I, Isabella, the Witch's apprentice, was holding an inquest.
　The place is a small coffee shop in Requisem.
　Around a round table with her sister's apprentice, Zucci and Tina.
　And the defendant is Kate, who is also my sister's apprentice.

"It seems like you've been frequenting that shady man's place lately, right Kate?
"Ugh, a stinky guy?　What, who's that?
Don't fall for it. It's about Henri Magnussault.
'Falling in love with you means you're guilty of being guilty, Kate. You're pathetic, sis.
"I agree with Zucci.

　I stare at Kate, who sits face to face, while Zucci and Tina, who are next to each other, apply pressure from both sides.

It's not a problem~.　What does it matter to you all~?
It has a lot to do with it. We don't trust that man at all. We are always suspicious of him, and if he fails, we are quick to denounce him, and we think he should be expelled as soon as possible.
No, I don't think I need to do that.
See, I knew you'd say that, Kate. If you're going to stand on his shoulders, you're betraying us.
"I agree with Isabella and Zucci.
Ughhhh....

　The three of us freak out so much that Kate almost starts to cry.
　Unlike her twin sister, Zucci, Kate has always been timid and unable to stand up to us.
　Even if she was just a fool for a moment and gave him the benefit of the doubt, once we tell her the truth, she will return to her true path as a witch in no time.
　Yes, it is not because we hate Kate that we are holding this hearing.
　Rather, it's the opposite.
　We are only four sister disciples, and the bond between us is important.

I don't care what they say, I'm going to learn magic from Henri.
What did you say?

　I perked up and yelled foul-mouthed.
　Zucci and Tina are also rolling their eyes.
　It's not Kate!　That cowardly Kate!　
　You don't talk back to me and the three of us!

Sis, I don't know what Kate's thinking anymore.

　Zucci lamented, but you can't take this woman's words for granted.
　She and Kate may be twins, but they are sisters with opposite ways of thinking and values. It's rather normal that Zucci can't understand Kate.

'I didn't expect Kate to be a romantic brain...'

　Tina was appalled, but this in itself is downright shocking.
　She's always either riding the coattails of others or in denial, so to speak out her opinion is unheard of.
　I think that's why Tina was so shocked. I feel the same way.

I didn't go to see Henri for romantic reasons.

　Kate is insinuating a blatant lie.
　If it's not romantic feelings, then what are those bright red cheeks?

And that's a horrible thing to have a love life. Don't we all want to have a girlfriend or get married someday?　It's normal~
'Nonsense. We're witches, remember?　It's not 'normal' at that point.
'So, then - Isabella doesn't fall in love or get married?　For the rest of your life~?
Yes, I'm not interested. Romantic feelings are merely an illusion created by our species' natural preservation instincts. Don't you ever think about the fact that we witches are extremely long-lived?　Can't Kate understand the stupidity of descending to the same low level as these mere mortals?　If we are seeking to procreate anyway, isn't that what a witch is, seeking to create an heir to ideas and technology, not to blood?
Ughhhh~

　I'm going to be able to tell you that I'm just going to be able to do that, but I'm going to be able to tell you that I'm not going to be able to argue with you, and I'm going to be able to tell you that I'm not going to be able to do that.

It's a good idea. Isabella's head is full of shit!

　Half in tears, Kate left the store to run away.
　It's pathetic. And even though I've been telling her off for so long, she still can't understand....
　My sister's apprentice, but she really is a shallow girl!

　　　　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.

　With the defendant gone, the place went completely blank.
　Zucci left the table and Tina followed him out of the restaurant.
　I was the only one left, and I continued to enjoy my tea as if I was going my own way.
　Then...

Do you mind if I sit here?

　I am suddenly approached from the side.
　I keep my cup tilted and give him a sharp look.

　A young man in his early twenties was standing there, smiling.
　He has a very sweet baby face.
　But he has a big scar on one cheek, and that one point gives him an unearned masculinity.

There are plenty of seats available around here.
I want to sit with you.

　The young man said selfishly and sat down, even though I had not given him permission to do so.
　And not face-to-face, but next to him!
　Dragging a chair so close to me that my shoulders are touching mine!

Hey!

　I put the cup down to slam it down, and he shouts in protest.
　But the baby-faced young man is all right.

Don't you like men who force you to do things?
Oh, of course I'm rude, I don't want to--
You have beautiful hands, don't you?

　The young man doesn't even let me tell you, but he suddenly grabs my hand and squeezes it.

　I couldn't help but lose my voice at the sight of it.
　My cheeks were painfully hot.
　It's not because I'm not experienced with men!
　And it's not because this young man is so handsome.

My name is Pauli. What's your name?
Hi, you might want to tell me your name before you ask for it.
So it's Pauli. You're funny, aren't you?
My name is Isabella--
And most importantly, it's pretty.
"Nah~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

　I can't believe that this is my own voice, and a scream that is unbelievable gushes out of my mouth.
　I'm blushing so hard I can't lift my head from my face.
　So--
I thought I heard a murmur of "cholo" coming from somewhere, but I couldn't even confirm the source.