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

"It's really me, Xiaoxue. Right here, pressed against the bed board that wasn't originally meant for a double." "Really...is it really true...?"

“Xiaoxue, when you’re at your most emotional, you occasionally blurt out some meaningless witch words. Marg says that when translated, it actually means ‘Don’t stop’—”

"Waaaaah, okay, okay...!!"

Xiaoxue's cheeks instantly turned hot, and she quickly kicked Chang Rong's shin to interrupt him, acknowledging that the rabbit in front of her was a real creature.

"here it is……"

After recovering from the fear of losing Chang Rong, Xiao Xue finally had the energy to observe her surroundings. The room she was in was rather simple and dilapidated; to put it bluntly, it was essentially a prison cell.

But this cell has a different meaning for Xiaoxue. It is the cell where she and Changrong lived when they participated in the 'Witch Trial'.

Although the decorations have changed somewhat, those details have remained etched in Xiaoxue's mind and have never faded.

"Everyone made a point of giving us space tonight, so you don't have to think about those messy things, just get some rest."

Chang Rong pointed to the corridor of the underground cell, which was usually used as the bedroom for the prospective witches, but today everyone tacitly provided the two of them with a private space.

"...Everyone is such a good child," Xiaoxue said softly with her eyes slightly closed.

"But I feel the same way about them—ooh!"

"Instead of endlessly blaming yourself, you should rest well, cheer up, and then figure out how to make amends for these past mistakes, right?"

Chang Rong pinched Xiao Xue's nose to interrupt her, and said in a deliberately stern tone.

"……yes."

Xiaoxue smiled, shifted her body and leaned on Chang Rong's shoulder, enjoying this peaceful moment that belonged only to the two of them.

"Xiaoxue, how have you been lately?"

"I... have been a little dead for a while now."

"Uh...right..." Chang Rong rubbed her hair, realizing that this topic didn't seem quite right.

"Rong, how have you been since then?"

"My hands were cold for a long time."

“...Yes, yes,” Xiaoxue shook her head; this topic wasn’t much better.

"..."

The two fell into an awkward and strange silence, and then—

"Pfft, Rong, you really are... still such an idiot."

"Xiaoxue, you haven't changed at all. You're still that eccentric girl who loves to do somersaults."

The two looked at each other and smiled happily.

"Rong, if Meruru heard this, she would definitely be angry, but..."

After smiling, Xiaoxue looked at the boy in front of her, her tone very serious.

"After meeting you, for the first time, I felt anticipation for the future. For the first time, I realized that the unknown that the future brings is such a wonderful existence."

Xiaoxue gently placed her palm on Changrong's palm and held it close.

"The thought of what unknown experiences we'll have together tomorrow fills me with immense fulfillment and anticipation—a wonderful feeling I've never experienced as a witch before. So—"

"In the future, we will continue to experience more unknowns together and usher in one new 'future' after another, right?"

“Yes, we will experience countless futures together, until you feel that this happiness has become just another ordinary day.” Chang Rong replied with a smile, ruffling Xiao Xue’s hair.

"I will never get tired of it. As long as I can be by Rong's side, I will never get tired of it."

"That would be my honor, Witch Lady, who has great potential. So, in order to better prepare for the expectations that the next 'future' will bring, let's get some rest today."

Chang Rong gently settled Xiao Xue back onto the bed, then curled up beside her.

"Rong—"

"I'm right here, Xiaoxue."

"Rong, do you know that you saved the world and you saved me too?"

"It was just something I did."

Chang Rong nuzzled the girl's nose, and then the room returned to silence.

This was the most peaceful sleep Xiaoxue had had in a long time. She was no longer filled with the fear of waking up, but with anticipation for the future and contentment with the present moment.

If I could, I would love to stay here forever and let this moment last forever...

……

"Good morning, Xiaoxue! Time to get up!"

"Ugh...?"

Hiro's stern and serious voice, like a death knell, forcibly dragged Xiaoxue out of her little bed where she could escape Xiaoben's responsibilities.

The Great Witch groggily poked her head out, her hair disheveled and a glistening thread at the corner of her mouth, looking bewildered at the black and red figure standing in front of the room door.

"Hiro...what...let me sleep for another week..."

"Don't bring the witch's concept of time into this! And don't live like a princess! Don't forget we're still in a hostile and unilaterally isolated relationship with humanity. Every moment of delay could lead to even more uncertain consequences. Besides, supplies on the island are a problem. In short, now is not the time to be lazing around and sleeping with that idiot rabbit!"

"Um...uh..."

The Great Witch, still half-asleep, was thrown off her feet by the iron-fisted management that had just brought her to her knees. While Hiro did provide the two with ample space alone, that didn't stop her from arriving promptly at 6 a.m. the next morning to kick down the door.

"You idiot, Hiro! I'm the Great Witch—Rong! Help me..."

"The Great Witch can't even dress herself properly, can she?" Hiro saw through Xiaoxue's expression and realized that she was planning to have Chang Rong help her change her clothes, so she used reverse psychology to stop her in advance.

"Of course not...! I've already changed my clothes and washed up by myself, right Rong!"

Hiro's provocation successfully brought Xiaoxue to her senses, and also helped her rediscover the virtuous qualities she had strived to become after growing from a 'girl' to a 'woman'.

"Xiaoxue did indeed become gentler and more independent later on..."

Chang Rong also left the bed, recalling Xiao Xue's 'abnormal' mature behavior in the later stages of the veteran witch trial.

"Hmph, this is the power of the Great Witch. Fear it, Hiro."

Xiaoxue received a positive reply from Chang Rong, which immediately made her look satisfied and proud. She pointed to the sky and showed off to Xiluo that she was also a good girl who could dress herself, brush her teeth and wash her hair by herself.

...He's still like a child.

Looking at the smug-looking Xiaoxue, Shiro thought, "As expected, the ELO system is everywhere on Witch Island." Despite having gained an early advantage several versions ahead, Xiaoxue herself is a pathetic, childish, and somewhat pathetic character. But it's precisely because of this that everyone gets a chance to compete.

After hurriedly getting dressed, Xiaoxue and Changrong followed Xiluo to the restaurant.

"Good morning~ Breakfast is still being prepared, please wait a little while, desuwa." "Good morning everyone, I'll show off my skills a bit today, hehe~!"

Hannah Tono, wearing an apron, and Rhea peeked out from the kitchen and greeted everyone.

"Thank you for your hard work, Rhea-sama and Hannah-sama. By the way, you look adorable in your aprons too," Chang Rong greeted the two cheerfully.

"—I'll help too."

Xiaoxue looked up and noticed Chang Rong's expression. She then looked at the happy faces of the other two prospective witches who had received praise. After thinking for a moment, she suddenly raised her hand to volunteer.

"This witch has also studied it, so don't worry, humans."

Seeing the worried looks in Hannah and Léa's eyes, Xiaoxue straightened her chest and strode confidently into the kitchen.

Several tens of minutes later—

"...?"

Xiaoxue was completely bewildered as the two of them threw her out of the kitchen.

"Um... although you're very spirited and serious, your skill level is still too low! And if we don't stop you, I feel like the Great Witch is going to get killed by a kitchen knife!"

Hannah Tono awkwardly complained as she put a band-aid on Yuki's finger.

"Hmm..." Xiaoxue bit her lip, wanting to say something but unable to find a way to refute it.

"Haha, this time I was a bit rushed because I also had to prepare breakfast. Let's cook together slowly next time when we have more time!"

"I love you," said Ryouya Hasumi with a smile. Seeing the golden retriever's dashing smile and invitation, Yuki could only nod in the end and obediently return to the restaurant to wait for dinner.

"...Rong?"

When Xiaoxue returned to the restaurant, she found that Chang Rong was nowhere to be found. After asking around, she was told that "something needs to be taken care of first."

Xiaoxue waited in place for a while. Apart from Kurobe Nanohaka finding her to borrow the 'Illusion Magic' temporarily for a reason, no one paid any attention to her, the mistress of Witch Island, a witch with great potential.

"...Go find Hero then."

Xiaoxue got up to look for Xiluo, but as soon as she saw Xiluo in the living room, before she could even get close, she heard Xiluo muttering to himself.

"Sleeping in bed is wrong. Taking possession of the rabbit is wrong. Taking off on his own is wrong. Abusing magic is wrong—this guy has too many bad habits, and they all need to be corrected."

"..."

Xiaoxue blinked and swallowed, but ultimately didn't take another step. Instead, she turned around and slunk away.

"...Go find Emma."

Xiaoxue set off to find Emma, ​​only to find a pink and white puppy staring intently at the ground in front of the flower field, seemingly deep in thought.

"If we converted part of the flower field to grow potatoes and sunflowers, would we be able to eat French fries then...? Glug woof..."

"..."

Xiaoxue thought about the way Emma looked when she leaned in and begged her. With that puppy-dog expression, she figured she wouldn't have the courage to refuse. In order to protect the flower field on Witch Island, she decided not to go over there for now.

"...Go find Meruru."

Xiaoxue chose to have a heart-to-heart talk with Meruru this time, only to find that Meruru and the warden were seriously studying some documents in front of the warehouse.

"Ah... Great Witch! Good morning!"

"Good morning, Meruru. What are you and the owl doing?"

Meruru remained as docile and loyal as ever, which greatly improved Xiaoxue's mood.

"Ah... I'm checking the reserve supplies on Witch Island with the warden. Although the warden is a bit annoying, I've really been too hands-off with things before. In order to be able to help Lord Changrong in the future, I need to start doing what I can!" Meruru replied to Xiaoxue with a smile.

“…Then I’ll help too.” Xiaoxue frowned, intending to lend a hand as well.

"Really? That's wonderful, Great Witch! Could you please help me count the goods and compare them with the original quantity?"