Finished the feeding play.
Ren turned his attention to Sayuri. "Ti to talk business."
After tidying up her jumble of thoughts, Sayuri listened seriously.
"You've probably noticed, the clothes they wear aren't from this era."
With that reminder from Ren, Sayuri finally paid it heed. Indeed, the outfits were clearly not modern—they looked more like old-style garnts.
"They're not demons from our ti?"
"Exactly," Ren nodded. Then he promptly stated his request: "I'd like to have them stay in the third-floor apartnt, but they'll need so basic living supplies."
"You want to go shopping for them?" Sayuri understood imdiately.
"Mmh, after all, it's easier for won to figure out what other won need, right? I wouldn't know about that stuff."
By "that stuff," he was mostly referring to female necessities. For instance, he wasn't sure if Kie and the others, now that they were demons, still experienced nstruation. But these items still had to be bought.
As for modern information and various knowledge, Ren intended to replicate how he'd taught Mitsuri—using the "Dominion" thod. By subjugating his own knowledge, he could transmit it to them. In all honesty, he'd grown to like this kind of "educational approach."
"All right, no problem," Sayuri replied. She thought about how she had nothing else to do these days, after moving away from her house, leaving behind any neighbors. Now with new neighbors, it might not be bad. Among them, two seed like they were wives.
'Wives, huh?!'
A flash of insight made her glance at Kie and Tamayo.
'They are wives?' An incredulous wave rippled through her mind.
They're also demon contracts with Ren, brimming with grace yet are married ladies?
Thinking of her own identity, an indescribable feeling seeped into Sayuri. Deep down, she noticed a faint trace of anticipation. Still wearing a calm face, she agreed to Ren's request.
Ren thanked her. "Thank you, Aunt Sayuri."
"Co on, don't you think calling 'Auntie' makes sound old?" Sayuri brushed a stray lock behind her ear. She herself wasn't sure why she'd even said that; it just popped out.
"Huh?"
Ren blinked. He'd always called her that. But looking at her carefully, indeed, Sayuri was still quite young. After a mont's thought, he revised his words: "Then... thanks, Sayuri."
"Mmph... all right."
She let out a subtle trembling response. Just changing how he addressed her, from "Auntie" to "Sayuri," felt like a hamr blow on her heart, as though Ren was fundantally seeing her differently.
Afterward, at Ren's request, Sayuri helped them freshen up, at least changing outfits for the ti being. While the won changed clothes, they chatted and got to know one another—since they all had easygoing dispositions, it went smoothly. Particularly Kie and Tamayo gave off a "madam" aura, confirming Sayuri's guess. Kie was mother to Nezuko, Tamayo was also an older figure, though they didn't share their full backstories. On purpose. Because they wanted to rope Sayuri in?
anwhile, due to so deliberate maneuvering from Kie and Tamayo, at one point Sayuri discovered they weren't wearing any undergarnts. Kie's face turned red as she claid she'd washed them that morning. Having read too many certain "books," Sayuri instantly deduced Ren had definitely done sothing with them!
That knowledge stirred plenty of complicated thoughts in her. To keep any taboo ideas from flooding her mind, she forced herself to remain outwardly calm.
Once everyone had tidied up, they erged looking fresh and lively. To help Kanae get past her shyness, Ren ordered her to dress up and co along as well. Their plan: heading out so the ladies could buy what they needed for daily life. Enlisting Sayuri was evidently the right choice—she knew won's things best, while Ren would simply provide muscle power if needed.
...
At the mall.
A group of chirping girls flocked around Ren, who kept Nezuko, still not used to the modern environnt, close at hand. The crowds of onlookers could only lant with envy.
During this excursion, two ssages arrived: one from gumi and one from Yukino.
gumi: "Ren-kun, you're not coming today?"
Ren: "I took the day off. Gotta help so people at ho."
gumi: "Oh, okay. Good luck."
Ren: "Sure."
Yukino: "Why didn't you co to school today?"
Ren: "Sothing ca up."
Yukino: "Is it a supernatural thing?"
Ren (glancing at Tamayo, Kanae, etc.): "Yes, basically."
Yukino: "Anything I can do?"
Ren: "Mainly things at my place. I can handle it, though. You just focus on class."
Yukino: "All right. About moving house... are you free this Sunday?"
Sunday? He was free. He recalled that on Saturday, he might have a trip to so cosplay event with Marin Kitagawa, though they weren't super close. Not sure if she rembered.
Ren: "Yeah, I'm free. Need help?"
Yukino: "Yes, if possible, I'd appreciate it."
Ren: "Haha, but you'll be my maid eventually, so what's with the gratitude?"
Yukino: "..."
He pictured Yukino sinking in exasperation. Ren chuckled to himself.
Kie, Tamayo, Kanae, and Sayuri chatted happily, while Nezuko shyly clung to Ren's hand. Spotting his smile, she asked, "Sothing good happened, Ren-nii?"
"I'm happy just holding your hand, Nezuko," Ren quipped like a seasoned flirt, openly expressing his affection for her.
He'd beco a lot more direct—the apocalyptic future might co any day, so why not enjoy life thoroughly?
"Mmph... I'm happy too," Nezuko replied, face pink as a ripened apple. Casting a sideways glance at the others up ahead, Ren stooped a bit, pecking softly at that enticing little "apple."
"Mgh!"
Nezuko tensed, gripping his hand more tightly. Unexpectedly, she then ducked her head, muttering, "Ren-nii, I want to have a happy life with you... and Mom, too."
"..."
That sweet girl... indeed, she had sothing more on her mind!
Ren teased quietly in her ear: "So, you heard last night?"
"Mmph... I... heard..."
Her head lowered further, voice going softer.
He was surprised. Nezuko had acted so normal in the morning he hadn't noticed! But he felt amused, at least she wasn't against that kind of relationship.
Feeling emboldened, Ren gave her a promise. "Of course, we'll definitely enjoy happy tis."
The pure, naive Nezuko didn't catch the double aning in his pun. "Mm!" she said, eyes shining.
..
"Argh, it's such a drag getting an IV."
Yui Yuigahama trudged out of the hospital with a groan, having co down with a fever severe enough that she needed intravenous treatnt. Right beside her was a woman who resembled Yui a great deal—yet carried a more mature air. She gently flicked Yui's forehead with her fingertips:
A mature woman's voice scolded her. "That's what happens when you go to bed right after a bath without drying your hair."
"Hehe..." Yui giggled guiltily, pressing a hand to her forehead.
Today, she had a fever and hadn't gone to school. Accompanied by her mother, she'd just finished getting an IV and was preparing to head ho.
"...Ren-kun?" Lowering her hand, Yui suddenly spotted a familiar figure.
"..."
In her line of sight, Ren was holding the hand of an extrely beautiful girl, surrounded by four other equally gorgeous won. They all seed to be chatting happily.
'Why is Ren-kun being so close with girls I've never seen?' Yui's feverish head swirled dizzily.
"What's the matter, Yui?"
Following Yui's dazed gaze, Ms. Yuigahama—eyes bright and lovely—looked over as well. She didn't really see anything special, just a handso young man out shopping with several youthful, attractive girls. But from Yui's perspective, there was a tumult of emotion.
"N-nothing, Mom."
Yui answered in a small voice, retracting her gaze and forcing a smile at Mrs. Yuigahama.
Yui was once again forcing herself.
As her daughter's mother, how could she not know Yui's personality from childhood—how Yui always read the room and tried to go along with others?
Judging by the circumstances, it must have sothing to do with that boy... But her daughter was growing up, and she couldn't ddle in everything. She only hoped that if Yui truly reached her limit, she would co ask for help.
Yui walked on in silence, her mind full of thoughts of Ren.
From childhood, she'd always been timid and anxious about others' opinions—trying her best to maintain harmony in a small circle. At school, not belonging to any circle could lead to exclusion or even bullying. Yui had learned that very early on.
But the "friendships" she fought so hard to preserve were ultimately fragile. In her first year of high school, she had a few supposed friends who liked dressing in a gaudy, gyaru-ish style. Yui followed them. They wanted to try smoking, acting like delinquents, doing bad things. Yui followed them there, too...
Until she got scared. She felt as though she was heading down a point of no return, yet she didn't dare tell her mother. Then one day, those friends called, saying they had a private room in a bar and wanted her to join—no chance to refuse before they hung up. She didn't want to lose that circle, didn't want to be excluded. Ultimately, Yui gave in and went.
It was her first ti stepping into a bar's private lounge. That was where she witnessed a horrifying hell: the friends who had "invited" her were mixing with n covered in elaborate tattoos. They wanted Yui to join them, to do the sa.
She tried to escape but was seized by the arm—she couldn't get free. That was when she realized she truly stood at the brink of doom.
At her most desperate mont, a hand grabbed hers from the edge of the cliff.
Ren—he pulled her away from hell.
That day, she recalled how Ren's gaze wasn't gentle like it was now. He seed irritated, pent-up. Like a beast on the verge of collapse, even more intimidating than those delinquents—but that was the "villain" who saved her.
He had brusquely tossed her out of that private room, shut the door behind him. Inside, she heard shrieks and the sound of bottles shattering. Then he forced her away from the bar, and she drifted dazedly ho.
Afterward, she never learned how that incident was resolved, only that Ren returned to school unscathed, and those "friends" transferred away. From that day on, Yui changed. She still tended to read others' faces, but she grew more cautious in choosing who to trust. Now she genuinely had a caring friend, Miura Yumiko. And her current life—she owed it all to being saved.
She wanted to repay Ren. By intentionally drawing closer, they'd beco good friends. Yui saw him shift from cold to warm, though she never knew why. She was simply happy for him.
They'd continued on in that comfortable closeness until now, and deep down, Yui recognized her feelings for Ren. But she didn't know how to show it. After joining the Paranormal Research Club, seeing Yukino so close to him left her uneasy. Then, when Ren said she was also one of his "favorite beauties," she was instantly relieved and happy.
She understood her own heart—she liked Ren.
Clutching her phone, hesitating for a mont, Yui bit her lip and decided to send a ssage to him...
...
"Huh, another ssage?" Ren paused. He'd only missed one day of school. Checking the screen, he saw it was from "Silly Pup Yui."
Silly Pup Yui: "Hehe, Ren-kun, I just saw you."
Ren: "Didn't go to school?"
Silly Pup Yui: "I've got a fever. I was at the hospital and just finished my IV."
Ren: "A fever? You didn't dry your hair after bathing again?"
Silly Pup Yui: "Yah! How'd you guess that!"
Ren: "Cuz you've always been this silly."
Silly Pup Yui: "I'm not silly!"
Ren: "You feeling better now?"
Silly Pup Yui: "Yeah, the fever's down."
Ren: "Hmph, so you saw but didn't co say hi. Let guess, you got jealous, seeing surrounded by pretty girls?"
Ren wasn't dense. He was well aware of Yui's feelings. He'd always been quite straightforward about liking beauties in the Paranormal Research Club, after all. Absolutely sincere!
Silly Pup Yui: "I-I wasn't jealous! Just curious...they're your friends?"
Ren: "Yep. Next ti co to my place. I'll introduce you."
Silly Pup Yui: "Uh... d-do you have a girlfriend among them?"
Ren: "That's a tricky question, Yui. Are you saying you like ?"
...
"Kyaah!"
Yui cried out loud. Startled, Mrs. Yuigahama jumped. Seeing her daughter's face so red it was like a steam engine, she wondered if the fever had spiked again.
Yui stared at her phone in disbelief. 'Ren's so direct!' She felt even more muddled, about to burn up from confusion. 'Wh-what do I do, how do I answer?'
Recalling the light novels, ani, drama series she'd seen, if she denied liking him here...maybe it'd spiral into the typical "misunderstanding -> parted ways" fiasco. She didn't want such an outco before anything had even begun.
Her shaking fingers typed a few words.
"I... like you, Ren-kun!"
Gathering all her courage, she clenched her teeth and pressed "send."
"...failure."
Right after tapping send, Yui fell into a daze. 'It's over... everything's over...'
She was drowning in regret. 'I must be insane...'
Ding-dong.
Just then, as she wallowed, her phone chid...
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