Episode 64 - Shota the Supernatural (Part 1)

【Morning Coffee Plotting】

Before work—

Miki Endo sat in a café near the station, sipping a strong cup of coffee and deep in thought.

(How am I supposed to uncover Shota-senpai’s secret...?)

If Shota really did have telekinesis—like she’d seen the other day—
Then of course, he was hiding it.

Miki had already started asking around the office.

・“Shota? He’s super straightforward. Great guy.”
・“He’s kind and good-looking... If he weren’t married, I’d totally go for him♡”
・“Sometimes he moves weird, though. Like suddenly crying or running for no reason.”
・“Still, Takahashi Section Chief is the real deal. Total role model!”
・“Landing a wife like Ryoko-senpai? Shota’s living the dream.”

(…Yep. All anyone says is what a dang good guy he is…)

Then there was his wife—Ryoko Takahashi.

A total legend in the company.

Naturally, someone like her would know all about Shota’s secret.

(But y’know, in manga and light novels, there’re always cases where even the wife don’t know the whole story…)

Miki racked her brain, flipping through every piece of occult and light novel knowledge she had.

And eventually came to one conclusion:

(I gotta catch him red-handed myself!)

____________________________________________________________________________________

【Operation: Stick to Shota】

At work, Miki began clinging to Shota any chance she got, always with some excuse in hand.

"Shota-senpai, I’ve got a question ‘bout this document."

"Shota-senpai, how ‘bout we go greet the client together?"

"Shota-senpai, can I ask ya real quick ‘bout the PC settings?"

Shota, of course, helped her kindly every time—never once annoyed.

(He really is a sweetheart...)

But—then it happened.

____________________________________________________________________________________

【Summoning Ryoko】

As Miki passed near Shota’s desk,

Clatter!

She caught her foot on a chair leg and nearly tripped!

“Shota-senpai!!”

Instinctively, she grabbed onto Shota’s arm.

(Note: This is how you summon Ryoko.)

In that instant—

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE...

Pens and papers on Shota’s desk suddenly floated up into the air.

"...!"

And then—

Swoosh.

Ryoko Takahashi appeared.

Wearing a beaming smile…

But her eyes? Stone cold. Not smiling at all.

"Shota-kun, Endo-san. Looks like y’all are havin’ such a fun time at work~♡"

Shota: (Welp. I’m dead.)

____________________________________________________________________________________

But Miki didn’t even flinch at Ryoko—

Her eyes were glued to the floating pens and papers.

(I did it... I finally caught the real deal!!)

Still, she knew confronting Shota directly wouldn’t help.

Her occult instincts whispered:

(Start with the legendary wife first!)

Miki turned to Ryoko with a big smile.

"Section Chief Takahashi, ma’am—could I have a word with ya real quick?"

____________________________________________________________________________________

【Secret Booth Meeting】

Miki led Ryoko to a conference booth, away from Shota’s earshot.

(...Gonna try a feeler question first. Dang, she really is gorgeous in person.)

"You’re… Shota-senpai’s wife, right?"

"That’s right. Shota-kun is my husband. And I’m his wife, of course♡"

(Ryoko, proud mode activated.)

"You two must be super close then, huh?"

"Naturally. I am everything to him♡"

(Proud mode intensifies.)

"Then… there’s no way there’s anything
about Shota-senpai that you don’t know, right?"

"Of course not. I know everything about Shota-kun♡"

(Super smug.)

"Endo-san, what exactly are you getting at?"

That’s when Miki dropped the smile and went serious.

"I saw it with my own two eyes. Shota-senpai’s mouse movin’ on its own, 
And them pens just floatin’ up in the air."

"...Eh?"

(Oh dear, is it memory-wipe time...?)

Ryoko’s eyes began to glow faintly red.

"But me? I love all things strange ‘n unexplained. 
So I’ll just get to the point—"

(Hmm. This girl’s kinda fun, isn’t she?♡)

"Shota-senpai’s got psychic powers, don’t he?
And you knew about it, didn’t ya?"

"Shota-kun!?"

Ryoko widened her eyes in mock surprise, pausing thoughtfully.

"...I didn’t know. Really. Are you sure about that?"

"So even you didn’t know...
But I ain’t wrong. I know what I saw!"

"Now that you mention it... 
I might’ve seen things moving on their own around him, too..."

"That right there’s called telekinesis! 
Shota-senpai can move stuff without touchin’ it!"

"Oh no… that’s terrifying... 
Endo-san, I don’t know a thing about this kinda stuff..."

"If his powers are strong, 
He might be able to control folks, fly through the sky, even take over the world!"

"Th-that’s so scary… I can’t believe my Shota-kun—"

(...Even though she’s actin’ all scared, she’s clearly enjoyin’ herself. This lady’s somethin’ else.)

"But I’ve got a good feelin’ about this, ma’am! 
You can count on me to keep this a secret! 
Whatever you need, just say the word!"

"Endo-san, you’re way too dependable~♡ 
If anything happens to Shota-kun, I’ll be in touch right away. 
Let’s get along real well, girl to girl~♡"

(Hehe… “girl to girl,” huh? Looks like I just gained a new ally♡)

____________________________________________________________________________________

【Later – Shota Left in the Dark】

Miki and Ryoko returned to their desks, whispering and giggling all the way.

Shota looked confused and asked Ryoko,

"Senpai, what were you and Miki-chan talking about earlier?"

Miki gave Ryoko a subtle look.

Ryoko responded with a slightly strained smile:

"Oh? Nothing at all, Shota-kun~♡"

And just like that, the two of them walked off, still laughing.

Shota: "...I’ve got a real bad feeling about this..."