Magical Girl with Demonic Time Magic-Chapter 76: Please Be My Girlfriend

Chapter 76: Please Be My Girlfriend
"Ayane, please be my girlfriend!" A boy named Itsuki Ishikawa asks me out after calling me for a private conversation, handing me a letter as he makes the request.
I look at him, he has brown hair and black eyes, and he’s quite handsome and a little cute, his voice is also gentle.
"Uhh..." I take the letter as he quickly leaves, I’m confused, I’ve never received a confession since becoming a teenager, today was the first day of school without Setsuna since she’s recovering.
And out of nowhere at lunchtime this guy said he wanted to talk to me privately after class, and when I came to the place he said, this happened.
I open the letter and start reading, there’s a short poem that I quickly decipher, it’s simple and a little cute.
He talks about how he fell in love at first sight when he saw me calming and helping people during that incident, he’s from another class so he didn’t know me until that day.
Normally I’d be happy, it’s the first time a guy has confessed to me like this, and the letter is full of nice compliments, but I feel strange about the sudden request to be my boyfriend.
"..." I can only remember the weird dreams I’ve been having with Setsuna, every night I almost kiss her, but I suddenly wake up without finishing the dream, and these dreams are leaving me confused.
"You should accept and give it a try if you’re comfortable with it, Ayane," Septarion says, appearing out of nowhere as I look at him.
"What do you mean?" I ask, putting the letter in my pocket, I’m used to him appearing out of nowhere for casual conversations.
"You’re going to become an angel, and although that won’t affect your daily life, you may feel less interested in romance given the difference in lifespan, it would be good for you to experience youth as a normal girl."
"In other words, go shopping, eat delicious things, use social media, hang out with friends, date a guy, those typical teenage things!"
"So... do you think I should accept and try it?" I ask with uncertainty.
"No, that’s your decision, I just recommend thinking about it as a way to live your teenage years as a normal girl," Septarion says, making it clear that my opinion is what matters.
’Well... I guess I can try... having a boyfriend seems cool.’ I need something to forget these weird dreams, and having a boyfriend might be a good change of pace. I’m already 18 and have all the freedom to find a nice guy to be with.
"I think... I can try a few dates, but no kissing or physical contact! That’s too intimate!" I say, embarrassed, to Septarion, who just happily agrees.
"You decide, Ayane, I’ll support your choices, and that guy seems nice."
"Oh, yes, and why did you come, Septarion?" I ask, trying to change the subject out of embarrassment.
"I came to let you know that Ophelia is going to reward you, so she requires your presence there as soon as possible to give you a small reward," Septarion says, moving his wing.
"Okay, I’ll go there right now! I also need to go see Setsuna and tell her the news!" I’m not dating yet, but tomorrow I’ll give that guy my answer that we can go on a few dates and see if we hit it off.
I think 3 to 5 dates will already show if this is going to work out. If it does work out, we can continue the relationship, but if it doesn’t, it’s better to end it and each of us move on with maturity.
’...’ But even the prospect of dating that guy doesn’t seem as exciting as I’d like. In the past, I know I would have been thrilled, but now it’s kind of strange.
’C-Could it be that I like girls?... No, that’s not possible, I think I’m just overwhelmed with problems. I obviously like men.’ There’s no way I could like girls. Those dreams with Setsuna are just strange dreams in the end.
This little relationship will prove it. I’m sure that when things calm down, I’ll stop being so confused about it.
I soon start walking happily to tell Setsuna the news. I’m the first girl among my friends to have a boyfriend!
...
...
...
"Setsuna, you have a visitor," a magical girl who takes care of the medical wing appears for a moment and informs before leaving.
’It must be Ayane.’ Ophelia has already appeared, asked questions, and left, so it can only be Ayane coming.
"Good evening, Setsuna!!" Ayane appears through the door with a radiant smile that warms my heart.
"Good evening, Ayane," I respond with a smile and a better voice. 1 day of rest has already worked wonders. I think tomorrow I’ll be able to leave this bed and go home, and in one more day I’ll be perfect to go to school.
"How was your day?" I ask, since there’s not much I can talk about from my day, my day was literally just staying in bed the whole time.
"Oh, it was great, a lot of people came to talk to me and I made lots of new friends. And the popularity is strange, maybe I’m entering the best teenage phase?" She speaks with a silly, happy smile.
"Then enjoy it, you deserve all the best," I say, imagining that this reaction is obvious. From what Ayane said, everyone remembers her calming the students.
She even got a medal, as she told me, so now she’s one of the most talked-about news at school. For at least 1 month, Ayane will be the center of attention before it starts to subside.
"Ayane, what’s that letter?" I ask, seeing a paper in her pocket.
"Maybe it’s a secret admirer?" I say jokingly as she takes the letter, I wonder what’s in the paper.
"Oh, yes, I was going to tell you in a bit, it’s a letter from my boyfriend!" She says with a smile, but I freeze, rigid, and in shock.
"H-Haha, w-what did you say?" I ask to be sure.
"It happened today before I came to the base! A cute guy confessed to me, and I decided I’m going to accept and let him know tomorrow. I mean, you only get to be a teenager once, right? I’ll try it and see how it goes," she says with a gentle smile as I see how carefully the letter was kept.
"..."
"Is there a problem, Setsuna?" She says, seeing how I’m staring at the letter.
"Can I read it?" I say coldly.
"Well... I don’t know if that guy would like it, but I guess it’s okay? Just don’t tell anyone, please," she says timidly, handing me the letter. I move my hand, holding the letter and bringing it to my eyes.
I just briefly skim through it and recognize the name. It’s a guy from another class who’s not all that bad, just a little narcissistic. He’s not exactly Ayane’s ideal type, but he fits some of the things.
Like having the appearance Ayane likes, he’s also a bit gentle, not at the level Ayane wants, but he’s not a bad person. The only downside is his narcissism.
"Setsuna?" Ayane speaks, not understanding while I tighten the letter, crumpling it a bit.
"Here you go..." I coldly hand the letter back to her, feeling bad and disgusted, a bitter taste in my mouth. How did everything change so quickly? She arrived, and I was happy, but now all I want is to be alone.
"I know that guy, he’s a good guy, I hope you’re happy with him. Congratulations on the relationship," I say mechanically with a smile. Maybe this guy can make her happy. In the past life, she didn’t date anyone.
So her dating this guy is my fault. I’m the one who made her not wear her magical girl uniform, which led to her being recognized and honored as a good student, which drew attention.
"Setsuna, is there a problem? You seem bothered," Even Ayane notices.
"It’s just that... I didn’t feed Hexael, I’m worried he might be hungry or eating from the trash. Could you feed him if you see him?" I tell a small lie, because I don’t even know what’s wrong with me at the moment.
"Of course!" Ayane just accepts with a smile.
"Ayane, I’m a little tired, could you leave and let me sleep, please? I still feel some pain," I lie, I don’t want her around right now.
"Oh yes, I understand, sorry to bother you. I brought you some fruit, I’ll leave it here," she says, placing a bag with apples and grapes on the bedside table and putting the letter in her pocket.
"Goodnight, have a good night," she says with a smile, completely oblivious to how I feel, and soon she’s out the door. I hear her humming happily as she walks away.
"..." I look to the side of the bed, the metal pole of the bed’s support is dented from the force of my grip.
"...This... is unpleasant..." I murmur angrily. I don’t know why, but knowing that she’s dating is unpleasant and disgusting.
"Meow..." I hear a meow, knowing exactly who it is.
"Was it you?" I question angrily.
"No, it was pure chance. I didn’t do anything to that guy or to Ayane. The guy just decided he liked Ayane and asked her out, and Ayane accepted," Hexael says, jumping up on the bed.
"..."
"Do you feel bad?"
"...No," I lie in response to Hexael’s question.
"Really? Then who was it that said ’This is unpleasant’? I’m sure I heard that coming from this room," Hexael says mockingly.
"..."
"Don’t be so silent, Setsuna. Let’s be honest, this bothers you," he says as I feel my heart tightening.
"It’s unfair, isn’t it? You do all the work, you plant the seed, nurture it with care and joy, watch it grow under your care, and in the end, it’s someone else who harvests and eats the fruit," Hexael speaks in metaphor, but I understand.
"If she’s happy, that’s what matters..." I respond to his metaphor.
"Really? Even if you’re not happy with it?"
"...Yes, it’s always been like this. She’s all that matters. If she’s happy with that guy, I’m happy," I say to him, closing my eyes to try to sleep and forget.
"Of course, of course, lie to yourself, Setsuna, but remember, we have a new contract happening. You won’t interfere with Ayane’s decisions," Hexael warns as he jumps onto the bedside table.
"Yes, I know... I won’t get involved in this. If she wants this guy, I’ll just support her choice..." It doesn’t matter. We’re still friends. I’ll still protect her and help her, and we’ll still be fully happy together in this way.