The Witch Trial Begins with the OO Buckethead Zombie

Meluru on Ice, and Arisa Wisteria.

A one-in-half probability, though in Utsunomiya Hoshino's eyes it was probably a one-in-four probability, but there was really no need to hide it.

Yuki Tsukishiro admitted that there were too few people.

So few that the first day was over before it was even halfway through.

It's not because Meruru is lazy, nor is it because Meruru can't gather enough people.

It's just because... well, she's worried.

The more people there are, the more variables there are. The more variables there are, the greater the possibility that Hoshino might change her mind. The greater the possibility that Hoshino might change her mind, the less at ease she becomes.

So there should be fewer people!

With a wave of his hand, the number was reduced to ten; with another wave, it became five; with yet another wave...

Uh, it can't be reduced.

If you reduce them any further, you'll only have Hero and Emma left.

Hiro should be safe, but leaving Emma alone in captivity with Hoshino feels dangerous.

Even the safe Hero, in his prolonged solitude, was uncertain whether something untoward might happen.

Therefore, Yuki Tsukishiro felt that five people was the minimum number she could tolerate.

It's better to have fewer people. Since it's the first time for everyone and we don't have much experience, fewer people will prevent any problems from arising.

...That was what she originally thought.

But in terms of the results... something doesn't seem right.

Emma's decision to cling to Hoshino the moment they met was anticipated, and her interference was part of the plan.

Although she subconsciously called out his name a little uncontrollably, it's in line with Meruru's personality to call everyone by their first name.

But when he actually called her to go on the ice, she was indeed clearly aware that she was wearing the skin of another woman.

Pretending to be like Meruru on Ice, mimicking her tone of voice, and acting in accordance with her personality traits...

It's really difficult.

Ultimately, why did I choose Meruru?

Meruru's personality isn't particularly distinctive; she either cries at the slightest provocation or cries at the slightest provocation.

Logically speaking, Meruru should be the least of my worries. Given how obedient she is to me, even if I ordered her to turn around and rape Hoshino right now, she probably wouldn't hesitate.

There's absolutely no way they could be some random cat stealing fish.

But for some inexplicable reason, Yuki Tsukishiro still chose Meluru on Ice.

Then they banished her to the underworld.

Yuki Tsukishiro had considered this: as time progressed, Hoshino Utsunomiya explored the prison little by little, and then, by chance, found a clue and discovered an elevator leading underground. He then saw the figure of 'Meru on Ice' underground. He was filled with doubt and suspicion about the time they had spent together, and about his own identity and existence. He hesitated whether to question her or turn back and slowly test her.

She appeared silently behind him, leaned close to his ear, and whispered:

"Oh, you found out."

What she didn't expect was that before she could gradually get closer to Hoshino and gain his trust without making a fuss, she betrayed his expectations when he trusted her the most.

Hoshino then took the initiative to confess his feelings to her.

Why did you say, "Can I call you Meruru?"? Why didn't you continue to call me by my surname on the ice, which sounded distant? Why did you say those things that I couldn't understand at all, and say things that sounded like a confession to me?!

You've never confessed your feelings to me!

Do you really like Meruru Ice Rider's face that much? Do you really like Meruru Ice Rider's body that much? What is it about her that attracts you?!

Why did you confess your feelings to me on our very first day together, after we'd barely even exchanged a few words?!

That's not how it works!

Why did you confess your feelings right away?!

Yuki felt she should refuse, at least not hold his hand and accept his confession while wearing Meruru's face on ice.

but.

but.

Was this Hoshino's first confession? Was this the first time Hoshino confessed to her?

Putting appearance and status aside, if we were to refuse like this, if we missed this opportunity...

I feel like I'll regret it.

Whether she agrees or refuses, she seems to have the possibility of regretting it. Rather than being so conflicted, Yukishiro thinks it's better to choose the option that will make her happiest in the moment.

【Um】

So she nodded.

It's okay, this was part of my plan too.

Yes, that's it. You have to accept the confession, make him believe that Meluru on Ice is a good person, and then betray his trust when he trusts Meluru on Ice the most!

This is part of the plan!

Logically, the next step should be the same as when I held his hand as a friend, and we should return to how things were before, as if nothing had happened.

But Hero came.

Hero appeared with her outrageous pronouncements.

As gentle as ever, as warm as ever, as always...

It wasn't the same as always; on the contrary, it was quite extreme and outrageous.

But... this outrageous statement actually made Yukishiro look forward to it.

Yes.

If it's just desire, if it's not based on any genuine feelings, if it's simply that he's attracted to Meruru's body...

It seems, it seems...

It's not entirely unacceptable?

Since I can borrow any form of myself, I can just become whatever he likes.

It doesn't matter as long as the person you like isn't that one.

...Yuki barely managed to convince herself.

But she so desperately wanted to convince herself and Hoshino to naturally do some fun things together. Why did Hoshino praise Meruru's magic in the infirmary? Why did Hoshino drag Emma to eat with him? Why...?

You should say those words when you're in the flower field.

What is a witch who controls foul smells? What is a wicked witch that can never be cleaned no matter how much you wash her? What does it mean that you don't need to care about people who are already dead?

I haven't smelled bad in ages! I looked so clean when you washed me! Even if I die, please remember me forever!

Thank goodness.

Yuki Tsukishiro is still very rational.

The above complaints did not come from her own heart; they were just attempts to imitate Meruru's way of thinking on the ice, which led her to these wrong ideas.

None of this matters.

There are two important ones.

One was that Hoshino showed him the magic.

It wasn't distributed by myself; it was quite unique and dazzling. Although it seemed to have no real use, it was able to make the flower field bloom.

magic.

Where did it come from? Who sent it to him? Did he already have it before? How could it be such magic? Why didn't you show it to me before?

Another instance is when Hoshino, amidst a field of blooming flowers and fluttering petals, made a request to him.

It was all Hero's fault, all Hero's fault, that made her completely misunderstand the request she had agreed to.

Even though he only woke up today after being in a coma, he still hasn't given up on his suicidal thoughts!

As expected, people don't change themselves.

Although Yukishiro knew about his wish long ago, although Yukishiro built this stage on the basis of this wish, and although Yukishiro intended to make his wish come true from the very beginning.

But that won't work.

You can't ask Meruru for help, you can't ask Meruru for help.

Aren't you going to die at the hands of a witch? While Meruru is indeed a witch! And while I, playing the role of Meruru, am indeed a witch!

But if it weren't absolutely necessary for me, wouldn't you be free to die at anyone's hands?!

Besides, that kitchen knife couldn't possibly kill anyone!

Tsukishiro Yuki is about to cry, and she's not faking it.

Although there was an element of imitating Meruru in her life, and although the tears welling up in her eyes were surprisingly easy to squeeze out.

But she couldn't help but burst into tears and questioned him.

Why would you want to die?

This was a question that had troubled me for a long time because of his sleep-talking, but I hadn't thought about it.

Then, Yukishiro heard his reply.

'Rather than be killed by the Great Witch, I'd rather die by your hand now.'

......ha?

Upon hearing this, her tears stopped.

I'm not crying anymore.

Why are you still crying?

What's there to cry about? What's the point of crying?

The gentle words, the self-evident reasons, and the trust conveyed by the phrase "I'd rather be killed by you."