It's not that she's afraid that guy will come looking for her to settle scores...

But... but the "monthly magic seminar" is coming up soon, and she needs to go back to recharge and figure out how to gain the upper hand at their next meeting. Yes, that's it!

"Hmph! We'll see!"

With a classic villain's retreating line uttered, Koizumi Akako angrily and somewhat disheveledly manually flew off, hurrying after the direction where the silly crow had disappeared.

Without a broom, she always felt that her social standing had dropped considerably.

"My crow... ptooey! My broom! Come back here! There are jewels on it! Very expensive ones!"

The night breeze carried the witch's angry, anxious, and distressed cries, which gradually faded into the distance.

.........

The courtyard returned to silence.

Only the rhythmic "thump" of the bamboo tube remained.

The supernatural duel between the witch and the priestess just now seemed like nothing more than a dream.

Shimabukuro Kimie stood quietly for a moment, and only after confirming that the uninvited guest had really left did she let out a soft sigh of relief, and the tense spiritual energy around her body slowly calmed down.

The battle just now may have seemed brief, but it actually took a lot of energy; the witch's power is indeed not to be underestimated.

She turned around, quietly opened the door, and returned to the warm interior.

On the tatami mat, Yuzuru seemed to be fast asleep, not even changing his position, but a faint, meaningful smile hung on the corner of his mouth, as if he knew everything that was happening outside the window, but was too lazy to interfere with his shrine maiden's "little training".

Xiaolan and Qingzi remained nestled in his arms, completely unaware of the witch battle and the fantastical broom turning into a crow that was taking place outside the window. They slept soundly, with sweet smiles on their lips.

Shimabukuro Kimie lay down beside him again, gently snuggling closer as before, feeling the reassuring and peaceful aura, slowly closing her eyes, a satisfied smile on her lips.

The moonlight was gentle, and the night was just right.

The little incident caused by the witch failed to disturb their peace.

As for how a witch who has lost her broom chases a bewildered crow in the night sky... that's another story.