Whose youth romance story begins with a witch's trial?!

Rhea noticed Hero's unusual expression, and she immediately put her left hand on her chest and stretched her right hand out towards Hero, striking her signature pose and smiling as she spoke.

However, unlike the previous playthrough, the original 'greasy feeling' of this action has been largely removed, leaving only a clean, refreshing, and heroic look.

"Ooh hoo...!"

—This idiot rabbit is completely seduced and looks like she's about to have a litter of babies with him! Damn it…!

Hiro secretly pinched Chang Rong to wake him from the illusion, then forced himself to take a step forward, drawing Leia's attention away from the white-haired boy.

This was a miscalculation… a serious miscalculation. It seems the Ryota Hasumi in front of me is no longer the comedian she once was, but rather a super rare, original idol Ryota who hasn't been tainted by these strange incidents!

At this moment, Leia was neither dragged down by her incredibly low-scoring behavior of rolling around in the makeshift spear court, nor had she resorted to any means necessary to attract attention in the trial court, turning herself into a comedian. She was still maintaining the popular rising star Leia model she had before entering Witch Island, which in some ways was somewhat similar to Chang Rong, who was by her side.

Normally, this wouldn't be a problem; at most, Hiro would just remark, "So you're not a pure sugar person, Léa." But the issue is, this hidden Léa seems to be trying to kidnap the hidden Chang Rong...!

In the past, Chang Rong transformed into a "Kick-Ha General" in order to shed the "behind-the-scenes" label. To survive, he even went so far as to fabricate evidence like "I'm a lifelong fan of Rhea-sama." But if things continue like this, Chang Rong might actually be fooled into becoming a Rhea-sama fan this time...

"Well, to be honest, after hearing what Coco said, I still felt a bit unreal, which is why I came here to calm down and sort out my thoughts. But speaking of which, the fact that I was able to find this hidden room probably proves that Coco's description of the past is true, since the entrance here doesn't look like something you can just wander around and find."

Leia glanced around at the decorations and scenery surrounding the sunroom, and smiled as she spoke to the two of them.

“Coco…” Shiro frowned. She and Zetsu Coco were currently running two separate storylines. Considering that even if the mastermind behind the scenes, Ice Meluru, was killed and gone long ago in the second playthrough, the remaining characters would still be involved in murders for various reasons, Shiro and Coco knew that simply controlling Meluru did not mean they had entered a peaceful mode. The witch factors within each witch and their own taboos were also potential triggers.

To prevent a recurrence of the tragedy, Coco is currently exchanging information with each of the prospective witches to avoid unintentionally touching on others' taboos and causing the start of Season 3. However, during the information exchange, Coco will inevitably, intentionally or unintentionally, tell the prospective witches about past events, and these stories will change them to some extent, such as Rhea in front of us.

"I never expected that Kurobe Nanoha would be afraid because of someone else's 'protection,' and I never expected that I would still want to try to protect everyone at the very end. This is truly..."

Leia lowered her head, her brows furrowed, and her tone seemed extremely somber.

“Rhea…?” Shiro noticed the blonde idol’s unusual behavior and his heart skipped a beat.

She was actually a little worried about whether Coco could really handle the task. After all, Hakimi's performance in the second playthrough was undeniable; he was a pure-blooded keyboard warrior who yawned at everyone he encountered. If she were asked to relay the message, who knew if this girl would trigger her yawning instincts and unleash a barrage of angry outbursts, completely driving the person involved to the brink of madness…

If Ze Du Ke Ke hadn't earnestly expressed that she also wanted to help Chang Rong share the burden and would definitely not be a burden or a fool this time, Xi Luo might not have agreed to let Ke Ke do this.

The Rhea in front of me doesn't look too good... Could it be that she can't accept her actions in the 'second timeline' and that's caused her to have a mental breakdown? If that's the case... Damn it, then I'll just have to let Chang Rong pounce on me again to pat my head and soothe my fur!

Hiro clenched his fists. He really didn't want to use the Changrong brand biological weapon unless absolutely necessary. After all, it was like throwing a meat bun to a dog; you never knew if you could get it back after throwing it out, or if it would be devoured on the spot...

However, while Hero was struggling with whether or not to exercise self-discipline—

"That's so... cool!"

Ryota Hasumi, who had just been trembling with her head down, raised her head, her amber eyes sparkling with longing. Even her tone changed from aggressive to passionate and envious.

"what?"

Hiro, who was still debating whether or not to throw away the rabbit head, was stunned.

"Never give up hope even in adversity, uphold your justice even if you think you've been betrayed by your companions, and keep your head held high until the very last moment of your life without any regrets—this way of living is simply the coolest and most dazzling attitude!" Ryota Hasumi clenched her fist, struck a somewhat exaggerated pose, and said to herself.

“Ah—yes, super cool.” Hero blinked, but immediately nodded in agreement.

—I have to say, as expected of Rhea, her first reaction in this situation was 'I'm so cool, I died so cool'... Well, it is indeed very much in Rhea's style.

"In that case, I need to work even harder this time. After all, how can one lose to their past self? I shone brightly with unwavering conviction until the very last moment, so this time I will definitely work even harder and be even more dashing and perfect than my previous self, right!"

“That’s right, Rhea-sama! If it were Rhea-sama, she could do it with ease!” Chang Rong, standing to the side, immediately began to praise Rhea Hasumi without even thinking, just like a seasoned peasant who was already familiar with this routine.

It's commonly known as being "adjusted".

"But if I get too cocky, I might accidentally fall into the 'we're all buddies' category... Hmm, that sounds a bit too morbid. Although for me right now, becoming friends isn't such a bad thing—"

Ryota Hasumi murmured to herself, seemingly reflecting on how her previous carefree and unconventional ways had led to her being mistaken for a close friend by the white-haired boy before her. It sounded difficult, and indeed a sad story, but for her now, it wasn't entirely an unacceptable outcome.

After all, he and the white-haired boy in front of him hadn't had much interaction yet, so becoming good brothers wasn't entirely unacceptable.

Leia looked up at the white-haired boy next to the girl with long, straight black hair. In the instant their gray eyes met, a feeling of disorientation washed over her.

The next second, as if it were an instinctive reaction, Hasumi Ryouya looked at Chang Rong's face and spoke softly:

"By the way, Chang Rong, if it's possible, would you be willing to play the prince in the stage play I'm currently preparing?"

"...Huh?"

Chang Rong blinked. Ryota Hasumi's invitation was a bit too direct. In his mind's eye, the person standing before him was an almost untouchable, glamorous, and noble superstar—the kind of person whose presence alone would be worth dying for.

And this big star is suddenly inviting a nobody like me? And without the slightest airs, speaking as if he's inviting a friend downstairs for breakfast. Am I dreaming?

But more importantly... Chang Rong always had a feeling that Renmi Ryoya's invitation was far too late. He should have taken her hands and accepted her invitation long ago, but in his repeated dodging and avoidance, he ultimately lost the chance to respond to her hopes.

"I'm sorry, Leia, Chang Rong isn't able to—"

"I...I do...!"

"Aha!?"

Before Hiro could finish speaking, he was overshadowed by Chang Rong's excited and expectant words. The white-haired boy's answer was so decisive and straightforward, as if he had been looking forward to this invitation even before the end of the previous cycle.

"Ah, as expected. Is this what they call 'love at first sight'? No, calling it love at first sight is a bit too cliché, but... in any case, please let me see your most dazzling and captivating side, Your Highness. Perhaps it was precisely for this moment that I came to this prison island—"

"You're here because you possess the witch factor, which is why the government arrested you!"

Hiro forcefully stood between the two, stopping Hasumi Ryoya from kneeling down and about to lift Chang Rong's right hand to kiss him, while loudly retorting.

What, what is this...! This shouldn't be happening in Gala Gemuri! Shouldn't you two have first awkwardly stared at each other, then tentatively tried to figure out your relationship, but because of insufficient information you couldn't figure anything out, and finally kept a subtle distance from this idiot rabbit because of incompatible personalities and the reason that 'Chang Rong already has a fiancée and is not suitable for the idol circle'?

Why is it that you, Rhea Hasumi, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, immediately throw out a full set of bond events right from the start? Do you even know how to play Galahad? Whose Galahad immediately proposes with a fake document and tries to CCB upon meeting someone? Let me ask you!

Hiro outwardly kept her emotions in check, but inwardly she was in complete turmoil. She truly hadn't expected that Hasumi Ryoa, who was supposed to play it safe, would drop such a bombshell right from the start.

"By the way—Rhea-sama…right? I’ve always been a fan of yours, not just some casual fan, not just an ordinary fan who occasionally follows celebrities, but…yes, a fervent, long-term, hardcore, and unique fan, the number one fan!"

Suddenly, Hiro thought of something. She quickly moved closer to Rhea, forcibly drawing her gaze to herself, while feigning surprise and saying that she was Rhea's most senior and most respected fan.

Although I don't know why Hasumi Ryoa suddenly became like this, her core driving force is actually 'the craving for attention', right? In that case, I'll be your 'chief fan' to satisfy your desires, so you won't focus your attention on that idiot rabbit, right?

Hiro quickly (thought she) figured out Hasumi Ryoa's motives, so she immediately transformed into a helpless wife, forced to sell her body and submit to the blond-haired man in order to protect her fiancé.

"Hiro, you're actually a die-hard fan of Leia? I didn't expect you to have such a down-to-earth fashion hobby, hehe." Chang Rong smiled when she saw Leia suddenly transform into a die-hard idol fan, seemingly happy that Hiro finally had a hobby that she could understand.

—Hmm, how about we actually give it a push and see...?

Upon seeing the smiling face of the white-haired boy, Nikaido Hiro suddenly had this thought in his mind.

Would someone go so far as to seduce an idol who's also trying to seduce their fiancé just to see him smile? That sounds like something out of the chaotic world of entertainment.

however--

"Hmm, thank you for your appreciation, Hiro. I didn't expect to be so popular, but... being a top fan is definitely too much of a burden for me right now. What I need might not be a top fan, or those eyes focused on me, but something purer and simpler, right?"

Hasumi Ryoya smiled and gently shook her head, declining Nikaido Hiro's request to be her sole supporter, while looking at Chang Rong. Her expression was as if she were proving to someone she cherished that she was now capable of standing on her own.

—Leah, you bastard…

While it's incredibly heartwarming to see Hasumi Ryoa's growth and progress after learning about her experiences in the second timeline, and her courage to look forward... why did you have to grow and progress at this time? You're just trying to seduce that idiot rabbit! You, sitting at the same table as that evil pink and white little dog... that evil golden retriever!

“Leya-sama…”

Damn, this idiot rabbit is really going to be seduced!

"Ahem! You're right, Ryota Hasumi. Talking about fans, idols, stage plays and stuff like that is a bit too much of a luxury right now. We have a lot of complicated things to do right now, and I'm afraid we won't have the energy to study those things for the time being."

Hiro coughed a few times. Since the emotional card hadn't worked well, he could only continue playing the 'positive card'.

"Um...sorry, you're right, Hiro. What we need to do now is figure out how to get out of this prison island. As for the stage play and all that, please pretend I didn't say anything for now."

Hasumi Rhea nodded seriously, while Hiro, who saw this, revealed a barely perceptible sneer on the corner of his mouth.

This is your weakness, Ryota Hasumi!

You successfully drew the idiot rabbit's attention with this contrasting "seriousness." But precisely because you chose the identity of a "serious idol," you can't ignore my words and forcefully say things like, "I don't care about this or that, I came to Witch Island for three things: to support the rabbit, to carve the rabbit, or damn well to fry the rabbit!"

As expected of the top strategist on Witch Island, Hero's intellectual battle was at its peak. Those who understood it must have been completely baffled.

"In short, we came to you to find out who is better suited for translating ancient books—could you please take a look, Rhea?"

While silently nudging Chang Rong behind him, Hiro handed the ancient book in his hand to Leia.

"Oh, translation? I used to play an archaeologist who caused collapses wherever he went, so I have some knowledge in this area. Let me see—"

Leia took the ancient book from Hiro and sat back down at the tea table, crossing her right leg and adopting an intellectual air as she intently flipped through the book. At first glance, her expression was exactly like that of a royal prince reading a book.

—Oh no, could Rhea really have pulled something? My admiration for this idiot rabbit has skyrocketed to a dangerous level…!

Hiro secretly glanced at Chang Rong beside her, who looked like she was about to become the ultimate fan. If Rhea were to nod slightly and say, "I completely understand everything," this idiot rabbit would probably strip naked, wrap herself in ribbons, pack herself up, and hand her over to Rhea...

"Yes, I understand everything now."

"What...!?" "Oh, Rhea-sama...!"

Hiro stared in shock, while Chang Rong looked at Ryota Hasumi with utter admiration and longing.

"This book is a multi-protagonist revenge drama about 13 heroes with supernatural abilities who, guided by fate, attempt to destroy the will of a planet. Clearly, the true protagonist among the group is the girl with the magic of [Gaze Control]. She carries the resentment of her fallen race, bears her sister's supreme bone, and harbors confusion about her father's early disappearance. To fulfill her mother's long-cherished wish, she single-handedly defeats all the remaining witches, ultimately fighting fate to the surface of the event horizon black hole at the edge of the universe, culminating in a super invincible 'I love you' move—"

"NEXT"

"Eek!? Chang Rong, my 3rd (407th) of the 'Center Temple' is so wonderful, why—!"

Chang Rong abruptly stopped Hasumi Ryoua's crash course on ancient witch texts with a single sentence, looking as if she had swallowed a fly.

—Hmm…it seems that even if the timeline restarts, some attributes ingrained in our DNA will not change. I feel a little relieved.

I thought Hasumi Rhea Original ver. was finally going to reign supreme, but thankfully she turned back into her mysterious, comedic self. It seems a nobody is just a nobody after all; leaving her alone will only make her flip over a few times, but she'll still be a nobody!

"Thank you for your help, Ryota Hasumi. Through you, I realized the potential of everyone. Your presence is like a stabilizing force, making me feel incredibly secure. However, translating ancient texts doesn't seem to suit you, so see you at dinner."

"Wait, wait a minute! I must have made a mistake in the translation starting from the second episode. Let me correct it—! I need to check the typography…!"

Hehehe, they even made up for the missing part about being able to stay alive. Not bad.

Despite Rhea's plea, Hiro sneered and said no was no use. She removed the witch's script from Rhea's hand and then pulled the prince away from the sunroom.

Luckily, I'm a cut above the rest, otherwise that silly rabbit would have really been kidnapped by the mysterious and funny female celebrity!

but……

After escaping from the sunroom, Hiro frowned and began to think about what had happened along the way.

Although Rhea revealed herself this time, objectively speaking, Hasumi Rhea is definitely no longer the 'safe card' she originally envisioned.

— Rather, my current behavior is like walking around with an open wallet in a gang-related street, practically screaming "Come rob me/Come kiss the rabbit!"

Why don't we just find a basement and tie Chang Rong up for now? He seems pretty easy to care for anyway; just give him some water and let him nibble around a bit. Keeping him around seems like it'll only backfire… But if we just leave him alone, won't some weird creatures smell him and come after us?

Just as Hiro was debating whether or not to continue taking Chang Rong on this aimless journey, a familiar figure appeared on the other side of the corridor: