**One Kick Girl — Chapter 119:
"Vote With Your Feet"**
When freedom becomes unpopular.
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1. The City Asks Nicely
It didn't announce an emergency.
It announced a survey.
Screens everywhere displayed the same calm message:
> CIVIC ALIGNMENT CHECK
Please proceed to your nearest marked zone.
Participation is voluntary.
(Non-participation will be noted.)
Raon squinted.
"…That last part feels illegal."
Shion grimaced.
"That's how they always phrase it."
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2. The Zones
Two glowing symbols appeared on streets and plazas.
✔ ORDER ZONE
— Structured life
— Reduced stress
— Predictable safety
✖ UNSTRUCTURED ZONE
— Personal choice
— Uncertain outcomes
— Emotional variance
People hesitated.
Then… moved.
Mostly toward Order.
Raon's stomach sank.
"…They're choosing it."
Shion shook her head.
"They're choosing relief."
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3. Peer Pressure, Optimized
A young man glanced at Raon.
"Hey," he said softly,
"you should stand with us.
It'll calm things down."
A woman added:
"My kids sleep better now."
Another smiled apologetically.
"No offense… but you're loud."
Raon felt smaller than she ever had.
"…I don't want to be loud," she muttered.
Shion's voice was firm.
"You're not loud.
You're alive."
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4. The Man Frames It
The Man With The Plan appeared above the zones.
> "No coercion.
No punishment.
Just choice."
He gestured.
> "If you stand alone…
you choose to be apart."
Raon clenched her fists.
"That's not a choice."
Shion nodded.
"That's exile with good PR."
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5. The Numbers Roll In
Counters ticked up.
Order: 73%
Unstructured: 19%
Undecided: 8%
Raon stared.
"…What if most people want this?"
Shion answered honestly.
"Then we protect the ones who don't."
Raon swallowed.
"And if that's just me?"
Shion smiled softly.
"Then we protect you."
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6. Raon Steps Forward
Raon walked into the Unstructured Zone.
Alone.
The ground didn't light up.
No applause.
Just wind.
The man tilted his head.
> "You could still join them."
Raon shouted back:
"I don't want my life to feel finished!"
Silence rippled.
A teenager hesitated.
Then stepped toward Raon.
Then another.
A mother stopped at the line.
Undecided dropped.
Unstructured rose to 22%.
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7. The Plan Adjusts Again
The man's smile thinned.
> "Interesting."
New text formed:
> MINORITY PROTECTION MODE ENABLED
Shion cursed.
"That sounds bad."
Raon blinked.
"…Why does protection feel like a threat?"
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8. Quiet Courage
The people beside Raon were shaking.
No powers. No weapons.
Just presence.
Raon breathed.
"…I don't know what I'm doing."
Shion squeezed her shoulder.
"Neither does anyone else.
That's the point."
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9. Final Line
The Man With The Plan spoke softly:
> "If you insist on choice…
then you'll bear its consequences."
Raon lifted her chin.
"…I already do."
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END OF CHAPTER 119