Anime Crossover: The Losing Heroines Have Become Witches

Chapter 563 558: I Did My Best

Hitori sat quietly on the soft bedding, her hands unconsciously gripping the corners of the pillow with a death-grip.

The bathroom door was ajar, and a wisp of hazy water vapor seeped through the crack. Accompanied by the "patter-patter" sound of the shower, it struck her heartstrings one by one, leaving her mind in a chaotic mess.

She tried hard to stop herself from overthinking, but her mind was a whirlwind. She could only look for something to distract her attention.

"Ahaha, to think there would actually be balloons on the table of a hotel like this..."

Then, the words on the packaging caught her eye. After her brain short-circuited for a moment, the young girl couldn't help but lower her eyes and bury her head into the soft pillow. Her small, exquisite feet kicked back and forth against the bedding like she was swimming, venting the shame in her heart, seemingly wanting to use this method to drown herself in the pillow.

No, no, no, these aren't balloons at all, are they?! Why would they make something like this so easy to misunderstand!

"Hitori, is something wrong?" The boy's voice came from the bathroom.

"N-nothing!"

Hitori hurriedly responded.

She folded the "balloon" she had opened and respectfully placed it back in its original spot.

Then, thinking about it, it didn't feel quite right either. So, while muttering "Don't blame me" under her breath, she tossed the "balloon" into the trash can and specifically threw in a few crumpled tissues to completely cover it up.

Since things have come to this, I might as well watch TV.

The girl pulled the TV remote from the nightstand and turned it on at random—though she felt she probably couldn't focus on any program at all, having the TV on as background music wasn't bad; it felt like it might help her calm down a bit.

Then, she saw a large bed on the screen very similar to the one she was sitting on. On top of the bed was a pale, fleshy "giant worm" that was twitching while letting out shouting cries of "Ohohoho—!"

Snap!

The girl immediately turned off the TV as if having a stress response.

However, the images on the screen had already been deeply etched into her mind, making her already muddled brain even worse.

What was that?! Why would a hotel TV program show something like that?!

Could it be that she was just too ignorant? Is this the true side hidden beneath the sunny exterior of ordinary "normies"?

Speaking of which, wasn't the person in those frames a bit too exaggerated? Do girls in reality actually make sounds like that?

It must just be an exaggeration! Just like how guests on gourmet variety shows widen their eyes and cover their mouths to shout "Oishii!" no matter what they eat!

It's definitely like that!

Hitori nodded, cheering herself up in her heart.

But soon, the girl's naturally pessimistic nature took over again, and she began to feel anxious about gains and losses.

Would she also show such an unsightly expression? Besides, she wasn't that confident in her own voice; what should she do if she didn't sound good?

So, the girl gave a light cough, cleared her throat slightly, and tried to vocalize softly in a singing manner: "Ohoho? ...That doesn't feel right? ...Ughuughu? ...Is it like this? ...Ohaha?"

"What are you doing?"

Asakura, who had walked out of the bathroom at some point, was drying his hair with a bath towel while looking at Hitori—who was practicing her vocalizations—with a look of speechlessness.

"Eeeek! It's not like that! Gwaaa!" The girl was startled; her hands flailed wildly, and her whole body leaned back, falling off the bed and making a strange sound like a squashed frog.

Fortunately, the hotel room was covered with a thick carpet—Asakura didn't want to dig too deep into why a carpet that wouldn't matter even if someone rolled around on the floor was installed—so the girl wasn't hurt by the fall.

"Alright, I don't care that much..." Asakura sighed, looking at his silly little girlfriend: "If anything, having known you for so long, Hitori, I feel like no matter what shocking thing you do, I won't be scared anymore..."

"T-that sentence... feels like it should be said to Asakura-kun instead..." The girl climbed up, revealing half a face from the side of the bed, looking at Asakura as cautiously as a marmot on lookout, muttering softly.

"Is that so? Then it seems we have quite the tacit understanding."

"E-ehehe..."

"It would be even better if our physical compatibility was also great."

"Oh, ohoho...?"

Though he really wanted to roast the girl's strange vocalization, Asakura eventually chose to give up on that idea. He simply sat on the bed and patted the empty space beside him, signaling the girl to come over quickly.

"T-that... don't I need to take a shower?" The girl shuffled over slowly and asked in a small voice.

"I like the 'original flavor,'" Asakura said in a tone as if he were stating a universal truth.

"...Ehehe..."

"Where is the punchline in that sentence?"

Asakura was stunned: No, you're supposed to roast me; showing such a strange smile instead made him almost lose his composure.

"That... I'm just a little bit happy..." Hitori said shyly and bashfully: "...I just feel like... I've seen a bit of Asakura-kun... has a bit of a distorted side... doesn't he?"

"Is that so? Then you're celebrating a little too early!"

Asakura rolled over and, with a movement that was at once aggressive yet remarkably gentle, pinned her down onto the bed.

Her long pink hair fanned out beside her like scattered petals; the girl's cheeks were dusted with a faint blush, and her azure eyes trembled slightly, yet held within them a mesmerizing depth—like a pool of intoxicating spring water—as if the very warmth of the air could melt her away.

They were close enough to hear each other's ragged breathing and feel the rapid beating of each other's hearts. Hitori dared not lift her gaze, feeling only that scorching breath silently stirring the strands of her hair.

Then, the distance between them closed once more, until they were pressed together.

Although he had previously drained the girl's magic reserves to the very brink of depletion, Asakura now realized that a significant portion of her magic had already returned.

It seemed his earlier hypothesis held true to some extent: since her Curse was [Song], she could accelerate her magic recovery simply by singing.

No—rather than "recovery," it felt more like a specific "ritual"; a process where one completes a series of steps to generate a fresh influx of magic.

If Hitori—with her Curse [Song]—required singing for her ritual, then what form would his ritual take? Would he have to slither darkly along the ground like a [Snake]? Something about that just didn't feel right.

Asakura reined in his thoughts; there would be plenty of time in the future to ponder that question. Right now, however, he had something far more important to attend to.

And so, Asakura turned his gaze back to the girl lying before him.

"Um..." the girl murmured, her voice trembling as if she were on the verge of tears, and looked up at Asakura with shy embarrassment. "I... I didn't know something like this was going to happen today... so my lingerie... it's really not cute at all..."

"In that case, looking forward to seeing what kind of cute lingerie you choose for next time becomes a fun new game in itself, doesn't it?"

"Ugh... that feels like a really high bar to clear..."

"Oh? But isn't this actually quite cute?"

"Wait—when did that happen? You actually took my clothes off already?!" "

Did you choose your own underwear, Hitori?"

"My mom bought it for me... Ugh," she said, casually unbuttoning her bra. "It feels so weird... Asakura-kun, why are you so good at this?"

"Boys usually have a lot of theoretical knowledge about these things."

"Boys...it's scary..."

"Hmm, so this is what it feels like..."

"N-Don't touch it..."

"There's a saying among boys that 'if you stick your hand out in a car traveling at around 80 mph, the wind feels similar to a girl's breasts,' but it's actually completely different." "Hmm..."

"It feels softer, somewhat like a water balloon, but it feels heavier in your hand. The smooth, soft skin feels like it's sticking to your hand, giving a very solid sense of satisfaction..."

"W-why are you talking like a food review from a variety show... ugh..."

With the boy's small movements, the girl's breathing became heavy. She subconsciously covered her mouth, but a barely perceptible moan still escaped through her fingers.

"Making noises at times like this makes you feel a little better, you know?"

"Oh, oh... oh...?"

"So why are you so fixated on making those noises... Well then, let's take it a step further."

"Th-that..."

"What is it?"

"The light... at least turn off the light... otherwise I feel like I'll die of embarrassment..."

The girl said, covering her face.

"Well, after all, the panties are already..."

"N-don't say it!"

"Hitori is a naughty girl"Replenishing fluids after strenuous exercise is very important."

Asakura asked the girl, who was hiding entirely under the duvet: "So, Hitori, what would you like to drink? I'll go buy it for you."

"Oolong tea... will be fine."

The girl spoke muffledly from under the covers. Although she didn't move, even just slightly poking her head out revealed fair skin at the edge of the sheet; it was clear the girl was currently hiding under the duvet completely unclothed, just like she was newly born.

"There's no need to be shy to this extent, right? We were just facing each other undressed a moment ago."

Asakura looked at the girl with a bit of helplessness.

"N-No, it's not shyness..." The girl looked at Asakura with eyes full of a bit of resentment: "I... I clearly said no more..."

"Who told you to suddenly have a self-esteem relapse while we were chatting after finishing, and for some reason perform a dogeza in front of me..." Asakura sighed: "Can you understand how terrifying the scene of the girl you like doing a full dogeza while undressed in front of you is? No, you don't understand; you'll only roll your eyes and go 'o-ho-ho-ho'."

"D-Don't say any more!"

The girl was dying of shame and indignation: "I... I just felt... suddenly obtaining Asakura-kun's most precious first time... it feels a bit unreal..."

Asakura looked at her with amusement.

Hitori calmed down, then became shy again, hiding her entire self back into the duvet. She looked like a hermit crab, which was inexplicably cute.

Feeling refreshed, Asakura stood up, put on his clothes, and walked out of the room, intending to go to the vending machine in the inn to buy drinks.

When he pushed open the door, the room was already filled with a blanket of silence.

The light that was originally pink and carried a bit of an enchanting atmosphere had been turned off by the girl, and the tightly closed curtains were pulled open just a crack, letting the moonlight pour in.

That strand of silver-white light fell quietly before the bed and also fell upon her body.

The girl was draped in a snow-white bedsheet. Her long pink hair fell from her thin shoulders, plated with fragmented light by the moonlight. One could faintly see the silhouette of the girl's body through the sheet, standing alone like a white bellflower.

She stood there quietly, completely different from the usually somewhat gloomy and abstract feeling. That face, which usually looked a bit restrained, was now being gently caressed by light and shadow. At this moment, she was as beautiful as a princess descended from the moon, as if even her breath carried a hint of a dreamlike texture.

The moonlight fell, causing her long eyelashes to cast shadows on her doll-like face, which, paired with her skin that was somewhat pale from not getting much sun, gave the girl a few more touches of feminine, delicate beauty.

Asakura stared blankly, only feeling a warm sensation slowly spreading in his chest.

At this moment, Asakura, who originally couldn't appreciate the Shiromuku, suddenly understood the beauty of this attire—it was as quiet as moonlight and as soft as flower petals, making one feel solemnity and pity at a single glance.

"Asakura-kun... you're back..."

The girl turned her head like a startled small animal. The princess under the moon vanished without a trace, replaced by the same girl as always.

"Why are you up?" Asakura asked with concern as he walked toward her.

"I feel a bit sticky... I want to take a shower..." The girl said in a small, aggrieved voice: "But after standing up, I realized, I don't seem to be able to walk..."

"Does it still hurt?" Asakura handed the drink to her. "Although I have painkillers prepared... but honestly, I don't recommend you take those."

"I-It doesn't hurt that much anymore... but I always feel... it's still a bit sore and swollen... it feels as if Asakura-kun... is still inside..." The girl's voice got smaller and smaller: "Both legs are still weak; I can't walk..."

"I see."

Asakura nodded understandingly.

Then he stepped forward and picked the girl up directly in a bridal carry.

"Eh? Eh-eh?" Hitori couldn't help but feel panicked.

"Didn't you say you couldn't walk to the shower?" Asakura revealed a kind smile: "Then wouldn't it be fine if I take you there? I can even lend a hand and help you bathe; how great. Besides, I've worked up quite a sweat too, so we might as well wash together! Don't worry, I still have this much strength; I can do it!"

"I... I can't..." The girl pleaded for mercy.

"Hitori, you have to believe in yourself!" Asakura said seriously.

"Eh?" The girl was stunned.

"Believe in the me that believes in you!" Asakura said resonantly.

"I-Is this phrase meant to be used at a time like this? Eeeeek..." after all." "

"Awoooooo..."

"..."

☆

"Replenishing fluids after strenuous exercise is very important."

Asakura asked the girl, who was hiding entirely under the duvet: "So, Hitori, what would you like to drink? I'll go buy it for you."

"Oolong tea... will be fine."

The girl spoke muffledly from under the covers. Although she didn't move, even just slightly poking her head out revealed fair skin at the edge of the sheet; it was clear the girl was currently hiding under the duvet completely unclothed, just like she was newly born.

"There's no need to be shy to this extent, right? We were just facing each other undressed a moment ago."

Asakura looked at the girl with a bit of helplessness.

"N-No, it's not shyness..." The girl looked at Asakura with eyes full of a bit of resentment: "I... I clearly said no more..."

"Who told you to suddenly have a self-esteem relapse while we were chatting after finishing, and for some reason perform a dogeza in front of me..." Asakura sighed: "Can you understand how terrifying the scene of the girl you like doing a full dogeza while undressed in front of you is? No, you don't understand; you'll only roll your eyes and go 'o-ho-ho-ho'."

"D-Don't say any more!"

The girl was dying of shame and indignation: "I... I just felt... suddenly obtaining Asakura-kun's most precious first time... it feels a bit unreal..."

Asakura looked at her with amusement.

Hitori calmed down, then became shy again, hiding her entire self back into the duvet. She looked like a hermit crab, which was inexplicably cute.

Feeling refreshed, Asakura stood up, put on his clothes, and walked out of the room, intending to go to the vending machine in the inn to buy drinks.

When he pushed open the door, the room was already filled with a blanket of silence.

The light that was originally pink and carried a bit of an enchanting atmosphere had been turned off by the girl, and the tightly closed curtains were pulled open just a crack, letting the moonlight pour in.

That strand of silver-white light fell quietly before the bed and also fell upon her body.

The girl was draped in a snow-white bedsheet. Her long pink hair fell from her thin shoulders, plated with fragmented light by the moonlight. One could faintly see the silhouette of the girl's body through the sheet, standing alone like a white bellflower.

She stood there quietly, completely different from the usually somewhat gloomy and abstract feeling. That face, which usually looked a bit restrained, was now being gently caressed by light and shadow. At this moment, she was as beautiful as a princess descended from the moon, as if even her breath carried a hint of a dreamlike texture.

The moonlight fell, causing her long eyelashes to cast shadows on her doll-like face, which, paired with her skin that was somewhat pale from not getting much sun, gave the girl a few more touches of feminine, delicate beauty.

Asakura stared blankly, only feeling a warm sensation slowly spreading in his chest.

At this moment, Asakura, who originally couldn't appreciate the Shiromuku, suddenly understood the beauty of this attire—it was as quiet as moonlight and as soft as flower petals, making one feel solemnity and pity at a single glance.

"Asakura-kun... you're back..."

The girl turned her head like a startled small animal. The princess under the moon vanished without a trace, replaced by the same girl as always.

"Why are you up?" Asakura asked with concern as he walked toward her.

"I feel a bit sticky... I want to take a shower..." The girl said in a small, aggrieved voice: "But after standing up, I realized, I don't seem to be able to walk..."

"Does it still hurt?" Asakura handed the drink to her. "Although I have painkillers prepared... but honestly, I don't recommend you take those."

"I-It doesn't hurt that much anymore... but I always feel... it's still a bit sore and swollen... it feels as if Asakura-kun... is still inside..." The girl's voice got smaller and smaller: "Both legs are still weak; I can't walk..."

"I see."

Asakura nodded understandingly.

Then he stepped forward and picked the girl up directly in a bridal carry.

"Eh? Eh-eh?" Hitori couldn't help but feel panicked.

"Didn't you say you couldn't walk to the shower?" Asakura revealed a kind smile: "Then wouldn't it be fine if I take you there? I can even lend a hand and help you bathe; how great. Besides, I've worked up quite a sweat too, so we might as well wash together! Don't worry, I still have this much strength; I can do it!"

"I... I can't..." The girl pleaded for mercy.

"Hitori, you have to believe in yourself!" Asakura said seriously.

"Eh?" The girl was stunned.

"Believe in the me that believes in you!" Asakura said resonantly.

"I-Is this phrase meant to be used at a time like this? Eeeeek..."