stomach shrank.'
I'm already full. What about the fries and chicken? But Rice Star's chicken is so good...
With time to kill, I figured I'd eat slowly and dive deeper into analyzing Sword.
What is this? The more I watch, the more it reeks of fraud.
But you know it, I know it, and the MagGallery knows it too—there's no bluffing in anything Sword says.
Sword isn't actually a YouTuber, but she used to upload monster-hunting videos occasionally.
The unique editing style tanked the views, so it stopped a few years ago. But in those, she sliced up even turtle monsters with a sword.
The comment section on her interview video was packed with MagGallery pilgrims losing their minds. Might as well explore MagGallery while I'm at it.
I typed "Sword" into the search... but unconsciously checked the Nyeong posts first. Neph. Mmm. Can't resist ego-searching.
How long are they going to keep pushing this crap?
'Oh ho) Check out Neph's back view lol.jpg'
Is that really that important in your life?
Even as you're frantically clicking on pedo magical girl porn and skipping concept posts...
Your most precious youth is slipping away like this.
Time once passed never returns.
Imagine yourself from a year ago and a year from now.
How much have you changed in the past year?
How much will you change in the next?
You were probably the same pathetic self a year ago, panting over porn in the afternoon.
If you don't snap out of it here,
A year from now,
Five years,
Ten years,
...
Hmm. MagGallery never disappoints.
They know my apparent age equals my real age, yet they boldly sexually harass anyway!
Magical girls can sue, so I tried grabbing their PDFs, but everyone uses VPNs. My ass is too sorry to be invincible, I guess.
'Tch.'
Sword bait doesn't pop up much on the gallery. Gotta see it to chew, tear, taste, and enjoy.
After scrolling forever, one Nyeong post finally caught my eye.
Huh. Sword's one-hit costume has this backstory.
Even magical girl pervs don't know every single girl.
Sword's a minor one, so I only knew basics, but stealing someone else's costume? Seems feistier than expected.
What to do? Not sure how to handle her now.
'She likes me, at least?'
Otherwise, she wouldn't have offered weapons from the start.
Balancing gallery browsing and munching, I finally finished the food.
Clutching my Namsan-sized belly and creaking my way out, the rain showed no signs of stopping.
See? Can't trust forecasts. Checked my phone again—now rain until 4 p.m.
Should've bought an umbrella earlier. Long ones are a no-go. Oh, department store right across.
Department store umbrellas are pricey, but no other shops nearby. A quick dash through light rain, shouldn't trip.
Swallowing hard, prepping to plunge into the rain...
Thud.
Someone grabbed my shoulder.
What? Kidnapping? I whipped around, ready for a Gentle Fist counter.
'Huh?'
There stood a sharp-featured black-haired ice queen holding an umbrella.
Reminiscent of Jang Won-ju's vibe, but overall colder, emotions more subdued.
Breasts on par with Jang Won-ju's, though. Hmm. Weird feeling a friend's mom like this, but facts are facts.
Anyway, why was this stranger grabbing me? Then a familiar aura from her body.
'Mana?'
Her lips parted slowly.
"Neph."
"...Huh?"
My name popped out.
"Department store?"
"...?"
"Let's go."
Huh? Checked my phone—exactly 2 p.m. No way?
"Sword senior...?"
Nod.
She nodded before I finished.
'Wait a sec.'
I had to panic. The ice queen grabbing me wasn't "Sword."
Magical girl Sword looks like a mid-teens middle schooler. This was a full adult woman.
Meaning...
'She popped the red pill?'
First time ever. Even Pluto, who tried kidnapping and training me, never revealed hers.
First veteran senior showing her civilian form to me.
'Is this allowed?'
She extended her hand to flustered me.
Should I take it?
Swish swish.
While hesitating, raindrops pattered like BGM.
Stay here and I'd be soaked. Just one night, no spare clothes.
No choice—I took her hand. She nodded blankly and led me to the department store.
"Something you wanna eat."
"Huh?"
"Gukbap or whatever."
Whoa, first time with someone like this.
Choppy speech, but I got it. Wanna eat?
"N-no, I'm good. Had lunch."
Sword nodded blankly again. Then silence.
Awkward vibe—glanced around, saw our reflections in the handrail.
Mom and daughter? No, aunt and niece?
Walking the passage quietly, I scanned her closely.
Overall sharper than magical girl Sword, but vibe similar. Like Seol Ha-rin vs. Neph difference?
Especially this blunt look.
'Just like the group chat.'
Amazing. Red pill matches the concept. Real Magical Girl Appraiser detective?
Still, just in case:
"Um... you okay?"
Magical girls can't reveal red pills even to each other, right?
She clearly got the intent but nodded like no big deal.
Then, arriving at the store, she spoke.
"How many days in Busan?"
"O-one day."
"...Want combat lessons."
Hmm. Guessing the rest:
You asked for combat training, but how in one day? That vibe.
Valid point. Honestly, banking on Dress Code's power.
Touch Sword's mana, transform into her costume.
Weapon arts would come instantly, right? Worst case, suck up mana and bail.
Her face twitched faintly for the first time at my answer.
And then.
"Stay a few more days."
"Eek."
"My place is empty."
This is out of plan.