Ch. 104 - Choosing to Go Against Bai Yu
Is It Weird for a Guy to Apply to a Witch School?This chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
Notes
Translator's note: Ha, bet you'll come back within a week, at most.
This chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
Translator's note: Ha, bet you'll come back within a week, at most.
“Huh—? We’re… in already?”
My eyes widened in disbelief. Before I could process it, a strange, sharp scent drifted through the air—strange but exciting.
This was clearly a different space.
The lighting was dim, like eternal dusk. It felt as if this place barely accepted light from the outside world.
And the contrast was jarring.
Outside had been noisy and lively.
Inside...
The noise was heavier. Closer. Almost pressing.
“Yuehan… how did you do that?” Bai Yu stared at me, then at our surroundings, disbelief written all over her face. “We’re actually inside…”
“Uh, Psi-vision,” I whispered, scratching my cheek. “Heh~”
“…I should’ve known.” She clicked her tongue. “Yuehan, we’re leaving. Right now. This is not a good place. Seriously.”
“Huh? Leaving already?” I blinked. “Bai Yu, you definitely know what this place is, don’t you? You won’t tell me?”
“I’ll explain after we leave. Hurry—do you even know how to get back?”
“Umm…” I hesitated, then tested the waters. “What if I said… I don’t?”
Behind us was a dead-end alley.
If I could get in, I could definitely get out—but if I didn’t at least see this place, I’d regret it for a long time.
Of course, if Bai Yu had said this place was truly dangerous, I would’ve turned around immediately.
But she didn’t.
Which meant—at least in terms of safety—it was still within the Academy’s boundaries.
That was exactly why I hadn’t rushed forward yet.
I wanted to see her reaction.
“Yuehan… sigh.” Bai Yu rubbed her temples. “Being this curious really isn’t a good habit. This place isn’t… clean.”
But when she met my bright, inquisitive gaze—
She softened.
After a long pause, she let out a slow breath.
“…Fine. Since you insist, I’ll tell you.”
She already knew my stance.
If she didn’t explain, we might actually not be leaving cleanly—because the exits she knew would inevitably expose me to what lay deeper inside.
“Really?!”
“…Yes. Do you remember that place I mentioned once? Charm Alley.”
“Charm Alley?” My eyes went wide. “Wait—this is it?”
I’d heard that name more than once.
I just never imagined I’d stumble into it like this.
A warm flush crept up my face. After all—whether in my previous life or this one—I’d never been anywhere like this before.
Charm Alley.
The name alone said way too much.
“…Yes.” Bai Yu’s expression hardened. “So now you understand. You are never allowed to come here again. Got it?”
“…Got it,” I said, drooping slightly. I had been reckless. I just never expected things to escalate like this.
“Good.” She pointed behind us. “Then let’s go. Now.”
“Th-this fast?” I asked, a little regret slipping through. “We’re really leaving already?”
“Yes,” she replied flatly. “What—were you planning to stroll around? Keep this up, and I’ll smack your butt right here.”
“Not even one look?”
“No.”
“…But I really don’t know how to get back,” I said carefully. “And since you’re familiar with this place, Bai Yu, you must know another exit, right?”
At that moment, I clenched the hem of my clothes and made a decision that went against Bai Yu.
Worst case? I’d apologize later. Even if I got punished, I’d accept it.
But this chance? It was too rare.
I was just too curious about what the Witch School’s hidden side looked like.
And the senior witches here... Were they really…?
Ah—no, no, that was too much. I was only thinking, but my heart was already racing.
“Lying, Yuehan, is not something good girls do,” Bai Yu warned. “Careful—when we get back, you might really be punished.”
“I’m already grown!” I protested. “And I’m a girl now anyway! I don’t even have the… gear. Even if I wanted to do something, I couldn’t!”
“…That’s not how it works,” Bai Yu snapped. “The witches of the Witch School don’t care whether you’re a girl or not. Their—ahem. Anyway, this has nothing to do with gender.”
“…So everyone here is a girl?”
“Hmph. Of course.” She shot me a sharp look. “You won’t find a single man in the Witch School. Be careful. You might get eaten alive by the senior witches here.”
“B-but…” I said softly, pressing on anyway. “I have you, Bai Yu. You’ll protect me… right?”
I knew I was pushing it.
This time, maybe too far.
…Yeah.
If things got awkward, I should probably find a way out soon.
Today was supposed to be a day when Bai Yu and I finally met again properly. Turning things this awkward didn’t feel right at all…
Please refuse, I prayed inwardly. Just say no, Bai Yu. Give me an excuse to leave.
By now, I was already thinking about how I’d apologize afterward.
“Hmph. Of course I’ll protect you,” Bai Yu said at last, clicking her tongue. “Honestly, I don’t know what to do with you anymore… Fine. If you’re that curious, then come. I’ll show you.”
She sighed, clearly having made up her mind.
“If I don’t let you see it for yourself, you’ll just keep wondering. And next time, you might sneak here alone. I’d rather you understand just how dangerous this place can be.”
“…Huh?”
I froze.
“W–wait—what did you just say?” I stared at her. I’d been fully prepared to turn back, and now she was suddenly agreeing?
Wasn’t this change a little too fast?
“It’s too late to back out now,” Bai Yu said flatly, already pulling me along. “Come on. I’ll show you the other side of the Academy.”
She took my hand and led me out of the dead end.
And only then did I truly see it.
If the outside streets had been lively, this place was… intoxicating.
Seniors moved through the alley with relaxed, indulgent smiles, clearly enjoying the atmosphere. Their clothes were daring, their expressions bold. Bright, provocative signs lined the street, and laughter spilled freely into the air.
Some of the seniors openly teased passing girls, their words playful and suggestive.
The overwhelming scenery sent my thoughts spiraling.
My heartbeat quickened.
The air itself carried a faint, unfamiliar scent—sweet, warm, and strangely stirring. It tugged at my emotions before I even realized it was happening.
Soft, warm-toned lights filled the dim space, adding an artificial sense of intimacy to the alley.
A few senior witches even ignored Bai Yu’s icy presence entirely, reaching out to tease me as I passed.
I dodged most of them instinctively. The rest were chased off by Bai Yu’s sharp glare and barely veiled threats.
Only then did I truly understand what she’d meant by getting eaten without leaving even bones behind.
If I’d come here alone—
There was no way I’d be leaving intact.
Maybe this place wasn’t dangerous in the sense of life and death.
But in another way, it was far worse.
One careless step, and you could lose yourself completely.
I swallowed quietly and edged closer to Bai Yu without thinking.
She noticed immediately.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips, and she wrapped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me in—protective, grounding.
“Now you see how terrifying this place really is,” she murmured. “Still think you’d dare come back?”
“I… I wouldn’t,” I answered quickly.
This time, I meant it.
As tempting as it was, I could feel it—once you crossed a certain line here, there was no turning back.
And I didn’t want that.
I wanted to stay myself.
Quiet.
Careful.
Pure in my own way.
Wasn’t that… good enough?