Volume 2 - CH 4.6

If I Bring the Glass Closer

Translated by 64990022

Chapter 4: If I Bring the Glass Closer

Part 6

The “see ya later,” Mikage said at lunch had a reason for it.

“–So, that’s how I’ve come to have lunch with Akashi-kun since yesterday.”

“…”

“…”

Me, Hiura, Minato, and Mikage gathered at the rooftop afterschool.

Two of Kuze’s Top Three, one Plus Four. This was too luxurious a view.

“I want to tell them myself,” was what triggered the meeting.

Participants were decided by hand raise. As a result, these two came. Think of this as a daily update on the Angel.

Mikage, the main speaker, explained the situation in great detail.

“Q&A, if there’s any,” Mikage ended the presentation with a smile.

Hiura was clearly giving her looks, while Minato had a complicated expression on her face. Then they both turned their heads toward me and stared silently.

W-why me?

“I get it now,” Minato said in a small voice, “But are we allowed to ask?”

“Akashi-kun here’s gonna interrogate me anyway, no harm in establishing an understanding, don’t you think so?”

“You have a point…”

How compliant Mikage was probably tipped Minato off balance. I get it, until now, she had been so tight-lipped that it was hard to imagine the forthcoming Mikage of the present.

She really was intending to keep her end of the bargain, it seemed.

“If you have any questions, I’ll answer them. As much as I can, of course,” she assured.

Hiura, with her knees up, showered Mikage with a cold gaze, “I’m not interested in you in the slightest.”

Then why are you here, I thought silently.

“Make sure you give Akashi back next week,” she commanded.

“Pfft…” Hiura… you can be cute at times, huh? All right, all right, maybe I’ll get you ice cream sometime.

Well, with me gone, it would be just her and Reiji. The rooftop key too was mine… wait, was that what she was after?

“I will, I will. Akashi-kun’s second quest won’t take that long,” said Mikage.

“Hmph.” Another glimpse at my future. I’ll have to do it anyway, though.

“Yuzuki-san, I’m really sorry… Can I borrow Akashi-kun for a little while?”

“H-heh?! W-why my permission?! You can have him as much as you want!”

Am I that useless to you, Minato? And I want to get this over as soon as possible, so don’t say ‘as much as you want.’

“Hmm… You two look closer than I thought,” noted Mikege.

During the way here, I had briefed her that I and Minato became friends through the consultation, and that we only keep our distance at school to avoid suspicion; we still meet up outside from time to time.

“Actually, I was a little worried when I asked Yuzuki-san to be the intermediary. I thought counseling is supposed to be a one-time thing. ‘What if Yuzuki-san doesn’t have Angel’s contact?’ And so on.”

“No, it’s supposed to be a one-time thing. Even people I had shown my face to are not like this. Exception among exceptions… a lot happened.”

If anything, she was the one who had blown my cover. 

How many times had I used my power on her…

“Hmm? You have shown your face to others too?”

“Rarely. If it’s unavoidable.”

“Wait, then does that mean when Yuzuki-san called me out has something to do with you?”

“Hm?”

Oh, not good. She’s connected the dots.

No, that time was to use my power on her. The power that’s not supposed to exist. I can still get out of this.

“W-well, I wanted to check up on you. Yeah, I called up Minato. Sorry, I wasn’t intending to crash into you at that time.”

“Ah, no, I didn’t bring that up because I want an apology…”

I met eyes with Minato. We’ll need to sync up later before Mikage could ask any more questions.

“And then, do you come here often? Last week I found you with Miwa-kun and Hiura-san here.”

“Um, that, I guess. We usually eat lunch here. Once in a while Minato and Fujimiya join us.”

“Fujimiya Shiho-san?”

I nodded.

Although I would like it better if those two come here less often. What if someone saw us like Mikage?

“Say, Akashi-kun.”

“Hm?”

The next moment, Mikage was looking at me with glittering eyes, like a cat begging for a snack.

“Can I ask you something? Yuzuki and Hiura-san too.”

◆　◆　◆

What she asked for was, naturally, separate from the two conditions she had set.

The moment I began to feel fed up with her unending demands, she made this cute request.

“Whoaa. You’re really here, Mikage-chan”

“Wha! Mikage-san!”

At lunch the day after.

All members were present to greet Mikage this time. Reiji and Fujimiya, who weren’t present yesterday, had the most reaction.

As it turned out “I want to have lunch with everyone” was her request.

Six people in total, twice the usual number. Considering the risk involved, I could have refused. Although when I saw Mikage’s smile when I let her join, I was glad I didn’t refuse. 

Well, she said it would be only one day. My life has been full of exceptions of late anyway.

“Thanks a bunch. Hope I’m not bothering anyone by being here.”

“No problem, not at all. Cute girls are always welcome.” 

There goes Reiji

Mikage masterfully took that comment. “Oh? I’m glad I’m born cute, then.” 

It was surprising she didn’t take offense, and how natural her response was. If it was anyone else, I would have said they were bragging, but this was Mikage, her beauty was a fact, leaving no room for complaints.

“I’ve always wanted to get to know you. Nice to have you here, Mikage-san,” said Fujimiya.

“Likewise, Fujimiya-san.”

And this affability. How many times had she smiled in this short time? Her sincere charisma was something to behold.

On a side note, I had told Reiji and Fujimiya about the situation. I’d prefer to get complicated talk out of the way first, so that I could have a peaceful lunch. 

“Hiura-san, Yuzuki-san, you have my thanks, yesterday included.”

“It was nothing.”

Unlike Minato, Hiura grunted with bread in her mouth, “Hm.”

“And let’s not forget Akashi-kun here.”

“Huh?”

“Thank you, for going through with my self-indulgence.”

I couldn’t help but turn my face away. “It’s fine…”

I was reminded yet again of how destructive these girls can be…

“Minato? Don’t you look upset?”

“I’m not.” She raised her voice.

Perhaps Mikage’s introduction might be overboard, the meal itself was ordinary, and so was the conversation that followed.

“Akashi-kun, are you studying for the test?”

“No…”

“That’s a fast reply.”

“Io’s on the verge of failing. Or has he already?” Reiji smirked.

“I don’t want to hear that from your mouth.”

I, Hiura, and Minato were bread eaters. Fujimiya had a bento, while Reiji had a convenience store onigiri today. Mikage brought her own sandwich.

“I’m confident Hiura Tutor would save me from my peril.” I puffed up my chest.

“I don’t remember becoming a tutor.”

“Eh… Why, our benevolent savior, how could you abandon us?” You’re my lifeline, help.

“I wouldn’t mind teaching someone that’s not a blockhead like you.”

“Hmm? Hiura Tutor? Can I enlist too?” asked Fujimiya.

“Wait, Fujimiya, you’re not doing well?”

Minato spoke up, “Shiho’s beyond saving, despite her looks.” 

No way. Fujimiya had the looks of an honor student.

“That includes me too, tee-hee.” Mikage smiled wryly.

“Even Mikage-san?!”

She flashed a confident smile. “Have never been to a make up class yet, will probably get to this time ‘round.”

Ahh, too bright. How could someone’s smile be this bright?

“Don’t cha guys go to Yuzuki Tutor or whatsoever. She’s better grades than me.” Hiura made a shooing gesture.

“No! Don’t come here, there’s a monster—”

“Shiho, you’re expelled.”

“Bweh! Wait! Minato! I was joking! Please!”

“I don’t care.” Minato snorted and turned her face away.

Seems that Minato wouldn’t hold back if it was with Fujimiya. Hmm, interesting.

“Isn’t that because she cared about you? Hiura Tutor seems to want us to drop dead.”

“Miwa, you’re expelled. You too, Akashi.”

“Why me!”

I was just nodding along…

“Pffttt…”

When our bickering started to die down, a snicker grew louder.

“Ahaha! Pftt!” Mikage desperately tried to stifle her hiccups. The corners of her eyes even leaked tears.

“Uhh, I think Mikage-chan’s in pain?”

“What a sense of humor she got…”

“Doesn’t this mean we’re good at comedy?”

“Oh? But the expulsion part isn’t a comedy, though, Shiho.”

“Minato-sensei?! I’ll forever be your disciple!”

“Ahaha! S-stop! Hahaha!”

Ahh, Fujimiya’s vigorous pledge renewed Mikage’s fit. Somehow, it was satisfying to watch her convulse on the floor…

“Phew… You guys are hilarious. I completely lost my composure there.”

“Come to think of it, no one has ever mentioned seeing you laugh.”

“I haven’t been in a group in ages, let alone laugh like this.” And then her face spasmed again as she giggled.

Everyone purposefully avoided the first part of her comment.

From that, we went on about nothing in particular for a little while more…

Mikage stood up. “I’m going back first. Had fun talking with you guys.” 

“We had fun too.”

“Why don’t you come tomorrow?” suggested Reiji.

She smiled wanly. “I can’t. I appreciate the sentiment, but I’ve errands.” She looked pointedly at me.

Everyone nodded wistfully.

“See you around. Thank you.” With a smile as bright as a sunflower, Mikage spun around, turned her back and left the rooftop in quick steps.

The rest of us waited for the pre-bell to ring in a stunned silence.

There were two more days left to go until I fulfilled Mikage’s first quest.