Volume 8 - CH 22

Compensation for Weakness: Awareness

TLN: Oh, it’s Haruka’s POV….

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“Then, Mishima, try using the Gift Glasses.”

“Y, Yes……”

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I did as instructed by Akechi-san.

When I did, I could certainly see Akechi-san’s body covered in a thin flame-shaped aura.

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“S, So this is what Gifts look like! Amazing! What I’m seeing must be what Akechi-san called Gift Resistance right!”

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It’s the first time I see the actual form of a Gift so I’m rather excited.

I’ve heard people saying that they look like waves but I didn’t expect it to look like this.

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Akechi-san sure knows a lot of things I don’t.

He’s amazing. Akechi-san is both smart and cool!

I’m a little scared of the look in his eyes but he even forced himself to touch me, he’s definitely a kind person.

Why does my heart beat so fast when it comes to Akechi-san I wonder…….?

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“Alright, keep the glasses on like that okay.”

“Yes.”

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Oops.

What am I daydreaming for? Akechi-san is spending his precious time to help me.

I don’t know what this feeling is but I have to concentrate now.

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“If I do this then……”

“W, Wow! Amazing! You’re amazing, Akechi-san!”

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The aura of Gift power covering Akechi-san burst like a bubble and disappeared.

Unlike a clumsy girl like me, he can manipulate his Gift so freely.

Akechi-san, so amazing…….

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“Ugh…….”

“A, Akechi-san!”

“I’m fine….. [Energy Drain] just took me by surprise when I disabled Gift Resistance…….I already reapplied it, don’t worry.”

“U, Understood……”

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He’s painfully holding his face with his right hand.

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“Don’t worry, I will definitely not run away…….”

“Akechi-san……”

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Why, why did he go so far for someone like me…..There’s nothing in it for him at all…..

To not put more burden on Akechi-san, I have to give it my all too.

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“Next, try looking at yourself in the mirror through the glasses.”

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He took out a small mirror from his bag and handed it to me.

I turned it toward myself and takes a look at my reflection.

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“Hie……!?”

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I can see a black aura swirling around me.

The radius is around 2 meters with me at the center.

I’m scared……

If it’s going to be like this then I would rather stay sickly like I used to be……

Rather than being looked at like a grim reaper by my classmates, I would be fine with a weak sickly body……

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“Don’t worry about it.”

“A, kechi…..-san…….”

“Try asserting control over your Gift.”

“Y, Yes!”

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Without worrying about my [Energy Drain], Akechi-san directly touched my shoulder.

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“First off……, [Get your Gift under Control.]”

“?”

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For a moment, I can sense a strong flow of Gift power concentrated on Akechi-san’s throat.

I don’t know what it is but maybe he’s just used some kind of Gift……?

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“Mishima? Do you feel any change in your Gift?”

“…….no, nothing in particular.”

“…….no good after all huh.”

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Akechi-san muttered something and paused for a few seconds.

His gaze lingers on my face for about 3 seconds more.

Uu……so embarrassing. Even with his mean-looking eye, being stared at by someone so handsome is still embarrassing.

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“Take a deep breath.”

“Y, Yes……..*Zuu….., Haa–…..*”

“Now try to imagine suppressing the swirling power around you.”

“*Zuu….., Haa–…..*”

“No need to rush. Take your time, slowly. It’s nothing difficult.”

“Ah……! The waves of power just got a little weaker.”

“That’s it, remember this feeling. If you can grasp it then you will be able to freely control your Gift just like me.”

“*Zuu….., Haa–…..*. Ah, I somewhat understand how to do it now.”

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I can feel the power of my Gift slightly getting weaker.

Amazing…..

Thanks to Akechi-san, I can do something that I couldn’t do no matter how hard I tried.

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“Alright, well, should we call it a day here?”

“……eh?”

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Call it a day……?

I don’t know why but I feel sad to say goodbye to Akechi-san…..

Even though we are not even friends with each other yet, I can feel my heart painfully squeezed tight.

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“It’s getting late after all. How about we meet here again at noon tomorrow? Let me set up the RINE calendar.”

“U, Understood.”

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We will meet again tomorrow.

The moment he said that, I could feel my chest getting warmer.

Akechi-san’s reliability and kindness comfort my heart.

I followed Akechi-san with my eyes. He was packing his things and suddenly, his phone rang.

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“…….oh? A message from Madoka huh.”

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I can see Akechi-san fiddling with his phone.

Madoka-san…..?

A woman’s name…..

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“She’s worried? I-told-you-I’m-fine……”

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He muttered something while answering the message on RINE.

He said that he doesn’t have a girlfriend but it still hurts to hear another woman’s name from Akechi-san’s mouth.

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“Is,…….is it your, girlfriend…..?”

“Nah, she’s just a friend from elementary school. She’s kinda foul-mouthed though.”

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He calmly replied.

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“Honestly, she could learn to be at least half as cute as you, Mishima.”

“Eh!?”

“Well, see you tomorrow okay.”

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Akechi smiled at me and left the ruins.

C, cute……

I can’t let go of what Akechi-san said.

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I….., I think I’ve fallen for Akechi-san……

That’s what my heart wants to scream out right now.