The Witch Trial Begins with the OO Buckethead Zombie

“However, we can’t say that, Hiro will be unhappy.” Hoshino Utsunomiya placed her hand on Noah Kinosaki’s shoulder and said softly.

"Imagine if I told someone, 'Please don't look down on Noah for being useless. Even though Noah's drawings are terrible, and even though Noah is a bad kid who throws spray paint at people, Noah has tried his best, so please don't hate Noah.'"

"Will you be happy?"

Using the same words, Hoshino Utsunomiya then gave a fabricated example.

He thought Noah Kinosaki would be able to understand what he was trying to say from the list.

but.

"Noah's drawings are just as good!"

She seems to care more about this.

Chapter 119 Praise Me a Few More Times

"Yes, Noah's drawing is not bad. Noah is very good at drawing."

Hoshino Utsunomiya nodded perfunctorily.

“Noah is telling the truth!” Noah Kinosaki seemed to realize his perfunctory attitude.

Whether it's true or not, what's the point of going to jail anyway?

Even if it's just doodling out of pure personal interest, Hoshino Utsunomiya has no intention of discriminating.

Of course, even with professional-level paintings, he had no intention of praising or caring about them.

After all, he had no artistic talent.

If it looks good, then take a second look.

If it's not good-looking, just look at it less.

Yes, of course, Noah is quite good-looking and cute, even though he is very small.

"Mmm, really, really." After gently patting Noah Kinosaki's head, Hoshino Utsunomiya turned to look at Hiro Nikaido:

"If you're really angry, then pinch her cheek."

Although Noah Kinosaki's original intention was probably for Nikaido Hiro's sake, it is clear that Hiro did not want to see such consideration.

“Of course, an apology is also necessary.” He turned to look at Noah Kinosaki.

"..."

"..."

Silence, eye contact.

Nikaido Hiro stared at Kinosaki Noa, the two of them staring at each other without saying a word.

"I'm sorry, Noah was wrong."

Noah Kinosaki was the first to apologize.

She had probably apologized once the day before yesterday, so this time it was surprisingly easy for her to apologize, and she said it very easily.

“...I’m so useless.” Looking at Noah Kinosaki, who was exceptionally well-behaved and sensible in Hoshino Utsunomiya’s hands, the stark contrast made Hiro Nikaido feel a sense of defeat. She brushed a strand of hair from her cheek and said softly.

Her emotions, which had been somewhat out of control, gradually cooled down. As she watched Utsunomiya Hoshino discipline Noah Kinosaki, she became less concerned about Noah's comments about her being useless.

Admit it, Nikaido Hiro, you really are useless.

Noah won't listen to you, you can't find a suitable studio for Noah, you can't stop Hoshino Utsunomiya's death, and you can't even compare to Emma Sakuraba.

How can you be so useless?

Even if he has already shamelessly chosen to reach out to you again.

But what opportunities do you have?

Are you really going to completely abandon all pretense and use the physical advances you despise to seduce him?

"...Huh?" Instead of being forgiven for his apology, he heard this kind of response, leaving Noah Kinosaki somewhat stunned.

She blinked, then turned to look at Hoshino Utsunomiya with a hint of helplessness.

“…” Hoshino Utsunomiya sighed softly.

For some reason, Hiro seemed a little lacking in confidence.

Let's give her some encouragement.

When Hoshino first met Hiro again, when Hiro was still in his autistic phase and taciturn, Utsunomiya Hoshino had already thought about it.

She might need someone to hold her in their arms, pat her head, and offer comfort and praise in a very direct, even childlike way.

Although she was no longer a child, what she needed most at this time was this kind of comfort, like soothing a child.

He didn't intend to provoke Hiro again at the time, so he didn't choose to do that.

But now.

That's it.

Holding Nikaido Hiro's hand, he pulled the girl close to his arms and hugged her tightly. Utsunomiya Hoshino gently stroked her back and whispered in her ear.

"That's not true. I've always known that Shiro is very powerful. Of all the people I've met, Shiro is the most powerful."

These are words of reassurance, but not exaggerated or fabricated lies.

Hoshino Utsunomiya admitted that perhaps Hiro Nikaido had countless faults.

But her shortcomings cannot overshadow her strengths. She was always very capable in school, and even in prison, what she did was still quite effective.

She would want to protect others, and she would confront the witch without regard for her own safety, wishing she could absorb all of the witch's hatred.

"You are upright, honest, and have excellent character and academic performance. You stand up for those in trouble and lend a helping hand to those in need. Aren't you praised by everyone?"

She excelled academically and was an all-around athlete. She was the ideal Yamato Nadeshiko that everyone looked forward to and a top student who was trusted by her teachers.

"Your parents will be proud of you, your teachers will be proud to have a student like you, and your classmates will be happy to have you in the same class as them."

If someone like Hiro had been in his class back in school, all he would have thought was, "She's amazing."

"Hero is already very good. Hero has already worked very hard."

Feeling the girl in his arms gradually soften from her stiffness, Hoshino Utsunomiya spoke softly, his movements slowing down little by little.

"There's no need to dwell on Noah's slip of the tongue. A casual remark doesn't change the fact that you're capable." He reassured him in this way and then fell silent.

Such comfort is enough. Any further words would simply be repetitive and monotonous: "You're great, you're good, you've worked hard, you've done your best, it's okay, it's not your fault, you're the best."

Nikaido Hiro is a very intelligent girl. She just needs a trigger to adjust her emotions and a little time to adjust herself.

So, that's enough with the words of comfort.

Let him hug Hiro here first so he can feel it.

If Hero and Emma were held in each other's arms, what differences would there be?

Nikaido Hiro: "..."

A pulling force came through my hand.

Nikaido Hiro couldn't tell whether he didn't have time to resist, couldn't resist, or didn't want to resist.

In any case, he pulled her into his arms.

Although it wasn't the first time I'd been this close to him, it was the first time I was fully conscious and could clearly feel being held in his arms in such close proximity.

The last time, I immediately distanced myself the moment I realized I was too close.

This time, he took the initiative.

She didn't react in time; she didn't have a chance to push him away...

No need to push it away.

She was his lover.

Even a trainee couple is still a couple.

Being held in your lover's arms is something you shouldn't be too concerned about.

Therefore, after stiffening, Hiro Nikaido's body gradually softened.

She was proactive, yet reserved, unsure of what to do with her free hands. She wondered if she should also take the initiative to hug him tightly, thinking that being too proactive might be too obvious.

Nikaido Hiro sniffed the strong scent of the person in front of him.

There's a... very faint Emma scent.

Even though I throw away my clothes and change into new ones every day, and even though I only had two hours to wash up last night before my confinement.

But she could still smell a faint scent of Emma Sakura on him.

They must have hugged each other again after that.

Stinky puppy.

The unspoken thoughts in her heart quickly dissipated. In the end, Emma Sakura's scent was very faint, and the reason she could smell it wasn't because her nose was particularly sensitive.

It's just that someone has already been marinated in her shower gel, and even if they go to jail, they will still carry that scent that she can quickly detect.

After a little adjustment, I'll do a simple filtering.

It won't be very obvious then.

More noticeable than the smell are the soothing gestures and gentle voices.

How long has it been since I had an experience like this?

He was held in someone's arms, his back was patted like this, and he was whispered encouraging words in his ear.

...Never.

Recalling the events, Nikaido Hiro came to a conclusion.

From a young age, she has had a very resilient personality. She is not easily defeated by setbacks, does not easily give up on anything, and does not cry easily.

That's why she was praised by the adults, and that's why she gained their trust.

She has no flaws.

Even when she encounters problems or setbacks, she will always get up again and move forward once more.