Volume 8 - CH 20

Akechi Hideyori is Lonely

Akechi-san.

I apologize for troubling you when you’re busy.

I’m grateful that you are willing to help me.

I will see you at the place you told me after school today.

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There was also a sticker sent with that final message.

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“……..Haa.”

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I have to subject myself to [Energy Drain] again huh……

When she can’t fully control it, Mishima’s Gift is just too dangerous.

In the game, her encounter with Takeru enabled her to control her Gift so that it won’t affect the people around her while retaining a healthy body.

But that’s only possible because of Takeru’s [Anti-Gift].

The original work already made it clear that ordering Mishima to control her Gift with [Dominating Decree] doesn’t work.

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Even though it was effective against illnesses like Sakuya’s cold, it would be better for me to assume that it won’t work on controlling others’ Gifts.

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“Are you going to meet Mishima Haruka after this?”

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After I was getting ready to leave, Madoka called out to me.

When I gave her a silent nod, she lowered her gaze and said [I see].

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“I know that it’s irresponsible but…….do your best.”

“Yeah, ……..well, see you on Monday.”

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We were having Saturday classes today.

I didn’t plan anything with Madoka this Sunday so I will probably see her again on Monday.

Without saying anything more, Madoka turned back.

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“Akechi-kun……”

“What?”

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She doesn’t turn to look at me but her tone sounds serious.

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“………sorry, it’s nothing.”

“Haa?”

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it!”

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Looking frustrated, Madoka briskly walked away and disappeared.

What’s up with her……..

Seriously, isn’t she too harsh to me lately……

Why is she so irritated all the time?

………..Even I’m irritated too you know.

Madoka’s face always appears when I think of Kurusu-san for some reason after all…….

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“O~~i, Hideyori! Wanna hang out today?”

“Ah, sorry. I’ve got somewhere to be today…….”

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Emi and Risa are with Takeru so they are probably planning to go to karaoke, arcades, or eat out after this.

But I already promised to see Mishima today.

So I turned their invitation down.

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“Eh? You’re going somewhere?”

“Y, Yeah. My aunt asked me to run an errand…… You three go have fun.”

“Do you want me to come with you?”

“It’s alright. I’m good……..”

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“I see…….” Takeru muttered.

“Then, Emi-san, do you want to come over?” Risa invited Emi.

Just like that, I waved them goodbye and parted ways with the three.

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“……..”

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Emi looked like she wanted to say something but she soon followed the Juumonji siblings who walked on ahead.

Did she notice that I lied?

…….Emi has always been sharp after all.

While feeling guilty for lying to her, I also moved my feet.

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I took the second train after Takeru and the others left and arrived at a familiar train station.

From there, I took a somewhat unfamiliar route and arrived at the place I called Mishima to.

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“This place should do.”

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It’s the place where Hideyori was killed by Yoru Hiru in Miyamura Towa’s route, 

In the game, it was described as ruins of a building that act as kind of a secret base for Hideyori and Takeru but with how I did things, the story deviated from the original, and this place holds no such meaning.

I’ve only come here a few times myself to scope the place out.

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“She’s not here yet huh………”

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I check the time on my phone.

It’s about 10 minutes before the promised time.

I decided to play with my phone to kill some time.

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“Oh, two-shot photo of StarCha and LeafChild!”

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What’s this? There are two goddesses here……

I immediately saved the image from her Instagram.

This is that siscon’s younger sister right?

She’s tall and she’s giving off the same vibe as him too.

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“Haa……, StarCha is so cute…… I miss you StarCha……”

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I miss you Seiko……..

Ever since the time I called her and caught her as StarChild, we haven’t talked at all.

In middle school, we see each other all the time but now that we don’t have many chances to meet anymore, I rarely see her.

I haven’t seen Nodoka much lately either.

Seiko will definitely join my high school and Nodoka said that she’s also aiming for Gift Academy so we will probably meet more often next year though.

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Why won’t Seiko come to see me?

I heard that she frequents the coffee shop so Master and Sakuya get to see her all the time.

But why won’t I, her brother, get to see her?

Doesn’t she want to hang out with her brother anymore?

I’m lonely…….

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“I want to see Seiko……., I want to see StarChild……”

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But StarCha herself said that she wants to be distant……

In other words, it’s that.

She hates me…….

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I look like a siscon now with how much I miss my sister huh?

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“I’m sorry, I made you wait.”

“Ah? Mishima huh!”

“Akechi-san, so you like StarCha?”

“Y, Yeah, I like her.”

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She overheard me talking to myself but finally, the person I’d been waiting for has arrived.

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“Thank you for seeing me today, Akechi-san.”

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The arrival of [Compensation for Weakness]’s Mishima Haruka.

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Author Note: I wanted to do the [Fake Idol] arc in the second year of high school because I thought it would be like this.

But I regret nothing.

Seiko’s turn will come up soon.