"Still the same question. How do you plan to continue your acting?"
After getting a general understanding of the Telepathist specialization, Sakuya once again brought the topic back to acting.
"Let me say this first. If you keep doing mind reading, I'm not going to be your guinea pig anymore."
"No, I won't."
Chika quickly waved her hand, feeling that if she were a moment slower, her reputation would really be destroyed.
"This time, the acting definitely won't be like before. The previous experience already taught me that extraordinary abilities must be restrained. Otherwise, serious problems will arise."
"Having learned from that lesson, I plan to act from an observer's perspective this time. Through daily observation, I'll read people's inner thoughts and complete the Telepathist's acting."
"Also, to prepare for the next stage as a Psychiatrist, I plan to start reading psychology books. My mom said she can help arrange internal psychological counseling work for civil servants later, which would count toward my Psychiatrist acting."
"That's pretty good."
Sakuya also felt this was a fitting arrangement after hearing it.
Starting preparations for the next Sequence this early was ideal. The Psychiatrist acting required interacting with people suffering from mental health issues. Sakuya knew that many civil servants in government offices genuinely needed help like this.
Even as a young lady, she understood that the stress on regular people in this world was steadily increasing.
If ordinary people were like that, then the hardworking gears in national institutions were under even more strain.
She also knew how terrifyingly high the work pressure for Japanese civil servants was.
However, this was a good opportunity for Chika. At least during the Psychiatrist stage, she wouldn't have to worry about lacking "patients" for her acting.
"But if not us, then who else can be the guinea pigs?"
The Telepathist ability was quite specialized, and the mind-reading method had become more refined. It could even detect four layers of auras invisible to the human eye.
It could see the color of physical health and emotional state, further strengthening its ability to judge people's thoughts.
So, the question now was, how should the acting continue?
"Aren't there still others?"
Kaguya suddenly spoke up.
"That online magic chat group that Sonoko joined before, didn't they have an offline meetup at the villa on the mountainside?"
"Ah."
Only then did everyone remember that something like that existed.
But their expressions also turned a bit strange, and Chika directly asked:
"Kaguya, didn't you say before that something would happen at that offline gathering Sonoko mentioned in the group?"
Kaguya nodded.
"That's what I said. If something does happen to them, you can use your ability to read their thoughts. If nothing happens, then just read their minds to let everyone see the dangers of meeting strangers from online."
"We don't want to be guinea pigs because we know, but they don't, so naturally, there won't be any problem."
Those who were aware would feel uncomfortable. But those who weren't aware, how could they feel uncomfortable?
Then, the smile on Kaguya's face deepened, especially as she recalled Chika's old title.
"And I've also come up with a great idea to help with your acting. We can tie it to our situation and go out more often."
"For example, Chika, you could become a high school girl detective."
"Eh?"
Chika, who was suddenly suggested, had already turned into dot eyes at this point.
"That's right!"
After a few seconds of being stunned, everyone showed an expression of realization.
Indeed, as a Sequence 8 Telepathist, if Chika wanted to maximize her ability and progress her acting, the best route in this world would be to become a detective.
"Telepathist Detective, how does that sound?"
Kaguya suggested with a smile in her eyes.
"Hmm... forget the name. My previous title was Love Detective, and I'm not that into cases."
Chika seemed a bit troubled now.
Kaguya didn't continue asking for Chika's opinion and turned to Ren.
"Ren, what do you think?"
"I think... the suggestion is pretty good. When the people around you aren't suitable as targets, focusing on others might be the best path."
Ren thought it through carefully. This arrangement really might suit Chika.
The target of a Telepathist is the client, allowing insight into the direction of a case and the ability to intervene in different stories.
On one hand, she would observe cases and witness the emergence of stories. On the other, she could alter them as needed.
There was potential here.
Though Ren didn't like standing in the spotlight or seeing people around him in it either, being a detective didn't necessarily mean drawing attention.
Besides, sometimes the brightest spotlight hides the deepest darkness.
Moreover, after reaching Sequence 7, Chika would also become a Psychiatrist.
Not just Chika. Even Shiho would follow the same path. After reaching Sequence 8, she would begin her acting as a physician, another profession requiring close contact with others.
A Psychiatrist and physician could work together perfectly.
Just like Sherlock Holmes and Watson.
And if you go out with Sherlock Holmes, then Watson's professional skills can also be utilized.
At this point, Chika wasn't so resistant anymore, but she had another concern.
"Then where would the cases come from?"
"As for cases, start with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. As an Inspector in Investigative Division One, Miwako can bring you into cases she's working on and have you act as a psychological consultant."
"You don't need to be in the spotlight at all. Just credit everything to Miwako. She was just promoted to Inspector, and even if she racks up achievements, she won't be promoted again right away."
"These achievements won't create too much pressure for Miwako."
"And when catching criminals, you can also support Miwako's acting."
"After all, we only have about a year of normal growth left."
The problem of confronting a deity in a year was already looming.
It was indeed time to get serious, especially when it came to enhancing their strength.
"Of course, proper disguises are still necessary. Just like with Shiho and the others."
Once a decision was made, it was impossible to completely discard identity concealment.
Ren then offered his solution: cognitive interference.
(To be continued.)