Volume 1 - CH 2.2

Chapter 2: The embarrassment goes both ways

Part 2

At my trump card, Yuzuki shrank, eyes downcast.

Having that commitment sure is convenient, good thing she said that yesterday.

She was the one who said that, so not my fault.

By the way, making a beauty like her blush is a guilty pleasure.

“Pervert.”

“Hey, don’t be rude to the Angel.”

“Perverted Angel!”

“You’re saying Hentai Shinshi?”

[TN: HENTAI SHINSHI CLUB, a Japanese trio formed in 2017.]

[TN: The pun was about the similarity between Tenshi (angel) and Shinshi]

“…What is that even?”

“Ah, nothing.” I looked away

So that doesn’t get through, huh? Well, okay, noted.

She put her hand on her chest and let out a long breath of resignation. Then she brought my right hand to her face timidly.

I too leaned forward and braced for my power to activate.

My hand slowly touches her face.

It’s a bliss to be able to touch a beautiful girl’s soft skin, but for me, my hand felt nothing while my power worked. I only felt a soft sensation the first millisecond, with the rest blank. Yeah, my disappointment is immeasurable. Once again, for the record, I am not a pervert.

But the lips of her pouting profile were damn sexy. 

“Well?”

“Ah, yup… Nothing out of the ordinary, I can see them just fine.”

“I see.”

Why do we look like a couple who just started dating…

For a moment, I almost forgot the faces. Shoot, what are you doin, Io!

“T-then what’s next?”

“Well, just wait,” I said while taking out a notebook and a pencil case from my bag. “I’ll note those who I know, and I’m going to draw a portrait for the rest. Then you tell me their names,” I explained.

“You can draw?”

“Of course?”

Although I said that, I don’t think being able to draw was something that normal. All is the result of practice. 

To make the most use of this power, being able to draw is crucial. I could only see their faces for a second, and it’s not like I can take pictures. It’s better to fill in as much information while I still remember them. 

I quickly jotted down sixteen whose names I knew, and got on drawing portraits for the rest.

“Ah, no good, I forgot.”

I knew it, I can’t finish in one go.

Well, I can just take another look. Target knowing about my power sure has its perks. Usually it was one chance.

I offered my hand again.

But Yuzuki didn’t grab my hand. Instead, she just rolls her eyes and looks at me blankly.

“Hey!” 

“Eh? What?”

“What? There’s a lot left, one more time.”

“Ehh?!”

Yuzuki pulled back in an exaggerated manner, shaking the table with a clatter.

What a lively fellow.

“Don’t tell me you expected me to finish it in one go…”

“Of course! Why again…”

“Too many faces. To be precise twenty-three people. Most are boys from school, but I want to confirm, there might be some from other places.”

She looked away.

“‘Anything’”

The code phrase made her shoulders slump as if she had given up. Her grudging glare was a perfect balance of cute and mature. You’re making me giddy, you know.

And you’re not the only one embarrassed. Ugh…

From then, I repeated the process. 

But Yuzuki insisted on being uncooperative, so I had to touch her cheek myself. Time-efficient. 

“Just so you know, I’m not enjoying this.” I mean, I need to clarify.

“I already know!”

“Then please stop glaring.”

“Still!”

But honestly, her cheeks are pleasant to the touch. Hella smooth. Sometimes I even got to feel her smooth silky hair.

But it was a separate matter. This is a necessity. Really, I’m speaking the truth, you know.

It took us an hour to identify all of them at last. By then, we were both exhausted and decided to call it a day.

The cafe was located near the second station from Kuze high, along the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line. This station is also near the JR Zeze Station. Yuzuki seems to use that one. 

Heading to the station lies the Tokimeki hill, a narrow, bustling inclined street with stores flanking both sides.

“Ah, I forgot to mention.” I broke the silence.

Yuzuki, who had been looking around with interest, suddenly turned to me.

“There’s a possibility that my cousin from the store or the Angel’s associates might know your situation. Do you still wish to proceed?”

“Umm…”

Her expression became strained. I could read anxiety, fear, and a hint of curiosity from her

“All of them are tight-lipped. They won’t just let out other people’s info just for the fun of it. Of course I’ll lift your name out. Is that okay?” I added.

“…Got it. If you deem it necessary then do it… If you trust them then it’s fine.”

“Okay. Thank you.” I nodded.

If I don’t get their consent from the start, it could jeopardize my credibility later. Just the same as in normal Angel’s work.

Ahead of us, a truck came slowly. I pulled Yuzuki to the side and shielded her.

Tokimeki hill could be a bit dangerous if you’re not used to it.

“T-thanks.”

“Um.”

Her meek reaction is so cute, this girl… She usually looks calm and collected, what a splendid gap. If she showed this side of hers, her popularity would be unprecedented.

“By the way, why did you turn down Matsumoto?” I suddenly remembered.

Matsumoto had confessed to Yuzuki sometime ago, but was turned down. However, he showed up in one of the faces I saw.

“I mean, didn’t you two have feelings for each other? Besides, you turned down every confession. Pardon my way of putting it, but have you ever tried dating them?”

She went silent for a while.

Then, self-deprecatingly, she forced herself, “Of course I tried,” her voice quivered, “Maybe I could finally be faithful if I dated someone, I wished. Back in middle school. But…” she grimaced. “But it didn’t get better. No matter who I date, I keep falling in love with other people… and it keeps growing…”

“I see…”

“Isn’t that rude? I’m the worst. Maybe I can hide that fact and continue dating, but I just can’t forgive myself. Five times I tried, none worked out. I won’t date anyone until I am cured. I’ve made up my mind.”

“And those five?”

“I apologized then properly. I broke up soon after dating, I’m sure they were troubled. Of course. They weren’t wrong in the slightest, but I took advantage of them just because of my situation…”

“I’m really the worst,”  she finished.

Her hand that gripped the hem of her skirt shook.

So turning down their confessions is her own style of showing her sincerity…

“In short, I’m a selfish JK, the very opposite of being faithful. Aren’t you disgusted?… What an idiot.”

‘I understand’, the word stopped on the tip of my tongue. But her feelings, I could somewhat understand.

How frustrated she is, I could understand from her disgusted voice and her pained expression. I understand it painfully well.

But she doesn’t know.

About me, about herself. And about love.

“Am I supposed to be disgusted? With that?”

“Eh?” She looked at me in surprise.

Before I knew it, we reached the railway crossing in front of the station, with the boom gate descending in front of us.

Deafening clanking of machines rang. A train approached us, followed by a clamor. The sound of rushing wind swallowed us whole.

But I could only hear her voice. And surely the same for her.

“Love is not something you can control. Even if you don’t want to, you fell in love. It’s not your fault.” I searched her eyes. “And from our interaction until now, I’m sure you’re a good person. I don’t regret accepting your request. I will help you, just hang in there.”

“…Yeah”

Her short reply made me uncontrollably embarrassed. I shook my head to cool down.

Ah, there’s no voice change nor closed camera here… I can’t just go around saying corny things…

The drain in front of us slowly departed. The warning whirring stopped and the boom gate lifted slowly.

“See you later.”

I walked her to the JR ticket gate and said goodbye. But she stood there, fidgeting. 

What?

“Um… Akashi-kun.”

“Y-yeah?”

“It’s not because of what you’ve just said earlier…!”

Her eyes still downward, she continued. 

Through the gaps in her beautiful black hair, I could see her cheeks. It was as red as cherry fruit.

“I…um…”

“…”

“I think I might… I think I like you too…”

“Eh?”

[TN: Actually, it was this illust that made me “Alright, Imma buy this book”]

…

“I think I should apologize now… Sorry.”

“No…umm…Well, it’s fine…”

She then turned away. Her hair and her skirt swayed.

I stared absented-mindly even after her back disappeared behind the ticket gate.

“…How troubling.” I muttered.

Still absent-minded, I made my way to a bench and waited for my train.