Of course, Mamika Kirameki knew that a few comforting words wouldn't be enough to rebuild the girl's confidence.
But really, what girl doesn't like compliments?
In any case, the most important thing right now was to stabilize her, to stop her from doing anything extreme.
Once her mood had completely calmed down, maybe she could take her out to buy new clothes, makeup, or some cute trinkets—dress her up beautifully.
That should at least boost her self-confidence a bit, right?
And once she was no longer so self-conscious, she could be encouraged to interact with others in her true appearance and gradually, through normal social interactions, become a normal girl...
Immersed in her own mentally "transformation plan," Mamika Kirameki was already envisioning a bright future for Natsumi Kyouno.
And that's precisely why she didn't notice the expression that had already sunk on Natsumi Kyouno face.
"You're saying... I'm not ugly?"
"Yes! Not ugly at all!"
Snapping back to reality, Mamika Kirameki quickly responded, afraid Natsumi Kyouno wouldn't believe her. She hurriedly continued, "Your skin is delicate and soft, your eyes are as beautiful as emeralds, and though your hair is a bit messy, it's very unique and cute..."
"Enough!"
Just as Mamika Kirameki was enthusiastically listing Natsumi good qualities, Natsumi suddenly shouted, forcefully pushing her away.
"Do you think it's fun to mock me? I actually thought you were a good person—what a mistake!"
"I..."
Seeing Natsumi Kyouno suddenly react like this, Mamika Kirameki thought she was just shy from not having received compliments for a long time and was about to continue.
But when she looked at the fury and hostility on that young face, the words stuck in her throat.
Had she... done something wrong again?
She could clearly feel it—this girl wasn't angry because of shyness brought on by her compliments. She was genuinely angry.
From the depths of her heart, she rejected someone like Mamika. Even words spoken with kindness would only be taken as sarcasm and ridicule.
It was like a young beast living in darkness—light would not bring her warmth, but would instead scorch her skin and sting her eyes.
"I know what kind of person you are. You're the type who relies on being pretty, and then pretends to be kind by telling ugly girls things like 'you have good features'—trying to make others think you're not just beautiful but also nice. You're just a fake, aren't you!?"
Natsumi Kyouno growled through gritted teeth. "It's disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. So disgusting I could puke!"
"I... I'm sorry..."
Mamika Kirameki panicked and tried to explain in a flustered voice, "But you really misunderstood, I didn't mean it like that at all..."
"Get out of my way!"
Natsumi Kyouno swung the Witch Haniel in her hand again.
This time, perhaps because she'd rested a bit, her mana had partially recovered. The swing carried a mana shockwave.
Caught off guard, Mamika Kirameki was flung several meters away, tumbling across the floor before finally coming to a stop.
"Wait! Don't go!"
Struggling to regain her balance, Mamika Kirameki saw Natsumi Kyouno charge into the emergency exit.
Ignoring the dust on her body, she quickly chased after her.
But unexpectedly, even though Natsumi had entered the emergency exit only seconds before her, she was already gone without a trace.
Mamika Kirameki stared down the spiral staircase, but couldn't sense Natsumi presence at all—no sound of footsteps, no signs of movement.
It was as if she had vanished in an instant.
"Teleportation?"
The moment that possibility struck her, Mamika Kirameki felt like crying.
What now!?
Natsumi mentally state was already unstable after learning that her secret wasn't really a secret in the real world.
And now, after being triggered by her, Natsumi emotions had reached the brink of explosion.
If she completely lost control and began hunting down ordinary people in the real world who knew her identity...
Then Mamika Kirameki would be held responsible too!
As she paced back and forth in panic, racking her brain about what to do next, something on the ground caught her attention.
It was a shiny star-shaped ornament.
If she remembered correctly, it was part of Natsumi Kyouno outfit.
Did she drop it accidTachibanally while teleporting?
Picking up the fallen star, Mamika Kirameki sighed in distress.
If she could find Natsumi Kyouno again, she would return it to her then.
If she could find her...
If Natsumi really had the ability to teleport, she could now be anywhere in Japan.
No, not just Japan—she could be on the other side of the planet!
"Ahhh, what should I do!?"
Mamika Kirameki collapsed into a squat, burying her head in her arms in despair.
Ever since arriving in this world, it felt like she hadn't done a single thing right.
Even if her intentions were always good, the results always ended in failure.
Worst of all, she didn't even know how to clean up the messes she caused.
Just like now.
She wanted to find Natsumi Kyouno and explain everything clearly, but she didn't even know where to begin looking.
"Sigh…"
Letting out a long, weary sigh, her current sorrowful appearance was a far cry from that of the magical assassin who brought smiles back to people's faces.
"Ah! That's right!"
Looking at the star in her hand, a sudden idea flashed through her mind.
A viable solution appeared, and she quickly stood up.
"If it's Meteora, she would definitely be able to find where Natsumi is right now!"
Meteora, in Recollection of Awakenings, was a sage who served as a librarian in the Library of Ten Thousand Miles.
As the protagonist's mentor who guided them toward heroism, Meteora magical skill in that world was second to none—if she were second, no one could be called first.
Aside from offensive spells, Meteora had mastery over nearly all other forms of magic.
She must know tracking magic too!
If she could give Natsumi Kyouno fallen star ornament to Meteora, maybe she could use it to locate her current whereabouts!
But just moments after becoming excited, her expression dimmed again.
Because Meteora was from the opposing faction.
If she really went to seek help from the enemy camp, she would officially become a traitor to Altair side.
Maybe Altair had already branded her a traitor, but Mamika Kirameki didn't want the rest of her friends to think the same way.
"…I'm sorry… but I have to… make the right choice."
After a long and difficult inner struggle, Mamika Kirameki finally made up her mind.
"The mistake I made… I have to fix it myself."