Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: I'm Your Alice Teacher
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[Do you remember? It's Mia-ssi. Before we parted last time, we promised that if we met again, you'd call me by name.]
'I remember that much!'
That's exactly why it's a problem.
I'd already realized from seeing her twice that she was quite fond of Alice, but I never imagined she'd follow me all the way here.
No, this isn't even a place someone could just follow to because they wanted to.
She must have a pretty long career since she was active even during the Leviathan incident, which doesn't fit the program's concept of teaching 'rookie Magical Girls' at all, so how did she end up here...
"Oh, so you two already know each other? Then we can skip the introductions. I was actually going to ask another support-type Magical Girl in the company for help... but she happened to be busy with something else, and Mia-ssi sent me a 14-page A4 document explaining why she had to participate in this program herself. As a B-Rank support type, she'd be a big help with the actual filming too, and she was so enthusiastic, so as PD-nim, I had no reason to refuse."
"T-That's right! I never dreamed I'd see you here, Mia-ssi!"
"I went through so much trouble to join this! I even looked up lectures on writing self-introduction letters when I didn't have any experience, and when I asked my parents how to write one, they misunderstood and thought this rice-moocher was finally thinking about getting a job, and it was really..."
"You w-went through a lot. To love Alice so passionately like that... Alice will work hard to repay that love!"
The reason her words broke off every few beats wasn't just her concept—it was because I was that shocked.
I'd seen Alice's enthusiastic fans before, but this was the first Magical Girl to approach her so fervently as a fellow Magical Girl.
And on top of that, she had to drop unnecessary TMI.
"You know each other?"
"Yes, she's a grateful junior who's helped Alice a few times."
"Help? No way! If anything, I'm the one who owes her so much!"
This was when I really hated Alice's concept.
My real feelings were 'We know each other, but we're not close, and she's clinging too much, so please keep her at a distance,' but Alice couldn't say that.
If only there were one or two people I could open up to, the stress would be less, but whether as Alice or Han Sejin, I had no one around to confide in about this.
The only one might be Ttokkongi, but she's in the same boat as me, so there's nothing to confide anyway.
I hoped Sapphire would pick up on my feelings and handle this Magical Girl appropriately...
"I see. Sorry for the intrusion. I'm Sapphire, Alice's manager during this shoot. I know you know each other, but I'd appreciate it if you held back on rushing in. There are a lot of expensive cameras around."
"Ah, got it..."
...Not a perfect 100, but at least a 70.
"The trainees are already gathered, exchanging greetings and filming that too. Another PD is handling that side... Alice-ssi, just wait by that door, and when we give the signal, come in. As I said, the first day is focused on icebreakers, and we have a game prepared in advance. Want to hear about it?"
"Sure, let's hear it."
"You'll see a box with a hole on top over there. Inside are dozens of papers with game titles written on them. How about drawing one and going with that? If Alice-ssi has a better idea, we can use that instead..."
"Ignoring an idea the production team worked hard on wouldn't be polite! We'll go with it!"
"Yes, then hold onto that. Mia-ssi and Sapphire-ssi can come in from the start or when called during filming. You're assistants after all. If not needed, Alice-ssi could hog all the cameras solo..."
"Mia-ssi, are you okay with cameras?"
"Y-Yes? Oh, yes! Of course! I've helped my parents with filming a lot before, so I'm used to cameras!"
'...Is she an actress?'
She'd been spouting unnecessary TMI from earlier.
At this rate, she might even give out her home address and door lock password.
"And Sapphire-ssi..."
"I'll do whatever Alice-ssi says. I'm not used to it, but it's not uncomfortable."
"Good. Let's all go in together."
"I'll carry the box."
"Thanks, Sapphire-ssi."
"M-Me too!"
"It's fine. I'm Alice-ssi’s manager, not just an assistant. It's my job. Mia-ssi, help with what you're good at instead of this."
"Ah, got it!"
...Ah, so annoying.
This really doesn't suit me.
I didn't want to fill the camera alone, so I dragged everyone in to scatter the attention, but if it's grinding my nerves instead, what's the point.
'One month... Exactly 8 shoots... 7 left after today, so just endure that...'
Then I won't have to worry about living expenses for a while.
I can handle small ads that come occasionally without appearing on big programs like this, and that should cover living costs.
If I live quietly like before, I'll get pushed out by other Magical Girls and forgotten again...
'Just enough. Just enough.'
If I get blinded by ratings incentives and make this program too big, it'll be trouble later.
Just enough. Enough to cover living expenses.
Do exactly as much as I'm paid.
"Hmm... Looks like that side's wrapping up. Alice-ssi and you two, get ready."
"Alice is always ready."
"No problem."
"Hoo... Hoo... I-I've only done photos, never video..."
"Please enter in about 2 minutes. I'll give the signal."
"Hoo..."
...Mia-ssi said she was used to it, but she didn't look it at all.
If I sent her in like this and she froze, it would mess up the flow, so even if annoying, I needed to ease her tension.
"Mia-ssi. Nervous?"
"N-No, no, no? N-Not at all! C-Cameras are fine! I-It’s just different from just putting on clothes and taking photos since this is a TV program, but still! I-I'm okay! I can do it!"
"Don't worry. Even if you mess up, Alice won't kick you out. And Alice doesn't think you'll mess up. Someone brave enough to face an A-Rank Abyss Being head-on wouldn't freeze in front of a camera, right?"
"O-Of course! Compared to Abyss Beings, a camera is..."
It wasn't my place to say, since I dodged cameras even using my unique magic, but this shoot was something I 'allowed,' so I couldn't avoid it.
I was getting paid to work in front of the camera; refusing would be fraud.
"Even if you don't believe in yourself, Alice believes in you. If you're not confident in yourself, believe in Alice who believes in you. Alice will cheer you on."
"T-The senior... believes in me?"
"Can't you believe it? Alice has always loved and cheered for her juniors."
"The senior... loves me... cheers for me..."
-Mumble mumble
Hmm. She'd entered the classic 'hearing only what she wants to hear' state.
Correcting a misunderstanding now would just hurt my mouth.
Whatever, if she wants to believe it, let her.
Alice was like a star in the sky anyway; no way she could reach her however she looked at it.
"Right? You can do well, Mia-ssi?"
"Yes! For the senior who believes in me...! I'll stake my life on it...!"
"No need to stake your life."
"Ah, yes!"
Magical Girls shouldn't throw around 'staking my life' lightly.
"Enter in 10 seconds. 10, 9..."
"Alice-ssi."
"Yes, let's go, Sapphire-ssi. Sorry for leaving you behind unintentionally."
"It's fine."
"Now, enter!"
-Creak!
"Hello everyone~ Your Magical Girl Alice, happy to be with you..."
"WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Senior-nim!!!!!!! I love you!!!!!!!!"
"You're pretty!!!"
"You're so cute!!!!!"
"Just one wink please!!!"
Hmm. Total chaos.
"Every..."
"Sapphire-ssi, Alice will handle it."
"Sorry."
"Wow wow wow..."
Well, I expected it.
Unlike regular people with low recognition, Alice strangely had high recognition and popularity among Magical Girls. Maybe because they were in the same industry.
Plus, the current rookie Magical Girls were at an age where they might have watched Alice's exploits on TV long ago, or even been rescued by her personally, so it wasn't weird for them to idolize Alice.
-Wink
"Okay, everyone. Alice appreciates the love, but we can't have class like this. Let's quiet down for a bit."
I gave them the wink.
Then I crossed my thumb and middle finger...
-Snap!
-Boom!
As the wave of magic spread from the snap, the Magical Girls, rowdy like rowdy teens, shut their mouths.
-Silence
"Nice to meet you all~ I'm Magical Girl Alice, who'll be teaching you for a while. When calling Alice, please say 'Alice Teacher' with love?"
With the quiet atmosphere, I actually felt good, so I delivered this line cheerfully.
-Flash!
"A-Alice Teacher! Me!"
"Yes, you with the red hair."
"Um, any chance you'll give prizes to students who listen really well? Like a meal voucher with Alice Teacher! Or a walk voucher! Or a dispatch voucher!"
Argh, why do they all like Alice so much?
I don't like Alice myself, so I can't understand why everyone else loves her.
"Hmm... Good idea. Alice is busy, so it's hard to make time, but... for the one who follows the class best? A walk voucher with Alice would be fine for that one."
"...!! Thank you!!"
"Yes, any other questions?"
-Flash!
One person raised her hand faster than anyone.
...Right next to me.
"...Mia-ssi?"
"Can I switch to student status too?"
"You stay here."
"Yes..."
...Magical Girls were creatures who were easy yet hard to handle.