Mikage Saeka Beyond Reach

Translated by 64990022

Chapter 3: Mikage Saeka Beyond Reach

Part 1

A few more days passed since then.

Shida was called for basketball intensive training, so his consultation was temporarily on hold. For Mikage, I only had one call. 

However, Mikage was somewhat preoccupied at that time and dozed off most of the time. There were only ten days left, and yet she was still hesitant about confessing her feelings. To be frank, I was getting impatient. And I was at a loss as to why she wasn’t in a hurry at all.

Maybe I should be less passive. Do you think you can confess like this? Is that fine with you? I’ve thought about ways to deliver those, but I wasn’t sure it would work that well with Mikage, though.

◆　◆　◆

–“Good Evening, Angel,” she greeted calmly.

I had received a message saying that she had something to report. To me, that was nothing but anxiety. I’ve got a feeling that I can’t be good.

What do you have to report this far in?

“So, what’s up?”

I swigged up the new tumbler and drank today’s cider. It was unimaginably easy to use and had become my favorite in no time.

The large gulp I took was a way to brace myself. In romance, everything is unforeseen. There is no such love that went all according to plan. In fact, I should know better than anyone else.

And so I thought…

–“I’ve started going out with Hibiki-kun”

“Huh?”

That was a development I hadn’t expected at all.

“What do you mean?”

–“I meant exactly what I said. I confessed to him yesterday, and he said yes.”

Hey, it’s not just, “he said yes.” Firstly, isn’t that too sudden? 

“Weren’t you hesitating just two days before?”

–“Momentum? I guess I went with the flow, kinda lame, isn’t it?”

“Oh, okay…”

But…If it would go this easily… Why did I concern myself over her again? If she got what she wanted then that should be good. 

All that was left was Shida…

“Alright, I’m glad you got your wish.”

–“All thanks to you.”

“I’m not being humble here, you’d have done it without my help.”

Rather, she took longer than she should have because of me. In some cases, I should have just let them be, note, note.

“Then, that’s it for us. Good work, Mikage.”

–“Yes. I appreciate your help.”

At first, I wondered where this would land. It seems that this easily is also possible too. A model and a beauty, I wish you two all the best.

–“By the way, I have another favor.”

“Hm?”

–“Can I talk about you to my friends?”

What would you get from doing that…

“No. That was the condition for our consultation. I’ve told you since the beginning. That includes any of your friends and Hibiki too.”

–“I know, that’s why this is a separate request.”

Just why…

“I’ll have to ask. Why?”

–“Well, I’ve become a known face in Kuze High. I bet it wouldn’t take more than two days for everyone to know that I’m finally dating. And if they’re gonna talk about me, then at least I want to get them right on the details.” She said all of that in one go, just like when she told me about Hibiki… like a memorized script.

“I see where you’re coming from. But, you can omit the part where I took place, told them you confessed and he said yes, that’s it.”

–“And if, by chance, someone finds out, they’d have known I lied. I want to avoid that.”

“And who is that someone? Where? It’s you and me.”

–“Yuzuki-san. She must have known what’s going on. You said you have your associates too, didn’t you. There’s no way you could be hundred percent certain.”

Hey, hey, this is getting suspicious. You weren’t this desperate when we talked about Hibiki.

Then, as if she realized herself. –“No, I’m not questioning your or Yuzuki’s credibility…urgh, I get it, you can’t. Sorry for asking.”

“I don’t mind. It is like you said, my credibility isn’t absolute. But that doesn’t change where I stand.”

She didn’t press further.

I never thought I would be arguing with Mikage like this. All the more after the consultation had ended.

Was there anything to fear? What would happen if someone found out she had consulted with the angel later.

“Let me elaborate. This condition is not only to reduce the risk of my identity, but to protect you too. What would you feel if the Hibiki was conspiring with someone to get with you? My existence would only strain your relationship.” 

Silence.

“Besides, if you don’t count Yuzuki’s, none of my consultants are known, right? I’m keeping all information confidential.”

Hey, the silence is getting unnerving. 

At this point, she would probably comply, but I want to make her understand why.

“Then, let’s say people find out, you can use me as a scapegoat. ‘The Angel made me promise not to mention it.’ There, now your honor isn’t questioned anymore.”

–“Yeah… Forget what I said. I was silly.”

She returned to her calm demeanor.

Uhh, what kind of mood swing is this?

–“Then, I have another request. If you can’t then you don’t have to.”

“Yeah?”

–“Don’t accept requests from people who want to confess to me.”

“I don’t think I can do that, but I want to hear your reason.”

–“I’m already with Hibiki, everyone is getting a guaranteed no from me, from now on. Better make them give up in the first place.”

“And how is that different from people who already know you have someone you like but decided to confess anyway.”

–“That’s—” She abruptly hushed, exhaled, and continued. “Okay, you don’t have to. Anyway, I hope you made those people know what answer they will get. Thanks.”

“Even if it’s a no, there’s a meaning in getting to confess. I’ll have to decline both your requests.”

I’m sorry, Shida, Mikage. But this is what I believe in. 

Getting rejected isn’t an easy affair. But it isn’t any better if your feelings go unsaid.

So, Mikage, If anyone confesses to you, give them a definite answer.

–“Sorry for the strange favors. Hope I haven’t thrown you off balance.”

“Oh, no, I’m thrown off balance, all right. Haven’t met someone like you in my career.”

–“I doubt you had.” Hey, is that funny? “Then on top of the requests, I’d like to ask you a thing.”

So she’s got questions now.

“Will this be the last?”

–“It will.”

Please, what is that quirky tone?

–”Are you, by any chance, a girl?”

“Hm?” Regaining my composure, I growled, “Why did I tell you about not probing for my identity?”

–“Oops, then you don’t have to answer,” she said as if she had expected my reaction.

Unable to resist, I returned a question, “And why would you think I’m a girl?”

If anything, most people would have branded the Angel as a man already, thanks to referring to myself as “ore” in the broadcast. Actually, I had thought of giving up the gender ambiguity altogether.

So why is this girl…?

–“Every boy would try to pamper me, at least unconsciously,” said Mikage as though it was a matter of fact.

“So you’re saying this because I wasn’t trying to flirt with you?”

–“That’s a way of saying it. All this from experience, I’m not toplofty, mind you.”

“You’re not, and you’re probably right.” She was, after all, Kuze’s Top Three. That title alone could change one’s impression drastically.

If so, why was she so unconfident during the consultation?

–“Hypothetically, if you’re a boy.”

“Hm?”

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Pause

Unmute

–“Then you must have someone you like already? So much you don’t care about me.”

“Isn’t the question before the last one?”

–“Whoops, is that so?” she giggled merrily.

A nasty girl to the end. Good grief.