Volume 8 - CH 35

Akechi Hideyori Screams in his Heart

“Ohh, it’s certainly covering the entire ruins. This is amazing, you really are a quick learner, Mishma.”

“Th, Thank you! Akechi-san!”

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Mishima seemed happy as she thanked me while lowering her head.

It really feels like I’ve taken her in as my apprentice.

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[[What about me!? Please teach me something too!]]

In my mind I can hear Yurika, my (self-proclaimed) apprentice, saying that already.

The person herself will definitely be noisier than that so I probably can’t tell her about this huh…..

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“But it would be nice if you can extend the area of effect even further. At least to the point where you can’t see the black aura anymore.”

“Until you can’t see the black aura……….? Uh, would I–……?”

“It’s fine, if it’s Mishima then you can do it.”

“Akechi-san…….”

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I have to teach her to be able to control [Energy Drain] at the level Takeru managed to get her to in the game.

In the game, Takeru said [I can’t even tell if your Gift is still activating or not, Haruka.] Until she reaches the level where she can do that, I will stay by her side.

If her control reaches that point then there would not be any need to worry about her Gift affecting other people anymore.

It will be fine, it’s just a little more until she can do that.

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“It’s okay. There’s no need to rush. Take a deep breath and take it slow. Imagine yourself as water in a river and picture the current getting stronger and stronger.”

“Y, Yes.”

“Don’t force it. Be gentle. It’s okay, I’m here. I won’t let your Gift run out of control.”

“Yes…..”

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While holding Mishima’s hand, I constantly tell her not to rush.

I can feel my strength being sapped away from me by directly touching her body but I can also feel that her control is getting better and better.

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“Mishima, think strongly about your [Feelings]. Recall it, the feeling that you don’t want to hurt anyone, the desire to protect your family and those important to you.”

“My family….., People important to me……? U, Unn? My important person?”

“It’s someone who’s as important to you as your family. It can be your pet or someone Mishima likes. Anyway, try to imagine the person that always gives you peace of mind.”

“……..Uu. ……..Ehehe.”

“?”

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Mishima started to blush.

Does she have someone she likes?

She’s at that age so it’s not that surprising.

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Did the game ever mention that she has a crush on someone other than Takeru though?

Hmm, I didn’t really pay attention to [Compensation for Weakness] so I can’t really remember…..

It can’t be helped, Mishima herself was a heroine with a very thin presence. Her presence was even thinner than that of Sasaki Emi.

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She was tricked by Hideyori……Nn?

Who……?

She was tricked by the original Akechi Hideyori…..?

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Her affection was betrayed and her Gift went out of control….

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Affection……?

Eh, so she fell in love with Hideyori and gave him her trust?

Why would she fall for that scumbag?

Eh? She DID fall for that scumbag?

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………Nn?

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“Mishima.”

“Y, Yes!?”

“Your face is getting red, you know?”

“U, Uwawawa!? It’s nothing!?”

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When I bring my face closer to hers, Mishima blushes and looks away from me.

…….Eh? I’m not getting carried away……..right?

Why?

She likes me?

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…….eh? But how?

What did I do to Mishima!?

I don’t get it, why would Mishima fall for me!?

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As I shook my head in denial, I glanced at my hands that are holding Mishima’s.

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…….was she only conscious of me because I’m holding her hand……?

“S, Sorry!? I didn’t mean to!?”

“Ah……”

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Mishima’s face looked a little lonely.

My heart started beating hard from my lack of experience and the realization that I was holding a girl’s hand.

Even though I’ve always complained that I want a girlfriend, I always get cold feet when it counts…….

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The fact that I cheated and discerned her feelings through the knowledge I have from the game and novel made me feel terribly guilty……

It’s like if I reincarnated as Juumonji Takeru, I would know that Risa and Yoru’s feelings toward me were already maxed out from the start.

Uu….., I didn’t expect to recall the setting that Mishima had a thing for Hideyori now…….

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“U, Uhh…., can you hold my hand a little longer…….I, I feel at ease when you hold my hand, Akechi-san.”

“S, Sure…..”

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I wasn’t conscious of her until just earlier but I can’t help it now.

So that’s why she invited me to the Literature Club and asked me to hold her hand…….

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MO~~M!

MY PREVIOUS LIFE MO~~M!

WHAT SHOULD I DOOOO!?

KURUSU-SA~~N!

IS THIS LOVE!? IT IS RIGH~~~T!?

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My feelings that were never realized in my previous life made me incredibly flustered.

Eien-chan’s the best! Mitsuki’s so lovely! I’ve had those thoughts before but I never imagined that I would be so flustered because of Mishima……..

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“Thank you. I will do my best.”

“Y, Yeah.”

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Emi….., Takeru……, Risa……, Madoka…..

Anyone is fine…….

PLEASE TELL ME THAT I’M JUST OVERLY CONSCIOUS OF HER…….

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The only saving grace right now is the fact that [Energy Drain] is sapping away my strength and it started to get so painful that I can’t afford to think about Mishima anymore.

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“Akechi is teaching that girl to control her Gift…..? No, maybe he’s just trying to trick her to do something…….?”

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Just who on earth is that brown-haired man?

Who is he…….?

Isn’t Akechi Hideyori supposed to be the worst among Gift Holders…..?

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“What is this…..? This is strange……, it’s all wrong…..?”

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Unconsciously, I started gripping the silver pendant that was more important to me than my life.

The scale of whether I can trust him or not begins to tilt.

TLN: Wow, progress……