The Witch Trial Begins with the OO Buckethead Zombie

In other words, although it may be impossible to fully understand the current situation, and although not everyone may understand what Hoshino Utsunomiya is saying, confusion is confusion, and unfamiliarity is unfamiliarity.

But, from the moment the argument started...

No one wanted to leave.

Even Natsume Anan just held her sketchbook, covered her face, and stared at it.

My heart was pounding.

Needless to say, Arisa Wisteria is another one.

She stared, completely mesmerized.

Holy crap, is this even possible?

I want to get beaten up, I want to get beaten up, I want to get beaten up—

cough cough.

Holding my breath, my heart pounding, my eyes wide open.

None of these things could compare to the redness in Baosheng Mag's eyes.

She became completely emotional.

He stretched out his arms, demanding proof, but what awaited him was his raised hand and the heavy slap that came crashing down.

Snapped.

I want to hear a deafening slap.

I want to be hit so hard my ears are ringing.

I want to say I love you.

The feelings that took root, sprouted, and expanded rapidly transformed into a twisted emotion that was almost like love at first sight.

If only Utsunomiya Hoshino could bring himself to slap him.

Baosheng Mag can say 'I love you'.

Just like a mother.

"..."

However, Hoshino Utsunomiya just looked at her, at her cold voice, at her red-rimmed eyes, at her eyes.

Then, having cooled down a bit, she asked softly:

"why?"

Actually, once you've reached this point in your confession, you can basically declare it a success.

When a girl asks for proof, it means she is actually willing to accept your feelings.

I still have some doubts, and I can't completely convince myself yet.

The proof at this point is just that one reason.

Ask for a kiss, ask for a night of love, and confirm your feelings by feeling that longing for yourself.

There is absolutely no problem with this.

The girl, who lacked a sense of security, wanted more ways to verify her feelings.

It's good that he agreed.

He is able to prove it.

—If what Mag asked for wasn't a beating.

Therefore, he would, and indeed must, ask that "why".

"Why...?" Baosheng Mag asked incredulously.

Now that things have come to this, you're asking me why?

"Because it's love." It doesn't matter, she'll answer anyway.

He turned around and grabbed Utsunomiya Hoshino's hand, holding his right hand with both of his own—a male hand, the same hand that had just touched his own palm.

Baosheng Mag rubbed his palm in the same way, and after a while, he reluctantly placed the hand on his cheek.

"You have to hit me before I'll say I love you. You have to raise this hand high and bring it down hard. I need to hear a loud slap that makes my head buzz before I can say I love you."

She rubbed her cheek against Hoshino Utsunomiya's palm, the warm feeling making her reluctant to part.

"Why don't you hit me? Why are you asking me why?"

As he murmured, Baosheng Mag's eyes changed again.

"Could it be that Hoshino doesn't actually love me, and only says he does?" The long-awaited slap, the love she had repeatedly denied, brought tears to Hosho Mag's eyes.

"But, but, but I've already decided to fall in love with Hoshino..."

Why are you doing this to me?

A heart struggling with countless emotions: rebuttal, resistance, and escape.

She didn't want to admit it; she didn't want to fall in love with him.

But in the end, I still fell in love with her, and in the end, I was conquered.

But at this very moment, he no longer displayed that unwavering attitude of love that made it clear to everyone, and he no longer confessed his feelings to her with such decisiveness.

Tell me you love me.

Hit me now.

Is it that my approach is wrong?

Eh?

If I want Hoshino to say he loves me...

Ah, right, right, it should be my turn to fight Hoshino—

"—Mage." Just before Hosho Mag realized what was happening and was about to make a move, Utsunomiya Hoshino finally made his move: "I love you."

Accompanied by another declaration of love.

His hand.

He hugged Baosheng Mag.

They won't use their hands.

If Baosheng Mag is simply someone with a peculiar fetish, wanting a slap, or having a masochistic desire...

It's not that he can't satisfy her.

Even if she wanted him to pour a bucket of cold water over her head, he could understand.

But these are clearly not what Marg wants.

Baosheng Mag is distorted in his understanding of love due to past trauma, and he interprets love as a form of violence.

But is this really how she understands love?

the answer is negative.

Her trembling hand grasped his palm, and the gesture of pressing it against her cheek was full of reluctance.

What's lacking is true love.

What I received was false love.

There is such a saying.

The more someone lacks something, the more they will talk about it.

Baosheng Mag is an example of this.

They look at everything with suspicion, question everything they say, and demand violence.

Did she really need that slap?

No.

She wanted love, but she didn't understand what love was, so she stubbornly demanded violence.

Let's just assume that he thought this was what she actually wanted, without his consent.

Anyway, he had already taken it upon himself to confess his feelings.

Ah, Mag, Baosheng Mag.

Such a lovely body, and the feeling of holding her in my arms is so comforting.

It seems one can touch the subtle scars beneath the kimono, scars that have healed, appear to be undetectable, hidden beneath the moist skin.

Heartache, pity, and...

I like the feeling.

My favorite thing is still the expression right now.

A hoarse voice, a trembling body, a pounding heart, and tears streaming down her face.

"Waaaaah—"

Baosheng Mag burst into tears, just like a young girl.

He probably did the right thing.

......

What is love?

Love is something we always hear about, love that everyone talks about.

Is it enough to just say it out loud?

As long as you keep repeating the same words, as long as you keep saying "I love you".

Does that mean it's love?

I don't understand.