Until a Witch Dies – Meg Raspberry’s One Year Left to Live

“I cried so naturally, it even surprised me.”

On the way back to town, as I stroked the Carbuncle perched on my shoulder, Fine quietly spoke beside me.

“Watching that light… all kinds of memories just came rushing back.”

“Memories of your grandfather?”

“Yeah. Playing together, eating meals, the way he’d pat my head whenever I got hurt. A flood of images all at once.”

“Still a grandpa’s girl, huh?”

“That light that came from the watch… was that a spirit?”

“Probably. It might have a different form, but when I called it forth with that magic, it appeared like that.”

“I see… It was such a gentle light.”

“Yeah, it really was.”

As we reached the front of the clock shop, Fine came to a stop and gazed inside.

“I think I’ll buy a new watch.”

“Oh, a fresh start? Nice, nice!”

“Yeah. Help me pick the perfect spirit for me.”

“Of course! I’ll find you one that brings good luck.”

“Thanks. Oh, but wait—Meg, didn’t you have work? Weren’t you supposed to go shopping or something?”

“…Huh?”

In that moment, my mind exploded.

The Earth, the Sun, the Milky Way, a supernova, the Big Bang—an infinite cosmic expanse filled my brain, rendering all thought useless.

“Uh… Meg? You there? Hellooo?”

“Ki-k-k-k… ki-k-k-k…”

“‘Ki’ what?”

“I’M GONNA BE MURDERED—!”

Without another word, I spun on my heel and bolted at full speed.

The sun was already beginning to set.

Now that I really thought about it—I hadn’t done any shopping, I hadn’t prepared dinner, and my laundry was still hanging outside.

“MEG—!”

Fine called after me.

I turned my head mid-sprint to see her waving.

“Thanks again! I’ll show you my new watch later!”

To my dear friend behind me, I gave a bold thumbs-up before dashing through the streets.

Bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, I must have looked like a marathon runner giving it their all.

“I-I’m home!”

The moment I threw open the door, I shouted my return—only to be met with silence.

The only ones staring at me were a bunch of small animals, their expressions blank.

There wasn’t a trace of human presence.

Confused, I felt a light smack on my cheek.

Turning my head, I saw Carbuncle shaking its head at me.

“Ah… that’s right. My master said she’d be gone for a while.”

As soon as the realization hit, my legs gave out beneath me.

I had sprinted all the way back from town. No wonder I collapsed.

Just then, something clinked and fell from my pocket.

The tear bottle.

I picked it up absentmindedly and shook it lightly in front of me.

The liquid inside had increased slightly.

Fine’s tears, no doubt.

“That makes three drops…”

Catching the reflection of the sunset, the tears inside shimmered like tiny crystals.

Fine said they felt pure.

I had scoffed at her words, but… part of me couldn’t deny them.

“Y’know, I think this might become my treasure. What do you think?”

I looked at my familiars.

Carbuncle let out a “Kyuu.”

The white owl, having landed nearby, hooted softly, “Hoo.”

They both looked oddly pleased with themselves.

“Alright, then. Guess it’s time for dinner. Hey, you guys! Food time!”

At my call, small animals came rushing from all corners of the house as if they had been waiting for this exact moment.

Greedy little things.

But somehow, today… I found them endearing.

As I stepped inside, the white owl gently nudged the door shut behind me.

This was just another ordinary day.