Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

The classroom in the forest, with wooden floors, a wooden roof, and desks and chairs grained with wood patterns—the snow outside piled high on the tree leaves, but inside the room remained warm.

The ocarina's gentle prelude began, echoing in the silent classroom, transporting one to a distant world.

Soon, light-hearted singing and drumbeats joined in, starting with one voice, then two, their harmonies layering over one another, unique rhythms within the unity. More instruments joined, the tinkle of bells, the sound of flutes—among the resonating harmonies, the slightly mischievous humming of elvish melodies enriched the texture and depth of the composition.

The students, some sitting, some standing, gathered around to watch the five girls in the middle of the classroom. Some sang with eyes closed, arms gracefully lifted, others pressed their hands to their hearts, humming the tune earnestly, while another held an ocarina, fingers lifting and falling, producing music that was rich and mellifluous.

The overall song had a lively spirit, as if one were dancing and playing with fairies alone in the forest, intoxicating everyone present until, after a long while, the music gradually ceased, and applause erupted, thanking the five classmates for their performance.

"Finally, thank you all for coming to watch," said the leading girl with chestnut hair, pulling her companions into a bow, as the classroom burst into enthusiastic applause once again.

"I don't know how to describe it, but it feels like a performance that's hard to forget."

"Even without fancy special effects, the realm conveyed through their singing is so rare and clear and bright."

Everyone applauded happily, their gazes converging on the five girls.

"Thank you..." Surrounded by praise from all sides, the five girls couldn't help but thank everyone repeatedly, then they smiled.

Finally, on everyone's suggestion, they stood again in the center of the classroom, surrounded by their peers, for a group photo. From left to right, the five girls were Renata, Boling, Agnes, Hexia, and Besimor—the lead singers being Renata and Boling, drumbeats and bells by Agnes, ocarina and violin by Hexia, and Besimor played the windpipe.

Three months into their time at Yuanting Academy, following Agnes's proposal and her effort to bring people together, this small impromptu group was formed. After a week of practice, they then invited their classmates to come and watch their performance this day.

Neither the performers nor the audience had initially intended to make it very formal—it was meant to be more of an experimental or just-for-fun performance. But the unexpected result was a pleasant surprise for all involved.

"So happy~(*^▽^*)" Some students took pictures together and even earnestly asked the five for autographs.

After the show ended, a student volunteered to edit the recorded video, and then they all went to play in the snow and hike. Along the way, they chased each other back and forth, many with snow on their heads and faces, looking disheveled but laughing and chatting nonstop, until it began to grow dark, and they walked together towards the way back home.

It was an utterly ordinary, unexpected day, but perhaps years later, when one of them stood by the window at dusk, looking at the tree shadows outside, they would realize it was the most joyful and carefree day in their memories.

After the gathering ended, Hexia stood under the streetlight on the snowy path, waving at a familiar classmate in the distance, then walked with Mel toward the distant hills.

The journey was very quiet, as if the snow had absorbed all sound, leaving only the sizzling noise of stepping on compacted snowflakes.
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After walking for a while, Mel's pace slowed down, and finally, she couldn't help but speak softly, "Can we rest for a bit?"

"Ah, sure," Hexia stopped, realizing she had been so lost in thought that she had not noticed Mel's condition.

The two stopped by the roadside, and from Mel's chest came a 'meow', followed by a gray kitten poking its head out, its large eyes curiously surveying the outside.

"Little Gray~" Mel affectionately stroked the kitten's head, her somewhat reddened cheeks smiling apologetically at Hexia. She was wearing a thick down jacket, looking fluffy overall.

"Let's sit over there," Hexia suggested, pointing to a nearby shelter pavilion, and they walked over.

After brushing a little snow off the seat, they looked out at the snow-covered landscape and streets illuminated by the streetlight, enjoying a rare tranquility.

"Speaking of which, this is actually my first winter on the ground," the girl said, stretching out her palm to watch the little snowflake that had landed in her hand.

"Hexia, where did you use to live?" Mel asked, tilting her head.

"I lived in an underground city, in the Northern Seventh District. There are many cities like that one, and many were built during the time of war."

"Is it really warm underground? When I was young, I wanted to be a giant hamster, storing heaps of nuts and snacks in my own cellar. And when winter came, I wouldn't go anywhere but just lie in my underground burrow, eating and sleeping. I think such a life would be so blissful~" Mel said, her voice carrying a hint of joy, as if she were still a child who hadn't grown up. But she really was only 16, not that old at all.

"Underground, yeah, it is indeed warmer, you don't have to worry about the cold," Hexia pondered but didn't say things that would shatter the fantasy.

"Having such a secluded place would indeed be a blissful thing," she nodded slightly.

"Hexia thinks the same as me, right? Mhm, I knew it~" Mel was particularly happy to see the young girl in agreement.

"It's just that my older brother used to make fun of me for that, saying all I knew was how to eat, drink, and sleep, hmph." Speaking of this, Mel rubbed the head of her kitten, apparently holding onto the memories from her childhood.

After listening, the girl couldn't help but chuckle and then asked, "What about your brother now?"

"Oh, him? He went off to military school, says he wants to become a strong fighter pilot," Mel said with a touch of pride.

"Does your family agree?" Hexia knew that Mel was definitely a little rich girl, so her family certainly didn't lack money.

"Mom was very against it, afraid of accidents, but dad didn't seem to mind. In the end, he even gave a hand and convinced mom."

"'Do what you want to do, become a real man,' that's what dad said."

"Meow~" While Mel was talking, the little grey cat seized the moment when she wasn't paying attention and jumped out.

"Little Grey, it's cold outside, don't run around~" Mel scooped up the Grey Moon Cat with both hands and placed it back on her lap to pet.

"He's a very enlightened father," the girl sighed and then leaned back in the chair, gazing at the snowy night sky, involuntarily recalling her own family matters.

Forget it, better not remember those things, she thought to herself, shaking her head to break the train of thought.

She had agreed not to dwell on the past anymore.

After sitting for a while, Hexia stood up, shook the snowflakes off her clothes, and then turned back to look at Mel.

"Are you rested enough?"

"Yeah, I'm ready." Mel then picked up the Grey Moon Cat and followed behind the girl as the two of them set off again on the snowy path.

In the distance beneath their feet, three tall towers stood upon the hills, reflecting different lights, like the miniature castles from fairy tales.

One day, they will say goodbye to the fairy tales of their childhood, and one day, they will meet the dreams that live in their hearts.