Episode 19 - Witch Ryoko: Jealousy Takes Flight

A Few Days After Halloween

The city had begun to trade its Halloween flair for the quiet chill of winter. One evening, on his way home from work, Shota unexpectedly ran into Rena, a friend from his university days.

"Wow! Shota-kun, it’s been forever! How many years has it been?"

"Seriously! Since graduation, I think..."

They ended up catching up on a nearby park bench.

"You haven't changed a bit, Shota-kun."

"You’ve gotten more mature though, Rena. You look totally professional now."

"Coming from you, that means a lot. You know, I actually used to like you, Shota-kun."

And with that, Rena clung to his arm.

"Wait, really?"

Time slipped away as they continued chatting—until...

Meanwhile, Back at Home

"...Shota-kun is really late."

Ryoko sat curled up on the sofa, phone in hand. He was well past his usual return time. Even her WhatsApp message remained unread.

"Hmmm... don’t tell me... he’s with someone?"

Ryoko had already confirmed it wasn’t a company drinking party. She closed her eyes and tapped into her hormone-manipulation ability to sense Shota’s emotions.

(Hmm... he seems happy? Something nostalgic too...)

"...It’s a woman."

Her brow twitched slightly.

"Shota-kun... that's not okay."

She stood up, opened the closet, and pulled out the witch costume she had worn for Halloween.

"Well... might as well put this to use again."

Changing into the costume, she raised her hand and levitated her broom.

"I’m coming to find you, Shota-kun. ♡"

And with that—

Shuun! A shadow rose into the night sky.

At the Park Bench

Rena could never have imagined what she was about to witness.

A beautiful witch descended from the sky, cloak billowing through the darkness.

"Wha—what?! What is this?!"

Rena rubbed her eyes, convinced she was dreaming, but the surreal image persisted. Shota froze in place.

"Ryoko-senpai...!?"

Ryoko was flying—on a broom.

(What the heck is going on!?)

Rena's mind spiraled.

"Fufu~ ♡ Found you."

Landing gracefully, Ryoko slowly approached Shota, her movements like a cat stalking its prey.

"Having a cozy little chat with another girl at this hour? Looks like you're having so much fun."

Her voice was soft, but the cold intensity behind it made Rena shiver.

(S-Scary... this woman is terrifying!)

"Uh, are you Shota-kun’s friend?"

"Yes, I’m his girlfriend. Ryoko Takahashi. ♡"

"Girlfriend?! What?! He didn’t have one in college!"

"He does now. ♡"

(Nope. Nope nope nope. She’s not normal!)

And then—Ryoko raised her right hand.

Swish...

Rena’s hair lifted into the air.

"Eek!? What the—!?"

As Ryoko moved her fingers, Rena’s hair floated like it had a will of its own.

"Just a little magic, darling. ♡"

Next, she pointed at Rena’s phone.

Zwoosh! Snatch!

The phone soared through the air and landed in Ryoko’s hand.

"Hey Rena?"

"Y-Yes?!"

"Shota-kun doesn’t have room in his life to be getting cozy with other girls in parks. Understand? ♡"

"Whaaaaat!?"

Rena was beyond confused.

(She’s not human. She’s a psychic monster!!)

"Shota-kun... who is this woman!?"

Shota, flustered, muttered:

"Well... she’s kinda... special."

"Kinda?! She’s clearly a damn psychic!!"

Rena finally screamed. Ryoko chuckled and took Shota’s arm.

"Let’s go home, Shota-kun?"

"Y-Yeah..."

"W-Wait!! You can’t just leave me like this!! This is NOT normal!!"

But Shota had no chance to resist. He was pulled along, while Rena could only watch, stunned.

(Shota-kun... are you okay...? No, seriously... you should RUN!!)

All she could do was stare at the silhouette soaring back into the sky.

Rena’s Plan—and Ryoko’s Control

That night haunted Rena.

(She’s definitely not normal...)

Floating hair, levitating phones, flying on a broom—it defied all logic.

"This... this is huge."

She opened a late-night internet forum on her phone.

'So... I think a girl I know has psychic powers...'

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard.

(If I post this, it might go viral. Maybe even help free Shota-kun from her...)

But—

CRACK!

"Huh?"

Her phone snapped in half in her hands.

"What the—?"

The room lights flickered out.

Outside the window—

A woman in a black cloak stood, illuminated by moonlight.

"Rena-chan, what are you doing?"

Ryoko smiled sweetly.

"Eek!!"

Rena stumbled backward.

(No way. My apartment is on the eighth floor!!)

Ryoko remained suspended outside the window, and slowly raised her hand.

Click... clack...

The locked window slid open. By itself.

"N-No, stop!!"

Rena rushed to shut it, but the moment Ryoko flicked her fingers—

WHUMP!

"Kyaaa!!"

Rena was lifted into the air and slammed onto the couch.

"S-Stop!! Please!!"

She struggled, but couldn’t move. It felt like invisible chains bound her.

Ryoko calmly entered and knelt before her.

"Rena-chan... were you trying to help Shota-kun?"

"W-What are you!?"

"I’m Shota-kun’s entire world."

Ryoko touched Rena’s forehead.

Her mind wavered.

Hormone manipulation—Ryoko’s specialty.

"Ngh..."

Her breathing became erratic. Her thoughts blurred.

"You’re tired, aren’t you? Wouldn’t it be easier to forget it all?"

Ryoko’s voice seeped into her ears, gentle and commanding.

"W-What was I doing... again...?"

Ryoko stroked her hair and whispered deeper suggestions.

"You don’t need to remember. Forget everything about me, about Shota-kun, about tonight."

"...F-Forget...?"

"Yes. Let it all go. ♡"

Rena’s eyes glazed over. Her body softened.

(Who was I helping...? What was I trying to do...?)

"You’re free now. Don’t worry about Shota-kun anymore."

"...Okay... I won’t..."

All traces of resistance faded from her face.

Ryoko smiled, gently caressing Rena’s hair.

"There, there. You’re okay now."

She stood, stepped back toward the window.

"Goodnight, Rena-chan. Sweet dreams. ♡"

Whoosh—

Ryoko vanished into the night, and Rena’s mind drifted into sleep.

The Next Morning

Rena woke up.

(...What was I doing...?)

She looked at her desk and saw a broken phone.

"Huh? Why is it...?"

No matter how she tried, her memory was blank.

Eventually, she shrugged.

"Oh well~♪"

From that day on, Rena never mentioned Ryoko again.