Comfort
I denied any connection with the vampires and told Su-hyeok there was no need for him to go digging into their affairs.
“Huh? Is that really okay? If I investigate, I get the feeling some link to Hemoregia might turn up.”
That was exactly why I told him not to look. I figured I’d be running into them more often from now on.
Even if they gave me the creeps, they were on my side for the moment, so I planned to foist the awkward jobs onto them or pry out of them just what kind of person the elder had really been.
But if Su-hyeok tailed the vampires and happened to catch me making contact, I had no idea how badly things might spiral—which was why I told him to stay away.
…That was my real reason.
“That’s exactly why I’m saying don’t dig any deeper in that direction. You saw what Mother did yesterday, right? And if you get bitten while chasing them, it’d be a total disaster.”
I laid out the kinds of lines Seong Min-a the vampire might use while trying to scout him, explaining at length why he should leave the vampires alone.
Most of it was lies stacked on lies, though about five percent was genuine feeling mixed in.
Because he really could get hurt if he tangled with other vampires for no good reason.
…It absolutely wasn’t worry. I just didn’t want the situation to get any more tangled. Cleaning up the mess we already had was headache enough.
After listening to everything, he fell quiet as if turning it over in his mind, then said that if those were the reasons he understood, and he wouldn’t do anything unnecessary.
“…Not that it’s unnecessary—just that the timing’s terrible. Anyway, until separate orders come down, try not to get mixed up with them. Got it?”
“Understood. So should I simply continue investigating Hemoregia?”
“Hemoregia… well, I’ll leave that to your judgment. I don’t think it’s a great idea, but if you want to chase her I can’t exactly stop you.”
Whether he did or not didn’t matter much to me, so I left it in his hands. I didn’t plan on showing myself in front of him all that often anyway.
Telling him not to chase her might only make him suspicious, so I simply let him do as he liked.
“Ah, but still—don’t push yourself too hard. And don’t provoke her too much either. I don’t particularly want a repeat of yesterday…”
“Got it. I’ll be careful.”
When I added the caution and he simply agreed without fuss, he seemed almost cute, yet a faint guilt settled in me as well.
…Because I was deceiving with lies the very man who would shudder at falsehood, then using him however I pleased.
Still, it was for a good cause… so it should be fine. Those scientists had only needed a test subject, but I truly wanted him to do well.
So, not guilty.
“Ah, right—don’t hang up just yet. You said you escaped back then, right? So are you still being chased?”
I caught him as he was about to end the call as if it were only natural. There was one more thing that needed handling right away.
“You’re asking the obvious. I’m still being tracked. That’s why I crawled into a place like this, isn’t it?”
“Then… if we want to sort out your identity issues… do you have any idea how we should go about it? Taking in a fugitive is fine, but it’s better to handle it without loose ends if possible.”
I already knew roughly where the lab was.
But if I handled everything without asking him he might sense something off, so I asked.
“If I knew, would I be in this situation? I don’t know either. The government’s after me, so unless I blow up the government I’ll keep being chased.”
While sounding pessimistic, Su-hyeok added that if he simply stayed out of sight for about ten years they’d probably get tired and give up on their own.
“Hmm, so that’s how it is? Then do you remember where the lab you were held in was?”
“Why are you asking that? If you’re thinking of taking revenge on my behalf, drop it. It’s too much for you alone.”
“No, nothing like that. Just… I was wondering if we could somehow cleanly handle only the identity problem. Can you tell me?”
Su-hyeok went quiet for a moment, then spoke in a scolding tone.
“I truly appreciate the thought, but I have no intention of telling you. If something happens to you after you go there, what would become of me?”
“Mmm… that’s true. Too bad—I just wanted to go out and play together a bit~”
If he didn’t want to tell me, there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t force it out of him, so for now I would simply wait.
Maybe I could still get something more out of Radiant White, so I decided to put off visiting the lab for a while.
“Well, alright. Take care of yourself. I’ll come meet you soon at the usual place.”
Leaving only the promise that I would come see him soon, I ended the call.
Alright—that roughly settled things on Su-hyeok’s end.
Shining White and Radiant White remained.
…Shall I go with Radiant White next?
Honestly, I was scared to call. I had no idea what state she might be in right now—whether she was grieving, blaming herself, or seething with rage.
Nothing I could predict.
But just because I didn’t know didn’t mean I could run away…
I should at least try calling once.
Pegasus kept pouring endless words of comfort through the speaker as I stayed by Sky’s side, who still hadn’t woken.
“White, don’t blame yourself too much. It wasn’t something you did alone, was it? The Association President and the other magical girls all agreed to it. No one predicted that freak would be hiding that kind of power.”
“…I know. That the Association President, the seniors, and the juniors all agreed. And that they all agreed they couldn’t stand the insult to my sister. I know that too.”
“White…”
Sky wore an uncomfortable expression, as if trapped in a bad dream.
“I’m not trying to blame myself. Like you said, no one knew he’d be hiding that kind of power.”
Even though it had been my idea first, not a single person had stopped me, so I knew it wasn’t solely my fault either.
If we had to assign blame, it would be all of ours for failing to anticipate that some ability was being concealed.
“…But you know, Pegasus. If I just hadn’t brought that up, something like this probably wouldn’t have happened.”
“White. I’ve told you several times—it’s not just your fault. It’s the fault of all of us who had grown too soft from peace.”
I was grateful, but I didn’t need comfort.
I only needed a target onto which I could project all this rage, this grudge.
“So I have to take responsibility and finish this myself. Because a hero has to know how to take responsibility.”
Kill Hemoregia.
…If possible I wanted to capture her, but capturing was far too distant a prospect.
So I would have to kill her.
Just as I was resolving myself—
A call came in.
From Min-a.
“Hello.”
“Uh… hello? Is this Radiant White…?”
“Yes, this is Radiant White.”
When I answered dryly, Min-a carefully asked if I was alright.
“W-White… so… are you okay?”
“I’m not okay.”
At that, Min-a apologized in a slightly teary voice.
“I’m really, really sorry! For saying unnecessary things…”
“No, I don’t particularly resent you. It was my fault for carelessly dragging him to a crowded place.”
I didn’t resent Min-a. That would be like resenting the wrong person.
Her strategy had actually worked, so I should be grateful instead.
The ones to resent were me for rashly dragging the fight right to the Association’s doorstep, and Hemoregia for casually unleashing that attack.
“I… see.”
Min-a kept murmuring “so…” as if unsure what comfort to offer, then seemed to get her thoughts in order and continued.
“Don’t blame yourself too much. I… I had no idea something like that was hidden either… If I’d known, I definitely would have told you to take him to an empty lot…”
“Yes, we didn’t know either. Still, if we’d been just a little more careful we would have taken him to an empty lot, but we were too hasty.”
I was sorry for Min-a, but that was already the comfort Pegasus had given me, so it didn’t bring much solace.
Min-a feeling sorry did bring a little comfort, though.
Because the moment I saw that slash, I’d wondered for a second if Min-a had said those things to me on purpose.
“…So, Ju-a. What are you going to do from now on?”
“You’re asking the obvious. I have to finish it.”
Even if I couldn’t win, I had to. Because that’s what my sister would have done.
“I see… Then, I’ll tell you some of the vampires’ weaknesses.”
Min-a said that and told me one by one what vampires were weak against.
“And, I’m not sure, but it seems the light you emit dealt major damage to Mother. Hard to be certain, though.”
“Light, is it…”
The seniors’ attacks had also dealt some damage, but I’d seen my attack nearly sever her arm, so I had some idea.
But hearing someone else say it made the certainty sink in.
“…Understood. Thank you for telling me.”
“I’ll tell you some other things that might help later. So, don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”
For some reason I couldn’t understand, her concern felt so warm and kind.
It was strange. That woman wasn’t even my sister.
Why did she feel so comforting?
“I don’t know why you’re worrying about me… but alright. Thank you for worrying.”
“Uh, yeah. Then I’ll hang up. Sorry for bothering you when you’re busy!”
…
Even like this, there was someone who worried about me.
I felt a little better.