Volume 8 - CH 36

Yoru Hiru Bursts In

“How am I doing? I think I’ve expanded it quite a bit.”

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After that, I continue training Mishima for another 2 hours.

Hearing the confidence in her voice, I put on the Gift Glasses. Certainly, it looks quite stable and I can’t see the black aura of her Gift anymore.

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Rather, the thin veil of Gift Resistance I put up is more visible than her [Energy Drain].

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It’s finally done.

I managed to help Mishima improve her Gift to the point Takeru got her to in the game……

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“Alright, let’s run a test. Can you try concentrating [Energy Drain] to have the same output and area of effect as before?”

“Y, Yes. If you give me some time, I think I can do it……”

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Gradually, the black aura came back, and [Energy Drain] enveloped Mishima’s entire body.

Even from where I stand, I already felt tired and dizzy just by looking at her……

I need to tank it.

At least until she completes her training…..

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“Are you okay, Akechi-san!?”

“All good, that’s checked out. Now try expanding [Energy Drain] outward again.”

“Leave it to me!”

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Just like that, the aura of [Energy Drain] cleared up and disappeared into thin air.

She did it……!

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Finally, Mishima has truly overcome her [Energy Drain]…….

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“I did it! I did it, Akechi-san! I actually did it!”

“Yeah, …….good, for you……”

“……Akechi-san!?”

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No good……., I got too relaxed. I can’t even put strength into my legs…….

I collapsed to my knees and hung my head down.

Ahh, I’m glad I didn’t bring Madoka into this……

As I thought, I really can’t do it like Takeru……

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“…a….chi…….-san!?”

“……..”

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I can see Mishima rushing toward me but I can’t hear her voice at all.

The anemia-like symptoms attacked me.

This is bad, my vision is turning white.

I can’t stop sweating at all.

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“Akechi-san!? Akechi-san!? Please wake up.”

“Ugh…., I’m……okay…….”

“You’re not okay at all!?”

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Akechi-san’s complexion is even worse than when mom and Kazuma came down with anemia.

Because of me…….., the fact that he’s in such pain because of me made my chest tighten.

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“Akechi-san! Take a deep breath! Breath! Uhh……water, water……..”

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I opened the lid of the tea Akechi-san was drinking and handed it to him but he wouldn’t take it.

Seeing that he doesn’t even have the strength to grab the bottle, I started to panic.

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“Drink! Please drink it!”

“Ah……, ugh……”

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I bring the bottle to Akechi-san’s mouth and tilt it down. The tea spilled out from his mouth but he’s drinking it.

I’m glad, he drank it.

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[[Oi!]]

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My heart almost stopped from surprise when I heard someone else’s voice inside the ruins.

When I turned to look, I saw a woman with reddish-brown hair and red eyes approaching me.

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“…..eh? W, Who are you…….?”

“I’m Yoru Hiru. Oi, did your…….did Mishima’s Gift cause this?”

“Y, Yes…… what should I do……..”

“Let him lie down first.”

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Yoru-san lies Akechi-san down with practiced movement.

She then placed an unopened bottle of water on Akechi-san’s forehead and grabbed his hand to make him hold it in place by himself.

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“Are you an acquaintance of Akechi-san……?”

“No way. If anything, it’s more like karma. I freaking hate this guy’s guts…… But Mishima? Has Akechi been helping you this entire time?”

“Y, Yes….. He has been teaching me how to control my Gift since yesterday so that it won’t run out of control……..”

“……..just what are you? Are you really Akechi Hideyori……..?”

“Eh?”

“It’s nothing.”

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Yoru-san muttered something while looking at Akechi-san who was making a pained expression.

I don’t understand. From Yoru-san’s attitude, it really seems like she hates Akechi-san and I can’t feel a shred of friendliness between them.

Still, for some reason, she looked really desperate.

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“Uu…..”

“Nn?”

“A, Akechi-san!?”

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Akechi-san is cooling the area around his eyes with the water bottle while holding his head.

When Yoru-san removed the bottle from his forehead, Akechi-san suddenly stood up.

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“Oi, Akechi!?”

“Ah? Yoru huh……? Ugh….., I’m having a headache so I’m going home.”

“A, Akechi-san.”

“………sorry. It seems I can’t continue today. Later, Mishima, Yoru………”

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Still looking dizzy, Akechi-san kept holding his head and left the ruins.

He really pushed himself enduring my [Energy Drain]…….

I have to give him a proper apology the next time I see him………

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“Oi, Mishima. Give me your contact info.”

“Eh?”

“I want to know more about you. Please be my friend.”

“Y, Yes!”

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I’m worried about Akechi-san but it’s true that I will only trouble him if I stay like this.

It might be my punishment for when I selfishly asked him to hold my hand.

…..even so, his hands felt nice and gentle.

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“Mishima Haruka right……then I should call you Haruka instead of Mishima. Nice to meet you.”

“Y…. Yoru-san, it’s nice to meet you too.”

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Like that, a strange relationship was born

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“Then let’s shake hands.”

“Ah……, Uhh…..If I touch Yoru-san, you might end up like Akechi-san because of my [Energy Drain]–……”

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I can control it to some extent now so I don’t think she will immediately feel its effect though…….

When I was about to say that, Yoru-san cut in.

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“Ahh, it’s fine. My Gift has the strongest defense, others’ Gift won’t work on me. It’s called [Anti-Gift].”

“[Anti-Gift]? Does something like that exist…….?”

“It does. See.”

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Yoru-san calmly took my hand.

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“Well, if you’re having trouble with your Gift then you don’t have to rely on Akechi, you can come to me, okay! Gift Researcher, Yoru Hiru, at your service!”

“Ahaha, what’s that?”

“Gift Researcher sounds cool don’t you think?”

“No, not at all.”

“What!?”

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Her sensibility is leaning toward the disappointing side.

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“What do you think about the name [Anti-Gift] then?”

“I think it’s nice and easy to understand too.”

“Ugh……, I lost.”

“Against who?”

“The scumbag who named it [Anti-Gift]……..”

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While thinking that her choice of words is rather crude, I gave her a wry smile.

Strangely enough, I don’t feel scared of Yoru-san at all.