After Becoming a Counselor for Girls, I Ended Up Producing a Lot of Potential Girlfriends Who Became Mentally Ill - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Shizuku Gives Me Two Choices

The place where I always have consultations with Nogami Shizuku is always the same.

It’s Shizuku’s house. Her mother greets me and shows me to Shizuku’s room.

What spread out before me was—

“I have returned—To inherit the magician who never came back.”

An anime was playing from the tablet. I can’t remember how many times I’ve seen this.

It’s the famous scene with Shizuku’s favorite character.

“Kuuuu, Yuria-sama’s deep voice gives new life to my ears! The godly voice descending into this world at its end, truly, it does not betray me!”

She expresses her emotions with her whole body. With such exaggerated movements, it almost looks like a play.

Apparently, I walked in right at the most exciting part.

There was at least a “Welcome,” though. A minimal form of communication.

It seems there wouldn’t be much chance to talk for a while. I’d better prepare to listen.

The consultation was supposed to be Shizuku’s, and it was supposed to be urgent.

…Shizuku’s carefree nature has always been the same. She doesn’t seem to get stressed. I just need to match her pace.

In less than five minutes, the anime’s ending credits started to roll. The viewing was interrupted, and she turned to face me.

“Sorry for the casual welcome, Seiichiro-dono.”

“It’s fine. I just thought it was very much like you, Shizuku.”

“That was my ritual for mental preparation.”

“I see.”

“I watch that legendary scene, which I’ve seen countless times, to calm myself down. It’s like a routine for me.”

“Those words come from someone who was nearly crying in the moment, huh?”

She cleared her throat.

“Now, my mind is at peace. In hindsight.”

“Looks like it. I can ask you about the details of the consultation in a bit, right?”

“The tea and snacks are ready.”

She stepped out of the room and brought in the sweets.

Cookies and tea in elegant teacups—a refined selection.

“Let’s relax and enjoy this tea time, shall we?”

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

The tea leaves are good. The cookies are sweet enough. Perfect, as always.

Shizuku also smiled, clearly enjoying the tea time.

“So, let’s get to it, about your friend?”

She stopped eating the cookie and started speaking.

It was pretty much the same story as the message.

“She said she didn’t think about it much before, but now she suddenly started to be aware of it.”

“That’s a common story, though I feel bad for your friend.”

“Maybe, though I can’t really believe it. The people I like, I basically fall for at first sight. I decide based on intuition, and then I love even the actor playing the character.”

“That’s the complete opposite of how you are.”

“That’s why it’s a problem.”

What a farce.

This is probably not about a friend at all. It’s actually Shizuku’s own consultation, and she’s pretending it’s her friend’s problem. She’s talking this way as if answering on behalf of a friend.

“So, what do you think is the solution?”

“Confess your feelings to the person you like.”

“Has she tried that already?”

“Hmm. She’s still hesitating. She can’t take the first step. She’s afraid of rejection, and she’s worried it might just be her one-sided feelings. She’s scared of it being embarrassing if it turns out to be a mistake.”

“What kind of words does she want to hear?”

Shizuku paused as if thinking, then looked at me.

“She wants you to think of something.”

“Me?”

What words should I say? I’m not the type of person to just casually drop words like that. I just speak whatever comes to mind.

“…There’s no need to fight against your inner voice. Maybe you should live more honestly, and straight-forwardly.”

What came to my mind was the image of someone straight-forward. Someone who doesn’t care about what others think and doesn’t hesitate. That’s what’s needed.

That’s what I thought.

“You really are amazing, Seiichiro-dono. You wash away my confused heart so easily.”

After a pause, Shizuku looked at me again.

“You might have already guessed, but this consultation is completely a lie.”

“About the friend?”

“That’s right. It’s about my own problem with you, Seiichiro-dono.”

“Stop being so indirect, just be straight with me.”

My guess was turning into reality.

“Seiichiro-dono, no—Sei-kun!”

“Yes?”

The familiar way of calling my name took me by surprise.

“If it’s okay, I want you to think of me as more than just a friend. In other words, I expect to be treated as your girlfriend!”

“So, you want to date me?”

“That’s right! A man’s word is his bond! No, even a woman’s word is her bond!”

What I had feared had become reality.

Now, with Kujo’s confession still on hold, the question was whether I should accept Shizuku’s feelings or not.

Luckily, she said “more than a friend” but still didn’t ask me to start dating her directly. It’s probably best to hold off for now.

If Kujo hadn’t confessed yet, I would have accepted Shizuku’s feelings without hesitation.

Shizuku, small and with a youthful face, is cute. Even when she’s deeply involved in her otaku interests, she still has an endearing quality.

Though, because we’ve known each other for so long, I’ve grown less aware of her rarity and charm. Looking at her carefully, wouldn’t I start to think of her in a different way?

“Ah, don’t stare at me like that! My heart might explode and reset civilization!”

“That’s way too dramatic!?”

Even when she said things that didn’t make sense, it was still cute. Shizuku was cute.

I was now faced with a difficult choice. Postponing it just delays the problem. I know that. But sometimes, compromise is necessary.

“Shizuku, let me say this.”

“Yes?”

“I’m really happy about how you feel. There’s no one else like you—cute, interesting, and comfortable to be with.”

“Stop, you’re making me embarrassed.”

“But right now, I’m dealing with a certain secret mission.”

She gave me a puzzled look. I thought it was a good way to explain things to her.

“As a consultant, I’m facing my biggest challenge.”

“Wait, so does that mean you’re rejecting my confession?”

I raised a hand to stop Shizuku.

“I’m currently holding onto a beautiful, unexploded bomb. If I start a relationship now, that bomb could go off in a big way.”

“…Did I end up with a really bad consultant?”

“Exactly. I would love to accept your feelings, but for now, please accept my delaying tactic.”

It was an unreasonable request. I’m a coward. I’m trying to get out of it by using underhanded tactics to push Shizuku away.

“…It’s okay. Sei-kun is a sincere person. You’re doing your job as a consultant. You prioritize the benefit of others. But…”

“Yeah?”

“I’ve decided to be honest. So, I’m going to be the unfair one.”

“Unfair one?”

“No more delays. It’s either this: break all ties with me, or melt me with your sweet words. It’s a choice. Now, make your decision.”