Chapter 17: TS Girl, Contemplating

Alright, time to head over to everyone so I don’t end up alone!

But… what should I do about Honoka? Well, I guess I did bring that on myself. I doubt she’ll talk about my middle school years after I intimidated her, though.

Still, I really don’t want people talking about middle school. I want to keep my “core” a little vague when interacting with everyone!

Why? Because leaving things ambiguous makes you seem like a mysterious girl, doesn’t it? That’s way more interesting!

Well, it’s also because I don’t want people knowing I used to speak like a boy, or about all my darker past stuff.

For example, there was that kind of story where even a super extroverted kid felt bad for me because I had literally no friends and ended up talking to me…

Even a breathtaking beauty can be a loner in middle school! Well, I did stand out, at least.

Now then, I’ve arrived at the training grounds… huh? Doesn’t it feel like everything’s already organized without me?

Wait, is Reina kind of “connected” with everyone already?

So that cold vibe she used to have… what happened to it?!

And it feels like Kisa and Reina have gotten closer too. Well, as long as everyone’s getting along, I guess it’s fine.

“Sorry I’m late, Nagisa-kun.”

“How was it with Shishiba-san?”

“She looked like she was about to casually spill my secrets, so I got a little mad. Just kidding.”

I even stuck my tongue out playfully, but his reaction was kind of dull.

The way Nagisa-kun is looking at me… it feels like he’s looking at a small child. Or maybe someone fragile he needs to protect?

Well, I do look like a small, fragile beauty. But inside, I’m pretty unhinged, you know.

Maybe he’s still stuck on what happened when I collapsed from the fever?

…Ugh, I don’t like that. I want to shake that image off, but it doesn’t seem to be working. My mood is basically rainy and sulky—Akegami Yuri, withdrawal mode.

Oh well. If I can “connect” with everyone, it’ll be faster to just test the feeling directly.

“Alright, I guess I’ll start training too! Nagisa-kun.”

“Got it. ‘Connect Link.’”

We clasp hands.

Something connects between Nagisa-kun and me.

…Huh? He’s not letting go. Wait, what? Did I just make him fall for me or something?

I look up at him. He’s staring seriously at our joined hands.

What is going on?

Then I feel a slight heat spreading through my palm. A subtle warmth travels deeper, straight inward.

It feels gross—like something unfamiliar is being inserted into me.

I know this feeling. This isn’t a normal Connect Link. It’s a deeper kind.

I immediately pull my hand away. If we’re not in contact, it can’t dig in that deeply.

“Nagisa-kun…”

Don’t do that kind of thing, okay?

I narrow my eyes and stare at him in protest. His eyes waver, shifting left and right.

“Uh…”

“You were trying to deepen the Connect Link to see someone’s memories, weren’t you?”

“…Yeah.”

He looks dejected. Honestly, it’s a little cute.

“Nagisa-kun, you’re so perverted.”

“W-what!? I mean… that’s—”

Ahh, I feel cleansed. It’s true he tried to peek, so it’s hard for him to deny it. Even his awkward side is kind of appealing…

It’s not a good feeling, but it’s not exactly unpleasant either.

Don’t rush your “approach,” okay? Take it slow.

Why are you even worrying about me so much? You’ll just end up hurting yourself later, you know?

…Wait, maybe he’s actually falling for me and wants to know what’s in my heart?

Fufu, if that’s the case, I might forgive him a little.

“Nagisa-kun.”

“Y-yes…”

“If you want to steal my heart, you should change your approach a bit.”

“W-what are you even talking about?!”

Alright, that’s enough teasing. Time to train!

Kisa and Reina are already training. Fast.

The simulator is generating a fake “Deep Calamity.” What kind of technology is this? You can actually hit it—and get hit back.

“Saint Arts—Lance.”

I form a spear of light and grip it. The manifested Deep Calamity looks like a spider-type again.

Most of the Deep Calamities in the Ranheri series are insect types. You’d think there would be machines too, but I guess not.

…Come to think of it, I’ve been acting all “Nagisa-kun obsessed,” but apparently he already realized I don’t actually like him like that.

I’m teasing him because his reactions are fun, but in the end, Nagisa-kun is kind of my comfort.

So it’s not love-love—more like like-like, I guess.

But what am I really feeling? I’ve never properly checked my emotions.

In that sense… maybe I could fall for him too. Or so I think.

But maybe I’d disappear before that even happens.

Ah, but…

If I ever did fall in love, I’d probably regret it. So maybe it’s better if he doesn’t become that attractive.

While I’m thinking this, my thoughts are clearly messy. Not good, not good—dark moods don’t suit me.

I swing the spear. The spider-type Deep Calamity shatters. I dodge the webs it spits and weave through the openings to cut it down.

Today’s just light movement, not coordination training.

Since it’s probably everyone’s first time feeling a full Connect Link, I should let Nagisa-kun get used to it. No harm in building experience.

Save the world, hero!

Fufu, maybe I should even prepare a reward for when he does well.

Well, I already have one thing in mind I’ll give him eventually.

If he wants my body, I wouldn’t mind giving it… just kidding.

From Ranheri’s rating system perspective it’s a no-go, but technically possible.

Alright, enough joking—back to training.

…Ugh. Everyone keeps paying attention to me. It’s honestly disgusting.

If it came to this, maybe reincarnating as a random mob would’ve been better. Though I might’ve died instantly.

…Yeah. That would’ve been better. Even if it’s the same “die anyway” ending, I’d rather be a nobody than this troublesome role.

If I had… no. I shouldn’t think about weird things even during training. I might just be tired.

I need Nagisa-kun to soothe me again. With my hands still trembling like this, I can’t train properly anyway.