9. I'm Not Even Mentally Prepared, What Do You Mean Lay Eggs (1)
My condition had definitely been fine up until yesterday.
I'd even bought the underwear I needed. I'd helped a little kid, too.
I'd read through every detail about Albatross, one by one, carefully.
It had really seemed like today would be another good day.
"Haaah...."
When I woke up in the morning, the bed was soaked with sweat.
Along with an unpleasant bloated feeling, there was an unpleasant foreign-body sensation that throbbed with every step I took.
When I barely managed to lift my head, I had to sit up with just my upper body raised and spend a long time calming myself down.
My movements were more sluggish than usual, and it took me a long time just to get to work.
My haggard appearance right now..., it must be a sight.
"You're here."
"Hah...."
Why does my mood turn so sour every time I see this man?
No. Maybe I was just extra sensitive today.
"Yes, Partner."
"What's with that face?"
"Why do you think? Because I made eye contact with you."
"I didn't do anything in particular."
"Please understand. No matter how I try to look at you, you don't come off well. Even more so because you have a record for violence."
"You seem to care deeply about Magical Girls."
"That's why..., hmph."
That's why you used to be the Partner of a former Magical Girl.
Just as I was about to say that, I quietly covered my mouth with my hand.
There was no need to go out of my way to tell you something like that.
"That's why I said I'd be marking you exclusively. So you don't lay a hand on any other Magical Girl."
"That's enough."
"Something about this is pissing me off."
"What?"
"I read the documents thoroughly, Partner. I've confirmed everything about Albatross, who we're meeting today."
"Good."
"Well, is there anything else you want to say?"
"No."
Park Won took the documents and nodded without any particular change in expression.
Wait. That's it?
What, like asking me something, or checking whether I'd actually memorized it. There's none of that?
You, you can't even be bothered with that...?
That's no way to treat someone who put in the effort, you bastard.
"Is there a problem?"
"I told you. I memorized it."
"Right, good job."
"No, that's not it. Because I didn't like you, I went through all the documents starting yesterday...."
"Which is why I said good job. You did it because you wanted to."
Sure, that's true. It is true, but.
It's a different kind of unpleasantness. It feels like I got played.
I didn't stay up all night going through those documents just to get this kind of reaction.
This is all because you act like a bum, and I couldn't stand it....
At the very least, you should be surprised, or at least react with displeasure.
"Ughk...! Wait. What are you doing, Partner?!"
"Didn't you need a reward?"
"Absolutely not. Get this hand off me...?!"
I was so startled that for a moment I forgot the throbbing pain.
"I said, let go! Do you think I'd be happy just because I got a little praise from you?!"
"You're the hardest Magical Girl I know to understand."
"And you're the hardest person in the world for me to understand! I said let go...!"
In an instant, Park Won's hand pressed down on my head.
A rough hand began mussing my hair, pressing down on it and stroking it.
It wasn't an affectionate touch. But it didn't feel like mockery either.
He seemed to mean it purely as a reward.
I understood the intent well enough.
"It's just that your touch isn't welcome...."
When you pat my head, it makes it look like I did all this just to get praised.
Not everyone is happy to receive what you consider a favor.
"Please, just! It tickles! It feels weird...! Stop it, Partner!"
After my hair had been mussed for a while, I barely managed to smack his hand away.
With his lips pressed firmly together and his usual expressionless face, he shoved the hand I'd knocked away back into his pocket.
I should have caught it with my hawk eyes before he started patting me.
That was a mistake....
"Go easy on me today. My condition is a total mess...."
"I'll keep that in mind. Good work reviewing things in advance. If you read it, you'll know—she's a Magical Girl who requires a bit of caution."
"Yes, I read it very thoroughly. But why Albatross, of all people?"
"Her Partner is one of the few who still keeps in touch with me."
Well, sure. Who would keep in touch with a Partner like you?
"Even apart from that, those two are veterans in their own right. There's no need to doubt their skill, so they'll make good role models."
"Isn't it a disqualification the moment you let a Magical Girl develop dependency?"
"It's the opposite. No other Partner would take Albatross, so Ha-ram ended up taking her on."
"I'll take your word for it."
"Even if you nitpick, what could you do about it? More importantly, are you all right?"
"What do you mean..., I wasn't even nervous."
"No. I'm talking about your complexion."
"I'm fine. I can't goof off like some people..., yes. Let's go."
As the mood settled, the pain started creeping back up.
I shook my head with extra force for no real reason.
───
Multipurpose seminar rooms lined up one after another along the long corridor.
According to Park Won, Albatross and her Partner were already waiting in the room.
Where they were was made obvious by the sounds coming from down the corridor.
"I-I'm sorry.... I didn't mean to break the streetlamp...."
"You just need to control your strength. You're too tense."
"A-And. Breaking the old shop, too.... And cutting the elevator cables in the shopping center...!"
"When did you break an elevator?!"
They're supposed to be veterans. Why are they going around breaking everything?
When I shot Park Won a skeptical look, he said nothing.
Instead, as if embarrassed, he just adjusted his sunglasses once.
"Partner. They don't seem to get along at all."
"That's everyday life for those two. That level is mild."
"You can say that after hearing that conversation?"
"Look at you and me."
"...."
"They get along better than we do."
I couldn't deny that.
When I didn't argue, Park Won soon turned his head and opened the door.
A Magical Girl kneeling with enormous wings, and a female Partner scolding her for it.
A female Partner?
"Wait a minute."
"Hm?"
"Female Partners could be assigned?"
"Rare, but yes."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?! Instead of a cigarette-smelling old man Partner like you, I could have been assigned a normal Partner too!"
"You were that much of a special case."
"What?! If we're talking about special, you're the most special one here──!"
"Um, excuse me."
Just as I was getting worked up again over the sense of betrayal, someone called out to us.
Probably, the one neatly dressed in a suit was the Partner.
If so, then that sniffling Magical Girl must be Albatross....
"You're not angry because of me, are you...?"
"It's not because of you, so stop crying, Albatross. Park Won, is this the Peregrine I knew?"
"The fact that she's in this state is a secret."
"She's gotten fiercer than the person I knew...."
"She hit her head."
"Oh dear...."
"Excuse me, Partner?! Stop attaching weird backstories to me!"
Ah..., this is exhausting. My lower abdomen is throbbing again.
This is exhausting. My head hurts too.
I'm already getting dizzy.
"Come in first."
"Sorry, Ha-ram. Dragging a busy person here for us shabby folk."
"Not at all. Congratulations on your return. It's good to see you."
"Seems they needed even an old shut-in like me."
"It just means you're that capable. More importantly, Peregrine's complexion is really...."
"Huh? No, it's nothing. I'm just a little off today, that's all. Yes."
I forced a smile at her worried gaze.
We'd gone to the trouble of bringing a busy person here, so I couldn't waste time making it all about my condition.
"Please take care of me, Yun Ha-ram. And you too, Albatross."
"I look forward to working with you, Peregrine...."
The one who offered me a handshake was Grade 1 Partner Yun Ha-ram.
And the one who stood up beside her was the Magical Girl, Albatross.
"I still don't see any wings on Peregrine."
"You noticed."
Come to think of it, even though we're both bird-type Magical Girls, Albatross has wings.
I don't.
Why is that?
"The psychological shock was severe, so her body seems to have reverted to its previous state."
"Ah..., then, that too...."
"She probably hasn't gone through it yet. You haven't gone through it, have you?"
"Gone through what, Partner?"
"Whether you've laid an egg."
You want me to answer that in front of these people?
Wait. This is way too full-on.
"D-Do I really have to answer that...?"
"It's important, Peregrine. Your wings only start growing after the Egg-Laying Season passes."
"You."
Park Won glanced at me.
It was like he was saying, Didn't you read the documents the Association gave you?
Sorry, but I haven't finished reading all of them yet. That part is still a bit much for me....
"If it's your first time, it'll be very hard. You are reporting to your assigned Partner, right?"
"Ah... no. There's a reason for that."
"Your trust level with Peregrine is at rock bottom."
"We get along fine in our own way."
"That's a lie.... Ugh. W-Wait a sec...."
Lately, whenever I get tense or stressed, this keeps happening.
A throbbing feeling in my lower abdomen, like something is stuck there.
At first I thought it would just hurt for a moment and then stop. But it kept happening, so it was getting uncomfortable.
It's suffocating, too. And I get this ominous feeling.
But when I actually go to the bathroom, the sensation completely disappears....
"Wouldn't it be better for Peregrine to rest for a while?"
"That's not happening.... If that happens, this guy will slack off on his own. Last time he just showed his face for a moment and then went off to rest."
"Still, her own physical condition is more important."
"Everyone at the Association is working hard! Slacking off alone in the middle of all that...."
And besides, this guy came back without a care even though he has a record.
This guy needs to suffer. Suffer, and suffer again, and suffer as much as the sins he committed against Magical Girls.
There's no way I can accept....
Huh?
Something feels like it's about to snap.
[Thud.]
"Peregrine?!"
"Ah. Ah... hk. Hah... ah."
It surged and throbbed.
I clutched my stomach and slammed my head down onto the table.
The moment I thought about Park Won, my abdomen twinged. It hurts. Wait a second.
"Park Won."
"We'll have to change the schedule."
"I told you I'm never going to let you laze around, Partner...?!"
"I know. So I'll come along."
"What...?"
"Sorry, Ha-ram. I called you here without knowing she'd be in this state."
"Not at all. Just seeing that you're doing well is enough. Contact me anytime."
No. I can't do this. Not after going to the trouble of calling people here.
I'm being a burden.
I can't even do my job as a Magical Girl, and I'm being rude to busy people....
When you tell me it's fine and try to comfort me while I'm like this, Yun Ha-ram, I just feel even guiltier....
"I-I'm sorry. I'm sorry...."
"Hey."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry for being in pain.... Hah. Hah...."
In front of Yun Ha-ram and Albatross, who didn't know what to do, I had to apologize in a weak, pained voice.
Somehow, I felt too self-conscious to face them properly.
With my face buried in the desk, I could only move my dry lips and let out ragged breaths.