The Witch Trial Begins with the OO Buckethead Zombie

They all seemed to think it didn't matter.

Hannah Tono felt like she was the odd one out.

Ryota Hasumi mocked her way of speaking.

Arisa Wisteria always kept a cold face and kept to herself.

Noah Kinosaki left as if nothing had happened.

Baosheng Mag had a mysterious smile on his face, as if he had everything under control.

On the ice, Meruru seemed to have the fear that a normal person should have; her eyes were brimming with tears.

But it looks too fake.

The tears were real, the crying was real, but it just felt awkward, lacking the emotion that should accompany the tears.

...It might be an illusion.

Nanoha Kurobe seemed to have something on her mind, but the large gun she was carrying made Hannah Tono dare to look at her for more than a few seconds.

No way, why would someone in prison be carrying a gun?!

The most incomprehensible episode.

Zedu Coco...

They are somewhat difficult to approach.

These girls, one by one, their expressions, emotions, attire, words...

From any angle, he doesn't look like a proper prisoner.

If she had to use a word to describe it, Hannah Tono felt that the most suitable one was...

'Witch'

It looks like an all-female prison, and everyone there seems to be a witch.

However, among them, there is one that stands out the most, making people unable to help but suspect it.

'male'

Utsunomiya Hoshino.

Face, hair, Adam's apple, clothing.

To be honest, Tono Hannah initially suspected that he was actually a girl, just dressed as a man like Hasumi Ryoa.

However, unlike others, Ryota Hasumi's male attire is merely a cross-dressing outfit; she still retains ample feminine characteristics.

Hoshino Utsunomiya, however, was different.

He is a completely male.

The opposite sex is very conspicuous here.

Everyone was actually watching him, whether intentionally or unintentionally, openly or blatantly.

Doubt, curiosity, interest.

Tono Hanna was naturally interested as well.

Of course, her interests might be a little different from others.

A new environment, unfamiliar people, just like the transition from junior high to high school.

When you are renewing your relationships or entering a new environment, what is the first thing you should do?

She knows.

Join a 'group'.

If you don't want to be isolated, if you don't want to be all alone.

They would go and say hello, strike up a conversation, or hope and expect that someone would take the initiative to talk to them.

Even the simplest friendships can help people adapt to new environments quickly.

Even if it's just being able to chat casually with someone.

only......

Hasumi Rieya, she doesn't want to get close; Shito Arisa, she's hard to approach; Sawatari Coco, she doesn't get along with her; Shirosaki Noa, she can't understand what she's saying; Hosho Mag, she looks like she'll be played a cruel joke on; Kurobe Nanoha Kaori, she has a big gun; Ice Mountain Meruru, she doesn't want to get too close.

Be picky, be picky.

She is indeed very picky.

Hannah Tono also acknowledges this.

If she weren't so picky, if she didn't have all sorts of inexplicable moral fastidiousness, she might have done anything.

But she was picky.

That's why things are like this now.

I always think, what if I could be a little worse, what if I could be a little more ruthless.

Wouldn't that make life a little better and make us happier?

But it's just a thought.

"..."

After being picky to the end, there's only one choice left.

The only man present.

Men can give others a sense of security, and men can exude a protective instinct towards the opposite sex. If you act a little more delicate, can you become the one who needs to be protected?

But she doesn't know enough about Hoshino Utsunomiya.

What if he's a bad guy...?

When thinking like this.

Nanoha Kurobe's gun fired.

It wasn't a decoration, but a genuine spear, sparks flying.

The buzzing sound echoed in her ears, and Tono Hannah's face turned deathly pale, her heart pounding.

Real guns.

want to escape.

I want to leave.

They dared not face the gun barrel.

But his steps were so heavy that he could hardly lift them.

If I leave now, I might really have to live alone from now on.

Even when discussing the topic of escaping from prison, he could only figure it out by himself.

This is the most crucial decision-making point.

At least that's what Hannah Tono thinks.

So, when the guns were put away and the atmosphere eased, Hasumi Ryoga expressed her intention to separate into smaller groups.

Without hesitation, Hannah Tono chose to stand beside Hoshino Utsunomiya.

Well, it's not that resolute.

If he dislikes her, she'll talk to someone else.

Fortunately, he didn't look down on himself.

However, Tono Hannah felt...

Perhaps it would be better if he disliked himself.

Because after clearly defining the boundaries of the group, he expressed a strong and obvious interest in Meruru Ice.

If you're interested, there are unique riddle-based conversations and relatively tacit understandings.

There is something she doesn't know.

But it didn't seem like they knew each other before they went to prison.

At least on the ice, Meruru still acted rather distant towards him.

The interactions and dialogues, though mysterious, don't seem like conversations between familiar people.

She could try to continue the conversation.

To strike up a conversation, to chat, to interact.

Hoshino Utsunomiya's conversation with Hannah Tono was much more natural and relaxed than his conversation with Meruru Hikami.

If I absolutely have to say something...

It's about compatibility.

not bad.

She could tell that he was aware of this.

But compared to so-called compatibility, he clearly has things he cares about more.

It's the ice cream brand Merlulu.

Hands clasped, steps taken together, in the courtyard where we share a space.

Actually, Tono Hannah didn't intend to follow.

After all, she and Hoshino Utsunomiya had only met for the first time and had only gotten to know each other today.

Although the conversation was pleasant and I could tell that he was a nice person, we could probably become friends easily anywhere else.

But if you want to upgrade this relationship to lovers, if you want to elevate this feeling to liking, then you need to change that.

It definitely requires a very special ceremony.

Long-term companionship, memorable events, the starting point of redemption.