Volume 5 Chapter 2 – The Witch’s Forest and the Maidens of the Round Table 2

| Wako Erika

The place we visited with the witches was a family restaurant. Since I didn’t come here often, I wasn’t familiar with the procedures, so I left the arrangements to the witches, my juniors, who efficiently took care of everything.

“I’m not very familiar with this. Thank you very much.”

“We’re aware of Wako-senpai’s lack of worldly knowledge. Please don’t worry about it.”

“So, what was it you wanted to discuss?”

“Jun, let’s wait until the orders arrive first, shall we?”

“Shinonome-senpai, it’s pointless to say that to Hatano-senpai~. Is it because of the family business? A bit too eager, aren’t we? chuckles“

“Huh?”

“Ranka-san, that’s enough.”

“Yes, indeed, Ranka-san. It’s Umiumi-san who is taking charge here, right? Let’s leave it to her for now.”

◆

“What I would like you to see are some photos. I’ll send them over, so please take a look. First, I would like you to understand my concerns, and then we can proceed with the discussion.”

When I saw the photo sent by Otono-san, I felt my heart nearly stop.

It was like a nightmare from elementary school coming back to life.

“This photo was taken by Mamiya-san yesterday evening. She was disturbed and sent it to me. However, my concern lies in the fact that I don’t understand Mamiya-san’s unease. If Kyousuke-san’s smile is genuine, I don’t particularly care about Naruse Aika. I apologize for keeping this from you, Anju-san, Ranka-san.”

“Umiumi-san, I didn’t hear about this~.”

“Should we confront Mamiya-san?”

“…What did Mamiya-san say?”

“It wasn’t a particularly productive conversation. That’s why I thought the Round Table might understand.”

“…This smile from Aika-san is one we could never overcome, even when we united. It’s a victorious, blooming smile she hasn’t shown since junior high or after entering high school. It’s a nightmare for us of the Round Table.”

“A nightmare, you say?”

“…It’s probably connected to the assault incident, don’t you think?”

“Shinonome-senpai, what is this about?”

◆

I explained the assault incident, but the witches didn’t seem particularly disturbed. Only Mido-san…no, she’s muttering under her breath…

When Kinuko-san arrived on the scene, it was about ten minutes before the spell was cast.

So, the investigation is already complete.

I absolutely won’t forgive this.

“I’ll send you further information and videos later.”

“Thank you. Well, once we’ve confirmed, we’ll take care of the trash.”

Yes. Taking care of them is a given. I’d also like to know about Otono-san’s plans.

Perhaps this time, it would be best to ally with the witches.

“The Incident on Thursday Evening” 

“The assault incident happened on Thursday evening.”

“And Mamiya-san saw them yesterday evening.”

“So, something must have happened in between?”

“Yes. Our meeting was also on Friday evening. Jun-san, didn’t Hijiri-san mention that neither Kyousuke-san nor Aika-san came to school, and even during lunch, Kyousuke’s younger sister didn’t seem disturbed?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Moreover, Kyousuke-san’s expression had been increasingly clouded since he entered high school. Despite being assaulted, he should look downcast, but in this photo, the two of them are smiling radiantly… which means—

“…They definitely did it.”

“Umiumi-san, you’re slipping into ‘witch mode’~.”

“…Oh my. How improper. Although… I can’t say for certain, I feel the same.”

“Erika-chan.”

“Erika.”

It’s a feeling we all understand because we’ve been observing him all this time. And to classmates, it’s unmistakable… in other words—

“In other words, … it’s an opportunity.”

“…Yes, indeed.”

“Huh?”

“What do you mean?”

“Kyousuke-san was so pure-hearted he never gave off any inappropriate vibes. He was like a prince—someone you’d wonder even existed. At the time, I didn’t have much self-esteem, but it was still a bit of a blow.

Even though all of us were reasonably attractive and well-developed, he didn’t show any interest in any of us. It must’ve been the same for the senpais, right? To be honest, part of it was our pride. The conclusion we reached in the forest was that Kyousuke-san simply hadn’t entered the hormonal phase yet.

But in this photo, he’s casually linking arms with her in public. They seem to share an emotional closeness… It’s frustrating, but this hasn’t happened before. He might finally be hitting puberty, and it’s thanks to Naruse Aika.”

“Umiumi-san, you’re staying in ‘witch mode,’ aren’t you~.”

Back in middle school, we had already reached this conclusion once. So we avoided overt displays and instead improved ourselves, always waiting for that time to come. The reason was—

“Aika-san was oddly fixated on the ‘childhood friend’ position.

She modeled herself after every possible childhood friend archetype of the same age—demure, gentle, cheerful, sporty, studious, even cool—and she would shift between these personas like a gradient. She imitated and overtook even those who truly were childhood friends, like Hijiri-san, Ruri-san, and Momo-san, and she did it relentlessly.

She played the heroine of every kind of romantic comedy, capturing Kyousuke-san and refusing to let go—a mad love embodied by Aika. Despite her obsession with the childhood friend role, she wouldn’t cross a certain line, even in a relationship. But now, she’s flaunting this new ‘girlfriend’ persona.

Even though it’s a candid shot, Kyousuke-san appears positioned like a protective boyfriend. Aika’s ability to manipulate perceptions in a 360-degree manner and highlight contrasts made her a formidable adversary.

She quickly wins people over, observes and absorbs their personalities, and mirrors them. Anyone would hate to see their own behavior copied. But when that happened, she would subtly change or adjust her approach, like a chameleon.

She has a natural talent for staying within the boundaries of the ‘original Naruse Aika,’ so no one notices. And that’s why we banded together.”

“So that’s it. Naruse Aika really is dangerous.”

Now, she has no one left to imitate or to overpower… Yet, despite that, there’s that blooming smile… and the closeness between them…

“…Yes, that’s right. I don’t want to admit they might’ve… been together, but…”

It’s likely true.

“How does it even add up to this? Anyway, Otono has some certainty about the two of them, right? But when you say ‘opportunity,’ what exactly do you have in mind?”

“Think about it, Hatano-senpai. Finally, right? He’s finally reached puberty. So, in other words—”

“In other words?”

“Hand over the junior high ‘panty handkerchief,’ and it’s done.”

“That’s skipping way too many steps.”

Looks like working with witches is still out of the question for me.