Crime was flourishing in Seoul. Quiet illegality was rampant between empty stores and deserted streets. However, it was a different situation compared to the crimes that emerged after the Goblin invasion.
After the invasion, the austerity measures and systematic budget allocation based on priority temporarily created a security vacuum, allowing crime to organize. Nonetheless, this issue didn’t last long before it was resolved. The security gap was an anticipated result during the policy preparation phase, which quickly initiated a large-scale deployment of police forces. This intervention effectively dismantled the criminal organizations.
The current collapse of law and order, however, had another cause. Due to prioritization, the recovery of certain areas had been momentarily delayed, with the capital and regional areas receiving attention based on significance. Although local areas were largely neglected, some important local cities received support and were in better shape, but most were not. These were left abandoned, and some even went bankrupt.
Still, this was merely Yumina’s opinion, and whether it was trustworthy was uncertain. I wasn’t particularly interested in political matters.
Yumina spoke as she walked beside me.
“The local security has deteriorated, new crime organizations have emerged and have even expanded their influence to Seoul, yet they congratulate themselves for saving money and capturing criminals. Of course, I’m annoyed. Don’t you think so?”
First of all, Yumina was leading a group of Magical Girls who could be considered near-criminals, so it was worth listening to her perspective as a party involved. But the world couldn’t be all bad, could it? It’s probably just her focusing on the negatives. Since she’s used to living in unsafe areas, it must seem even worse to her.
The fact that the security has worsened is true, but personally, I don’t feel it that much. Maybe because I don’t go out much. Things have gotten worse, but not drastically so.
“What do you mean, they are living in safe skyscrapers?”
Yumina angrily flailed her fists in the air. Her behavior was more playful, making it obvious she doesn’t usually engage in physical fights. Carrying a gun around, she likely avoids fisticuffs. Still, as she carried a bag on her side, it seemed firearms were just accessories to her. What would she do if she were stopped for an identity check?
“Isn’t it illegal to carry a gun?”
“This?”
Yumina pointed at the bag on her side, and I nodded.
“This isn’t a gun. It’s a bag.”
The zipper was open, and I could clearly see a pristine handgun inside.
Glancing up, I noticed Yumina grinning sheepishly. She looks cute like that.
“Since your finger pointed at the bag, it’s technically not a lie.”
“Right?”
Yumina peered through the glass of a nearby vacant storefront, finding it empty due to lack of tenants.
“But wouldn’t it be a problem if the police came and questioned you?”
“Don’t worry. Nowadays, no policeman wants to cause trouble with a Magical Girl during a casual patrol.”
Wasn’t the crime organization in Seoul supposed to have been completely eradicated? Here’s an obvious quasi-criminal organization. Was it too hard to suppress them since they’re minors? Politically, it certainly would have been a very complicated decision.
“Somewhere like here. Let’s wrap up quickly and head to the café! I’m sorry, I’ll treat you!”
“Alright.”
We were initially supposed to meet at the café, but Yumina kept falling behind on her tasks. Laplace was also with her until I arrived, at which point he went home. He didn’t seem to care about much, though Yumina criticized him for making unnecessary efforts. Though it was said Schrödinger had asked Laplace to guard her, he wasn’t really doing a great job. How could one guard like that?
Yumina tried to open the empty storefront’s door. It should’ve been locked, yet it surprisingly opened. Climbing the quick staircase to the second floor, a magical sensation became apparent. Once a certain number of steps were surpassed, the stillness was broken by loud chatter from several young girls. Among their skills, there’s no soundproofing magic, so it must’ve been provided by some Magical Girl. That’s useful to remember.
Yumina roughly swung open the door on the second floor.
“Everybody stop! If you run, I will not leave you alone with my proxy leader’s authority!”
On the other side of the door, Magical Girls were hosting a drinking party. One, upon seeing Yumina, widened her eyes while hiccuping. Wow, lots of problems here. How could high school and middle school students organize a drinking party during the day? A little shocking. I briefly steadied myself, grasping my forehead and swaying momentarily, to enhance the effect. Did that make it seem more middle schoolish?
Yumina, with a serious expression, scanned the room. She appeared to be cracking down on delinquent Magical Girls. That’s unnecessary work, right, as Laplace had mentioned. Still, she’s working herself to the bone unnecessarily.
Yet, wasn’t she drinking herself?
…I thought of a somewhat contradictory point but decided to let it slide, as higher-ups usually seem exempt from rules.
“Ah! Leader! The beer is spilling!”
Yumina raised the cloth she had placed on the ground as a Magical Girl panicked. Sure enough, a beer can tipped over, spilling its contents.
“Sorry.”
What good will an apology do now?
Yumina sheepishly surveyed the girls.
And then, hesitating for a moment, she abruptly announced,
“…Everything is fine. Lucky for you!”
No, it isn’t.
There’s definitely something wrong.
A lot, even.
I briefly felt an urge to argue but held back, realizing I wasn’t involved. Still, this is problematic, right? Regardless, I let it go.
“Hey, we’re not like that. Since you’re here, why don’t you join us for a drink, Leader?”
The Magical Girl waved a beer can.
“I have an appointment shortly, so I shouldn’t drink here.”
“Then take one with you!”
Yumina accepted the beer can. What is this? Didn’t she come to stop drinking? I can’t figure it out. Is this a generation gap? Is that what it is? But we’re both middle schoolers, aren’t we?
Leaving the storefront, Yumina clutched the beer can.
“What just happened?”
“…Hmm?”
She seemed lost in thought, so her response was slow.
“I thought it was an alcohol inspection, but it wasn’t?”
“I drink beer too.”
“Then?”
Yumina brushed the edge of the can with her fingers.
“It was a drug inspection.”
…
I don’t know what to say.
“Due to the recent drug prevalence, I wanted to check if any Magical Girls are using it.”
Magical Girls and drugs. Well, it does make sense. When the police force was insufficient, Magical Girls assisted with drug enforcement. Curiosity might have led some to try drugs they seized then. Especially since they’re teenagers who’ve left home, they could be more vulnerable. It would be more surprising if none of them used drugs.
“Trustworthy girls were secretly assigned to investigate behind the scenes, and I conducted surprise inspections.”
Yumina took a long sip from the beer can. Doesn’t that hurt her throat?
“If anyone was a drug addict, I’d have a lot of work caring for them.”
“Yeah. Still, if necessary, we should take action. That was my intention…”
Yumina tossed the half-empty beer can. The remaining beer spilled everywhere as the can clattered to the ground.
“But not a single person was involved.”
Vulnerable environment. If, in such a setting, the crackdown finds not a single person using drugs, that’s truly strange.
“Isn’t it fortunate that no one was involved?”
Yumina smiled faintly while asking, as though seeking confirmation that this outcome was truly fortunate.
Of course, such results are possible. However improbable, overlapping coincidences could have led to this scenario. How miraculous if no one used drugs!
Still, miracles are called miracles because they’re exceptional. Yumina must know this as well.
“Though I’m not sure, perhaps it’s a good thing if you feel it’s fortunate.”
Hesitating for a while, Yumina finally smiled softly.
“Oh, so it’s fortunate!”
“That’s right.”
If the inspection yielded nothing unusual, isn’t that good?
“Really fortunate!”
“There’s no need to repeat the same thing.”
“Right? It’s really fortunate!”
As Yumina seemed uncertain, I glanced back at the storefront without paying much attention. A Magical Girl who had been peeking from upstairs quickly hid. It’s uncertain whether they’ll continue drinking or move on to a drug party. I could’ve checked with magic power, but I chose not to.
Yumina spun around with her arms stretched wide. She seems lively.
“Won’t you use drugs?”
“Of course not. No one was, and as far as I know, no one will. Yumina remains a Magical Girl! I am a Magical Girl! A Magical Girl!”
To an unsuitable leader of an organization, there are typically three choices: change the organization, leave the organization, or conform to it and merge.
“Alright then. Let’s head to the café.”
She’ll handle things her way.
Doesn’t she feel embarrassed calling herself a Magical Girl?
Is this middle school thinking? Do I need to understand that? Or should I be learning it?
Let’s learn it later. I took a few steps back and walked slowly.
*
“A pet?”
The true Yumina asked.
“Yeah. I think lately I’ve pushed Do-Yugeon too far, so I want to keep some distance for now.”
“That’s a good idea, but why does a pet come into play?”
“I’m just too sensitive inside, so if I stay apart, I’m worried my future self might feel lonely.”
Yumina blinked her eyes.
“So as a precaution, I thought an animal companion would alleviate the loneliness… Why are you staring at me so strangely?”
“I’m not staring to make you feel embarrassed.”
“It’s embarrassing because you’re looking at me like that.”
“That’s your conscience kicking in. It’s about time.”
This was embarrassing. I opened my mouth to argue, but the words wouldn’t come out, so I gave up and took a sip of my cappuccino instead.
“But! Our Lady might have a truly delicate inner world.”
“Do you really need to emphasize ‘truly’? It already feels like an attack on my inner world.”
“Don’t…my conscience says I shouldn’t tell lies.”
“Tell your conscience to move out.”
I cut the cake slice with the side of a fork. The first bite was delightfully sweet with a touch of citrusy tartness. Hmm. The citrus flavor is a bit strong. A sip of coffee toned down the taste on my tongue.
“Anyhow, I’m thinking about what kind of animal would be good. Probably, a dog is the best choice? Cats are adorable too but…”
Schrödinger occasionally drops by, jumps on her bed, and makes himself comfortable, so she doesn’t want to bring another feline in. Still, Schrödinger is indeed adorable despite his antics—it’d be nice if he couldn’t talk like a human.
“But let’s say we set aside choosing for now. Have you thoroughly considered the fact that you’re adopting an animal?”
“What about it?”
“Are you ready to responsibly take care of a living creature throughout all processes, nurturing it, looking after it, and accepting its death at the end?”
…
Yumina.
I averted my eyes from her.
“Of course.”
As an excuse, most parents don’t deeply deliberate before having children, just as I hadn’t thought through this deeply.
“You liar!”
I’ve never noticed my lies sticking.
“But… I just had a fleeting thought and didn’t reflect much on it yet. That’s why I called you to deliberate carefully together. If you ask suddenly, I get flustered…”
Yumina’s lecture followed. I blanked out while she talked, and eventually, it ended.
“Did you understand? Abandoning pets after impulsively raising them becomes a major societal issue!”
“Yeah.”
I wasn’t listening, but I used techniques to mimic attentive listening, gained from my previous life at work.
Satisfied Yumina received the conclusion I had during my zoning out.
“If pets aren’t possible, perhaps plants could work.”
“Plants won’t help much with loneliness. How about making more appointments with me?”
“You can treat plants as you would with animals by raising, caring, teaching, and nurturing them.”
“Something seems a little off in what you’re saying.”
“You just don’t understand until you try it.”
“Absolutely strange.”
“Completely normal.”
“Certainly strange.”
It was a firm rebuttal.
“Misunderstanding. You’ll understand when you see firsthand.”
![[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered](https://i3.wp.com/novelhitam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1743806812-5548-TS-The-Protagonist-is-Conquered.png?resize=151,215 "[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered")
