---

Chapter 15: The Struggle for Na-Na-Na Rights

“Struggle, struggle!”

“Ugh, unity… tu-tuh, struggle!”

“Sis, don’t abandon us!”

“Wh- who’s we?”

“Science Magic Agency Magical Girl Hero Park Da-young!”

“Ah, Academy Psychic Hero Ryu Ah-jin!”

“Hero Jisehee, don’t leave us behind!”

“Guarantee our Na-Na-Na rights!”

Ah, I’ve seen this on the news before. Those protesters always have such chants.

Na-Na-Na rights? Are they planning to poke someone with a stick or something?

Anyway, the intensity of those red headbands is quite something.

Honestly, it’s absurd that they’re protesting like that.

“I mean, what opportunity are you asking for?”

Did I treat anyone unfairly?

I’ve pondered this endlessly, but the people I’m closest to right now are Da-young and Ah-jin.

Of course, they’re the ones I worry about and care for the most.

I’d say I’ve never neglected those two, not even once.

Really, I have no idea what their complaint is to warrant such ridiculous protesting.

Ppeppa, who was hovering in the air watching the scene with a comical expression, mocked them.

“Hehe, seeing you losers protest makes my patriotic heart swell… kekek!”

“Shut up!”

Just like that, Da-young snagged Ppeppa and spun her neck around at a crazy angle.

—Thud! Snap!

I thought Ppeppa’s head would get crushed like a V, but she immediately spun back into position, looking lively again, which was quite grotesque.

How do I put it? Like a wind-up toy? Exactly like that.

Watching Ppeppa’s neck slowly rotate back to normal, I nudged her with my foot.

“Hey, you good? Still alive?”

“W-who doesn’t have their neck snap after 20 spins, Bitch Jisehee?”

From the way she’s talking, she seems fine.

With Ppeppa safe, it was time to turn my attention back to the two.

“So, what do you want me to do? I’m exhausted and just want to rest today.”

Is asking to go shopping that offensive?

“How can a hero not know about the noble obligation of noblesse oblige?!”

“Even if I’m a hero, if I’m a lower level, I need—Na-Na-Na!”

“Ah! Lay down! Just lay down!”

“Lay, lay… just endlessly lay.”

“……”

Seriously, these guys.

I wouldn’t have thought they’d throw a tantrum like this.

Although barging into my house to protest would definitely make anyone’s blood pressure rise, isn’t the title of “Hero” worthy of some patience?

First, I needed to understand why they were acting like this.

‘Even if I ask directly, they won’t tell me.’

Guess I have to take the long route.

I stepped back a few paces, holding onto Ppeppa’s now-normal neck.

“Hey, what’s up with those two?”

“Hmm? You still don’t know? Bitch Jisehee, you’re so oblivious, ha!”

—Thud! Thud!

I spun Ppeppa’s neck around 360 degrees before setting it right again.

“What is it?”

“Urgh! Those bitches! All heroes are just trash, ugh!”

“Quit beating around the bush and just say it. My head hurts.”

“Hey, Bitch Jisehee, you think Da-young and Ah-jin didn’t see you dancing with the lotus? Of course, they got jealous and that’s why they’re like this.”

“……”

Is that all?

It’s ridiculous, so I turned my head to see Da-young and Ah-jin, who were already sprawled out on the floor, fully engaged in their lay-down protest.

They looked like they had done this before; they were laying down with such passion.

The fact that their only reason for acting like this was because I danced with another girl makes my head throb, yet at the same time, it’s somewhat cute.

It’s like little babies throwing a fit… Man, I’m really in trouble.

What am I supposed to do with these whiny chicks lying around like baby birds?

Sigh.

I guess I have no choice.

“Get up already. Let’s go out somewhere.”

“Wait, really?!”

“Later, right?”

“You crazy piece of junk, when do you mean later?!”

—Bang!

I was in a hurry, so I wrapped things up by smashing the pot into a V shape and rushed to get ready for the outing.

* * *

Even on a weekday lunch, the place was crowded.

Well, I guess it’s the shopping mall after all.

‘I mean, I expected it.’

Thinking about how much I’d have to endure, I couldn’t help but sigh a little.

Ah, come to think of it, since my return, have I come to a place like this?

“It’s lunchtime, right? Should we eat first?”

“I found a great restaurant on the top floor. Sis, please treat me to a fancy meal. Pwease.”

“Your words and actions are incredibly gross.”

As Ah-jin stood next to me with her arms crossed, Da-young shot her a disgusted look from across the way.

Since we were going out, and it was crowded, I figured it’d be better to keep them close to avoid any panic issues, but that didn’t stop Ah-jin from firing her words non-stop like a machine gun.

I might be feeling a bit dizzy, but the suggestion itself wasn’t bad.

It wouldn’t be great to just have a quick bite at the food corner.

“Is there a room there?”

“Of course! I’ve already checked everything!”

Seeing Ah-jin, who exclaimed ‘Yay!’ with confidence, made me feel like I had to comply.

Of course, a lot of challenges awaited us on the journey to our destination.

Like, for example, getting into the building’s elevator and making our way to the top floor….

“Quit clinging to your sister, you crazy piece of junk.”

“No way, you dumbass.”

As I got sandwiched between the two who were bickering, it was even more uncomfortable in the cramped elevator with everyone staring at us.

Listening to the two squabble next to me made me feel very anxious.

‘When will we get to the 15th floor?’

Why is this elevator so slow?

Now we’re at the 9th floor.

I figured I couldn’t let them go on arguing like that, so I steeled myself.

In the end, the time had come for me to set them straight.

“If you keep acting like this, I’ll really teach you both a lesson in bed tonight. So shut up.”

“Huh?!”

“Ugh!”

[“What nonsense is this!”]

I scolded them with a more embarrassing line.

[Whispers.]

[In bed…?]

[That girl is super pretty. Ugh!]

[I want to… I want to join…]

Of course, the aftermath of that will be all on me.

* * *

After a series of twists and turns, we finally arrived at the restaurant, where we could finally enjoy some leisurely time.

Since it was a weekday, there were no reserved rooms, and it was a nice spot to eat inside a room.

While it wasn’t a night view, the scenery from the high floor’s window was pretty pleasant.

“Isn’t it delicious?”

“Yeah. I think going out for a meal occasionally isn’t so bad.”

“It tastes good, but isn’t it expensive here? We ordered it as a course.”

“Do you think I’d ask you for money when we’ve gathered like this because of me? And it’s common etiquette to eat a course if you go to a restaurant.”

See, the dishes are quite well arranged and diverse.

At that moment, Ppeppa, who was sprawled out on the table burping repeatedly, gave me a thumbs up and said, “It’s been a while since I heard a good point from you, Bitch Jisehee. I, Ppeppa, am blissfully fulfilled with this feast!”

How is that tiny body able to hold all the course meals?

Ppeppa begged for food as well, so it turned into a situation where our trio ordered a four-person course.

Thanks to that, the manager raised an eyebrow, but as long as Ppeppa ate happily, he seemed to let it slide.

Well, it wasn’t a bad development on their end.

While slowly enjoying the last dessert, Da-young suddenly seemed to remember something and spoke up.

“Sis, didn’t anything interesting happen during the tournament?”

“Y-yeah! I’d love to hear something funny….”

“Tournament? Interesting thing?”

Well, nothing particularly happened, right?

In the tournament, I guess it was just battling against opponents and then winning and doing interviews?

Both of them should know that without me needing to say it.

If there’s any behind-the-scenes story, I’d share it, but we’re not at that level of intimacy yet.

Ah, if there’s anything at all…

“So, the lotus…”

I thought that the stories with the lotus would be worth sharing.

Just as I was about to open up that topic,

“Sis.”

I saw the rare sight of the two genuinely annoyed.

What’s up? What’s the matter?

As I raised an eyebrow, Da-young, trying to calm her emotions with a glass of water, spoke.

“Don’t mention other girls when we’re here.”

“Sis… honestly… that last line was a total zero.”

“I want to board the flow too, I mean. Ppeppa feels down. Puu~!”

I tightly grabbed Ppeppa’s head and squeezed out the juice. That’s the magic of juicing.

Anyway, it seems my line was definitely a total miss with those two.

If this goes on, the mood will definitely sour.

That would mean all the effort I made to break out of my comfort zone would be in vain.

It’s not like I’m trying to level up my likability points or anything, so this is a really tough situation.

Stay calm, me.

I need to find the best reply here.

1. I danced with the lotus, and she was good.

2. I became personal friends with the lotus.

3. The lotus asked to be called by her name.

4. Want to wrap this up and go shopping?

5. I was also nationalistic like Ppeppa. Hey, come on! Money for days!

The answer I choose is…

‘This is it!’

Having settled on the best answer, I spoke with the softest smile I could manage.

“Okay, then let’s finish up eating and go shopping. Since I wanted to buy some clothes anyway.”

“R-really? Sounds good.”

“Sis’s… clothes, underwear… costumes.”

The topic seems to be getting weirder and weirder, but…

For now, I’ll settle for calming these two down.

Not knowing that more challenging trials awaited ahead, I found myself satisfied with the lightened atmosphere and simply enjoying the moment…

Incredibly, with the sun shining brightly overhead, the sky pointed to an utterly perfect afternoon.