The Charm of the Popular Beautiful Succubus in Class Doesn't Work on Me ~ For Some Reason, This Beauty Keeps Trying to Hold My Hand ~ - 54-55

Chapter 54: I Like You

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“We’ve come pretty far, haven’t we?”

I took Michihito-kun’s hand and kept walking forward, step by step. I was like a girl desperately running away from something.

“If we go any further, we won’t make it back in time for the fireworks festival.”

“I see. Then should we watch from around here? I think we should be able to see the fireworks from here, right?”

Michihito-kun immediately pulled out his phone and checked the location and fireworks details. He really was kind in ways like this. He always accepted my selfish whims with a smile. By now, I had already made up my mind. I wanted to watch the fireworks from here…. In this place where there was no one else but me and Michihito-kun. I wanted to savor the time that flowed just for the two of us, I wanted to savor the fireworks that would bloom in the sky only for us.

“If we go by the angle, I think we can see them from that stretch by the sea.”

Saying that, Michihito-kun pointed toward the slightly curved coastline.

“As expected of my amazing boyfriend.”

As if confirming my position, as if savoring it, I deliberately spoke the word boyfriend. I really was such a selfish woman. Even though my answer had already been decided long ago… But when I was with him, I found my resolve wavering. 

That’s why… I can’t…

“Then, shall we sit over there?”

“Yeah.”

We sat down on the rocky shoreline. Our words gradually became fewer, as if anticipating the start of the fireworks festival. I let my fingers trace over his hand. His hand responded in turn. I rested my head on his shoulder. His strong shoulder accepted me.

Ah… So warm. How can he be so warm? It’s like he could embrace everything. If only… if only… Time could stop like this…

“Hey… Michihito-kun.”

“What is it… Kisara?”

“Did I… Do a good job as your girlfriend?”

“You are the best girlfriend.”

“Did my feelings reach you?”

“So much that I couldn’t hold them all in my hands.”

“If I were to be reborn… Would you make me your girlfriend again?”

“Without a doubt.”

“…I see.”

I’m glad… I got to hear those words at the very end…

After a brief silence, he spoke again.

“Hey… Kisara.”

“…………”

“Kisara?”

“…………”

I didn’t answer him. Because I already knew what he was going to say next. Even if he were the most oblivious person in the world, he would surely understand.

How many months do you think I’ve been his girlfriend? But… this can’t happen. It’s against the rules. This time we spent together… It’s best if it remains nothing more than an illusion. 

A fleeting whim of a woman as wicked as a devil and the sorrowful tale of the boy caught up in it. If he ever found out about my abilities, he would surely fall into despair. And I didn’t want to see him like that.

That’s why… I came here today to say goodbye. 

But, you know… The time I spent as Michihito-kun’s girlfriend was truly, truly fun. It was the happiest time of my life. Michihito-kun changed me. I used to see men as nothing more than objects, but he taught me what it meant to love.

Thank you… No matter how much I thank you, it will never be enough. This memory will live on inside me forever… So let’s say goodbye with a smile, okay… Michihito?

(Whoosh… BOOM!)

“They’ve started.”

By the time I realized it, I was already saying that out loud. Cheers and applause could be heard from far away.

“Ah… they’re beautiful.”

“Yeah… Like an illusion…”

And just like that, we quietly gazed up at the fireworks. Each of us was thinking of something, feeling something, holding onto something. When I glanced at him, I saw the vibrant lights of the fireworks shimmering in his eyes. They swayed gently, like water lilies floating on the surface of a pond.

“(Thank you for everything… My beloved prince.)”

I clenched the “Promise Key” hanging over my chest atop my yukata. The sound of the fireworks probably drowned out my voice… But I didn’t mind that. I would cherish this feeling deep in my heart.

“Hey, Kishara… Look at that.”

Guided by Michihito’s sudden voice, I followed his pointing finger and gasped softly.

“Is that…?”

Before us, a narrow path had appeared, leading to a small floating island, as if the sea had parted. A single path had suddenly emerged on the water, where lotus flowers had been blooming. Right, Miyajima’s tides were strong due to the ocean currents, but during the low tide, you could even walk all the way to the grand torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, which was normally submerged in the sea.

Michihito and I exchanged glances before letting out small chuckles and standing up. His hand led me toward the floating island. It was as if we were walking on water. When we reached the island, he climbed up first with ease, then extended his hand to escort me.

You’ve really become such a fine gentleman, Michihito.

With his strength, I felt myself lifted into the air, completely enveloped in his arms. To anyone watching, we must have looked like we were standing atop the water.

“It feels like… The Little Mermaid.” 

I murmured without thinking, swept up in the romance of the moment. But at the same time, a deep loneliness crept into my heart. Because I knew. I knew how the Little Mermaid’s story ended. In the end, she couldn’t be with the prince, and she turned into sea foam under the witch’s curse…

(Whoosh… BOOM…)

(Whoosh… BOOM BOOM BOOM…)

The repeating bursts of the starmine fireworks signaled the end of summer.

Ah… It’s almost the end.

“Kisara… I love you.”

For a moment, it felt like time had stopped. My heart thumped loudly in my chest. Words I had imagined hearing. Yet they were also words that far exceeded my imagination. Words I had wanted to hear. Yet they were also words I had never wanted to hear. Happiness was right there within reach. But that happiness was mine, not his.

I had to swallow down the words that threatened to escape my lips. I fought to hold back the tears threatening to spill. And then, I spoke.

“I… have something I’ve been hiding from you, Michihito…”

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Chapter 55: Let’s Break Up

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Kisara’s words felt like something out of a dream. Because… How was I supposed to believe something like that when she just suddenly dropped it all on me out of nowhere? That she had an ability that made people fall for her just by touching them.

No way. This has to be one of her usual jokes. She must be making up some kind of incredulous story just to mess with me.

Thinking that, I stared into her eyes. But as if she had seen straight through me, she spoke with a serious expression.

“You might not believe me, but this is the truth.”

With that, she slowly let go of my hand.

“That’s why… The ‘feelings’ you have for me right now are all just an illusion.”

This feeling… Is it just an illusion? Impossible. I really do love Kishara. The more I got to know her, the more I’m drawn to her. And now she is telling me… That everything is just an illusion?

“Don’t joke about stuff like that” 

I said, clenching my fists and glaring at her.

“Do you really think I would joke about something like this?”

Her eyes were dead serious.

“Do you remember the first day we ever had a conversation?”

She spoke quietly, almost as if she were speaking to herself. Each of her words felt like a mirage. I was so caught up in her story that I forgot to even respond.

“The first time I touched you was that day. When you fell on your butt after seeing my exchange with Makabe-kun, I reached out my hand to help you up. From that moment… You started ‘liking’ me.”

She gazed into the distance, as if looking back on old memories.

“Then there was the rooftop. When you saw my underwear. I shook hands with you that time. And on the way home, I read your palm too.”

She chuckled softly. 

“If I keep listing them, there’s no end to it. When you bought your glasses. When I cut your hair. Each time, I touched you, and each time, you started liking me more and more.”

And then, she said—

“You protected me from the rest of the class.”

She gave a lonely smile.

“Now that I’ve explained it like this, can you start believing in my ability?”

Hearing that, I couldn’t deny there was something odd about her behavior. She always reached for my hand out of nowhere, and at times, her touchy-feely nature felt a bit excessive. Was all of that… Because of her ability? I couldn’t say I completely believed it. But there was a certain logic to what she was saying.

Thinking back, it was strange how the guys in class, starting with Makabe, were always making a fuss over how much they ‘liked’ her.

And right now, I like her too. Which means… My ‘love’ is…Just an illusion…?

The shock was so overwhelming that I couldn’t think straight. My mind couldn’t keep up with my emotions.

All those happy moments are a lie…? All those memories with Kisara are nothing but fake…? My feelings for Kisara are all an illusion…? There’s no way… There’s no way I could believe that!!

I threw my emotions, my feelings, everything in my heart at Kisara without thinking.

“Why did you use your ability on me?”

“Because you were useful.”

“Why did you pretend to be my girlfriend?”

“To protect myself.”

“Can’t you undo your ability?”

“I can’t.”

“And you expect me to believe that?”

“You once told me that you would believe my words.”

“So my feelings of ‘love’ for you were all a lie?”

“I’ve told you over and over again, haven’t I?”

Then…

“Kisara… You… Have you ever loved me?”

Her shoulders flinched. For the first time, the steady stream of responses from her stopped all of a sudden.

“That’s…”

She started to speak but swallowed her words. Then, as if making up her mind, she opened her mouth again.

“…I don’t love you.”

Her words came out as if she were forcing them through clenched teeth. She cast her gaze downward for a moment, then, with a determined look on her face, she looked me in the eyes.

“That’s why, Michihito. Let’s break up.”

I couldn’t say another word. I had poured out all my emotions, my feelings, my thoughts. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I felt like they would never stop until I had nothing left. Because I really, really loved Kisara. Because I was so, so sad… So heartbroken that I felt like I might disappear. But you… You never loved me.

And yet… Why are you crying right now…?

Kisara’s face looked like that of a girl waking up from a nightmare, hollow and distant. And just like that, the summer where the magic had bound us came to an end.

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