Chapter 11: The Spicy Girl

The next day began just like any other at Tokyo Magic Academy.
Birds chirped. The cafeteria buzzed. And Tendou Kanata was, as usual, sitting with his two lunch partners—Rio Tanaba and Celestine Vairne—enjoying the rare peace between battles, lectures, and accidental explosions.

That peace lasted all of five seconds.

Because the fiery-haired witch of Class C had arrived.

“Yo, Kanata-kun! Mind if I sit here?”

Every student within a five-meter radius stopped eating. Some even gasped.
Shiranui Itsuha, one of the Four Witches, just asked to sit with a boy.
In public.
At lunch.

Kanata blinked, a half-eaten croquette in his hand.

“…You have your own fanclub table, you know.”

“And?” Itsuha replied, dropping her tray with a loud clack. “Their taste in food sucks. At least you have burgers.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

Celestine giggled softly while stirring her ramen.

“Let her, Kanata. She probably just wants company.”

“Company my foot,” Rio whispered. “That’s the face of a predator targeting fresh meat.”

Kanata pretended not to hear him.

Itsuha took a big bite of her extra-spicy burger, her golden eyes gleaming.

“So, Kanata-kun, I’ve been meaning to ask… why are you so obsessed with leaving the academy?”

Kanata sighed, leaning back.

“It’s not an obsession. I just don’t belong here.”

“Not belong?”

“Yeah. I can’t use magic like everyone else. Look at our last fight—I didn’t cast a single spell. I relied purely on strategy.”

Itsuha froze mid-bite, staring at him with genuine surprise. Then, slowly, a smile curved her lips.

“Strategy, huh…?” she said. “That’s actually impressive.
For a witch—or anyone—strategy decides the battle. Power means nothing if you can’t think.”

“Heh. I don’t really care about that. I just want to go home.”

Celestine looked up from her ramen.

“Still, she’s right, Kanata. Even without magic, you could be a brilliant strategist for the academy.”

“Yeah,” Rio added. “Maybe your weird brain could help us win inter-division tournaments.”

Kanata frowned.

“Why do you guys sound like you’re recruiting me for free labor?”

“Because we are,” Rio said flatly.

Itsuha burst out laughing, nearly choking on her burger.

“Pfft—ha! You three are idiots.”

“Takes one to know one,” Kanata shot back, earning another round of laughter from the table.

Later that afternoon, as the academy day ended, Kanata was walking toward the gates when he noticed someone waiting there.

Red hair. Ponytail. A serious expression.

“Kanata-kun.”

“Oh, it’s you again. What’s wrong this time?”

“Nothing’s wrong.” Itsuha looked around, lowering her voice. “Can I talk to you… privately?”

Kanata raised an eyebrow.

“…You’re not gonna challenge me again, are you?”

“No. I want you to come shopping with me.”

“Shopping.”

“Yes.”

“With you.”

“Obviously.”

He stared for a few seconds, then sighed.

“You’re lucky I’m bored.”

That evening, they walked side by side through the glowing streets of the city, lined with food stalls and magic lamps.
For Itsuha, this was a battlefield of an entirely different kind.

Operation: Totally Not a Date.

She glanced sideways at Kanata, her heart thumping faster than it should.
When she tried to casually brush her hand against his—he smoothly moved it away to grab a snack from a stand.

“…You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

“Did what?” he asked innocently, holding up two skewers of grilled meat.
“Want one?”

“…You’re infuriating.”

They visited a magic shop afterward. Kanata browsed for his sister’s favorite candy and a small gift. Eventually, he picked up two bunny hair clips—one pink, one white.

“These are cute. I’ll give one to Haqua… and maybe this one to Celestine. As thanks.”

Itsuha’s expression darkened slightly.

“…And what about me?”

“You?” Kanata scratched his cheek.
“Well, I didn’t plan on buying anything… but it felt wrong not to get you something.”

He pulled a small gray ring from his pocket and held it out.

“Here. Take it.”

Her cheeks instantly turned crimson.

“W-What is this supposed to mean?!”

“Relax. It’s just a ring that helps stabilize mana flow. Thought it might help with your temper.”

“M-My temper?! I—You—Ugh!”

Kanata smiled.

“You’re blushing, spicy girl.”

“D-Don’t call me that!” she yelled, but her fingers were already sliding the ring onto her hand. Her heart pounded so hard she thought she might explode.
It’s just a ring… just a ring… so why does it feel like a proposal?!

They ended their “not-a-date” with ice cream.
Itsuha’s was chili-flavored. Kanata’s melted before he even finished half of it.

As they walked home under the stars, she looked sideways again—this time, he didn’t move away.
Her heart fluttered quietly all the way back to her dorm.

That night, Itsuha lay in bed, staring at the glowing ring on her finger.
She grinned to herself, hugging her pillow.

“Idiot… I can’t believe you gave me this.”

Kanata walked into class, half-awake, holding a small box.

“Morning.”

Celestine looked up.

“Oh? What’s that?”

Kanata handed her the bunny hair clip.

“A gift. For helping me last time.”

Celestine blinked, surprised, then smiled warmly.

“It’s adorable… thank you, Kanata-kun.”

She placed it in her hair, the white bunny glinting under the light.

“Heh, looks good on you.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

From across the hall, Itsuha—who had just walked in—froze.
She touched the ring on her hand, face burning.

“…This idiot’s gonna kill me one day.”

Celestine tilted her head, noticing her reaction.

“Shiranui-san, are you alright? You look red.”

“I’m fine!” she snapped. “Totally fine!”

The others laughed, and for once, the academy felt peaceful again.

Kanata leaned back in his chair, sighing contently.

“Ahh… normal life. Finally.”

But deep down, he knew peace never lasted long in this academy.

Still—
for one day at least—
it was nice to just enjoy the company of a spicy girl, a warm-hearted witch, and an annoying best friend.