Putting the Little in Little Witch Academia

Chapter 4: Water Over and Under the Bridge

Akko stood on the verge of balling her eyes out as Hannah & Barbara continued to assault her with insult after insult, it surprised you how harsh the two girls could be despite their age. "That's quite enough!" You shouted, harsher than you wanted to as all eyes turned to you. Shots of fear appeared on Hannah & Barbara's faces as you approached the trio.

A sigh left your lips as you calmed yourself down, not wanting to shout at the two girls despite your frustration at their cruelty both now and when they were teens. There would be no use in shouting at them and would only make things worse.

Instead, you went to Akko, crouching down so you were face to face with her. "Are you hurt?" You asked gently, instinctively giving the sniffling girl slow pats on her head. "Y-Yes...N-No?" Akko said as she looked up at you. "C-Can I become a witch?" Her question was full of uncertainty as you just smiled, your hand returning to your side.

"Of course, I bet you could even become the greatest and best witch." Akko's frown remained. "Are you sure? I'm not proper, not good at magic, not good at-"
"Akko," You interrupted her, lightly grabbing her by the shoulders. "You're just starting out, that means you get to make all the mistakes you ever want. Do you think Shiny Chariot never failed in her life?"

A small offended look appeared on Akko. "Yes!" She yelled, receiving narrowed eyes from you. "Really?" Akko started to think, her shoulders going down in defeat. "I guess not, there was this one show I watched on dad's big grey box that was supposed to start at two times five, but it actually started when like five minutes had passed." She explained.

"See? Even the greatest of us make mistakes, small or big. But it can't and shouldn't stop us from going forward and doing our shows or achieving our dreams." You said as a small smile started to form on Akko's face, her tears drying up. "You doing better?" You asked, a pause later receiving a small nod from the small brunette.

"Can I go now? I want to practice more!" Akko said, receiving a chuckle from you. "Just a moment, I still want you to get an apology from a certain two..." On cue the both of you turned towards Hannah & Barbara, the former keeping a glare on her face while the latter held a small look of regret.

"Hannah. Barbara." You began quietly, but before you could continue Hannah spoke out. "I-It's not my fault she's bad at it! If anything I'm doing her a favor instead of letting her waste her time and ruin our image!"

"Hannah." You said again, crouching down. "Do you truly believe that?" The ponytail-wearing girl avoided looking you directly in the eyes, staying silent. "I can understand that you may not like Akko, but that does not mean you have to bully her regardless of her skills. She's chasing a dream she loves just like you are, and wouldn't you hate it if someone were to mock you for it?"

Your reasoning made Hannah show a tinge of regret, slowly she looked back. "She's stupid." Hannah declared. "Then don't involve yourself with her, it would be best for the both of you, no?"

Hannah looked like she wanted to counter your proposal but instead let out a groan and crossed her arms, looking away as you turned your attention to Barbara. "Do you have any objections, Barbara?" You asked as the black-haired girl continued playing nervously with her clothes.

Looking down on the floor she slowly responded. "I-I thought it was the cool thing to do, that everyone was ok with it." She tried to explain herself. "Well that certainly does not seem the case with how Akko is looking...and I have a feeling you weren't comfortable with it too." You said, causing the girl to look up with teary eyes. "N-No! I totally am..." She trailed off, you following her eyes who went to the still angry Hannah.

You only had to think for a moment before it clicked in your head, you fake-coughed to catch and face Barbara again. "You know Barbara, you don't have to do something if you don't like it, I'm sure your friends wouldn't like you any less of it." You told her, an unsure look crossing Barbara's face.