Chapter 62: Volume 2 - CH 3.7

Mikage Saeka Beyond Reach

Translated by 64990022

Chapter 3: Mikage Saeka Beyond Reach

Part 7

On the roof again, at lunch break of the next day.

I had only noticed then that it was almost summer. Even the summer uniform did nothing to ease the heat. My skin was pricking from the beating sunlight.

Yesterday, I had devised a way to get to Mikage with Minato. It was time to carry out the plan today. Although, before that…

“I really appreciate your hard work, Hiura-san, Reiji-san…”

I respectfully offered a set of lunch dishes to my two friends, these two competent investigators. Since I was bowing, naturally, I couldn’t see their faces.

“Thank you very much… I will forever be in debt.”

“Whatever with gratitude, that’s too much, even for you. You expect us to do all that in half a day?” Reji had reached a new peak of exasperation.

At the same time, there was a light chop to my head, probably Hiura.

“I really don’t have time… forgive me”

“Hmph, I’m interested in your investigation too. I’ll call it even with one more lunch set.” Reiji snickered.

“But I’m not interested,” complained Hiura.

When I looked up, Reiji had already started eating his bread, and Hiura was glaring discontentedly. What a waste of a cute face.

“So, what’s the catch?”

Last night, I messaged them to ask around again, this time to find information around Hibiki.

“Nothing.”

“Unfortunately, no.”

“Oh…”

I knew it wouldn’t work.

“Not a soul had seen her with this boyfriend, nor any pictures.” Reiji shrugged. “Don’t expect much from a half a day investigation.”

“It’s enough. Thanks a lot.”

Well, it was originally an insurance policy in case I couldn’t use my power on Mikage. If it came to this, I had no option but to make sure the plan succeeded.

“A separate report, but I’ve heard something spicy.” he paused for a mouthful of coffee. “I’ve been talking with that girl from last report.”

“Go on.”

“Want me to do an imitation.”

“Normally, please.”

“Aw, you’re no fun.”

Hey, isn’t this supposed to be serious? And don’t invoke Hiura.

“She talked about Mikage-chan’s background and then—” Then, theatrically, “There was a time when she was suddenly absent from school.”

“Absent?”

That… didn’t sound like something she would do voluntarily.

“It was for two weeks. After that, she went to school again like there was nothing. Her attendance after that was perfect.”

“The reason?”

“She heard it from someone else, but it seemed that there was a class-wide fight. Awkward situation? Not only Mikage, but some other classmates were absent too.”

“That’s… sounds problematic.”

And that was the only impression I had. It was hard to decide anything with so little information. But I can’t see why a class-wide fight would affect her romantic tendencies, nor why she would reject confessions.

School absence… Well, people have a lot going on in their lives.

“That’s all I have.” he clapped.

So, nothing remotely useful.

“Ahh, screw this.” With a groan, I stretched my arms and unwind.

I fell on the floor and let out a long breath. The cloudless sky was so beautiful, contrary to my miserable situation.

“Someone here?” From the rooftop entrance…

The three of our attention directed to the door at once. I could feel my muscles tense.

That, was not definitely Minato or Fujimiya. At best it was a student and we could somehow talk our way out, at worst it was a teacher and our key got confiscated.

Although I had a feeling that that was a voice I knew…

“Oh, what a surprise. And outside too…”

“You…”

The girl in question, Saeka Mikage, Kuze High’s Top Three.

“Whoa, Mikage-chan? What brings you here?” his composure intact, Reiji greeted flatly.

As one would expect, he was a master of acting.

Mikage shook her head slightly, as if to tell us she was as surprised as we were. “I want to have some quiet on the stair landing.”

She stepped out into the sun, her hair swaying as she looked around.

It was a little peculiar. For almost a month, I had been consulted by her, but she didn’t have the slightest clue it was the person in front of her right now.

I took a cue from Reji and fought to remain calm.

“Got ambushed by too many questions… Haha, yeah, ran away, to here.” One by one, she looked at us, her gaze indicating that her explanation was done and it was our turn.

Now that I think about it, it was probably the first time I had looked her in the eyes.

To urge on our explanation, she mused, “I heard the rooftop’s off limits? The doors are said to be locked for certain.”

“Is that so? I should have left the door locked today…”

Her eyes narrowed. “Not your first time, I’ll take it. And you have a key, from that statement.”

I sharp terror ran down my spine; I need to watch my every word with this girl…

She slowly made her way towards us. Her loitering on the rooftop could have been on any TV commercial.

“Pfft” she burst out. “Why so tense, guys? I won’t rattle.”

“…”

“Just, I’d appreciate it if you’d shelter me for today. Let’s not tell anyone we’re here.”

Without waiting for permission, she headed for the fence.

“Deal, enjoy your stay.”

“Thank you, Miwa-kun, Hiura-san, Akashi-kun.” As if cataloging, she said our names.

We send nervous glances at each other. It wasn’t a wonder why she knew Hiura and Reiji, but… me? How?

If she noticed our skepticism, she didn’t show it. Mikage closed her eyes and put a hand on the fence. I rubbed my eyes. Was this some sort of music video? Vibe, looks, there was a quality different from when we had online meetings: an invisible wall of pressure…

“MIkage–”

“What is it, Hiura-san?”

“From where we left off last time, show me a picture of your boyfriend.”

While I had asked her to do this, isn’t this too drastic? Or this could be the reverse card we need…

“Hmmp… didn’t I say I was tired of questions right now?”

“Just his face and that’s it.”

“That’s quite an interest you have in me.”

“If I told you why would you let me see it?”

None of them were backing down. Normally, Hiura hated this kind of probing, not that she couldn’t.

“Haaah. I give up, ‘kay? Let me go.”

“What’s the deal? He’s good looking, right?”

“Please.” Like a celebrity, she laughed softly, but her tone implied the end of the discussion well enough that Hiura dared no further.

She then turned back to the view of the rooftop and remained silent.

Hiura took out her phone and sent me a stamp, a cat with an annoyed look.

[Thanks a lot, my ace] I replied.

She continued her lunch without reading my message.