Weird Encounter

Morning jogs weren't just about staying in shape for me; I actually like to run and sweat. When I run while listening to music, it feels like I'm in my own special world where I can just take a break from anything.

As the weather shifted unexpectedly, a sigh escaped me. I paused my music, removing my earbuds as I surveyed the empty surroundings, a sense of foreboding creeping in. It was no ordinary day, and the cawing crows overhead only heightened my unease.

[My, you don't seem so eager to see me. How come, Ren?]

She materialized before me, her golden hair gleaming like a cascade of sunlight, the appearance of a girl around my age. Her beauty was arresting, my body responding almost instinctively, though I made sure not to let it show.

I did not want to let her see me staring at her cute face and think she had the upper hand. I hated that I could not control this part of me.

A casual greeting left her lips, her words laced with a curiosity that belied her enigmatic presence.

I met her gaze evenly. "I haven't achieved my goals yet, including finding Hikaru. So, why the sudden visit?"

Her appearance was expected, her return inevitable, but the timing was surprising. There had to be a reason.

[It's not like I need anything special to tell you to show myself. There is indeed something that required me to be here, but it's not information I will divulge to you. The reason I bothered to show up is because I want you to be extremely careful around him. Your target is aware someone is after his life, but he can't pinpoint who it is. He will be much more careful compared to what you may have thought, but that's not the only problem. Focus on always having a clear reason to pick on him. Hate or unjustified reasons won't work, or he will know you are sent by me. I want you to do your hardest to crush him without making him understand you're my agent in this world.]

With an air of nonchalance, she continued, revealing snippets of a puzzle that seemed intentionally incomplete. There was something bigger at play, something she wasn't sharing. Her concern seemed genuine, urging caution.

I frowned, my thoughts darkening. If Hikaru was merely a puppet being manipulated by an unseen force, then the stakes had grown higher than I anticipated. It was only natural to reach this conclusion, as a normal human would never know anything about the Goddess. It wasn't a normal quest from the start.

I wonder why would they want to go against the Goddess of an entire World?

Still, as a pawn, I was not privy to the truth.

Did this upset me, activating my protagonist's aura, and forcing her to spill the beans?

"I understand the gravity of the situation. I'll be careful, and I'll find a way to bring him down."

Nah. I'm satisfied to be like I am. If there is a threat not even a Goddess could counter, then I wouldn't even be able to live. I'm fine as is...

I wanted to ask her many things, but it did not seem like she'd answer me at this moment. More than likely, she'd just remind me of my place, which was not exactly enjoyable for me.

Forget it, I'll understand that on my own.

Anyways, she nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response.

But then, her tone shifted to a playful note as I rolled my eyes almost instantly because I could almost feel what that mischievous but beautiful gaze pointed at me wanted to convey.

[...Also, I know my body must excite a young boy like you, but you need to make it less obvious, or Ai will never like you, you know?]

My expression soured as she made an observation, one that was embarrassingly accurate. The flush that crept onto my cheeks was quickly dismissed, replaced by a sigh of exasperation.

"I must say, I truly didn't miss you. If that's all, then..."

I turned to leave, but her sudden embrace from behind halted me. Her touch was as ethereal as the words she left hanging in the air.

Forced to uselessly focus on how soft her body pressing against me felt extremely excruciating...

[Don't be like that, you're the only one on my side in this world, you know? Let's at least act like we're close]

Her voice held a hint of teasing, and despite my irritation, a begrudging chuckle escaped me. It felt like she was coaxing me in some way.

Our conversation took an unexpected turn, her plea tugging at a curiosity I had long tried to suppress. I was a pawn, but I was also curious by nature, so It was like an itch I hadn't scratched, and now the chance to unravel a mystery dangled before me.

"...What do you mean?" I pressed a note of determination in my voice.

If she was in the mood to give me information, then I would take it.

Her silence was as enigmatic as her presence, and just as swiftly as she appeared, she vanished.

I ignored the part of me that was disappointed because she stopped hugging me. I was more interested in getting something out of her, but it seemed she was hell-bent on never sharing any kind of information with me.

It left me with no choice but to resume my jog, frustration coiling within me like an unspooled thread.

Life continued on its course, the rhythm of my steps mirroring the cadence of my thoughts. But one thing was certain: my path had grown more complex, which I didn't like at all....