Magical Girl with Demonic Time Magic-Chapter 106: Special Conversation

"... I’m waiting for Ayane at the same place where she said she would meet me. I received a call a little while ago and I’ve been waiting here for almost 4 hours now.

I deduce that Ayane first went to the magical girls’ base, then went home, and only after that she called me. She seemed surprised that I was still waiting.

She thought I had already gone home, but since I waited, she asked for half an hour to pick up a dress and come here. She didn’t say what happened when I asked.

This shows that she is uncomfortable for having failed and doesn’t want to share it. Anyway, I’ve been waiting for quite some time and she finally arrives wearing a yellow dress.

But her smile is small and weak, and she has a pensive expression, as if she’s deciding whether or not to do something. You can see that she’s forcing herself to smile, she’s obviously sad.

’Why? Why is she calling that piece of trash?’ After what she said he did, it’s obvious he was a scoundrel, so why the hell is she sad for not having defended trash like him?

"Ayane, here..." I call her as she comes to me, crossing the street.

"Sorry for the hours-long delay, some bad things happened on the way..." She speaks while it’s obvious that her original plan has already crumbled.

"It’s okay, I understand, sometimes things just fall apart," I say to her with a small smile.

"S-Setsuna, isn’t it strange? How unpredictable life is and how quickly it can end..." She speaks out of nowhere as she starts walking, and I follow her.

"Yes..."

’Why doesn’t she just let this go? She can find someone much better...’ This is annoying, I don’t like to see her sad, especially because of a piece of trash that kidnapped her.

"Setsuna, can we... have a conversation in a private place?" Ayane asks with a strange, determined look now, as if she had made the most important decision of her life.

"...Of course, wherever you want," I tell her. I’m curious about her sudden change, but she seems less sad now, so I’m satisfied.

...

...

...

I hold Setsuna’s hand as I quickly lead her, practically pulling her, to a special place for me.

After failing to save those people, I called the magical girls’ base and explained everything, and Septarion came to support me.

And after that, I went home, but Septarion and I had a meaningful conversation. I realized that life won’t wait for me, as Septarion said, I should make the most of the normal life I still have.

So, after talking to him, I called Setsuna, and while coming to see her, I thought a lot about what to do with my future.

According to Septarion, my angel powers are close to awakening, so soon I will be a true angel, which will greatly change my life in the future. So, before that happens, I must make the most of what I have now.

That’s why I decided to overcome my fear and try to ask Setsuna out. I know well that we’ve both just gone through difficult things, and the timing is not ideal.

It’s just that I must use adversity to become better. If I leave this for later, something may happen, and I may never have this chance to tell her that I love her. I’d rather try to turn our sad moment into something better than never try and regret it later.

Just like I didn’t say goodbye to my parents, so even though it’s an impulsive decision, I don’t want to regret it later. So, I’m going to ask her to be my girlfriend.

I’m taking her to a special place for me, a park, or rather a clearing in a park in the city. This place is one that few people know about. I used to have picnics there with my family.

I think it might be good to try this there. I know I should first help Setsuna with her problem, but I’m not in the best mindset after failing today.

It’s probably adolescence. My dad said that teenagers are more likely to do silly things on impulse, and that’s exactly what’s happening now. I just hope it turns out well.

If Setsuna rejects me, I’ll be even sadder, although I have hope that she’ll at least say she needs time to think before accepting.

"..." We quickly arrive at the park as I lead her through the trees, following a path I remember perfectly.

And so we arrive at a simple but beautiful clearing, with a fallen, but sturdy tree trunk that I have good memories of. My family and I used to sit on it while lighting a campfire.

"Setsuna, this place is very special to me. It’s where I always went with my family for picnics... and it’s also the last place we went together before they died..." I tell her as I release her hand.

I walk to the trunk, sitting on it while patting the space next to me, calling Setsuna.

"..." She sits by my side as I decide to talk to her.

"You know, Setsuna, I... I’m in love," I say while looking at the ground. The silence is uncomfortable as I take a deep breath, trying to keep control.

"..."

"And I know things have been kind of difficult. Being a magical girl isn’t easy, and you still have to take care of your normal life. So, I’ve really been thinking about how to confess my love," I say, looking at her.

She has a strange smile on her face, it’s gentle, but also a bit broken. Her body is also trembling slightly, and her eyes are restless, making her seem quite nervous.

"So... are you going to confess?" She asks.

"Yes, I decided that life is too short. At any moment, something bad can happen, and I don’t want to regret it. The recent events have shown me how fragile life is," I tell her.

"And... who is the person you love?" She asks with a hint of curiosity. Although she’s smiling, her eyes are inscrutable, like a deep, calm ocean.

"It’s... someone very special to me. With this person, I’ve learned many things. They’ve always helped me a lot and given me courage in the most difficult moments." Setsuna has no idea how much she’s already helped me.

"I took a long time to realize, but I’ve loved this person with all my heart for some time now," I say to her with a small smile, my hands sweating from nervousness.

"I see... must be a really nice guy," she says, briefly breaking my confidence as she immediately thinks it’s a boy, but I decide to go on.

"Actually, it’s a girl," I correct her.

"...Oh..." She seems shocked and also confused, as if the idea of me liking a girl was impossible until I said so. Her reaction is even kind of funny, since it’s rare to see her confused.

"A girl... you... you like girls?" She asks uncertainly, as if the topic were a taboo she shouldn’t touch.

"Yes, I discovered that I like girls. I don’t know when it started, it just happened, you know? Love is so unpredictable," I say a bit more calmly, her confusion showing that at least she doesn’t completely reject it.

"And... what’s this girl you love like?" She asks the question that would practically give it all away, but I know that although she’s a genius, she’ll hardly guess it’s her.

"She’s very smart, the most brilliant and kind girl I’ve ever met. She’s always been by my side, giving me courage, protecting me with her own body, and teaching me so much about everything.

"She’s an inspiration to me, and she’s motivated me to be the best version of myself. And she’s very beautiful, even though she’s a funny girl who doesn’t see how valuable she is," I say to her with a smile.

"B-But what’s your preferred type?" She asks, as I remember our conversation at the diner, where I made it clear what kind of person I liked.

"Would you believe me if I said that even without noticing, she’s exactly my preferred type? A cute and kind person, who would always be there to protect me, a nice person who also understands what I like and likes the same things.

"Someone relatively simple, but who knows how to enjoy the company of a special someone." Setsuna doesn’t see how special she is. Even the genius Setsuna with the highest grade can’t find the answer.

She looks at me confused, as if she’s trying to figure out who I’m talking about. She seems to be looking for the answer within me when she herself is the answer.

It’s kind of cute. She never gives herself credit, so now she can’t see that I’m literally talking about her.

"Ayane, I... I don’t know who you’re talking about," she gives up. Among all the options, she removed herself from them. It’s sad, but I know it’s because she doesn’t give herself the due value.

"It’s you, Setsuna. I love you, and I ask that you please be my girlfriend. I know things have been difficult in the last few days, and this isn’t the best moment.

"But I feel that if I lose you without saying this, I’ll hate myself forever. I love you truly, from the bottom of my heart. For months, I’ve noticed everything about you, trying to discover this truth.

"And now I know, I love you for real," I tell her, and she freezes, like a machine that can’t process a program.

"You... love me?" She can only say this one question, as if me loving her was the most impossible thing of all.