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 86: Alarm and Delinquents

【Rachel Poker】

──Teleportation magic is truly convenient. It goes without saying that it’s convenient, but if I had to say it, the best part is being able to move without wasting time. I wish I could use it too.

“──It took a bit longer than expected, but there’s still time to have a cup of coffee… Sakurako-san, you’re having some too, right?”

Emilia said as she took two cups from the cupboard.

──After hearing various things from Rose at the Seraph Witch Association, I had Emilia teleport me to her house.

Even though I said “teleported me,” it wasn’t actually Magenta. I had thought until today that Magenta could use teleportation magic, but it turned out that the previous event… was just her using magic cards.

The witch who could actually use teleportation magic was someone else. Though I didn’t see her, she still teleported me here properly.

“…I really want some coffee, but… I’ll pass today.”

“Eh? Do you have something urgent to do?”

“I stayed at Hikari’s house last night, but this morning I had to rush to the Seraph Witch Association, so I need to head back quickly.”

I had left Hikari’s house thinking I was going to teleport to Ravens’ place… But now that I’ve made it back here, I need to hurry. Otherwise, there’s a risk of unnecessary questions being asked.

“…Sakurako-san, did you wear your uniform so early in the morning? And you seem to have your shoes on properly too…”

Emilia gave me a suspicious look. Considering how close she is to Kalta, she’s more perceptive than I thought.

“Ah, well, it’s like this… I thought I had packed everything I needed for school at Hikari’s place, but I realized I forgot something this morning. So, I thought I should run back and grab it.”

“Ah, I see. But… why Hikari’s house?”

I wasn’t sure if she was genuinely suspicious of me or just curious, but Emilia was pushing me harder than I expected. I’d have to dodge the question.

“Well, actually, I… think I like girls… as in, romantically…”

“…!? I-I see! I’m so sorry for asking such a rude question! Please forget it!”

Whoops, that might have been a little too much. It seems like Emilia’s mind has already updated her version of my relationship with Hikari.

“No, it’s fine, really. Forget what I said too… In fact, I’d prefer you forget it.”

“Understood! Sorry for holding you up, please go to Hikari’s quickly!”

Yeah, I’m pretty sure she’s not forgetting anything, but whatever.

“…So that’s why you suddenly started calling her without the chan, huh…”

She really is sharp…

＊＊＊

“──Hikari-chan, wake up!”

I reached Hikari’s house and froze as I passed the hallway.

I had just tried to wake Hikari up, but she was still fast asleep on the sofa, completely unaware that I had been gone.

“Hikari-chan, wake up!”

──Well, to be more accurate, my voice alarm was saying that.

“Hikari-chan, wake…”

I picked up the smartphone next to Hikari, turning off the creepy alarm. It sent a chill down my spine… Honestly, it’s pretty scary, this kid.

And when did she record that, anyway?

“…She’s sleeping with such a cute face… but if she doesn’t wake up, she’ll be late~.”

I poked the soft cheek of the girl curled up on the sofa. It was really soft. A five-star rating, for sure.

“…Mmm, Sakurako… No…”

What kind of dream is she having?

“Come on, Hikari, wake up!”

I blurted it out instinctively, but it sounded like the same creepy alarm. I need to make sure to tell her to delete that recording later.

“…Sakurako, stop… I don’t want to die…”

“…What kind of dream are you having?”

At this point, I figured I might as well let her sleep in and be late. I was already feeling drained from the morning, so I might as well enjoy a coffee and wait for her to wake up.

I had stopped the alarm without thinking, but she should wake up by noon, right?

…Right?

***

“──Fuaaah, I slept so well…”

As I drank what must have been my third or fourth cup of coffee, reflecting on the events of this morning and jotting them down in my notebook, I noticed a stir from the sofa, where the late sleeper seemed to be waking up.

“……S-Sakurako!?”

“Over here~!”

In a half-sleep daze, perhaps recalling that I stayed over last night, the name was suddenly shouted out, so I responded from the table.

“…Sorry. I overslept, huh? What time is it?”

Hikari turned toward me, her face briefly relaxing in relief before she scratched her head and awkwardly looked away.

“You didn’t oversleep at all. It’s only 1 PM.”

“Agh, damn it, I messed up… I should’ve had you wake me up.”

“Well, you were sleeping so soundly, and I took the bed, so you probably couldn’t sleep well last night, right?”

The sofa isn’t exactly huge, so it must have been uncomfortable to sleep on.

“…”

“…Hikari? What’s wrong, are you awake?”

For some reason, Hikari looked like she’d seen a ghost, then fell silent.

“…You called me Hikari…”

“Eh? Oh, well, we’re going to be living under the same roof from now on, so calling you with chan every time might feel a bit formal, you know?”

“I-I see… I thought I was still dreaming.”

Emilia mentioned it too, but I wonder why it feels so unnatural to call her by her first name… Well, I’m not worried about being exposed as Rachel over something like this, and I don’t really plan on changing it. I mean, honorifics are a hassle.

“Oh, I helped myself to some coffee. Want me to make some for you too, Hikari?”

“…I’m fine. I’ll go wash my face.”

With that, Hikari disappeared down the hallway.

Just like last night, she doesn’t ask why I suddenly stayed over, or whether I plan on sticking around for good.

“…What a kind-hearted kid.”

I took a sip of my coffee and murmured to myself.

“Hmm, did you say something?”

“Ah!? Weren’t you supposed to be washing your face!?”

I was genuinely surprised when a reply came to my random muttering.

“I already washed up, and my teeth are sparkling clean.”

“That was fast, wasn’t it?”

“I’m confident no one can beat me when it comes to getting ready in the morning.”

Come to think of it, I do remember her replying to emails in record time too.

“That’s impressive, though it’d be perfect if you could wake up earlier in the morning.”

“Oh, so you’re saying that, huh? I guess I’m not letting you stay here anymore!”

“I don’t mind. If you don’t want me here, I’ll just stay at Emilia’s place.”

“What!? Wait, no, no, stay as long as you want! Actually, let’s just change your address to here!”

Hikari panicked and clung to me in a way that was almost funny. Amid the chaos, she even wrapped her arms around my waist, but since it was cute, I decided to let it slide.

“Alright, alright, then I guess I’ll have no choice but to stay at your place. What about a thank you?”

I petted her golden hair and smiled warmly at her.

“…Ah, thank you… You’re being a little mean today, Sakurako.”

Hikari looked up at me with a slightly annoyed expression. Actually, this is probably how I’ll be from now on.

“…This is just how I am~”

“I see, so you can show your true self only to me… Want to get married?”

“No.”

Having Hikari’s consent, I decided that I’d stay here for now. I definitely wasn’t going back to that mysterious house…

“…By the way, Sakurako, what are you writing so early in the morning?”

Hikari, still clinging to my waist, pressed her body against mine as she sat up, pointing to my notebook on the table with her chin.

“It’s already noon, but… Well, just summarizing some notes for studying. I’m skipping school today, so I’m thinking of going to Vivienne’s place. Want to come with me?”

In my notebook, I had roughly written down the things I heard at the Seraph Witch Association. There were some words and organizations I didn’t quite understand, but I couldn’t exactly keep asking Rose everything.

Compared to that, Vivianne was probably just lounging around, so I figured I could ask her. Even if it didn’t seem directly related to me, who knows when something could trigger my memories.

“If you’re going, I’ll go too, but when did you become a delinquent who skips school?”

“Just so you know, if you’d woken up properly, I wouldn’t be skipping school.”

“Sorry about that… Also, my alarm just stopped on its own…”

Hikari was peering curiously at her phone, looking puzzled.

“Oh, right. Can you turn off that annoying alarm sound?”

“Eh, no way. My phone’s alarm, email, and ringtone are all set to Sakurako-customized sounds!”

“Turn them all off!!”