READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 299
Sure. That guy was hasty.
I don’t know anything yet, but at least I can tell that one thing.
Pang-pang is an important existence in this company. I don’t know why, but it is.
“… I wish someone would tell me where Pang-pang is.”
I briefly thought that Ha-yoon and the other kids might try to stop me. Our mission isn’t to smash or interrogate the officers.
We weren’t here to rescue a single kidnapped alien either.
What we needed to do was return to headquarters with the object in my hand. That was also why we barged in here.
Looking back now, it was inevitable that our entrance would be discovered. We are not specially trained commandos for infiltration. We’re just a flashy moving billboard fighting in our dazzling, glitzy outfits.
It’s not openly stated, but we’re the beings that say “Please think positively of the Federation” in a roundabout way.
Now, I don’t understand why the Federation and the company are poking at each other like this—
“Well, I suppose they’d listen if we handed this over.”
“That’s right.”
As I lifted the ‘Core’ in my hand, the officer immediately responded.
“That’s true. We can’t do anything about that woman’s life. However, that means we could make another deal.”
“It’s hard to believe that coming from a person who sent a fake mother to me without even considering a deal.”
“……”
When I teased him, the officer shut his mouth.
I looked to the side.
Ha-yoon’s pink eyes were staring directly at me.
They weren’t asking what I was going to do. There wasn’t even a trace of the worries I saw on the way here.
She was just calmly sitting there, making it seem like whatever action I took would be accepted.
“… So, fighting with you doesn’t really matter that much.”
I said.
“But still, I think I need to land a hit to blow off some steam.”
As I turned my head back and glared, the surrounding combatants and the officer took a step back simultaneously.
I handed the Core to Ha-yoon. She nodded and took it.
“I won’t fight too harshly.”
“Yeah, I trust you.”
As I explained a little defensively, Ha-yoon smiled gently at me.
I grabbed the hammer.
Then I turned around and dashed into the fighting combatants.
*
In the luxurious room, there were no means to communicate in both directions.
Pang-pang didn’t think it was very positive to communicate with other magical girls; the only thing in the room was a TV.
It seemed connected to the internet, but it was more like a TV optimized for that purpose without any features for searching or commenting.
Pang-pang didn’t have any knowledge of programming or engineering. Even though she was an alien, all she could do was use magical devices better than humans and fight just a little better.
Wearing clothes that felt good for the first time in years, Pang-pang sat blankly on the bed.
She hadn’t met the Chairman in person.
Maybe, just like Pang-pang felt a vague fear about meeting her grandmother, the Chairman might share similar feelings.
The Chairman considered Pang-pang… family, in her own way, but that was all.
In the end, it felt like Pang-pang was seen only as a substitute for herself.
Having become fond of Earth culture, for Pang-pang, who built a friendship with the very ‘subject of research’ that was most significant on Earth, such a choice was unwelcoming.
Ultimately, she had been caught like this, too far out there.
She regretted it over and over again. If only she hadn’t gotten close, maybe she wouldn’t have hurt Ji-eun. She would have just been one of countless beings living alone in an unknown place.
Honestly, she was thrilled. The fact that she became friends with the magical girl she admired. It was enjoyable that even those friends would visit sometimes to talk about trivial matters.
“……”
Pang-pang jumped up from her seat and wandered aimlessly around the vast room. Anyway, there was nothing to do in here.
She had been told she could roam inside the building, but it didn’t feel particularly pleasant.
The sea of stars visible outside the window held no significance in her current mood.
Pang-pang sat vacantly for a while and turned the TV back on.
She hated this empty space.
… Well, there was that side to Pang-pang. She could just call for someone if she wanted something. But knowing that person was one of the surveillance agents sent by the company made her not really want to call, even though she realized it was useless.
As she desperately wanted to break the silence with the TV turned on, the face that appeared was—Ji-eun’s.
She had dust all over her face. Especially in the area where it seemed like she had sweated, dust settled down, making it somewhat uncomfortable to look at.
However, strangely, the expression that appeared on Ji-eun’s face looked somewhat refreshing.
She even smiled directly at the camera pointing at her.
One of the magical girls watching from behind—Iris—touched Ji-eun’s shoulder.
Hearing what was said into her ear, Ji-eun made a brief “Ah!” expression, but then quickly shook her head. That move seemed to say, well, it would be known anyway.
[May I ask why you visited the Noir Corporation’s building at this hour?]
[I heard there was a commotion inside. Could you please let us know what’s going on?]
[Why are you wearing that magical girl outfit while leaving the Noir Corporation building?]
The reporters flocked over, bombarding her with questions.
All of those microphones were directed at Ji-eun.
If there was a being that could undoubtedly be called the center of the magical girls, it was Ji-eun.
[…….]
Ji-eun paused for a moment, then looked straight at the camera.
Even in that situation, the expression on Ji-eun’s face was not one of annoyance or discomfort. Instead, she smiled brightly while looking directly at the camera.
It was as if she were making eye contact with Pang-pang.
Ji-eun said.
[Pang-pang.]
With that word, the reporters suddenly fell silent.
It was a sudden remark. Perhaps it was a name unfamiliar to Earthlings, especially Koreans.
Pang-pang felt her heart race as she looked at Ji-eun’s face.
[I know you’re somewhere over there. I don’t know if you’re listening, but if you are, just remember one thing.]
Pang-pang tried not to get her hopes up.
She was worried that Ji-eun’s image of her might be completely shattered. Wasn’t it like that? They were such close friends after all.
In that moment, Pang-pang was suddenly exposed.
It wouldn’t be strange for the relationship to crumble with just that. Even if Pang-pang were in that position, they would think she had approached on purpose to deceive them.
But there was no trace of such gloomy feelings on Ji-eun’s face.
[I’ll come to find you.]
Ji-eun said calmly.
[Let’s talk when we meet. No matter where you are, I will find you.]
“…”
Pang-pang’s head momentarily stopped.
There was no other emotion in Ji-eun’s smile. It was almost as if she felt relieved that she had said that, and Ji-eun briefly stared at the camera before suddenly turning away.
[Wait, a moment!]
[What was that story from earlier…?]
But Ji-eun seemed to have nothing more to say, soaring up towards the sky.
That sight quickly receded.
Following her, other magical girls also flew up.
Rose seemed to be shaking her head with a smile, as if she had no choice.
Dahlia let out a deep sigh, rolling her eyes, while Iris sparkled and chased after Ji-eun.
Delphinium looked up at Ji-eun and then saw Ha-yoon still remaining.
Ha-yoon also gazed longingly at Ji-eun.
With a slight smile on her lips.
The ends of her brows slightly lowered.
The reporters appeared to want to ask Ha-yoon something too, but seeing that Ha-yoon had nothing more to say, she flew up into the sky.
The camera chased the figures of the magical girls, but they soon disappeared from view. The sight of the tiny magical girls flying off in one direction was as beautiful as watching colorful comets.
“……”
After that, the news chattered endlessly, but it didn’t reach Pang-pang’s ears.
All she could think about was what Ji-eun had said.
Strangely, her heart raced.
“… Is it okay to just wait…?”
Even if she thought about it, there were no answers.
However, the only thing left in her heart was the fact that Ji-eun had told her to wait.
“……”
What kind of conversation would take place? What kind of apology would Ji-eun seek? Pang-pang had no way of knowing.
But still.
Pang-pang saw a spark of hope in Ji-eun’s words.
The magical girl who received everyone’s admiration. That’s why some people said they are hope.
Some said it was nothing but political propaganda, and others called them mere dogs of the Federation, but—
… At least, from the moment Ji-eun said those words, she was, in every sense, a magical girl to Pang-pang.