Chapter 2: The Angel in Plight

Part 2

In the end, Mikage readily agreed to the number of conditions I said, and became my consultant. From the following day, I proceeded to consult with Shida and Mikage on an almost daily basis.

“Given her ability, the high competition, lack of confidence, without any defined relationship, and the final nail being that Mikage already likes someone contributes to your slim winning chances and hesitancy towards confessing. We’ll go over all of these during the course of the consultation, understood?”

–“Oh… wow, that sounds even more hopeless when you said it all together at once like that…”

“That’s the same for every other consultant.” And me too, back then. “But, saying it out loud like this has its uses. You need to face your own feelings to conquer your own fears.” My eyes ran through the note I wrote once more.

–“Aahh” precedence brimmed Shida’s voice. “It’s just like that time when we have to face off against the high ranking schools. But when we had a fair share of grumbling, it did feel better”

“Hmm, something like that.” What a matching metaphor from a sports man. “Anyway, the point is, how do we solve those points? Or at least work around it. And then there comes the steps of actualizing those, of course.”

–“R-right… actualizing.” He gulped. Yes, Shida, there are exercises in store for you. “But that’s unexpectedly… systematic.”

“You prefer me to go spiritual? I have things to consider upon, dedication, motivation, but that’s not in the picture, for now. What we need to do depends on the situation.”

–“Whoaa… How persuasive…! No doubt you’ve become an urban legend.”

As a matter of fact, I was aiming to be an urban legend.

“Back to matters at hand. From the said issues, the easiest one is…”

–“Is…?”

“Your contact with Mikage.”

–“Uguu…”

Hey, hey, what’s with the groaning? We’re just getting started.

“If I’m not mistaken, you two practically haven’t talked. Do you know that she has any friends or groups?”

–“No, sir.”

“Then make one.”

–“Is that the only way…?”

Yes, it is. Actualizing, actualizing please.

“Having a small talk, or getting opportunities to talk regularly, you’ve done that before, right?”

–“Actually, no～ I’m always watching her from afar… Bleh, I’m disappointed in myself, that’s plain creepy…”

“Nonsense, that’s what one-sided love is, afterall.” Although this would prove to be an obstacle, he had no contact with her…

–“But she doesn’t seem to have any friends in the first place?”

“I suppose. But it doesn’t have to be close friends, we can get to her through her acquaintances.”

–“‘Kay… Still, there’s the image of “our Mikage.” She’s friendly to everyone, but not more than that.”

Hmp, so he noticed that too. For this case, building a relationship was certainly a challenge.

◆　◆　◆

“There’s two things we need to do. Right now, you’re afraid you’d be troubling Hibiki, and you’re not confident of the result. So before you confess, you would like to make sure of these two?” I summed up the session.

–“Yep.” If I’m allowed to comment, her voice, even over the phone, was beautiful.

“I’ve been wanting to ask, why are you so unsure? Does he have someone he likes?” I had forgotten to ask the first time around, so this was my chance.

Whether there is a rival or not generally has a significant impact on the course of consultations, the odds of winning the confession and reluctance to do so would fluctuate quite wildly in cases like that.

–“Ngggh…? How do I put it? He hasn’t talked much about romances. Pretty embarrassing, isn’t it?” Unexpectedly, Mikage said nonchalantly, like it did not concern her at all.

“That’s unignorable,” I stressed, ”Didn’t you say he’s popular? What’s more important than that is whether he has taken a liking to someone or not?”

–“Hm, see your point. Still and all, he’s single despite the approaches.” Her voice was even, almost disinterested.

That’s… since a while before, her strangely composed intonation prickled me oddly.

–“Ahh, and then. Hey, Angel?”

“Hm?”

–“From what I’ve heard, you have some powers, right? Curious if that’s true or not.” Contrary to the moment before, she sounded excited.

Ehh… She’s so direct. But more or less, I’ve become used to this.

–“Like, y’know? Mind-reading, knowing who likes who, stuff like that—”

“No, unfortunately. And naturally, that’s a made up story” Apologies, Mikage, but you’d have to make do with my template reply.

At times like this, I once again appreciated the practice that went in so that I could deliver a smooth denial. Be prepared, always.

Although I did squirm a little when her analogy was almost on point. Then again, nothing compared to that time with Minao.

“You could say it’s an exaggeration. My hunches and predictions are usually correct, not actual supernatural power. If anything, it’s a necessary lie to get the rumors going.”

And that’s a lie. I had a hundred percent authentic supernatural power. I could see who the person liked by touching their face, that’d certainly earn me a laugh in the face, no merits, and tons of risks. Better keep things like this.

–“Hmm, I see, I see…”

“Disappointed?”

–“Yep, I’ve been hoping somewhere, silly, but well.” She giggled jokingly. I needed to admit, it was cute.

Though, sorry for lying. And if possible, pray I won’t have to use it this time.

“Since we’re here, I’ll ask. Can’t you ask him directly? Like, does he like anyone?”

“Wah, didn’t I just say? That’s freaking awkward. If it’s not then I’d have asked him long ago.”

On that behalf, you don’t sound embarrassed in the least, though.

Argh, I can’t read her emotions at all.

◆　◆　◆

–“Angeeel… hear me out~”

“Yeah?”

As soon as the call connected, Shida cried feebly.

–“She’s… Mikage-san’s confessed again…”

“Hoh, as popular as ever.”

–“Why are you so nonchalant! Angel!!”

“What’s left to be surprised? And the result?” Well, the question was more of a rhetoric than anything else.

–“Rejection…”

“Hm. Then good.” Again, I said for the sake of the conversation.

–“It’s not… I want to quit, goodbye, everyone…”

It took no more to tell that Shida’s spirits had been shattered.

This was to be expected, more or less. Your emotions would be up for a swing when the confession date closes up.

“You can take a leave today,” I offered.

–“Eh…?”

“This is not the time to push forward. Take some time, give your mentality a rest, rushing now would only be counterproductive.”

–“A-Angeeeelll…!” Shida cried out in tears.

U-um…

However, there was a limit to taking it slow. There were two ways of taking it slow: taking it slow so that you can continue in the long run, or procrastinating and ending up at nowhere. I would need to make sure Shida won’t fall into the latter one, that was my role as the Angel.

“But,” I added, “Even Mikage has someone she likes. Make sure you don’t forget that.”

–“Geh…t-that’s…”

“Just like how you’re trying to confess, Mikage herself might be trying to make some developments of her own too. You can never know what will happen.”

That’s right. Besides… what, when, and who fate decides to take is beyond human capacity. So, tell her, Shida. No matter what, don’t get stuck in what-ifs like me.

I had my responsibilities to her privy, this was the most I could tell you. Be warned, please.

“In the end, what’s important is how you match your pace with your feelings. So, if you’d like to, we can call this off today.”

–“No… I’m doing this! You’ve restored my spirits! Let’s gooo! Rawrrr!!”

“That’s…energetic.”

–“Rawrr!! I’m doing this, let’s gooo!! I love you, Mikage-san!!”

“No offense intended, but that’s creepy as hell. And you sounded like an ape.”

–“Shut your trap!”

His gaiety hooting made me wonder if the sulking was an act or not. Well, if he’s ready to continue then this will save me a few days.

–“Say, Angel.”

“Hmm?”

–“Today, the guy who got rejected…” His voice dropped a tone. “I wonder what he’s expecting.”

“How could I know…”

Learn more

Pause

Unmute

–“Did he feel afraid?”

Oh, so that’s what this is about.

“Why wouldn’t he? But despite his fears, he chose to confess, right?”

–“Right…”

“Well, or the alternative. He might not be that committed, so it was a half-hearted gamble of no great loss. Something like that.”

–“Okay…”

I feel you, Shida. She has someone she likes, and you’re well aware of that fact. There is no way you can avoid this fear.

“Shida”

–“Hm?”

“You’re great enough just by wishing to move forward. I promise you.”

[TN: Another Ore (俺) here.]

–“Angel…”

Another emotional breakdown?

–“Did you just call yourself ‘ore’?”

“Nngh?!”

Again?! Get yourself together, idiot!