Chapter 2: The Witch Part I

When I opened my eyes, all I could see was a white ceiling. Then I remembered I was shot in the shoulder and the girls, I found them dead. That’s why, I immediately rose on the bed.

“Jen, you alright? Do you need something?”

I found the loud twin beside me.

“Where are they? Zenace and others?”

“They’re sleeping in other rooms.”

“Are they alright?”

“Yes.”

I felt relieved when he said that.

“What happened, loud twin?”

“I’m trying to be nice to you so please stop making me angry! Call me Nee-chee for goodness sake!”

“All I could remember is that I was shot and I found everyone on the ground, dead.”

I touched my shoulder but the moment I grasped it, there’s no wound or injury.

“That’s what I’m about to ask you, Jen. There’s something strange on this. Could you come with me?”

I accompanied the loud twin in Hashimaru’s office.

“You couldn’t remember anything, Jen?”

“Yeah.”

I answered him.

“Jen’s memories were a bit hazy but she could still remember how she got shot, same with Ace and others’ situation. Let me explain it to you, Hashimaru.”

Nitsuji said.

“The moment I found everyone, the girls were already dying. Jen came for the artifact and wished to revive everyone in exchange for her life and as you can see, everyone’s safe and sound.”

Ah, I remembered all of it now. I asked the artifact to let everyone be happy in exchange for my life, so why? Why am I still alive right now?

“Really?”

Hashimaru murmured.

“I didn’t know that being an agent could endanger everyone’s life.”

I said.

“I accepted this job not knowing everything. Please, Hashimaru.”

I knelt before him.

“Jen!”

The loud twin called.

“Release Zenace, Shaila, and Kensheila from the contract.”

“What are you doing, Jen?”

Nitsuji asked. He’s helping me stand up but I refuse to stand.

“Please! They’re not supposed to die in that place. Seeing them meet their end was the only thing I couldn’t afford to watch.”

“Jen...”

“R... run a... way.”

“It’s okay, Jen. We’re fine.”

Shaila and others came.

“You just saved them, Jen. You just sacrificed your life for them.”

Hashimaru said.

“You saved our lives? Thank you so much, Jen!”

Zenace said.

“That’s not my point! You girls almost died!”

I felt very worried. It’s not like me.

“Sorry for making you worry, Jen.”

Shaila said while smiling at me. She offered me a hand so I could stand up from kneeling on the floor.

“And one more thing, could you please stop calling us by our first names? You can call me Ken!”

“Shaila is a bit—! Ah, well, just call me Shy, Jen!”

“You can always call me Ace.”

They’re smiling at me. They’re alive.

I couldn’t get that scene out of my mind that everyone was dead right in front of me.

They’re still worrying about me, when they couldn’t even save their own lives.

“Call me Nee-chee!”

“Some call me ‘Shinn’ but ‘Shinsui’ is fine too.”

Nitsuji was smiling.

Tears started to fall right through my eyes.

“Eh? Jen’s crying!”

Shy was shocked when she saw me crying.

“Oh! You didn’t see her cry! Well, she cried a lot when you girls almost died. She also wept when she asked the artifact to—!”

I threw the chair in Nee-chee’s face so that he couldn’t blabber any useless words anymore!

“You just don’t know when to stop, do you? Shall I sew your mouth for you, Nee-chee!”

“She’s scary. Help me!”

“That’s our Jen!”

Then, I stood and asked.

“Where’s the bastard?”

“Jairo? He’s still there at the artifact. He said that he’s going to investigate there.”

Hashimaru explained.

“How did you know that the bastard is Jairo and not you, Hashimaru?”

Everyone asked.

“Hey, that’s rude! I’m your boss!”

“Now that you mentioned the artifact, are you guys really okay?”

Shinsui asked.

“Yes, why?”

Shy answered and asked back.

“I think I remember Ace’s body covered with fire.”

“What? With fire? No way!”

Ace exclaimed.

“Yes, I think I saw that too.”

Nee-chee added.

“Shy’s body was enclosed in a circle of water and there was this mist thing surrounding Ken’s body.”

“Are you serious?”

Ken asked.

“Yes, I saw it too with own two eyes.”

Nitsuji suddenly said.

“Well, if it’s Nitsuji I guess it’s true then!”

Ken said.

“Oi! So you do not believe me because it’s Nee-chee! I’m hurt!”

Nee-chee exclaimed.

“Yeah?”

“I think it was because of the artifact. When Jen wished for all of you to live, all those magical things started to cover your bodies and there’s this enigmatic part...”

“What is it, Nitsuji?”

Shy asked.

“Jen offered her life in exchange for yours, so why is she still alive? I mean, isn’t that too mysterious?”

“Nitsuji, shouldn’t we just be thankful that Jen is with us right now?”

Ace exclaimed.

“No, it’s not like that. I don’t mean it that way. I just...”

“Nitsuji’s right. I’m also trying to figure that out.”

I agreed.

I also wanted to know why I’m still alive after offering my life to the artifact.

“Before you fainted, Jen, I think I saw something too.”

Nee-chee filled the dead air.

“It’s not only Shy, Ace, and Ken that were covered with those weird things. I think I saw someone with you that time.”

“A ghost?”

Hashimaru cried.

“Could you please shut up, boss?”

I scowled at him.

“Really, Nee-chee? You saw something like that?”

Shinsui added.

“I saw something like circle of light around her body.”

“Light? Like an aura?”

Ken asked.

“Asked Jairo since the closest one to Jen that time is Jairo. I believe he saw that someone beside you too.”

Nee-chee added.

“For the time being, leave this case to me.”

Hashimaru said.

He said that but it was still bugging me.

“I think I saw someone with you that time.”

Now that you mention it, I think I heard someone’s voice before I fainted that time.

“You did well.”

Who was it? That’s really odd.

“Ms. Genesis? Ms. Genesis!”

Our teacher’s calling me. I spaced out while I was in class.

“Sorry, Ma’am. What was it again?”

I started questioning myself.

“Jen, are you okay? Are you still bothered by the things about the artifact?”

Shy asked.

“Yeah.”

I answered.

“Don’t worry. Hashimaru is taking care of that. We can at least trust him with those things, right?”

Ace explained.

“Guys, Sir Apple wants us to go to the gym right now.”

Ken said.

“We’re going to have a basketball game right now!”

Sir Apple stated.

What? Another game? Give me a break!

“Eh?”

I froze. I love basketball but I don’t know how to play it. I am not athletic.

“First team: Nee-chee Irisviel, Shinsui Silverknight, Shaila Inoria, Jenevive Genesis, and Alliyah Rutherford VS Second team: Nitsuji Irisviel, Jairo Kyuen, Zenace Miklannia, Kensheila Einzbern and Michael Strauss.”

Said the teacher. Gosh, I was included in the first team! Sucks!

“Men and women are combined?”

I asked the teacher.

“Yeah.”

He replied.

“I don’t know how to play this thing. I’m totally dead on the spot!”

I said.

“Don’t worry, Jen! Shinsui is a basketball rookie player. He will win this thing!”

Nee-chee said.

I looked at Shinsui when Nee-chee said that.

“Ace, you’re looking great today. Can I invite you for a lunch? I’d be willing to forfeit this game for you.”

The one who loves everything said. A.K.A. Shinsui.

“Maybe it’s best to not count on him. That idiot will make the team lose!”

I was pissed at this stupidity.

“Yeah! You’re right, Jen!”

Shy agreed.

“Okay, start!”

As the teacher whistled, the four transferees moved like lightning. Oh my goodness, they’re too talented in basketball. Prodigies, I say!

“Do I have any role here?”

I asked.

The guys were totally good at everything.

“Wow, the score’s 32 – 30 already!”

Said the spectators.

Eh? How did that happen? Are they humans?

“Jen, here!”

Shinsui passed the ball to me! He’s insane! I couldn’t compete with them! I’m human! They’re monsters!

Well, I started dribbling the ball and when I was about to shoot the ball to the ring, the bastard stole the ball from me. What a bastard! When he did tap the ball away from me, my hand dislocated. Well, leave that aside. I could still play!

“Heh, you can’t beat me!”

He’s trying to annoy me. I was pissed to the max!

“Jen, are you okay?”

Nee-chee asked.

“Jen?”

He called me again.

“He just embarrassed her.”

Michael whispered to Ken.

“Shut up, Mike!”

Ken yelled at him.

“L…”

“L...? What?”

Shinsui asked.

“Let’s crush them!”

I said.

That’s it, bastard! I’ll beat you!

“She’s as scary as hell!”

Nee-chee and Shinsui said.

“You just wanted to defeat Jairo, right?”

Shinsui asked.

“Huh?”

I looked at them with my devil face.

“I’m sorry I asked!”

After 1 hour...

The score’s 100 - 100!

“Okay, it’s a tie!”

I was breathing heavily.

“You still didn’t beat me!”

The bastard said.

“Huh? Am I competing with you or something, bastard?”

I sarcastically said.

“Yes! You are, Jen!”

“Kya!”

The girls were yelling.

“How dreamy, Nitsuji!”

“That was amazing, Jairo!”

“I’m thrilled, Shinn!”

“You got my heart jumped out of my chest, Nee-chee!”

Stampede? Did the girls just shoved the four of us in the corner?

“Being popular is a hassle!”

Ken said.

“Good job, girls!”

Sir Apple praised us.

“Thank you, sir!”

Ace said.

“Do you think we already have our next mission?”

Asked Shy.

“I don’t know.”

Ace replied.

“Since Hashimaru has been kind of quiet lately, maybe no?”

Ken added.

“Yeah”

Shy laughed and we all did.

“Wha—!”

All of a sudden, the ground flipped again and we fell.

It’s Hashimaru’s handiwork! I’ll clobber him!

“Ouch! Is everyone alright?”

Ace asked.

“We’re still alive somehow.”

Shy answered.

“I called you guys because you have another mission!”

Hashimaru said while sitting on his chair. That happy-go-lucky geezer!

“That’s your way of calling us?”

Ken exclaimed.

“Aren’t you just kidnapping us?”

I added.

“Hush! Calm down, girls!”

“So, what’s the mission all about?”

Ace asked.

“You’re going to be bodyguards.”

“Bodyguards?”

“So, who’s the lucky one?”

Nee-chee asked.

“She’s a princess. Her name’s Princess Nereya. You need to keep her safe from those who want to take her life.”

“That’s it? Protecting a princess huh? Not bad!”

Shinsui said.

Mission that could take our lives. I was really scared.

“Why are you looking like that, Jen?”

I was totally glaring at Hashimaru but then, he smiled and said something like this.

“It’s okay, Jen.”

I wonder what he’s thinking but I had to admit. When he said that, my fear has disappeared.

I’m scared of losing someone more than anything in this world.

“Hey, are you two still not talking to each other? Seriously?”

Shinsui was talking to us, the bastard and I.

“Mind your business, Shinsui! Don’t bother Jen!”

Shy yelled at him.

“Jen, try to be friendly with Jairo. Will you?”

Nitsuji suggested.

“You should at least consider saying that to him instead, Nitsuji!”

I said.

“I don’t have plans to be friendly with that sarcastic gal!”

The bastard followed.

I looked at him and kept throwing looks like daggers to him. He really didn’t know when to stop, did he? He kept making me angry so I decided I will not talk to him!

“Oh? You’re not fighting back, Jen?”

Nee-chee asked.

I looked at Nee-chee and then averted my eyes to something. I kept being silent.

“Now this is serious, dude!”

Shinsui put his hand on the bastard’s shoulder.

When we arrived at the port, someone was there to pick us.

“Thanks for picking us up here. I’m Nitsuji, the team leader.”

“We’re already expecting you. Milady’s inside the castle. Come with us.”

It’s a really huge castle.

“Okay.”

We followed the butler.

The castle was so brilliant. It’s like a dream castle. Everything’s so breathtakingly gorgeous.

“I am expecting your visit. I’m Princess Nereya III.”

Wow, she’s a real beauty. As expected of a princess.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, your highness. We were sent by the agency. Mind if we ask for the details?”

Nitsuji formally asked.

I was not listening that time; instead my gaze fell upon a beautiful flower inside a pot. It was a very unique looking flower. I kept looking at it but after the princess said the details, I turned my gaze back to her.

“Yes, someone is after my life. He’s a notorious outlaw here in our place. His name is Satchel.”

“And why is he after your life?”

Nitsuji asked again.

She calmed herself for a minute.

“He wanted to marry me but I declined.”

Wasn’t this kind of creepy? I felt like something was off.

“Is that so?”

Nitsuji said.

There’s no sense of shock from Nitsuji’s poker face. I look forward to film this guy’s epic face and I’ll sell those in high prices one day!

Not so later than that, the princess seemed so dumbstruck. Then, she blushed.

“Eh? Princess? Is something wrong?”

Nee-chee called.

“What’s your name?”

She has gone and held the bastard’s hand.

“Princess! You can’t casually touch someone’s hand!”

The butler said.

“Hey, what’s your name?”

Still, the princess asked the bastard.

“The princess is asking you, dude!”

Shinsui jolted the bastard.

“Jairo.”

He answered.

“Jairo, could you please marry me.”

She proposed just like that!

They all plopped as they fell on the floor except for Nitsuji and I. As if there’s something pleasant with that bastard for you to marry.

“He can’t, your highness.”

Nitsuji said.

“Yeah, he’s just 15 years old!”

Ken added.

“I don’t care! I want to marry him!”

The princess shouted.

Could I take a rest already? I felt thirsty so I asked one of the servants to bring me some water.

“Thank you.”

I said to the maid.

“Don’t mention it, Ms. Agent.”

I showed gratefulness for the water I just received.

“Can I ask you? What’s the name of that flower?”

I pinpointed the flower I just saw.

“It’s hawthorn. Milady loves hawthorns.”

The maid answered.

“I want him! I don’t care! I’m also 15 years old! We’re totally good with each other!”

The princess kept on having tantrums.

“I think you misunderstood me, your highness. When I said he can’t, I totally meant it’s impossible.”

Nitsuji explained.

“Why? Why?”

The princess scowled.

As I was about to swallow the water, I was surprised.

“Jairo already has a fiancée. Her name’s Jen, and she’s with us too.”

I immediately threw up the water I just drank and the cup I was holding slipped from my hand.

I was coughing.

“What the hell are you talking about, Nitsu—!”

Nee-chee and Shinsui stopped me from talking by keeping my mouth shut. How dare they? How dare they use me? I won’t forgive them!

“So you can’t possibly marry him, your highness.”

Nitsuji calmly said.

“Really?”

The princess showed a very alarming expression.

“Just what the heck are you saying, Nitsuji?!”

I yelled at him.

“I did that because she won’t stop asking Jairo to marry her.”

Nitsuji said while calmly sitting on the sofa.

“I don’t care! Let him marry her then!”

I was in beast mode.

“It’s not a big thing, Jen! Just pretend that it didn’t happen.”

Nee-chee added.

“Shut the crap, you impertinent fools! Using me just like that! You sure are taking me lightly huh?! I’ll skin you alive!”

“So scary! Even the writer couldn’t describe Jen’s face right now! She’s going to be a monster! Someone stop her!”

Nee-chee cried.

“No one could stop her aside from Jairo himself.”

Shinsui added.

“Relax, calm down. Jen, inhale, exhale!”

Ace was calming me down.

“I can’t take back what I said. Bear with it, Jen.”

Nitsuji said.

Nitsuji, I respect you, but this time I’ll probably plan how to make you pay for this! Big time!

“Aren’t you just being too rude to Jen, Nitsuji?”

Shy asked him.

“I’m not. I’m just taking my responsibility into account. If I didn’t say that, Jairo’s probably forced to marry the princess.”

“But that’s too much! Jairo, won’t you say something? You’re the topic here!”

Shy looked and called the bastard.

“Isn’t that great?”

The bastard even put oil to the fire.

I am aving volcanic eruption due to stress because of this crap! He really has the time to joke around huh?

“It’s not too much.”

Nitsuji kept arguing with Shy.

I smell something fishy! Maybe my revenge will be on my reach soon. I’m having demonic laughs!

“We’re going to stay at this royal villa? What an honor!”

Ken said.

Suddenly the chambermaids approached us while bowing their heads.

“You’re the princess’ guests, am I right?”

“Yes.”

Nitsuji replied.

“We are asked by the princess to provide you four rooms in total. I heard that there are couples, so it’s okay right?”

“Yes.”

Nitsuji said.

Ah! I’ll crack my head open soon! Why was this happening to me?!

“Here are your rooms.”

After that, they all left.

“So how are we going to be divided? By partners?”

Nee-chee suggested.

“Maybe since the princess is watching us.”

Nitsuji said.

Maybe? So that word was still in his vocabulary huh? He’s thinking through things before actually making a move but this time he’s expression changed. From a poker faced guy to self-conscious jerk. My my intuition was always 90% right so maybe it’s because of that, right?

“There’s no problem with that, right?”

“Fine! The floor’s wide enough for Shinsui to sleep.”

Ace sarcastically said.

“What? We’re not going to sleep together?”

Shinsui exclaimed.

Shy and Ken clobbered him up! I kicked him too!

“That’s fine by me if you really want to see both of us killing each other.”

I was referring to the bastard A.K.A Jairo.

Everyone shivered when they heard that.

“Killing each other? I’ll switch with you instead, Jen!”

Shy exclaimed.

Sorry, Shy! I was just testing something. But seriously, this gal’s level of intelligence was just too low huh? Did she really think I’ll kill? Well, maybe but isn’t she kind of cute? She has the look of “Please don’t kill each other!” She’s like a puppy.

I looked at Nitsuji and I was totally right on the mark! He’s expression became dark like he was expecting something yet ended up being disappointed. He really has something for Shy! Isn’t he kind of cute? The devil inside me awakened. I’ll take a very good care of this info!

I looked and smirked at Nitsuji. I had the look “Don’t worry! I’ll take good care of you, leader! Just like how you sold me out for being the bastard’s lover.”

“Ah—!”

Nitsuji somehow reacted to that.

“I’ll sleep with Jairo instead of Jen. Is that okay, Nitsuji?”

“Okay.”

He replied.

“What are you smirking about, Jen?”

Ken asked.

“Why are you doing this, Jen?”

Nitsuji said the moment we came to the room.

“Doing what?”

I acted like I was clueless.

“Look! I’m really sorry for saying that you’re Jairo’s fiancée.”

“Yeah! It’s fine!”

Although I had a tiger look on my face.

“Your face doesn’t show that it’s fine though.”

Nitsuji responded.

“Honestly, aside from that I was bothered by the princess.”

I really got a bad feeling about this.

“If you love Jairo that much, you need not to worry.”

He said with a poker face.

“I’ll strangle you!”

We kept arguing. Gosh, the bastard’s and Nitsuji’s hobby of making me angry were almost similar. Tell me the truth? The bastard is your real twin right, Nitsuji?

“So you realized that too, Jen? As expected of you, you’re really sharp.”

Then he became serious.

“I just happened to observe that.”

I added.

“I don’t know what’s the real problem here but I promise you that I’ll definitely uncover this. We can’t investigate and make a move against the princess since she’s our client. I know you want to know the truth but please don’t do anything. Especially you, she’s being too wary of you, Jen.”

He warned me.

“Wary of me? How can you say that?”

I asked him.

“Aside from being Jairo’s fiancée…”

You didn’t need to mention that!

“Unnecessary fake information!”

Stop making me angry.

“She’s keeping an eye on our every move so please be cautious.”

He added.

“I know that.”

I replied.

I don’t want to experience seeing someone dying in front of me again.

“Jen, I really wanted to thank you.”

He said that suddenly.

“Thank you for saving their lives.”

He also added that.

“You mean Shy and the others or just Shy?”

I teasingly asked him. This was really fun!

“Stop that!”

At least you know how to be grateful.

“Is your hand okay now?”

You know what? You always surprise me, Nitsuji.

“How did you know that?”

I obviously asked him.

“When Jairo tapped the ball away from you, he unexpectedly jolted your hand. That was a foul but because Sir Apple didn’t see that, he got away. It seemed like your hand was dislocated. The cup slipped from your hand that time because it hurts, right?”

How the hell do you know all of that? I couldn’t think of anything but be amazed of him. He’s too sharp than I thought.

“It’s okay. It barely hurts anymore.”

I relieved him but I actually want to kill that bastard!

“That’s good to hear. I’m sorry for Jairo’s behavior but you know what? He’s not usually like that. When I met Jairo, he was a lot like you before; he doesn’t care of anything. When he met you, he changed a lot.”

He added. Don’t say that! I don’t want any drama as of the moment.

“My image of the bastard will not change just because you said that, Nitsuji!”

I said. Damn right!