Volume 3 Chapter 55: Reflection Meeting?

“Well then, let’s begin our reflection meeting!”

In the usual pure white space, everyone sat in their usual seats. For some reason, Magis-chan, who had me sitting on her lap, announced this in an extremely cheerful voice.

Wrapped snugly in her thick robe, her arms were tightly wrapped around my body. Her hands moved softly as if toying with me, and her breath brushed against my neck and ears as she peeked over my shoulder. Even though we were pressed together so closely that it should have felt hot, chills ran down my spine, and I couldn’t stop sweating.

“Um…”

“Yes, what is it, Noil-san?”

“Could you, um, let go for now?”

“…Even though we can only meet occasionally…?”

She whispered softly, pressing her body even closer. Under the robe, where she was lightly dressed, her chest pressed firmly against my back.

Her eyes, resting over my shoulder, gazed at me wistfully, shimmering as if she might burst into tears at any moment.

Isn’t that unfair? That expression is totally unfair!

When someone looks at you with teary eyes from such a close distance, even if it’s calculated, I can’t say anything. I’m not the tough-guy type; I’m a timid man. I’m extremely weak against women’s tears. Moreover, her arms, tightly wrapped around me, showed no sign of loosening. Even if I said something, I probably couldn’t escape.

Well, she doesn’t seem to intend to do anything more than this, so I’ll just stay quiet.

Trying my best not to focus on the warm, soft sensations being pressed against me, I turned my gaze back to everyone.

Carat-san had an utterly exasperated expression.

Hunter-chan was glaring at us with a flushed face.

Guardian-san looked somewhat pleased.

Healer-san wore a gentle smile, but her eyes weren’t smiling.

And then—

“Magis is pretty forward, huh,” said the newcomer seated across from us—the ambiguous Transformer.

“It’s nothing special, Transformer-kun…”

Even though she was clearly acting unusually, Magis-chan smiled sweetly at Transformer.

At being addressed that way, he? She? Placed a hand on their chin as if pondering.

“Um… could you stop with the ‘-kun’? I’m actually a woman. And besides, couldn’t you let me have Noil this time?”

“Certainly, you were the MVP this time, Transformer-kun, and I understand that you’ve just finally met Noil-san.”

“That’s why… please drop the ‘-kun’—”

“But I have no intention of giving him up, Transformer-kun. Or rather, no matter what happens, I’ll never give him up, Transformer-kun. Besides, considering you might not even have any appearances from now on, Transformer-kun, don’t you think that I, who will continue to be around, should deepen my bond with Noil-san, Transformer-kun?”

Magis-chan emphasized the ‘-kun’ excessively. I ended up not knowing again whether Transformer was male or female. Well, you know, maybe it doesn’t matter anymore. Let’s just consider Transformer as Transformer. I’ll interpret it in whatever way is convenient at the time.

However, as Magis-chan said, I wasn’t sure if there would be an opportunity to use ‘Transformer’ from now on. I looked at Transformer, who wore a troubled expression.

The power I created to save Sophie doesn’t seem very practical or versatile. It’s not something I can wield casually.

If my friends here feel a bond through manifesting their powers, then perhaps I’ve done something I should apologize for.

Noticing my gaze, Transformer gave me a gentle smile.

“You Don’t Need to Look So Guilty, Noil”

“You don’t need to look so guilty, Noil. It’s fine if I’m just a convenient presence for you.”

“Ah, yes.”

As if reading my thoughts entirely, Transformer said this with a smile. I immediately resolved to stop interpreting Transformer in a way that suited me. The guilt was overwhelming.

“…Then, wouldn’t it be better if Noil deepened his bond with me instead?”

Hunter-chan, seated beside me, mumbled in a small voice, her cheeks slightly flushed as she looked away. While she didn’t assert herself strongly, the way her lips pouted as she gazed to the side betrayed her dissatisfaction with the current situation.

Well, she wasn’t entirely wrong. Among all the Magis Gear I had, Hunter was by far the most versatile. If building a better connection with her would enhance her power, then I should probably communicate more with her. Not that it requires this kind of close contact, though.

But of course, Magis-chan wasn’t about to let that slide.

“What’s that, Hunter-chan? You’ll have to speak more clearly if you want me to understand. Why not just say it outright? You’re always like this, Hunter-chan. It’s so sneaky, isn’t it? Manipulative, even? Acting all cute and needy to get attention—it’s downright underhanded, don’t you think? Noil-san doesn’t like that kind of girl, you know? He finds it tiresome. But because he’s so kind, he still indulges you. So, why don’t you stop taking advantage of Noil-san’s kindness, hmm?”

See what I mean?
This girl is terrifying.

“Uh, no, I don’t really—”

“Noil-san, you shouldn’t spoil Hunter-chan too much, okay? Just because she’s useful doesn’t mean she should assume she’s your favorite. Leading her on too much would be cruel, don’t you think?”

“Ah, yes.”

I couldn’t help but nod. The sheer pressure was immense. Not to mention, Magis-chan’s hands were inching toward my lower body, leaving me with no other choice.

Hunter-chan shot up from her seat, her face bright red.

“T-that’s not true!”

She had completely lost her composure.

“And besides! Noil likes me, doesn’t he? Right?”

“……”

“Noil!?”

No, no, that’s not it. I wanted to tell her that as she looked at me, her voice trembling in shock.

It’s not that I dislike Hunter-chan or anything. It’s just that when I tried to nod, Magis-chan’s hands started moving downward again, as if to seal my lips by other means.

Using her hands to silence me by reaching toward my lower body—how does that even make sense? I didn’t get it either. But the effect was undeniably effective.

Hunter-chan’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Noil, you… don’t you… like me?”

“…I…”

I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Every time I try to say something, those slender hands creep further downward.

“You do like me, right…? You like me… don’t you, Noil…?”

“…I…”

Her pleading eyes and trembling voice stabbed at my heart, but I couldn’t get the words out.

Of course, if you asked whether I liked her, the answer was obvious. But there was no way for me to express it. Everything had been completely locked down.

Even just glancing at Hunter-chan was enough to trigger imminent danger for my lower half.

It felt like my life force was about to be snatched away.

No, it’s fine. It’s going to be fine. Hunter-chan will understand. She has to. We’ve survived so many deadly situations together. She doesn’t need me to say it—she’ll know. Please, Hunter-chan, understand why I can’t speak right now. Please don’t cry.

“See? Hunter-chan?”

And yet, in that moment, Magis-chan struck mercilessly, her words landing with precision, like a predator delivering the final blow to weakened prey. All the while, her hand continued to brush against the area around my hip. At this point, I wasn’t even sure which of them was the real hunter.

“You understand now, don’t you?”

Hunter-chan crumbled.

“T-this can’t be…”

“I’m sorry…”

Somehow, I managed to whisper those two words. Even Magis-chan allowed it.

However, as Hunter-chan’s despairing face shot up, I realized my apology had backfired. In hindsight, apologizing at that moment was tantamount to rejecting her. I was an idiot. By the time I understood why Magis-chan had allowed me to speak, it was already too late.

I hadn’t meant it like that, but once the words were out, there was no taking them back.

“Uwaaahhhh!”

Hunter-chan broke down into tears, collapsing onto the ground. I silently vowed to properly explain and apologize to her later. I couldn’t do it now, though—not with Magis-chan’s hands still wandering.

“Hehe…”

“Good grief… Women who can’t keep their composure are such a bother, aren’t they?”

As I froze at the sound of Magis-chan’s oddly sensual laugh in my ear, Healer-san’s exasperated voice cut through the tension. Her striking emerald eyes turned toward Transformer.

“Don’t you agree, Transformer-chan?”

“Even Though You Don’t Look Happy, Noil”

“Hmm? Well, as long as Noil is happy, I don’t mind… though you don’t really look happy right now.”

“I agree. Let’s make sure we don’t become bothersome women like that,” Healer-san said loudly, making sure her words were heard.

Though she spoke in a casual tone, as if chatting about the weather, she was clearly provoking Magis-chan. In fact, she outright called her a “bothersome woman.”

“Oh my, someone who didn’t even have a role this time has something to say?”

In response, Magis-chan gave a serene smile.

Healer-san turned to face her, and the two exchanged smiles.

“My lack of a role means something wonderful, you know? It means no one was gravely injured in front of Noil-chan.”

“Wow, as expected of a woman with composure. Truly impressive! I hope you remain unused for the rest of your life!”

“Indeed. But more importantly, isn’t it about time you let go of Noil-chan?”

“Oh? Does it bother you? Even though you’re such a composed woman? Well, too bad. I’m a bothersome, clingy woman, so I’m not letting go.”

“…How vulgar.”

“…Coming from you?”

It was strange. Despite their smiles, the atmosphere between them was unbearably tense. This world truly is a mystery. Why am I sweating so much?

Desperate for help, I turned a pleading gaze toward Guardian-san. In times like this, he’s the one to rely on. Surely, he could defuse the situation.

But to my dismay, Guardian-san, who I counted on so much, was quietly enjoying himself fishing, utterly unconcerned.

I was stunned.

Why? The usual Guardian-san would never act so carefree in such a tense atmosphere. He would step in with authority, put a stop to this nonsense, and bring order to the chaos. Without him, there was no one to play the role of mediator.

“Ah, don’t bother relying on him right now,” Carat-san muttered beside me.

Previously uninterested in the situation, Carat-san glanced my way, looking exhausted, and whispered quietly.

“That guy’s all giddy right now.”

“Why?”

“Didn’t he get to shine this time? And you thanked him directly, right? That made him super happy. He’s completely lost in the afterglow. So don’t count on him for anything right now.”

“Seriously?”

What an adorable person.

Just that little bit of praise made him this happy? It was hard to imagine such a sweet reaction from the usually gallant and composed Guardian-san. His expression was so soft and relaxed that just looking at him warmed my heart. What an unexpected side to him. My affection for Guardian-san skyrocketed.

“Yeah, so just leave him be,” Carat-san added.

“Got it.”

Even without being told, I planned to do just that. Watching the current Guardian-san was oddly therapeutic.

That said—

“Carat-san, help me.”

“…”

Without a word, Carat-san resumed fishing. Clearly, he wanted nothing to do with the smiling yet glaring Magis-chan and Healer-san. I couldn’t blame him. If I weren’t currently caught in Magis-chan’s vice grip, I would have fled long ago myself.

Hunter-chan was crying as usual, Guardian-san was in his own world, and Carat-san refused to get involved.

That left only one option.

I turned to my newest friend, Transformer, for help—

“Oh, by the way, Noil. You’ve kissed quite a few people lately, Magis included. Who was the best? Would you be happy if I kissed you too?”

“Read the room!”

I reflexively snapped at Transformer’s absurdly calm question.

Magis-chan’s arms tightened around me, Healer-san’s gaze sharpened, and Transformer looked at me with complete sincerity.

“Of course, I’m the best, right, Noil-san?” Magis-chan whispered in my ear.

“Noil-chan, if you’d like, I could show you what a real kiss is like,” Healer-san added in a sultry tone, running her tongue across her lips.

“If you ever feel like it, just let me know. I’ll do it however you want,” Transformer said with a gentle smile.

Carat-san glanced at me, made eye contact for a split second, and then immediately looked away. Guardian-san, meanwhile, continued fishing happily.

“U-ugh…!”

At that moment, Hunter-chan, who had been curled up on the floor, suddenly screamed and threw herself at Magis-chan—and, by extension, me.

“Ah!”

“Whoa!”

Caught in her wild charge, I was knocked loose from Magis-chan’s grip, and we all tumbled to the ground.

As everyone—except Guardian-san—looked on in stunned silence, Hunter-chan climbed on top of me and, with a trembling resolve, planted a light kiss on my lips.

“Noil likes me the most, right?”

“Ah, yes.”

Tears streaming down her bright red face, she spoke those words, and I nodded vigorously.

At the same time, the entire world seemed to waver.

“Hunter-chan…”

“Eek!”

Magis-chan stood, her voice chillingly cold. Hunter-chan’s face instantly turned pale.

“H-help me, Noil…!”

As her trembling voice reached my ears, my consciousness slowly drifted away from the white void.