Transformation or Death

Chapter 69

Severed Traces (2)

The camera shutter clicks incessantly. Waving her hands around with a dazed expression, but the awkwardness didn’t seem to be going away.

“Sister Deneb… uh-uh-uh…” 

“I never thought it would end like this… I thought we could… play together… more fun… Senior! Where did that promise go that we made to wipe out the villains together back then!!!? (We didn’t) Don’t gooo…!!!”

“You should be quiet…” 

Red Vega and White Davi weep louder than the retiree herself. Golden Aldebaran soothes them. Blue Sirius stands a little distance away, her eyes glistening with tears. Orange Altair frowns with a displeased expression. In addition, several other magical girls have gathered for Pink Deneb’s farewell.

There were those she knew and didn’t know. A gathering of magical girls so large it was hard to take in all at once. The busy ones were rumored to have come together in threes and fives, shedding tears. Jo Ah-yoon was dumbfounded.

‘Was I really that popular? …Probably not.’

At Han Jae-jung’s suggestion, she searched for her past self as Pink Deneb, whom she didn’t know. 

A scene of yelling at people running away.

-Hey you punk, aren’t you running fast enough? You want to die?!

-Hey auntie over there, picking up your bag?!! Stop messing around and run fast!!

-That guy over there who’s fitter than the adults is just looking for an easy way out… Get out of here! Run on your own two legs! I’ll help if it really looks like you’re falling behind!

Scenes of spewing all sorts of curses at the villains.

-Those bug-faced bastards!

-Oh damn they’re being so fucking annoying! Hey you bastards, aren’t you coming over here fast?! Come get your necks wrung by me, damn it! Oh where are my kills going!!!

-Ow damn it hurts like fuck!

‘Aaahhhh don’t think about it, don’t think about it. That’s not me! Not me aaaahhh! This is so fucking embarrassing!’

She couldn’t have imagined swearing like that even though she didn’t claim to have a particularly good personality originally. 

Wasn’t a magical girl still a public figure? Was it okay to swear like that?

Of course not. Even without those memories, she could tell from common sense and experience.

‘The swear comments were no joke…’

She closed it because reading further made her feel too bad. To maintain such an unruly attitude despite being under that much public pressure, she realized very well why she didn’t want to be a magical girl.

She maintained a stiff smile, her unfocused eyes wandering around. The reporters operating cameras with intrigued expressions, some spectators.  

It was so strange.

Usually disliking her for being unruly, but now that she’s disappearing, they’re being sad and showing interest. 

Even in the comment sections of the videos she had looked at earlier, recent comments said things like ‘I miss her’, ‘Now that I look back, she did say some sensible things’, ‘Seeing it now, she really did work hard to evacuate people… How rushed it must have been.’

‘Are they really sad or just going along with the sad atmosphere? Or do they want to feel a sense of moral superiority by criticizing those who insulted her, insisting they didn’t insult her themselves?’

Without her memories, Jo Ah-yoon could view things related to herself with an objective eye. It was just a sort of national event.

Expressing gratitude for the magical girls’ efforts and briefly mourning their sacrifice. 

A kind of event.

‘It’s not really positive attention for me though.’

Jo Ah-yoon found this attention burdensome. Uncomfortable. Whether insulting or mourning, these one-sided emotions were just a nuisance.

The camera flashes made her head spin, and the gazes directed at her made her nauseous. She never liked stages from the beginning. That’s why she gave up her dream of being a singer at a young age.

‘There must have been a reason for all the swearing.’  

If she had been constantly exposed to this kind of environment, it’s understandable that her nerves would become frayed. She had remarkably endured this far.

‘It’s not like I had some grand sense of duty or dream.’

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I don’t have a dream. I just want to play. Having always lived as an ordinary citizen with that in her heart, what on earth made her become this magical girl thing?

‘While constantly swearing.’

In fact, she feels like swearing even now.

But since it’s the last time, she should try to show a slightly better side of herself.

Looking around at the various gazes surrounding her, Jo Ah-yoon opened her mouth.

“As of today.”

Speaking the widely known news, she stated it politely.

“I will be retiring as a magical girl.”  

Since she wants to live quietly from now on, she will act quietly at least for today.

That was her resolution.

***

Ippotranslation

***

“Aaaargh!! Dammit!!!”

“Whoa, calm down. Stay still. You’re shaking the couch.” 

Han Jae-jung tapped Joo Ah-yoon’s head as she thrashed her arms and legs on the couch, telling her to stay calm. Even so, Joo Ah-yoon’s anti-authoritarian performance art showed no signs of stopping.

“I, I… Uh, that is… Um… Hic! Sorry! I’ll, I’ll say it again!”

“Turn that off already!”  

“Why?”

Han Jae-jung was watching TV, enduring some kind of trauma. The person on the screen was Joo Ah-yun lying on this very couch. She had just returned from a press conference.

-That is… Um… Future plans… Uh, they’re… Ugh, don’t want to say it…

She was so tense that she was consumed by the tension itself. If tension could be personified, it might look like her. She tripped over her words and eventually burst into tears, filling the screen.

“Don’t, don’t look I said!”

Beep.

Finally succeeding in snatching the remote from Han Jae-jung’s hands, she turned off the TV.

“Ah damn… That’s too bad.”

“What’s too bad?!”

“It was just cute, why’d you turn it off?”

“Cu, cute…? How is that cute? You have a sadistic hobby, bro? You like seeing girls cry? Sa, sadism? Is that it? Or why do you like stuff like that?!”

“Whoa, where’d you learn to talk like that? I don’t have any weird fetishes, I’m a healthy normal person.”

Taken aback by the unexpected accusation, Han Jae-jung frowned. Joo Ah-yoon stared at him for a moment, then blew a raspberry.

“Cut the crap. Like I didn’t catch you with that search history before…”

“Anyway Ah-yoon, why don’t we start planning for the future now?”

“Changing the subject, I see…”

Joo Ah-yoon, who had been lying on the couch, sat up straight. Han Jae-jung got off the couch and sat on the floor, opening a notebook on the desk. He didn’t really plan to take notes, but it made him look more serious this way. As he leaned back against the couch, Jooo Ah-yoon gently played with his hair and began speaking.

“So how are we going to make money now? As you saw… From the interview earlier, I was thinking about opening up a small shop somewhere quiet…”

“No, not that.”

“But you’re unemployed too, we need to make money.”

That hit a sore spot. Han Jae-jung let out a pained groan, then suddenly lifted his head. The back of his head brushed against her soft thighs, and her face came into view.

“Yeah money’s important, but there’s something even more important than that.”

“What is it?”

“You.”

Without hesitation, Joo Ah-yun kicked Han Jae-jung in the ribs with her foot.

“Ow! Why? What’s wrong now?”

“Don’t say stuff like that… Geez, you made me cringe so hard…”

Rubbing her arms like she had goosebumps, she rolled her eyes around. She tried to suppress the corners of her mouth that wanted to turn up.

“Okay, that was an inappropriate comment. Let me rephrase. Right now, figuring out your situation is more important than money.”

Money is important, that’s true. With Han Jae-jung unable to hold a proper job, and Joo Ah-yoon having just lost her job, they both urgently needed to find a way to put food on the table. But there was something even more pressing than that right now.

“Ah-yoon, have you ever been forced to transform before?”

“No…t that I know of? Huh, you’re right, that is strange. If what you’re saying is true, being overworked should be normal for me… Like you coming back winded like some villain earlier.”

“Don’t say that. For me it was at least my choice. The price I had to pay. But not for you, right?”

Joo Ah-yoon stopped playing with Han Jae-jung’s hair and turned her gaze to the iron ball. The bland, cold iron ball floated around them as always.

“I’ve…never even heard this ball talk to me before. And it doesn’t seem to be giving me any weird quests or anything.”

“I see…”

Feeling vaguely troubled for no reason, she kept running her fingers through Han Jae-jung’s hair over and over. It was frustrating. They were supposed to be the same kind of being, but the symptoms were different. With no memory of the initial contract, she had no idea what kind of deal had been made.

“Well, that’s a relief at least.”

“Huh? Relief…”

“That means you don’t have to suffer like I did.”

Recalling his own suffering brought to mind unbearable torments he could never wish on anyone. He was genuinely relieved she wouldn’t end up like him. Han Jae-jung reached out and caressed Joo Ah-yoon’s cheek. The soft, warm sensation was exactly the same as when he used to tease her long ago. It was best if no harm ever came to this tender skin.

“I know you hate fighting. You only ever watch heartwarming human drama movies. Whenever anything violent comes up you always cover your eyes and tremble…Ow! Why’d you hit me again?!”

“Because you only remember the weird stuff, that’s why… Saying I have memory loss…”

“Well I don’t have total amnesia, so of course I’d remember some things… Anyway, you definitely don’t want to end up like me, right?”

Han Jae-jung turned his body around to sit up properly. He tilted his head up slightly to look into those pink eyes. Those irises could be likened to lotus flowers drifting across the moon’s reflection on a lake – mystical and graceful, yet with a hint of flamboyance. Always beautiful to behold.

“It may be too soon to breathe easy, though. Misfortune always strikes without warning. I can’t rule out the possibility of some terrible duty befalling you as well, dragging you back onto the battlefield once more. But… I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that never happens.” 

He took her hand in his, enveloping her much smaller hand in his own. Compared to his, it was so tiny. How many people had these tiny hands saved? He felt admiration mixed with pity. How much suffering must these tiny hands have endured? Too much pain to dare hold them, surely.

“I won’t make you suffer anymore.”

Joo Ah-yoon may no longer be a magical girl. But that was no reason not to protect her. 

If protecting the magical girl was his duty as her guardian, then protecting Joo Ah-yun was his duty as a human being.

“I’ll definitely protect you.”

Once again, Joo Ah-yoon’s foot struck his ribs.

“Ow, why again?!”

“Wh, what, proposing to me? You’re way too serious, bro… I’m an adult too, you know. I can handle my own path in life.”

In those pink eyes where unease still lingered, a faint crescent moon-like glimmer appeared.

“That said…I’ll gladly accept any help you offer.”

Han Jae-jung chuckled softly.

“The tsundere trend is so outdated.” 

“You’re the one behind the times.”

Swish. Joo Ah-yoon lifted her leg and naturally draped it over his shoulder, smirking mischievously.

“So my dearest big brother, got any ideas? A way to keep me from suffering?”

“Well my precious Ah-yoon, I don’t have a definite plan yet…”

He still didn’t fully understand the belt, or even her villainization for that matter. He didn’t even know if Joo Ah-yoon could become a villain herself.

Whether it was possible to strip away a contracted star, or for a villain to become human again.

He needed more information.

“But I do have an idea on how to find a solution.”

***

Ippotranslation

***

“Long time no see, comrade!”

“What do you mean a long time? It hasn’t even been a day since I last saw you.”

The villain of the Compass constellation, Jason. 

He waved his hand dismissively while hurrying his steps. His scowling face couldn’t hide his displeasure at all. Fortunately, he was in the middle of a transformation, so his expression wouldn’t be visible.

Without any annoyance, Jason walked slightly ahead of him.

“Isn’t it delightful to see someone you’ve wanted to see, whether it’s been a day, two days, or a few hours! What matters now is that I’m happy to see you.”

“A positive way of thinking. I commend you.”

“Haha, thank you!”

Jason laughed heartily and guided him. While his ability caused one to lose their way, and he himself was the guide of the lost, it was still unnerving, but there was no choice but to follow.

He followed slowly behind Jason. It didn’t take more than a few minutes. After walking a little, a white table decorated with golden candlesticks came into view.

“Here we are! This is the meeting place! Haha! Everyone’s already gathered!”

With both arms spread wide, Jason turned around and announced to Han Jae-jung.

“As you wished, comrade! I’ve gathered the villains you wanted to see!”

Illuminated by the candlelight, the villains’ silhouettes were revealed, greeting him with chilling gazes.

“Kkkuk, well… It’s been a long reunion…”

The villain of the Gemini constellation, Gemini.

“Well! Long time no see! Hey you! Even though you’re seeing me again, you’re not thinking I’m a foul-mouthed person, are you?! You’re not afraid of my hideous appearance, are you?!!”

The villain of the Pegasus constellation, Pegasus.

“Hi~ It may not have been that long for us… But you still wanted to see me, right? Do you understand my feelings? Oh right, Virgo didn’t come. She’s been out of sight lately.”

The villain of the Bootes constellation, Botis. She was still wearing a deep hood as before. She still didn’t want to show her face carelessly, it seemed.

“And let me introduce myself again! My name is Jason! Your comrade!”

Jason gave his greeting and took a seat.

With only one seat left, he also sat down. He kept his manners despite the lousy company.

“Well… Seeing faces I didn’t want to see makes me feel crappy. But what can you do? Isn’t it part of life to suck it up even if you hate it? Oh, by the way, if you don’t mind me asking.”

He threw the water cup filled with milk in front of him far away, then opened his mouth.

“Do villains each have their own mental illness?”

“Oh my, how did you know? You’re right, that’s correct.”

“Kkkuk… There is darkness dwelling within each of us… Can you drive out this darkness?”

“I’d like to go home.”

It was the first time he wanted to go home as soon as he sat down.

“But what’s the matter, comrade? Why did you call us here?”

“There’s something I want to ask.”

He looked around at those seated here. They were the ones who had tried to turn Han Jae-jung into a villain and the one who had the belt. They were all people he’d like to kick in the stomach, but he endured, thinking of his vast calmness like a lake and his rabbit-like younger sister waiting for him at home.

“Isn’t it the same as when you came looking for me? This time, I came looking for you.”

The fact that they could attempt to turn him into a villain meant they were well-versed in villain transformations.  

These people were Han Jae-jung’s enemies and adversaries, but at the same time, they possessed the information he most desired now.

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