Episode 2
Waking up in a strange place and still greeting people so calmly… this guy must be either really confident or just crazy.
At least he wasn’t treating her like some kidnapper.
Lindsay pulled her hand away from his chest, stood up, and pointed at the door.
“I won’t charge you for the treatment. The door’s that way.”
“I’m not leaving.”
“…What?”
She thought she had heard wrong and poked her ear with her pinky finger.
But nope, the man smiled faintly and repeated himself clearly.
“I said, I’m not leaving.”
“…Why the hell not?!”
Yep, she heard right. The guy she just saved was now refusing to go.
Lindsay’s sharp cry made the black cat purr with amusement.
[See? That’s why you don’t just heal humans at random, meow.]
Yeah, right, that’s some nonsense you just made up.
Typical demon.
To avoid looking like a lunatic talking to cats, Lindsay only glared at Nero.
The cat wagged his tail happily under her stare.
The man, still smiling lazily, murmured, “Ever since I got sick, I’ve never felt this comfortable before.”
Then, before she could react, he sat up and hugged her leg.
…And even buried his face in it.
“What the—?! Let go of my leg and get out of my house!”
“You’re the one, right?”
“What?!” She tried pulling away, but carefully—afraid of hurting him—so he didn’t budge.
“The one who cleansed my corrupted mana. Or… should I call you a witch?”
Her movements froze.
Taking advantage of her pause, he grabbed her hand and locked eyes with her.
His lavender-colored eyes filled her vision, shining like crescent moons.
“Nice to meet you… Witch.”
“…What the hell is a witch…”
He ignored her muttering.
“My name is Lionel Belmonche. Please, call me by my name, Witch.”
“…I’m not a witch.”
[The boy already figured you out, but you’re still in denial, huh, dumb girl.]
Nero mocked her weak protest. Caught instantly, Lindsay clutched Lionel’s green cloak like it was her last lifeline.
“Even if I say I’m not, you won’t believe me, right?”
“Nope.”
His firm reply made her face twist. She cursed under her breath.
“Damn it…”
Lindsay Monahan.
Only a month into blending into human society, and her cover was already blown.
A little later, Lindsay sat across from him with a cup of jasmine tea, sighing like her life was falling apart.
God, she wished it was all just a dream.
[So, when’s dinner? Meow.]
“…You greedy pig-cat.”
You don’t even need food. I’m the hungry one here!
Nero yawned, ignoring her glare. Lindsay tilted her head.
Why was she the only one losing her mind here?
The silver-haired man across from her studied Nero curiously.
“That cat… You keep it?”
“Yeah. But don’t get close. He’s vicious.”
[Don’t forget I’m right here, little witch.]
Lindsay ignored Nero’s glowing eyes and sipped her tea.
Over the rim of her cup, Lionel smiled dazzlingly, and her throat bobbed nervously.
“If you’re worried I’ll report you as a witch, don’t be. I won’t.”
She snorted. Report her? Please.
Everyone knew about the witch hunts centuries ago—back when people burned any woman with magical talent, even if she wasn’t really a witch.
Real witches never died that way.
Only human women with magic potential did.
Witches were born with magic in their blood.
Humans only got it rarely, as a blessing much later.
Terrified, people called them witches and killed them.
But that was the past.
Now, in this golden age of magic, witches had nothing to fear.
They were stronger than humans anyway.
She smirked.
“You think I’m worried about myself?”
“…Aren’t you?”
“You should be more worried about your head.”
Her free hand under the table clenched. Honestly, she was still debating whether to toss him out the window.
Because according to the novel, Lionel was supposed to pass out, lose his memories from mana overload, and get picked up by the heroine.
But instead, he collapsed at her house and sat across from her now—completely fine, sipping tea.
Did I remember the story wrong…?
Her past-life memories were usually vivid, but this novel’s details were always strangely fuzzy.
“…What are you staring at?”
Irritated, Lindsay scowled.
Even his pretty smile annoyed her.
But Lionel didn’t stop smiling.
Tilting his head, he leaned closer, knowingly using his good looks.
“Your mana… It’s my favorite color.”
“Wanna lose those fingers?”
She grabbed his elegant hand as it brushed her collarbone.
He didn’t flinch.
“Guess it’s fate. The witch destined to save me has the exact color I love.”
Fate, my ass.
Who said this guy was supposed to be some delicate, tragic side male lead? He’s got fox energy written all over him.
She swatted at him like a fly.
“Enough. Time to go. I picked you up thirty minutes ago, and that’s more than enough.”
“…Hearing that makes me kinda sad.”
He pouted, then suddenly perked up.
“Okay, then. Tell me your name, and I’ll leave. Just for today.”
“…Why did you add ‘for today’?”
“Because I’ll come back tomorrow. You’ll try to kick me out again, and I’ll refuse again. That’s how it’ll go.”
Was he… was he seriously announcing his own stalking plans to her face?
She pressed her fingers to her temples.
Ugh.
Fine.
He already knew her address anyway.
“…Lindsay Monahan. Stop calling me ‘Witch.’ Just Lindsay.”
“Lindsay. Pretty name, just like you. Alright. As promised, I’ll leave for today.”
His smile softened like melting honey.
He waved and—bam—vanished with teleportation.
Lindsay blinked, then shouted after him.
“Don’t come back! You hear me?!”
[Too late. He’s already gone, meow.]
Nero flicked his tail in mockery.
Lindsay groaned and slammed her forehead on the table.
“Ugh… I can already feel the trouble coming.”
[Lazy witch. When are you gonna fix that slacker attitude? Move your butt already.]
“You don’t understand, Nero… the soul-crushing life of an office worker…”
The cat rolled his glowing eyes.
[More nonsense.]
“You really don’t get it.”
[Just feed me, meow.]
He smacked his tail against a shelf.
With a sigh, Lindsay scooped him up and rummaged through the kitchen.
Nero purred in her arms.
[Want me to erase his memory?]
Her hand froze mid-motion.
…Now that was tempting.
