After traveling through the skies of Misora Town for a few minutes later, they arrived to the magical store and the girls began explaining things to Seiko.

-So when you said that there’s stuff you can’t do in front of me… you meant Witch Rika and Lala?- asked Seiko as she sipped a cup of tea.

-Yeah, they must hide every time a human comes to the store- answered Momoko. -Rika is our teacher and Lala is her fairy.

-A fairy? For real?- asked Seiko cheerfully. Then, she turned towards Lala: -It’s so nice to meet you, Miss Lala.

-Oh, please, you can call me just Lala. Nice to meet you too, Seiko- greeted Lala back.

-How can you all be so relaxed?- shouted Witch Rika from afar. -Can’t you see we have a big problem here?

-Please, Miss Witch Rika, don’t worry!- exclaimed Seiko, making the other girls and Lala giggle. -I won’t tell anybody your secret, I promise!

-Aham, that’s… that’s not the problem- said Witch Rika bashfully after being called “Miss”. -The problem is, the curse didn’t affect the girls and we don’t know why!

-Maybe it’s because we are apprentices?- asked Aiko. -We are not official witches yet…

-But the curse is the curse, dumb witch!- shouted Witch Rika to Aiko. -How can you explain that?

-I may have an explanation.

An ominous voice echoed through the store that got everybody by surprise, especially Seiko. Then, the ceiling blurred with a strange white veil.

-Is this another magic?- asked Seiko.

Nobody said anything, but all the witches and Lala rushed to the back garden, with Seiko following them. As they all looked in the sky, they saw a magnificent white carriage flying through the sky, led by a unicorn and a witch dressed in red. The carriage landed in front of the group and its door opened, revealing a tall, beautiful woman with long blonde hair and a white dress, her face covered with a white veil. At her presence, everybody knelt down in reverence, with Seiko imitating them a few seconds later.

-Hey, who is that lady?- murmured Seiko to Onpu who was at her side.

-That’s the Queen of Witches- murmured Onpu back.

-What?- exclaimed Seiko out loud, making everybody turned at her. She blushed like a tomato.

-Your Majesty, I’m so sorry! These dumb witches revealed their identity to this human! I’m so sorry!- apologized Witch Rika with her face on the ground.

-Please, Witch Rika, there’s no reason to apologize. Raise your head- said the Queen with a gently voice. Then, she approached Seiko. -You are Seiko Tengawa, right?

-Y… yeah...- answered Seiko shyly. -I mean, yes, Your Majesty…

-There’s no need to be scared- said the Queen comforting Seiko. -I have seen what happened and I have seen your life. It’s hard to believe that such a wonderful girl like you had to go through so many hardships to get this far. Some humans are not ready to understand people like you and it’s not fair, but I’m glad to see you found such wonderful friends. Rest assured that the whole Witch Kingdom supports trans girls and women like you. We already had some trans women who turned witches in the past. And regarding trans boys and men, I believe the Wizard Kingdom welcomes them too.

-Oh… thank… thank you for your… kind words- said Seiko bashfully.

-Your Majesty, we are sorry- said Doremi. -We knew it was against the rules and we knew we would get the curse, but it was important for us to tell her.

-I know, Doremi- said the Queen. -You girls take many risks, but this was the biggest one so far. You are different to other witches, as you act most times through your heart, but you must be careful. Still, I know you did this with your purest intentions. Maybe that’s why the curse didn’t affect you at all.

-What do you mean, Your Majesty?- asked Hazuki.

-The curse turns witches into witch frogs when they are found out. However, there is one exception- explained the Queen.

-What?- exclaimed everybody in unison.

-There’s an exception?- asked Aiko. -Why you didn’t tell us, Witch Rika?

-Because I didn’t know, you dumb witch!- exclaimed Witch Rika.

-Indeed. No other witch knows about this exception and there is a good reason for that- continued explaining the Queen. -It’s such a very specific and rare situation that nobody would willingly take the risk to make it happen.

-Is it that risky?- asked Onpu. -But we didn’t do anything special when we came out to Seiko.

-Actually, you did more than you think- added the Queen. -You see, the first condition is that you must confess your identity accepting that you will receive the curse. However, the second condition is that there must be a very strong bond between the witch and the human they are revealing their secret. The power born from the trust of that relationship is what protects the witch against the curse.

-A very strong bond?- asked Seiko. -But we’ve been together for just a month and well, after everything that happened…

-Precisely- said the Queen with a small giggle. -You all first forged your friendship. You all wished to be friends, especially you, Seiko. You put the effort to understand them and enjoyed every second with them. When problems arose, Doremi, Hazuki, Aiko, Onpu and Momoko did everything they could to understand you, they felt bad for their actions and put all their effort into finding you and bringing you back with them. When you all opened your hearts, you created a bond like no other. And then, they all selflessly decided to reveal their identity, knowing the fate that awaited them. It’s a miracle, but somehow, a miracle only you all could create.

All the girls looked at each other. Deep inside, they understood the Queen’s words: when they opened up and understood each other, they felt connected as never before. Doremi took Seiko’s hand and smiled at her, who returned the smile.

-But why is all this a secret? Why doesn’t anybody know about the exception?- asked Momoko.

-If witches knew about the exception, they could try meeting other humans. That is not bad itself, but it’s hard to know when such a strong bond is born between people. Also, how could they be sure that they are revealing their identities “selflessly”? How can they be sure that the human will accept them? In some way, I believe witches and trans people are not that different in that regard, right, Seiko?- asked the Queen.

-Yes, I know what you mean, Your Majesty- said Seiko. -When I came out in my old town, people rejected me. I hoped we could be friends, but everything changed. After that, I was scared of coming out because I feared the same would happen. I guess that’s a worry that will always be there, but when you finally meet people that accept you… it feels great.

The Queen agreed with Seiko. Silence filled the air, but through that silence, everyone understood the Queen’s words.

-What is going to happen to Seiko now that she knows about witches?- asked Doremi to the Queen.

-You all are safe, but I can’t guarantee that the same will happen if Seiko casually meets another witch- explained the Queen. -Besides, if word spreads out that a human discovered a witch, even if nothing happened, the other witches may feel unsecured. Because of that, I think this is the most appropriate thing to do. Witch Rin, can you bring it?

The witch in red dress made a reverence and brought a small red box. The Queen opened it, revealing a magical charm similar to the one Doremi and her friends had. The lady took it and approached it to Seiko, who looked at it shocked.

-Seiko Tengawa, this is a magical charm- explained the Queen. -All witch apprentices have one and they use it to become witches and use magic. I would like you to accept it.

The girl was speechless as she looked at the charm in the Queen’s hands. Meanwhile, the other girls were equally shocked and amazed.

-Wait, is she becoming a witch like us?- asked Hazuki.

-Yeah, way to go! Congratulations, Seiko!- exclaimed Momoko.

As all the girls cheered her up, Seiko remained silent. Then, she smiled.

-Your Majesty, it’s an honor that you are giving me the chance to become a witch, but… I don’t think that is necessary- said Seiko.

The happy ambient suddenly turned silent as Seiko rejected the proposal.

-What?- exclaimed Doremi, Hazuki, Aiko, Onpu and Momoko in unison.

-What are you doing?- asked Doremi. -Being a witch is great! Sure, we have the tests and we have to work at the store, but using magic is fun! You can make wishes come true!

Seiko couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s words. Everybody looked at her confused.

-Trust me, Doremi, I know. I’m sure it must be great for you all. And hey, I’m not saying I wouldn’t like it. It’s just…- said Seiko. -You see, when I was yonger, I wished to be a girl, and later I realized I was one. Then, my wish was to live as a girl and have friends and a family that accepted me. And you see, for a long time, I thought the only way to get those things was through magic. I thought that my wish would never become true. But look at me now! I have been a girl forever, but also, I am living as one! And I have you all and Ms. Seki… I have the friends and the family that I always wanted… My wish has already become true. We all made it possible, me for taking the steps to live as my true self and you all for taking me in. It’s just like Your Majesty said: it was a magic that we pulled together.

-Seiko...- murmured Doremi in low voice. Then, she smiled. -I understand. You don’t have to be a witch to be a girl, because you already are one. Still, it would be fun that you joined us…

-I agree- added the Queen. -I’m not granting you this charm for you to make your wishes come true. As a witch, you can use your powers as you see fit. And trust me when I say this: you are just like all these girls. I’m sure you would use this magic to help others in need. I still want you to take this, even if you don’t use it. Consider it my appreciation for you. Whenever you want to learn magic or just visit our world, this will allow you to do it and we will welcome you with open arms.

The Queen offered the magical charm to Seiko again, who nervously took it in her hands. She felt warm inside, not for the charm itself, but for the Queen’s gesture and words.

-Thank you, Your Majesty… I… Thank you...- said Seiko while holding the charm tightly.

-However, I foresaw this possible situation and I prepared another gift. I would like you to take it as well- added the Queen.

Then, the Queen took another thing from the box: a small pendant with a shiny sphere. Inside the sphere, the same colors as the flowers from the garden floated around.

-This is an amulet, a specialty of us witches- explained the Queen. -We can craft amulets with different effects. This one will grant you happiness in your life. It will make you remember the love of those that appreciate you, no matter where you go.

The Queen proceeded to put the pendant around Seiko’s neck. The girl took the sphere on her hand. She was marveled at the colors floating around. Then, she closed her hand and an image came to her mind: all her friends and Ms. Seki waiting for her, all smiling and welcoming her. She felt their love spread through her body and a tear flowed from her eye. When she opened her hand, the sphere had turned pink, just like the flowers.

-Thank you… I will treasure this forever...- thanked Seiko to the Queen.

The Queen inclined her head, appreciating the girl’s words.

-Very well, it is my time to leave- said the Queen. -I hope we meet again one day, Seiko. Regarding you all, girls, be careful until the next time we meet, understood? And Witch Rika, I hope you take care of your new student.

Everybody made a reverence as the Queen went back inside her carriage along with Witch Rin, who ordered the unicorn to move again. As the carriage floated again through the sky, the pale colors in the sky vanished, returning it to its usual white. After that, all the girls surrounded Seiko and congratulated her, while the girl could just smile happily with them. A bit far from them, Witch Rika frowned.

-Oh, now I have another dumb witch to take care of...- complained Witch Rika. -This will be my ruin…

-Don’t say that, Rika- comforted Lala. -Just look how happy they are.

She was right. As they watched the whole group of girls laughing happily, Witch Rika smiled a bit and left floating while murmuring “Let’s leave them alone for now”. Then, Doremi’s stomach growled, making the group laugh again.

-Hah, I’m hungry. I guess it’s lunch time- said Doremi jokingly.

-Lunch time… Aaaaah! We’ve been outta school the whole morning!- exclaimed Aiko.

-Aaah, Ms. Seki!- exclaimed Seiko. -She must still be looking for me! I have to call her! Do you have a phone here?