Chapter 37: Since Ai’er Is Awake, Let’s Withdraw from School!

Inside the dining room of the small villa, a strange atmosphere lingered.

This is bad.

Why did I react so strongly… QAQ…

Sitting at the table, Ai’er’s face was ashen.

[When the target shows goodwill toward the Host, the Host actually slaps the target?]

[The Host truly lives up to the name “idiot.”]

“Stop talking, stupid System… I’m already reflecting on it… T▽T…”

With a sigh, Ai’er stared at the small cake in front of her, completely lacking any appetite.

She couldn’t quite explain it. All she remembered was the instant Elena’s teeth brushed against her skin—a shock like electricity shot straight up her spine.

And that fleeting flash of crimson…

Could this be a “side effect” of this body only having less than half a year of Lifespan left?

Shaking her head, Ai’er cautiously lifted her gaze from the table.

In the corner of her vision, Elena—completely drained of color—was curled up facing the wall.

“Ai’er hates me… Ai’er hates me… Ai’er hates me…”

She repeated it over and over, like some kind of curse ritual.

“Young Lady Ai’er, could you please talk to Young Lady?”

“Fina…”

Looking into the girl’s innocent eyes, Ai’er didn’t know what to say.

If she hadn’t impulsively slapped Elena, she could have just smiled brightly, pounced from behind, gently hugged her, and whispered into her ear—

‘I don’t hate Elena~ How could I hate Elena? I like Elena the most~’

[The Host knows what to do, yet refuses to act?]

Act my foot!

If she really did that, how would she be any different from a scumbag who plays with people’s feelings?

First, carefully raising affection… then refusing the other’s desire and coldly pushing them away. Then, when they’re in pain, stepping in like some lofty god, “granting” unequal love so they become completely dependent…

Is that攻略? That’s training!

[…]

What do you mean “…”? If you’ve got something to say, say it!

Looking at Elena curled up in the corner, Ai’er felt uncomfortable all over.

[…The Host has quite the imagination.]

[But this System reminds you again: your current task is to have Elena, the Witch of Time, “kill” you.]

[To complete this task, the Host must further increase Elena’s Capture Progress.]

“Kill”…

Maybe it was because she could see subtitles, but even the System’s missions were becoming vague and cryptic.

Though it had always been like this, now wasn’t the time to dwell on it.

No matter who needed to be “killed,” the most important thing right now was to calm Elena down.

Ai’er slapped her cheeks lightly with both hands, jumped off her chair, and walked toward Elena.

But even when she stood behind her, Elena remained curled up like a gray statue.

“Um… Elena…”

At the sound of Ai’er’s voice, Elena’s head lifted slightly.

Only slightly.

This isn’t working! How am I supposed to comfort her QAQ!!

“Waaah…”

“Ai’er?! What’s wrong?! Does it still hurt somewhere?!”

In that instant, all color returned to Elena. The black-haired girl jumped up and grabbed Ai’er’s shoulders anxiously.

Crying really does work, huh…

Of course, actually crying was another matter.

Even squeezing out a few tears took Ai’er a lot of effort, let alone sobbing beautifully.

And next…

Since this Witch had regained her color, it was time for the next step of the plan.

“Ai’er?”

Without speaking, the silver-haired girl gently held Elena’s hands.

Warmth spread from their palms, flowing into Elena’s heart.

Thinking about it carefully… she had gone too far earlier.

Regardless of whether Ai’er was willing, biting her shoulder like that was inappropriate.

She should have bitten Ai’er’s ear—just like in the novels she had read.

If it were like those stories, then in the moment of biting the ear, her feelings, heartbeat, and emotions could all be conveyed…

Elena wanted Ai’er to understand just how much she longed to see those pale golden eyes again.

Even though she didn’t understand this feeling herself—this emotion that made her unable to let go of Ai’er…

Thud.

The dull sound snapped Elena back to reality.

And then she realized—

Ai’er had disappeared?

No… she was still there.

Lowering her gaze slightly, she could see that familiar silver hair.

Nothing strange—Ai’er was just kneeling in front of her… wait.

Kneeling?

So that sound just now… was Ai’er’s knees hitting the floor?!

“I’m sorry QAQ!!!”

“Ai’er?! What are you doing?! Get up, quickly!”

Kneeling to apologize.

That was the only method Ai’er could think of.

To break a frozen conversation, you needed something unexpected—like how she had grabbed Elena’s attention with nonsense when they first met.

And Ai’er knew something—

Elena hated it when she acted overly respectful, even though she was her maid!

So what best represented that relationship?

Or rather, what best showed respect?

That would be—

Kneeling!

“No, I won’t get up! I’m clearly your maid, yet I did something like that to you!”

“I don’t mind! I—I just don’t want Ai’er to hate me…”

But Ai’er didn’t hear the latter half of Elena’s quiet words.

So—

“As compensation, Elena, you can do the same thing to me!”

Ai’er closed her eyes tightly, lifted her chin slightly, and faced Elena with trembling lips.

Even though getting slapped would hurt—and she hated pain—she would endure it to make things right!

“I really don’t mind—”

“You can do anything you want to me, Elena! Go ahead!”

But Ai’er, too nervous, still didn’t hear her.

And when no response came, she assumed she hadn’t gone far enough.

So she said the one sentence—

You can do anything you want to me.

Really… anything?

Elena swallowed unconsciously.

Looking at the trembling silver-haired girl, she crouched down so their eyes met.

Why…

Why does this girl make my heart beat so fast?

Her gaze wandered over Ai’er’s gradually flushing cheeks.

If she could do anything… what should she do?

She wanted to do everything—and nothing.

She wanted Ai’er to accept her actions, not force them.

But since Ai’er cared so much about earlier…

Making up her mind, Elena slowly raised her hand—

“Eh?”

“I… how could I ever bring myself to hit you, you fool…”

Instead, she pulled Ai’er into an embrace.

Ai’er’s pale golden eyes widened.

“You just need to stay by my side… just stay with me.”

Ai’er’s body had been trembling—but now, in Elena’s arms, she could feel that the Witch was trembling too. Her heartbeat was fast.

The faint scent unique to a girl drifted to Ai’er’s slightly flushed nose, making her momentarily dazed.

She felt like she should say something—but didn’t know what.

Yet she had to say something.

Because somehow… her heart was beating so fast.

“B-But I still think I should compensate you, Elena… otherwise I’ll feel really guilty.”

“If that’s the case, then come do something with me.”

Elena still didn’t let go—but she didn’t tighten her hold either.

She leaned close to Ai’er’s ear, a smile forming.

“Ai’er, come with me to the faculty office later.”

Huh? The faculty office?

So… is this the part where I start attending classes? Like in the academy arc?

“Okay, I understand. But why are you going there, Elena?”

“To withdraw.”

…Huh? O.o