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 91: Virus and Nariking

Chapter 91: Virus and Nariking

[Kanon Atagawa]

“Love is like a virus.”

Which country’s poet said that, I wonder—

Witches don’t typically catch illnesses, so the idea of a “virus” never really clicked for me. But now, I finally understand what that poet was getting at.

Love is like a virus. Anyone, at any time, can fall prey to the sickness of love.

And for me, it was… love at first sight.

Snow-white hair, androgynous features, deep blue eyes that sparkle like gemstones… He’s absolutely my type!

When he first spoke to me, I brushed him off without even looking, thinking he was just some guy trying to hit on me.

But then, after failing miserably at the claw machine for so long, I swallowed my pride and turned to ask for help—only to find a jaw-dropping hottie standing there!

To think I’d been so curt with such a charming gentleman… Just recalling it makes my face burn with embarrassment!

…Well, at least I didn’t yell something like, “Mind your manners!” That’s a small mercy, I suppose.

Anyway, after agonizing over it, I mustered the courage to speak to him, and he graciously offered to help. And then—get this—he even put his hand on my head!

His name’s Ten Andou. Judging by his name and looks, he’s probably half-Japanese, half-foreign.

…I wonder if he has a girlfriend.

“—Kanon, you listening?”

“…Eek! Y-Yes… what is it?”

I’d been so caught up thinking about him that I completely forgot I was in an arcade.

“The key to claw machines is ‘reading the situation.’ Is the arm strong enough to grab what you’re aiming for? Is the prize in an easy spot? Where’s its center of gravity? Are there any points you can hook the claw onto… stuff like that.”

“…Right, of course.”

He’s explaining something with enthusiastic gestures, but when he looks at me with those serious eyes, my head goes all fuzzy, and I can barely process what he’s saying.

“Alright, with that in mind, which plushie are you going for, Kanon?”

“Uh, I-I… um, that alligator over there…”

I answered honestly, but now that I think about it, maybe I should’ve said something cuter, like a cat! Ugh, I’m such an idiot!

“An alligator? Nice! They’re big and cool!”

Oh my gosh, he actually seems to like it…!

“…You… like alligators?”

“Yeah, I’d say I do.”

He likes them! Not that he means me, of course—I know that!

“…I-I… like them too…”

“Cool, then let’s catch that alligator. Keep what I said in mind and give it a shot.”

“Yes, got it!”

…By the way, what did he say again?

***

[Ten Andou]

Honestly, I was shocked by Kanon’s lack of progress. It’s been about an hour since I started helping her, and somehow, she’s still exactly as bad as she was an hour ago.

“Ugh, so close… That one was pretty good, right?”

“…Kanon, if I’m being honest… that wasn’t close at all.”

“…I know…”

At least she’s aware of it, which is some relief. Though, frankly, that’s about the only relief here.

“You’re not even dropping the claw where you’re aiming, are you?”

“…You’re right. It’s hard to gauge the distance through the acrylic, for some reason…”

“Distance, huh… Maybe it’s tougher for you with one eye… Oh, crap, that was rude, wasn’t it…?”

Old habits from my Minato days slipped out. You’re not supposed to bring up stuff like that.

“…? I think you’re right, Ten. Shall I take this eyepatch off?”

Huh? Before I could process, Kanon was already removing her eyepatch. And… she has a perfectly normal eye.

“…I’m not sure if I should ask, but… why the eyepatch?”

“It’s fashionable?”

Seriously…? Is that, like, a trend among kids these days? I’ve never seen a girl rocking a leather eyepatch before.

“…Well, I can definitely see much better now. I think I’ve got this!”

“Y-Yeah, whatever gets you the prize. Let’s try again.”

Before I knew it, a decent crowd had gathered around us. I mean, a girl pouring 500-yen coins into a claw machine for hours? No wonder people are staring.

“…O-Oh?!”

“Yes, it’s up! …Oh, no, NO!?”

For the first time today, the alligator lifted off the pile—only for a split second before slipping from the claw. Still, compared to before, that’s a huge leap!

I couldn’t help but yell in surprise, and the crowd let out a similar buzz. Right now, everyone here’s heart is probably beating as one.

“Don’t worry, it fell, but that actually put it in a great spot. If you play it right, you could nab it next try.”

“Got it! I’ll make it happen, I swear!”

Kanon gripped the joystick with a deadly serious expression. The air around us crackled with tension, like her nerves and determination were radiating outward.

“…U-Um…”

“What’s wrong?”

“M-My… hands are… shaking…”

Sure enough, the hand she had on the joystick was trembling. No wonder—she’s been at this for hours, and now her big chance has finally come.

“It’s okay. I’ll hold it steady for you.”

I gently wrapped my hand around Kanon’s small, trembling one. She flinched for a moment, but the shaking slowly subsided.

“Th-Thank you… truly. Alright, here I go!”

—Whirr, whir… whir, WHIRR…

Me and the crowd around us held our breath, eyes glued to Kanon’s valiant effort. It almost felt like the arcade’s BGM softened just for this moment.

—Whirr… VVVV…

Go, go! Sweat beaded on my forehead, and my free hand clenched into a fist.

—CLUNK!

“…I-I did it… I GOT THE ALLIGATOR!!”

“…O-OH?! YES, YOU NAILED IT!!”

Kanon yanked the alligator plushie from the prize chute, and we slammed our hands together in a triumphant high-five. The crowd erupted into applause—heck, even some of the staff joined in!

“I can’t thank you enough, Ten. I never would’ve gotten this little guy without you.”

“I just gave some pointers. That alligator? You earned it with your own skills. Right?”

“…You’re right. I am a girl who gets things done!”

Kanon hugged the alligator tightly, her face breaking into a scrunched-up, beaming smile. That’s when I noticed—her teeth are kinda jagged… like an alligator’s.

And that smile… it’s insanely cute. Getting flustered over a girl who’s, like, my sister’s age? Am I that guy?

“—Hey, missy, how much did that alligator cost ya?!”

“That never-give-up spirit? This old man’s moved!”

The cheering crowd started getting rowdy. These middle-aged dudes hanging out at an arcade on a weekday afternoon… probably best not to question what they’re up to.

“Behold! This is a two-hundred-thousand-yen alligator!”

“…That’s freakin’ expensive!”

A quick calculation—two hundred plays? This girl’s terrifying in more ways than one.

“WHOAAA! A new king’s been born today!!”

“That’s right! It’s Nariking! ALL HAIL NARIKING!!”

“NARIKING! NARIKING! THAT’S OUR NARIKING!!”

The crowd started chanting “Nariking”—a less-than-flattering title—while doing little victory hops. This arcade’s wild.

“Hehe, I can just picture Karuta’s shocked face when she hears about this.”

The girl herself, despite being saddled with this weird nickname, doesn’t seem to mind one bit. She’s got this sly, almost nihilistic smirk.

“…Anyway, looks like it’s finally my turn.”

“Hehe, sorry for the wait! So, Ten, which plushie are you aiming for?”

“The orca. That one over there.”

Well, it’s for Orca, not me. I’ve been texting her updates, but all I get back is “Sooo bored”. Time to grab that orca and head home.

“I see, that one!”

“Yeah, but why’re you getting all fired up?”

“After all your help, I can’t just walk away without repaying you—it’d tarnish the Atagawa name! Let this Nariking win it for you!”

Kanon said, shoving her alligator plushie into my arms.

“…Nah, don’t worry about it. I can grab it myself, no problem.”

“No need to be shy! I’ve already mastered the technique. Right?”

“…Alright, fine. I’m counting on you, Nariking-sama.”

Her carefree, radiant smile totally overpowered me. Sorry, Orca, forgive your weak-willed brother.

“Hehe, I’ll nab it in one shot!”

With that, Kanon slammed a 500-yen coin into the slot. If she gets it in one shot, wouldn’t a 100-yen coin do? …I didn’t say it out loud—