Volume 8 - CH 24

Compensation for Weakness: Overcome

When I arrived at the ruins, Akechi-san was already there.

I feel guilty that I arrived late again.

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“Thank you for waiting, Akechi-san. Good afternoon.”

“Oh, hi.”

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He puts his phone inside his pocket and walks over to me.

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“Well, let’s go at it again then.”

“Yes!” I replied.

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“I practiced a little before going to bed last night, I think I can suppress my Gift a little better now.”

When Akechi-san equipped the Gift Glasses and took a look at me, he went [Oh~] sounding impressed.

Since I used it yesterday, I can’t help but wonder if it smells like me.

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“Maintain the image of condensing your power like that. Basically speaking, the power of Gift is directly linked to your imagination so the image is very important in a training like this.”

“I, I see…….”

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Akechi-san handed the Gift Glasses to me and I desperately tried to imagine myself controlling [Energy Drain].

For about 10 minutes, the power level stayed the same but thanks to Akechi-san’s on-point coaching, I somehow managed to gain control over it.

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“You’re a quick learner, Mishima.”

“Is, Is that so…….”

“Yeah, it’s worth my effort to teach you so it’s fun for me too.”

“Ehehe…… I see…….”

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Akechi-san’s saying that it’s fun being with me.

The special training to help me control my Gift continues for several hours after that with some short breaks between.

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“Akechi-san, what are your friends like?”

“Ahh……, there’s this Juumonji Takeru guy, you see, he’s a siscon……”

“A siscon……?”

“Yep, siscon. He’s a funny guy who can shamelessly say that he likes his little sister. My best friend.”

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Akechi-san happily smiles while he’s talking about Juumonji-san.

Maybe their personalities are just compatible

Or maybe he’s a friend who he doesn’t need to be reserved to argue with.

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“There’s also Emi and Madoka, I think you will get along with them well, Mishima.”

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Women’s names came up.

He said he doesn’t have a girlfriend but, as I thought, he must be popular. I can’t get rid of this fuzzy feeling in my chest.

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“Well, it’s just a little more. Let’s do our best together.”

“Y, Yes!”

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Akechi-san was sweating halfway through my training and he’s now drinking his tea away from me.

It was clear that he was pushing himself.

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I want to release Akechi-san from his suffering soon.

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I try controlling my Gift with that [Feeling].

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“Ah…..! I did it…..!”

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“Eh?” Akechi-san made a surprised voice.

It looks like Akechi-san was puzzled.

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“Akechi-san! L, Look! I can completely suppress the power of my Gift now!”

“R, Really…..!?”

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I handed the Gift Glasses to Akechi-san.

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“Amazing……, the swirling aura of [Energy Drain] is completely gone…….”

“Y, Yes!”

“Well done!”

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Akechi-san happily smiled and patted my head.

I’m so happy that I’m probably grinning right now.

I look down so that Akechi-san can’t see my face.

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“I wouldn’t be able to do it if you weren’t here, Akechi-san.”

“……yeah.”

“I’m truly….., truly happy…….”

“It’s been tough right….. I’ve been through something too, I’m glad that you’re finally being rewarded.”

“Th, Thank you very much!”

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Akechi-san gives me a gentle smile.

He’s happy for me.

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“I’ve always believed that you can do it, Mishima.”

“Th, Thank you! Thank you so much!”

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It felt ticklish when I realized that he placed his trust in me.

Even though he’s been suffering the effects of [Energy Drain], he’s still happy for me.

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“W, With this, I won’t be bound by my Gift anymore…….?”

“Yeah. You can already control it right?”

“Yes!”

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Akechi-san handed the Gift Glasses back to me and I confirmed it again.

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“Alright, try activating [Energy Drain] again.”

“Yes!”

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I’ve been practicing for the past 2 days so I have already become familiar with the presence of my Gift’s power.

“OHH!” Witnessing my success, Akechi-san raised his voice in excitement.

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“Your [Energy Drain] is certainly protecting you in its activated state, Mishima…….You can erase it with your free will now right?”

“Yes! Please take a look!”

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Take a deep breath.

Visualizing the image Akechi-san taught me.

It took me about 30 seconds but I can feel the sensation of my Gift receding inside my skin.

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“Well done! You did it, you’ve overcome your Gift.”

“Y, ……Yes! It’s all thanks to you, Akechi-san!”

“Y, You don’t have to lower your head you know.”

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He’s being humble.

But it won’t be enough no matter how much I thank him.

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“It’s not like I actually helped you after all. All I did was give you a chance.”

“Pl, please don’t say that! I, ……..I’m really…….grateful to you……..”

“……..I see. Well, good for you.”

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He’s shyly scratching his head.

Since I never had an older brother, I wonder if this is what it feels like to have one.

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“Ahh……., I was almost at my limit too so I’m glad that you managed to do it, Mishima…..”

Looking exhausted, Akechi-san held his head.

It seems that it was also painful for him to be bathed in [Energy Drain] for 2 days straight.

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“Akechi-san, please let me do something to repay you!”

“Eh?”

“I want to properly convey my gratitude!”

“You don’t have to, you know. I’d feel bad for Mishima too.”

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Akechi-san said so in a guilty tone.

But I can’t back down on this.

I want him to look at me.

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“Please…… Even a small request is fine, please let me thank you properly…….”

“……..Is that so. Well, I will come up with something then.”

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Akechi-san shows me another gentle smile.

I hold his hand.

I find his cold hand pleasant.

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“I really am grateful to you……”

“……….yeah.”

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Looking embarrassed, Akechi-san turned away.

Fufu, even though he usually looks so cool, now he looks so cute.

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We parted ways after that.

During my bicycle ride home, my mind was occupied by a lot of thoughts.

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I can finally go back to my old life.

I can control this troublesome Gift with my own strength.

Such thoughts made happiness well up inside me.

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……..Akechi-san.

I, I love you.

You might not be able to direct that kind of feeling toward someone so unattractive like me.

But just being with you already made me feel reassured.

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Will you still treat me the same way next week?

I can’t contain my feelings.

Someday, it would be nice if I can walk alongside Akechi-san…….