The witch and the poisonous apple

"Mr. Customer, please…"

"I get it, I'll be careful. After I open it, I'll get away as soon as possible."

So, he'll be opening it 'carefully'? What does that even mean?

Roze is a sensible witch, and more questions will only feed her anxiety. Thus, she gives up on persuading him.

As expected, once the shelf opens, things start to fall out—

—in which Harij, with all readiness, holds back with his wide palms.

"Good job." Applauds Roze.

"…You should tidy up this place some more."

Roze is struck by Harij's honest words.

After carefully placing the items on the floor, Harij asks Roze once again;

"So, which is it that you need?"

"Yes, it's on the back of the cupboard—wait, don't touch the small vial, and also the paper bag next to it. The back, to the left, near the corner, on the right…"

With his patience diminishing, Harij grimaces—

"—you find it."

"He?"

Before she realizes it, she's already floating mid-air.

With both hands, Harij picks her up.

"Find it."

"O, o, okay."

Roze, who is at loss as to whether to turn red or blue, obeys the order. At least, for the time being.

After locating the small wooden box she's looking for, Roze informs Harij she has completed the order.

Harij sits Roze down on the floor. With that, comes the end of the warmth that she feels through her thick robes—radiating from Harij's body.

From the bottom of her heart, Roze is relieved.

"…You're basically still meatless, huh."

This man is checking her weight, and the way he says it confirms that he doesn't see her as a woman.

Either way, Roze is a witch.

It's good to be seen as a woman, and if not—it doesn't matter.

First and foremost, she has to open this box and take out the utensils—

—ugh, dammit! The tears are obscuring my view!

"—ah! Here it is!"

"The color is beautiful. It must've been made by a very skilled craftsman."

"Yes, and I—"

—I want to use this tableware the next time we eat together.

When she realizes what she's about to say, chill runs down her spine.