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 83: Plushies and Tomato Pasta

[Andou Ten]

The scars left by the magic beast disaster weren’t exclusive to the Old Capital.

Deep within the industrial district of the New Capital’s southern ward—further past the factories—lay a filthy landfill, blending into the sea dyed pitch black by industrial wastewater.

Our hometown was nothing more than a trash heap, a place where the negative legacy of the magic beast disaster was stuffed away and sealed shut.

They called it—”Minato.”

After the disaster, criminals ran rampant. The government, having severed ties with the yakuza due to the rise of witches, saw an influx of foreign gangs and illegal immigrants. Those in power, busy dealing with the magic beasts’ aftermath, likely wanted a place where they could dump all their problems at once.

In this place, laws were worth less than toilet paper. The strong ruled over the weak, and the even stronger ruled over them.

A world of violence and bloodshed.

It was in such a place that my little sister was born—

“—Onii, I might not make it.”

Orca murmured from the tattered bed.

“Not make it? What are you talking about?”

Peeling an apple with my knife, I glanced over at my sister. Her complexion wasn’t bad, but her expression was dark.

“…I’ve been stuck in bed for a whole week, you know? I’m gonna die from boredom.”

It had been exactly one week since the operation to capture Experiment No. 11, Eleven. Four days had passed since Orca regained consciousness.

She could probably start walking around, but just to be safe, she needed more rest.

“Alright, how about we play shiritori?”

“Wow, that’s amazing. Onii, you’re never getting a girlfriend.”

“Wha—why the hell not!?”

Shiritori could be played lying down. It was a game for two people. I thought it was a pretty good idea…

“Shiritori? Onii, I’m not a kid anymore.”

“But you like it, don’t you?”

Back then, Uncle used to gather me and Orca to play shiritori all the time.

Fuka and Gira hated it, but Orca absolutely loved it.

Thinking back, maybe Uncle wanted to teach us new words, so he made us play it over and over.

“When was that? I’ve totally outgrown it.”

“…Then what do you wanna do?”

“Let’s go back to the arcade! I was so close to getting that orca plushie!”

Her eyes lit up like a fish returning to water, and she pounded the blanket with excitement. She must’ve been waiting for the right moment to bring it up.

“Ahh, no way. The arcade’s off-limits. Your body’s not fully recovered yet. Let’s stick to things we can do here.”

“But I’m totally fine now! If we don’t go soon, they’ll swap out the prizes!”

“No way! You used your exoskeleton and even took a hit from the Witch of Violet Thunder! You need at least another week of rest!”

“Ugh, you’re so overprotective. Then, Onii, you go get it for me—the plushie.”

She was really pushing for it. She must’ve really wanted that stuffed animal.

“That’s a no-go too. I’m not leaving you alone.”

“Hmph, if you don’t go, I’ll sneak out and get it myself.”

Orca stuck out her tongue and turned away. She rarely acted this stubborn. If she actually snuck out, that would be a huge problem…

“…Tch. Fine. I’ll go get it for you.”

“For real!? Yay!”

She was gonna be stuck here for another week anyway. If a plushie would keep her quiet, then it was worth the trip.

“But you better stay in bed while I’m gone. And keep your phone close.”

“Got it, got it! Onii, I love you! You’ll totally get a girlfriend soon!”

My little sister, the queen of hand reversal techniques.

“…Not like I even want one.”

[Hirata Masaki]

“Ahh, the outside air feels so good! It’s like a June bride’s honeymoon!”

“It’s six months too early for that.”

Three days had passed since we handed over that woman calling herself Kuzuhara Mai to Burns. Kokoro was already back to her usual self.

“Geez, Darling, don’t be so gloomy! Since we’re celebrating your recovery, why not go big and buy a house?”

“That’s way too big, dumbass. Just going out for a meal is fine.”

“For your information, I prefer single-story houses. Apartments aren’t really my thing.”

“Did I ask?”

Personally, I wouldn’t mind a two-story house—as long as it had a big yard where I could grow persimmons.

“So, are the others still on bed rest? Not having healing magic really sucks, huh?”

Normally, using an exoskeleton would leave you bedridden for a week.

But thanks to our rare ability to use healing magic, we were already back on our feet after just three days.

“If the Andou siblings had healing magic, we’d all be dead by now. Balance is important.”

“True, their magic is crazy strong. It’s definitely a first-time killer move. If things had gone differently, we might’ve actually beaten the Witch of Violet Thunder.”

“Don’t be stupid. You and Ane-kitsune were barely able to fight. Besides, Ravens always work in pairs. There might’ve been another one nearby.”

“Ohh, as expected of Darling. I didn’t even consider that.”

Kokoro wrapped her arms around my knee as she spoke.

From the X raid on the island to this Witch of Violet Thunder mess…

We really did have insane luck.

“So, got anything you wanna eat?”

“Yes! I want Darling’s pasta!”

“…The tomato one?”

Considering she was just talking about buying a house for our recovery party, this was a surprisingly simple request.

I thought she’d ask for high-end French cuisine or something, but—

“Yes! That sour taste is the best!”

“Alright, let’s grab some groceries and head home.”

Now that I think about it, the first thing I ever cooked for them back in my student days was tomato pasta… Back then, all they did was complain about how sour it was.

“We should buy a new house to go home to! A single-story one!”

“For the last time, we’re not buying a house!”

***

[Emilia Thea Francesca Hermesberger]

Honestly, I’m not a morning person. It’s not like I have low blood pressure or anything, but my body just refuses to leave the bed.

There was even a time when I accidentally froze my alarm clock in my sleep. When I found it later, I was horrified.

After being in isolation for seven years, I can’t afford to slack off like this. If I keep it up, the Witch Association Seraph might drag me back.

So this morning, I was determined. I gave it my all in the battle to separate myself from my bed.

After a heroic struggle, I pulled off an impressive feat—I got up at six in the morning. A hot shower helped wake me up completely.

“…There’s still time. Maybe Carta should get up early for a change, too.”

It’s now 6:40 AM. School’s happening anyway, so I might as well give her a morning call.

We stayed up late talking on the phone last night, so it wouldn’t be fair if only Carta got to sleep in.

After several rings, the call finally connected.

“…Hello? Emilia?”

Surprisingly, her voice was way too clear for someone who just woke up.

“Good morning, Carta. This is Emilia Thea Francesca Hermesberger, bringing you the 6:40 AM wake-up announcement.”

“Fufu, what? I got the cuteness and the time, but why are you calling so early?”

Even if she wasn’t asleep, this sharp and lively tone means she’s definitely in game mode.

Did she… pull an all-nighter?

“I told you yesterday, remember? I have a routine report at the Witch Association Seraph this morning. Since I was already up early, I thought I’d give you a morning call too… but it looks like you didn’t need it.”

“No way, no way! Getting a call from big-sis Emi-chi is already a reward! I feel like I could eat three bowls of rice right now!”

“Wait… Carta, are you saying you eat three bowls of rice before breakfast?”

“Oho? Was that… natural airheadedness?! Are you a natural airhead, Emilia-chan!?”

Even for game mode Carta, her energy seems higher than usual. Is she running on a sleep-deprived high?

“Come on, stop saying nonsense and get ready for school, okay? Also… did you even sleep last night?”

“To be honest, I’ve been gaming this whole time.”

“I figured.”

Yep. A complete gaming addict. I’m seriously worried about her future.

“Well, I’ll just get my sleep during school, so no problem!”

“That’s definitely a problem… You know, I won’t be responsible if you fail your classes.”

“Hey, if I flunk twice, I’ll be in the same grade as you, Emi-chi!”

“Idiot.”