Chapter 20: Volume 1 - CH 3.8

Chapter 3: This is not a date

Part 8

“In Konomi’s work, the mc usually has some strange power.”

“By that… Like yours?”

“Yup, and then, if the power really exists, what would they do with it? I think I like his work because he really explores all the probabilities.”

“Relatable?”

“You could say that. Well, those in the books are teleports, time-leap, and whatnots. Unlike mine, useful.”

The kind that could wreak havoc if it falls into wrong hands. Completely different from mine.

“But, those are made-up stories, right? Yours are real.” She trifled through the pages.

“How can you be sure?”

“Eh…” Her head snapped this way.

My hands still on the book, I continued, “I’m hiding mine from everyone but my family, Yukito, and you. There is no knowing whether other powers exist or not. Maybe we just don’t know about them.”

She looked thoughtful.

“Of course, there might not. But when I watch supernatural phenomena or unsolved crimes on television, I can’t help but wonder, no, suspect. ‘What if those are the work of someone with power?’”

“Oh…Um… Yeah. With you having one, that sounds more plausible.”

I grunted, “Well, it’s not like I have met one.”

The conversation cut off there as we paid for our purchases.

After this, the plan was to loiter around the Aeon Mall.

To gather as much data, changing the location as we go should yield more results.

We returned to Kyoto Station and proceeded down one of the grand staircases. In the shadow of a pillar, I took a quick swipe of her cheek. Still the same.

When we were past the west ticket gate, from the side, Minato asked. “Do you want to meet them? People with powers.”

“Hmm… I’ve mixed feelings.”

“Oh…”

“Well, I might ask them how they regard their power, how they lived their life…questions like that.”

But just ask, I have no idea about anything else. Neither any idea about how to deal with the answers.

Besides, I don’t want them to return the question.

“But, they might be bad guys. Those who use their power for their own gain.”

“Hm.”

What would I do, huh?

“If… If everyone is good like you, wouldn’t it be great.”

Me? “Uh, I’m not necessarily a good guy either.”

She didn’t reply to my response.

After that, we went to the various stores in the mall and chilled out. Midway through, we took a rest on the gigantic cushions at Muji and took another touch of her cheek in the shadowy corner.

[TN: Muji, Japanese retail shop]

Around six, we ended up at Capricciosa. We had pasta and a drink there.

In the end, the number of people she likes remained the same.

Since there was one person immediately after we started our operation as school, it should be safe to cross out the probability of her falling in love with someone along the road.

Minato herself did say that she had never experienced that kind of love at first sight, so this might be enough of a verification to completely disregard the idea.

That’s enough progress for one day.

“Figure out anything?”

“No, I see no pattern from the current data. But we’ll recommence the operation tomorrow. Maybe it would give us something of insight. We’ll understand one day anyway.”

I hold the straw to my mouth. It has been some time since I last drank ginger ale, but it’s as good as ever.

“So, this is all for today?”

“Yup. And I want to check once before we part. Or, I’m fine with now too.”

“I don’t want to.”

Minato purred cutely and turned away.

She was usually calm and collected, but at times like this, her emotions were all written on her face. Teasing her was unexpectedly fun.

But that was what made her seem “leading on”…

“Umm… I’ve always been wondering.”

“Uh-huh”

“Back then, at the shoe locker why did you touch my face?”

Back then, at the shoe locker…

That was the first time I had touched her face. To force Makino out, I went on an investigation about Minato.

And that was the starting point of…

“I’ve been wondering when you’d ask,” I admitted.

“Is that so…”

We were both desperate back then, there was no time to think. But now, it wasn’t strange she noticed that.

In the first place, she was the one who sniffed me out. Her suspicion and deduction was on mark.

It would be normal that she would connect the dots and arrive at the conclusion that I was doing that for a confession.

“That’s not… coincidence, right?”

“Sorry… I can’t say more. Urgh, why’s there so many things I can’t say…”

I slapped my hands together in apology. This was the second time for today alone.

[TN: Japanese people often put their hands together (sometimes with a bow) when they apologize to their friends.]

However, I feel no regret. It was either betray Makino or keep silent to Minato. But I do feel sorry. If our positions are switched, I would probably be frustrated as well.

However, Minato didn’t seem to mind.

“It’s okay. I have my guesses. I just want to let you know. I can’t pretend to know nothing, that’s all.”

“Okay… Thanks.”

“No, I’m asking for your help here. Besides there are things that you don’t want to say and things you can’t say. I understand how that feels.” She regarded the café au lait curiously before sipping it.

It’s true, I guess. Our positions were quite familiar in this regard.

That is why we can keep our secrets from each other without unnecessary inquiry.

When she knew about my future, I was worried. But maybe I could say that I’m lucky it was her.

“What if I tell you more about what I do as the Angel in compensation? If you’re interested, of course.” I offered.

“Hn? For example?”

She was surprisingly interested in the topic. I couldn’t help but feel proud.

“Rumor has it that there would be a letter, no?”

“Yep. When you’re anxious about love, an invitation letter would appear. The Angle chooses the students, not the other way around.”

“Then, in reality, it’s not a letter, but this.” I pulled out my phone, and logged in. Her eyes opened wide when she saw the screen.

“Twitter?”

“Yup. And sometimes Instagram. From a private account, I send them a chat room link via direct message. ‘Access the link if you want a consultation.’”

“Hmm, digitally…”

“Told you. Everything’s online nowadays. You have to adapt to the times.”

Although I said letters in the rumors. For urban legends, vibe and ambience is the key.