Meeting an Old Student(?)

"Junior."

"Jeong Hanbyeol."

"…?"

"My name. It's Jeong Hanbyeol. Call me Hanbyeol, please."

"…Then. Hanbyeol junior?"

"Ugh… That's not what I…! Just call me Hanbyeol casually—"

"I like this better, junior."

Wu…! Her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk. Was that her way of showing she was mad? It only made her look cuter, like an angry little chick.

I instinctively reached out and patted her head. Her hair tousled this way and that under my hand. She was still just a fledgling, after all.

"Anyway, junior. Wanna hear my story?"

"…What is it, Seol-hyun sunbae-nim."

She whipped her head away, making it painfully obvious she was sulking.

…Did she really want to be called by her name that badly? Her reaction actually made me want to call her "junior" even more.

She's acting all tsundere, but she'll probably listen anyway. Total chick vibes.

I chuckled and pressed on regardless.

"Are you ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠starting school this time, Hanbyeol junior?"

"Huh? How did you…"

"I can tell just by looking~"

"…What kind of answer is that."

"Anyway, that's not the point."

Right. The important thing now was the protagonist's growth.

By original story standards, this was just the start of Part 1. But in reality, Jeong Hanbyeol would have to face Part 2-level threats.

Considering that monster from yesterday… they're probably weaker than in the original.

Still dangerous all the same. The plot had already diverged completely from the original, and incidents could pop up at timings even I couldn't predict.

And whether a mascot-less protagonist could handle that? Doubtful.

So she needed to grow. At least enough to protect herself without getting swept up in those events.

Sure, she'd learn plenty at school, but these days, pre-learning was the norm, right?

"Have you ever gone to an academy or anything, Hanbyeol junior? Besides starting school this time."

"No. With no family or money, that's a luxury."

"…I see. So this is your first real proper training after enrolling?"

"Yes. They gave me the basics at the Association after I awakened as a kid."

These days, the system was solid, so newly awakened magical girls got foundational education. Basic mana control, simple spells, and even handling their unique magic—up to the point where they could manage their own power.

Back in my day, we got thrown straight into blood-soaked battlefields right after awakening.

We learned by throwing our bodies at it, mostly.

…Survive on luck, or die.

Even thinking about it now, it was a completely insane world.

No nostalgia there at all. The current safe, stable system was way better.

Kids these days didn't go without learning like I did—not until adulthood and enrolling in a specialized school.

Most did pre-training at academies run by senior magical girls or shadowed them in the field. At least those aiming to be magical girls.

They crammed as much experience as possible before school.

…If they had the money.

Isia was pushing support policies for this lately…

But budget shortages were delaying it.

Recalling Jeong Hanbyeol's wallet situation, I figured there were plenty of aspiring magical girls in her shoes.

…Something to think about later.

"Wanna train under me, then, junior?"

"…Pardon? Train… under you, sunbae?"

"Yeah. Feels like fate, so I wanna teach you something. As your senior."

"…"

Anyone would find the offer suspicious. But this kid? She'd probably go for it.

I kept petting her head. This was kinda addictive.

"…Why me…?"

"What's wrong ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with you? You seem overflowing with talent."

"Hard to believe, but… I don't even have a mascot yet… I just have more mana than my peers, and everything else—"

"Me neither?"

"…Huh?"

"I don't have one either. A mascot."

Jeong Hanbyeol's eyes widened like saucers. Then she yelped in shock.

"Whaaat?! S-Sunbae doesn't have a mascot either?!!"

"Nope. Don't."

"No way…"

…Was it that shocking?

All the juniors reacted the same when they found out.

Guess it's natural? Awakening as a magical girl auto-contracts you with a mascot.

I'd never seen another mascot-less magical girl besides myself.

The protagonist… didn't know it yet, but her contract was already in place. So yeah, I was probably one of a kind.

"Even a girl like me lives well as a magical girl, right? You can do it too."

"…Is it really okay? For someone like me to learn from an amazing magical girl like you, Seol-hyun sunbae…"

"Of course. And… I'm not that amazing. Not some famous one. Have you seen me online?"

"No, but… I know you're strong, Seol-hyun sunbae. Really strong."

"Perfect, then. A strong magical girl teaching you directly."

Pat pat. Tap tap. I lightly tapped Jeong Hanbyeol's head—an encouragement to build confidence.

After pondering, her eyes sharpened with resolve.

"Then… can I ask you? I really want to become a magical girl like you, Seol-hyun sunbae."

"Of course. That's the spirit. Become a magical girl who surpasses me~"

"…Yes. I'll work hard!"

I grinned and ruffled her hair roughly before pulling away.

Won't know when that'll happen, but hey.

Good things were good. Dreams should be big, right?

After finishing my visit, I strolled down the hospital corridor.

As Korea's largest magical girl hospital, the hallways were ridiculously long.

Discharge tomorrow… training starts right after.

Munching on an apple lollipop, I planned tomorrow's training. Teaching a junior after so long had me surprisingly motivated.

Thud. Thud.

"…Hm?"

At the elevator, someone by the door snapped a crisp salute at me.

Who? Iris?

Whoever it was knew me—only juniors saluted like that.

Stepping closer, I saw her face in the dim light.

…Not Iris. Short hair, even deeper purple than Shin Nari's.

Her pupils trembled as she looked at me.

"H-Hello…!"

"…Hey, hello?"

"M-Meeting you like this… it's truly an h-hon—"

…She bit her tongue. Must've been nervous.

These reactions were always awkward.

If she was waiting for me, she's probably the one who found Hanbyeol.

I'd expected the special response team. That's why I'd left it to them—plenty of juniors there knew me.

I glanced down at her name tag.

Team 3 leader… Park Ari?

First time hearing the name. Team leader meant same rank as Iris.

Purple Hound… I've heard that one.

She was still making waves recently. I didn't follow that stuff, but her name popped up in news now and then.

So this was her.

"…You been waiting here the whole time?"

"…Yes! I-I wanted to see you again…!"

"Hmm…"

Her eyes sparkled. Like she'd just met her idol in person. Sweat poured down her face.

…See me again? When did we meet?

My brain raced.

Asking point-blank who she is would be rude…

I could already picture her disappointment. Disappointing a junior? Stung my heart.

Maybe my lukewarm reaction? Purple Hound—Park Ari—timidly spoke up.

"Do you… maybe remember who I am…?"

"…"

"…Yeah, I guess. Of course. I'm just one of the countless kids you saved, Teacher…"

"N-No…"

"I-It's okay…! Sorry for acting all familiar…"

No, wait. This makes me look like ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a trash senior who can't even remember faces…!

Purple Hound… Purple Hound…

I pieced it together fast. 20-year veteran magical girl. Called me "Teacher," not senior. Knew me personally.

…When?

…Ah.

I remembered.

The last "proper magical girl" day I had. All those bright-eyed kids chattering about their futures.

One in particular swore she'd follow my path. Purple hair, too.

I dug into my pocket.

…Should be around here.

"Found it."

"…Pardon?"

I approached Park Ari and pinned a badge to her collar. A sparkling purple rose badge.

…One of the medals I'd received back then. She'd said it was cool and she wanted it.

…Was just a joke, really.

It was junk to me now anyway. Might as well give it.

"How's it look? Pretty good?"

"…This?"

"You said you wanted it back then. Promised to give it when you showed up as a magical girl."

"…! Teacher…!"

Her eyes went wide. Then, tears welling up, she threw her arms around me.

"To think you'd remember a nobody like me… Thank you so much…! Teacher Cha Seol-hyun!!"

"…Haha."

"I'll repay this favor, no matter what!!"

"It's not really a favor, is it…?"

Guilt pricked me—I hadn't recognized her at first. I patted her back as I faced my long-lost student(?).

After a moment.

…Hey, while I'm at it, maybe ask her for a favor?

I thought of my new trainee tomorrow. She could be a big help.

"Um… Park Ari junior?"

"Call me Ari like back then!"

"…R-Right, Ari. You said you'd repay the favor, yeah?"

…Touching reunion over. Train her too, and training'll go smoother, right?

I flashed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a big smile and opened my mouth.