TSCEIAB Ch. 15

 

Richard’s eyes widened. It was an unexpected suggestion, which intrigued him.

Wasn’t he troubled by Philip and Daniel a little while ago?

With the fight already ignited, it was clear that the two of them would fight again one day. And then, it may not end with smashing a boulevard.

If an accident caused by an ability user occurred in Ohio, Richard, the center’s director, had to take responsibility.

If S-Classes fight each other leading to a death…….

It’s a catastrophe.

He called them in to solidify his position. If things went wrong, he might have to resign.

‘That case, I’d rather……. ‘

Yes. In that case, it would be better to sort out the candidates as Yi-seo said.

 

“Hmmm……. It’s been about four months since the first test.”

 

“I think four months was enough.”

 

“What do you think of Esper Hugo?”

 

“…… I agree with Yi-seo.”

 

Right.

Richard nodded, trying to hide the smile that was about to leak out.

 

“Yes. That’s great. It’s a little early, but let’s do a second matching rate test and decide.”

 

In the first test, Hugo had the highest matching rate.

The standard recommended by The Awakened General Association was a match rate of 80% or higher, but Hugo is a special case, so even a matching rate of 70% would be enough to make a pair.

 

“As soon as Esper Philip and Esper Daniel are done with their self-reflection, we’ll do a matching rate test. Just so you know.”

 

Hugo and Yi-seo’s faces lit up at his words. Richard was a little reluctant to send the two S-class Espers back, but he consoled himself with the idea that it was inevitable.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

As Richard had announced, the second matching test was conducted on the day Philip and Daniel’s self-reflection ended.

On the first day, I tested with Philip, and the match rate with Philip dropped from 51% in the first round to 46% in the second.

Apparently, my feelings for him had affected the match rate.

 

“Hey, X……! The matching rate has dropped even more? Do you think this makes sense?”

 

As was with the first test, Philip went on a rampage, denying the results.

 

“You! Tell me. How can a matching rate drop after spending four months together?”

 

The matching rate usually increases as you spend time together and get to know each other.

But the more time I spent with him, the more negative feelings I had for him.

Philip, who thought he was the only one getting to know me, shoved the results in front of me with a flushed face.

 

“Do you know how much money I spent on you?”

 

“Esper Philip!”

 

Richard, who was waiting next to him for precaution, called him out loud. But Philip was so upset that he couldn’t calm down.

 

“I’ve lost all my money and time on you! And the result is only 46%? This XX! XXX!”

 

A harsh curse burst out from his mouth. Richard hurriedly grabbed him around the waist and tried to drag him away, while an escort Esper rushed over and covered my ears.

 

“You can’t even handle guiding! XX! An S-class guide? Don’t be arrogant……!”

 

Even with my covered ears, I could hear his cursing and yelling.

I could just ignore everything else, but the words “You can’t even handle guiding” were a little bitter.

 

“Guide. Are you alright?”

 

The escort who had been covering my ears studied my expression. I tried to manage my slightly broken expression and smiled as if I didn’t care.

 

“Of course. Now I won’t have to carry a teddy bear or anything like that anymore.”

 

I like that one.

I tapped the back of Escor’s hand, which still covered my ears.

 

“I’m fine now.”

 

Yes. It should be fine. I expected Philip to hit me. At least, he didn’t set off a firework show in front of me.

 

“Phew……. More than that, I have a test with Daniel tomorrow. The problem is I can’t predict what Daniel will do.”

 

I playfully told my worries to the escort Esper, who was still looking at me worriedly. He sighed heavily as if he felt the same way I did.

 

“That’s right.”

 

Daniel was generally kind to me, but I wondered if he would be annoyed this time. He was very greedy for guiding and had a lot of pride in himself.

 

“…… I’m worried.”

 

But my worries were unfounded.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

“Hey, what’s this? The matching rate has dropped?”

 

Daniel pouted his lips as he checked the results. The matching rate, which was 63% in the first round, dropped to 52%.

 

“Won’t I get a third chance?”

 

Daniel smiled mischievously and posed a question to a nervous Richard.

Richard stiffened as he remembered Philip’s reaction yesterday, then flinched at Daniel’s smile.

 

“Well, that’s a bit difficult…….”

 

“That’s too bad.”

 

Daniel shrugged and glanced at me. There was nothing but regret in his bright blue eyes.

 

“Then does that mean I’m disqualified?”

 

He asked, keeping his eyes fixed on me. The answer came from Richard.

 

“That’s how it is…….”

 

“That jerk……. No, what about him?”

 

“Who?”

 

“That bastard Anderson.”

 

“Oh, Esper Philip was also eliminated because his match rate was lower than in the first round.”

 

“Oh, I like that one.”

 

I heard that Phillip left Ohio in a huff yesterday after causing a scene.

He said he couldn’t stand to be in this place anymore and left after swearing all kinds of things.

Daniel seemed satisfied that he would not be my pair either. He tucked my hair behind my ear and looked at Richard.

 

“Can I stay here longer?”

 

“…… Huh?”

 

“It’s a bit of a shame, and you never know, right? Maybe I’ll get a chance.”

 

Now that he’s been eliminated from my pair nomination, the reason he came to Ohio is gone. But why is he staying?

Richard’s eyes widened as if he hadn’t expected it at all. There was a look of anticipation on his face.

 

“Really?”

 

“Absolutely.”

 

“Ahem! Of course, Ohio welcomes you anytime.”

 

Ha ha! Richard laughed out loud and patted Daniel on the shoulder as if he wasn’t nervous earlier.

Daniel subtly pushed his hand away and looked down at me again.

 

“Sophia, it’s a shame, but that’s how it goes.”

 

“…… Yes.”

 

“Four months was too short for me to show off my charms. Isn’t it?”

 

In truth, Daniel didn’t have any outstanding shortcomings other than the complicated guide problem. He had a pleasant personality and a lot of good manners since he met a lot of girls.

If my only candidates were Philip and Daniel, my pair would have been Daniel.

 

“Now that I’ve been eliminated from the nomination, I can’t see you anymore?”

 

“…… It’s okay to keep in touch. We can meet and catch up every once in a while.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes.”

 

It would be hard for us to see each other once or twice a week like before, but it’s okay to keep in touch.

Even if it was just to hear him brag about his sister.

 

“Okay. Then I’ll contact you often.”

 

Daniel held out his fist at me. I hesitated for a moment, then met my fist against his.

Flick.

At that moment, Daniel’s blue eyes seemed to sparkle with a strange light.

 

“Huh……?”

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“Oh, no. It’s just… your eyes ……. ”

 

“Eyes? What are my eyes like?”

 

Daniel tilted his head. In a moment, his eyes returned to their original hue.

‘Did I see it wrong?’

Maybe it was because of the sunlight coming through the window.

 

“…… Nothing. I must have been mistaken.”

 

“Really?”

 

Daniel nodded nonchalantly and waved his hand.

With that, Daniel returned to his quarters. I furrowed my eyebrows at the confusion and discomfort that lingered before walking away.

 

“We’re heading back, too.”

 

“Yes.”

 

The escort Esper followed me. There was only one second test left.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

Tap…… Tap…… Tap…….

Sitting in the center director’s office, Richard tapped the desk with his fingertips. It was a habit that came out when he had something to worry about.

Two days ago, Philip, one of the troublemakers who had been threatening his position, had returned to the state where he was.

He expected Daniel, who was the only one left, to leave upset at his situation.

However…….

 

<Can I stay here any longer? >

<You never know, right? Maybe I’ll get a chance. >

 

For an opportunity that might or might not come, Daniel willingly chose to stay in Ohio.

Given the circumstances, it was inevitable that greed would blossom in Richard’s heart.

‘If there’s no chance, he’ll probably leave.’

 

He glanced at the desk. To be precise, he glanced at the words “74%” scrawled on a palm-sized notepad.

That was the result of Hugo and Yi-seo’s second matching rate test, which he had just heard over the phone.

That’s up 3% from the first test.

Some might say it’s a small amount, but given the opponents, even a 3% increase felt quite significant.

 

“But it’s a little too early to make a pair……. .”

 

Originally, he was going to go ahead with the pair contract as promised.

However, since Daniel stayed for the “possible chance”, he had to hold off on confirming Yi-seo’s pair esper.

At least until they can tie Daniel down in Ohio.

 

Tap…… Tap…… Tap…….

Richard, who was tapping on the desk, suddenly stopped. There was a faint tension on his face as if his worries were over.

 

Squeak-

He rose out of his chair. The chair gave a screech as the weight disappeared.

Richard sighed and left his office. Now it was time to go to convince his young guide.