The Witch Trial Begins with the OO Buckethead Zombie

Having someone you like is a good thing. Someone you like probably wants to leave this place, right? Having someone you like...

"Not a relative, right?"

Thinking of Sawatari Coco, Hoshino Utsunomiya confirmed.

“…No.” Saeki Miria’s expression was subtle.

Why did I think of family members?

The person she likes probably isn't a family member, right?

Or is he using my saying I have someone I like as an excuse?

"When I say I like someone, it's not a family member, not a friend, not someone I admire, it's just someone I like, and it's someone of the opposite sex," Saeki Miria emphasized, seemingly wanting Utsunomiya Hoshino to understand that she was serious.

"So I can't fall in love with you, and I won't go through with a relationship with you."

She bowed again to apologize.

"I'm sorry, but my misunderstanding about your request for a normal relationship is something I didn't understand. I'm sorry I can't accommodate you."

He misunderstood his advances towards Natsume An'an and his mistreatment of her, which is why he couldn't help but want to give her advice.

Logically speaking, if you want to persuade him in this way, you can't just talk about it.

This is Saeki Miria's understanding.

Once you've spoken, you should be prepared to be entangled in the situation, rather than simply making a few words to sound tough when you encounter something you can't stand.

...That's how she got entangled with someone.

However, now that Utsunomiya Hoshino has turned the tables on her, she can't cooperate.

So, despite her reluctance, she had no choice but to retract her words.

Go ahead and talk to the others.

I can't be with you.

“I understand.” Hoshino Utsunomiya nodded, then asked again, “So what kind of person do you like?”

It was just pure curiosity.

It's not that I distrusted Saeki Miria's words, it's just pure curiosity.

What kind of person would she, Saeki Miria, like?

"Eh..." Unexpectedly pressed for answers, Saeki Miria finally released her grip on the half-open incinerator door and raised her hand to shield her face:

"What kind of question is it...?"

Saeki Miria pressed her body against the door again and pursed her lips.

"I... can't quite explain it either."

"After all, I've never actually met him."

There's nothing wrong with saying it, after all, it's someone I like.

Didn't Hoshino Utsunomiya also spend a long time talking to her about why he liked An An and why he liked Mag?

Even if you were to unilaterally explain to him why you like that person, it wouldn't be considered too much of a problem.

Well, just let him understand that he does have someone he likes and therefore can't be with him in any romantic relationship.

"Online dating?"

"......Um."

It's certainly something I'm embarrassed to talk about, but there's really nothing I can deny.

Maybe after meeting them in person, you won't like them as much anymore; maybe after meeting them, you'll find that they're not what you thought.

But at least for now, she likes that person.

Thinking this, Saeki Miria continued to recall, and then spoke.

"Before talking about him, I should probably talk about myself..." This is something I only realized after thinking about it carefully.

To talk about him, one has to mention oneself.

Otherwise, it would sound very strange.

“I… I’d say I’m a ‘hot girl’.” Raising her hand to reveal her glossy nail polish, Saeki Millia said:

"They're the kind of hot girls that everyone sees as trendy, lively, and always hanging out together."

"It wasn't something I actively aspired to become; it just happened that I was with everyone, and it naturally came about."

Somewhat unsure of what she was saying, Saeki Miria continued talking, saying whatever came to mind.

"So actually, although everyone treats me fairly well, I always feel a little out of place." After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Should I say it's because our thinking is different? Or is it because our habits are different? That's all."

"I probably still won't be able to become a hot girl."

She'd rather be an older man than a hot girl.

I feel like I'm talking nonsense.

"It all started with the photo-taking thing, I guess." Saeki Miria couldn't help but scratch her cheek with her index finger before turning her head away.

"Beautiful photos, sharing life, sometimes it's scenery, sometimes it's places to eat, sometimes it's time spent with friends."

"Everyone loves taking photos and uploading them to social media to share, and I love it too."

Share your life and gain recognition.

This is perfectly normal, and the disagreement isn't actually because of this; she feels that the matter itself is not wrong.

Everyone will share.

Seeing everyone happy can bring a little bit of happiness to oneself. Sharing this happiness with others can help one stay happy for a long time.

"Likes, comments, shares, and seeing the recognition that my shared life receives online is a really happy thing."

"But..." As she finished speaking, Saeki Miria couldn't help but hug her chest. The thick, warm feeling pressed against her chest made her feel a tightness in her chest, so she loosened her arms slightly.

It's still too big!

"The atmosphere has gradually changed."

“I’m starting to get caught up in it,” she said.

"I was always staring at the likes and data, constantly researching how to get more likes and make my posts go viral. My desire to share my life was gradually hijacked by the data."

She couldn't really tell whether what she did was right or wrong.

Logically speaking, data, likes, comments, and enthusiastic words from everyone are signs of approval.

Logically speaking, gaining more recognition is definitely the right thing to do.

Wanting recognition is not wrong, and trying to figure out how to gain recognition is probably not wrong either.

only......

"There will be such a day."

"It was just an ordinary day. I didn't think much about composition, makeup, or lighting. It was just a casual selfie."

"It's gone viral."

Saeki Miria's voice suddenly became very calm, but it was precisely this calmness that gave off a feeling that made people want to sigh.

"Everyone was very happy and crowded together, staring at the viral photo, trying to figure out what was good about it, whether it was the angle or the lighting, and why it was so popular."

"But after looking at it for a long time, I still couldn't figure out anything from the photo."

Saeki Miria turned her head back.

"No matter how you look at it, it seems to be just an ordinary photo, a sleepy morning, early morning greetings."

"The only thing is... that the clothes are not very neat and are quite messy."

Do you like that sleepy, slightly groggy look? A great sense of relaxation? And a touch of everyday life?

No, neither.

"Confused, people turned their attention to the comments and reposts, wanting to know what the person they liked was thinking."

"And so, everyone saw the praise for the curves of her chest that weren't fully covered by her disheveled clothes." Saeki Miria lowered her head and glanced at her ample bosom.

"At this moment, everyone seemed to suddenly realize that the greatest asset of a young and energetic girl is actually her own body."

"Cute, good-looking, youthful, and energetic."

"You will be sought after, liked, and praised."

Saeki Miria paused, raised her head, and glanced at the ceiling.

"The more skin you show, the more popular you become."

I've gotten a little back into the flow and can describe my feelings a bit.

Saeki Miria seems to have rediscovered the feeling she had when she confided in people she liked on social media.

"At first, everyone was shy and would push each other and urge each other to show more skin."

"But gradually, people started trying it out: patting their feet, patting their collarbones, patting their swimsuits..."

“I can’t accept it, I don’t want to, I feel it’s beyond the scope of sharing in life, I feel it’s wrong.”

Saeki Miria took a deep breath.

"I felt this was wrong, but I didn't dare to say it was wrong. I was enveloped by the atmosphere and surrounded by everyone, and I didn't dare to speak. Maybe if I waited a little longer, I would be swept up by the atmosphere, pushed and surrounded, and take the same photos."

The girl breathed a sigh of relief.

"Up to this point, it's all been my own business." Saying it aloud still felt different. Even though she had already confided in that person in a private message, Saeki Miria still felt different when she said it in person.

Yes, it's very relaxing.

Perhaps she should thank Hoshino Utsunomiya for giving her this opportunity to listen to her quietly finish speaking.

Even though she had already let it go long ago.

"When I was feeling lost, unsure of my direction, and unsure of what to do, I saw his message."

Words of reminder, words of admonition, words that point out exactly what you think.