Chapter 180
Training (2)
Love and peace.
The most common yet most conceptual words.
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Who could define love and peace?
Numerous artists spoke of love, but none truly knew love. What they knew was only their own love.
Countless philosophers repeated discussions and contemplations as long as human history to create a peaceful world, but ultimately, no one understood peace. They couldn’t reach peace through any method.
From the beginning, the distinction was ambiguous.
If humanity increases and is protected through love, isn’t this contributing to peace through human preservation? Also, isn’t peace created by having love for humanity?
Therefore, love and peace were considered closely related values.
Wasn’t protecting love while maintaining peace the role of a magical girl?
Not even knowing the precise definition of these two, and yet being asked to distinguish between them – Baek Ah-hee couldn’t understand well.
Must one prioritize one over the other? Why on earth? Wouldn’t it be better to take care of both?
Of course, it’s true that power derived from love is considered unstable compared to peace. However, a top-tier magical girl should be able to embrace both.
Actually, distinguishing is difficult. It’s similar to not knowing exactly which food’s calories are consumed during exercise. It’s merely inferring by thinking about one’s state of mind, like recalling yesterday’s menu.
Without her own awareness, there have likely been many cases where stars were nurtured through love.
“Love and peace, love and peace….”
A being who protects love and peace must abandon one of them when feeling difficult?
Aren’t magical girls entities who challenge the impossible and showcase miracles?
“It’s difficult….”
Lying on the bed, Baek Ah-hee pondered.
Silver Luna’s advice was sufficient to complicate her thoughts. The considerably challenging demand to awaken holiness. Moreover, to choose between love and peace….
“Love and peace… LOVE&PEACE… A phrase popularized from American hippie culture, extending to rock… A movement of those who sang of rejecting violence and pursuing freedom and harmony….”
Baek Ah-hee tried to understand by organizing materials found through various media.
“But inside, it was filled with drugs and sex, a decadent lifestyle… Ah!”
It was mostly a meaningless effort.
“Is love promiscuity and peace drugs! Did I need to decide which pleasure to fall into…! Kyaa, Silver Luna, you pervert! What are you trying to extend towards me….”
[Guardian, have you gone mad?]
“…This can’t make sense, right?”
Sometimes such crazy conclusions would emerge.
“Sigh….”
Ultimately, this was a problem not solvable by mere contemplation.
If difficult challenges could be resolved by comfortably lying in bed and thinking, the world would be much easier.
All philosophers would have spoken only truths, artists would create masterpieces with each attempt, the economy would grow, and society would gain stability.
But no difficult problem gets solved by groaning on a bed.
A great genius might make it possible, but Baek Ah-hee was not a genius in this aspect. Like most other people.
Indeed, life is experience.
People can only see the world within their own perspective. However, it’s possible to imagine and consider others’ positions.
Experience enables this.
Through conversation, literature, and sometimes by directly experiencing similar situations.
Such accumulated experience nourishes the soul and enables deeper contemplation.
Naturally, conclusions considering more people would be more accurate than those made alone.
Baek Ah-hee decided.
Worrying about love and peace alone is useless!
So, let’s go out!
***
Ippotranslation
***
“After all, you have to bump into things to solve them!”
“Ah, so….”
Han Jae-jung let out a deep sigh after hearing that long-winded explanation.
“A person who thinks so much about others’ perspectives… Comes bursting in at three in the morning?”
“I’m sorry! I’m someone who originally hates being frustrated! At that moment, I guess my perspective was the most important, hehe….”
Baek Ah-hee looked up at the brightly moonlit sky through the window and smiled innocently. Her smile was innocent but not pure, and Han Jae-jung was amazed at her cleverness.
“But since I’m already here, what can we do?”
Even though business hours had ended, the coffee shop was still filled with a thick coffee aroma.
“From now on, at least contact me before coming. You even transformed and came in… I thought you were a villain.”
“If I were a villain, wouldn’t I have knocked less politely?”
“Is that what you call knocking? It was almost like you were about to break it down. It was basically a threat that you’d break it if it wasn’t opened.”
Baekho (White Lake). The space was filled with moonlight like its name, holding a mysterious atmosphere similar to a lake.
For Han Jae-jung, who had been living in the cafe since losing his home, this was a familiar scene. But seeing this scene with someone else felt awkward.
When two villains had burst in before, he hadn’t had time to think about the scenery or anything else.
Baek Ah-hee carefully drank the coffee given to her as an uninvited but still guest-like visitor, and mumbled,
“…The moon is beautiful.”
The slightly raised corners of her mouth, both mischievous and naive, created a complex emotional state for Han Jae-jung.
“Ah-hee.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t dodge the subject.”
“…Yes.”
Is this kid laughing after waking someone up at three in the morning?
“Do you enjoy teasing and annoying me?”
“No, that’s….”
“Be honest.”
“A little….”
“A little?”
“To be honest, quite a lot….”
“No, it’s not just ‘quite a lot’. From my perspective, you find your entire life’s joy in me. Your greatest pleasure is seeing me frown.”
“Oh, correct.”
“Stop saying ‘correct’ like that.”
He really wanted to hit her, but he knew that in his current state, only his own hand would get hurt, so he had to hold back.
“Jae, Jae-jung, haven’t my sarcastic remarks increased lately?”
“No, you’re the one who asked me to use informal speech. I’m just following along.”
“Can’t you listen to me just this once?”
He was tired. It wasn’t just from lack of sleep.
“…We haven’t been together recently. During the day, both you and I are busy… This is the only time we have….”
It was a problem with his body itself. A fundamental pain. Was it because his lifespan was shortening? His condition was quite poor.
Fortunately, there was no need to use the Big Dipper today. If it had been a day when he needed to use it, he would have suffered even more fatigue. He might have even slept like he was unconscious, not even hearing Ah-hee’s rough knocking.
“Ah, I didn’t come to talk about this… Eh, whatever! Mood! Master! Bring out all the alcohol here!”
“Do you think I’ll give you alcohol? Satisfy yourself with caffeine.”
Baek Ah-hee clicked her tongue lightly and drank her coffee discontentedly.
Sometimes, such an attitude was appreciated.
The fact that she knew everything about Han Jae-jung’s identity and health condition, yet treated him unchanged, was good. It seemed to eliminate unnecessary worries, anguish, and discomfort.
After drinking about half her coffee, Baek Ah-hee suddenly pulled out paper and a pen, then clasped her hands and placed them near her mouth.
“Hmm… Well, now that the tension is all gone.”
“I wasn’t tense in the first place.”
“I’ll now begin the counseling.”
Her demeanor was like a professional psychiatrist (more often seen on TV shows than in hospitals).
“It’s been a while since our last counseling session, hasn’t it, Jae-jung?”
Yes, being treated unchanged was good. Having someone with whom you can comfortably talk without feeling uncomfortable is always precious.
But isn’t this a bit too comfortable? The sight of someone trying their best to waste time in front of a terminally ill patient was truly impressive.
‘This girl has come to assassinate me.’
How blind to public service could one be, to waste time so hesitantly? Before awakening her divine powers, she was planning to eliminate her rival in bug hunting!
‘Kim Saji, learn from this. This is what assassination looks like.’
“Don’t cowardly snipe from a distance. Come out confidently and kill without malice. That’s truly a professional touch.”
“…It’s been quite a while since that counseling.”
“That’s right, that’s right?! This is the fundamental nature of our relationship….”
“Though, psychological growth has always been yours, counselor.”
“….”
“And that’s the plan for today as well.”
Baek Ah-hee fell silent.
“Oh, today is different…!”
“Oh ho.”
“I’m going to properly listen to the counseling.”
She cleared her throat once more, straightened her posture, and looked at Han Jae-jung with serious eyes.
“Please tell me about your first love.”
“….”
“While contemplating your first love and dissecting its psychology….”
He hadn’t expected anything. Han Jae-jung pointed to the door without even sighing.
“Get out.”
“Ah~ Didn’t you hear my story earlier! Without contemplating love and peace, you can’t awaken divinity!”
Divinity.
Just as Helios had proposed to Jo A-yoon, it seems Silver Luna has proposed to Baek Ah-hee.
‘To be honest, considering the original story, I want to tell her not to awaken….’
From Han Jae-jung’s perspective of knowing the future, her awakening was something he wanted to avoid as much as possible.
Fortunately, just awakening as a divine being doesn’t immediately cause problems.
The problem comes after awakening as a divine being – the magical girl world’s unique second awakening.
Hypernova.
Red Vega’s awakening happens near the very end of the story. It occurs when most magical girls have retired or fallen into death.
After resolving the Scorpion problem, immediately when the Lion rages and the magical girl is the only one left.
It happens in a situation right before world destruction.
This is a Hypernova. If a divine being destroys the surroundings just by existing, a Hypernova shakes the world just by existing. Its power is comparable to that of a god.
With this power, most villains could be dealt with, but… There’s too significant a variable in this world.
The Paradox villain of the Shield constellation.
The moment Red Vega awakens as a Hypernova, he will immediately brand her as the strongest and try to kill her.
Before the two who have awakened as Hypernova can even exchange ten words, human civilization will be destroyed. They will also die.
The remaining humans in the destroyed civilization will be killed by villains. Ultimately, all of humanity will be extinguished.
The worst ending that would consume all kinds of curses. This ending must be avoided at all costs.
The best method would be to prevent Red Vega’s power-up….
‘She won’t listen.’
Even if he tells her that the world will be destroyed if she becomes strong, she won’t believe or listen
“Quick! First love! First love!”
So right now, the only thing to do is to talk smoothly and send her away.
“Fine, if you want, I’ll tell you! Listen! My entire life is here!”
“Ooooooh.”
Clap clap clap clap. Baek Ah-hee clapped enthusiastically.
“As you know, my first love was Seol-hwa.”
“Absolute devotion…! H-How did you fall for her?”
“Love at first sight.”
“Eck.”
Baek Ah-hee frowned. What was wrong with that? It seemed like a normal story.
“So you fell for her looks?”
“We were both still snotty little kids back then. What looks? Overall… I fell for her atmosphere.”
“Kids usually look at faces more. Right. Just like me.”
“You’re not a kid.”
“More so than you? Anyway… Are there any other detailed circumstances?….”
“None. Really. I fell in love at first sight and pursued her. And back then, Seol-hwa was prickly and would always push me away whenever I approached. End of story.”
“Boooring….”
Baek Ah-hee rested her face on the table.
“I thought this would be useful… You don’t know that feeling of falling in love at first sight. Even when I try to imagine it, I can’t grasp it….”
“This girl, talking about usefulness with people.”
Pouting and grumbling, she tapped Han Jae-jung’s foot from under the table.
“Honestly, I can’t even comprehend romantic love between the sexes.”
“You just haven’t met such a person.”
“Despite that, I know a lot about familial love. I don’t have parents, but my grandmother raised me with great care.”
Baek Ah-hee raised her body. Not just her upper body, but her entire body.
“Why, why are you coming closer….”
“Precisely, how are romantic love and family love different?”
She placed her hand on Han Jae-jung’s thigh and bent her body. Her red pupils shone brighter than the moon, looking down at him.
“Sexual desire? Is sexual desire all that makes heterosexual love? But there are many sexless couples in the world. They still love each other. There are couples committed to premarital chastity, and I recently learned about platonic love – couples who love each other without physical obsession. Are these not heterosexual?”
“Ya, wait….”
“In my opinion, love is the desire to give of oneself. Wanting to give everything, where the happiness of the other becomes your own happiness.”
She was too close. Her breath was palpable. Han Jae-jung tried to avert his eyes, but no matter where he looked, Baek Ah-hee’s face was there.
“But then again, it’s different. There’s also a desire that the other person gives back as much love as you’ve given, and while you want them to be happy, you don’t want them to be happy without you. Sometimes, even the other person’s uncomfortable expression can be lovely.”
“Ah, I see. That’s how Ah-hee thinks~ This… Is burdensome? Move aside….”
“Precisely, with you, Jae-jung.”
Han Jae-jung was momentarily speechless.
“So, are you in love with me right now?”
Though momentarily stunned, Han Jae-jung thought about it briefly. The conclusion came quickly.
“…Maybe?”
“Right? So is this love for the opposite sex? Love for a partner? But there’s something a bit strange. Do you want to kiss me?”
“Not particularly.”
“How coincidental. I feel the same. But a peck might be okay. Even so, is this heterosexual love? Desire? Eros?”
The answer came just as quickly.
“Hmm… Seems ambiguous.”
“Yes. I think so too.”
Baek Ah-hee backed away. Han Jae-jung could finally breathe again. It was truly burdensome.
“Honestly, if this were a TV drama, something would have happened by now.”
“I told you to stop watching those.”
“What can I do? I’m curious. And TV dramas are okay!”
They both let out deep sighs.
“…Even after all this, I can’t organize my thoughts. What does it mean to love someone, to love someone rationally? Come to think of it, the term ‘rationally’ is strange too. There must be many same-sex loves in the world.”
“That’s how it’s always been. There are various types of love.”
“Hmm… It’s difficult.”
After a few more exchanges, Baek Ah-hee eventually gave up defining love today. Not knowing love was no different from not knowing human compassion. Ultimately, she didn’t understand peace either.
Tired from talking, they decided to reference literature. Baek Ah-hee brought a movie. She said it was a famous classic romance film.
Han Jae-jung, who only knew the name but had never seen it, didn’t refuse.
Baek Ah-hee, who wanted to analyze heterosexual love by watching the film, fell asleep less than thirty minutes after it started.
Han Jae-jung watched the entire movie. He even shed tears. The ending of two lovers separating for their dreams deeply moved his heart.
Baek Ah-hee showed no signs of waking, so he decided to take her to his bed. Then, feeling extremely sleepy, he sat down next to her and fell asleep.
It was just before dawn.
When the sun was moderately hung in the sky, Joo Ah-yoon diligently arrived at the cafe.
And…
“What the hell.”
She discovered Baek Ah-hee lying on the bed and Han Jae-jung sitting curled up beside her.
“What the hellllll!!!!”
It was the beginning of a tumultuous day.
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