Too Cringed? At Least, It Worked!

(Reaper POV)

Earlier.

Slap—!

A resounding slap echoed through the air, jolting me from my thoughts. I turned to glance at our Contractor, his expression stoic, facing Solis who had just struck him.

"You..."

Solis seemed on the verge of saying something, but her words caught in her throat. Tears welled in her eyes as she clenched her fists, her emotions clearly in turmoil.

Without a word, she turned and fled, her footsteps echoing in the distance.

"Solis!" I called out, but she didn't halt her frantic pace. With a quick exchange of glances with our Contractor, I dashed after her, leaving him alone in the plaza.

Why is this happening?

...

..

.

Step.

Step.

Step.

After catching up with her, I finally came to a stop, finding Solis sitting alone in a dark alley, her back against the cold brick wall.

"Solis..."

What should I do now?

Should I pretend I never heard anything?

Ugh, this is tough... I mean!

I don't know much about his identity, not even his real name, but who would have thought that guy was actually a hero?

Solis remained silent as she raised her head to meet my gaze. We locked eyes in the dim light of the alley, the tension thick between us.

Shit... I'm terrible at this. I have no idea how to comfort someone.

What should I even say?

Damn it! I swear I'm going to murder that guy someday!

As the awkward silence stretched on, I gathered my thoughts, mustering the courage to break the tension. Taking a deep breath, I edged closer to Solis, my heart heavy with concern for her.

"Solis," I began softly, "I... I'm here for you. Whatever you're going through, you don't have to face it alone."

...What the fuck am I even saying right now!!?

Solis remained silent, her expression unreadable as she stared off into the distance. I reached out tentatively, placing a hand on her shoulder in a gesture of comfort.

"We may not know much about him," I continued, my voice gentle, "but we'll figure this out together. You're not alone in this, Solis."

Ahh!!! Why am I even saying this? Is this even related to the topic earlier?

Still, she said nothing, her silence weighing heavily in the air between us. I struggled to find the right words, to offer solace in the midst of her turmoil, but my efforts felt feeble in the face of her pain.

"Solis, let me help you. You don't have to carry this burden alone."

Fuck, I'm starting to cringed...

"Reaper..."

Suddenly, she raised up and looked at me straight.

"Please, stop joking around."

Seeing the expression of her turning weirdly disgusted, my expression froze.

Someone, please kill me....

***

As Saber's thoughts churned in turmoil, he berated himself for his impulsive confession to Solis.

"Why did I even say that to her...?" he muttered under his breath, frustration lacing his words. He knew that his outburst had been a momentary lapse in judgment, driven by emotion rather than logic.

But now, faced with the consequences of his words, Saber realized the gravity of his mistake. He couldn't afford to let his emotions dictate his actions, especially when dealing with someone as Solis.

"Damn it," he cursed inwardly, clenching his fists in frustration. He knew that Solis possessed an ability to sway others to her will, and he couldn't afford to let her manipulate him again.

[Influence]

Her ability to influence people must've evolved somehow, Saber realized with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.

If this continues, he knew that his transmigration might get revealed sooner or later.

There was no telling what may happen in the future, and he needed to be prepared for anything.

"I need to find a way to counter her ability," Saber thought, his mind racing as he searched for a solution. But try as he might, he couldn't think of any cheat item or magic spell mentioned in the novel that could help him.

And as much as he hated to admit it, getting rid of Solis was out of the question. She was a crucial ally in their quest, and losing her would only hinder their chances of success.

"This is a mess," Saber muttered, his frustration mounting with each passing moment. But despite the overwhelming odds stacked against him, he knew that he couldn't afford to give up.

As Saber approached his room, his thoughts still consumed by the events of the day, he was suddenly startled by a bright light that appeared out of nowhere. Instinctively, he shielded his eyes, squinting against the sudden illumination.

But as the light faded, a figure emerged from its midst, hurtling towards him with surprising force. Before Saber could react, he found himself crashing to the ground, the weight of the mysterious woman pinning him down.

"I need that feeling again..." The woman's voice was barely a whisper, but it sent a shiver down Saber's spine. There was something oddly familiar about her, though he couldn't quite place it.

As he opened his eyes, he was met with a sight that left him speechless.

"This is your fault!"

Otuko's voice rang out, her tone accusatory as she straddled him, her hands gripping his collar tightly. And before he could protest, she leaned in and captured his lips in a deep, passionate kiss.

"Nnn~!"

The world seemed to spin around Saber as he surrendered to the intensity of the moment, his mind ablaze with conflicting emotions.

One thing he knew for sure...

...

..

.

He won't be sleeping tonight.