I Became a New Magical Girl Priest

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Wow, I never thought I’d be telling this kind of story.

As I got closer to my third year… or was it really after I became a third grader that things changed?

The way the kids looked at me gradually shifted.

Up until then, we hadn’t really crossed the line beyond ‘friends.’ Oh sure, sometimes they’d sneak into my space while I was sleeping, or suddenly kiss my cheeks or lips, but that was about it… I guess it’s safe to say we’d already crossed the boundary of just being friends.

Anyway, the gazes directed at me were generally warm. Even if I couldn’t tell what thoughts were lurking behind those expressions, it was at least good news for now.

Naturally, the first-year seniors had already become adults.

By ‘adults,’ I mean they had simply become legal adults. Things in our lives didn’t change much even after the seniors became university students.

Actually, if anything, we ended up meeting more often. The seniors usually finished their classes much earlier than us.

“I’m here!”

After finishing my morning classes, Yeon-woo, who had been waiting for me at the headquarters, always shouted as she rushed in whenever I walked in.

If we were being picky about it, that phrase probably suited me better, but what could I do about her saying it?

“I was here too!”

As Yeon-woo buried her face in my chest and hugged me tightly, Seo-hee, standing next to us, looked at her in disbelief and pulled me away.

When I collected myself, Chae-yeon had quietly come up behind me and was hugging me too.

And in situations like that, the younger girls would get angry and try to take me away—Ha-yoon, Ji-hye, and Jua. Not to mention, somehow Pang-pang had squeezed in too.

Pang-pang wasn’t a magical girl, but she was diligently learning the Noir Corporation’s technology and was now collaborating with Cherry. There were even some discussions regarding technology with James, who was still in prison. Overall, we were steadily advancing our side’s tech.

Well, anyway.

I think the time spent at the headquarters might even be longer than ours. It didn’t seem like the working hours were that long; maybe they just had good staff benefits.

…Well, on the topic of working hours, you could argue we were practically slackers. I mean, sure, we’re like employees? Or something similar, but we mostly didn’t do anything unless a case arose that required us magical girls to step in.

So yeah, that’s how it was.

In my third year, the seniors were doing everything they could to cram knowledge into us, and despite being a diligent student throughout my first and second years, I smoothly transitioned into a school with seniors.

The kids who hung around with me felt the same way. Pang-pang didn’t follow us into the university, but she naturally became a friend whenever we went out to play.

I had become quite the well-fed prey—yeah. Honestly, it was fun.

We went everywhere together. Even when the seniors were in their third year, we enjoyed traveling every vacation. They’d say, since we’d laid down a solid foundation, it was okay to play for three to four days.

All being girls, when we wore swimsuits and went out together, people’s eyes were definitely on us. I can’t say we enjoyed that attention too much, but it was still amusing.

I wonder if being magical girls played a part too? If someone looked like they were about to approach, we’d quickly run away.

In winter, we’d all go up to the rooftop and enjoy a sort of camping—not really camping, but you get the idea.

Our teenage years, which had been like that, were now almost drawing to a close.

“…Phew.”

I looked up at the sky and let out a breath. It felt more like I was checking to see if it was the season for my breath to show, rather than just sighing.

The sky looked unusually clear, as if it wasn’t time for snow yet.

The college entrance exam had passed, and we even got the scores back. It was like it was announced in advance that we ‘have succeeded,’ so there was nothing left for us to worry about. At least the concerns typical for high school students were no longer there.

“Hehe.”

I turned to see Ha-yoon, who was suspiciously close, and looked at her.

At the bus stop.

We were sitting side by side.

I wondered how we ended up sitting together like this.

I thought for a moment.

So… yeah. I had mentioned I wanted to visit the orphanage for a bit.

Ji-hye said she’d go see her mother for a moment, and the three seniors seemed to still be in university. Pang-pang happened to have some machines to work on at the headquarters, while Jua was apparently sticking by her side.

So, somehow, it ended up being just the two of us.

After getting off the bus, we lingered at the stop for a bit. It felt like it was her desire to do that.

The bench at the stop had some heating, but it was still cold, so we were pressed together.

Ha-yoon held my hand tightly. She intertwined her fingers with mine so that I couldn’t slip my hand away.

Then she slowly leaned her face on my shoulder.

“Aren’t you cold?”

“It’s warm.”

She seemed to want to enjoy this moment completely.

“What about you, Ji-eun?”

“I’m warm too.”

I replied with a smile.

Speaking of luck, there was no one walking around us, nor was there anyone waiting at the bus stop. When I glanced at the sign, it said the next bus wouldn’t arrive for another twelve minutes.

I leaned a bit closer to Ha-yoon.

Her soft hair brushed against my cheek.

“……”

For a while, there was silence.

It felt a bit odd to have so much silence when we’re finally alone together, didn’t it? I thought for a second, but still figured it didn’t really matter.

Just sharing the warmth in silence felt pretty good. The warmth of Ha-yoon’s hand, the softness of her hair, and her little breaths. Her shoulders moved a tad every time she inhaled. Every moment felt nice.

“……Hmm.”

Alright.

Then, I guess I could muster up a bit of courage.

I tilted my head slightly and turned to face Ha-yoon. My vision filled with her pink hair. It was hair so pretty it could remind one of spring even in the middle of winter.

“Ha-yoon.”

At the sound of my call, she lifted her head.

Our eyes almost met, they were so close.

Usually, it’s Ha-yoon or the other girls who kiss me. Honestly, I had been so flustered I couldn’t really react well.

Looking back now, I feel bad. They must have had some courage to act that way too.

I raised one hand and gently cupped Ha-yoon’s cheek.

Hmm. This feels awkward. I mean, it’s a move I hardly ever make.

Her cheek felt a little warm to the touch. And soft. I felt an impulse to keep touching it.

I pinched her cheek lightly.

“Uh-heh?”

Ha-yoon made a strange sound, and at the same time, a look of slight disappointment crossed her face. Her pinkish eyes filled my vision.

Then, I seized that moment.

Her lips became warm instantly.

Ha-yoon’s lips were softer than her cheeks. I already knew that from experience. Ha-yoon periodically targeted my lips, after all. By now, I felt I could tell who was who just by that sensation.

But really, what mattered now was Ha-yoon.

I moved my lips a bit, gliding over Ha-yoon’s lips top and bottom. Our breaths intertwined. My mouth felt a little warmer.

Pulling my face back slightly and opening my eyes, I found Ha-yoon looking at me with wide eyes, as if in shock.

“What? Did you not like it?”

“Uh? Ah, ah, no?”

Ha-yoon stammered a few times before answering.

I laughed.

Then I held Ha-yoon tightly with both arms.

Even though we were both in thick clothes, it felt nice in its own way. Not awkwardly sticky at all, more like a really affectionate embrace.

A delightful warmth spread all over my body.

I kissed Ha-yoon’s cheek once, then let her go.

“Ah.”

Ha-yoon let out a breath again. Her blush looked adorable.

“…Um, really…”

For some reason, Ha-yoon stepped back a little, her expression full of embarrassment, unlike usual.

We fell into a brief silence again. It wasn’t an awkward silence like before; it was just different from the atmosphere of the last silence.

“…Shall we get going?”

After enjoying the quiet for a while, I got up from my seat and asked.

“Yeah.”

Ha-yoon nodded quietly and stood up.

We walked slowly toward the orphanage. The place where I had lived.

 

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