Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

The rain outside the window pattered continuously, each droplet falling on the glass and sliding down, blurring the night view beyond, with only the faint glow of neon lights reflecting off it.

Inside the room, Tilan sat on a black high chair, cushioned by a piece of velvet padding beneath her. She cradled the neck of the cello with one hand, and held the bow with the other, drawing it slowly across the strings. The cello standing before her towered a bit taller than her seated figure, its varnished surface glossy and smooth, revealing the slightly darker wood grain underneath, reflecting parts of the light.

Her fingertips pressed against the strings, the bow moved slowly, and then quickened, her slender wrist guiding the black and white ruffled sleeve back and forth. The curves of her waist, accentuated by her cinched attire, stood erect. Half a foot in a black shoe peeked from the side of the cello, along with a white sock. The dark-haired girl's eyes were gently closed, occasionally revealing a blue ribbon in her hair.

Like a beautiful painting come to life, there was Tilan playing her cello, regrettably alone in the room without anyone to capture this enchanting moment. Had it been recorded and placed on some hidden website for sale, many would have clamored to possess it.

A true work of art, one that even ordinary people can appreciate for its beauty, is something unforgettable upon a glance.

The rain persisted, the sparse sound of droplets isolating the noisy world outside, granting even those in the bustling city a moment of tranquility.

The gentle light in the room remained constant, but the owl clock on the wall slowly moved its hands, with time silently slipping by.

After a long period of practice and immersion, Tilan ceased the motion of the bow, opened her light blue eyes, and glanced at the time. She packed away her cello and bow into a cabinet in the room, straightened her attire a bit, and then left the place.

This room was located in a quiet corner of the student council building where she would occasionally practice some instruments or take a nap, considering that slumbering in the office and getting caught wouldn't look good. As for the underground space exclusively given to her by the former president, she generally used it to hone her Transcendent Sequence, practice swordsmanship and skills, and rarely for anything else.

Having lived underground for over a decade, she yearned for a change of scenery, something fresher, and besides, she delighted in the sounds of nature, the patter of rain, and the lively small creatures and plants around her.

Walking with her umbrella in the night, the rain had lightened, and as she occasionally twirled the handle in her hand, droplets scattered into the rain, spinning into spiral patterns, which she found mildly amusing and joyful.
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Upon returning home at precisely nine-thirty, Tilan shook her umbrella lightly, causing transparent beads of water to scatter, and soon the umbrella was spotless.

After stowing the umbrella in a storage bin behind the door, she took off her small leather shoes, slipped into breathable slippers, and entered the house.

"Good evening, Miss Tilan." The maids waiting in the hall had grown accustomed to Tilan arriving home at this time.

"You are both here," said the girl, blinking as her gaze passed over the two maids.

As they needed to ensure someone was always present in the house, they often took turns resting, so it wasn't common for both to appear simultaneously.

"Has Annelli returned?" Tilan asked, sitting on the couch and sipping some water.

"Miss Annelli is currently dealing with company matters and will return in about half an hour," Ella responded.

"She's quite busy too. Sometimes I wonder if she has too much on her plate," Tilan mused.

Annelli, besides managing Songstress-related affairs and liaising with the Academy's board, also took time to deal with her family company's business and seldom had a moment to relax. Annelli was meant to assist Tilan with student council affairs, but Tilan, considering the excessive burden, partitioned the tasks among different people to relieve her friend.

"Miss Annelli might be busier, Yet she doesn't dislike it; compared to before, she seems much happier," the maids hesitated briefly before explaining.

"Oh? What was Annelli like before?" Tilan suddenly became curious.

Since it wasn't a secret, the maids saw no need for concealment and began to share their recollections.

"...We first met Miss Annelli when she was ten years old as we all attended the same elementary school supported by the company. In fact, Annelli was three grades below us," Aiko said, delving into the past.

"Back then, Miss Annelli was lively and mischievous, often catching the small animals raised at the school."

"The school, aiming to enrich the children's experiences and create a natural setting, kept various animals, including Rocky Mountain goats, grey water pigs, red pandas, white-tailed squirrels, snow oxen, scarlet-chested parrots, and Mysterious Color Forest cats," Ella added.

"Annelli was quite bold. She would climb into the pens to chase the Rocky Mountain goats without fear of being butted, instead grabbing their horns and laughing heartily. She even attempted to ride them, but desisted when the goats resisted stubbornly."

"She also frequently bought different plants to feed the grey water pigs at the school. Compared to the goats, the water pigs were much more docile, not resisting when ridden. Sometimes, she would even bring a red panda into the classroom, becoming the center of attention," the maid continued.

"If a regular student had done this, they'd likely face reprimand and restriction, but given her special status, teachers found it difficult to be strict, so long as she wasn't overly dangerous or excessive. Also because of her, the school's atmosphere became much more lenient during those years. We would follow her lead in play, and then the teachers couldn't reproach us," she concluded.