The Reluctant Magical Babysitter
The magical girl big sis sprawled deep into the sofa.
Clad in pink pajamas, she hugged a sofa pillow tight and stared blankly at the TV. Buried deep in the couch like this, propped against the pillow in a prone position—it was a pretty damn comfortable recovery pose.
"Mm. Peach is tasty."
Mom scooped up a piece of peach with her fork and pushed it toward my mouth. I parted my lips and gobbled it down. Chewing and swallowing indifferently, I opened my mouth.
"But Mom. No soft ones? I like the squishy kind."
"Our little pup has such picky tastes. Fridge only has the firm ones right now. Next week at the mart, I'll grab a whole box of the softies."
"Yeah. Got it."
Mom stroked my silver hair as she replied. A peaceful weekend afternoon. Sis was at work, Dad had headed out early for his senior soccer-slash-hiking club. The house was quiet.
Lounging on the sofa, I wiggled my fingers in the air. A ripple of mana pressed the remote, flipping through TV channels with flicks. Nothing good on. My gaze stopped on the news channel.
On screen, politicians and experts were red-faced, locked in a heated debate.
"Locking up criminals who abuse their awakening abilities with taxpayer money is a waste! We need to force them onto the frontlines or into gates to atone for the nation!"
A yawn slipped out. I clicked my tongue.
"Belly full, huh. Real full."
Three years ago, when the Gate Shock first hit. Fancy terms like "punitive deployment" didn't even exist. The second you got slapped with the "awakener" label—criminal or civilian—human rights went out the window. You got shoved straight into the beasts' jaws as a meat shield. An era of forced conscription, snatching two-hour catnaps amid blood-soaked defenses, plugging the lines.
Fresh noobs who hadn't lived that hell laughing at these punks who got a bit of power, ran wild without control, causing accidents. Toss 'em on the frontlines and they'd piss themselves first. I knew it was boomer mentality, but not my problem.
Then, my smartphone buzzed wildly on the table. Caller: [Park So-jin (Hongryeon Guild Leader)]. I stretched out mana to hit accept and switched to speaker.
"What, Sis? Already begging for meat?"
No, not meat. Just do me this one favor.
So-jin Sis's voice sounded utterly exhausted over the line.
"Favor? Let's hear it."
You know that old fart at your Association had me hand over all our guild secrets as an errand? Time for my payback.
"So, buy some beef, like I said."
Not meat! Come to my house and play with my little girl!
I blinked. Had to double-check my ears.
"Huh?"
Haa... She's been wailing since morning, refusing daycare. Driving me insane! Just show your face as that magical girl or whatever once, and she'll quiet down! Please! Save me!
A faint wail of tantrum tears pierced through the speaker. Exhaustion crashed over me. I pushed up from the sofa.
"Ugh. Such a pain."
I grumbled, but I couldn't just hang up cold. I owed her solid. Let out a deep sigh.
"Fine. Text the address."
Hung up. Got off the sofa.
"Mom. Heading out quick."
"Oh? Meeting someone? Eat first?"
"Might grab food out."
Changed into rough clothes, opened the balcony window. Wind rushed in. No hesitation—I hurled myself into the air.
Gangbuk's ritziest residential area, courtesy of So-jin Sis's text. I landed silently before the gate of a two-story detached house with a wide yard. Dropped the mana barrier and rang the doorbell.
Ding-dong.
Clattering chaos from inside, then short, frantic footsteps. Click. The heavy front door creaked open just a crack with grinding friction. Through the gap, two huge eyes peered out.
"Uh..."
A five-year-old girl, spitting image of So-jin Sis. Her pupils sparkled bright.
"Real magical girl!!"
The kid flung the door wide and charged. Koala'd right onto my calf.
"Hey, hey. Hold up."
Panicking to pry her off, a mid-thirties guy in an apron came dashing out. So-jin Sis's same-age hubby, the househusband.
"Aigoo! Hayoon, that's rude to the guest! Get off!"
He bowed to me, flustered.
"Ahaha... Hunter Kang Tae-ho. Long time no see. Just got the urgent call from the wife. Sorry for the humble place..."
"It's fine."
Bro grunted trying to detach Hayoon, but she clung to my leg like glue. Surprisingly strong grip. Sighing, I bent down. Slid hands under her waist and knees. Hoisted her up easy. Princess carry.
"Kyaa!"
Hayoon squealed in delight, grabbing fistfuls of my silver hair. Scalp stung, but I endured.
"When's Sis coming?"
Carrying Hayoon, I stepped inside. Bro wiped cold sweat, following.
"Well... Guild emergency approval popped up, so she's rushing back as fast as she can, but who knows when..."
Great. Solo childcare jackpot.
Spacious living room. Floor a bomb site of colorful plastic blocks and dolls. Set Hayoon on the carpet. She bolted back with a toy first-aid kit.
"Magical girl sis! Let's play hospital! You're the patient!"
Sis, from a thirty-two-year-old dude. Too lazy to correct. Flopped spread-eagle on the carpet.
"Fine. Do what you want. I'm critically ill right now, can't move—so don't touch."
"No way! Gotta get a shot to get better!"
Hayoon jabbed a blunt plastic syringe into my arm. Stethoscope to my chest, serious face.
"Hm. Heart's not beating! Quick, surgery!"
"I'm alive. Breathing, see."
"Nope! You're dead!"
Her nonsense pierced the skies. Plastic scalpel scraped my forehead wild. Hospital play didn't end there.
"Now fly! Like on the news, boom! Flying at monsters!"
"Haa."
Prone on the floor, I laid a faint mana field under my back. Body lifted slowly. Hovered a meter off the living room floor, drifting lazy like a floating rug.
"Whoaaa! Flying! Magical girl sis is the best!"
Hayoon cheered from my back, arms up in victory. Bro paced the kitchen, fidgety.
"Um... Sorry, really. I can take over."
"Nah. Bro, just prep dinner."
Floated slow laps around the living room. Then house play, block stacking, mana-floating clay blobs. The five-year-old's endless stamina was creepy. Slaughtered monster waves by the tens of thousands without this much mental drain.
How much time passed?
Beep-boop. Front door lock clicked open.
"I'm home!"
Park So-jin Sis swept in, red coat flapping. Spotted me sprawled soul-dead on the carpet under the sofa.
"Whoa... You look wrecked."
Silver hair a mess, baggy outerwear plastered with Pororo stickers. Lying there, I just turned my head to glare at So-jin.
"Sis... Mad respect, for real. How do you survive this daily?"
A groan escaped. So-jin chuckled, peeling stickers off my hair.
"Whew, sorry, sorry. You gave me a breather. Dinner before you go?"
"Yeah... Gotta collect my wages for the grind."
Pushed up. No physical damage, but my spirit felt joint-sore.
Moments later, So-jin in comfy loungewear and Hayoon sat at the table. Bro brought steaming mille-feuille hotpot and fancy side dishes.
"Sis! Sis, sit here!"
Hayoon patted the seat beside her, giggling. Half-day roll secured total bestie status. Hopped onto the chair. Toes dangled off the floor. Glanced over—Hayoon's short legs swung too. Weird solidarity. Deep reality hit.
Fished meat, dipped in sauce, ate. Warm broth restored my shaved lifespan.
"So. Guild stuff any better?"
Chewing meat, asked casually.
"Haa. Don't ask."
So-jin cracked a canned beer, chugged.
"Imports stabilized, now Yeouido's pushing guild control bills, summoning me daily. Busy monster-hunting, plus catering to tie-wearing old farts' political games—dying here."
"I got special law passed: no approach within 1km."
Dry brag. So-jin tapped the table with chopsticks, rolling eyes.
"Yeah. Hate you so much. Maybe strike and emigrate to China or South America. Hubby, pack the bags."
Bro laughed, refilled her glass.
"You're working too hard. Hunter Tae-ho, eat up. Thanks for playing with Hayoon."
Lively, heartwarming dinner. Family shape differed, but cozy daily vibe matched our penthouse.
Finished eating, headed to the entrance. Stepped into the yard—night air chilled crisp.
"Sis... going...?"
Hayoon clutched my hem, eyes welling. Primed to wail. Flustered So-jin and Bro tried intervening, but I quietly squatted. Eye level with her.
"Yeah. Gotta go home and sleep."
"Don't gooo..."
Ugh. Annoying critter. But couldn't shake off that small, chubby hand clinging blindly. Finally, offered my pinky.
"I'll come play again. Promise."
Hayoon's eyes widened. She sniffled, hooked her tiny pinky on mine.
"For real? You gotta come back!"
"Yeah. Stop crying now."
Waved roughly, threw up a mana field mid-yard. Stepped on air, shot into the sky.
"Whoaaa! Magical girl best!"
Hayoon's cheers echoed below as she jumped. Pulled up mana, streaked across the night sky. Toward the penthouse.
A brutally tiring, energy-sucked day. But weirdly, no sticky regret or irritation. A faint smile tugged my lips.