Chapter 5

???

Oh what a cute petting fox~ ♪

Sophia turns around, and sees a red panda girl behind her.

Sophia

o-oh hi there...

Sophia is very nervous and speaks quiet.

Sophia

s-so... did you hear everything?

???

Yes...

???

In fact Ruby heard you in the park and asked me to check on you.

Ruby

hihi~ ★

Foxy

Oh hi Ruby! That's a cute name you got~! ★

Ruby

Oh if it isn't you... Foxy was your new name?

Foxy

Yes! How did you know~? ★

While both of the Sternchen have a reunion of their own, Sophia is still very nervous about being found by someone else, who just sat down next to her.

Sophia

s-so... what will you do now with me?

???

Hm... maybe we should do introductions first?

Sophia

Oh right, that makes sense...

Sophia

I'm Sophia Fuchsia.
The cute foxgirl Sophia~ :3

The red-haired girl chuckles a bit.

???

Hehe, I can definitely see how cute you are.
Hmm, how should I introduce myself? I usually suck at introductions...

Ruby

Just say your name.

???

Oh, okay...

Alice

I'm Alice Rousset, a red panda girl that's not that cute.

Sophia

Ahh, c'mon, red pandas are really cute. And you're cute too.
I even had a red panda plushie at home!

Alice

Really, you too? yay!!!

Out of excitement both start jumping and holding hands at the same time.
After a few seconds, both sit down again and Sophia continues speaking, still surprised after what happened.

Sophia

I-in any case...
Why did you just headpat me?

Alice

Because you're just so cute!
And also because you looked like you needed some.

Sophia

I guess that helped me...
It's just that I've kept everything inside for so long.
Especially since it looked like things were to repeat again...
Which has always happened in my life...

Alice

But a red panda headpatting you probably didn't happen before, right?

Sophia

Yeah that's true...

Alice

Hey, what if we became friends?

Sophia

F-friends?

Alice

Yes, why not?

Sophia

Like... right now? Just like that?
Isn't that... childish?
Does it even work like that?

Alice

I don't care! We're friends now!

Sophia

O-okay...
Y-yay...

Sophia doesn't really believe it.

Alice

In any case, are you already excited for broom riding tomorrow?

Sophia

Oh I kinda forgot about that part.
I love witches who ride on their brooms~!!

Sophia

There's something so magical about it~
Sitting elegantly on a broom, flying in the distance, feeling the air on your skin...
KYAA~!! I want to fly on a broom~!!!!

Sophia

...sorry if I got too excited there.

Alice

I'm just a bit anxious about it. I'm already struggling with magic, and now broom flying, where I could fall off...

Ruby

Don't worry, I'll pick you up! ★

Foxy

You know Sophia is good in magic, maybe she could help you! ★

Sophia

Ah I'm not that good-

Alice

Don't say that! I've seen in our magic sessions how good you are.
I mean you're even able to create new spells!

Sophia

But they're a bit... special...
Like what normal witch would do something like
Sternlicht, do a cute warmth light~

A small floating fire appears in front of them.

Alice

But you clearly love it.
And I love your way!
I'm just kinda surprised to be the first one saying that to you.

Sophia

Thanks...

Sophia

(Wait people actually notice me?)

Alice

Also I don't think anyone else has managed to create their own spells yet.

Sophia

Not even that black catgirl?

Alice

Oh you mean Amelia?
Yes she did manage it, but I think besides you, she's the only one.

Sophia

I see...

Alice

Why are you so interested in her?

Sophia

I don't know...
It just feels like we'd be good friends together...
I mean, she's so amazing...

Alice

But she's still human after all.
Or more like she's a witch like you.

Sophia

Guess that's true...
But with how popular she is...
I don't think I could ever be friends with her...

Alice

Well, who knows...
Anyways, it's already getting late. See, the sun is already slowly rising.

Sophia

Oh you're right. I still need to get used to the new sleep schedule here.

Alice

Not me, I already had a bad sleep schedule before, so this is kinda normal for me.

Sophia

Lucky~

Alice looks very proud.

Alice

In any case, normally I'd say good night.
Although it's not really night anymore...
What do you say here in Sternenwald?

Ruby

Hmm, we don't really have a saying like that.
What do you say Foxy?

Foxy

I think some people used to say "Good sleepystars", though I'm not sure about it.

Alice

Well that works then! Good sleepystars!! See you tomorrow!!

Sophia

Good sleepystars to you as well~!! ☆

And with that they part ways.
Before going to sleep, Sophia talks very excited about the encounter with Foxy.
But she can't fall asleep, since she's very excited about broom riding.