The morning facility tour ended, and lunchtime arrived.
We had about two hours of free time to eat and relax.
Afterward, the kids could return to the training fields, head to the dorm rooms, or visit the observation deck—whatever they wanted.
Though they were supposed to stick with their groups, none of the children minded.
If anything, they were thrilled at the chance to eat with Excia, the Winged Guardian, and eagerly headed to the cafeteria.
I would have been over the moon too—
But I had a much bigger problem: my “I’m-not-getting-between-you” appeals to Rui were going horribly.
And the cause?
Hinata-chan.
…Okay, fine, I hate blaming other people—especially my oshi—but this was out of my hands!
When we headed to the dorms, Hinata-chan grabbed my arm despite my protests (“I really shouldn’t go into the girls’ rooms!”) and said, “I trust you!”—then winked at Rui (who naturally lost it).
When we went to the observation deck, she dropped the bombshell “We look like a family!” while taking a group photo (cue Rui’s rage).
Every move she made felt like a deliberate button-press.
But the intelligent Hinata-chan wouldn’t act like this by accident.
So what the hell was she trying to do?!
My pride as someone who understands my oshi better than anyone was crumbling…
I needed Rui to believe I wasn’t trying to get between them, but how?!
“…………”
As I clutched my head in despair, I could feel Rui’s icy glare stabbing into my back.
Just as I was about to freeze solid—
“Hey hey, what’s that?”
Tsukumo, walking ahead of us, pointed to a corner of the hall.
All three of us turned to look.
There stood an ornate wooden box over two meters tall, fitted with two doors.
Hinata-chan nodded knowingly.
“Ah, that’s called a confessional.”
“A confessional-room…? Sounds cool…”
“It’s where people confess their sins to a priest and repent.”
“?”
“Hmm, to put it simply, it’s like a place to say ‘I’m sorry, teacher’ and apologize.”
“Ooh. That makes sense. Gotta apologize when you do something bad.”
Are you really an executive of an evil organization…?
Hinata-chan silently patted Tsukumo’s head. I totally get that feeling.
“Well, actually, that one’s used by us Excia—for psychological counseling.”
“Hmm?”
“The real confessional for civilians is on the first floor. That one’s just a leftover from a planning mistake, repurposed by the counselors to look the part.”
“Wait, seriously…? I mean, it does have the right vibe…”
Though slightly exasperated, Tsukumo’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Hinata-chan laughed.
“Wanna try it out later?”
“Whoa, really? I totally wanna!”
As Tsukumo puffed out her chest (“Gotta think of something bad to confess!”) and Hinata-chan affectionately ruffled her hair, a flash of inspiration struck me.
—This is it…!
♢♢♢♢♢
—Could this girl be the Nega-Messiah, the Covenant of Salvation?
When Tsukumo was first introduced to her, Rui had eyed her suspiciously.
After all, she was the companion of that shady, trashy man.
It was only natural to doubt her.
This “open house” event was, in truth, mostly attended by children with connections to the Excia.
Isana had insisted this would maximize safety.
The fact that Ibuki was invited at all was largely because of his friendship (ugh) with Hinata.
But even the ever-vigilant vice-branch leader hadn’t anticipated that Ibuki—of all people—might be colluding with the enemy.
And now, they’d unwittingly welcomed an enemy scout right into their stronghold.
What’s worse, I was the only one who’d glimpsed Ibuki’s true nature within Prim Libra—yet I’d failed to prevent this.
So of course, I kept a close watch on Ibuki. And naturally, his so-called “cousin” Tsukumo fell under suspicion too.
But as time passed, Rui’s doubts about Tsukumo quietly evaporated.
“Mmph… mmm~! This is so good!”
Across the cafeteria table, Tsukumo shoveled forkfuls of piled-high pasta into her mouth, beaming.
This radiant, carefree child bore zero resemblance to that vile man’s depraved nature.
If she turned out to be evil, Rui would lose all faith in humanity.
…Well, not that she had much to begin with.
“…………”
Rui studied Tsukumo intently.
Unlike Ibuki’s suspiciously murky brown hair, Tsukumo’s locks were a pristine black, like ink freshly ground into a suzuri stone. Though her hair was loosely tied back, its messy charm only amplified her childish cuteness.
Her eyes, like Ibuki’s, were green—but unlike his sleazy jade, hers shimmered like gemstones, vivid and blue-tinged.
In one word:
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
“…Adorable.”
“Mmph? Did you say something?”
“No, nothing.”
As someone who adored energetic types like Hinata, Tsukumo was a bullseye in Rui’s strike zone.
Though their impressions couldn’t be more different, their shared eye color did suggest a familial link might not be entirely fabricated.
—Yeah, she’s definitely not the Nega-Messiah.
Rui officially deemed Tsukumo harmless.
Turns out, she was weak to kids.
“Ahh… beautiful angel~”
“Just ‘Rui’ is fine.”
“Oh? Then, Rui. Is that all you’re having for lunch?”
Rui glanced down at her plate—
just a few pieces of bread.
For a buffet, it was unusually modest.
“I don’t eat much.”
Unlike a certain someone.
Tsukumo looked at Rui very seriously,
then Rui suddenly blushed and looked away.
“…I see. That explains why you’re so slender and lovely.”
Rui’s right hand twitched toward Tsukumo’s head, but she stopped it with her left.
Instead, she tore off a piece of her freshly baked croissant.
“Here. Eat more.”
“Oh, really?!”
As she hand-fed (ahem) Tsukumo, the girl’s chest pocket wriggled.
“Ah, you’re awake, Phoenix!”
Phoenix?
Rui tilted her head as a pure white mouse poked its head out, squeaking at her.
“…………”
Rui ignored it.
She wasn’t fond of animals.
“Kuhaha! My loyal retainer Phoenix shall also receive an offering!”
Oblivious to Rui’s deadpan stare, Tsukumo diligently fed the mouse (Phoenix?) crumbs of croissant.
The whole “dark fantasy retainer” act was a bit much, but Rui found even that oddly endearing.
♢♢♢♢♢
Having conceived the godly move that would overturn everything, I—the Prodigy of Inspiration—cheerfully indulged in the buffet lunch.
With Hinata chan, who was on her third round trip to the serving tables where a sumptuous array of dishes was lined up for me to get another one,
I felt a glacial stare pierce my back. I ignored it.
When I did glance back, the “Beautiful Angel” was busy transferring torn croissant pieces onto Tsukumo’s plate.
…What are you doing?
Meanwhile, Tsukumo was also stuffing croissants into her pocket.
…What are you doing?!
That’s way too much for a pocket. Was she abusing her Lux of Storage again?
Just go get more from the buffet if you’re hungry—
THUD.
Tsukumo’s elbow knocked into a plate of pasta as she pulled her hand free.
Reacting instantly, I used Separation—
The wobbling plate froze mid-air, then stabilized.
Rui exhaled in relief, likely having used her Psychokinesis Lux.
Our relationship was (one-sidedly) terrible, yet here we were, both going all-out to babysit Tsukumo.
…What is this dynamic?
“But that’s not the point—Hinata-chan.”
“Yes?”
I turned away from the chaotic table and called her name.
Hinata-chan spun around, her plate piled high like an excited kid’s.
So cute…
“Remember what we talked about earlier?”
“…? Which part?”
“Y’know, about Utsurugi-san and…—”
“—! Oh! Of course I remember!”
Though Rui couldn’t hear,
Hinata-chan caught on immediately, softening her voice.
“I need your help with something.”
“My help…?”
“Yeah. I came up with a plan to get closer to her.”
“A plan?”
“Right. And I need you for it.”
“You need me…?!”
Hinata-chan leaned in eagerly.
Grateful for her enthusiasm, I nodded.
“The stage for this plan? The confessional.”
“A place of confession… where truths are shared…”
“Exactly. So I need you to guide Utsurugi-san there.”
“I see…!”
The confessional was divided into two spaces by a partition—
one for the confessor, one for the listener.
Each entered through separate doors,
conversing only through a small grated window.
The crucial detail?
The confessor couldn’t see the listener’s face—but the listener could see the confessor’s.
A design meant to ease both parties.
And I’d use it.
First, I enter the confessional booth as the one making the confession, then wait for the Excia angel – who should be on the receiving end.
Normally, it’s apparently a rescue squad or a health squad that handles mental care between angels, but today they’re off duty due to the open house event.
Instead, whichever angel is participating in the open house will supposedly hear my confession.
This is where I’ll have Hinata-chan assist me.
I’ll have Rui told that “someone has entered the confessional,” making her take the listener’s role.
Under normal circumstances, Rui would absolutely refuse.
But if it’s none other than Hinata-chan making the request, she’ll undoubtedly agree.
She’ll enter the listener’s side – and be shocked to find me as the confessor (or at least, that’s how it’ll appear).
From my side, I won’t be able to see Rui (or so the setup goes).
Playing completely ignorant, I’ll confess everything.
That I actually support HinaRui’ relationship, That I mistakenly committed a criminal act against Hinata-chan (forcible indecency),That I’m truly remorseful from the bottom of my heart and would never repeat such disgraceful behavior.
Rui will think:
–Ah, it was all just an unfortunate misunderstanding.
Everyone reconciles in a moving epilogue.
Yes – there are no villains here. Only a happy world awaits.
~ Chapter 2: [Farewell, the Darkness of Misunderstanding] – Fin. ~
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