The following evening, Misaki City welcomed another snowy night after a long absence. But unlike last time, when she had had to cling to her convictions and face death in a decisive battle, Aoko felt nothing but delight now that she could lie back and rest safely in the Western-style Mansion.
"Alice, I'm here!"
Pushing open the door, the True Magic User found Alice Kuonji with everything already laid out.
Perhaps because she was too relaxed, Aoko kept feeling that a strangely bewitching light flickered in the witch's emotionless black eyes. Her breathing was somewhat heavy, too, and strands of black hair clung beside her moist red lips, as though she had only just gotten up.
"You're here, Aoko."
As though trying to conceal something, the witch hurried to her feet, her back ramrod straight, but she still stumbled over those few short steps.
Her reaction made Aoko Aozaki give her friend a puzzled look. Although Alice had a weak constitution, the friend she remembered certainly had not been this frail.
"Alice, did you hurt your back today?"
"Ugh..."
At Aoko's question, a flush suddenly spread across Alice's exquisite, doll-like face.
"It's just... a little too much exertion."
Alice Kuonji did her best to act as though nothing was wrong, but the unconscious way she brushed back the hair hanging beside her ear lent the otherwise classical witch a few touches of fairy-like, alluring beauty.
They had only gone a few days without seeing each other, yet her princess-pure friend had actually become more womanly than her. Was there really such a thing as natural talent?
Secretly startled, Aoko looked somewhat bewildered.
"Never mind that. Would you like something to drink...? You might be staying a little longer tonight, so you should get some fluids."
"It's not like I have