Chick Observation
'Already this time...'
After the entrance exam ended, I caught up with Shin Nari on all the stories we'd missed, chatting enjoyably. Finally, I handed over the sponsorship money and parted ways cleanly.
'Hmm, 4 PM.'
I checked the time on my phone. Even at 4, it felt a bit early to head home. The sun would set quickly this time of year, but since it was a rare outing, I wanted to walk a little more.
'...Ah. Should I check out that place?'
The early part of the original story. Right after the prologue where Jeong Hanbyeol finishes the entrance exam—the first location described in the manhwa.
I recalled a certain cafe. The protagonist worked there part-time before enrolling. She must've been tight on living expenses.
Episode 1 covered the immediate aftermath of the entrance exam. And the manhwa, infused with the author's malice, makes the protagonist suffer from the very start.
Probably a week from now. A rift would likely open at her workplace.
In the original, that episode results in the cafe's customers being massacred indiscriminately. The protagonist desperately tries to save people, but it's not enough.
'...Not some tragedy porn. Even thinking back, that author was a real bastard.'
Crunch. Cruuunch. I chewed my candy aggressively while muttering the same curses I'd hurled at the original author thousands of times in my life. Before I knew it, I'd arrived near the cafe.
It was a popular spot right in the city center, so it was easy to find.
'As expected, packed with customers.'
Peering through the window, the interior was teeming with people. The cafe was a two-story building, making it quite spacious.
'...And in this building, everyone dies like in the manhwa.'
Crunch! I ground up the last piece of candy in my mouth. The sweetness eased the stress of that sticky future a bit.
'Where's the protagonist?' I rolled my eyes beyond the glass, scanning around. With so many people and constant movement, it was hard to spot her.
Then, I caught sight of a familiar figure coming down from the second floor, carrying cleaning tools. Petite build, white bobbed hair. The protagonist, Jeong Hanbyeol, stood out with her pretty, magical girl-like features.
Height around 150 cm, maybe? She gripped a mop nearly as big as herself, scurrying around busily. Her cat-like sharp face gave a prickly vibe due to her personality, but otherwise, she just looked cute.
A fresh sprout of a junior magical girl. To me, she especially evoked the image of a total fledgling chick.
'...Guess I'll head in.'
I pulled up my hood. Magical girl looks tended to draw eyes, so to avoid attention, I needed to cover my face and move quietly.
—Ding!
"...Welcome."
'Whoa.'
The greeting came right as the door opened. It was the protagonist, picking up trash near the entrance.
...More cynical voice than expected. Hearing her voice for the first time, I stared at her intently for a moment.
She peered back at my face and froze briefly.
After that odd staring contest—
—Whoosh.
We both looked away. Drawing other people's attention would just be a hassle.
'More empty seats on the first floor than I thought.'
Lots of office workers nearby, maybe? Plenty were grabbing takeout and leaving. I headed straight to the counter.
Another part-timer kindly helped with my order. Her eyes widening upon seeing my face was a bonus.
I ordered food and a drink to replace dinner, then sat at an empty spot I'd eyed earlier.
'Prime spot~'
Customers coming and going at the entrance. Busy part-timers, lively atmosphere. The whole scene satisfied me.
'This is peaceful everyday life.'
As I smiled contentedly, my order arrived right on time.
"...Enjoy your meal."
The server was, of course, the protagonist. I glanced carefully at her face.
—Zing.
Sensing my gaze, she squinted, searching for its source.
I quickly turned back to my food.
'She's sensitive.'
Well, after all she'd been through. I recalled her entrance exam scene, where she'd somehow taken down a golem barehanded. She must be exhausted.
Her slumped shoulders as she walked away after serving looked pitiful. Like a wilted chick.
'...Time to eat.'
I quietly picked up my sandwich. The meal was quite satisfying.
......
Time flew by to 10:30 PM. Closing time approached, and I'd stayed in the cafe the whole time.
...Honestly, I felt a bit awkward. Not wanting to seem like a loiterer after hours in one seat, I'd ordered more food several times.
The protagonist and the other part-timer gave me odd looks, but luckily said nothing. Good thing there were plenty of empty seats.
'The vibe was so comfy, time slipped away...' I bid farewell to my deeply imprinted seat and headed to the counter to pay.
"—won, sir."
"Here."
"Thank you~"
As I finished paying, I glanced around. On the now-quiet first floor, the protagonist was wiping tables.
'...Hmm.'
Should I try getting friendly? It was a recurring dilemma.
'No real issue with getting close, but...'
What was it? Hard to approach casually? Since possessing this body, I hadn't initiated many friendships myself.
Most bonds formed naturally through magical girl work. Saving them here and there, they'd follow me calling "senpai, senpai."
With total strangers like this, it felt awkward.
'Born loner, huh.'
Felt a bit embarrassing, like I'd wasted my years. My friends up there would probably laugh if they saw.
Still, I should make an effort, right?
"...Excuse me."
"Yes, sir?"
I pulled two small vials from my pocket. Fatigue relievers from a pretty famous brand.
"Could you pass these to the part-timer wiping tables? They're fatigue relievers."
"...Pardon? These are..."
"She looks really tired. ...Ah, two of them, so share with her."
"...Aren't these super expensive? I couldn't possibly—"
She seemed reluctant, but her eyes were the brightest I'd seen on her all day. She must be worn out too.
"I'm fine, so please take them without refusing."
"...Ah, okay. Then, thank you—we'll enjoy them."
I greeted her and naturally left the cafe.
Did the protagonist overhear my chat with the part-timer? Probably. Superhuman bodies sharpen hearing too.
'Hope it builds a little goodwill.'
Makes me feel the importance of gender again. If I were a guy, would that part-timer or protagonist have accepted drinks? Definitely not.
'Even in the few hours today, she got tons of attention.'
In the confined cafe space—and that was just a slice—she faced constant approaches. How much more daily?
The other part-timers were stunning too. They must deal with such customers a lot at work.
Feeling wary was natural.
'...I could never work at a cafe.'
With that thought, I slowly headed home.
......
The next week. It's close by, so I'll drop in evenings for dinner and show my face.
Today was truly exhausting. It was the long-awaited entrance exam day, after all.
I gave it my all, but the results weren't satisfying.
'...If only not for the mock battle.'
"Haa..."
I sighed and trudged down the stairs. The bustling first floor greeted me on arrival.
...Along with the stares aimed at me.
'Annoying.'
Mostly from male customers. My unique magic lets me peer into others' emotions.
Sleazy feelings mixed in their gazes flowed in.
'...Gross.'
Women weren't exceptions either. Hidden inferiority and jealousy beneath feigned indifference.
I swallowed another sigh amid the scene. Sick of it, but I needed the money.
As usual, I roamed the first floor, tidying trash.
—Ding!
Then, a hooded customer entered. I greeted reflexively.
"...Welcome."
"......"
Sensing the gaze, I swallowed yet another sigh and turned away, maintaining my habitual cold smile.
'...Huh?'
It was a woman. Over 170 cm, I'd assumed man. But seeing her face under the hood dispelled that.
'She's stunning...'
I'd heard "pretty" endlessly myself. But her? She had this pull on the eyes.
Decadent beauty, maybe? I forgot myself, staring blankly.
She stared right back.
'...Stop looking.'
I whipped my head away.
Back to the tedious cleaning—
"...?"
Something felt off. Even for a beauty, was it normal for me to suddenly zone out like this?
Having mingled with aspiring magical girls and seen all sorts, I was certain: no.
So why was I drawn to her? I pondered.
The answer was simple.
'...Couldn't read her emotions.'
My unique magic is always-on. Whether I want or not, I read anyone's feelings.
Even other magical girls—varying by skill, but no exceptions so far.
...Never like this before.
I unconsciously glanced back. She was at the counter, ordering normally.
'Who the hell is she?'
A puzzling person had appeared.