The Witch and Her Companion: I'm Just a Normal High School Student, but I Became the Familiar of the Highest-Ranked Witch. Also, It Seems I'm the Only Guy in the Witch Organization I Joined

Chapter 33: The Rooftop and a Lap Pillow

[Baba Sakurako]

Three days had passed since the last magical beast attack. Though my first meeting with Emilia-chan had been tense, the fact that we attended the same school had helped us warm up to each other.

“──Sorry to keep you waiting. Like I said yesterday, you really don’t have to wait for me to start eating, you know?”

Since the day before yesterday, we had started having lunch on the school rooftop during our break. It couldn’t be helped—witches transferring in were too much of a spectacle to eat comfortably in the classroom.

That was when Kanon-chan suggested the rooftop. It was a restricted area, meaning no one should be there. Of course, we weren’t supposed to be there either…

But then Hikari-chan somehow talked the school into allowing it, citing the need for a quick escape route in case of an emergency. And just like that, the rooftop was officially ours.

“Emilia-chan, it must be tough coming all the way from the other building. Sorry, you’re the only one stuck with that.”

“Oh, it’s fine. It’s not like the grade difference is your fault, Sakurako-san.”

Hikari-chan, Kanon-chan, and I were all second-years and even ended up in the same class. However, Karuta-chan was actually a year older, making her a third-year. And Emilia-chan, a first-year, was the youngest among us.

Considering her mixed heritage, it was surprising that she looked the most mature out of all five of us.

“Karuta, about after school today—mind if I tag along again?”

What was even more surprising was how much Emilia-chan had taken a liking to Karuta-chan. Given how serious Emilia-chan seemed, I thought she and the laid-back Karuta-chan would clash, but relationships can be deeper than they appear.

“Of course~! Onee-san will take you somewhere fun again today, Emi-chi~”

Karuta-chan seemed to adore Emilia-chan as well. Her gaze felt slightly… inappropriate, but I decided to chalk it up to my imagination.

“Sakurako, let’s go on a date after school. Today’s a training-free day, right?”

Hikari-chan, holding an armful of bread she had bulk-bought from the cafeteria, made the suggestion.

“I don’t mind, but do you have somewhere in mind?”

“Anywhere is fine, as long as I’m with you.”

“So… basically, no plan at all?”

I was starting to get used to Hikari-chan’s antics. At first, I had no idea how to respond to the affection she directed at me, but I realized I didn’t have to force an answer.

If I didn’t know, I could just leave it be until I figured it out.

“──By the way, Sakurako-san, Hikari-san, since when have you two been dating?”

Just when I thought I had gotten my emotions in order, Emilia-chan casually brought it up again. She must have reacted to the word “date.” I almost choked on my bread. Hikari-chan, this is your fault…

“…Huh? We’re not dating.”

I tried to respond as naturally as possible. For some reason, Emilia-chan was feeding Karuta-chan a bite of her lunch.

…Hold on. When did they start dating?

“…Wait, we weren’t dating?”

Hikari-chan, the queen of complicating conversations, made a show of acting surprised. She was obviously joking. …Right?

“Geez, Hikari-chan, quit messing around. If you don’t want your bread, I’ll eat it.”

“No worries, I’ll just feed it to you~ Aahhn~”

“You always have a comeback for everything, don’t you?”

I sipped on my tomato juice. Since the day before yesterday, whenever Vivian-san was available, she had been training me after school. For some reason, she kept recommending tomato juice, and now I was hooked.

“Haaah… I feel left out.”

Kanon-chan, who had been quietly poking at her elaborate lunchbox, let out a deep sigh. She looked uncharacteristically gloomy.

“Kanon-chan, something wrong?”

“What do you think? If Sakurako and Hikari pair up, and Karuta and Emilia get together, then I’ll be the only one left out.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not getting together with Hikari-chan.”

“That honesty of yours is what I love about you.”

“You never give up, do you, Hikari?”

Still, it was interesting to see Kanon-chan worrying about something like that. She had a refined, noble aura, so I assumed her thoughts on romance would be different from ours. But maybe not?

“I-It’s not like I see Karuta that way or anything! She’s just… a troublesome little sister, that’s all.”

Despite protesting to Kanon-chan, Emilia-chan was casually wiping a stray rice grain off Karuta-chan’s cheek. It was the most unconvincing thing I had ever seen.

For a moment, I thought maybe she had feelings for Karuta-chan, but I guess I was mistaken.

“Wait, is that why you call me by name only!? At least call me Onee-chan~”

“Well… sometimes, you do act a little sisterly.”

Emilia-chan averted her gaze, blushing slightly as if recalling something. …Wait, which is it?!

“By the way, what kind of guys are you into, Kanon? Let me guess, rich guys?”

As Hikari-chan threw an arm over her shoulder, I realized—was this what they called a love talk?

I had been so caught up with the whole witch business and getting hired by a mysterious company that I hadn’t even noticed, but right now, I was having lunch with friends, discussing romance. A real girls’ talk.

I should document this moment—no, a video would be even better! But… I probably shouldn’t, right? Right?!

“Hmm, if I were to date someone, I’d want a strong, tall, chivalrous man with courage… and a handsome face. Someone who could show me a world I’ve never seen before. Ah, and he should love alligators.”

“Your standards are as high as a luxury apartment. Also, what’s with the alligator?”

I abandoned my video plans as Kanon-chan started talking. I should just enjoy the moment. But seriously, where did the alligator come from?

“W-Well, I don’t get the alligator part, but at least now I know you prefer guys, Kanon-chan.”

It was common for witches to date each other, but Kanon-chan specifically mentioned men, so I guess that was her preference.

“Kanon likes men~”

Karuta-chan, already finished with her meal, was lying in Emilia-chan’s lap, teasing her. I was pretty sure she was into girls, though…

“Karuta, shut up. Well, I was raised by a mother and father, so I suppose my perception of relationships leans in that direction. I’ve never had romantic feelings for another witch.”

“Either way, no one around here is dating, so don’t feel too left out.”

Emilia-chan smiled as she wiped some sauce off Karuta-chan’s mouth. She really was the caring type.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

“What do you mean?”

“The President and Yaguma. Those two are highly suspicious.”

Kanon-chan made an unexpected pick. But… I could kind of see it.

“No way, it’s an old man and a little girl. He’d be arrested.”

“Did you forget? The President may look young, but she’s over 500 years old.”

“Right… so it’s an old man and an old lady?”

Hikari-chan just laughed and kept munching on her bread. She was cute, except for her mouth. Just the mouth.

“Hikari-chan, whatever you do, don’t say that to their faces.”

“Which one?”