The conversation with Sin Ayun was useful.
Because she knew quite a bit of information I didn’t.
Unlike me, who had come outside without much thought, she seemed to have done a considerable amount of research.
That was why I, too, became quite absorbed in talking with her.
And in doing so, I had forgotten one thing.
‘…Ugh. They’re still staring…….’
Even now, most of the eyes inside the community service center were monopolized by me.
‘Well, I did cause that kind of scene…….’
Even if it were me, I would have found it hard to look away. What had just happened was something that could only be described as sacred.
Honestly, even I, the person involved, was dumbfounded, so what must it have been like for everyone else?
‘At least that Christian lady who was making such a fuss is gone now.’
If that woman had still been here, I really would have wanted to die.
I had no idea where she had gone, but for me, it was a relief.
Besides, if I stayed with Sin Ayun, who was a werewolf, the attention coming my way would be divided……
“Ah, it’s my turn! I’ll go first!”
…it had been nice while it was divided.
This is embarrassing. When was the last time I received this much attention? It had been so long now that I couldn’t even remember.
[Number 7]
‘Ah, thank goodness.’
At least my turn came soon as well.
The moment the number ticket I had pulled in advance announced my turn, I headed toward the counter as if fleeing.
“Welco— huph.”
When I got to the counter, the civil servant sitting there with a bored expression sucked in a startled breath.
‘…What is it? Ah, don’t tell me…!’
Just in case, I checked my sorry state. It would be troublesome if the clothes I was wearing underneath were exposed.
But my clothes were fine.
The horrifying and shocking sight was being covered quite well by the long padded coat.
…Then what on earth was the problem?
While I was flustered, unable to figure out the cause, the person staring blankly at me finally opened their mouth.
“A-an angel?”
“…I’m not.”
“So what my other colleagues were talking about earlier was really…….”
Hearing that, it seemed the rumor had already spread among the civil servants.
Well, of course it would. After I caused that much chaos.
“…….”
But that was that, and from my position, it was rather unpleasant.
I wasn’t the type to enjoy other people’s attention. Especially not that kind of attention.
When I stared at them, the civil servant finally came to their senses and responded.
“Y-you’re a mutant, correct?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“Oh dear, I’m sorry. It’s just that you feel a little different from the other mutants……”
I could understand that.
I was aware that I was unusual enough myself.
But dragging things out with such pointless chatter didn’t suit my temperament.
“So, what should I do? I heard the procedure isn’t that complicated.”
“Ah, yes! That’s right. You just need to fill out a few simple documents and stamp them with your seal.”
A few documents, huh. They said it was simple, but it was obvious it would take quite some time.
Still, seeing as verification posts had already gone up, maybe it wouldn’t take as long as I expected.
Then a question suddenly occurred to me, so I asked.
“…Is there no need for identity verification? My fingerprints are still the same, but there are people whose appearances have strayed far from human.”
“They say even for those people, their fingerprint patterns are the same. If that really isn’t possible, they test with DNA.”
So that seemed to be why they drew blood.
Certainly, if even fingerprints remained the same, DNA wouldn’t be any different.
The reason the government had been able to respond this quickly was probably largely due to that characteristic.
Even if a person changed, it was only their outward appearance.
“Then could you fill this out first? Please read it carefully and just give your consent.”
The civil servant handed me several documents.
From the most basic identity confirmation and consent form for viewing and providing personal information, to things like consent forms for securing records such as photography and blood collection……
‘A report of bodily mutation occurrence, huh.’
This was probably the core of it.
Before filling out the report, I submitted the consent forms first.
Apparently, they needed those before they could look up my existing identity.
“Thank you. So your name is Han Yujin… correct?”
“Yes.”
“And your gender iiiis…?”
Yeah, this day was bound to come eventually.
It was something I had expected before coming here anyway. I had to steel my heart.
“…Male.”
At those words, the civil servant blinked.
With that appearance, and that voice? Their expression said something like that.
“…When I woke up, I was like this. My gender has changed too.”
“I-I see.”
The civil servant spoke in confusion.
It wasn’t that I couldn’t understand, but that reaction annoyed me. The person who should have been the most confused here was me.
“Y-yes……. In any case, your identity has been confirmed, and now you can fill out the report……”
“…All right.”
At a table a little ways away, I filled out the report with the pen the civil servant had given me.
[Time mutation was first recognized: Around 12:10 p.m.
Changes in body structure: A pair of wings and a halo. Gender reversal.
Current condition: Very good.
Level of consciousness: Slight hangover.
Pain / violent impulses: None.
Ability to communicate: Possible.]
As I filled it out roughly, various thoughts came to mind.
Honestly, weren’t the questions about violent impulses and the ability to communicate a bit suggestive?
Were there mutants experiencing these kinds of impulses?
But I was fine, and even Sin Ayun looked fine.
‘Or maybe they just included it as part of the procedure. Nothing has been properly confirmed yet.’
Mm, that did seem more likely.
When I returned after filling out the documents appropriately, the civil servant was waiting with a nervous face.
“Um, yes. One moment, you can’t write the current condition section like this. Could you change it to ‘no abnormalities’?”
“…Yes.”
Even if the two didn’t seem that different, the nuance was quite significant.
With my ears slightly reddened, I corrected the document.
“Yes, if you finish writing this, you’ll be done. Do you have any other questions?”
Hearing that, something suddenly came to mind.
“Um, what happens with the military?”
“…The military? Ah, you said you were male. One moment……”
After staring intently at the monitor for a while, the civil servant soon let out a sound of realization.
“Ah, you only have a week left until enlistment.”
“…Do I have to go? From what I heard, I might be assigned to public service.”
“That’s correct. But, well, that’s true, but… hmm.”
Fuck, what is it?
As the explanation grew longer, harsh words threatened to come out for no reason.
Whenever things went like this, bad news usually followed……
“There are temporary assessment standards in place. Military service classification is divided depending on the type of mutation.”
“…That’s already been decided?”
“I was surprised too, having such a detailed manual come down from the very day the incident happened, but that’s how it is for now.”
“So what are these standards…?”
“Not having changed greatly from a human appearance. Being in a physically and mentally stable state……”
That’s exactly me.
Even though I had turned into an angel with my gender reversed, compared to Sin Ayun, I was on the normal side. At the very least, I had maintained a human appearance.
The only thing left was the mental issue, but I had already written on the report that I was fine.
“…Can I revise the report?”
“You can, but it probably won’t mean anything. This all remains on record too.”
“…Fuck.”
In the end, I couldn’t hold back, and a curse slipped out.
“I’m sorry, but regarding military service, you’ll have to inquire with the Military Manpower Administration. We don’t have authority over that……”
“Yes, I know.”
It wasn’t that I was angry at the civil servant in front of me either.
I was simply boiling with rage at my own situation.
How could this kind of reality, this kind of reality, exist?
As I was fuming, the civil servant spoke cautiously.
“Still, it’s not as if there’s no possibility at all, right?”
“…Really? What you just said.”
A hopeful cry that came out of nowhere.
Naturally, my gaze turned toward the civil servant’s mouth.
“This is just my personal opinion, but since your gender has changed, after all. I don’t know the details either, but you might be found unfit during the physical examination.”
“…Thank you.”
Of course, it was nothing more than an assumption, but it didn’t mean there was no hope at all.
If my gender had been reversed and I still had to go to the military, I would die from sheer unfairness.
“Yes, then the paperwork has been processed, and you may go home now. You may have to come again later to fill out additional documents.”
“Yes, understood.”
With that, the things I had been curious about were resolved to some extent, and even the paperwork was complete.
Since there hadn’t been that much to begin with, it had taken only twenty minutes.
‘…Is it really okay for it to end this quickly?’
The government’s hands-off attitude that I had heard about while talking with Sin Ayun earlier bothered me.
If that was truly the case, then what on earth was happening for the government’s administrative power to be completely occupied……
When I returned to the waiting area like that, Sin Ayun, who had finished earlier than me, was waiting.
The moment she saw me, she smiled brightly.
Of course, perhaps because of her werewolf appearance, she was a little scary, but since her expression was gentle, she was rather cute in her own way.
“Un… Oppa!”
And the moment she called out to me.
“There they are, Pastor! That Satanic devil is tempting and intimidating people and trying to corrupt the angel!”
A voice suddenly rang out from outside the door.
The moment I heard that cry, I frowned.
The content was one thing, but it was also because the voice itself was one I had heard somewhere before.
‘Ah, damn it. That woman’s spouting nonsense again…….’
Behind the door that was flung open stood the Christian lady from before, wearing a triumphant expression.
Behind that woman stood a large man who looked benevolent.
But one couldn’t judge by appearances alone.
Since he was someone that crazy woman had brought here, it would be hard to see him as anything close to normal.
‘I thought she ran away since she just disappeared.’
Turns out it had been a countercharge.
To think she would bring reinforcements like this.
Faced with the unpleasant situation, I crossed my arms and glanced at Sin Ayun.
Deep shadows had settled around her eyes, and it was plainly visible that her expression had darkened.
“…I’m.”
It was right before Sin Ayun was about to say something.
“Shh.”
The man called pastor raised his index finger.
“There is no need for you to force yourself to say anything. Matthew 9:36. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
“What is that supposed to……”
“Sister, you have lost your way.”
The pastor murmured that as if he truly felt sorry for her.
“But you see. The path you have fallen into is no longer a path. Could it be called anything other than a pit?”
“…….”
“He who touches pitch shall be defiled. No matter how much you struggle in the mire, only mud will splash. You cannot get out on your own, and no one can pull you out. Unless you wish to stain pure white with something wicked, please repent now.”
At those words, tears welled up in Sin Ayun’s eyes.
Her expression showed resentment on one hand and a sense of injustice on the other.
And at that, I……
“Why don’t you shut your damn mouth?”
I simply couldn’t hold back.