Transformation or Death

A Little Money and A Place To Live Tomorrow Is Enough (6)

“Huh, what?!”

Though she asked loudly, only emptiness returned. Baek Ah-hee was bewildered by the abruptly ended conversation.

Yoon Seol-hwa’s last words also contributed to that bewilderment.

Adaptation? To what?

Not because of pain or fatigue, but adaptation. It was an uncomfortably jarring word choice to be a reason for not meeting.

Weren’t we clearly talking about Han Jae-jung? But suddenly adaptation? Who’s adapting to what?

It didn’t make sense.

Just hearing the words, it sounded like managing a newborn or an adopted animal.

Joo Ah-yoon muttered. As always, it was a rough use of language, but this time it was enough to gain everyone’s sympathy without causing discomfort.

Everyone fell silent, seemingly lost in thought. They must be interpreting Yoon Seol-hwa’s words in their own way. A chilly silence like early spring cold snaps circled the store.

“Um… Should we be relieved for now?”

Ara was the one who broke the silence. Joo Ah-yoon immediately objected to her words.

“Does this make you feel relieved?”

“Ah, well at least it means he’s safe from the villains. And it’s not like he’s with a stranger – being with Sirius should be fine… Right?”

“Huh… Is that… So?”

Thinking about it, that was true. Blue Sirius was one of the rare magical girls who could fight an S-class villain alone. She also had an outstanding friendship with Han Jae-jung. There wasn’t anyone better to be with after discharge.

“No, but there are still weird points.”

Still, there were many strange aspects. Joo Ah-yoon wasn’t convinced.

“Why isn’t he answering calls? Why is he suddenly with Senior Seol-hwa, and okay, maybe these two things could make sense. He usually doesn’t contact much and they’re close enough that it’s not weird to suddenly be together. But anyone can see their attitude is strange. Not saying where they are, saying we can’t meet. Oddly cautious.”

Right. Caution. Joo Ah-yoon finally realized the identity of the discomfort in Yoon Seol-hwa’s voice. The voice was soft and gentle as usual. But inside it contained a stinging caution like static electricity from putting on a sweater.

“Something’s weird….”

Originally, Han Jae-jung was supposed to come to Cafe Baekho right after discharge. Even though he was usually sparse with contact, he would have given advance notice if plans suddenly changed.

Although she had developed a victim mentality due to not receiving contact during the bombing….

After regaining composure, Joo Ah-yoon could immediately make the correct judgment. Considering Han Jae-jung’s personality, the current situation was very strange. �

She recalled Yoon Seol-hwa’s appearance at the hospital. She was particularly strange on the day Han Jae-jung regained consciousness.

When she saw Joo Ah-yoon crying uncontrollably, Yoon Seol-hwa would usually be the first to run over and comfort her. She was more likely to scold Han Jae-jung.

But that day was different. She didn’t look after Joo Ah-yoon at all and only stared at Han Jae-jung who was comforting her.

“Brother and Senior Seol-hwa excluding just me…? That can’t be.”

“No… It could be….”

Afterwards, she returned to normal as if that day’s behavior was a lie, but Joo Ah-yoon couldn’t forget the look in Yoon Seol-hwa’s eyes that day. In those eyes, cold as her magic, there was even a hint of madness.

“Right! Nothing is strange!”

Haru shouted loudly. Joo Ah-yoon looked at her with half-opened eyes.

“Well, with senior Blue together, shoganai na (can’t be helped)! Yare yare (my my).”

“What.”

Haru kept nodding, agreeing with her own words.

“Think about it!”

“Yeah.”

“Aniki and senior were former lovers, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Former lovers are still former lovers who had to break up unwillingly, right?”

“Right.”

“Then it wouldn’t be strange if they got back together, right?”

“…R…

She hesitated before affirming only that question.

“Two people in a lovey-dovey relationship in one place? What do you think they’re doing!”

Snap. She proudly held up her finger while presenting her opinion. Silence circled the cafe again. As they quietly followed her speculation, when they realized what she was trying to say, those who caught on turned red.

“Ah, no, hey! At this time….”

“That’s exactly why at this time! Two people who couldn’t hold back any longer… Celebrating discharge with a healthy body enjoying pleasant time…!”

“Waaah!!! Ahhh!!!”

Ara screamed back and forth, seemingly uncomfortable with this topic.

“…! Then the reason for avoiding phone calls too….”

Baek Ah-hee’s eyes sharpened as she added to that speculation.

“Ah soda (that’s right)… In the middle of doing it….”

“Kyaa! Aaaaah!!! I can’t hear! I can’t hear!”

“S-stop it, you guys!”

Joo Ah-yoon’s face turned bright red like Ara’s as she screamed.

“The talk of adaptation must mean this too… Ah, with this Q.E.D (proof completed). We have our answer. Yare yare. Everyone worrying so much over such an easy problem.”

“Why are you treating this as solved!”

“Isn’t this the most rational conclusion? Why is everyone acting like this, are you embarrassed? We’re not middle school girls.”

Hmph. Haru sneered dismissively. Perhaps it was because Haru, the youngest here, was saying such things. The two’s faces turned red from heat for a different reason.

But they couldn’t argue against it. As Haru said, this was currently the most certain conclusion.

Yoon Seol-hwa and Han Jae-jung had reconciled (ambiguous) without others knowing. With the current clues, it was flawless reasoning……

“While that’s certainly a plausible theory… Th-that can’t be!”

“Naze (why)? There can’t be a more certain conclusion than this.”

Baek Ah-hee objected again. Haru asked her while maintaining that characteristically annoying smile of superiority. Say whatever you want. Though not spoken, that confidence was palpable.

There was strong conviction that their opinion would remain flawless.

“They say heroes reveal their colors… But I think the opposite! A perfect hero must be pure! They must be able to resist temptation of the opposite sex and carry out their will! At least before achieving their goal, they shouldn’t fall into such things…!”

“Suddenly hero theory? What are you saying….”

Ah! Haru let out a small exclamation, seemingly realizing what Baek Ah-hee was trying to say.

“They must be pure! Reconciliation (ambiguous) between them…! It doesn’t match my interpretation!”

“…!”

Haru couldn’t close their mouth from shock. They wondered what kind of objection it would be, but that wasn’t even an objection.

“Weaver Girl… Are you a virgin otaku?!”

“That’s not it! Gender doesn’t matter! Don’t you know how important this element is? Having sexual desire but being able to overcome that desire. Why don’t you understand how cool this ascetic appearance is….”

“Is that an objection, you crazy otaku! That’s just being stubborn!”

“A-anyway, they’re pure!”

Baek Ah-hee’s stubbornness was firm. Haru shook their head like a doctor looking at a terminal patient in denial. There was no answer.

As if she couldn’t hear their fight, Joo Ah-yoon lowered her head and let out a deep sigh.

“…Ah, aah… Aaaah…..”

It was painful. Like a tide filling a cool head, Haru’s speculation filled her mind. It sinks the body cold and heavy. Her head hurt like it would burst. She imagined what the two might look like right now.

“Kuhek… Uurgh…!”

“Oh no, Ah-yoon’s internal injuries are severe!”

“Reality is cruel… Accept it.”

“Y-you… Devil!”

“Hope is a malignant disease.”

“That thing…. Is a magical girl?”

Ara looked at Haru in dismay.

“…I want to close the cafe today. I don’t want to do anything.”

“Han Jae-jung and sister Seol-hwa aren’t that kind of people… They’re pure… I tell you they’re pure….”

The two with particularly severe internal injuries still hadn’t recovered from the shock. Haru looked at them fondly, wiped their nose, and smiled.

“Let’s wait just one day… For their happy time.”

But even after 24 hours, Han Jae-jung and Yoon Seol-hwa didn’t show even the tip of their nose. Blue Sirius didn’t come even with magical girl deployment orders.

Joo Ah-yoon swallowed her pride and raided Yoon Seol-hwa’s house, but there was nothing there.

Haru, whose speculation turned out to be completely wrong, claimed ‘They must be doing it day and night for three days straight!’ but was not accepted and got hit by Joo Ah-yoon.

“Aeeeeeng! They definitely did it…!”

“Shut up.”

This is no longer a joke. Yoon Seol-hwa and Han Jae-jung had disappeared. Whether it was escape or an attack, whatever it was.

Those two were hiding.

***

Ippotranslation 

***

When the sunlight tickled his eyelids, his eyes naturally opened. His body wasn’t sore and his head didn’t hurt from a hard bed or floor. He couldn’t remember the last time he had such a refreshing wake-up. Han Jae-jung let out a small laugh.

As he was scratching his head after getting up from the sofa he’d been sleeping on, footsteps could be heard.

“Did you sleep well, Jae-jung?”

“Yeah, really well.”

“That’s good.”

Yoon Seol-hwa chuckled and held out a bottle of water in front of him. Han Jae-jung took the bottle without any suspicion and gulped down the water. He emptied the bottle in an instant and removed it from his lips.

With a refreshed smile, Han Jae-jung mumbled.

“This is luxury at its finest.”

The sofa he slept on was larger than most beds and of such good quality that sleeping on it wasn’t a problem. Even this water bottle seemed premium, from its design to material quality. While he wasn’t great at distinguishing water taste, maybe because he just woke up or because he felt like he was drinking something expensive, it tasted particularly good.

“This is what you always deserved.”

Yoon Seol-hwa giggled as she sat beside him.

“All the money I earned was practically yours anyway.”

“That’s burdensome.”

“But it’s true.”

“Hah….”

Her body temperature leaning against his shoulder was warmer than yesterday. Since she hadn’t gone outside, her skin hadn’t gotten cold.

“Are you okay not going out yesterday?”

“Hmm… Can’t we stay like this for a few more days?”

“We can’t.”

“What if you escape while I’m gone?”

“Then I’ll just get caught again.”

Han Jae-jung knows. Even if he escapes from here right now, the same thing will just repeat later. Yoon Seol-hwa would make sure of it. If her actions were to become known outside, she would become a criminal.

That must never happen.

Staying here now is entirely Han Jae-jung’s will. It’s happening under mutual agreement, and Yoon Seol-hwa hasn’t caused any harm to Han Jae-jung.

Therefore, Han Jae-jung had no thoughts of escaping from here, nor of inviting anyone. He didn’t want to be saved. The very word ‘save’ was wrong from the start. Where is the need for ‘saving’ when he’s satisfied?

“I won’t leave here until you’re satisfied.”

It was the truth. Han Jae-jung had no intention of leaving until Yoon Seol-hwa was satisfied. Rather than escaping and having everything repeat later, it was better to end things here and now.

He would ease her anxiety about him here. That resolution filled his heart.

“I’m relieved….”

He gently stroked her hair as she smiled with relief.

‘The question is how to do that….’

As Yoon Seol-hwa said, it was obvious that the villains would keep targeting him. To fundamentally solve that, he would need to kill the villains, but to kill them, he would need to leave here. It was contradictory.

[…System reactivating.]

“…?”

A voice he hadn’t heard in who knows how long came from the metal ball that had been quietly floating around.

[Deactivating sleep mode.]

Belt had awakened.

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