I Became a New Magical Girl Priest

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I know it’s nice to be hugged by someone.

Unfortunately, I have a friend who is so naturally affectionate with me.

Ji-hye.

Despite her rich emotional expressions, even if she’s not the clingy type usually, there were times when she would loop her arm through mine while walking or give me a hug when she was happy.

When she hugged me, I’d feel it’d be a little awkward for me to just stand still, so I would reciprocate. Even if I felt slightly embarrassed about linking arms, I wouldn’t shake her off.

No matter how oblivious I might be, I’m not that personality-disordered.

But for some reason…

Having Ha-yoon bury her face in my chest felt a bit different.

Thinking back, I never had such experiences with Ji-hye either. When we slept, we’d lay our blankets next to each other and sleep apart; Ji-hye never clung to me like that.

“Hmm….”

Was she having trouble breathing? Ha-yoon’s face moved closer to mine, her legs squirming up a bit.

I forced myself to stay silent, tightly closing my mouth.

The chest area of my oversized t-shirt fidgeted as Ha-yoon’s face rose up.

Her mouth was still buried, but her nose and the upper part of her face came into view.

Her eyes were shut, and each time she breathed, my shirt felt a bit hot and damp.

It’s no wonder it took me longer than usual to fall back asleep, right?

Well, in the end, I did fall asleep again. I barely remember how I drifted off, likely like most people do.

But I clearly remember waking up.

“… Eek!?”

Suddenly, my chest vibrated as Ha-yoon shouted, jolting me awake.

Looking down, with my half-opened eyes, I saw Ha-yoon looking up at me with her eyes wide open.

For how loudly she screamed, her facial expression was surprisingly dazed.

Her face was red. Just like I saw yesterday.

“….”

For a moment, I continued to stare down at her face without letting her go.

Thinking about it now, the reason I could act so brazenly was probably just because I was still half-asleep.

Don’t you ever get strange thoughts when you wake up in the morning?

Sometimes outrageous and nonsensical ideas swirl in your head, and it seemed I was in such a state then.

Before my brain could make rational judgments, my spinal cord made a very odd decision.

I wrapped my arms more tightly around Ha-yoon’s body.

Ha-yoon lay still for a brief moment with her face buried in my chest, then began flailing her arms and legs.

Maybe realizing I was right there in front of her, she didn’t swing too hard. If she had, she could have escaped earlier.

“Pfft!”

Ha-yoon barely pulled her face back from me and instinctively moved back, but soon realized there was no place for her to actually back away to.

Inside the tent, only two people could barely fit.

Leaning against the closed door, her face turned bright red, and she stared at me with her mouth agape.

“….”

Even with me still lying there looking up at her, my face slowly started to heat up.

… What was I doing?

My brain finally came back to its senses and I screamed internally. Luckily, I didn’t let any sound escape my mouth.

Just like Ha-yoon, I quickly got up from my spot and tried to step back, but hearing the tent creak ominously was unavoidable.

The air inside the tent felt oddly hot. Maybe it was because we were sleeping with the door closed, and the weather wasn’t so cold anymore.

Plus, there was the added warmth of our breath filling the space.

“….”

Without need for anyone to say it, we both hurriedly got up and rushed outside.

The morning air felt refreshing as the tent door swung open. Even if there’s likely a lot of fine dust in the spring air.

As we stepped out of the tent, the kids turned to look at us.

For some reason, their gazes felt rather profound. In reality, it was probably just me thinking that.

Damn, now it’s like my mind’s not running smoothly anymore.

*

Whether Ha-yoon made eye contact with me or not, the situation continued to unfold.

The schedule wasn’t right for calling us in for a national audit. Of course, unless the scandal kept simmering, we wouldn’t be summoned, but all of us agreed it probably wouldn’t drag on for months.

If you want to see it catch fire, you have to smother the embers just right.

However, even if the timing isn’t particularly favorable for us, it seemed like the government wasn’t considering us an enemy.

The police already joined forces with us once. But excluding them and calling in the military would be impossible; it’s not a war situation.

In such circumstances, capturing the six Magical Girls solely by the government’s power would be very difficult, and if they did manage to apprehend us, public opinion could easily turn against them.

First and foremost, it’s just that the government has been turning a blind eye, in general, the Federation and external companies have had conflicts with the government.

It was the government’s expectation that the Federation and the company would balance each other out in their conflicts. If the company was to act in ways that would put the country at a disadvantage while trading with the Federation, then there wouldn’t be any need for leniency.

So whether they can or can’t give us a pass is a different story.

Anyway, the government managed to move its own fingers.

It seems the prosecution is on the move. They’ve set a policy to summon the chairman of Noir Corporation for questioning.

“Most likely, they will comply with the summons.”

James said nonchalantly.

“They will try to pin all the damning evidence on the former chairman. That piece of trash.”

“If they pin all that evidence on the former chairman, what will they eat? Isn’t their goal to modify and sell human beings?”

“Well, there’s bound to be entities seeking vast energy. Even on this very land, that may not be impossible. Just think about it: with the life of one human, they could yield far more energy than the fusion generator humans longed for. Some might think, ‘sacrifices can be endured.’”

“….”

The faces of the Magical Girls listening to that story hardened.

“Moreover, the ‘products’ from the company are already manufactured goods. Even if dogs and wolves have different genetic makeups, humans treat them as separate animals. So, under the assumption that it’s possible to produce humans designed solely for generating energy with noticeably impaired cognitive functions, there could be compromising humans coming forth, couldn’t there?”

Human ethics have changed numerous times over its long history.

And it continues to change.

So could it be that, as James said, we could think that ‘an existence without consciousness’ isn’t ‘a human’?

“That doesn’t make sense.”

Jua directly countered James’s statement.

“Emotions like hope and despair arise from a combination of complex feelings. Clearly, it’s evident that if you’re not ‘a human,’ you can’t operate a circuit. If other animals on Earth could operate a circuit, they would have done so long ago.”

Humans raise all kinds of animals like pigs, cows, chickens, and others to eat.

If it were possible to attach a circuit to the livestock and make them run generators, they would have attempted it long ago. After all, humans have already been fitting circuits to themselves.

“Is that really the case? Perhaps it’s just that as long as there’s an existence known as ‘a human,’ it might be possible. Maybe the structure of the nerves matters, or the arrangement of genes matters. So far, the only stated principle of the circuit is that ‘certain emotions must be present.’ There’s no assumption that there’s no other way.”

“… But still, that… possibility of those people being humans made to feel only despair remains, right?”

“Correct. So if you want to find that out, there’s no choice but to prove it yourself.”

James turned to look at me.

“At that time, you didn’t kill those… mass-manufactured humans. All the knocked-out ones were collected by the government, and they probably didn’t show them to the Federation. Because of such circumstances.”

“Even so, the Federation has no right to force that.”

Rose interjected.

“If they did, it would definitely cause a major issue. If those people are indeed humans.”

Cherry nodded in agreement.

“Well then, it looks like another objective has been added.”

I summarized it.

“To somehow capture the chairman. And infiltrate the government… or meet those surviving humans by some other means.”

Forming a separate faction won’t be something we can achieve overnight.

“The summons will be next week. What we need to do… well, it’s nothing significant. Let’s just spend some time maintaining our best condition. While it would be great if we could genuinely kidnap the chairman, our purpose is more about taking a stance that we’re ‘gunning for the chairman.’”

Everyone nodded at those words.

Right. Our goal is to scare the socks off the chairman. So for now, there’s no reason for us to make a move towards those human aliens.

We just rejected the government’s offer and made it all the way here. If we bring up something like that now, the government might try to negotiate with us based on that.

We decided to wrap up the brief meeting and went off to do our own things.

One thing I felt positively as I stepped outside the building was that because of thinking about Ha-yoon, all my concerns about everything else had disappeared.

If that could be called a disaster in its own right, it would be an emotional disaster. Call it a flood in my head.

Thoughts of various kinds swirled around, washing in and out like tides. The remaining debris on the floor wriggled, then was swept away again by the ongoing rain.

What does Ha-yoon think of me?

To be honest, I was mostly worried.

I mean, it makes sense.

Even with two guys in a tent, it’s a bit much for us to do something like a back hug. But Ha-yoon did. That doesn’t mean she sees me as a man; she definitely wouldn’t think of me as a lover either.

Ji-hye had hugged me a few times too, so maybe this could be regarded as an expression of camaraderie that only exists between women?

Damn it, the only girls I’ve met in this world, excluding family, are those I met here, so I have no basis for judgment.

Statistically speaking, of the five other girls, Ha-yoon is the only one who hugs me while sleeping. But I can’t say I’m that close with the other four either, so they’re not appropriate comparison subjects either.

I would say I’ve talked a bit with Jua.

So, the scream Ha-yoon let out this morning really bothered me.

It’s fine for us to hug from behind, but what about hugging from the front? Ji-hye did that, and I think Ha-yoon did a few times as well.

Although hugging out of excitement and hugging while sleeping are definitely different things.

Could it be… she disliked me because of that?

I really wouldn’t want that.

Even if the emotions are impossible, the feeling of her being next to me versus not being there is completely different.

Look, the circuit is slowly—

Snap.

But as I was lost in such thoughts, lingering at the village entrance, someone suddenly yanked my arm.

Looking to the side, I saw Ha-yoon grinning as she looped her arm through mine.

“What are you doing all alone here?”

“Uh, no, just thinking for a second…”

Seeing Ha-yoon’s smiling face brought several thoughts to my mind.

The first thought was relief.

If what I did crossed a line, Ha-yoon might be scared about it.

Friends can lightly poke and play around, but wouldn’t it be frightening if I suddenly came at her with soap while she was in the shower? I wouldn’t find it too scary if Ha-yoon did that, but that’s only because it’s me.

But even so, she’s smiling at me like this. If I don’t feel relieved, then what kind of emotion should I feel?

… Maybe, it’s joy.

Not only did she not harbor any resentment, but Ha-yoon also approached me first.

Even putting her arm through mine, there’s absolutely no reason I shouldn’t like it.

How could I dislike something held by a girl I like?

“….”

However, we both fell silent again.

Ha-yoon shyly dropped her gaze. Her face was red, yet she didn’t let go of my arm.

I subtly shifted my gaze away. Naturally, I had no intention of loosening my hold either.

No matter what, I should probably apologize for this morning’s incident.

I could say that it was too much of a joke. Or that it was just sleep talking, which is sort of true anyway, right?

I know it’s pathetic to even think of making excuses, but I felt like if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to even bring it up.

“Ha-yoon.”

“Ji-eun.”

But oddly enough, we both opened our mouths simultaneously.

Our eyes met, and we turned our faces away once more at the same time.

What are we doing?

Yet, despite that, Ha-yoon continued to grip my arm tightly. Does she think I might run away or something?

Yesterday, I had wandered off alone, making Ha-yoon worry. Then again, that means I should apologize for that…

“That thing.”

“Huh?”

Due to a voice that came out of nowhere, I unconsciously made a sound. Ha-yoon’s hand trembled slightly.

Not turning my gaze away, I realized I had become quite dizzy.

“… That thing about snugging up like this.”

As I said that, the person who had come closer was none other than Jua.

“Is it something friends do exactly the same way?”

Jua asked seriously.

We awkwardly turned our bodies. From a third perspective, it must have looked amusing, but Jua didn’t seem to find it funny at all.

“It’s….”

Ha-yoon was glancing around nervously with her gaze.

After all, it was Ha-yoon who initiated the arm-linking first.

Since it seemed like we wouldn’t be able to comment if we left it alone, I opened my mouth first.

“I mean, it’s possible among friends.”

“Is that so?”

Jua’s gaze shifted towards me.

With me not letting go of her arm, she looked at me with piercing eyes that felt like my conscience was screaming in pain, but I decided to boldly press on. Fact is, it is what it is, right?

“I did this with Ji-hye often, you know.”

Didn’t Ha-yoon have some friends in class who did this too? While she wouldn’t have initiated it, she surely would’ve done this at least once.

“Oh.”

For some reason, Ha-yoon said that.

When I looked down, she seemed somewhat disappointed.

… Why?

The way we were linked together was similar to the one with Ji-hye. There was nothing particularly tight about it.

“Is that so?”

Jua asked once again.

As I observed Jua, who was lost in deep thought with a frown, I hesitated before asking carefully.

“Have you never done something like this?”

“… I haven’t. Why? Can’t I?”

Her response included a comment that did not require an answer.

“No, it’s not that you can’t.”

It’s a bit sad.

I don’t know how Rose, Dalia, or Delphinium’s friendships operate. In fact, I don’t particularly care to know. They all have their own circumstances; why should I interfere?

But somehow, I felt as if Rose would be popular at school, and Dalia doesn’t seem like an unlikable person either.

Delphinium likely has a personality that avoids attention.

As for Jua…

Jua does seem somewhat similar to Delphinium, but she’s definitely not an ‘ice princess.’

More like she gives off a fiery vibe.

Plus, she’s shorter than Ha-yoon and me.

So somehow, it feels like she might genuinely have no friends for no other reason.

It’s the vibe of a kindred spirit.

“Have you really never done anything like this?”

My question made Jua’s eyes widen as if she had been hit with lightning.

“Ha.”

Then she laughed short, looking disbelieving, but her face seemed a bit red as if she was just putting up a front.

“Of course, that’s because I never tried to bond with anyone in the first place.”

If that were the case, it wouldn’t make a lot of sense for her to come and ask us something like this.

It seems my expression gave away my thoughts, because suddenly Jua wore an upset face as she approached me.

Is she going to hit me or something?

But, stopping just at my side, Jua, for some reason, glared at my arm, just like she did previously.

Then, without any warning, she yanked my arm.

And then, she pulled me into her embrace.

“Wha—?”

“Why, what’s wrong?”

Jua said with an extremely angry look on her face.

“Friends can do this, right?”

“… Uh, well, that’s not entirely wrong…”

I was kind of taken aback.

As I struggled to hide my feelings, it seemed only to make Jua angrier, her expression resembling that of a Chihuahua. Although her face was pretty, it wasn’t doing wonders for me.

What the heck?

“Jua?”

Ha-yoon called Jua’s name in a daze.

“…”

It appeared Jua finally registered what she was doing and, upon looking at Ha-yoon, her face went pale.

Releasing my arm, Jua suddenly glared at me again.

Then she turned her back and ran away.

…..

What’s going on here?

Is she actually more timid than a Chihuahua?

 

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