Chapter 2 Roadside Panacea
Let's start our new chapter
Kei
Hey, here's your class.
Makoto
Good morning, Nano.
Makoto
So, we're in the same class. I'm so thrilled! ♪
Nao
Uh...Yeah, I guess so...
Kei
What're you so scared of? That's not like you.
Nao
Shut up! I'm not scared.
Nao
I'm just kinda disoriented, that's all.
Nao
Anybody would be if they saw people flying through the air on a broom.
Kei
Sheesh... It's just like I always say: "Don't be a slave to common sense."
Makoto
You never said that! Quit trying to be COOL.
Makoto
Uhm, Nano...It's okay. You don't have to be so on edge about it.
Makoto
Apart from being a witch, I'm a normal girl, just like you.
Makoto
So...if it's all right with you, i'd like to be your friend, Nano.
Nao
My name is not Nano. It's Nao.
Student 1
All new students, please head to the gym!
Witches, by tradition, are recognized as full adults when we turn 15.
Student 2
So we leave home and go out into the world, to learn how to be independent.
Makoto
Wow. That's very bold.
Makoto
But my parents said that things aren't very easy for witches these days,
Makoto
So insist that I at least finish high school, to make sure I have options.
Makoto
And they said I'd be safer if I stayed with relatives...Well, so much for "tradition."
Nao
So then, are there actually a lot of witches around?
Makoto
Yes, especially in the Tohoku region.
Makoto
There's lots of wilderness and it's rich in natural resources.
Makoto
That makes it easy to use magic, so it's popular with novice witches.
Makoto
My grandma says there aren't nearly as many witches as there used to be.
Makoto
But nowadays, they say more girls are choosing not to become witches, instead living as normal people.
Nao
Wait...You said there are lots of witches in Tohoku, right?
Makoto
Oh, yeah, we're not supposed to talk about it
Makoto
to people who aren't family or—
Makoto
*In her mind* Or...
Makoto
But all the normal people like me don't know anything about them, so...
Makoto
Doesn't that mean witches keep the fact they're witches a secret?
Nao
WHAAAT?! YOU'VE DONE NOTHING BUT TALK ABOUT IT!!!
Nao
Nooo, don't drag me into any weird witchy stuff...
Makoto
N-No, no, it's all right! There's no punishment or anything...
Makoto
It's more like, we should try to keep it a secret if we can. I think.
Nao
But that's super Vague?!
Teacher
Okay, then...your classes will start tomorrow.
Teacher
Study hard, and have a good year.
Makoto
You're not coming home, Kei?
Kei
Yeah, I'm gonna hang out with my friends from middle school,
Kei
So I can't walk you home.
Makoto
Oh, then I'll go with you.
Makoto
Please introduce me to your friends.
Kei
Uhm...I think you'd better not...
Kei
You'd be pretty disillusioned if you heard what we talk about.
*Kei's friend 1* Is that Kei's girlfriend?
*Kei's friend 2* Damn, he moves fast.
Kei
So, can you take care of her, Nao?
Nao
I asked her to walk you home.
Kei
That way you won't get lost.
Kei
Well, see you later. Tell my mom I'll be home by dinner.
Kei
*To his friends* Hey, sorry for that wait, guys!
Makoto
I get it, but he could at least introduce me...
Nao
Oh, he always does his own thing.
Makoto
I get it, I get it. There are things that boys can only talk about with each other.
Makoto
You're right. Kei has always been like that.
Nao
Hey... What are you doing?! Are you trying to get lost?!
Nao
*In Her Mind* You're determined?!
Makoto
No no...I'd like to give you a present.
Makoto
Yes, To apologize for earlier, and as a token of our future friendship.
Nao
No, really, that's okay...You don't have to...
Makoto
You're walking me home and everything ...
Makoto
I have to thank you for that, too!
Makoto
PLEASE WAIT JUST A MOMENT.
Makoto
I'll BE RIGHT BACK.
Makoto
You see, there's an extremely rare plant out here!
Makoto
I could smell it this morning on the way to school.
Nao
*In her mind* You do your own thing even more than Kei.
Makoto
That distinctive ammonia smell...
Makoto
It must be pretty close.
Makoto
I'm gonna pull it up now.
Makoto
Plug your ears, okay?
Makoto
Ngh! The wild ones really do have strong roots!
Nao
* In her mind* what was that...
Nao
*Shocked and stunned*👀
Makoto
Oh? You don't know?
Makoto
This is a very rare plant called a mandrake.
Makoto
I'm incredibly lucky to find one so close by!
Makoto
*In her mind* That's Tohoku for you!
Makoto
The scream they make when they're uprooted can be deadly to anyone who listens closely.
Nao
*in her mind* Oh, thank you.
Makoto
They're highly poisonous, but if you remove the poison properly, they can be used to make a panacea, among other things. It's a very useful plant.
Nao
*In her mind* It's moving...
Makoto
Didn't I just tell you, Nao... I would like to give you a present.
Makoto
This mandrake is for you!
Makoto
A token of our friendship!
We've been having a warm spell...and it's shaping up to be balmy today as well.
We're seeing signs of spring pop up everywhere.
Makoto
Oh, there you are, Uncle!
Makoto
There's something I wanted to ask you... Is it a good time?
Makoto
I thought I would study plants as part of my witch training...
Makoto
And I'd like to try to grow some vegetables.
Makoto
Is there a plot of land I could use?
Makoto
It doesn't have to be very big.
Uncle
Out a-back at the hayouse thar's a li'l', bit a fiel', you go head 'n use 'at.
Uncle
Now it's all grun o'er with grass n' sech, so her gunna hafta dig 'er up, but it oughter be jes faan.
Uncle
Thar's hoes 'n shov'ls out 'n thar shed so go on 'n use ennithin' ya need.
Uncle
Even got a bit a fertulahzer. You can dump'er on out thar.
Chinatsu
He said there's a field we're not using out behind the house so you can have that.
Chinatsu
And there's tools and stuff you can use.
The second Chapter is over
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