"Trample… all over it?" Akira repeated, her voice low, almost a whisper. She leaned back, gripping the chains of the swing tightly as her gaze fell to the ground. "Is that how you see me, Makoto?"
Makoto hesitated, caught off guard by her sudden shift in demeanor. "I mean… yeah," he admitted, softer this time. "You've got this whole queen-of-the-world act going on, and it's... exhausting. People do things for you, but it's like you don't even see them as individuals. You just... expect it."
Makoto continued, his voice steady despite her visible displeasure. "...You called me a narcissist—I won't argue with that. I sometimes think I'm the most handsome and amazing person in the world. But the difference between us is that I recognize the importance of people. I know they have emotions, and I respect that. YOU don't."
"I... Is that my fault?" Akira's voice was firm, though quiet. Her hands gripped the edges of the swing, the chains creaking softly. "Is it my fault that I'm a higher form of existence than them? Since my birth, I've been predestined to be at the top. My grades, my physical strength, my mental acuity, my social class—everything about me supersedes theirs! Why can't I revel in that reality… Ma-chan?"
Makoto flinched at the familiar nickname, his cheeks warming as memories of their childhood tugged at his mind.
"You said so yourself," Akira continued, her voice softer now. "If it was me, then I could get the world to bend to my power!"
'Did I say something like that? Wasn't that because I was scared of her dog back then? I just said whatever would keep it from biting me. I don't remember,' Makoto thought, furrowing his brows. Then he spoke aloud.
"Even if I said that, does it give you the right to look down on everyone else?"
Akira's brows knitted together, her proud expression faltering for the briefest moment.
Makoto pressed on. "I get that most people in your fan club are probably shallow and only fawn over you for your beauty or status. But there are a few who genuinely care about you—people who want to see you flourish despite how you treat them. Do you ever stop to think about their feelings?"
For the first time, Akira's sharp gaze softened, her lips parting slightly in surprise. Her cheeks, usually pale and flawless, flushed a faint pink.
"Does this mean…" she hesitated, her voice uncharacteristically quiet. "Does this mean Ma-chan is one of those individuals who genuinely care for me… and want to see me flourish?"
Akira was a proud existence—one who believed, with unwavering certainty, that no one stood above her. And yet, here she was, blushing before someone she considered beneath her.
Makoto sighed heavily and stood, marching a few steps closer to her. "I'll let you in on a secret: I don't like being around you for two reasons. First, I don't like your dog. Second… I don't want to feel small."
"Feel small?" Akira tilted her head, her dark blue dress shimmering under the moon light.
Makoto nodded. "I'm sure it happens to everyone who comes close to you. They instinctively feel small because they can't imagine being above you. It's like your presence forces them to shrink."
Akira blinked, her usually confident demeanor slipping into something more contemplative. Her eyes, which usually glimmered with a cold superiority, seemed to search his face for answers.
Makoto rubbed the back of his neck, offering a small, tired smile. "You know, uh, I don't like that feeling very much, so I usually avoid standing next to you."
He reached out and lightly patted her head, a gesture so casual it made her flinch. "But I'll say this now, even if I don't remember saying it before: Akira, if it's you, the world could bend to your power. But promise me one thing…"
Akira's gaze sharpened, though her voice remained soft. "...What?"
Makoto locked eyes with her, his own expression serious. "Consider the feelings of others. You can love yourself as much as you want. You can believe you're the most high. But think about the emotions of the people around you. Some of them want to be close to you. Some of them just want a chance to prove they're important—not just in life, but to you. If you keep pushing them away or looking down on their efforts, it's… heartbreaking."
His voice faltered slightly, and his eyes flickered toward Kowai, who stood a short distance away.
Her face, usually emotionless, turned away as if to avoid his gaze.
Akira watched him carefully, her own expression unreadable, before suddenly leaning forward and wrapping her arms around him.
Makoto's body stiffened, his eyes wide with shock as his arms awkwardly hovered mid-air, his brain scrambled to process the situation. 'Eh?! Wh-what's happening?! This is the second life-threatening hug I've received today!'
"You looked… a little sad," Akira murmured, resting her chin lightly on his shoulder. "Don't misinterpret this, understood? I'm simply trying to take your advice—considering someone's feelings."
She pulled back, though her face lingered just inches from his.
'Ugh, despite it all, I'm a healthy high-school boy, and she's just too pretty. This is so unfair,' Makoto thought, struggling to keep his composure.
"I'll think about what you said," Akira continued, her gaze darting briefly away from him before returning. "But can I start with you? Learning to understand others, I mean."
The way her gaze darted between his face and somewhere off to the side made Makoto's chest tighten.
'Damn! This is unfair! Don't use those puppy-dog eyes on me!!' Makoto yelled inwardly.
He let out a long, drawn-out sigh—the 100th sigh this evening. "F-Fine! Do as you please." he stammered aloud, his voice cracking slightly.
"Ma-chan, thank you…" Akira replied, her smile softening. "I wonder when last I said that to someone… he-he."
Her light laugh was like a gentle breeze, but to Makoto, it felt like a storm rattling his composure.
His face burned with an intensity that no amount of self-control could hide.
"A-Anyway!" he blurted, scratching his chin as if the motion would somehow ground him. "Look at the time! We have school tomorrow, and my family is waiting for me, so, uh… bye!"
Before Akira could respond, Makoto dashed off in a blur of motion.
One moment, he was there. The next, a gust of wind and swirling leaves were all that remained of him.
***
As Makoto ran, he thought to himself....
Makoto's POV
Gahhh!!!!
I'm such a weakling!
How could I let myself get played by her… her womanly wiles?!
Ugh… sigh.
But… she was sort of cute.
Does she still like me after all this time?
I always thought she was trying to toy with me to piss off Hana—another colossal pain in the ass.
But maybe… MAYBE she actually feels something real.
{The individual, Makoto Murasame, has acquired an ordinary skill [Charmer].}
That mechanical voice echoed in my head, startling me out of my thoughts.
"Huh? Another skill? An 'ordinary' one… a bit disheartening, though. The formal one was a special skill." I muttered, my feet pounding against the pavement, traversing the street at a speed I wasn't even consciously controlling. "But charmer… That sounds both dangerous and… ominous."
I decided I'd check it out later. For now, I had another realization: my speed was insane!
Yikes, I wasn't even using a step technique. This was just raw power, pure and unrestrained.
Awakening is ridiculous!
I was dashing at the same speed I'd used to get to the park—except now, I wasn't even trying to move that fast.
"Great," I grumbled. "Now I'll have to explain myself if Akira noticed—and I bet she did. She'll start asking a thousand questions about my superhuman abilities. That'll be a pain to humor."
As the cool night air whipped past me, I considered my options. Maybe Kowai would know something about this skill system. She always seemed to know more than she let on.
I could ask her tomorrow—if she doesn't shrug me off, that is.
My thoughts drifted to her. Kowai…
The one person who had rejected me. Ever since then, I'd sworn off relationships.
Why bother with them when heartbreak was just around the corner? Heartbreak doesn't feel pleasant, you know?
Still, Akira's unexpected warmth tonight left me wondering if I'd been too hasty.
Should I tell her about my no-relationship plans? Or just… evidently friend-zone her?
Either way, one thing was clear: my life wasn't going to get any simpler. If anything, it was bound to become even more chaotic.
I smirked to myself, feeling a strange mix of dread and excitement.
"Well, I might as well enjoy the show."