Volume 10 - CH 15

Tanikawa Sakuya messes about

Today, we all commuted to the academy together like usual and I’m currently chatting alone with Takeru in the hallway just before the homeroom starts.

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“So, Risa bought this at a 100-yen store. Convenient right?”

“Hmm, it certainly is.”

“Yeah, it’s like that thing on a quiz show isn’t it?”

“Yea~h”

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With a catalog of goods from a 100-yen store on Takeru’s smartphone, he gave me a presentation about some interesting and useful goods that can be found there.

In response, my reactions were either, ‘hey, I’d totally buy this’ or ‘nope, I can’t use it’.

It was then.

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“A, Akechi-san!”

“Oh, Mishima huh. What’s wrong?”

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When I turned toward the voice, I found Mishima walking up toward Takeru and me.

Being in the same club, Takeru and Mishima also became familiar enough with each other now.

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“Uh, Umm…….actually, Mitsuki-san wants to talk to Akechi-san about something.”

“Mitsuki?”

“That’s right. Good morning, Hideyori.”

“Oh, morning.”

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Mitsuki, who was behind Mishima, gave me a greeting.

As usual, she is such a beauty. What a feast for the eyes.

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“And he is?”

“Ah……., this is Juumonji Takeru. My best friend.”

“Hello, good morning.”

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Takeru greets Mitsuki.

Oh?

It’s a scene where the protagonist meets a heroine.

In the game, a moment like this is where Takeru falls in love right? This is exciting.

He already went through that favorability-up event with Misuzu so I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets one with Mitsuki now.

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“Are you perhaps Risa’s brother?”

“Yes. I’m Takeru, Risa’s older brother. I see, so you are an acquaintance of Risa. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Umu, nice to meet you too, Takeru.”

“Uhh, …..if that’s the case can I call you Mitsuki?”

“Yeah, that’s fine with me.”

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Wow……

Setting aside Risa and Otoha who are his relatives and Yoru the main heroine, Takeru usually calls Eien-chan, Mishima, and the others using their surnames but he’s using first names with Mitsuki.

He might have really entered Mitsuki’s route huh?

I don’t think Takeru ever called her Fukamori in the game though……..

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“By the way, Mitsuki, are you related to Fukamori Misuzu in my class?”

“That’s right. Misuzu is my twin sister.” 

“Your personalities are pretty different huh.”

“Well, it can’t be helped……..”

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Mitsuki’s expression turned complicated.

After the simple self-introduction was done, Mitsuki turned to face me.

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“Hey, Hideyori. I heard from Haruka that you know a lot about Gift, is that true?”

“W, Well, yeah.”

“Yes!”

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Mishima looked proud of me for some reason.

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“Uhh….. do you by chance know anything about [Crest of Gift Acceptance]? It’s what is plaguing Misuzu.”

“ [Crest of Gift Acceptance]? You mean that cursed-mark-like thing on Fukamori’s face?”

“Yes, that’s correct, Takeru.”

“I’ve never met Mitsuki-san’s younger sister so I don’t know what it looks like though…….”

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Mishima followed with a wry smile.

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“Mostly, yes. I know how a [Crest of Gift Acceptance] is engraved on a human’s body.”

“Is, Is that so! So what I want to ask is–……”

“But I don’t know how to remove it.”

“………you don’t.”

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I already pretty much figured out why Mitsuki used Mishima to call me out.

She wants to look into how to remove the [Crest of Gift Acceptance].

Of course, I know it since it is directly tied to the main conflict of [Moon&Bell]. I also know that Yoru Hiru also went through the same thing.

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But in the game, there was no way to remove [Crest of Gift Acceptance] from someone who possesses no Gift Elements in their body.

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“You probably won’t be able to find the answer you’re looking for no matter how hard you try……”

“…….I, I see.”

“I’m sorry…….”

“N, No! You don’t have to apologize, Hideyori…….don’t worry about it.”

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At first, Mitsuki’s route was about how to help her break Misuzu’s curse.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t find anything.

Even Takeru’s [Anti Gift] couldn’t do it…….

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“It’s, it’s going to be fine, Mitsuki-san! We might be able to find someone who has a [Curse Breaking] Gift in the future! I will help too so please don’t lose heart yet!”

“Thanks, Haruka. Sorry for bothering you, Hideyori.”

“It’s, it’s fine……I don’t mind.”

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I don’t know what to do……

Just like the case with Richiho Aisa, it’s so frustrating to not be able to do anything even though I know the future.

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“Mitsuki!”

“…..Hideyori?”

“I will try looking into it too. So, let’s do our best together okay.”

“Yeah, I never intended to give up from the start.”

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Mitsuki smiled at me and replied.

Then, the man next to me speaks up.

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“If you’re friends with Risa and Hideyori then you are my friend too. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

“Takeru…… thank you, you two.”

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Mitsuki lowered her head and thanked us before taking her leave.

Still, with this, we will really be entering [Moon&Bell] route right?

At this rate, Takeru and Mitsuki are going to try to find a way to remove the [Crest of Gift Acceptance] together…..

I know that Takeru can unknowingly enter his death route but why does it have to be this one of all things……

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As I thought, I have to do something about Misuzu myself……

I have no choice but to play the villain here huh……

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“Hideyori, you actually know a lot about Gifts?”

“Nn? Yeah.”

“You do!? You never said anything to me though.”

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I don’t deny it.

Otoha already knows that I’m somewhat knowledgeable about Gifts after all.

I have to match everyone’s impressions of me.

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Just like that, it was time for us to head back to our classroom.

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“HEY! SAKUYA! GIVE ME BACK MY PHONE!”

“You can’t touch me. HIDEYORI GUARD.”

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Sakuya runs down the hallway and uses me as a shield against Madoka.

My eyes opened wide with shock and I was at a loss for words.

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“I totally can! Now give me back my phone!”

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Madoka’s words brought me back to reality.

I immediately guessed the situation and speak to Sakuya who was using me as her shield.

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“Come on, Sakuya, return it okay……”

“Sure, it’s just a joke anyway.”

“Seriously…….”

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Sakuya is just messing with Madoka like usual.

I’m glad that they get along well.

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A [Curse Breaking] Gift huh……

Sakuya……

……….no, it can’t be, right……?