I Became a New Magical Girl Priest

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Actually, every time I see Pang-pang, I get a weird feeling.

Not long ago, I was just a poor kid without a family, but now I’ve become a Magical Girl and saved up some money.

At least the Federation pays a decent salary, not a small amount.

By the time I go to college, I might be able to live independently and manage to pay rent on my own.

Looking at Pang-pang, who was sleeping, I couldn’t help but think about some fun ideas and ended up chuckling, causing Ha-yoon to stare at me with wide eyes.

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

I said to Ha-yoon, who looked a bit surprised.

“I’m living in an orphanage, right? And when I become an adult, I have to live on my own.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, it’s an orphanage after all.”

Once you become an adult, you’re not considered a child who needs care.

Of course, it’s difficult in many ways. It’s not common to suddenly have enough money to live independently right after turning 18. Especially if you’re from an orphanage with no inheritance.

It’s not like there aren’t grants, and I can buy myself some time if I go to college, but that’s about it.

While somebody in a worse situation might argue there’s worse, thinking from a normal perspective, unless you’re extremely lucky, it’s not easy to climb up.

But I’m a bit different.

I can manage the rent when I leave, and if I’m lucky, I might even get a decent place to live.

Of course, living alone might be a bit of a burden, so I was thinking of gathering friends to live with. Ji-hye would definitely join… and if I could find one more person, we might be able to rent a place with each having their own room.

In the end, the three of us would have to work part-time jobs, but that’s just how it is.

“Honestly, doesn’t it sound fun? Living somewhat freely, right?”

So, I decided to think positively.

Spending my youth in my twenties happily with close friends, like those sitcoms I watched as a kid.

…Well, my college friends say that living with a friend either makes you super close or turns you into total enemies, one or the other.

“So… what about Pang-pang?”

“I hesitate to say this, but you know…”

I replied with a bitter smile.

“It seems like the people we’re recruiting should mostly be those who can handle living expenses without relying too much on others.”

Even though I look this way, I have a strong sense of pride.

And I tend to show that a bit unnecessarily too.

I didn’t want to live off someone else’s kindness. It doesn’t fit my personality to just waltz into a place where someone else is paying the rent.

Honestly, thinking like this about Pang-pang may be a bit early. She’s a fun person, but I haven’t known her for that long.

Who knows, since she’s an Alien, she might leave Earth at any time.

As for plans, it’s still not even at the level of something I can call a plan. Just a thought that living that way would be fun and nice.

Besides, high school lasts only three years, right?

And even making friends during those three brief years can lead to lifelong friendships. There’s no reason why I can’t become as close with Pang-pang, whom I met in high school.

“…”

But for some reason, after hearing my story, Ha-yoon was staring at me intently.

Her expression seemed somewhat angry.

“…Uh, why?”

“I can also live independently.”

Ha-yoon said with a somewhat sulky tone.

“I can live outside too. I can earn money.”

Her mumbling sounded like a complaint directed toward me.

“Uh, well, that’s true?”

But I felt a bit cautious.

It would be fun to include Ha-yoon in my fantasies. In fact, having Pang-pang involved feels much ‘stranger’ than that.

It’s about my feelings too, and the fact that we’re close.

But having Ha-yoon around makes me feel like… I would end up relying on her too much.

Ha-yoon doesn’t pity me. But as a friend, she cares that much. If I ever lack something at home, I bet Ha-yoon would help out. And if I’m short on funds, she’d probably try to help too.

And most importantly, Ha-yoon has parents.

Unless we’re living ridiculously far away, it wouldn’t be too hard to create that ‘justification.’

But looking at Ha-yoon, who was pouting with her lips pursed, that all faded away.

“Really? Do you want to live together?”

At my question, Ha-yoon’s face suddenly lit up.

“Yeah.”

She’s quite honest, huh.

Well, being straightforward is one of Ha-yoon’s strong points. That’s part of why I like her so much.

“Then there would be plenty of space for you. But there’s one rule.”

“A rule?”

Well, to be honest, I haven’t even asked Ji-hye about this yet; it’s just an arbitrary rule I set.

“Everyone is equal at home. So if we’ve got something to share, we all have to contribute equally. Splitting the costs.”

With that, I established the rule.

Truthfully, I can’t force someone who can receive support to not accept any. Life can go in unexpected directions.

But with that being said, I’d like to set some level of standards so that I don’t end up solely relying on others.

Because the more I start to depend on them, the more likely I am to get used to it.

… I want to be in the same position.

That thought hasn’t changed at all.

“Okay!”

Ha-yoon nodded as if it was obvious.

I smiled at her.

“Umm.”

Pang-pang, who wasn’t completely drunk… not just from alcohol but from caffeine either, rolled around on the floor and made that sound.

“I’m… sorry.”

And she mumbled some incomprehensible words.

… Maybe it’s time to head home.

Even if I sometimes come home late, I generally tried to avoid sleeping out. The teachers and Ji-hye worry about me. After all, we’re spending less time together with how many extra-curricular activities I’m involved in.

Leaving Ha-yoon, who was watching Pang-pang with a weird expression, I stood up. As I started to spread out a blanket on the floor, Ha-yoon got up too.

We put Pang-pang on the blanket together and even covered her with it.

Even then, Pang-pang didn’t wake up once.

“…I’m sorry for hiding it.”

It seemed I was apologizing to a friend in my dreams.

Anyway, I have a weak heart for no good reason.

*

“After graduation, together?”

Ji-hye listened to my story and looked delighted.

But she soon turned sullen.

“But…”

Ji-hye doesn’t really have any money.

She might get some kind of support, but that money might be a bit short for rent.

“Well, there’s still time. I’m not going to move out the moment I get to college.”

For now, I reassured Ji-hye.

“Anyway, you were thinking of working part-time after graduation, right?”

“That’s true.”

Ji-hye’s face brightened again with that.

But suddenly, the feelings I had for Ha-yoon came to mind.

The feeling of not wanting to live off someone.

As much as I think that way about Ha-yoon, doesn’t Ji-hye feel the same way toward me?

We’ve been living as sisters for quite a while. I’ve never considered one of us being better off than the other. We were just peers sharing a room, with similar names.

At some point, we became practically sisters.

Given how Ji-hye is, it’s likely that she wouldn’t like living off money she had to squeeze out alone.

“…”

If we lived together, we probably wouldn’t be able to afford a place that’s too pricey.

For now, maybe we should talk it over together.

I laid the blanket next to Ji-hye in my thoughts while planning that.

*

After that, I didn’t meet any Combatants.

But at least I haven’t seen that blonde parting again.

Maybe it was because last time I got too involved with the other Magical Girls?

Or perhaps it was because I, a mere officer, got beaten up by just one combatant.

I heard they’re like Cherry, a small-bodied alien, so wouldn’t it be more effective to boost their robot instead?

… And that combatant hasn’t come out again.

Even though combatants usually wear the same type of clothes, I could still recognize her by that behavior.

She was always the last one standing, ready to throw a punch at me.

Watching everyone else run away while she stayed to the last was confusing to determine who the real villain was.

… No, maybe that side couldn’t be simply called a villain either.

After all, ‘legitimacy’ was on their side.

“Are you worried?”

After the battle ended, I searched for that combatant, and Ha-yoon asked.

“Yeah, kinda.”

Of course, I’m worried.

I’d prefer to know at least what her face looks like.

No, that might be a bit difficult too. The combatants weren’t considered very likable by the people.

If her identity got out, she would probably face huge criticism.

If it was just her facing the heat, she might endure it, but if her family faced backlash too?

“…”

I think I understand what Ha-yoon wants to say.

She didn’t say it directly, but she probably thinks that it would be hard to see that combatant again.

Even if I’m an officer, I don’t think I could just let it go like that either.

As I thought that—somehow, I felt a bit regretful.

 

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