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 38: Marshmallows and the Bridal Fair

[Tatsumori Haruto]

──I was running away from a giant marshmallow.

After working part-time at Sanryuken, taking a break while drinking coffee and chatting with Sakurako, cleaning up the shop, getting roundhouse-kicked by Ryuna… I was on my way home like always when suddenly, a massive marshmallow appeared.

I ran for my life, but the gap between us kept closing, and before I knew it, I was body-slammed onto my back.

Without a moment’s pause, the marshmallow pressed down on me. Since it was soft, it didn’t hurt, but it smothered my face, making it impossible to breathe.

(This is bad… I can’t breathe… I need oxygen… Air… I’m gonna die!!)

“──Mmmph, mmph… Bwahh!!”

Just as I tried to push the giant marshmallow away with all my might, I woke up.

“…Hahh, hahh… Fuu? What the… A dream? I thought I was gonna die… Whew.”

It seemed like I had stopped breathing even in reality, as my lungs were desperately working overtime to take in oxygen.

As the oxygen circulated through my brain, my mind gradually became clearer.

Something was tightly wrapped around my body with incredible strength—a yukata-clad Fuu. My face had apparently been buried in her chest just moments ago.

──No, wait, this isn’t the time for calm analysis!!

“…F-Fuu!? Hey, let go! Why are you sleeping in my futon!?”

“…Nnn, is it morning already? I still wanna sleep…”

We had definitely gone to sleep in separate futons last night. I had no idea why Fuu was now tangled around me in my bed, but I needed to separate from her immediately.

Because… it was morning. And in the morning, completely beyond my will, certain physiological reactions happened. With this much body contact, the situation was extremely bad. A disaster could be imminent.

But while I was desperately trying to pry myself free, Fuu, still half-asleep, pulled my head back into the marshmallow valley.

I wasn’t sure if it was the scent of the inn’s soap or just the natural fragrance of a girl’s body, but a strangely sweet aroma tickled my nose.

“…Mmm, mmn!?”

No, this was no time to be leisurely analyzing scents! I was on the brink of suffocation again and struggled desperately to break free.

Yet no matter how much I flailed, Fuu’s hold was relentless. I could only wiggle slightly.

“…Nnngh, Yukemuri murder case… No, that’s not it… It was Konjac…”

“…Mmmph! Mmmphh…!!”

I was seriously about to suffocate. Fuu showed no signs of waking up, and I had no choice but to try to breathe somehow. Even with my face smothered, I opened my mouth, struggling to inhale air.

But all I got was the silky smoothness of Fuu’s skin pressing against my lips. No air at all. Even so, as my consciousness faded, I kept trying to take in air—

──And then, I felt something odd in my mouth.

Just before I blacked out, something entered my mouth, and I instinctively sucked on it.

“…Ahh! Hyan… Ahh!!”

Fuu’s body jolted with a sharp shiver, and her grip loosened.

I tumbled away from her, rolling onto my back and desperately gulping in air.

Twice in such a short time… That marshmallow was terrifying…!

“…Nnn, huh? Hare, why are you in my futon? Hm? …My boobs are wet.”

Still lying on my back, I somehow turned my head toward her voice.

There was Fuu, sitting up in the futon, her yukata slightly undone.

And there, glistening under the morning light, was the peak of the marshmallow mountain, likely coated in my saliva.

I quickly turned my face away in panic.

“…Fuu, good morning. First, could you, um, fix your clothes?”

“Good morning! Why are you sleeping over there, Hāre? You toss and turn too much.”

“…I was about to become the first victim of the Yukemuri murder case…”

I wasn’t exactly sure why, but if Fuu hadn’t let go when she did, things would have gotten seriously dangerous.

From now on, when we sleep, we’re staying in separate rooms. No exceptions. I swear I’ll die otherwise.

＊　＊　＊

“A… Bridal Fair?”

After breakfast, the inn staff handed us a pamphlet, saying we might enjoy it.

I had never heard of the term before, but according to them, it was a fun event for couples.

Apparently, you could taste-test wedding banquet dishes and even take photos at a mock ceremony.

I had no idea, but it seemed there was a famous chapel nearby, and the fair was being held there.

Since it was partnered with Irie Onsen, guests could even get free photo sessions.

With no other plans, we found ourselves heading toward the chapel.

…Not that I was feeling pleased about being called a couple or anything. Definitely not. Nope.

“Hare, I’m so excited for our wedding!”

“…Just so you know, it’s only a mock ceremony. It’s basically like taking photos for a coming-of-age ceremony or something.”

“We get to eat too, right? Will it be fish? Meat?”

“…It’s a tasting event, so I doubt it’ll be a full meal.”

As we walked through the cobbled streets of the hot spring town, chatting idly, I caught sight of the ribbon I had given Fuu fluttering in the breeze.

It made me feel a little… embarrassed.

“…But I’m already starving.”

“You just ate, didn’t you?”

Using the map from the pamphlet, we made our way out of the bustling shopping area and onto a quieter road.

If we had realized earlier, we could’ve bought some snacks like manju, but there didn’t seem to be any shops along the road to the chapel.

“But I’m really hungry…”

“Hmm, looking at the map, it doesn’t seem like there are any stores nearby. We’ll just have to wait until we get to the chapel.”

“…Hare, isn’t that a shop?”

Following Fuu’s pointing finger, I saw what looked like a rooftop down the slope ahead.

As I jogged closer, I confirmed that it was indeed a building’s roof. A fine-looking weather vane was mounted on top, though it was slightly tilted.

It seemed like it was built by a rather careless carpenter.

“Fuu, this seems like a café. Want to grab a quick bite?”

“Yes! I wanna eat!”

The exterior and signboard looked brand new, like the shop had just opened. The sign read Wetterhahn in a cute handwritten font.

“Wetterhahn,” huh. Yeah… I have no idea how to read that.

“…Hey, Hare, that crow is kinda tilted.”

“Hm? Ahh, that’s a weathercock, not a—wait, no, that’s definitely a crow.”

The weather vane swaying in the wind on the rooftop was not a rooster, but a crow.

That suddenly made the place seem eerie, but hey, it was just a café. Nothing to worry about.

As soon as I stepped into the shop, the bell on the door jingled, and a staff member emerged from the back.

“A-a-ah, w-w-welcome, nano.”

A strangely awkward employee appeared. Her hair was pure white—whether naturally or dyed, I couldn’t tell—and her bangs were absurdly long, almost completely obscuring her face. Honestly, I had to wonder if she could even see where she was going. Let’s call her Bangs-san.

“Uh, there’s two of us. Do you serve a morning set or anything?”

“M-m-morning, r-right… Y-yes, we do, nano.”

Still looking incredibly nervous, Bangs-san led Fuu and me to a table in the back.

“…Here is your water and menu. Please let me know when you are ready to order.”

Just as we settled in, another employee appeared beside Bangs-san—this one with pale blue hair, Blue-hair-san. Her tone was polite, but her expression remained completely blank, her half-lidded eyes making them look perpetually drowsy.

“…E-e-excuse me… Hyaa!?”

Just as Bangs-san bowed and was about to leave, Blue-hair-san suddenly groped her butt.

SMACK!

Without hesitation, Bangs-san delivered a sharp slap to Blue-hair-san’s face before bolting toward the back of the store.

Still trying to process what just happened, I turned to look at Blue-hair-san. She met my gaze.

“…Enjoy your stay.”

Sporting a bright red handprint on her cheek, Blue-hair-san flashed a strangely smug grin before sauntering off into the back.

“…This place is weird.”

“Hare, I wanna try this marshmallow cocoa!”

“M-marshmallow…? I-I’ll just stick with regular coffee.”

Yeah… I don’t think I wanna see another marshmallow for a while.