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"Huh? An invisible elementary schooler?"
Mahiru Shiina pressed her lips together, looking at Yamada Elf in surprise.
Wearing a boy's jacket only made the blonde, flat-chested girl look even smaller—so much so that anyone could easily mistake her for a kid.
"I am not an elementary schooler!" Yamada Elf stomped her foot angrily. "I'm a fully independent adult who lives on her own!"
Mahiru's voice stayed gentle.
"Sorry, that was my mistake."
"…"
Faced with someone as soft-spoken and angelic as Mahiru, Yamada Elf's anger deflated almost instantly. She turned her head away with a huff.
"…Hmph. I'll forgive you this once."
"Anyway, that's the situation. I really wasn't being a pervert," Blake explained, then glanced at the sulking blonde. "Yamada, show her your invisibility."
"Hmph, no thanks."
Yamada Elf crossed her arms, acting all tsundere about it.
Blake lowered his voice.
"Didn't you want to check if your ability stopped working? This is the perfect chance."
"…Mm."
Yamada blinked, clearly tempted, and soon gave in.
"Since my servant is begging so sincerely, I suppose I can put on a little demonstration… Watch closely."
Snap.
She raised her hand and snapped her fingers.
From Blake's perspective, the blonde girl was still standing right there without any change—but Mahiru's eyes widened in shock.
"She really disappeared?"
Blake finally let out a breath of relief.
So even if they were both "wild witches," they couldn't sense each other.
Of course, even if Mahiru could see Yamada, there were still ways to prove his innocence.
For example, a selfie.
Yamada wouldn't show up in photos while invisible.
"Mahiru, that clears things up, right?" Blake asked, turning to her.
"You…"
A faint blush spread across Mahiru's face. Her gaze flickered over him before she quickly looked away.
"…Put some clothes on first."
"I'd love to," Blake said flatly, "but I can't find them."
"…"
With everything explained and his innocence confirmed, Mahiru put away her phone and spoke softly.
"Climbing through windows is dangerous. You really shouldn't keep doing it. If you fell and injured your neck, you could end up paralyzed."
Hey, don't jinx me like that! Falling and breaking your neck from climbing a window? What is this, Final Destination?
Mahiru tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her voice still gentle.
"I once bought a folding step ladder to change a lightbulb at home. I can lend it to Miss Yamada."
"A ladder?" Yamada's eyes lit up immediately. "Thanks!"
"No need to thank me." Mahiru smiled—a perfect, angelic smile that felt like a spring breeze. "It's getting late. Shall we go get it now?"
"…Alright."
A short while later—
Standing at Mahiru's front door, Blake looked surprised.
"The person who moved in a couple days ago… was you?"
"How so?" Mahiru blinked. "Do you live nearby, Blake?"
"Not just nearby—we're neighbors," Yamada Elf said, hands on her hips as she pointed. Her voice had already regained its cheerful tone. "That's my servant's house, and mine is next to it. Who would've thought we'd end up living so close?"
"I didn't expect that either," Mahiru said, a hint of surprise on her face before she quickly composed herself. "I just moved in. I was planning to visit my neighbors over the weekend."
As she spoke, she unlocked the door.
"Would you like to come in and rest for a bit?"
"No, it's pretty late," Blake shook his head. "We'll visit another time."
"Yeah…" Yamada's face turned slightly red as she covered her stomach with one hand. "I'm not feeling great. I want to go home and shower first. I'll come over another time."
No underwear, just the jacket—going to someone else's house like that would be way too embarrassing!
"Alright." Mahiru set down her shopping bag. "Wait here a moment. I'll get the ladder from the storage room."
Blake raised a hand.
"Need help?"
"No, it's light. I can manage."
"…Okay."
Mahiru turned and left. It didn't take long before she returned, carrying the folded step ladder.
"This will make things much easier." Blake took it from her. "I'll return it once we're done."
"Thank you, Mahiru," Yamada added sincerely. "Come by tomorrow for tea."
"Alright," Mahiru replied gently.
She slipped on her shoes and walked them out.
The three quickly made their way to the back of the house.
Blake unfolded the ladder and tested its stability before looking at Yamada.
"You're good to go."
"Make sure you hold it steady, servant," Yamada said as she stepped forward.
But after climbing halfway up, her face suddenly flushed bright red, and she hurriedly tried to climb back down.
"Miss Yamada?" Mahiru looked at her in confusion. "What's wrong?"
"I—I'm afraid of heights…"
Yamada stammered, forcing out an excuse.
Nope. Can't do this.
She had to come down.
She was only wearing Blake's jacket right now. Standing on the ground was barely manageable, but climbing up like this?
Everything would be exposed.
He'd definitely see everything!
No way. Absolutely not.
Mahiru: "…"
A ladder not even two meters tall, and she's afraid of heights? That excuse is… pretty weak.
Still, as the ever-kind "angel," Mahiru wasn't about to call her out and embarrass her.
"Careful."
She reached out to help Yamada down.
Thud.
Yamada jumped straight to the ground, wobbling as she landed. Instinctively, she grabbed onto Mahiru for support.
The next second—
Mahiru suddenly felt a chill.
She looked down in confusion—
Her upper clothing had completely vanished.
So white.
Blake's gaze was instantly drawn to her.
Mahiru's skin was as pale as snow, almost glowing even in the night, reflecting the light with a soft sheen.
And not just that—she had been hiding quite a figure. Beneath her seemingly modest clothing was a surprisingly full chest… easily enough to outclass five Yamadas combined.
Now that her outerwear had suddenly disappeared, she was left wearing only her undergarments. Her swan-like neck, delicate collarbones…
It was impossible to look away.
"S-so big…"
Yamada's eyes widened as she blurted it out.
"We're both girls, but the difference is way too much!"
"Ah—!"
Mahiru finally snapped back to reality. She quickly raised her arms to cover herself, her face turning bright red at an alarming speed.
And when she noticed Blake still standing there, completely unresponsive—
Her "angel" persona finally cracked.
Her cheeks puffed up in frustration.
"Y-you… close your eyes!"
"....."