Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: It's Still 4 Years Too Early (10)
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"The visuals are the worst."
Mina Big Sis muttered as she looked at Karin. Fortunately, Karin herself seemed mentally resilient enough that when I visited the next morning, she was a bit down but not completely broken as I'd feared.
Still, she lacked her usual vitality, sitting there like a criminal with Lebedev's special iron collar around her neck. It was pretty pitiful.
The thing harming Karin's body and mind was presumed to be that lunatic demon Svetlana, and Karin herself was hardly at fault.
From the context, it didn't seem like she'd been instilled with desires she never had, but even so, as a human rather than a beast, shouldn't she have been able to restrain her urges and make the right choice?
The strange tattoo on her body suggested that she'd been interfered with right when she was summoned to make her choice after absorbing both the goddess's and demon god's powers.
I served her favorite food as usual, meaning not to worry too much, but seeing her so self-blaming that she couldn't even touch it was heartbreaking.
"It really is weird. If demon god power was infused, there's no way I wouldn't sense it."
"Rather than feeling like demon god power was imbued, it seems more like her body itself has changed."
"Bracelet. Unknown origin."
"Exactly."
I could only sigh. Still, while Karin slept, I'd already contacted the academy. Not to report her condition, of course, but to connect with the person who'd sent Yumin here last time.
To prevent this from happening again, I needed someone who could track Karin's whereabouts.
Owing Yumin a favor? Not thrilled, but unavoidable. When someone's life is on the line, my minor discomfort doesn't matter.
When I shared this situation, all I could do was watch Karin cry her eyes out, apologizing profusely. No other words came to mind.
I wanted to comfort her somehow, but yesterday's trauma made her avoid physical contact with me, so I couldn't even pat her head like usual.
Every time I glanced her way, she'd flinch and bow her head deeply. It was exhausting me too.
Mina Big Sis clearly grasped the severity, staying quiet despite being the type to pounce if anything sexual happened to me. Good thing she's perceptive.
My last option was contacting Lebedev, loaded with demon battle knowledge. I was still debating it. He might not help and could even hinder me—fathers aren't easy contacts.
Even indirect help via Justina required checking her status first, which I didn't know.
For now, I figured sneaking to the academy without worrying Karin was best. She seemed anxious around me and had nowhere to go while I tidied the room, so I needed to get her back inside first.
"...Want to go into the room and rest?"
She shook her head vigorously.
Had she developed a weird trauma about my room too?
What to do—better if she saw my face, or should she avoid it to heal her mind and spirit? I wasn't sure.
As I pondered, Karin spoke in a hoarse whisper.
"Just... let me stay where you are, Cafe Manager."
"If that's more comfortable, anytime."
Damn. Guess I'd have to stay by her side until she stabilized.
Keep a proper distance, wait patiently for her to sort herself out. After all, the real killer for humans is emotional wounds.
***
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Karin was still acutely feeling how broken her body was. The forced sensory switch in her brain was gone, but something had seeped into her body from her mind, making it ache even at rest.
The silver lining was that the Cafe Manager, whom she'd troubled so much, waited kindly and patiently by her side.
Treating her normally yet considerately, without scorn or scolding for her vulgarity—just watching him nearly brought tears.
She could see why Senior Ermina was head over heels for him, why Senior Rias felt inferior yet couldn't let go.
Yesterday and in those prior dreams, she'd been puppeted by fabricated lust from start to finish. Today felt different—something fresh and innocent budding in her heart.
He's a good person.
Too good for a kid like her who kept causing trouble.
After Mina Sis left, perhaps out of consideration, he sat at a proper distance, within eyesight, quietly sipping coffee and reading. When he sensed her gaze, he'd ask if something was wrong.
Even after her body turned vulgar, after showing him her ugliest side, he didn't despise or leer at her sexually. He just waited.
The restraint collar and chain around her neck to block the curse were uncomfortable and unflattering, yet they felt warmly reassuring.
The food he'd made had gone cold, her appetite still absent, but the french fry she tentatively ate tasted better than the ones from when she'd holed up in her room before.
Tears welled up, overflowing before she could wipe them.
Ah, so this is what it means to like someone as a person.
In the cafe's precious corner seat he cherished most, as she sobbed messily ruining the atmosphere, he approached, gently stroking her hair and wiping her tears with a handkerchief. His face showed only worry.
I hate this powerless, foolish me.
I hate feeling inferior and ashamed even as I glimpse love's fragments.
I hate realizing pure feelings only after coming too far.
Goddess. Praying in regret after a wrong choice is terribly rude, but please—just once—give me a chance.
I don't want to be a burden anymore.
I want to show my good side to the person I've finally come to truly like.
Praying for personal love might defy your teachings, but please grant this undeserved wish once.
She clutched his right hand—that had wiped her tears—with both of hers, eyes closed, tears streaming as she prayed.
"It's okay. Cry if you need to. No need to apologize to me or think you did wrong. You haven't done anything bad."
Not mere comfort—his sincere words transmitted a warmth Karin had never felt.
Not just emotionally; real power flowed from his hand.
"Child. There are no reversible events in this world." "Neither results of your own mistakes nor those caused by others can change—they're in the unalterable past." "But if you truly wish to make the next choice right..." "Walk the path of new guidance." ⟨ Divine Guidance ⟩
Wiping her tear-blurred eyes, beyond the haze she saw the Cafe Manager—and behind him, a woman's outstretched hand.
The bracelet that had pushed her to this state, once resented, had turned pure white.
His hand, gripped in hers, connected by golden power, mirrored her bewildered expression.
"A prophet finds no honor in their homeland, and true beauty rises from filthy mud." "Do not shame your body and heart stained by errors. They will prove your resolve and aspirations." "...Why manifest through me?"
Karin panicked. His words to the goddess felt too rude, laced with dark emotion.
He sounded resentful yet hesitant, conflicted—a first. She stemmed her tears, lifting her face to look at him.
His eyes downcast, biting his lip—it was utterly awkward.
"Would any mother abandon her child for momentarily straying from the path?" As he opened his mouth to question further, the goddess's form vanished, the bracelet reverting to its checkered colors.
What changed: the golden tattoo on Karin's right hand. And the Cafe Manager blinking in bewilderment.
"Cafe Manager. Um, do you see something else with your eyes?"
His gaze tracked something invisible, so she asked. Eyes closed, he shook his head.
"...More importantly, are you okay? Has your changed body improved or anything?"
"Doesn't seem so. But..."
It no longer gnawed unpleasantly; just a minor irritation she could now reframe her mindset around.
Nodding, he stood. As he turned to leave, looking tired, courage surged—she had words.
Not her body's wants, but her heart's. Electricity tingled on contact, ignored as she hugged him from behind.
"Cafe Manager."
"...Yeah."
"I'll follow you. Anywhere."
"...4 years is still too early."
Gently prying her arms off, he placed a hand on her crown, pressing and stroking firmly before entering the room he'd been using instead of the bedroom, without looking back.
Her body still ached miserably, but Karin felt she could endure it now.