Volume 2 - CH 2.4

The Angel in Plight

Translated by 64990022

Chapter 2: The Angel in Plight

Part 4

“Ahhhh～ I’m beat～”

I reached the rooftop, fell down, and cried out at the top of my lungs. Even so, my voice was sucked into the sky and faded away.

Nonetheless, I felt the strain lifting, just a little. 

“Just say it, what’s bothering you. You’ve been going on for quite a while,” saying such a heartless thing, Hiura shooed me away from the entrance. I rolled away, giving her space.

But she didn’t step away.

“One, two, three!” she narrated the sharp slaps on my cheeks.

Ow! Your nails, Hiura!

“I plead you to stop.  I’m trying to recover my meager energy. Be considerate.”

“Why should I? ‘Tis the Angel thingy anyway, right? Boring.”

“It’s not boring. And I’m in trouble, in many ways.”

It was the alternating days of talking with Shida and Mikage. Plus, I had also gone back to continue some of the consultations I paused during the Minato case.

Yes, I had done multiple consultations at once before, it was, to a level, a normal occurrence. But what was not normal was the contents of consultations. This time around, there was a lot to think of and advance with delicacy. Now, it had reached a point that was beginning to overwhelm me both physically and mentally.

Although I was doing this because I wanted to, so there wasn’t much to complain about.

“You just like meddling in others affairs.”

“Hmm. Ah, or is it that you’re upset that I didn’t go with you yesterday? Hmm?”

“Shut up! I was just in the mood for arcade! And then you! Akashi!”

“Yea, yeah, I’m terribly sorry. Forgive me, right?”

“Hmph”

Good grief, she’s upset. By the way, her sulking was cute.

Hiura was generally haughty, but in fact, she couldn’t stand being alone.

“You’re going this time, right? The place in Kyoto–”

“There! Akashi-kun spotted!”

With a feeling of deja vu, I turned. 

Fujinami stood at the rooftop entrance, a little behind her was Minato. Exactly like the other day.

Hey, hey, how often do you plan to show up…

“Good afternoon, Hiura-san. What are you doing?”

“What else could it be? Lunch. We eat here almost every day.”

“Hmmm? Just the two of you? Where’s Miwa-kun?”

“Reiji’s not in the mood today. He’s a fickle fellow.” Why’s her voice like that? Wait, you’re already eating, Hiura? Ah, she’s properly covering her mouth, well done.

“We’ll fill in the gap–”

Only then did I notice Minato. She stood as still as a statue behind Fujimiya, looking beyond tense.

“Minato?”

“Heh? A-ah! Nothing! Yup, I’m fine!” She shook her head sideways violently.

Well, if she insists. 

“So, what do you guys want? I thought I asked you two to keep our distance. I’m sorry, but please.” For good measure, I went to close the door.

“Sorry. But…” 

Fujimiya jumped in. “I don’t see a problem here? There’s no one here besides you, right?”

That’s a valid point… but why were you so forceful, Fujimiya…

“I’ll allow it for today. What’s the matter, then?”

“It’s you, Akashi-kun, the key man behind our success. Don’t we ought to do something for you?” Fujimiya folded her hands behind her body and beamed. “What if we get you a present or something of sorts. We’re here to ask what you would like.”

“Hehh…I’m not sure about that, I kind of messed up halfway, didn’t I?”

“Hmm～? You did?”

Well, I appreciate the sentiment, but…

“I did. And didn’t tell you from the start that I don’t want anything?” I asked Minato.

“H-huh? N-no, this is separate…!”

Suddenly, Minato gilded closer and looked at me with upturned eyes. Her usually sharp eyes were opened wide and wavering a little, like a pleading kitten. Seeing her face closely for the first time in a long while made me realize how beautiful she was.

I flinch involuntarily.

“Uh… what’s it?”

“I’m grateful for what you did. I thought we were f-friends… let me thank you,” she said, her voice fading little by little.

W-why did she seem so desperate? In the first place, I wasn’t particularly helpful in getting rid of her Falling-in-Love Peculiarity…

“Oh, and, you see, the earphones… Y-yes, the earphones! Don’t I owe you that much?”

“Huh…? Well, at that time… It’s no big deal…”

Awkward! 

Hiura looked half amazed, and Fujimiya was starting to look creepy with that grin. Was she smiling like that the whole time?!

This is bad, at this rate, if she talked about my powers…

If anything, let’s just accept her gift, no harm done.

“Got it…”

“Eh?”

“I accept your present, if that makes you feel better.”

“Oh… thank you.”

Are you okay…? Why are you thanking me for letting you buy me a present?

Fujimiya appeared out of thin air. “Then it’s decided!”

“Saturday or Sunday, Akashi-kun?”

“This week? But I have part-time and…” I glanced at Hiura.

“Akashi.” 

“Yes, understood, Your Highness.” Yes, I do understand, so please don’t glare at me, Hiura.

Minato stepped up, no words sounded. Fujimiya quickly came to her rescue. “What’s that?”

“I’m afraid I have a little bit of an appointment. What about next week?”

“Akashi-kun and Hiura-san, you two are going somewhere together?”

Fujimiya’s wide eyes darted between me and Hiura alternatingly.

“She’s going shopping in Kyoto. I’m her escort.”

“Not just any shopping, I’ll be having ‘the world’s strongest matcha gelato’” added Hiura protectively.

“‘The world’s richest matcha gelato’? You mean Nanaya?”

[TN: https://unborderedlife.com/nanaya-matcha-ice-cream-worlds-most-intense-green-tea-gelato/]

“You know?” Hiura’s eyes sparkled.

“Why wouldn’t I? It’s in Sanjo, right? I used to go there with Minato in middle school. Yeah?”

She put her finger on her chin and nodded. “Yeah. Bring back memories, doesn’t it? Nanaya…”

Right, these two were from Kyoto.

But, why do I know where this is headed…

“It’s decided.”

“Decided.”

“Uh, what’s decided?” I asked.

“Fujimiya and Yuzuki’s going with us. They’re locals, that will save time. The schedule’s for one day anyway.”

“As you wish…”

Uhh, you have a point, but shouldn’t you wait for my opinion first, Hiura-san? And you too, Fujimiya-san.

Nonetheless, it was true that neither me nor Hiura had been to that area. We might not so much as get lost, but having locals with us is all the better.

Also, it would be more cost-effective and time-saving if we could combine the present business with gelato trip. Two birds with one shot. 

Hmmm, nice idea, after all. But won’t Hiura have to wait when we were shopping? But she didn’t seem to mind.

“Is it okay with you, Minato?”

“Yep. And if it’s Kyoto, it’s unlikely we will see any one from Kuze High.”

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Pause

Unmute

I see… so there wasn’t any reason to refuse.

While I talked with Minato, the other two had already gone on with the preparations.

“Then good. Fujimiya, here’s my LINE, take care of the group.”

“Leave it to me!”

And why do they get along surprisingly well…

“Io?” Minato tugged my sleeves. “You and Hiura-san go out like this often?”

“Hmm, maybe? Once in a while.”

“O-oh…” Minato shrunk back.

Her long hair blocked her face, so I couldn’t see her expression.