Led by Shion, Airi and the others arrived at an abandoned convent behind the school. The moment Shion pushed open the door and entered, more than a dozen kittens came running over, meowing as though they had found family.
"So cute!"
Yukina, standing beside Airi, could no longer contain her delight. She stepped forward, crouched down, and picked up a kitten, while Nagisa was having the time of her life playing with several others nearby.
"Are you taking care of all these cats by yourself?"
Airi reached out and gently stroked a kitten beside her as she asked. Shion skillfully took out some cat food and nodded.
"Yes, but it's really hard to manage alone, so I asked Nagisa for help. I just didn't expect to trouble you too, Miss Airi..."
"I don't find it troublesome. Besides, witches and cats go pretty well together."
As she spoke, Airi held out a finger. A kitten quickly reached out with its paws, hugged it, and gently licked it. Shion watched Airi with a gaze filled with envy and admiration. Then she looked at Airi and asked softly.
"Um... Miss Airi?"
"Hmm?"
"How did you... get along so well with everyone in class?"
It was hardly strange for Shion to ask such a question. In some ways, the two of them were quite alike: both had exceptionally beautiful features and unusual white hair, which made them stand out as different. And compared to some meaningless title like "the Saintess of the middle school division," a genuine nickname like the "Silver Witch" was far more striking. Yet Shion had never heard from Nagisa that Airi had been isolated or excluded by her classmates. On the contrary, according to Nagisa, her sister was quite popular in class and had made many friends.
Shion envied that