**One Kick Girl — Chapter 127:
"Oversight Committees and Other Nightmares"**
Freedom requires meetings. Too many meetings.
1. The First Sign Something Was Wrong
The invitation had a logo.
Raon stared at it like it might bite her.
"…Why does freedom need branding?"
Shion adjusted her glasses.
"Because the moment anything matters, someone tries to monetize the font."
The title glowed politely:
EMERGENCY POST-PROTOCOL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (EPPOC)
Meeting #1 of ∞
Raon squinted.
"…Why is the infinity symbol smiling?"
Shion sighed.
"That's not a smile. That's Comic Sans."
Raon recoiled. "Kill it."
2. Democracy, Folding Chairs Edition
The meeting room was enormous.
Too enormous.
Circular table. Microphones. Nameplates.
At least thirty people sat around it.
Experts. Representatives. Analysts. A guy labeled "Community Vibes Consultant."
Raon leaned toward Shion.
"…Who are these people?"
Shion whispered back.
"Everyone who thinks surviving the apocalypse qualifies them to manage it."
At the head sat The Man.
No title this time.
Just a name tag:
Acting Liaison
Progress. Technically.
3. Agenda Item One: Tone
A woman with perfect posture cleared her throat.
"We must begin by discussing tone," she said.
Raon blinked.
"…Of what?"
"Public morale messaging," the woman replied.
A man chimed in:
"Specifically, how disruptive vigilante violence impacts emotional safety."
Raon slowly raised her hand.
"Yes?" the woman said cautiously.
Raon pointed at herself.
"I kicked a god because everyone was miserable."
The room fell silent.
Raon tilted her head.
"…Is that bad tone?"
Someone coughed.
Shion covered her face.
4. Shion vs. The Flowchart
A projector activated.
Flowcharts bloomed like fungus.
Decision trees. Approval ladders. Emergency escalation diagrams.
Shion's eye twitched.
"This response time is forty-eight hours."
A committee member nodded.
"Efficiency compromise is necessary for consensus."
Shion stood.
"When the city was being emotionally suffocated, you'd still be debating bullet points."
Another member frowned.
"But the protocol—"
Shion snapped:
"Doesn't stop existential dread."
The projector flickered.
Raon whispered:
"…She's in murder mode."
5. Raon Gets a Job Offer
A man in a very expensive suit leaned forward.
"Miss Raon, we'd like to formalize your role."
Raon brightened.
"Oh! Like snacks captain?"
"…Like Enforcement Asset."
Raon's smile vanished.
"You mean… permission?"
He nodded.
"Scheduled deployment. Pre-approved targets. Clear rules of engagement."
Raon leaned back.
"…So I have to ask before kicking evil?"
"Yes."
Raon crossed her arms.
"…What if evil doesn't fill out the form?"
The man hesitated.
Shion smiled without warmth.
6. The Committee Discovers Fear
A younger member raised a shaky hand.
"What if… what if we're wrong again?"
The room stilled.
No charts prepared for that.
"What if people don't want us deciding everything?" the member continued.
Raon looked at him.
"Then stop."
Simple. Terrifying.
The Man finally spoke.
"Control feels safer than trust."
Every head turned.
"But safety without agency is just a quieter cage."
No one argued.
That was worse.
7. Vote of Confidence (Sort Of)
A motion was raised.
Proposal:
Limit One Kick Girl's actions pending committee review.
Votes appeared on screens.
Yellow. Yellow. Red. Yellow.
Raon watched, bored.
"…Is yellow good?"
Shion muttered.
"Yellow means 'afraid to say no.'"
The final tally appeared.
Motion: INCONCLUSIVE
The system chimed:
Further discussion required.
Raon cracked her knuckles.
"…I hate democracy."
Shion smirked.
"You love people.
This is the annoying part that comes with them."
8. Walking Out
Raon stood.
Didn't ask.
Didn't announce.
Just… left.
The doors didn't stop her.
The committee erupted.
"You can't just—!" "This meeting isn't adjourned!" "We haven't reached consensus!"
Raon turned back.
"You will," she said calmly.
"When something really bad happens."
She smiled.
"And I'll be there before the minutes are approved."
Shion followed her out, tablet under her arm.
The Man watched them go.
No orders given.
9. Outside, Real Life Continues
The city buzzed.
Messy. Loud. Alive.
A street performer argued with a heckler. Someone laughed too hard. Someone cried freely.
Raon inhaled.
"…This is better."
Shion nodded.
"They'll try to tame it."
Raon grinned.
"They can try."
10. Stinger
Back in the empty chamber, the system flickered once.
A new internal log appeared:
OBSERVATION:
Uncontrolled agents create instability.
Instability creates adaptation.
Adaptation correlates with survival.
A pause.
QUERY:
Is One Kick Girl a bug… or a feature?
Cut to Raon stretching in the sunlight.
"…Shion?"
"Yes?"
"…If they try to put a leash on me—"
Shion smiled.
"I'll handle the paperwork."
Raon beamed.
"Perfect."
END OF CHAPTER 127