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2chocodisco · 17 days ago

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Hamefura Anime Blu-ray S2 Vol 1 SS

Series: My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! Source: Anime BluRay S2 Vol 1 Special Booklet Title / Character: Raphael Author: Satoru Yamaguchi Synopsis: Raphael has started his new life at the Ministry of Magic. Translation: maboroshi-no

Ever since that day when I, Raphael Wolt, was forcibly made to become Sirius Dieke, whenever I slept, I would dream about those horrible events over and over again, making sleeping an ordeal. That's why I cut down my sleeping time and did all I could for vengeance. My sleep was always reduced to the minimum but it was still far better than having those nightmares. I went on living like this for many years. But ever since that day when I took her hand and the black man vanished, my nightmares had completely disappeared. My dreams had become warm and peaceful.

Today too, I didn't remember its content but I had a warm and nostalgic dream, and woke up with a pleasant feeling. I was in a very good mood. I got up from the furnished bed, walked to the window, and opened its door. A pleasant breeze blew in.

After the incident, I told everything to the government officials, then the Ministry of Magic took me into custody and I began working there. As someone who wouldn't find it so strange to be put in prison, I was disappointed by the soft treatment. Moreover, while I was initially kept at a distance by the higher-ups aware of my circumstances, once I was at work, everyone interacted with me normally since my circumstances were kept secret. Because of this, I was currently leading a surprisingly normal… No, considering my life when I was forced to be Sirius, an incredibly happy life.

My room in the Ministry's dorm was incomparably small compared to the one I was given as a marquis's son, but it was so comfortable. And the meals too. Before, no matter what expensive food I was fed, it tasted like dust and I couldn't tell their flavor, but ever since coming here, my meals had been surprisingly delicious. It was as if the the world had changed colors — no, as if they had returned. I had escaped the dark world I was trapped in for a long time. This was how I felt.

I let the pleasant wind enter my room and prepared my outfit. I had grown used to wearing the Ministry uniform.

Once I was ready, I exited my room and headed to the dorm's dining hall. After receiving a tray holding a warm meal, I looked around, wondering where I should sit. At that moment, a senpai from the same department called out to me.

Senpai: Oh, Raphael. This one's empty. Come on, let's eat together.

Since I was invited with a smile and had no reason to refuse, I sat in the opposite seat, as they suggested.

Raphael: Good morning.

Senpai: Good morning.

Senpai returned my greeting with a smile. During our meal, we had idle chatter about the Ministry.

It was my new everyday life.

Senpai: By the way, Raphael. Since you're so charming, voices seem to be rising among the female staff that you're pretty good-looking.

After the idle chatter, Senpai brought up that topic with a mischievous face.

Raphael: I'm happy to hear that.

When I replied this, Senpai made a disappointed face and…

Senpai: You sound used to it, how boring. It's like being popular is just business as usual for you.

…they said while pouting.

Raphael: That's not true.

Or so I said, but it was true that I was used to being the target of women's affection. When I was impersonating Sirius, even though I was a marquis's son, I didn't take a fiancée even when I came of age due to the influence of my overly clinging mother. Because of this, I received many advances from women attracted to my status as the son of an eminent marquis. Even so, they were aimed at Sirius and not Raphael, so having people attracted to me even after I had reverted to the nobody Raphael…

Raphael: It sincerely makes me happy.

When I said this,

Senpai: Hmm~ So you're happy to have people attracted to you, huh?

Senpai poutingly said this, then stared at me.

Senpai: But your heart has already settled on someone, so you can't accept their feelings, right?

They said this while tilting their head to the side. Shaken by their words, I couldn't properly swallow my food and inadvertently choked on it.

Raphael: *cough* *cough*

Senpai: Oh, so I've hit the nail on the head. It's unusual to see you so shaken.

Senpai looked like they were enjoying this. I glared at them just a little, then…

Raphael: …What made you think that?、

When I asked, Senpai grinned, and…

Senpai: Pure intuition. I've always had a keen one about those things.

They proudly answered this. Then,

Senpai: And so, who is that person who stole your heart? Are you going out or something?

They asked this with eyes full of curiosity.

Senpai was someone in the same department who treated me well, and a good person who freely spoke to me and cared about me. But my background was kept secret from everyone except the higher-ups, so I couldn't just talk about it. Even so, I didn't want to lie to this person.

Raphael: …I indeed have someone in my heart. But I can't possibly marry her and I personally don't feel the desire to, so I just want to help however I can to protect her smile.

I still wasn't used to speaking of my true feelings like this and my words were quite embarrassing, so I muttered them in one go while looking downward. But no response was coming. When I raised my head, Senpai was shedding black tears.

Raphael: Huh? Umm, are you okay?

Senpai: …That's my line, Raphael~ You've been in such a heartbreaking love, and yet I thought you were some youngster who never made blunders. For me, that kind of tragic love is the worst!

Senpai said this with their mascara running, making them shed black tears. From the look of it, my story seemed to have touched their heartstrings.

Raphael: Umm, I'm not having such a hard time.

I was actually happy. Since I had joined the Ministry of Magic, I could be on the same site as her. But I couldn't go into details about that, which was troublesome.

For the time being, I held out a handkerchief to Senpai. They used it to wipe their tears.

Senpai: Ugh! My make-up is running.

They stopped their tears after realizing their make-up was running. Then, they immediately got up from their seat and said "I need to return to my room to fix my make-up!". Upon leaving, they told me with a pained face, "If I can help you with anything, just tell me, okay?" But I honestly didn't find my current situation as painful as Senpai seemed to think. I might not be able to marry the first person I fell in love with but I could still stay near her. I was in a place where I could see her smile and help protect her. It really was happiness to me.

After remembering this, I really wanted to see her smile again. I still had a little time before work started. I quickly ate the rest of my meal and hurriedly headed to that place.

In a corner of these large grounds containing the Ministry of Magic and the Academy of Magic, a student from the academy was supposedly cultivating flower beds. But in reality, she was cultivating vegetable plots as a hobby.

She hardly was a morning person so there was mostly no chance of her being here at this hour, but I would still be able to sense her presence if I came to this place.

When I snuck a look there, it appeared I really was in luck today. I could see her figure happily tending to the fields.

While I was captivated by her expression, she seemed to notice my presence and turned her eyes to me. As I instantly froze because I didn't expect it, Katarina Claes said,

Katarina: Good morning, Raphael!

…showing me the smile I loved so much.

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2chocodisco · 1 month ago

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My Next Life As a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! ~Pirates of the Disturbance Stellaworth SS

Series: My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! ~Pirates of the Disturbance Source: Stellaworth Booklet Title: The Adventure of the Little One Author: Ririka Yoshimura (game scenarist) Synopsis: Katarina has become small after inadvertently opening a grimoire mixed among the romance novels brought by Rozy. Translation: maboroshi-no

Translation below.

The Adventures of the Little One

…It had been several days since the Weiss Pirates had confined us in the Vinculum.

We were spending our days in the care of the pirates.

Rozy, a member of the Weiss Pirates, had taken on attending duty for our room and brought us books, board games, sweets, and other supplies every day.

Thanks to this, I was spending days without being bored.

Katarina: Mmm~ This is so nice~

As I was reading on the living room sofa the Queed romance novel that Rozy brought me yesterday, I heard a big sigh.

Keith: No, Big Sister, this isn't nice at all.

Geordo: That's right, Katarina. We're detained by pirates, after all.

Katarina: Ah!

Looking at Keith and Geordo's astonished faces, I remembered that point.

Katarina: Of course, I've forgotten about it, but I just can't feel tense~ The pirates are all nice, after all…

And more than anything, all of the members of the Student Council were in the same room. Thanks to this, it felt like a training camp. Sophia was even reading a romance novel next to me while Maria and Mary were sitting on the opposite sofa, so it was hard to stay tense.

Keith: Just when I think it would be like Big Sister, it really is…

Nicol: Yes, I agree. But I think it's also because Katarina is the same as always that we can stay calm.

Geordo: What Nicol said indeed holds some truth.

Keith, Nicol, and Geordo quietly nodded to each other about something. As I was tilting my head in confusion, Sophia made a long sigh, probably because she just finished a book.

Sophia: What a beautiful story… Lady Katarina, have you read this one?

Katarina: Hmm… It doesn't seem like it.

Sophia: Then once you have read it, let's discuss it!

Sophia tightly grasped my hands. She was cute as always.

Mary: Lady Katarina! Didn't you say earlier that you wanted to play this board game after you have finished reading your book? Right, Prince Alan?

Alan: Y-Yes…

Mary said this with a smile while pointing to the board game on the table. Next to her, Maria was smiling gently.

Katarina: (A board game~ This looks fun too.)

All of the board games in the room were ones I had never seen in the Kingdom of Sorcier. Reading was nice but now I wanted to play board games.

There were many entertainment options, so there just wasn't enough time.

Katarina: Aaah, there's so much to look forward to!

As I was smiling, I heard a chuckle.

Rozy: I'm glad you're enjoying them. That aside, I have brought sweets so how about tea, everyone?

When I raised my face, Rozy had just entered the room, pulling a trolley carrying sweets and books.

Katarina: Sweets…!

When I vigorously got up from the sofa, the nice scent of tea and cookies made my stomach growl loudly.

Rozy: Seems like I'm just on time. Here, help yourself. I've also brought various books from the library.

After saying this, Rozy put on the table yet another batch of what seemed to be Queed romance novels. Their bindings looked different from the Sorcier ones and I couldn't help feeling excited about their content.

Keith: *Sigh*… I wish you'd stop spoiling my older sister so much…

Rozy: I'm sorry, Lord Keith. I just wanted to see Katarina's happy face...

On the trolley, Rozy promptly warmed teacups with hot water, steamed tea leaves with a teapot, and started preparing tea. Meanwhile, one of the books he brought strangely piqued my curiosity, so I picked it up.

Katarina: (Mmm? What's this…? Only this one looks very old…)

While thinking this, I casually opened it. At that moment…

Katarina: Waaaah?!

A dazzling light suddenly burst forth. Unable to keep my eyes open, I tightly shut them.

Maria: Lady Katarina?!

After Maria's flustered voice, I heard Mary's scream.

Mary: Lady Katarina, where are you?!

Geordo: Did something happen, Katarina?!

Everyone kept calling my name in panic. Then, after the light had finally subsided, I opened my eyes and next thing I knew, everyone had disappeared from my sight. On top of this, I was half-buried in some unfamiliar soft and fluffy thing.

Katarina: E-Eeeh~? What's this…?

Near me, there was a big book-like thing that wasn't there earlier. I must have been thrown into a strange place. As I was scanning my surroundings in confusion, I could hear Sophia's weeping voice from above.

Sophia: Lady Katarina has disappeared…!

Mary: I seem to remember something like this happening once before! Lady Katarina can't possibly be inside a book again…?!

I raised my face at the sound of Mary's voice. That's when I realized that everyone had become extremely big.

Katarina: (No, that's not it…)

When I looked closely, the big book-like thing was Sophia's foot, and the soft and fluffy thing was the carpet. In other words, I seemed to have become small.

Mary: Lady Katarina! I beg you, please come out!!

Mary was shaking the book with a frantic look. From the look of it, no one had noticed I was there.

At this rate, I might get accidentally crushed under their feet. I frantically waved my arms to highlight my presence.

Katarina: Hey! Mary! Sophia! Maria! I'm here!

After my desperate shouts, everyone seemed to finally notice my voice.

But they were looking around, probably because they couldn't find me.

Geordo: Katarina? Where are you?!

Mary: Lady Katarina! Where might you be?!

They couldn't find me at all. As I was wondering if I had become that small, the door of the room opened.

Silva: Hey! What's that racket?

The one who entered the room was Silva, the captain of the Weiss Pirates.

His figure rapidly approaching was overwhelming, like in a dinosaur movie. I hurriedly slipped under the sofa not to get stepped on.

Geordo and Keith closed in on Silva.

Geordo: Katarina has disappeared!

Keith: We can hear her voice despite not seeing her. Maybe she is nearby but we can't see her, so please don't walk carelessly!

Silva: Haaa? What the heck are you talking about?

Unlike the puzzled Silva, Geordo and Keith were looking around with tense looks. Even so, they didn't notice me at all. I would eventually get stepped on at this rate, so I hurriedly rushed out of the sofa's shadow.

Katarina: Hey! Everyone! Here! Right next to the sofa!

After I had spread my arms as wide as I could and highlighted my presence, they finally seemed to notice me.

Sophia: Lady Katarina?! What happened to you…?!

After seeing this small me, Sophia widened her eyes.

After her, Mary covered her mouth with both hands in shock.

Mary: Lady Katarina has become palm-sized!

Alan: What the heck happened…

Alan was looking down at me with a bewildered face. Next to him, Geordo folded his arms and stared at me with a similarly astonished expression.

Silva: Isn't that Sorcier's magic?

Alan: But even if it is magic, is that even possible…?

Geordo: No one here can cast such magic. Which means the root cause…

Nicol: …must be her opening that book?

Nicol said this as if to finish Geordo's sentence, then picked up the book I had opened earlier.

Geordo: "The Adventures of the Little One".... What is this book?

Nicol: The title is written in Ancient Script. Isn't it a grimoire?

Everyone was deeply discussing that mysterious book. As I was wondering what a book written in Ancient Script was doing in the Vinculum, Maria went down on her knees and extended her palms to me.

Maria: More importantly, please come over here, Lady Katarina. It would be terrible if you were to be inadvertently crushed underfoot.

Oooh, as expected of Maria. She could be very considerate.

Katarina: Thank you, Maria!

While thanking her, I climbed on her held-out palms. After I did, Maria carefully raised them so she wouldn't drop me.

Maria's hands were so warm and smooth, they felt so nice.

When I flopped down without thinking, Keith's flustered voice resounded.

Keith: Big Sister! It would be terrible if you fell, so stay put!

Katarina: Ah…!

Katarina: (Oopsie, I can't do that! I couldn't help myself since Maria's hand felt so good…)

After Keith's scolding, I hurriedly fixed my posture.

Silva: That aside, even her clothes shrunk. What kind of workings is that?

Silva was usually cool but even he seemed impressed. He peered into me closely.

Katarina: Now that you've said it, it's indeed impressive workings. I have no idea why I've become like this either.

What could be the principle behind it? As I wondered this, I checked my body again.

My clothes were the same as usual, and aside from their smaller size, I couldn't find anything particularly different. As I was feeling impressed by that amazing magic…

Rozy: This is not the time to be impressed by something like that!

Rozy raised a desperate voice. When I looked at him, he had become pale and his face was grim.

Rozy: What should we do? I can't believe a Sorcier magic book was mixed among the ones I brought. Is there a way to turn Katarina back to normal…?

Geordo: More importantly, just as Maria said, our first priority is to ensure Katarina's safety in her current state. Holding Katarina in her hands like this will probably make Maria's arms tired, so how about moving to the inside pocket of my jacket, Katarina?

Geordo said this and held out his palms. Everyone gathered in protest.

Mary: Oh! I won't allow such an attempt to get ahead!

Keith: Neither will I! Given her current state, entrusting Big Sister to you would be much more dangerous! What if you hid her somewhere?

Geordo: How vexing. Do I look like I would do such a thing?

Alan: I wouldn't put it past you…

Geordo: Did you say something, Alan?

Alan: No…

As I was quietly sitting on Maria's palms, everyone was loudly fighting about something in front of me. From the look of it, Keith wouldn't put it past Geordo to drop me carelessly.

I didn't want to meet that doom but I would feel bad if Maria's arms got tired…As I brooded over this, Sophia turned the pages of the grimoire and raised her voice.

Sophia: Oh my, this is…

Alan: …What's wrong?

Alan turned around because of Sophia's voice. Then, Sophia and Nicol, who was reading the grimoire with her, spread the book on the table.

Nicol: Please look at this.

Alan: This… The story is being rewritten?!

Katarina: The story is being rewritten? Prince Alan, what do you mean?

I raised my face in reaction to those unbelievable words and my eyes met Alan's. He made a flinching face for a moment, then held up the grimoire so I could see. For some reason, he was muttering something like, "With her size, her upturned eyes are foul play".

Alan: Here, look.

Katarina: Hmm…

Unfortunately, it was completely unreadable to me. It was written in Ancient Script.

When I looked back at Maria to ask for help, she read it in my place.

Maria: The events that happened among us seem to be written in this book.

Katarina: Eh? "Us"? …Like, all of us here?!

Following my shocked reaction, Geordo nodded.

Geordo: Yes. I don't know why, but all of our names are mentioned. And the dialogue written here is completely the same as the conversation we had earlier.

Katarina: Eeeh? Why is such a thing written in this book? Rather, how come you can all read it?

While I was shocked by what Maria and Geordo told me about the book's content, Keith made a stunned face.

Keith: Big Sister, aren't you supposed to have learned Ancient Script during our classes at the academy…?

Katarina: Umm…

Keith: I helped you study for the exams, remember?

Katarina: About that, well… It's, you know… Umm…

What I crammed right before an exam would always slip out of my head once it was over, so I couldn't read Ancient Script at all. I had the feeling Keith would start lecturing me if I honestly told him, so I tried to deceive him one way or another. Silva let out a sigh.

Silva: Before lecturing her, shouldn't we think of a way to turn her back to normal first?

Maria nodded to Silva's words.

Maria: I agree. Let's investigate the book so Lady Katarina can safely turn back to her original size.

Thanks to this, I could escape Keith's lecture. Feeling relieved, I peered down at the book while standing on Maria's hand.

Katarina: (Hmm~ But I still can't read a single character.)

Ancient Script was hard to read.

The others seemed able to read it, so they discussed the content while checking it over the pages.

Sophia: "The Adventures of the Little One"... Judging from the situation, the story of the small Lady Katarina has been written over the text here. Shouldn't there be clues toward a solution in the parts that haven't been overwritten yet?

Nicol: Right. On the first page, the story starts after Katarina has become small. Doesn't it mean she will return to her original size at the end?

Silva: It would be great if it didn't end with her getting even smaller.

Rozy: Silva! Don't say ominous things!

Everyone silently read the book while arguing like this, then…

Katarina: W-What's wrong everyone…?

As they turned the pages, everyone gradually turned pale.

Katarina: (Eh? What the heck did they read? Will things get that bad…?)

As I was feeling apprehensive, Silva, who seemed to have finished reading, sighed again.

Silva: I see, that's "an adventure" for sure.

Mary: This can't be true…! I won't be able to endure such peril befalling Lady Katarina!

What the heck was written inside? I looked up at Maria's face but she didn't say anything, her face still pale.

From the look of it, there seemed to be very problematic content written inside.

Katarina: Umm… What's written inside…?

When I shyly asked, everyone told me about the content while exchanging awkward glances.

It was like this. After they had turned small, the protagonist almost got bitten by a playful cat and almost got stepped on, but they overcame those hurdles and safely tamed the cat. After escaping danger, they turned back to their original size… it seemed to be that kind of story.

Knowing it would be a cat and not a dog made me feel a little bit relieved. I had been hated by dogs both in my past life and this one and they would bare their teeth at me, as if they had encountered their archenemy of many years. But if it were a cat, maybe it wouldn't hate me so furiously… I think. But it wasn't something I had confirmed.

Katarina: (Rather, with this size, wouldn't touching a cat take me to fluffy paradise?)

Nicol: Anyway, I think the most likely way to turn Katarina back to normal is to try the same things as what is written…

Maria: The same things?! I am absolutely against it. What if Lady Katarina were to be eaten by a cat?!

Silva: Rather, there's no cat, dog, or animal of any kind on this ship.

Nicol, Maria, and Silva were arguing with each other.

But I couldn't think of anything but touching fluffy cat hair at my current size.

Katarina: (Riding on a cat's back seems fun too~! If I buried my face on his stomach, I bet it would feel soft, fluffy, and nice….Aaah, I wanna touch a cat. Isn't there one somewhere?)

Rozy: But when we think about it, the story is purposely rewritten as a different one, so I don't think there is a unique path to the end. For example, if we think Katarina staying small like that forever is fine…

Rozy's voice made me come back to my senses. If I thought staying small was fine, I might really get that end. No matter how appealing a cat's fluffy hair was, this would be troublesome. With this size, I could easily get crushed, and more than anything, if this was the world of the fan disk, I could meet my doom in someone's bad end by just getting tossed in the ocean.

Katarina: (Come to think of it, what if this development is one of my doom ends?!)

As I panicked over the sudden feeling of danger, Mary also turned pale.

Mary: Lady Katarina staying small like this forever…?! We can't allow this…!

As expected of Mary, she was a precious friend. She seemed tenderly worried about me.

Mary: …Wait, with this size, Lady Katarina won't be able to marry Prince Geordo, right?! That's right, if I built Lady Katarina the perfect doll house, we might be able to stay together forever.

Geordo: Mary? I can hear you, you know?

This time, it was Mary and Geordo who started a smiling banter for some reason.

With no solution particularly coming up, I pondered hard about what to do.

Maybe because I pondered too hard, my stomach growled.

I had become small but my stomach still made a perfectly audible sound. Everyone who was fighting suddenly turned quiet.

Katarina: (Umm, having them turn all quiet at a time like this is a little embarrassing…)

Rozy: Th-That's right. Now that I think about it, I was making preparations for tea. It's ready, so let's have tea and calm down for now.

Rozy took the plates of cookies and muffins from the trolley and put them on the table.

Because of the delicious smell, I couldn't help leaning forward from Maria's hand.

Katarina: Waah! It looks delicious!

Maria: Lady Katarina! It's dangerous, so please don't lean forward! I will move you to the table right now!

With a slow movement, Maria let me off on the table. After she did, my spirits rose at once because of the sheer size of the cookies and muffins.

The cookie was so big I could embrace it with both arms, and the muffin was so much taller than me.

Katarina: It's okay if I eat this, right?

Rozy: Yes it's fine, but I should break it in half…

Katarina: I'm digging in!

Rozy started saying something but because of my excitement, nothing entered my ears.

I took the cookie in my hands, and when I took a bite…

Katarina: (Wh-what the heck?! It's so good!!)

Maybe it was because the Vinculum's chef was skilled as always, but the cookie was wonderfully delicious. Or maybe my sense of taste changed because I became small. It was a cookie, but at the same time, it wasn't. It was like eating some mysterious food.

Katarina: Mmm~Delicious!

With the hunger helping, I was vigorously eating.

If it were as always, I would have already finished it and asked for seconds, but…

Katarina: Amazing! No matter how much I eat this cookie, it doesn't disappear!

Thanks to my body becoming small, I could relish the cookie to my heart's content. This made me feel deeply moved. This body might not be so bad after all.

Mary: Oh, my… Lady Katarina embracing the cookie with both arms… What a lovely sight…!

Geordo: Yes. Katarina is so cute even when she is small.

Sophia: But someone might abduct her since she is so adorable. Big Brother, what should we do?

Nicol: It should be fine if we all keep an eye on her…

Despite the delicious cookies, everyone was just discussing something with serious faces. They didn't seem to be taking any at all.

Katarina: (What a waste! In that case, I need to eat all the other sweets after this one!)

That was the plan, but…

Katarina: Uuuh…

Maybe because my stomach shrank along with my body, my tummy gradually started to hurt.

Maria: Lady Katarina, you shouldn't push yourself so much…

Keith: That's right, Big Sister. If you push yourself so hard, you'll only upset your stomach…!

Maria and Keith were worried about me but I tightly embraced the still remaining half of the cookie.

Katarina: N-No! It's my principle to finish any food I touch…!

Silva: No, right now, that's not what you should work hard on.

Silva extended his finger to take away the cookie. But I bit into the cookie, refusing to let it go with all my might.

Katarina: munch munch munch…

Geordo: Aaah, goodness, Katarina! If you eat it so hastily, you will choke!

Keith: Big Sister! We won't take your cookie, so eat it slowly at least…!

Silva: Wow, wow, are you okay…?

While everyone was raising their voices, I was stuffing my cheeks with the cookie. It was a struggle and my stomach hurt, but I absolutely couldn't leave any behind and make waste.

While I was eating, the cookie, which was originally the size of my body, gradually became smaller. Before long, it had become the perfect size at my current size, and I finished it with one last bite.

Katarina: …Phew. I ate all of it!

Silva: Where the heck did it go in that tiny body…

Silva was looking at me with an amazed face. But I puffed out my chest with a sense of accomplishment.

Even with everyone trying to stop me, I could somehow stick to my principles and eat all of it. I splendidly did it!

As I was patting my stomach in satisfaction, my body suddenly started glowing.

Katarina: W-What's this…??

Alan: Hey, the grimoire is glowing too?!

After hearing Alan's voice, I looked in the book's direction. It was also glowing. The inside of the room became engulfed in a dazzling light, and I couldn't see anything anymore.

When the light finally subsided, everyone's faces were now below my line of sight.

Katarina: Eh?! I'm the one who became big this time?!

Silva: No, take a closer look, Katarina. You're just on the table.

Katarina: Ah!

When I looked down at my legs, I could see plates of muffins and teacups.

That was close! I was just about to inadvertently kick the muffins away.

Keith: Here, Big Sister.

Katarina: Thank you, Keith.

While taking Keith's hand, I got off the table.

When I looked at everyone again, they finally looked like their usual sizes. In other words, I seemed to have returned to my original size.

Mary: Lady Katarina! Thank goodness, you returned to your original appearance!

Rozy: But why, suddenly…?

Following Rozy's words, I also tilted my head in confusion.

Why the heck did I suddenly turn back to normal?

Sophia: Oh…?

At that moment, Sophia, who was holding the book, blinked her eyes after looking at the back cover.

Sophia: Big Brother… Something is stuck here.

Nicol: Let me see.

Nicol took the book and carefully peeled off the thing stuck to the back cover.

Nicol: It is …a concluding note.

Katarina: A concluding note?

Nicol: Yes. It says, "When you overcome a hurdle standing in your way, the curtain on your adventure closes."

Rozy: A hurdle…

Silva: …standing in your way…

Following Nicol's words, for some reason, Rozy and Silva turned their eyes toward the sweets on the table.

Katarina: Umm…. In other words?

As I was wondering what it meant, Keith was the one who replied.

Keith: Maybe once the person turned small by the book overcomes a "hurdle", the story ends and they return to their original size…?

Katarina: Eh? But I don't think there was any hurdle…

Silva: So you're saying eating a cookie as tall as you is no hurdle? You really are a peculiar noble lady!

After Silva said this, I remembered doing my best to finish the cookie earlier.

While eating it, I indeed felt like I was seriously fighting the formidable enemy that was the cookie.

When I thought I might not finish it, I panicked and felt frustrated.

Mary: Then the "hurdle" Lady Katarina overcame was…

Alan: …finishing that cookie…?

After Mary and Alan asked this, Geordo checked the book. Then he nodded with a very indescribable look.

Geordo: This appears to be the case. The end has been rewritten to match that conclusion.

Alan: What the heck…?

Katarina: No way~ But I'm glad I could return to my original size.

The reverting method was a little unexpected but I was so glad I didn't have to be chased by a cat.

Katarina: (I probably couldn't have handled an adventure like that…)

Silva: So that makes it "The Adventure of the Little One, the Cookie Chapter"... That's so like Katarina.

Seeing Silva's awkward smile, I felt a little embarrassed.

Not only was my hurdle eating a big cookie, but it was also recorded in the book. It was embarrassing. As I was looking at the grimoire, wishing it would revert to the original story where I was chased by a cat, Geordo closed the book and bound it so it couldn't be opened again.

Geordo: Anyhow, let's ensure such a dangerous book can't be opened again. I can't possibly return it to the library so I'll hold on to it.

Silva: Oh, right. Let's do that.

Seeing Silva accepting so easily, Geordo and Alan made a surprised face.

Geordo: …Is it really fine? I think you can earn a considerable amount of money if you sell it, so I was so sure you would say you would keep it…

Silva: My credo is not to hold onto extra things.

This is when I finally remembered that Silva was a pirate.

Katarina: (Pirate… Now that I think about it, pirates sell rare things. Which means they would have eventually sold me to a freak show if I had stayed small?! Aaah, thank goodness I returned to my original size!)

Maybe because I felt relieved, my stomach growled again.

With my body returning to normal, the size of my stomach seemed to have also returned to normal.

After my stomach resounded, everyone made relieved and astonished faces.

Alan: You, I swear… So you're still hungry?

Katarina: It can't be helped! A single cookie won't fill my stomach!

Maria: Then please have these too, Lady Katarina.

Maria held out to me the plates with the muffins.

As she offered, I took a muffin and ate it. When I did, a soft fluffy sweet taste wholly spread in my mouth.

Katarina: Mmm~! Delicious! This size really is the best to eat sweets. I want to enjoy various kinds, after all!

Earlier, I ate one so big I couldn't hold it with both arms and it was great and all, but now, I could eat muffins, macarons, cookies, and other sweets one after the other, and this made me way happier.

Geordo: Katarina just never changes.

Mary: Yes, but this is Lady Katarina's lovely side.

Sophia: Lady Katarina, please have these too!

Katarina: Sophia, thank you!

While drinking tea, I continuously ate the sweets that Maria, Mary, and Sophia offered to me.

Katarina: (Mmm… It's so delicious! So many flavors, this is happiness~)

But since I had become small, I wished I had tried things I normally couldn't do, like eating a whole cake by scraping the top off with a spoon, or swimming in a pool of jelly…or so I thought to myself.

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