Compensation for Weakness: Overcome
When I arrived at the ruins, Akechi-san was already there.
I feel guilty that I arrived late again.
“Thank you for waiting, Akechi-san. Good afternoon.”
He puts his phone inside his pocket and walks over to me.
“Well, let’s go at it again then.”
“I practiced a little before going to bed last night, I think I can suppress my Gift a little better now.”
When Akechi-san equipped the Gift Glasses and took a look at me, he went [Oh~] sounding impressed.
Since I used it yesterday, I can’t help but wonder if it smells like me.
“Maintain the image of condensing your power like that. Basically speaking, the power of Gift is directly linked to your imagination so the image is very important in a training like this.”
Akechi-san handed the Gift Glasses to me and I desperately tried to imagine myself controlling [Energy Drain].
For about 10 minutes, the power level stayed the same but thanks to Akechi-san’s on-point coaching, I somehow managed to gain control over it.
“You’re a quick learner, Mishima.”
“Yeah, it’s worth my effort to teach you so it’s fun for me too.”
Akechi-san’s saying that it’s fun being with me.
The special training to help me control my Gift continues for several hours after that with some short breaks between.
“Akechi-san, what are your friends like?”
“Ahh……, there’s this Juumonji Takeru guy, you see, he’s a siscon……”
“Yep, siscon. He’s a funny guy who can shamelessly say that he likes his little sister. My best friend.”
Akechi-san happily smiles while he’s talking about Juumonji-san.
Maybe their personalities are just compatible
Or maybe he’s a friend who he doesn’t need to be reserved to argue with.
“There’s also Emi and Madoka, I think you will get along with them well, Mishima.”
He said he doesn’t have a girlfriend but, as I thought, he must be popular. I can’t get rid of this fuzzy feeling in my chest.
“Well, it’s just a little more. Let’s do our best together.”
Akechi-san was sweating halfway through my training and he’s now drinking his tea away from me.
It was clear that he was pushing himself.
I want to release Akechi-san from his suffering soon.
I try controlling my Gift with that [Feeling].
“Eh?” Akechi-san made a surprised voice.
It looks like Akechi-san was puzzled.
“Akechi-san! L, Look! I can completely suppress the power of my Gift now!”
I handed the Gift Glasses to Akechi-san.
“Amazing……, the swirling aura of [Energy Drain] is completely gone…….”
Akechi-san happily smiled and patted my head.
I’m so happy that I’m probably grinning right now.
I look down so that Akechi-san can’t see my face.
“I wouldn’t be able to do it if you weren’t here, Akechi-san.”
“I’m truly….., truly happy…….”
“It’s been tough right….. I’ve been through something too, I’m glad that you’re finally being rewarded.”
“Th, Thank you very much!”
Akechi-san gives me a gentle smile.
“I’ve always believed that you can do it, Mishima.”
“Th, Thank you! Thank you so much!”
It felt ticklish when I realized that he placed his trust in me.
Even though he’s been suffering the effects of [Energy Drain], he’s still happy for me.
“W, With this, I won’t be bound by my Gift anymore…….?”
“Yeah. You can already control it right?”
Akechi-san handed the Gift Glasses back to me and I confirmed it again.
“Alright, try activating [Energy Drain] again.”
I’ve been practicing for the past 2 days so I have already become familiar with the presence of my Gift’s power.
“OHH!” Witnessing my success, Akechi-san raised his voice in excitement.
“Your [Energy Drain] is certainly protecting you in its activated state, Mishima…….You can erase it with your free will now right?”
“Yes! Please take a look!”
Visualizing the image Akechi-san taught me.
It took me about 30 seconds but I can feel the sensation of my Gift receding inside my skin.
“Well done! You did it, you’ve overcome your Gift.”
“Y, ……Yes! It’s all thanks to you, Akechi-san!”
“Y, You don’t have to lower your head you know.”
But it won’t be enough no matter how much I thank him.
“It’s not like I actually helped you after all. All I did was give you a chance.”
“Pl, please don’t say that! I, ……..I’m really…….grateful to you……..”
“……..I see. Well, good for you.”
He’s shyly scratching his head.
Since I never had an older brother, I wonder if this is what it feels like to have one.
“Ahh……., I was almost at my limit too so I’m glad that you managed to do it, Mishima…..”
Looking exhausted, Akechi-san held his head.
It seems that it was also painful for him to be bathed in [Energy Drain] for 2 days straight.
“Akechi-san, please let me do something to repay you!”
“I want to properly convey my gratitude!”
“You don’t have to, you know. I’d feel bad for Mishima too.”
Akechi-san said so in a guilty tone.
But I can’t back down on this.
I want him to look at me.
“Please…… Even a small request is fine, please let me thank you properly…….”
“……..Is that so. Well, I will come up with something then.”
Akechi-san shows me another gentle smile.
I find his cold hand pleasant.
“I really am grateful to you……”
Looking embarrassed, Akechi-san turned away.
Fufu, even though he usually looks so cool, now he looks so cute.
We parted ways after that.
During my bicycle ride home, my mind was occupied by a lot of thoughts.
I can finally go back to my old life.
I can control this troublesome Gift with my own strength.
Such thoughts made happiness well up inside me.
You might not be able to direct that kind of feeling toward someone so unattractive like me.
But just being with you already made me feel reassured.
Will you still treat me the same way next week?
I can’t contain my feelings.
Someday, it would be nice if I can walk alongside Akechi-san…….