Chapter 196 – Saniwa’s Skill

“It was during high school. I had a good number of friends, got along well with the teachers, and lived a student life without much to worry about. The only thing I might’ve regretted was that I didn’t have a girlfriend.” (Torimoto)

“…Right.” (Saniwa)

“But there was an absolute rule in the school.” (Torimoto)

“A rule?” (Saniwa)

“To never defy this one guy.” (Torimoto)

“Eh… What do you mean?” (Saniwa)

Well, it was normal for people to not catch onto my meaning when I said this.

I told her what I meant, about Ohsaka being a tyrant in the school whom no one could defy.

“T-Thats horrible…!” (Saniwa)

“Right? It was a huge pain. The people that I had thought were my friends until then completely ignored me, and not only that, they sided with the tyrant to bully me. That was when I knew that friendship doesn’t exist.” (Torimoto)

“……” (Saniwa)

“Then, I stopped trusting humans and expecting anything from anyone. Humans will betray you in the end. Just like your childhood friend betrayed you two.” (Torimoto)

Saniwa gasped at my words. Her face was still filled with sadness, but upon hearing my story, which was perhaps crueler than she had imagined, she stopped crying completely.

“Not trusting anyone… Not expecting anything from anyone… That must be too lonely.” (Saniwa)

“Is it? I think I’ve reached the truth. And because of it, my life is a lot more enjoyable now.” (Torimoto)

“That’s… a lie.” (Saniwa)

“It’s not a lie. Well, let’s see. What if Shakuhara-san betrayed you?” (Torimoto)

“Kei-chan would never do something like that!” (Saniwa)

“Ah, sorry sorry. This is just hypothetically speaking. If Shakuhara-san committed a terrible act of betrayal against you, would you still be able to trust humans?” (Torimoto)

“T-That…” (Saniwa)

“So I’ll give you a word of advice. It’s better for you to keep your relationships with other humans at just vested interests.” (Torimoto)

“….That would just be sad. You’re all alone… aren’t you?” (Saniwa)

Solitude was sad and lonely. It might make your life hard.

But I had Sol, Shiki, and the others. So I really felt nothing but joy in my life right now. But I couldn’t tell her that upfront.

“I’m not alone.” (Torimoto)

“Eh?” (Saniwa)

The concept of Familiars… in other words, monsters and otherworlders, didn’t exist in her mind, so it was only natural for her to think this way.

“Well, anything beyond this I’ll keep a secret. But I can assure you that I’m quite happy right now.” (Torimoto)

“Happy… Do you think Kei-chan is too?” (Saniwa)

“Well, who knows. But when you’re with her, she does seem pretty happy.” (Torimoto)

“I see… Then I’m glad.” (Saniwa)

The tension finally slackened, and a smile emerged on Saniwa’s face.

“Ah, I’m sorry for taking up so much of your time!” (Saniwa)

Saniwa hurriedly got to her feet and bowed her head.

“No, not at all. It was a good way to pass the time. Besides, it was a pleasure speaking with a pretty girl like you.” (Torimoto)

“I-I’m not that pretty… Kei-chan is cuter!” (Saniwa)

“Oh, really?” (Torimoto)

“Yeah! Kei-chan isn’t a big girl like me. She looks like a doll! And when I hug her, she smells so good, and she’s so soft and fluffy, so—” (Saniwa)

“Stop, stop.” (Torimoto)

“…S-Sorry, I lost my composure there for a moment.” (Saniwa)

I couldn’t suppress a wry smile when I saw Saniwa shrinking in embarrassment.

“You really like Shakuhara-san, don’t you?” (Torimoto)

“Yes, I love her!” (Saniwa)

“Hm, that’s a nice smile. Then keep that smile on your face when you go speak with Shakuhara-san. It’s about time for her to have cooled down a bit.” (Torimoto)

“Ah…Is it okay for me to go now?” (Saniwa)

“It’s fine. I don’t have anything I need to ask of you two at the mome—actually, there is one thing.” (Torimoto)

“What is it? I’ll do anything you require!” (Saniwa)

“Ahahah, thank you. But don’t go and say that to just any man, alright?” (Torimoto)

“Hah… S-Sowwi…” (Saniwa)

“Actually, I wanted to ask you about your skill.” (Torimoto)

“Skill…?” (Saniwa)

“Yeah. A power that ordinary people don’t have. I’m curious about it, so is it okay to ask?” (Torimoto)

“Ah, yes. With my friends and comrades here with me, I don’t need to hide it.” (Saniwa)

Whoa there, I’m still an outsider, you know? Well, it was a lucky mistake for me.

“My skill is <Enhance>!” (Saniwa)

“<Enhance>?” (Torimoto)

“Yes. I can enhance my own strength, and I can also enhance the strength of things I touch.” (Saniwa)

“Wow, that sounds like a very versatile ability. Can you show me?” (Torimoto)

“Ah, errr… For example, this tissue. —<Enhance>!” (Saniwa)

Saniwa picked up the tissue, which fluttered around in her hand like a regular sheet of tissue paper. But when she used her skill, the waving of the paper suddenly stopped.

And when she let go of it, it fell to the ground with an unexpected thud.

Intrigued, I reached over and picked up the fallen tissue.