Magiclad Girls and a Mob who will save them, or else the world is doomed!

Chapter 84: Red and Silver

Double Heroine Edition

[Gindou PoV]

Falling in love with someone is a precious thing. Thinking of that person makes your heart race and your emotions overflow with excitement and a sweet-sour feeling, yet occasionally a hint of loneliness.

I have feelings for a male student named Kuroda Izayoi in the same class. At first, I only had the impression of "What's with this guy?" To be honest, he looked average, to say the least. I thought he was just like any random person you'd find around, prone to sexual harassment and immediately saying inappropriate things to me. I thought he was the worst – a stalker, a pervert, the lowest of the low.

But, he was different. He never directed those kinds of glances at me, and no matter how harshly he was spoken to, he stood up for me. I saw my ideal in him. His words resonated deeply within me, even when I recalled the tough days and felt like I was about to break.

I like him. I like him a lot.

However, he ended up having a good relationship with Karen-senpai. The fact is painful. I want him to look at me. I want him to love me more.

I want to be his girlfriend.

And I want to do everything together. Cooking, going on dates, whatever it takes, even if it means climbing the stairs of adulthood. I would accept any of his preferences, even if others call us mismatched or don't understand. Even if I have to endure being called a side dish, I want to support him. I want to be affectionate with him. I want to play games like "The one who confesses their love first loses."

But do I have the right for that? Is it okay for me to interfere with his relationship with Karen-senpai, whom he likes? Shouldn't I just give up? Countless thoughts race through my mind one after another. Of course, I don't want to give up. I don't want to be left out when he and Karen-senpai have a wedding ceremony or something. I want to wear a wedding dress. I want to exchange vows. I want to be proposed to.

But...

Sitting alone in my bedroom, I sit cross-legged and ponder. There's no way an answer will come. I can't possibly know what the right choice is.

Suddenly, the sliding door to my room opens. And there she is...

"May I come in?"

"What... what do you want?"

"What do you think? I'm here for a little consultation about your troubles. After all, I am your Senpai."

"...There's really nothing I need to consult with you about."

Honestly, I don't dislike this person, but right now, she's the last person I want to deal with. Probably because whatever she says, it'll come across as condescending sympathy. That's just how I feel.

"Hmmm. I can pretty much guess what you're troubled about. You're upset that Izayoi is being taken away by me, aren't you?"

"!!!!!!"

A provoking tone. I sense her gaze becoming sharp. I've probably never shown this expression of anger before.

"So, what are you going to do? Are you giving up?"

"..."

"What was all that talk about not losing in the bath?"

"...Because... it's already... hopeless, isn't it?"

I can't say anything in response to her provocative words. Because, it feels like a losing battle.

"When you were chosen.... I had no choice but to give up, right?"