The power of Heart Conversation seems to be real. Since then, when Nagi spoke to me in English with difficult words while also understanding their meanings, I was able to comprehend her. I can read English up to high school level, but speaking was a cipher.

But using this skill, even if I can’t understand the language, what I want to convey gets across. Of course, I probably can’t understand advanced jokes, but still, I can understand what I want to say, and my message is conveyed.

 

Kai: “I wonder if I could have stopped Arnold with this power… No, that would have been impossible. Even if he did understand, I feel like my words wouldn’t get through.”

 

But also, conversations with big brother Wei without having to go through Hao-san feel very smooth. It was quite troublesome having to bring a translator every time.

 

Kai: “If I talk to people in Kyoto with this, would I be able to detect their sarcasm…”

Nagi: “If you can understand the underlying words, maybe you could. Like… ‘you’re an idiot, big brother’…”

Kai: “!? Oh! Even though she is saying idiot, the feeling of positive feelings toward me are riding on that emotion! This is a tsundere killer!!”

Nagi: “Aya-san is going to explode…”

Kai: “Why?”

Nagi: “…Nothing!”

Kai: “Hmm? Are you telling me to guess now? What is it?”

Nagi: “It’s kind of a troublesome skill.”

Kai: “Do you really think so…”

 

I have gained the power to read the meaning behind words. From now on, I should be careful; there must be many things in this world that I don’t need to know. For the most part, I will turn this skill off. It’s helpful to be able to turn it on and off.

 

Kai: “Thank you, Nagi. Well then, good night!”

 

I got to consider a few things, but given the time, I decided to sleep for the day. Actually, there’s one more thing I have to think about, but I slide into bed and lie down.

 

Kai: “Skill Level Up Ticket, huh… this is troubling.”

 

It is a ticket that shines in rainbow colors. It can probably raise my access rights, but what changes if they’re raised to level 3?

As of now, there is nothing I can’t see with the access rights I have. Even details, I can see. Most likely, access rights level 1 allows statuses to be opened and access level 2 allows for details to be opened.

If that’s the case, what will level 3 allow me to do?

 

Kai: “I wonder if it’s better to use it on Aya rather than myself… Speaking of which, I have a lot of magic stones accumulated, I should bring a lot next time to level up Aya.”

 

Having solo cleared an A-Rank dungeon, I possess a large number of magic power stones. They are just randomly lying around in the room now, close to 100, worth nearly 10 billion yen*. Aya’s artifact has extraordinary performance, and the stronger the user, the more effective it is.

*A bit less than $100 million.

So, I would like to raise the level if possible. Preparing for the battles that will come in the future, it will become a war potential. Starting with turning all of these magic stones into artifacts.

 

Kai: “The manufacturing process…again…I wonder if we’ll kiss again?”

 

I remember that night in Okinawa. Just remembering that intense night causes my face to flush red. I mean not in the secretly meeting and kissing intensely meaning…actually, yeah, it’s that meaning.

 

Kai: “I want to but…”

 

Let’s be real.

I want to.

I want to kiss, I want to touch her chest, I want to indulge in all of my kinks, desires.

If it Aya, I feel that she would mostly like let me give into those desires. Not feeling sexual desire towards a girl that pretty and cute would be strange, rather.

Huh? The drive to tease that, frankly a little masochistic, girl, has bubbled up. I mean, even I am at that age, well, I’m a virgin though. But, from the little sense I have left, I know I can’t act on these feelings and am stopping myself.

Reina and Aya. Two beautiful women. I’ve admired Reina from long before, and to be honest, she’s my type. Also, I have that promise with Sophia.

In regards to Aya, of course, not much needs to be said.

 

Kai: “A partner huh…”

 

Suddenly, I recall Nagi’s words. Such things are not allowed in this country, and neither are they overseas.

 

Kai: “For now… let’s sleep.”

 

In the end, I abandon my thoughts and fall asleep. But I must make a choice, and the time is nearing.

What will I do when that time comes?

If I have to choose one of the two…

What will I do?

 

…

 

The next day, as October is nearing its end, the weather in Japan is becoming more comfortable. I received a message from Aya about a worldwide announcement regarding AMS today.

 

Kai: “Finally, the world is changing. The day millions of people have been waiting for has come.”

Aya: “Kai-san… should I make the announcement? Or maybe Kai-san…”

Kai: “No no, Aya, please do it!”

 

Kai and Nagi, enjoying shopping as a promised date, then head to the Ryuenji residence. There, Chairman Kagetora and Aya are there, preparing for today’s announcement. Reina is training daily with the new power obtained from becoming a transcendent and is now taking a bath after training.

Chairman Kagetora, no longer the chairman, is still referred to as such by me since I’ve gotten used to it.

 

Kagetora: “How have you been since then, Kai-kun. How is China?”

Kai: “Well, I’ve only been clearing, but the food is delicious. Also, Big brother Wei was exactly the person I thought he would be!”

Kagetora: “Is that so… by the way, how about Reina? Seems like you two might become a couple?”

Aya: “Grandpa!?”

Kagetora: “Well, Reina is like my granddaughter, and I’m like her parent. If you want her, you have to properly go through me!!”

 

Chairman Kagetora, as always, lets out a big laugh and pats my head.

 

Kagetora: “Aya and Reina are my precious granddaughters. But Kai-kun, I want to give my blessing to you. Don’t you want to make them both happy?”

Kai: “Eh!? Uh…”

 

As I stumble over my words, the chairman promptly slaps my back.

 

Kagetora: “Gahahah, well, it’s fine for now. Everyone is still young. It’s too early to rush. But Kai-kun, a man must be prepared. And…”

 

Immediately after, Chairman Kagetora looks into my eyes and says seriously. And again, he taps my chest.

 

Kagetora: “What is the reason you fight, Kai-kun? Look at it again. It connects to strength. So that your judgment does not dull in a critical moment, you have to think about things you don’t want to think about… Now, shall we go, Aya?”

 

Saying so, Aya and the chairman leave together.

 

Kai: “…Choose…”

 

I ruminate over the chairman’s words in my heart. I repeatedly ask myself questions to which I can’t find answers.

 

Kai: “Let’s go home for now.”

 

I decided to go home with Nagi and watch that broadcast. Since Nagi had mentioned wanting to go shopping on the way, we take care of that first.

 

Kai: “Reina, Nagi and I are going home now.”

Reina: “Eh? You’re leaving?”

 

I called out to Reina from beyond the bathroom door. Her sweet, pleading voice almost makes me react, but I firmly restrain myself. The sound of the shower and her silhouette make my heart race.

 

Kai: “We’ll come again, so see you.”

Reina: “Yeah… see you…”

Kai: (What is this? I feel like I’m being pulled back incredibly…)

 

Hearing Reina’s disheartened voice, I felt weak.

 

Kai: “Want to watch together? Aya’s announcement… though we have to wait.”

Reina: “I’ll watch!! I’ll be out soon!! Please wait!”

Kai: “Take your time, I’ll be waiting in the guest room.”

 

In the end, I ended up staying longer. I have to apologize to Nagi, we were supposed to return after shopping today.

 

Nagi: “Hehe, it’s fine. We can shop anytime.”

Kai: “Really? Sorry.”

Nagi: “Big brother is weak to push and pull, huh? Are you weak? Heeey, weakling, weakling.”

Kai: “Ugh…”

 

Certainly, I chose to stay even without being asked by the sad sound of Reina’s voice. I probably would have stayed if she had asked me to. Huh? I thought I was strong-willed, am I actually indecisive?

While losing a bit of confidence, I waited for Reina in the guest room. Reina enters the room, giving off a nice shampoo scent. She sits on the sofa where I am sitting, not saying anything, just being next to me.

Just sitting next to her makes my heart race. Yet, it’s calming.

Contradictory feelings coexist. Can I call this feeling love? If it’s not love, then what is it?

 

Kai: “By the way, Reina. How is that True Awakening skill?”

Reina: “Yeah, I’ve gotten quite used to it. I’m really strong now… I might be able to beat Arnold now.”

Kai: “I see… As expected of a transcendent. I’m looking forward to seeing you go wild in the Dragon Island operation.”

Reina: “Yeah, I’ll do my best.”

 

The Dragon Island operation is being discussed again. Chairman Akuzawa is trying to start the operation again by arranging talks with the United States and China once more. Will I have to fight as part of China then?

 

Reina: “Ah, it’s starting!”

 

While we are talking, Aya’s press conference begins. Aya and the chairman sit at a table, preparing for today’s major announcement.

The reason for this formality seems to be to prevent the proliferation of incorrect treatment methods. AMS is known worldwide as a disease that has had no treatment up till now. However, that’s why if you search the internet, you can find any number of incorrect treatment methods.

Drinking a lot of water or drinking the blood of someone with high magical power. People who have actually contracted the disease seem to be desperately trying any treatment they can find. Why do they believe what’s written on the internet even when doctors say there’s no treatment?

So, in order to not get lost among those treatments, it is necessary to announce formally, by authoritative people—in this case, former Chairman Kagetora—verbally, as a video announcement. In actuality, only Aya will make the announcement.

 

Aya: “Thank you for gathering here today.”

 

Then, surrounded by many journalists from all over the world, Aya stands up. Dressed sharply in a suit, her eyes are utterly serious.

Like the serious young lady she was when I met her.

 

Aya: “I will now announce the treatment method for AMS.”

 

She is about to announce the treatment for the disease that is ravaging the world.