Off to the Association with Mascots
Taking the mascots along, as always. Just like every day. A peaceful morning began. But today was going to be especially busy.
"Heading to the Association, chick?"
Early in the morning, as I got ready to head out, Juidori watched me with a strange look on his face.
Why's he reacting like that?
"You've never set foot in the Association since retiring, chick?"
"Uh... yeah, that's true. So what?"
"Isn't it because of Isia, chick? You okay meeting her?"
"Hmm... I think it'll be fine."
Isia. Chairwoman of the Korean branch of the Magical Girl Association. Founder and operator of Night of Stars, chair of the council. If you asked who the world's greatest living magical girl was, everyone would point to her without hesitation.
...And the only one besides me who's survived over a hundred years of magical girl work.
Childhood friends for a century? Something like that.
Anyway, she was probably the one who'd flipped out the most when I announced my retirement. I'd snuck away without telling her on purpose—she'd have tried to stop me for sure.
That's why I hadn't set foot near the Association for a while. She was bound to lecture me nonstop.
I figured once enough time passed, I could casually call and check in.
"She'll be fine, probably. She's always busy, and this week's Night of Stars anyway."
"I see, chick. She's still swamped, huh. ...While someone else lounges around living the good life, chick."
"...Watch that thorny tongue. I worked hard too!"
"That one's still grinding away, chick. Traitor, chick."
"......"
Lately, I'd been slacking off like a dead rat, just grinding for monthly paychecks without real work. Probably only a handful of juniors at the Association even remembered me now.
That's why it felt awkward. Might as well own up to the retirement...
Was my lame excuse written all over my face? Juidori gave me a pitiful look.
"You know it too, chick? She'd be happy just having you around, chick."
"Yeah... that's..."
"...Don't tell me you're still hung up on 'that incident,' chick?"
"......"
"You're so stubborn about the dumbest things, chick."
I ignored the question and straightened my clothes. Not that it mattered—same old hoodie.
As I finished getting ready and headed out of the room, I came up with my own answer.
"My vessel's huge, so I can hold onto stuff like that no problem."
"...Hmph. Fair enough, chick. If anything, Isia might be the one who's—"
"Hey! Why do you keep taking her side over mine? I'm your owner, you know?"
"Chit-chit~ We're not even contracted or anything, chick~"
"...Maybe I should just chuck you out."
I left the teasing rat behind and stepped into the living room. Kkamang was glued to his phone, with Nureong-i watching over his shoulder. More like spectating his game.
"Woof? If you play like that, what about your teammates, woof?"
"Shut it, nyang! You've never even played, nyang! They threw the game, nyang!!!"
"Woof..."
Nureong-i tilted his head, clearly baffled. Kkamang's play was apparently sorely lacking.
It was hilarious, so I watched them a bit longer.
"Meeeeh? You ignoring the join and pushing the tower solo, woof?"
"Argh, enough! My call's right, nyang! I'm carrying, nyang!"
"...Wasn't it KDA trash, woof?"
"Quiet! Just watch, nyang!"
Double kill~ Triple kill~ Quadra kill~!!
Cheerful sounds echoed through the living room. Had Kkamang actually pulled off the carry?
I edged closer, hopeful, and checked the result.
A red screen flashed before my eyes.
...Yeah. Sounded more like his team getting wiped.
Kkamang's lone survivor character looked pathetic.
"......"
"...That's not how you play, woof."
"Nyaaaaaaagh! Why'd we lose, nyang! What were my teammates doing, nyang!!!"
"You didn't join and just fed, woof."
"Shut your trap, nyang! Blame the team that couldn't keep up with my pace, nyang! Team diff, nyang!!!!"
Kkamang raged at his phone. Trash talk flew back and forth with his teammates. He snapped at a chat saying "eat kills and do nothing."
...Is this okay? He's a mascot, after all.
At some point, Kkamang had fully embraced internet culture. Staring at his phone all day made me worry for his future.
No way I'm buying him a computer.
I sighed deeply and called out.
"Nureong-i."
"Woof! Seol-hyun-nim! Good morning, woof!"
"Morning, Nureong-i. Sleep well?"
"Yes! The new cushion you got is so fluffy, woof!"
He wagged his tail and trotted over. I ruffled his head out of habit.
...This guy's a total dog.
"Nureong-i. Wanna head out after a long time?"
"Woof?! For real, woof?!"
"Yeah. Need your help with something. You up for it?"
"Of course, woof! Anything I can help with, I'm in, woof!!"
His tail spun like a propeller at the prospect of going outside. A sudden gust whipped through the living room.
...Not your average dog, huh.
Kkamang scowled, the wind messing with his game. But you're coming too.
"Kkamang."
"...Seol-hyun, no way I'm going, nyang."
"Confiscate your phone?"
"......"
"You'll go?"
"...You're a bad owner, nyang. Animal abuse, nyang!"
He drooped his tail pitifully, but it just made me chuckle. Gotta be the bad owner sometimes.
"You'll like it, Kkamang. Not a tough job."
"What is it, nyang?"
"Go to the cafe I told you about. If you spot any signs of trouble nearby, call me."
"...What if nothing happens, nyang?"
"Then chill there. Act like a normal cat around people, obviously."
Yesterday's incident might not be the end. I needed someone watching the cafe in my stead.
Kkamang's skills were perfect for it.
"Can I play on my phone there, nyang?"
"...Yeah. Just stay out of sight."
"...! Best owner ever, nyang! Mercy as vast as the universe, nyang!!"
Bad owner a second ago, now this. His flip-flopping was par for the course.
"Alright. Nureong-i, let's head to the Association."
"Woof! Got it, Seol-hyun-nim! Woof!"
Back to my old workplace after so long.
...Not exactly commuting, but still felt off.
The Association building towered at the heart of the city's infrastructure.
A bit far from home, but I had saved coordinates for a nearby back alley from the old days.
Five seconds from home. A quick magic leap.
My go-to commute spell.
We popped out of the alley right away. The familiar building loomed nearby.
"Woof woof...! Fresh air after so long, woof...!!"
"That exciting?"
Sniff sniff. Nureong-i, perched on my shoulder, savored the outdoors, tail twitching as he fought to contain himself.
Good boy.
I almost petted him but held back. He was invisible to anyone but me right now.
Too many eyes—waving at thin air would make me look nuts.
How's the body holding up? Feeling better?
"Woof! Much better, woof! Doesn't hurt like before, woof!"
We chatted telepathically to dodge prying eyes. High-mana technique, but it gave me a splitting headache as a side effect.
...Still too soon? Needs to heal faster.
Nureong-i had wounds. Invisible ones that could be fatal.
A curse from a broken contract with some magical girl in the past.
Should heal soon enough.
Juidori and Kkamang were fully recovered. Nureong-i was a more recent stray, so treatment was ongoing.
About... 30 years with this guy?
Still, we'd been together a while. I smiled warmly at him sniffing around.
180 degrees from when we first met.
"...? Seol-hyun-nim, something on my face, woof?"
"Nah, nothing. Let's move. You can sightsee after we're done."
"Woof! Got it, woof!"
......
Come to think of it, I'd overlooked something again.
I wasn't Association staff anymore.
"No civilian intake today—!"
"......"
"Please head back to the entrance—!"
Blocked at the desk. A magical girl strode up briskly.
...Sheesh. This ain't the army—who whipped her into this shape?
Look at that razor-sharp stance. Step closer and she'd slice you.
Guessing her boss, though...
Has to be her.
I recalled the Association girl from the cafe yesterday.
...Yeah. Made sense for that weirdo junior.
I rubbed my throbbing temple.
"...Hey, junior? I'm—"
"I'm no junior—! My only senior is Director Iris—!!"
"No, wait..."
Never seen this type back in my Association days. Newbie?
What a headache...
"Woof! So lively, love it, woof!"
...Nureong-i and his boundless cheer.
I swallowed a sigh.
Where’s our pickup? She’s taking her sweet time.
"Someone else coming, woof? ...Whoa! Massive magic power that way, woof! Super strong magical girl, woof!"
I turned. Someone approached with purposeful strides.
She spoke.
"Teresa."
"...Director Iris?!"
The girl—Teresa—snapped a salute.
The magical girl receiving it had blazing red hair and eyes that suited her perfectly. Her uniform was impeccably angular, medals dangling everywhere.
...Seeing her brought back old memories. Headache worsening.
She stopped in front of us. Our eyes met.
"...Teresa."
"You called, Director Iris?!"
"On the floor."
"...Pardon? Didn't hear—"
"FLOOR, YOU IDIOT!!"
"Eek..."
Bam!
Iris smacked Teresa's head. The poor junior face-planted. Cracks spiderwebbed the floor.
...She's not dead, right?