Date Acceleration II (Complete)

Chapter 23

Accelerator was working with his laptop until Yoshino spilled water on the extension cord. Yoshino, with a soft, red, and nervous face, apologized. 

Yoshino was red; her eyes expected getting yelled at or something scary. Natsumi then charged to shield Yoshino from Accelerator, fearing something.

Accelerator only looked unfazed. Walking past the two. He then paused and calmed the two girls down.

"Don't worry, it's alright. No need to worry," Accelerator softly spoke as he walked away, not making eye contact with the two girls.

"Where can I get an extra cord?" Accelerator asked.

"It's all being used. Shido might have one," Natsumi replied, patting Yoshino's head.

Accelerator clicked his tongue and groaned as he left the room.

After the sound of the door slamming was released.

Natsumi and Yoshino took a deep sigh of relief.

Natsumi then faced the door and wondered something.

"Umm, why is he still nice to us after all the stupid things we put him through?" Natsumi asked loudly to Yoshino, who was just quiet. Natsumi then got red.

Suddenly a police car with its sirens blaring passed by.

◈

Accelerator went inside the Shido Residence with a key that Shido gave him for emergencies.

While scouring for an extension cord, he heard sounds of struggling and groaning—something like intense focus.

Curious since he didn't want to deal with it later, he silently walked to the source.

He found Shido in casual wear, in intense focus, with two of his arms raised, stretched out, and focused on something.

Accelerator then began to do one thing he hates and is always forced to do: socialize.

He pondered what to say. Should he say something kind, even though it might sound like an attack and be out of character? Or should he say something blunt but risk coming off as more of an asshole than necessary? He then made an educated guess.

He raised his voice, surprising Shido.

"So, are you trying to shit something out or piss through your ass?"

Accelerator called out with a deadpan and curious face, making Shido flustered and trip to the floor, followed by a burst of energy spilling out of his body.

"I-I'm trying to train to be better," Shido replied in a voice as if he had just been castrated by Accelerator's sight alone.

Shido sighed as he then felt his stomach twist, and the metaphorical butterflies in his stomach mutated into mutant arachnids so arachnophobic that it made Australia reject them. All crawling inside him.

"You're right. I am too weak. I don't have a higher conviction, and my powers aren't even that great in scale compared to what I am dealing with. I usually just wing it and brute-force my way with love and willpower. It seems that's not enough and won't work anymore."

Shido confided in Accelerator, who listened with an uncaring face but hints of curiosity and reflection.

Accelerator groaned and sighed.

"You know you aren't going to improve if you just keep doing the same thing over and over and limit yourself," Accelerator said as he rummaged through his belongings.

"I need an extender," he asked.

"I'll get it," Shido said as he searched in his cabinets and handed one to Accelerator.