Chapter Forty-Six: Wasted Opportunity
Saturday,
12:15 A.M.
In another place.
Standing atop a water tank positioned at the top of a tall building was a figure dressed in black.
It was an outfit reminiscent of a nun.
Flapping against the extreme wind that billowed at this moment, she, however, paid no mind to her figure.
At this moment,
There was a look of resignation on her face. One of extreme exasperation.
With brows furrowed, she rolled her eyes.
"What a slave driver of an employer."
Her lips somehow formed a wavy line, hunching her back, letting her arms dangle.
It took a second before she straightened, outstretching her hand as she did.
"Obviously, you have knowledge of the future and can even alter events with your knowledge."
"Relying on someone like me… aren't you giving me too much credit?"
While muttering that,
Particles of light appeared, condensing into one spot, solidifying before taking a shape.
It took the form of a book with its pages flapping open under the influence of the wind there.
But after a moment, its pages stopped, revealing its empty content.
Once again, she had looked into him.
Though not far enough to view his entire life, it was enough to scrutinize him.
And the result was shocking.
Somehow, someway, he knew the future, which brought great shock value to her.
But that would explain why he knew about her. Regardless…
She was privy to most details.
Though she's said to be [omniscient], she couldn't hear their thoughts.
In that regard, rather than [omniscience], her powers were more akin to a search engine.
Albeit a powerful one.
Yet, it still had many restrictions.
And even then.
"Mah, I don't really understand that guy's motives."
Her tone was a bit different than before, to show her seriousness.
After all, he was certain
Her assignment was to aid in sealing
She wasn't obligated… but she still dragged herself here to do it.
Logically speaking, joining Ratatoskr was the correct path for her.
Yet, after examining the organization, she realized blending into it would be quite difficult.
Even more so.
She doubted she was in any state to fall in love or let herself be sealed after everything she'd been through.
Yes, she was convinced:
"It's all part of that guy's scheme,"
He had said he would protect her.
In other words, he had taken this scenario into account as well.
And with those words, he'd pushed her into feeling obliged to return the favor by helping now.
Such a roundabout way of doing things.
In the end, Nia only shrugged.
"Well, if I get to enjoy some peace and quiet, I've got no complaints."
Still, her attention stayed fixed on the present, watching everything happen around her employer.
It was midday
After Morgan and the others regrouped at the entrance, they immediately headed for their next destination.
Once again, the group split up.
The girls moved ahead first, leaving the boys to follow after.
"Yo, Tonomachi. Good job there."
Morgan trailed by his side with his arm over his shoulder, along with a smile.
It wasn't the usual, "I'm going to skin you alive" look.
But a genuine one that made him forget what had happened several minutes ago.
And sure enough, Tonomachi raised his head, his nose pointing high.
"Bwahahaha, never underestimate a guy who has courted over a thousand waifus."
"Okay, putting it that way is just corny."
As much as he agreed with Tonomachi, saying such a thing out loud was a little off.
"Consider the situation, you idiot."
The other males, however, walking by their sides, couldn't help but look over, exasperated.
"Is that how it works?"
Shinnouske and the last male, Yuuto, a male with a light shade of gray, looked over at Morgan.
Tonomachi isn't a reliable source anyway.
Although it hasn't been long, the male was pretty famous, or rather, infamous.
"Well, at least, it teaches you a thing or two."
Morgan tilted his head to the side with a particular expression that seemed to say, "kind of."
He couldn't claim to know for sure.
But considering how otome games worked, they usually followed some kind of pattern.
Not that it made them any more realistic.
"I mean, it does have a bit of truth to it."
Morgan pocketed his hand, raising his head to the sky a little.
Since the training meant to help Shidou interact with girls came from an otome game…
That meant Tonomachi wasn't entirely wrong.
Of course, this only made the two on his left freeze, both wearing horrified expressions.
"Hmph."
Meanwhile, Tonomachi grew smug, rubbing under his nose with his index finger.
"Well, being awkward's still better than getting pegged."
To poke at a certain someone,
Morgan tossed that line out casually, hands behind his head.
With a teasing smirk, he looked to his right.
Shidou.
Everyone immediately turned his way. Ever since they'd left the mall, Shidou had been spaced out.
But now…
The moment Morgan's comment landed, "hisss~"
All three guys hissed at him. Even Tonomachi joined in.
Naturally, Shidou didn't notice at first.
"Huh? What…?"
"You pudding-brain! When did you even start dating? And you're already getting pinned down?"
"Shameless. Absolutely shameless."
Before he realized it, he had become the target of three frustrated, resentful teenagers.
He lifted his hands defensively, trying to calm them down.
And to make it worse—
"Look at them."
"Talking like that in public."
"They're high-schoolers. How crude."
That brief flare-up drew attention, and people around them slowed down to stare.
Plenty of disgusted looks were thrown their way.
Sure enough, the one responsible—Morgan—acted as though he didn't know them and simply walked off.
Then—
"That bastard totally set us up!"
Yuuto, the gray-haired one, pointed accusingly toward Morgan's retreating back.
But to avoid making the scene worse, all four hurried after him with their heads lowered.
Once they reached him, they all glared at him with mock hostility.
"Whoa, whoa, why the hostility?"
Sidestepping, with his boots clobbering against the paved brick, Morgan stopped with his hands raised.
"You—!"
Shidou was the first to speak. His face was almost reddening, not to mention what happened earlier.
"Oh? That?"
Morgan's tone was elated, with eyebrows raised.
"Let's do a little flashback, shall we?"
Snap!
Morgan snapped his fingers.
It happened back when they'd first entered the mall and everyone split into pairs.
Naturally, Origami immediately latched onto her "boyfriend."
Even before this, her interest in Shidou had always been… unusual.
It wasn't the kind of affection that felt like love.
If anything…
Obsession was probably closer.
She had once even slipped into the boys' locker room just to sniff his sportswear.
Of course, she still had common sense.
Just… slightly bent.
So with a girl like this, her next move was obvious.
"Since Shidou is my boyfriend, it's only natural I show him off."
With that, she gripped his hand tightly and marched straight toward the women's clothing section.
"O-Origami, w-wait—!"
His protests meant nothing as she pulled him along.
And while he couldn't deny he was curious, being dragged this way felt…
How to describe it…
Not very manly.
In the end, he gave up resisting.
Moreover, it felt like her mind was already made up, telling him to wait by the second waiting room.
Which, by the way, was similar to a booth.
There was a curtain and a space in front, separating it from the dressing room itself.
In such a place, with a tired expression, Shidou waited.
And then- "See, Shido, how do I look?"
Shiick!
The black curtain slid open, revealing the inside, or rather, the person inside, being none other than Origami.
Immediately, he laid eyes on her.
His eyes went wide, shaking as though nervous.
"Is that a thong..."
The words that were supposed to come out couldn't; his throat felt stuck.
"Is Shidou mesmerized by me?"
With a completely flat expression, Origami came to that conclusion, so she approached him.
"That's good."
However, just as she approached Shidou,
"What the hell are you guys doing?"
Someone's voice came, prompting Shidou and Origami to look over to the source of the voice.
It was Ai standing there.
Luckily, it was only her, but...
"Haah."
She sighed dramatically.
"I know you two are a thing now, but I think you both should be considerate of your location."
She wasn't speaking in an angry tone, or anything.
Instead, as much as she wouldn't admit it, the scene embarrassed her.
Especially seeing Origami being that bold.
She never imagined the quiet, icy beauty had this side at all.
After saying that, Ai spun on her heels and dashed away, leaving Origami and a dejected Shido.
Perhaps, it was about time he really took their advice.
"Hahaha..."
Shido laughed weakly.
"And that is how it came to be."
Back by the sidewalk close to the expressway.
Divided by a railing that separated the asphalt and the brick-paved road—
Five males rested their back against the way of a building.
Morgan, in the middle of the five, narrated with his hands making circles in the air.
One could tell Morgan was enjoying this.
Sure enough, Yuto, Tonomachi, and Shinnouske had extremely salty expressions on their faces.
And that spiteful gaze was directed at Shidou.
Naturally, Shidou had long lost his will to live.
"I can't believe you."
"Tsk, what a wasted chance."
"Well, it can't be helped."
Like that.
One by one.
Yuto, followed by Shinnouske, then lastly Tonomachi, said that, walking off.
Of course, it was all fun and jokes, and inwardly, they were lamenting to themselves if anything.
The words "if only" could only be used to describe their thoughts.
However, as they left like that.
"Just end me, Morgan."
Shidou looked over at Morgan, who laughed.
"... I can't help it. Sorry, sorry."
With that, he pushed himself off the wall, staring at where the boys had left.
Sure enough, they were waiting.
"Well, there's only one thing I have to say. If you really are serious about your convictions, then take responsibility."
Shidou blinked.
For a moment, Morgan's words turned serious.
At the statement, it would look like he was talking about Origami, but Shidou didn't think so.
His words were hinting at something deeper.
...what do you mean?
Shidou was prompted to ask that question, but before he could, Morgan looked over with a smile.
"Come on, we still have a date to finish."