Is The Super Famous Sorceress The Villain?

"Mila, I've been waiting for you..."

"K-Katrina..."

Katrina took my hand and looked at me with eyes full of affection. She had me cornered against a wall in her apartment, and her hand blocked my escape.

A kabe-don?

Huh? What's happening here? What's going on with Katrina? And how did we end up in this situation?

"I couldn't wait to see your beautiful yellow eyes," Katrina said, as she touched my hair and brought her face closer to mine.

"K-Katrina, what's wrong with you? You're acting strange!"

"Hm? What's the matter? Do you want me to step back?"

Katrina spoke with a tone of disappointment, closing her eyes. Her long eyelashes stood out charmingly.

"Well, if that's what you want... fine."

"Wait, Katrina!"

"..."

I grabbed her white shirt, stopping her from walking away. "N-no, I didn't mean that! It's just... this is so sudden, I didn't know how to react. But... to be honest, I also wanted to see you..."

I timidly looked at Katrina once more. Her eyes widened in surprise, but her expression quickly changed to one of satisfaction.

She moved closer to me, and while caressing my face with her hands, she said slowly and softly, almost like a whisper: "In that case, Mila, don't worry. We have all day to talk... Alone."

Her face was so close I could taste her sweet breath. In that position, we stared at each other, full of passion. Our lips brushed slightly until...

---

"Mila, what are you mumbling? You've been saying some weird things since we got here. Oh, and by the way, that smile of yours is kind of creepy you know?"

"Huh?"

Next to me was Griss, looking at me suspiciously.

I grabbed my red hat and covered my blushing face.

We were both sitting on a bench in the park. Children were playing, and adults were walking their pets.

Crap! Had I been fantasizing about Katrina this whole time? That fantasy felt so real, I almost believed she was actually in front of me... But then, where was that vanilla scent coming from?

"Mila, you've got some ice cream on your face..."

"Huh? When did that happen?"

"You're just like a little kid, aren't you, Mila?"

So that's where the vanilla scent came from...

I had completely forgotten we'd grabbed some ice cream a few minutes ago. Now it was all over my face.

"Here, take this," Griss said, handing me a napkin with a slight bitter smile.

"Ah, thanks..." I murmured, taking the napkin.

"By the way, Mila..."

"Hm? What is it?"

"What did the teacher tell you today? Did you get expelled from school?"

"Oh yeah she... Hey! What?! Why would I get expelled from school?"

"Hahaha."

"That's not funny!"

I explained to Griss everything Miss Noir had said: how I couldn't act normal, and how one day I'd thank her for what she's done for me. According to her, my impulsive behavior would only cause me trouble.

I understand that sometimes... Okay, most of the time, I'm too impulsive. But live a quiet life? Get a job and then what? What's interesting about a life like that?

Griss looked out at the horizon, as if searching for an answer to my words.

"Mila, why are you so obsessed with standing out?"

"Standing out? What are you talking about? I just talk like this! This is my tone of voice I'm not doing it on purpose!"

Griss shook her head. "That's not what I mean. I'm talking about why you're so obsessed with becoming a sorceress like Trio Encanto." Her tone became much more serious. "That day, so many people died, didn't they? Even Faure Garnier, the previous leader of Trio Encanto."

"...!"

At first, I didn't understand what Griss meant, but after looking at her face, I understood.

Three years ago, Star City was destroyed. Many people disappeared, and many others lost their lives.

The reason? A catastrophe-level aberration struck Star City. It was so devastating that even Faure Garnier died fighting it.

That creature became known as the Great Destroyer, and that day was called the Day of the Great Destroyer.

After that horrible experience, it's normal that no one would want to know anything about sorcery. Leaving all the work to Trio Encanto while everyone lives peacefully would sound reasonable. Obviously, not for me.

Griss stared at me intently. "So, Mila, after what happened that day... why would you want to become a sorceress? Even your brother that day also... Sorry."

I looked at her with a smile and placed my hand on her shoulder. I noticed she was trembling slightly. Now that I think about it, her parents also died that day.

"It's true, my brother died that day. He died saving me. But you know what?" I stood up from the park bench.

"I promised him that I'd live a life I wouldn't regret. That way, wherever he is, he'll see that his sacrifice wasn't in vain!"

"Mila..."

Griss was left speechless by my exclamation.

"It's true! That day was terrible. But, Griss! If we're alive, isn't it to honor the memory of those who passed away? Not to live in sadness, but to live the life they couldn't to the fullest!"

Small tears welled up in Griss's eyes.

"Huh? Griss? Ah! Did I say something wrong?"

She lowered her gaze, smiling as she wiped away the tears.

"No, not at all!"

Phew. For a moment, I thought I'd said something inappropriate in my excitement.

But I could understand why Griss felt that way. Years ago, I had lost all hope too. After my brother's death, life didn't make sense anymore.

I didn't know which path to follow and kept wondering: What's the meaning of life? What's my purpose in this world?

But then, in the midst of that chaos, a figure emerged: Katrina Erlenbaugh. Her determination and bravery restored confidence and joy to the people of the city. From that day on, she became my role model.

Griss smiled and said, "You know, Mila... It's true you're impulsive, you talk too much, you're loud, clumsy, childish, reckless, and more..."

"H-Hey! What?"

"But I really admire your personality... I wish I could be a little more like you. Please never change."

"Of course not!"

"Though if you could tone down the volume a bit, it wouldn't hurt either..."

"G-Griss?!"

We both smiled and headed toward the metro station. But Before entering. On one of the building's screens, a breaking news report was being broadcast. A man, restrained by police, was speaking desperately:

"I have nothing to do with this, I'm innocent! Innocent!"

The broadcast was cut shortly after, and the screen switched back to its regular programming. It was an interview with a cheerful purple-haired girl waving a fan near her face. It was Leandra Oikonomou, a member of Trio Encanto.

"Wasn't that the new singer? It's a shame he's tied to organized crime," Gris said.

"New singer? I don't know him. To be honest, I'm not very up-to-date with music or celebrities."

"But Trio Encanto counts as celebrities, right? And you are a die-hard fan of them"

"Well, yeah... I guess you have a point..."

We finally headed to the entrance of the metro station. But before going any further, I glanced at the ad once more and thought:

"One day, I'll definitely be up there too. Watch me, Milovan, I'll make it happen, no matter what."

Once inside the subway station, I told Gris that I would take a different route. My decision caught her by surprise, but I simply explained that I had to meet someone. However, neither Gris nor anyone else in this city knew that I was going to meet none other than Katrina Erlenbaugh herself.