[Strike Witches] Witches of Aurora Novel Adaptation

The Witch of Aurora

(Adapted from the chapter Eila Ilmatar Juutilainen in the manga series Witches of Aurora by Kyogoku Shin.)

Another photo caught Nipa's attention. In the picture was a very cute little girl in Suomi folk clothing with a flower ring on her head standing on green grass by a colored wooden horse.

"Wow! It's little Illu!"

On hearing that, Eila jumped and tried to get the photo off Nipa's hand.

"Hey! What are you doing, Nipa? You idiot! Put it back."

Aurora walked up to them, "Oh, how nostalgic! That's from when Illu was 5 years old! She was so cute and innocent back then. How did she grow up to become such a weirdo? Collecting crazy occult things such as Tarot cards and crystal balls..."

"I don't want to be told that by someone who doesn't even know the 'C' in 'cute'," Eila puffed out. "If you are so frustrated, why don't you wear some cute clothes yourself?"

With that remark, Eila earned herself another "treat" from her sister. Aurora held Eila in a headlock, almost suffocating her, forcing her to surrender.

"Oh right. Do you want to hear about Illu when she was little, Nipa?"

"Ah! Of course!" Nipa nodded in excitement.

Eila wanted to protest, but she couldn't do anything with her elder sister's arm still around her neck, and she didn't want to experience another "Brain Drilling."

As a result, Aurora started to tell another story to an excited Nipa, beside a pouty Eila.

Years ago, at one night, Aurora took Eila for a stroll as usual, to a clearing they frequented. But this time, Eila asked Aurora to carry her on the shoulders. Confused as she was, Aurora gave in to the light of excitement in her little sister's eyes.

"Nnnnnnnnn..." Eila, sitting on Aurora's shoulders, strained to touch the sky. Even more, she asked Aurora to lift her higher and started to fidget in anxiety, causing her elder sister to lose her balance and both of them, as a result, fell onto the ground. Fortunately, it was winter at that time. The thick snow protected them from getting hurt.

It turned out that Eila wanted to touch the Northern lights.

"It's so mysterious, so sparkly, and so bright. It's like a curtain of light. It's so beautiful. I just want to touch it," said Eila, but immediately, her face fell. "Is that weird?"

Aurora patted Eila on the head with her warm big hand, "Not at all. I think it's very interesting," Aurora gently looked at Eila, "You have some great senses, Illu! Not everyone has them, so they're precious! I hope you always cherish them, ok?"