Homecoming
The lab hummed with activity even in the dead of night. A high-pitched whine filled the air, followed by the steady whir of fans and the rhythmic clatter of switches and levers being flipped. Though it was well past midnight, the Magical Girl Research Lab operated as brightly as if it were midday. Everything inside was stark white. The massive cubic chamber had six flawless white surfaces—walls, floor, and a ceiling that glowed with light. In the center of the square floor stood a large glass tube, spacious enough for someone to stretch out their limbs comfortably. It was surrounded by consoles and panels, each station occupied by a researcher. Despite the cold, sterile whiteness of the room, the air felt warm from the researchers' enthusiasm.
Floating inside the tube was a single magical girl. Whether suspended by some unknown force, lifted by an invisible power from below, or simply unaffected by gravity, she hovered weightlessly. Clad only in a plain, thin white dress, she drifted like seaweed in water, arms limp at her sides. Her posture—limbs outstretched—evoked the image of a sinner or a saint upon a cross. With her eyes gently closed as if unconscious, the girl looked exactly like Spica. Anyone who knew Spica would have no choice but to mistake her for the real thing.
[Is it not finished yet?]
"Ah, Miss Spica. Please don't speak during the examination~ We're almost done~"
[........]
It was only natural that she resembled Spica. Because she was Spica.
A few hours earlier, while drinking tea at Sihyun's family home, Spica had experienced a sudden realization. It had been so intense that her entire body glowed with light—not metaphorically, but literally. She had tried to act as though nothing was wrong and continue the meal, but Sihyun had practically pushed her out the door and ordered her to get checked. No matter how much Spica insisted she was fine, Sihyun's will had been unyielding. She had wanted to fly here as she had when bringing Sihyun to his family home, but he had forbidden her from using magic, worried something might happen. Left with no choice, Spica had taken the car provided by the Association.
The destination was not a hospital, as Sihyun had assumed. It was the Magical Girl Research Lab.
"How are the results?"
"Ah, Director. Compared to the most recent measurements, maximum output, average output, and endurance have all shown a slight but definite increase."
A middle-aged woman appeared behind the young researcher who was diligently monitoring the screens. Though she wore glasses, her figure was slender yet healthy, suggesting she took good care of herself. Her expression was gentle, but her eyes held an unmistakable sharpness. The startled researcher quickly composed himself and continued his report.
"Is that so? This is compared to the data after her special awakening, correct?"
"Yes, of course. Notably, her control ability shows a significantly higher rate of improvement than the other metrics. Both spell control and output control have increased in both quantity and speed."
"Oh. That's quite remarkable."
"We still need to compile the full data, but it appears her stability has improved as well."
"Good. It doesn't seem like there's any physical risk."
"No. I agree."
"Then let's wrap this up quickly. It's getting late."
"""""Yes!"""""
"Miss Spica, you may come out now!"
[Yes~]
Spica slowly descended from the air and touched down on the floor.
The Director was preparing to leave for the day. She hadn't had anything special to pack. Until the sudden call about Spica's arrival, she had already been ready to head home. Being the Director didn't come with any particularly prestigious status. This was merely one of many Magical Girl Research Labs scattered across the country. An old incident of hers had resolved favorably, landing her this position, but at heart she was just another office worker. She wanted to go home.
— Knock knock.
[May I come in?]
"Yes~ Come in~"
Without that knock, she might have already left. The Director sighed inwardly. Managing people was part of being a superior, after all. More pay meant more work. But the person who entered was not a subordinate.
"......Miss Spica."
"It's been a long time, Team Leader. Or is it Director now?"
"It has been a while. Have you been well?"
"Yes. I've been fine."
It was Spica. The Director had assumed she would head straight home after the examination, yet here she was, visiting the office. Once a daily sight, now it felt like ages since they'd last met.
".....Mother."
"Spica!"
The Director panicked at being called "Mother." She had shouted without thinking, then immediately worried the sound might carry outside. Fortunately, the office remained quiet—everyone else had already gone home. When she looked up again, Spica wore a slightly hurt, bitter expression.
"I-I'm sorry, Spica. You startled me, calling out so suddenly."
"No. It's all right."
"But what if someone overhears you saying that?"
"As expected... I can't say it in front of others, can I...."
"Of course not! What if someone misunderstands...."
"Misunderstand... I see...."
Spica murmured to herself. The sight of the beautiful magical girl speaking so sorrowfully was like a painting in itself.
"Am I... not allowed to call you Mother?"
"That's only natural!"
The Director firmly rejected the title. She denied it so vehemently that it almost seemed as though there truly was no blood relation between them.
"I'm not your mother!"
"Mama..."
"I told you, people will misunderstand if they hear that!"
Because there truly was no blood relation. Director and Spica shared no actual family ties!
"Mather! Madre! Haha! Moochin! Ummun!"
"Foreign words won't work either, you know?"
"I can't even call my own mother 'Mother'..."
"Are you Hong Gil-dong?!"
"Sob... You said I could call you Mom..."
"I never said that?"
"You did."
"I didn't."
"You did! I remember it clearly!"
".....Did I?"
"Yes!"
Spica spoke with such conviction that the Director found herself gradually being persuaded. She tried to recall their past. The days they had eaten together every day. Studying, watching movies, drawing pictures. Sharing so many stories with each other.
"No. On second thought, I don't think that ever happened."
"Tch."
"Ah! You just clicked your tongue! So it really never happened, right?!"
"You were supposed to become my Mama."
"I told you, that never happened! What if it ruins your chances of marriage?!"
At the Director's desperate protest, Spica looked puzzled.
"Were you planning to get married?"
"Of course! I want to marry and build a happy family!"
"....At this point?"
The Director felt more wounded than at any other moment in her life. A middle-aged woman. Never once had a boyfriend!
"Didn't you dedicate your life to research?"
"My life was merely mortgaged to research!"
"Then weren't your standards too high?"
"What standards?! My standards aren't high at all!"
Despite her words, Spica regarded her with skeptical eyes.
"As long as they're kind and we can talk well together, that's enough..."
"....."
Were those really ordinary conditions? Yet Spica's doubtful gaze did not waver.
"Do you even talk to other people regularly?"
"Of course! Do you think I have a communication disorder?"
"Not just about work?"
"Of course!...."
The Director paused to think. Lately, she only went home and slept after work. She barely spoke to the housekeeper beyond greetings and thanks.
"You said you wanted someone easy to talk to. What would you even discuss if you met?"
"The weather..."
"Pardon?"
"No, no. Hobbies! Hobbies!"
"Oh... What hobbies do you have?"
The Director had enough conscience not to say "reading papers." She had subscribed to an OTT service thinking she might watch something, but after two weeks she had stopped using it, leaving only the subscription fee draining away each month. She was exactly the kind of consumer OTT companies loved.
"I-It's fine. Someday you'll have a fateful encounter!"
"If it hasn't happened by now, maybe it's better to just give up?"
"Kuh.... That hurts...."
The Director was nearly staggered by the continuous barrage of facts. Spica seized the opening.
"Come now. Don't worry. Marriage isn't the only way to make a family."
"Is that so?"
"Yes!"
"Then what else is there?"
"Adoption. Mama! Hug me!"
"So that's what you were after all along!"
The Director's firm refusal prevented Spica from getting her wish. Spica decided to bide her time for another opportunity.
"Have you eaten? If not, would you like to have dinner together?"
"I'd love to catch up with you after so long. But are you sure you don't need to go see your partner?"
"Family time is important too, once in a while."
"Hmm. That's true."
Chatting amicably, the two made their way toward the city center.