Volume 8 - CH 28

Compensation for Weakness: Nightmare

“How are you doing lately? Any discomfort?”

“None at all! I’ve never realized that my life could be so much fun.”

“Hey, don’t cry.”

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I meet Akechi-san at the ruins about once a week.

Despite the positive changes in my life, this place still has not a shred of a romantic atmosphere.

Even so, I like it here because there’s no one else but us.

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“You were in a really dangerous spot you know, Mishima.”

“I realize that now……”

“I knew how it would end for Mishima after all.”

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Saying so, Akechi-san showed me a pained expression.

His face made me realize yet again how terrifying my [Energy Drain] is.

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“How’s it been for you? Did you manage to make friends?”

“Yes! It’s only Mitsuki-san and Emi-san but we get along really well!”

“Mitsuki……Emi…….”

“Eh? Do you know them?”

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For some reason, my woman instinct activated.

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“W, Well, something like that…….Fukamori’s twin sister is in my class and I’ve only heard about Emi. I don’t really know them.”

“Eh? Mitsuki-san has a twin sister?”

“She’s in my class, yes. She’s a quiet girl though. Her name is Misuzu.”

“Hee.”

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Mitsuki-san didn’t mention that at all.

She told me that she has a sister but I didn’t know that they are twins…….

Maybe she’s on bad terms with her sister? I know it’s bad but I ended up starting to speculate about my friend.

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“Emi huh…… …….I don’t want to meet her……”

“Akechi-san?”

“Ah, no, it’s nothing.”

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Akechi-san mumbled Emi-san’s name as though he was lost in thought.

Does he know Emi-san?

I don’t really understand but I guess I will try asking her about Akechi-san next Monday.

Like, are they in some kind of suspicious relationship…….?

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“But it’s reassuring to be here with you, Akechi-san. How did you find this place though?”

“This ruins……ahh…….., it’s kind of like a secret base between me and my friend.”

“Your friend?”

“I think I talked about him before, his name is Juumonji Takeru……, you probably don’t know him huh. They are not twins but he and his sister are in the same class as me.”

“I’m sorry……, I don’t know him…….”

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I’m really ignorant about the people at school……

Maybe he’s the black-haired guy I saw with Akechi-san at school?

I think I’ve seen him a few times already.

Come to think of it, I think I might have bumped into him on the first day of school…….

I was in a hurry to run away since I saw my classmate suddenly look ill the moment I stepped into the classroom. So that person was Akechi-san’s friend.

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“That said, I’m glad that you’re doing fine. Now you are free, Mishima.”

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Akechi-san’s face turned red as he laughed.

What am I doing!?

I get my head in order and switch the topic back.

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“Yes! I’m happy because I can spend time with my family and friends now!”

“………family, huh.”

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I noticed Akechi-san’s complicated expression as he muttered that.

Come to think of it, does Akechi-san have a sibling? Since we are on the topic, I can’t help but wonder.

I get the feeling that he’s an only child though.

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“Akechi-san, do you have a younger brother or sister?”

“No? Just me by my lonesome.”

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Akechi-san casually replied.

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“So you’re an only child. Are you living with your father and mother? Maybe you have your grandparents with you as well?”

“No, ………my entire family is already gone, I live alone.”

“Ah….., uhh, I’m sorry.”

“Nah, don’t worry about it.”

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Akechi-san’s expression looked sad for a moment.

The silver piercing on his left ear glinted in the light.

To think that he looks cool like that, it’s probably too late for me.

I’m so hopeless…….

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“Nn? Mishima, your face is red you know? Do you have a fever?”

“I, I, I, I’m fine! L, Let’s meet again next week, Akechi-san!”

“S, Sure.”

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I got so embarrassed so I decided to run away.

Since I want to get away as fast as possible, I immediately hopped on my bike and sped away.

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Awawawawa, did he realize that I have a crush on him!?

……ah, if he noticed my feelings then isn’t this my chance to confess!?

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While waiting for the light, I finally managed to calm down.

Haa……, even though I managed to overcome [Energy Drain], I’m still like this huh……..

While disappointed with myself, I return home.

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That night.

I was chatting with Nekosuke in my room.

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“Haa….. hey, Nekosuke? Do you love me?”

[[Nyahh!]]

“Do you love Kazuma too?”

[[Nyahh!]]

“Like love LOVE?”

[[Nyahh!]]

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I don’t get what Nekosuke is saying at all……

I get the feeling that I shouldn’t be consulting a cat for this in the first place though.

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[[[What, Aneki? Lovesick?]]]

“Shut up, bro.”

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Kazuma’s voice came from the corridor.

He overheard the whole back-and-forth I had with Nekosuke.

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Sometimes I just hate how thin the walls in our house are.

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[[[Ooh, Scary.]]]

“You want to feel the might of Nekosuke Missile?”

[[[You can’t launch Nekosuke Missile at me when you are stuck in your room though.]]]

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Kazuma’s voice is pissing me off.

So I leap out and push the door open.

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“GO, NEKOSUKE MISSILE!”

[[GYAHHH!]]

“I TOLD YOU, STOP DOING THAT!?”

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I feel refreshed after hitting Kazuma with Nekosuke Missile.

Why does he always intentionally annoy me in the first place……

Anyway, it was a win for Nekosuke and me.

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“I’m going to sleep now……”

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By the time I let Nekosuke go, it was already past midnight.

The drowsiness hit me like a truck and my eyelids grew heavy.

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And then I had a dream.

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A dream where a terrible darkness envelops my house.

A painful dream that I just can’t stop sweating in my sleep.

What is this…….?

What is this feeling…….?

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What is going on…….?

If it’s a dream then let me wake up already…..!

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A sickening feeling of discomfort that would last for the rest of my life swirled inside my chest.