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 99: Lip-Sync and Angel

Chapter 99: Lip-Sync and Angel

[Tatsumori Haruto]

The morning after Maria nearly killed me… 5 a.m.

“Ugh, my head’s killin’ me… Oi, you awake, Haruto?”

Ys showed up at my cell, her voice unusually subdued. Last I heard from her was during yesterday’s puke-sandwich disaster.

“I’m awake… Could you at least knock first?”

“You idiot, knock? There ain’t even a door!”

“Oh, right.”

The cell’s iron door, cleanly sliced by Lammy-sama, was taken away yesterday by Bumblebee for repairs. So, my cell’s basically an open house now. Not that Ys’s free-roaming of her own cell is related, but still. 

(T/N: I prefer the jap ver, so Lammy-sama, derived from Ginrami, Rami can also be written and read as Lammy.)

“So, uh, yesterday… sounds like I caused you some trouble.”

“No, no, no trouble at all! Well, except for the puke that did hit me.”

Seems the alcohol’s fully out of her system—her tone’s back to the usual Ys, though she looks rough, probably from the hangover. For Ys to actually apologize…

“…Damn, for real? Did I do anything else?”

“What, you don’t remember yesterday at all?”

She came to apologize, so I figured she’d at least have some memory of it, but apparently not.

“I don’t remember jack. Woke up to a note from Scarlet sayin’, ‘Go apologize to Haruto-kun when you’re up.’”

Classic Scarlet-san. She helped clean up the puke, and now this? She’s just too good. Even if she did whack me with her tail.

“Got it. You were pretty plastered, huh? Well, aside from the puke, nothing much happened. Just, y’know, almost got strangled by your tail and nearly suffocated in the Marshmallow Valley…”

“…Marshmallow Valley? The hell’s that?”

“Oh, uh, never mind. Forget I said anything.”

Still, did she have to come now, just because of the note? It’s 5 a.m.! Normal people are still asleep!

“Hey, Haruto, about tomorrow… You already decided who it’s gonna be?”

“…What’s that outta nowhere?”

“Just answer me.”

Maybe this is what she really came to talk about. For some reason, Ys’s got it in her head that we’re some star-crossed lovers. Is she worried yesterday’s puke fiasco cracked that fantasy?

“It might be jumping the gun, but honestly, I’m not even sure myself. I used to think the person who popped into my head when I closed my eyes was the one I loved.”

“And now… whose face do you see?”

Surprisingly, Ys’s response was calm. Normally, she’d flip out the second I even hinted at anyone else. Something’s definitely off.

“Now… I see everyone I went on dates with.”

Saying it out loud, I feel like the worst, most spineless jerk. I’m starting to wonder if what I thought was love is even love at all—maybe it’s something else entirely.

“…Got it. Good.”

“…Ys?”

That’s all she said before silently walking out of my cell. Good? Good what?

I’m completely lost—

＊　＊　＊

“—Alright, everyone gathered here! It’s time to announce the results of the ‘First Ravens Groom Battle!!’ Hosted by me, Latte Yukon, and…”

“Heather Calculation!”

In the grand entrance of Ravens Castle, under a massive chandelier, my life-or-death fiancée announcement ceremony was underway.

“Over the past few days, each bride candidate got one day to go on a date with the groom and make their case!”

“Before we reveal the results, let’s hear from the bride candidates one more time—their determination and confidence!”

My life’s supposedly on the line here, but there’s not a shred of tension. How is everyone keeping a straight face listening to these hosts? And what’s with the hosting anyway?

“First up, our lead-off batter, ‘Crimson Ice Witch, Scarlet Hoist’! Let’s hear your resolve!!”

Latte shouted into the mic, and Scarlet, looking nervous, raised her hand with a “Yes!” and stepped forward. So diligent.

Like at the previous meeting, nine witches are arranged in a circle around me, so I turn to face Scarlet directly, giving her my full attention.

“—I originally volunteered as a bride candidate to keep Haruto-kun from being executed.”

Her soft alto voice rang out, cutting through the tense air as eight witches looked on.

“…But that’s changed. Now, I genuinely love him. I won’t let anyone outdo these feelings… I’m going to marry Haruto-kun.”

Scarlet locked eyes with me and declared it clearly. Strangely, I didn’t feel embarrassed or shy—not one bit.

“Scarlet, thank you for that stellar comment. Next up, ‘Purple Lightning Witch, Bubblegum Klondike’—your resolve, please!”

Heather clapped warmly, guiding the proceedings. Scarlet returned to her spot with a composed air, but her face gradually flushed red, her earlier poise nowhere to be seen. Seeing that makes me embarrassed, damn it!

Ignoring me and Scarlet’s reddening faces, Bubblegum stepped forward next. I pulled myself together and turned to face her. I hadn’t seen Bubblegum since our date, but to be honest, that date was so intense it haunts my dreams.

“Muaa, I ain’t got much for resolve or whatever… but can I say one thing?”

Bubblegum glanced sideways at the two hosts, and Latte urged her with a “Go ahead!”

“…Haruto, I love you.”

“Guh!?”

That was devastatingly calculated!

…But, damn, insanely cute!

It was so much that Brush, for some reason, shouted “Guh!?” and collapsed with a nosebleed. Why, though?

But that was close—I almost blurted out “I love you too!” because of how adorable it was. That’s gotta be Bubblegum’s act to boost my affection points, a total lie. She’s got her own agenda, so I can’t take it seriously.

Seeing me flustered, Bubblegum returned to the circle with a satisfied look, then slowly mouthed something silently.

“It’s… for… real.”

I’m not certain, but that’s what it looked like she said. The smug grin from before was gone, replaced by a faint blush on her cheeks. W-Wait, is it really real!?

“Ugh, that was cute, I’ll give her that! Next up, ‘Witch of Pride, Lilac Ginrami’—take your time and share your resolve!”

I turned to Lilac, who was standing right behind me, and our eyes met. Well, “met” is a guess—her bangs hide her face, but it felt like our eyes met.

Looking back, my date with Lilac was a rollercoaster. The second half was just me as Lammy-sama’s dog, so seeing her bangs down now is a relief.

“…U-Um, Haru… I’m sorry for, um, the awful things I did before…”

“…Lilac.”

Lilac bowed her head in her usual halting tone, her hands clasped tightly in front of her chest, trembling slightly.

“Y-You don’t… have to choose me… I wasn’t… serious. It was just… curiosity…”

Lilac kept her head bowed as she said this. For some reason, my chest felt all murky.

“—Really?”

Brush’s voice echoed through the entrance. Wiping her nosebleed, Brush moved to Lilac’s side and spoke again.

“Lilac, is Tatsumori Haruto really just nothing to you? Just curiosity?”

In this unexpected turn, everyone watched silently.

“I-I’m not… really…”

“Lilac, tell me your true heart.”

Brush whispered, embracing Lilac from behind while she kept her head bowed.

“…I-I… I really… love Haru… Our written chats… he said they were fun… Haru was the first to say that… So, I really… want to do more… written chats, and all sorts of things… with him… I want Haru to marry me…”

Lilac lifted her head sharply, looked me in the eyes, and said it clearly. Even with Brush’s nudge, it was obvious those were her unfiltered, honest feelings.

And the problem is, they pierced my heart like a dagger.

“Well, damn, that wasn’t just resolve—that was a tear-jerking confession! I’m moved!”

“Heather, I get the sentiment, but we gotta keep moving.”

“Right… Next, ‘Blue Flame Witch, Ys Baccarat’—your resolve, please. No flames, okay?”

Before I knew it, it was Ys’s turn. What do I do? Even now, I still don’t know who I want to marry.

“—I always swore I’d only make a man outta someone stronger than me. Naturally, I never met anyone like that, so when I saw Haruto’s potential, I thought, ‘This is the guy.’”

Sure, there aren’t many guys stronger than Ys. Probably none. Even with all my training, I can’t imagine beating her.

“…But I realized being stronger or whatever ain’t that important. Haruto never flinched when I yelled or hit him—he kept treating me as an equal. I finally figured out that’s all I ever wanted.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. Ys—that Ys—being this open about herself…

“At first, I thought I’d just force it, but once I really fell for him, I couldn’t do that anymore… So, Haruto, it might be too late to say this, but… no, I love you. Now it’s up to you to decide.”

Ys said that with a soft smile I’d never seen before. Despite her menacing horns, for a moment, she looked like an angel.

“Mmm, wasn’t Ys stuck in solitary this whole time? But who cares about details! That was a beautiful story! Now, for the last one, ‘Sword Witch, Snow Black Maria’—let’s hear your resolve!”

Before I could steady my reeling emotions, Latte called on Maria. Maria let out a big sigh and stepped forward.

“…Human, marry me, and I’ll kill you as painlessly as possible.”

“…“

Maria doesn’t waver. She’s still holding a grudge over the date, glaring at me with clear murderous intent.

The temperature drop from the last four left most of the group silent. Only Bumblebee’s cackling away.

“…Thank you for that wonderful comment, Snow. Now, let’s hear from the groom himself!”

“Yes, who among them will he marry!?”

That was not a wonderful comment, but for once, I’m grateful for the fast pace. That was awkward as hell.

But the moment of truth is here. Now everyone, including me, will know my true feelings. And my fiancée will be decided right here, right now.

Who is it? Who am I gonna choose—