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

Was this tragedy destined...? No, it wasn't. This tragedy was clearly manipulated by someone... and that person was himself.

Meruru on the ice suddenly felt incredibly ironic. She knew she was the 'culprit' behind all of this, yet she couldn't even recall what role she had played in this tragedy.

She kept trying to forget the mistakes she had made, hypnotizing herself again and again.

Ultimately, when she wanted to pay the price for her actions with repentance and atonement, she discovered in despair that she had even forgotten what the 'price' of the past actually represented.

Chang Rong, helped up by Hannah, wiped his eyes and gestured for everyone to go back first. In any case, at least they had eliminated an 'uncertain danger factor'.

—I want to…recover my memories.

As she watched the white-haired boy leave, Meru thought to herself.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Hannah Tono [99/100]

[Dreamy Heiress] → [Down-to-earth Heiress]

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【70-5.5=6④.5】

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Happy Lantern Festival everyone! May you all enjoy harmony, happiness, and family reunion!

202. Petting a golden retriever, becoming a successful person.

"Um, is this really okay, Chang Rong...? And, what exactly is our relationship right now...?"

"Don't talk, let me continue massaging."

"Mmm... It's not that it's not good—it feels so good... It feels too good... Snoring..."

Inside a room in the castle, a somewhat eerie scene was unfolding. Ryo Hazumi, usually so dashing and the most handsome and reliable 'prince' idol in the eyes of countless fans, was now awkwardly curled up, lying on her side on the lap of a white-haired boy. He stroked her head as she trembled occasionally, feeling a surge of warmth rising within her.

At this moment, the resolve and courage to protect others that had been on Hasumi Ryoya's face before were completely gone. She seemed to be indulging in a gentle embrace, and her several tentative 'struggles' only made her sink deeper, eventually falling completely into a comfortable trap from which she could no longer extricate herself.

"Whoosh... Waaah, where did you learn this technique? This is bad, this is really bad... Abababa..."

As Leia's hair was being ruffled, her eyes slowly closed, about to be enveloped in a carefree slumber. Suddenly, she woke up with a start, shook her head, and frantically tried to get up and escape, but was once again firmly pressed down on the spot by a large, tangible hand. Before long, she once again became a plaything in the hands of the white-haired boy, and could only follow her instincts, squinting her eyes and making sounds that were accidentally leaked out because of the pleasure.

—Why did things turn out this way...?

As Ryota Hasumi slightly turned over to enjoy the ultimate luxurious experience on the other side of her body, she desperately tried to use her brain to analyze how she had fallen into the trap step by step and become a plaything that the white-haired boy, Chang Rong, could knead at will.

Earlier—

"Aha……"

Chang Rong lay on the bed in the goblin room, which had been converted into her bedroom, staring blankly at the ceiling with her eyes wide open.

He couldn't even remember how he got back here from the lake outside the castle. His consciousness was fragmented, as if something had disrupted it. When he came to his senses, he was lying on the bed like a salted fish.

Oh right, I failed to save that 'young lady'...

Emotionally, Chang Rong wanted to simply wallow in self-pity, to stop thinking about anything and therefore feel no sadness. But reason told her that some things had to be faced, sooner or later.

After leaving the lake, Chang Rong remained in a low mood. He didn't interact much with the other prospective witches who were with him, and instead retreated to his own little nest.

Although the goal is to "make everyone smile happily", but... whether it's Meruru on Ice or that "young lady"... if we continue at this pace, taking it one step at a time, can we really bring everyone the so-called happiness?

No, she had already tried her best to do something, whether it was in the confessional or leading her companions to "rescue the wreckage", but even so, Chang Rong still felt that her actions had little effect.

If that's the case, is there anything else I can do? Try to retrieve my memories? If I could regain those past memories, could I save 'Young Lady'? And would I be able to more confidently deliver my judgment on Meruru's repentance and atonement?

...These are all just hypothetical scenarios. Even if the memories were recovered, it might not change anything. Besides, 'memories' aren't something Emma can just hook by throwing some snacks down the hallway.

That's what I said, but should I go find Hero and Coco to have a chat? Hmm...

Chang Rong rolled over in bed in frustration. The disappearance of the 'young lady's remains' had left his thoughts in a jumble, and he was even more preoccupied with what he should do next.

"Beep beep!"

Just as Chang Rong was feeling agitated and depressed, her phone suddenly beeped, and several private messages popped up on the screen.

[Hannah Tohno: Um... I don't know what to say at a time like this, but... you won, desuwa! That idiot Sherry was useless and only caused trouble, so you really are a very competent priestess! I will also try my best to become a true 'young lady' who will impress you!]

Miss Hannah… So this 'contest' was my victory? Great! Watson has finally managed to defeat Holmes!

[Hame Ryoa: I'm sorry, Chang Rong. I claimed to be an idol who would protect everyone, but I haven't done anything... But you've already tried your best. I like Chang Rong more when your eyes are shining. Please cheer up, okay? Otherwise... even I feel like I don't have the strength to keep shining...]

You protected everyone so coolly, Rhea-sama. A truly qualified idol shouldn't be so easily disturbed by others, right?

[Kurobe Nanoha: Ever since my older sister came back, she's been pacing anxiously in circles. She seems to regret telling Chang Rong about your 'former teammate'... But I know for sure that as my 'accomplice,' Chang Rong, you'll be able to recover, right?]

I'm sorry, Nanoha Kaori. I'll leave the task of comforting my older sister to you for now. I... I'll try my best to pull myself together.

[Sherry Tachibana: If Watson is still this depressed by tomorrow morning, I'll drag you out and kill you on the spot! Once on the front, and once on the back~!]

^q^way! ?

Chang Rong was so frightened that he jumped out of bed. Putting everything else aside, he had personally experienced the speed and agility of that Sherlock Holmes lady.

When confronting the wreckage earlier, if she hadn't been quick enough to grab it, Sherry probably would have already rushed over and started fighting with the 'young lady', and probably more than once.

If Tachibana Sherry says, "I'm going to draft it," then it's not a threat or impotent rage, but a premonition of an established fact, simply because Sherry can do it!

But to be fair, everyone was really considerate and kind...

After returning from the lake, Chang Rong said she "needed to be alone for a while." These prospective witches, who usually lurk in all sorts of strange corners and would immediately say "You saw me, right? Let's play a game!" the moment they met her eyes, were very considerate in giving her ample space.

Since that's the case, she couldn't keep acting so stubborn; she needed to adjust her mindset quickly. Otherwise, the lovely, gentle, and sickly detective would kick down the door. The confessional door was still warm from the fall, and Chang Rong didn't want her bedroom door to suffer the same fate.

To be honest, the lock on my bedroom door has never seemed to work properly. Every day, Nanoha Kaori has to come and stand guard over it before I wake up. It's such a terrible lock.

Staying cooped up in my room isn't very helpful, so I might as well go out for a walk. Are there any activities that could improve my mood?

Should I go find Baosheng Mag to ask about the progress of the witch's ancient book translation? Hmm... I'd better not for now. Although everyone's encouragement (and intimidation) has made me more positive, I still don't have the energy to deal with that con artist lady.

In situations like this, it's definitely better to go to Milia. She's a safe bet that you can't go wrong with!

I want to solemnly declare that I, Chang Rong, only wanted to get mature and reliable advice from Uncle Milia, a middle-aged office worker. I absolutely did not want to seek the sense of security that comes from an elder of the opposite sex!

Thinking of this, Chang Rong immediately dialed Saeki Milia's contact number. However, by sheer coincidence, Milia was currently watching a horror movie with An An.

Contrary to his appearance, An An seems to really enjoy watching horror movies—though this great writer is more likely just enjoying watching himself and Milia run away in terror during scary scenes.

This naturally wicked little pigeon spirit, I'm... oh, I've already been captured by the pigeon spirit.

"Don't answer the phone while watching the movie, sir... Hmm? Is that... is that freakish, stupid monster? Hand the phone over to me—listen carefully, I'm ordering you to come and watch the movie with me right now!"

First came Milia's panicked voice from the other end of the phone, followed by a struggle, and then the owner of the other end of the phone switched to Natsume An's cute voice, which was sleep-deprived but pretended to be dignified.

"Yes, Lady An'an, I will heed your teachings and come to your side immediately—"

"Remember, remember to bring some more popcorn...!"

"Yes, Master. Who wouldn't want to be huddled in a dark room with you during the day, eating popcorn while being scared to death by a horror movie?"

"No, that's right! You stupid monster, that's exactly it—"

"But I refuse!" "Huh!?"

A very cute exclamation came from the other end of the phone.

It seems that An'an can't hypnotize people over the phone, at least not yet. If she could, it would be quite terrifying to think about. If An'an debuted on VTubers, her fanbase would expand rapidly after just one live stream. It might not take more than a few years to achieve the unification and end of humanity's mind.

After listening for a while to the other end of the line using formulaic, cute words like "pervert," "idiot," and "big bad guy"—whether it was being adorable or genuinely complaining—Chang Rong hung up the phone, deciding not to disturb An An and the uncle's horror movie appreciation any longer.

Although I seemed to hear a distress signal at the end, like, "Uncle can't stand being slapped in the face by horror movies either, Xiao Rong, can you find a way to get me out...?", it must have been my imagination.

Since Milia is busy, who else can we ask? Noah... Hero? Coco?

Chang Rong pondered for a long time, rehearsing in his mind countless times. After acting out the BedEnd (not bad), he gave up and decided to go out and greet and interact with everyone he met, using this method to stop himself from getting stuck in a rut.

Then Chang Rong bumped into the mysterious idol, Renmi Ryouya.

It would be fine if it were anyone else, but I happened to see my teammates who fought Dio... I originally came out for a stroll to put the things that happened by the lake behind me, but now I've put the cart before the horse.

"Ah, Chang Rong? You're alright? That's great... Hmm, you don't seem completely alright..."

When Ryota Hayami saw Chang Rong, her eyes lit up immediately. She happily came over to greet him, but she quickly noticed that the white-haired boy in front of her looked a little down compared to usual, so she immediately lowered her head again.

"Oh, right... I wanted to go talk to Meruru, but I looked around and couldn't find her anywhere, and I couldn't reach her by phone either—speaking of which, I remember someone saying that listening to music can relieve stress when you're in a bad mood. Chang Rong, why don't you give it a try? After all, I'm an idol, so giving my fans a little treat is perfectly reasonable. How about we treat it like a private concert?"

Chang Rong watched as Renjian Leia appeared flustered and muttered to herself in front of him, as if she were performing a one-woman show, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly.

Chang Rong was initially worried that seeing Leia might cause him to fall back into the lingering regret of not being able to save the 'young lady' before. However, he immediately realized that instead of regret, seeing Leia's strangely amusing behavior made Chang Rong feel more gratified and happy.

Seeing the vibrant and energetic Leia, and clearly feeling Leia's clumsy yet caring concern for him, filled Chang Rong with immense warmth. It was like bumping into his closest old friend on the street.

Thinking of this, Chang Rong no longer hid his smile and smiled at Renmi Ryoa:

"Leah-sama, would you like to do something more intimate with me?"

"However, most of my songs are in a very lively style, which may not be suitable for the current situation. No, no, no, or rather, lively styles are actually better—huh?"

Ryota Hasumi, who was still debating the song list for her 'private concert', paused for a moment. She blinked and looked at Chang Rong, who also smiled and looked at Ryota.

"More, more, more intimate... things...?"

Hasumi Ryoya pinched her cheek—it hurt, it really did.

"Oh... Oh ho...!"

The dashing, prince-like idol let out an embarrassing exclamation completely unrelated to her public image. She had forgotten what she and Chang Rong had said afterward. Her only vague recollection was that she had followed Chang Rong, led by him, until they arrived at a secluded little house.

Then Chang Rong sat down on the sofa, smiled, patted her legs, and extended an invitation to herself. And then—

"Mmm... As expected, when I'm feeling down, I need to touch something soft and fluffy to cheer myself up..."

"Waaaaah, this feeling... it's like my soul is about to fly away..."

Chang Rong sat on the sofa, happily rubbing the golden-haired idol lying in her arms. Lian Jian Lei Ya also drooled and squinted her eyes, no longer having the energy to put on any airs of a prince idol guardian. Instead, she let her most primal instincts control her body and mind, fully enjoying the chief hair-smoothing technique from her chief idol.

Just as I expected, petting the Golden Retriever definitely increases happiness!

Seeing that Ryota Hasumi had already started drooling and purring, Chang Rong became even more certain that her judgment was correct.

I was actually getting a bit stuck in my own head at first. Why did I insist on 'communicating' with others to relieve stress? Didn't the great, legendary detective Sherry already say—if you can use your hands, don't use your words?

There's more than one way to relieve stress; in fact, physical contact is arguably the most effective method, at least judging from Hiro's reaction, she seems to agree.

When Chang Rong first invited Ryota to "please" her, Ryota was incredibly stiff, awkward, and even somewhat uncooperative. She seemed to be lying on a pressure point mat, twisting and turning without cooperating at all, and constantly blushing as she tried to get up. This made Chang Rong doubt whether she had made a mistake in her judgment.