Volume 2 Chapter 18 – Magician: Magician 2

| Sannomiya Hijiri

“…I know I really shouldn’t be saying this.”

“Wait, wait, are you planning to threaten Kyousuke-kun!?”

“You can probably call out Kyousuke-san, right?”

“Ahaha, you went and said it! I was thinking the same thing, though~”

Shino, who had turned on the lights, began speaking hesitantly. Ruri quickly interrupted, predicting what she was about to say.

It felt like we had acquired a powerful card. Probably everyone was thinking the same thing.

Despite all the strange things that had happened, our minds were occupied only with Kyousuke-kun.

Kyousuke-kun’s breakup with Aika after entering high school, their discord. The assault. And then, magic.

However, I pulled myself together. Today’s events were too shocking, and everyone might lose control.

“Everyone, let’s bring these feelings in for a soft landing.”

“Huh?”

“Sei, what do you mean?”

“Right now, everyone is excited, but if we get lost in our own imaginations, we’ll lose the advantage. So, we’re going to use the ‘magician card.’ But it’s not to threaten Kyousuke-kun. We want to use it in a way that brings Kyousuke-kun closer to all of us at the Round Table on his own initiative.”

“Do you really think that’s possible?”

“Hmm?”

“This is just the plan. In the first place, this card could be rendered meaningless if Kyousuke-kun denies everything as CGI or some sort of trick. Not to mention, threatening him would only make things worse. I don’t want anyone to misunderstand; what we have always wanted since we were little is a youthful romance with Kyousuke-kun, that heart-fluttering feeling. So, we’re putting the magician aside for now. Whether Kyousuke-kun is a magician or a hero, our feelings won’t change. At least, that’s how I feel. And I’m sure you all feel the same, right?”

I looked around at everyone. They all silently nodded. This way, we wouldn’t spiral out of control.

“Don’t say ‘heart-fluttering’ with such a serious face.”

“Right? That’s part of Sei’s charm, though. But she means it.”

“Yes, I am your master!”

Jun, Ruri, and Nana teased me, lightening the serious atmosphere in a good way. Even if Nana saw Kyousuke as a magician or a hero, he would still be her master.

Just as I let out a small sigh of relief, Michiru, who was on the tablet screen, suddenly jumped up, moved away from the camera, and began to dance, executing a beautiful turn before starting to sing.

“My boyfriend is a magician♪”

“He’s not your boyfriend yet!”

“She’s getting carried away, huh?”

“Well, I understand how she feels.”

Ruri, who was sitting next to me, also stood up and started singing, this time with choreography. Actually, Ruri was the most skilled at moving her body. Her movements were sharp. I could even catch a glimpse of her shorts under her skirt.

“Caught up in the magic of love♪ Hm~♪”

“You’re connecting it!?”

“Ruri, you’re so skilled.”

“As sharp as ever.”

“Even idols can’t pull this off.”

LiliRara harmonized immediately. Their timing was still in perfect sync, like a shared breath. Unlike back in elementary school, they no longer acted timidly. Surely, love had helped them grow.

“In our hearts, the flame of love is burning~♪”

“Whoa, that harmony is amazing!”

“Harmonizing with two tablets? I don’t get it.”

“You all sound so good~”

“How can you harmonize so well with improvised lyrics?”

The rising excitement seemed like it could go on forever. Well, I felt the same way! But honestly, Kyousuke-kun, it’s unfair to sparkle like that… I like you.

“But really, it was beautiful… Regardless of the effect, could you cast it on me too? A head pat… with sparkles…”

“Yes, exactly! What would it take to get a head pat? I haven’t been patted on the head since elementary school!”

Shino was lost in her own world, showing a face that a maiden shouldn’t reveal. Erika, on the other hand, was complaining about her past self. I wanted it too… Well, probably all of us did.

“Hey, should we maybe… let Towa meet with him?”

Jun’s suggestion brought everyone, who had been caught up in the excitement, back to reality. We all thought of a former comrade who wasn’t here with us.

“I… I oppose it.”

“Kyousuke-kun might feel burdened by it, after all.”

“Maybe that’s true…”

Ruri opposed the idea right away, but it seemed like she was conflicted. She regretted speaking up after all—that’s how it seemed. Everyone voiced their thoughts.

“But, you know… I’ve been worried for so long. After that happened, Towa stopped coming here. She worked so hard before. We all knew how hard she tried.”

That was true. Everyone knew she was the hardest worker. That’s why everyone understood why the impact was so heavy when she broke.

“I want to be with everyone again. Laughing together, complaining about Aika. Getting annoyed at the siscon stuff. Towa was there too, back then.”

“Jun…”

“Kinuko-san, how is Towa doing now?”

“She’s like a delinquent gal, dating a tough guy.”

“See, just leave her be. She’s probably left the Round Table already!”

“That’s not it! If it weren’t for what happened, she…”

I didn’t want to let the discussion escalate further. Everyone believed that Towa’s departure was due to the accident.

But I didn’t. I was convinced that Towa used the accident as an excuse to distance herself from the Round Table.

There was no way that psycho had such a weak mentality.

“…Let’s wrap it up for today. Regarding Towa, we’ll leave it to Kinuko. Kinuko, can I count on you? As for the plan, Ruri and I will initiate things at school. There might be changes, but we’ll update everyone frequently in the Round Table chat. Jun, is that alright?”

Towa’s true feelings hadn’t wavered at all. She would never change her mind. No matter how twisted her body got, she wouldn’t hesitate to do whatever it took to achieve her goal.

That’s why Towa and I would never understand each other. That’s why she had stopped coming here. I must have looked lukewarm to her. My fleeting youth and her obsessions—we could never be on the same page.

“…Got it.”

Poor Jun.