I conversed with Amel-san while sipping tea that was ink-black in color but remarkably ordinary in flavor.
"So, Amel-san... you’re a member of the Winged Race, right?"
"Indeed. Is there something that piques your curiosity? Ah, I see. You speak of these black wings. Think nothing of it; they have simply been steeped in the shadows of the night. No, perhaps it is the world itself that has been tainted, and these wings turned pitch-black in an act of rebellion."
"Oh, no, it's just... well, this is actually the first time I’ve ever met someone from the Winged Race."
Based on our conversation so far, it was painfully clear that Amel-san was afflicted with a severe case of that certain condition unique to puberty. My best bet was to just let her dramatic flair slide and play along as best I could.
There would be no end to it if I tried to dissect every single thing she said. Why was I so sure? Because I had suffered from the exact same phase back in the day.
"You have never seen one of the Winged Race? How unexpected. We are not a particularly rare species. Were you perhaps held captive in the Prison of the Earth until now?"
"No, nothing like that. I’m an Otherworlder, so I just haven't had many chances to see much of anything yet."
"An Otherworlder?! W-Wait, for real? That’s amazing! I’ve never—ahem. So, you are a Visitor from an Otherworld. I thought I glimpsed a Fragment of Fate earlier. It seems special beings are naturally drawn to one another... Heh, the world is a fascinating place indeed."
I was pretty sure her true personality had slipped out for a second there, but I decided it was best not to comment.
"Are Otherworlders really that rare? I suppose even if you saw one playing the Hero-role during the Hero Festival, there wouldn't be much opportunity for a real conversation."
"That is part of it, but I too am bound by my own shackles. I hesitate to call it a cage—to me, the world itself is the cage. I long for freedom, but alas, everyone has their own station and their own role to play."
"Does that mean... you’re someone of high status, Amel-san?"
"I would personally prefer to cast aside such burdens, but my nature compels me to answer the cries of those seeking salvation. Thus, I have been unwillingly hoisted to the summit. To my kin, I suppose my existence is as blinding as the Sun."
Let’s see... If I summarized her earlier talk about her special wings and the rest of this, it sounded like Amel-san was a Special Individual of the Winged Race. Even though she didn't necessarily want the job, her people had appointed her as their leader, meaning she didn't have much free time. Something like that?
"I see. So you’re the Leader of the Winged Race. That’s impressive. You definitely seem like you have a lot of charisma."
"E-Ehehe, you think so? Am I really that great...? Ahem! Well, being overly gifted has its own set of complications."
Her true self kept peeking through, and whenever it did, her voice became surprisingly high-pitched and cute. One thing was for sure: she was definitely playing a character. But I could tell she wasn't a bad person.
"...Oh, by the way. Amel-san, since you provided the tea, would you like something to eat? I have some chocolate..."
"A Fragment of Jet-black... Truly beautiful. It resembles the stars glittering in the midnight sky. I offer my thanks for your—wow, this is delicious!?"
She took a piece of chocolate with a defiant smirk, but the moment she tasted it, her eyes lit up and a genuine smile broke across her face.
"This is incredible! I’ve never had chocolate this good. Where did you buy it?"
"Ah, it's actually made from cacao we grow at my house."
"No way! You have cacao plants at home, Miyama-kun? That’s so cool—!? K-Kuh... Forgive me. The Mental Pollution is... Guh, stay quietly sealed!"
She had been chatting with the wide-eyed excitement of a child, but she suddenly caught herself. Clutching her bandage-wrapped right arm, she launched into a mini-theatrical performance. She spent a few moments struggling against her own limb, muttering things like "Guh," before finally turning back to me while panting slightly.
"Are you... okay?"
"Yes, forgive me for causing you concern. The power dwelling within this right arm is quite fickle. If I relax my guard even for a moment, it bares its fangs to erode my soul. It is truly the Power of the Abyss. But I will not be consumed."
"That sounds... like a lot of work."
"Gaining an understanding partner like you will surely be a great boon to me in the days to come. Perhaps you are the Single Ray of Light Shining in the Darkness that I have been searching for."
This was weird. I hadn't done anything out of the ordinary, yet I felt like Amel-san’s opinion of me was skyrocketing with every sentence. She’d started saying bizarre things about me being her light, and apparently, I’d been labeled an "understanding partner" without my consent. What was happening?
"Truly, our meeting was a Lightning Strike. I feel as though you are going to bring a grand transformation to my life."
"I... see. Right..."
I didn't quite get it, but she had apparently taken a massive liking to me. Why? Don't tell me she realized I used to have the same embarrassing condition as her...
Serious-senpai: "Allow me to explain! In French, 'Lightning Strike'—or 'coup de foudre'—is an idiom used to mean 'love at first sight'! In short, she fell for Kaito the moment she saw him! Damn it all!!"