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Chapter 2: The embarrassment goes both ways
Part 1
“So, what am I supposed to do?”
“Eh?’
What’s that “Eh?” for

After school the next day, at a cafĂ© called “CafĂ© Proof”. Yuzuki Minato, who sat across from me, tilted her head in confusion. It’s shockingly cute.
But whatever with that. It doesn’t matter, Io. Focus.
“You must have some theories you wanted to test with my powers right? That’s why you came for me,” I elaborated.
“N-no. You see
 I’m not sure about your ability, what could you do with it. I can’t fully grasp that.” Her voice gradually became muffled.
So it seems that she plans to leave that to me.
In short, no slightest clue. Yesterday’s hunch is now confirmed to be true. How fast.
I chose this place for the consultation because the manager of this cafe is my cousin. It’s a good distance from school, ideal for secret sessions. I also use this place occasionally in my normal Angel activity. That the said cousin likes to get involved was a fly in the ointment.
“If that’s the case, your consultant doesn’t have to be me in the first place,” I noted.
“That’s not true. You can do things other people can’t. Besides, the Angel takes their consultant’s concerns seriously. That’s what the rumors say.”
“Yeah, but I’m the one who let out that rumor. It’s a stunt, a stunt.”
“Ugh
 B-but! I already believe it so
”
“Is that so?” Well, now’s too late to back out. And I’m a bit glad that you trusted me. “Then, let’s get to it”
“Y-yup!” she nodded nervously, but her eyes were determined.
Okay, this is not my speciality, but that doesn’t mean compromise is acceptable. If you’re doing this, then be serious, Io. Compromise is unacceptable.
“First, I’ll explain what I can do.”
Across me Yuzuki gulped. I took a sip of the cider. The sweetness and the prickling acidity cleared my thoughts. When I’m using my head, this must be the best way to go.
“It’s simple, almost the same as your hypothesis yesterday: Touch a person’s face and I’ll see who they like. If multiple, then I see all of them.”
Clink, the cider’s ice rings.
“By ‘like’, I mean romantic feelings. It doesn’t work for respect, admiration, familial love, nor does frienship,” I went on.
“That’s quite amazing, hearing it all again.”
“To tell you the truth, not really. I can only see their mental image of that person, no profile, no age, no name, only their face. Identifying is possible only because we’re in the limited space of school.”
She only raised her beautiful arching eyebrows at that.
Well, “not really” was an overstatement. Even with these limitations, it’s still a supernatural ability. I have had this power since birth, so I might have taken it for granted.
“And if the target doesn’t like anyone, then nothing will happen. ‘There’s none’ or some notification like that would be better. It’s a bit of a hassle in these cases.”
Even if I add a negative feature, Yuzuki was still silent.
But yeah, discerning between that I had failed to touch them and that they like no one is a pain.
“And what about the power, what’s it even? How did you get it?” she suddenly asked.
“Is that necessary? Knowing what I can and what I can’t should be enough.”
When I answered, she looked away awkwardly. “Y-yeah
 But
”
It seems that my voice had inadvertently turned cold.
“Sorry, It’s not a pleasant topic. If there’s a need then I’ll tell you then.”
“No, I asked too much
 Sorry.”
Awkward
 No, this is my fault.
It’s natural to be curious about such a kitschy superpower. In fact, I should be grateful that she’s this reserved.
I closed my eyes for a moment, let out a long breath, and said, “I’m really sorry. I’m not used to having people knowing about my power. There’s many things I don’t want to say, but you can ask me anything, I’ll answer whatever I can.”
“Okay, got it. I’ll be careful,” she nodded slowly a few times.
She’s reasonable, and probably able to put herself in other people’s shoes too. That’s what I learned about her character. Our conversation at Lake Biwa yesterday too, was like that.
If that’s the case, I shouldn’t be too uptight either.
To make the consultation more effective, gaining the other side’s trust is a must. And to achieve that, it’s important for me to trust them first.
“Anyway, that’s all about my power. Next up is about your situation
”
Yuzuki’s shoulders jerked up at my words. Her expression stiffened. She was extremely agitated.
“Umm
”
“Hm?”
“Don’t get grossed out, okay?” she muttered, her slight blush hard to notice in the shadow of her downward glance.
I have heard that a beautiful girl’s upturned eyes are destructive.
But this, this is more than I imagined.
“
I won’t gross out.”
“Y-you were hesitating! Is that a lie?!”
“N-no. I mean, I already know most of it, so I was wondering what’s left
”
I was gawking, I can’t just admit that.
Rocking her body, she protested. To evade her blame, I returned my attention to the cider. Save me, cider-chan.
“
It was from the very beginning,” Yuzuki saaid in a whispery, feeble voice.
“The very beginning?”
“Since elementary school, during that time when you start having crushes. My Falling-in-love Peculiarity has been since then
 My first crush was five people at the same time
”
“I see. So from the very beginning
”
“I-isn’t that strange? I can’t be earnest
insincere
” Yuzuki cowered in embarrassment and guilt.
It was easy to reassure her, but she surely doesn’t want that.
She must have told herself that everything’s fine, that she isn’t wrong.
But words alone aren’t convincing enough. So she hates herself.
I think I could understand that feeling.
She was desperate to an extent that she chose to hunt down the Angel from baseless rumors, six month spent at that. Her  anguish isn’t anything that can be alleviated by words.
“Since then until now?”
“Yup, and
 Perhaps
It’s getting worse.”
“And any idea of what caused it?”
“
No. I have thought about it a lot, but I can’t figure it out,” she agonized bitterly.
And when all seemed hopeless, she heard the Angel’s rumors, it seems.
So all’s on my shoulders, huh? I’m the one who decides her fate
?
“Then, we need to find out the cause first,” To boost our morale, I denoted firmly.
“Yeah. Right
”
“And in order to achieve that, I need an assessment of your current situation.”
There’s a cause to every problem. To solve it, you need to deal with the cause.
But to understand the cause, having a good grasp at the problem is necessary.
“With that, here.” I offered my right hand.
“What?” She eyed my hand suspiciously
What are you “what?” about? You’re unexpectedly dull for a top student.
“Let me touch one more time”
“Hii?!” Like before, she pulled back and hugged herself tightly.
This girl
 Is she really determined?
“Idiot, I want to see who your crushes are, so I can investigate who they are.”
“I-if that’s so then say it clearly! You surprised me, you know!”
“Got it, got it. I’m sorry. Then, come on.” I waved my hand, beckoning her.
Of course, I don’t just touch her face, I’m a sensible man, you know?
She kept silent.
“Come on, hurry up.”
“I-I mean, it’s not necessary, right? I know who my crushes are, so
”
How sugarcoated. Didn’t I say a good grasp. Precision is important, you know!
“Can you guarantee that you are aware of all of them?”
“Eh?”
“Isn’t falling in love without noticing one of the most common aspects of love?”
[TN: The right one is this scene]
And thanks to this damn aspect, Angel’s work is harder than it should be.
“But! We’re in a cafe
” she fretted.
“It’s fine, my cousin knows about my power. And this table is separated from the rest. We’re all set here.”
“But–” she moaned.
“‘I’ll do anything!’” I reminded her.
“Nghh”