T/N:
I’ve decided to maintain honorifics like the following ones:
- Senpai : “Upperclassman” or “senior.”
- Kouhai : “Underclassman” or “junior.”
- Sensei : Used for teachers, professors, doctors, lawyers, artists, writers, and other professionals or figures of authority and expertise.
- Onii-san : “Older brother.” Can be used for one’s actual older brother or for a young man who is slightly older.
- Onii-chan : A more affectionate version of “Onii-san,” often used by young children for their older brothers or by girls/women to express closeness.
- Onee-san : “Older sister.” Can be used for one’s actual older sister or for a young woman who is slightly older.
- Onee-chan : A more affectionate version of “Onee-san,” used similarly to “Onii-chan.”
- ETC
Well, the common ones that appear in manga or anime, I already edited the previous chapters.
13 Under a Spell
“Teach Kokona how to cook? You, Amatsuki Suzuna?”
After school, I approached Kokona-chan, who had come to pick up Shindo-kun.
Fortunately, Shindo-kun had been called out by a teacher and had left the classroom, so he didn’t overhear our conversation.
“Y-Yeah. I was thinking…”
“It’s unnecessary.”
“…Eh?”
An immediate rejection.
And one laced with clear irritation.
Seeing such a disgusted expression almost broke my spirit.
“Frankly, it’s none of your business. There’s no reason for me to learn from you.”
“Well, I used to make lunch for Shindo-kun, so I thought I could teach you some of the things he likes…”
Fortunately, or unfortunately, I still have Amatsuki Suzuna’s memories, so I remember the dishes she used to make for Shindo-kun.
I know the seasonings and portions, so it shouldn’t be a bad deal for Kokona-chan.
“What’s that supposed to mean? You gave Onii-chan up to Kokona, and now you’re trying to interfere?”
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
I’m trying to be helpful…
“Or what? You were going to admit defeat, but you can’t really give up, so you’re trying to leave some trace of Amatsuki Suzuna with Onii-chan by teaching Kokona your cooking?”
“Uh, um…”
Isn’t her imagination a bit… overactive?
I don’t feel that way at all, but Kokona-chan seemed extremely displeased, piling on negative assumptions.
“That’s creepy. You’d go that far to leave your mark on Onii-chan? Just how underhanded are you?”
U-Underhanded… I’m aware of that side of me, but I’m not being like that now…
“Besides, Kokona’s cooking is definitely more delicious than yours. Why would I need to learn from you?”
“W-Well… maybe… depending on the dish, mine might be more to Shindo-kun’s liking…”
My voice trailed off as Kokona-chan’s expression turned demonic.
“Kokona’s cooking is definitely more to Onii-chan’s liking than yours! Don’t say such weird things!”
“S-Sorry!”
W-Wait a minute…
I’m her senpai, right…? Why am I being scolded like this?
Even if you’re trying to be helpful, there are times when it’s unwanted.
But this is a bit much…
“More than anything, I don’t want you interfering with Onii-chan’s matters anymore!”
“I’m not trying to interfere…”
“You’re interfering way too much! Just because you’re feeling a little confident, don’t act all high and mighty with me!”
C-Confident…?
I’m not confident at all.
But she didn’t give me a chance to argue.
“Forget it, Onii-chan’s at the staff room, right?! Kokona’s going to pick him up!!”
Snorting, Kokona-chan stormed out of the classroom.
Kokona-chan’s complete refusal to listen to me painted a clear picture of a bad ending.
◇◇◇
“—So, you’re like this because she rejected you?”
“…Yeah.”
Completely heartbroken, I couldn’t move from my seat.
Having lost the will to go home, I slumped over my desk, my vision sinking into darkness.
It was after the sounds of the crowd faded that Riri-chan spoke to me.
“But do you really have to be this depressed just because she rejected you?”
Riri-chan crouched down and peered at my face, turned sideways on the desk.
Her brown hair, illuminated by the setting sun, was dyed crimson, reflecting the light with a glossy sheen.
“I worked up the courage, you know… so being rejected with such a disgusted expression…”
“You’re so sensitive.”
Instead of comforting me, Riri-chan offered a harsh remark.
“Don’t say anything more, you’re kicking me while I’m down…”
“Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”
I know she didn’t mean any harm, but it still hurt someone with a fragile mentality like mine.
Even if I know it, I can’t help it, because I am weak.
“What are you doing here, Riri-chan? Shouldn’t you be going home with your cheerful friends?”
“I’m waiting for you so we can go home together.”
“The friends I’m talking about are the sparkly girls just like you. I’m introverted and gloomy, so don’t lump me in with them.”
“Wow… Suzuna, you really get like this when you’re feeling down…”
Riri-chan chuckled, looking troubled, and stood up again.
Her skirt swirled in front of me.
Since her skirt is short, her bare thighs were exposed.
I thought her legs, not too thin, with just the right amount of flesh, were beautiful.
Being this close, I could see the texture of her skin, which made me think so even more.
“There, there.”
I felt a warm touch on the top of my head.
“Eh… what are you doing?”
“I’m patting your head. It’s sad that you tried so hard but weren’t rewarded.”
Riri-chan was stroking my head.
Her hand glided over my hair repeatedly.
“Pity…?”
Or was this, like Shindo-kun, some kind of self-serving reward…?
“I just want you to feel better, Suzuna, that’s all.”
“That’s all…?”
“Yeah, sometimes things don’t go your way in life. But doesn’t it make you feel a little better to have someone by your side like this?”
What happened, happened.
But Riri-chan’s hand certainly helped to distract me from it.
Her touch was gentle and comforting.
When Shindo-kun reached out to pat my head, I instinctively dodged.
Because I didn’t want to be touched by him.
But I don’t feel that aversion towards Riri-chan.
In fact, I realized that my heart was gradually feeling lighter.
“…Maybe it does.”
“See? You were so brave, Suzuna. It’s okay to be rewarded a little.”
Her voice was gentle, directed solely at me.
Only Riri-chan seemed to understand my pain.
It was just that, yet it soothed me so much.
“You’re amazing, Riri-chan. Can you use magic to heal emotional wounds?”
I know there’s no such thing, but Riri-chan’s presence made me wish there was.
“I can.”
“…Really?”
I didn’t expect her to agree, since I said it as a joke.
“Yeah, but only for you, Suzuna.”
“Only for me…”
“That’s right. I can’t use it on anyone else, and I don’t want to.”
“I see…”
Those words were probably her way of showing support.
And I appreciated it.
“So, forgive yourself, Suzuna. You did your best today, and that’s enough.”
“Even though it didn’t work out, it’s okay?”
“It’s fine.”
“I see…”
“Yeah.”
In the after-school classroom, Riri-chan stroked my head.
The warmth of her hand remained more vivid than the fading sunset outside the window.
The weight in my heart gradually lifted. That was the magic she cast on me.
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