TSCEIAB Ch. 7

 b81084b517099e24

 bfa8415c7d5fd4a4

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

After barely 2a5d351114 filling an 9d497426c7 hour in d70a08cf5b the reception f7a19f8d71 room, Richard, e60e5fe2e6 the center 5db8d64009 director, arrived.dc35d3441247db68

He had da6cee6476 come in 1a2abda0d0 person to 205c5b43de assess the 74307b9088 atmosphere between ed54c7aae6 Philip and 5615bdc0ba me.6c588422a7d1af26

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Entering with high expectations, 69242aa3fb he seemed slightly taken a24fdf542b aback by the awkward 16b0edae6d atmosphere in the room 57fc7a3469 and then laughed.f932fa5670c67095

“It looks like you’ve exchanged enough greetings. Let’s move on to the matching rate test.”147e4ebf56034bd0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

On our way 3cc5c97220 to the testing dfa836d644 room, Richard explained c91e03ce96 a few things.a6dfc935ce25984d

“This is the first round of testing. There will be a second round in a year. It may be a bit troublesome, but please understand we need to carefully monitor the matching rate and to make sure it doesn’t drop.”35e55f5c5689fcca

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The matching rate between 43fe3eb4ef an Esper and a 839a48a36f Guide is influenced slightly f0666db86b by their emotional state eb85112c01 and familiarity.a3bc1ed4645d4daa

So, before doing a 8cd4cec814 matching rate test, the f4c0e92707 Esper and Guide would 0662059e29 have enough conversation to 94922b8063 increase their familiarity with 5035b9977c each other and then 019dbb3ab4 proceed with the test.46be2c7c53eae343

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The time I spent with Philip earlier, even though it seemed pointless, was Richard’s consideration to help raise that familiarity.fe5e57c37570a1d7

‘Of course, it seems to have only backfired.’c7ed301f69365277

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Even if the results of this test aren’t great, you’ve got a whole year before the next one, so I hope you won’t be too discouraged.”15d5262ac3d92573

Richard glanced at Philip 58a4e5797b while speaking. It seemed f46b3dbb7d like he 23d64538fc was planning 1ae28ed80a to keep a8c0e4bd45 Philip, an 70c88e77c6 S-class Esper, 67c98fe69e in Ohio 13ab60f910 for a 5c0f480220 year.495d831d6a3b94bb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Haha! Don’t worry! The matching rate will be great. It was already 89% in the preliminary test, right?”9955023aa0556c96

Philip was brimming with 1d22fa3de2 confidence.91b3d8cbc18966fe

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He seemed 5cc7d71220 convinced that 13ee252961 the matching 499e518ec9 rate with c10911c3a6 me would fb56337078 be high 05eb29de6b even before b5726fa254 the test 1a2560f47a started.9195dfa98c3ef727

But his bright smile 64f3ad9d43 didn’t last long.09248f244ea7db15

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

To be precise, 75f80a6f67 it completely disappeared 28f0c0572b once he received 1076083e7e the test results.3182f1eacb0ea1cd

“…It seems like, um, there was some kind of error. Maybe the results got mixed up with another Esper’s.”dc2db2234917ad4c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He tried to deny 922c36dbef reality. I took the results 83e6bcd90e from Philip’s hand and 6d53646827 looked for the matching f8abedc385 rate section.83e3202fca959d42

[The matching rate between Esper “Philip Anderson” and Guide “Sofia Kang” is 51%.]

 3b527b7d25aaa893

51%.5c506f6a2f4743e8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

This was fe59ee7aec significantly lower 89f634c72d than the b8a894bc1a preliminary matching 809d697c34 rate. If this number had e0e43c0b3e appeared in the preliminary 9bde83022b test, Philip wouldn’t have 54db0469f9 even made it to e032a410f7 my candidate list.e9efe5553fce0b3d

As Philip continued 95d05618b1 to deny and 503adddcc5 doubt the results, 7ea039565f the researcher anxiously fedf17c81e explained that the c6d0050bb6 number was correct.7d976724aedb4605

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Philip, whose face c8739545af turned red, gritted 1f68b9d55f his teeth and d5edbbe6d2 slammed his fist 2768efe304 into the waiting 1ea27f628f room wall.d76dd5c5ee4e6751

Thud!99307b9a90f5b10b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The wall 316363d97a cracked, and e9685d22f2 the building 7a5c9c48c0 shook slightly. Eric, the 2d417d555d B-rank Esper e17bcef89e assigned as ffaf2b580c my escort, 27147efcc9 quickly shielded b59c608d78 me and 04f500c3eb moved us 05fc8bbae4 away from 328dd041ce the spot.34b5e5110ea23892

“Are you okay, Guide?”e9fa85b3a6bcdd57

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I’m fine, but I don’t think the Director is. And Eric, who left him behind.”21fc3843526439a4

Eric, who had db24aebd57 retreated to the 1c4262d1f6 end of the 16ea323222 hallway, checked on 07490e8b42 Richard.369645d7c7367b5f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Richard was two or a2cfa8be44 three steps away from 2e5598cf8a Philip, his thick jaw 8ca422390b trembling.f05a12d8e098265f

“…It’ll be okay. I’ve given strict orders to prioritize the Guide’s safety above all else.”f4ccdd989986a954

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Even Richard hadn’t anticipated ab2e18f0db this situation when he 207a02da8e gave that order.a0558377bfeb6359

I sighed heavily, c686564ce8 hoping Richard wouldn’t 461dae5481 scold Eric. I could faintly 6ad68796b8 hear Philip cursing 82f4df34b9 in frustration.842719a9712c4871

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I heard he’s been a little calmer recently… but looks like that fiery temper of his is still there.”133774c7eb461c35

You’re out, fe9a881871 you jerk.b345b896dda4521c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

 aa743e2c1162af87

A while later, fe01f4f806 Philip’s personal assistant 075d54a067 managed to stop 7ba8a740cb him.48ecb3a7bea2ef4f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The assistant 4cea305b03 persuades Philip 21071581a5 not to 79af74e878 behave in 71f8885303 a way 5e80d1cf94 that would cb076a89ea sour his b0e2122e07 relationship with 0077d13fa6 me any c77505b8c5 further, as fe0fd1feac there would 62e25e5f33 be another 7e0e9b309f chance in 0cb69c2899 a year.bbb1a40b8e4aa898

Philip stepped back to 51ed5263ab the end of the 87ce265068 hallway, briefly eyeing me—still 02f2932e66 nestled in the arms ab4cef42b4 of my escort Esper—before a4cb4bed16 taking a few deep bf51c2acda breaths.c73aba310c71c16f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

His chest rose 703b8ae7cc and fell several 0bb32797b6 times.a5135109013d0b92

“…I’m sorry. Guide Sofia, I’m sorry.”4e09baa15cf5a879

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Philip, who had c9b57622b5 left a harsh 5695306056 tone, murmured that ba4e2b9027 he was tired, 69cdfb8699 and turned to 02588cae56 walk away.688bd45a0c1f00d7

He was a really a785bf9de1 bad person, both from 9a9872307a the start and at 98aca5e440 the end.3423a7c411b172b4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

 3ecc850e377be7b1

 8504ec492cfa62be

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

 43556a381d1ac5f1

* * *ec919bfe59af3753

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

 aadec68a035039dd

 b7965ff91459230a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

 7a4951ffef6ceb8f

The next day, in 7e33badebe the same reception room ec2ecffebc where I had met 2a83cd1ce0 Philip, I met the 52534622e9 second pair candidate.e6c440fd63529526

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

This time, at Richard’s suggestion, I brought two Esper escorts with me.1f0161fc8fe6023c

“Hello, Guide Sofia, right? I’m Daniel Calix. Feel free to call me Daniel.”e2d3e92ae0a4a106

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As I entered db98199cea the reception room, 60d18737e4 the man who a2e8a1352f arrived early stood 7b2263aeb7 up and greeted 88b6496563 me.2e2d97b5aa7566eb

His polite manner 73eaef6fe7 and gentle smile ce4733cce9 were quite impressive.31c0359e69b01118

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Nice to meet you, Daniel. Please feel free to call me Sofia, too.”aea0677c6a06b89a

He didn’t 4c856a90f6 ask for 9a6b38b93f a handshake.42161717878416af

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

After Philip had 1ce6936739 left the day e2f2656bda before, I had ae1261f3a9 learned from my 7421e666d6 escort, Eric, that 26e7018abc it was considered 9f42653582 bad manners for 322bbb83b8 an Esper to 906ffddb29 ask a novice c0be39d9cd Guide for a 85035dd494 handshake.19308c6c5d32c415

Newly awakened Guides ace0b7413b often release guiding 847a4aed01 energy even with 9a5ba53c42 light physical contact.0078ed30de0e5f58

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

They say that asking for a handshake from such a guide is tantamount to saying, “Let me taste your guiding energy.”b8bfd5c996694126

“Is that okay? Sofia?”2d069fac03d4b95a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes, feel free to speak casually.”c4b5424297065d1c

As I 70240894a9 sat on fddc5f6345 the sofa, fbce74edd7 Daniel sat 8e709b1397 down slowly 7895ed769f as well.c0b978ba05e960d7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Unlike his ff8c34cf9f adorable image, 7fad067fdf he was fe6e844371 quite large. He seemed 3fd4d07a03 to be 2141c04eb4 minimizing his caf8301579 movements, perhaps aeee7d7de8 to avoid 2983e3735a startling a 19af96b88d young child d9c6e005ea like me.171917b0780cdcd8

“Haha, thanks, Sofia. Actually, I have a younger sibling. She’s ten years old, and seeing you reminds me of when my Ellie was that age, so I wanted to get to know you better.”2445853f30916701

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Maybe because of 7472340204 his blonde hair.dc459dc0e20bee8b

Looking at Daniel 909dd12fbe reminded me of c2eecd3d62 a golden retriever. He smiled and 7111ab4bab took out something 94fe5a5382 to show me.94e84095c5c489c2

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Here, this is my little sister Ellie.”522ceda04200d71d

It was a 5a89f8bb46 phone, and the 644a4f39f3 wallpaper was a e8c98ac64b selfie of Daniel 1b485ff0bb and a girl 2b967ca310 who looked like dc18830974 him.8d3e10c2291ba771

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“You must be close with your younger sister.”01457bc890f5b002

I can’t believe c79bc8a6d3 he set his 5f848070de phone wallpaper like 294ec366a6 that.2985799618267e7b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Daniel nodded at my 731ee8ce64 question.aa0a32402132973d

“Yeah. There’s a five-year gap between us, but since our parents were busy, I ended up taking care of Ellie a lot. So she’s like my own daughter.”fde4de4d615a1f21

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It was an amazing 3917e6a1d9 sibling bond.7ba29d6b3b9d74ed

Daniel spent about 20 3b42995aa9 minutes, talking about his a047e46349 sister Ellie.a5767f1e2d3b3940

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It was more pleasant 0f95c6f367 than talking to Philip, 9525ba5237 who treated me like 5287086b96 a child. I occasionally nodded along 04d2d73519 as he spoke.4597aba5ae642e57

“Ah, I’ve only talked about myself.”31cd2a1ef210496a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘You’ve been talking about 5b2480dfe2 your sister, not yourself.’6844957f8ac09f36

Just when I d6c49d84e1 thought my ears d4e16b3597 were about to 5c1e4b1c06 bleed, Daniel stopped, a8e874496a looking embarrassed.f6cdafdc41305047

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I tried 22d5222b5f to hide e082ca8243 my slight 40a865f0e8 fatigue and 7b04edecd7 smiled faintly.8d3bf9ad49ba1c70

“It’s okay. I had fun.”ae5072c3071bcf98

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“You’re so mature, Sofia.”f55528896fe0eb6e

“I hear that a lot.”df2258dc32c1948f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Haha!”0a09a2995ba5439d

The atmosphere was ada7d3fbb8 very good. Our conversation was f404c2e0ff smooth, and laughter 1c8aa977fe kept flowing between bed2dc899b us.0276e64af579d19c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I could 2cf6fc008f feel our faffa54eeb familiarity growing.7eec85a931052a63

‘At this rate, the 4be6937610 matching rate will probably f7843a6e91 be pretty high.’3b13ced1cc8835a3

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

But just as 2aec302689 I had that b65be2032b thought, my mood a5de586d8d started to drop 44947fb122 when Daniel began 7d600047f0 talking about Guides.83c9c2251f74971b

“I’m a little tired because I haven’t been getting guidance yesterday and today .”8962c3ab8ae98a91

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Do you get guidance every day?”aa65d3cb719e8904

“Yeah. Sometimes two or three times a day.”a1317552a60b0baa

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

From what I a0ffc756a4 heard, Daniel seemed 531d4a82b3 to have a 25512dfc38 strong desire for 4f3ac32be5 guides. But, he didn’t 3522085f96 seem to possessive 582288d227 towards a single 33e4a8667a Guide.9a24dd0cca0cfbd6

He was 5bf1489c29 quite handsome, b8489b6779 with a b3ca028060 friendly personality, ffa56ee4d6 and his 11a7fc2386 celebrity status 3be6c2c511 made him 8930e80b7f popular among 9cd9bab785 Guides.6b32df868ea26b2b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Daniel, too, seemed to 72acd12d48 be well aware of 8878e61cde his appeal.9d79d54060354926

That’s why he 72f30ac423 often had multiple b48c63b370 Guides around him, 7e93141a60 charming them and 5d71f6d22c keeping them close.17280520a3164fb7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He was the type 8cf0f30c6a to not stop a e4f236fb52 Guide from leaving and 1288333b4e not hold back a 6465a36376 new one from joining.efcf37648eeb92ea

He didn’t think d77f1657cd of this as 94fb138e3b something bad either, d714a27e23 and even seemed ed0d8b53ab to take pride 0f18a02f3d in how popular aed5ae0db7 he was among d4dc440846 Guides.62c1a1d060c97c87

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

‘Now that I think 14d99758ca about it, there was fdc3e9cb7f a lot of talk 8414069b49 about scandals involving Daniel.’c081fd844f0595a3

I’ve heard there were 88df3d7701 several dramas surrounding him.c9bdd8a2b2453136

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I’d forgotten about 07cbc4b967 it because he e46f7d9157 was only fifteen, a95e2956ef dismissing them as f9f2623a13 mere gossip.ef59d51fa876f15c

“Um, does it bother you?”a6d4cfb287a72aff

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

When my 1918bee6a9 expression darkened, f840a04a28 Daniel noticed.d55f1764e478f5b4

“Don’t worry. Once the pair is formed, I’ll make sure to let the other Guides go. So cheer up, okay?”d1a2de758c95fbdf

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Daniel smiled, 8c4bc1bdf7 narrowing his 9b25c98cfa eyes as 45f41aeff5 he spoke. It was quite a8d13e6fc0 natural for him 024857ce4f to use his 2e93ada797 charm and diffuse e5a63d97e5 the tension.324d822906213684

‘This one’s out too.’7f623609711d4d7a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I leaned back against 35103ca411 the sofa and absentmindedly 56596b7203 sucked on the straw ec59537618 stuck to the orange 85a4e9a65e juice.51161778a63d2c5a

From then on, bead2c7e03 everything Daniel did e50ddf5695 seemed to carry 988d74619e a subtle, almost 19c8bddc53 manipulative sweetness that 688751767a didn’t sit well 58db0eda9e with me.c8b136e9a3054264

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

 215dcea4fe41a541

 65eaba8d1839edd3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

An hour later. The matching rate result 7cc94b50c2 with Daniel was 63%.226b2e2b97f01f97

“Well, it’s a bit lower than the preliminary test.”bedb345c2c9dc77d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Since the preliminary matching rate was 82%, saying it was “a bit” lower was an understatement.fe92cba01f21b4fa

But Daniel didn’t break 51aee6a6e4 a wall or swear da60fb840a like Philip, even though 5bd3d2c167 he looked disappointed.f897e90636702e70

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Instead, he shrugged e956848bf7 his shoulders and 4686718485 said:8fc9c7e4ee9ca0fd

“Well, it’s fine. We’ll just get to know each other over the next year, right?”925f1a0c645774d2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

That’s so positive, 168d8d4d32 I like it.77b3037559e7c715

Daniel left the center, eb2ffe79d5 saying he hoped we’d 4296b82f41 have a more enjoyable c54d220407 time the next time 80b1b66b3c we met.5946fa635c49e5d2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Just like 29ba7c1303 when we 8c85fdc2ff first met, a953afac05 he wore fed72ee00b a bright, 3c4fd80fb3 cheerful smile.2f30f94a80caba02

 627bfa0420dcee27

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com