NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 21: 21
The morning at Yukemuri High School unfolded with a subtle undercurrent of unease. Sagiri Ameno's usual seat in the classroom remained conspicuously empty, a void that didn't go unnoticed. Sagiri, with her striking beauty and poised demeanor, was unknowingly quite popular, and her absence sparked a quiet commotion among her classmates. Whispers circulated, wondering where she was, why she hadn't come to school. Many harbored a secret desire to visit her, to check on her, but no one truly knew where the enigmatic miko lived, as she kept to herself and had no close friends at school.
In Ren's own classroom, the atmosphere, while outwardly normal, felt charged with an unspoken tension. Between Ren and Chisaki Miyazaki, a palpable awkwardness hung in the air, a silent testament to the previous day's dramatic confession and rejection. They weren't speaking to each other, but their very silence, the way they subtly avoided eye contact, spoke volumes.
Eventually, a female classmate, unable to contain her curiosity, leaned over to Chisaki. "Hey, Chisaki-chan," she whispered, "did something happen between you and Shigeno-kun yesterday? You two seem… off."
Chisaki turned, a bright, almost unnervingly wide smile plastered on her face. "Oh, no, not at all!" she chirped, her voice light and airy. "There's absolutely nothing going on between us!"
Her smile, however, didn't quite reach her eyes. The female classmate, along with a few others who were listening in, felt an inexplicable shiver run down their spines. Chisaki was smiling, yes, but why did it feel so… scary? They quickly retreated, deciding it was best not to pry further.
Moments later, a male classmate, perhaps bolder or simply less perceptive, approached Ren's desk. "Hey, Ren," he began, trying to sound casual, "is everything alright between you and Miyazaki-san? You guys seem a bit… quiet."
Ren, without missing a beat, turned to the male student. "Quiet? Nah, everything's fine. But speaking of quiet, how's your situation with Sakura-chan going? Still trying to figure out how to get her to notice you?" Ren deftly switched the topic, his gaze direct and empathetic.
The male student's attention immediately shifted, his face lighting up. "Oh, man, you know it! I just can't seem to make any progress. She's so amazing, but I feel like I'm invisible to her. Do you think you could… help me out? You always seem to know what to say."
Ren leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Hmm, that's a classic dilemma. Tell me more about Sakura-chan. What does she like? What are her hobbies?" He engaged the male student fully, offering advice and listening intently as the conversation flowed, successfully deflecting any further questions about Chisaki.
The final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Tomorrow was Saturday, meaning no school, a welcome respite. Ren walked home, his mind already drifting to the idea of exploring the town, perhaps finding a quiet spot for some peace of mind. Just a peaceful stroll, nothing more.
On his way, he unexpectedly crossed paths with Chisaki. Her eyes met his for a fleeting second, and then, without a word, she quickened her pace, almost a frantic scurry, disappearing around the corner. Ren watched her go, a faint sigh escaping his lips. He didn't follow. His initial plan to subtly draw her in had been utterly destroyed by her direct confession and his equally direct rejection. He needed to formulate an entirely new strategy before making any further moves. It would be so much easier if he could just get another [Ticket of Relationship], but the tickets were always random.
The next day, the sun was still a promise on the horizon, but the inn was already alive with the soft sounds of morning. Ren descended the stairs, expecting to find the usual quiet, but was met with a surprising sight. Chitose, her hair neatly tied back, was already in the kitchen, the aroma of sizzling food filling the air. She had finished cleaning the entire inn, every surface gleaming, every tatami mat spotless.
"Good morning, Ren-kun!" Chitose greeted, her voice cheerful, a hint of triumph in her eyes.
"Good morning," Ren replied, almost unconsciously, still processing the fact that she had beaten him to the morning chores. Now that she had taken on the cleaning, it meant he would have to find another way to get a reality ticket for the time being.
Later, the other residents slowly emerged from their rooms, drawn by the delicious scent of breakfast. They gathered around the dining table, the usual morning chatter filling the space. As they ate, Ren announced his plans. "I think I'll go explore the city today. Just for a bit."
Nonko, who was still half-asleep and enjoying her meal, mumbled, "Oh, I'd love to go on a date with Ren-kun… but I'm too sober right now… and too lazy to get up." She yawned, her head lolling slightly.
Yaya, nestled comfortably beside a truly enormous, fluffy cat that seemed to be her personal pillow, merely twitched an ear, completely indifferent to Ren's announcement. She was already half-asleep, lost in the warmth of her feline companion. Ren blinked at the sight of the giant cat. He remembered that this cat was close to Yaya, but he couldn't recall their exact relationship. Was it a friend? A pet? He shrugged internally, deciding not to mind it for now.
"I'll be back later," Ren said, pushing himself up from the table.
Yuuna, floating beside Yaya, looked at Ren with longing eyes. "Oh, Ren-kun! I wish I could go with you!" she chirped, her voice tinged with sadness. But she was bound to Yuragi-sou, unable to leave its spiritual confines unless… Ren vaguely recalled something about Kogarashi doing something in the original series to temporarily allow Yuuna to leave her bound area, but the details were hazy, lost in the depths of his forgotten memories.
Ren realized he had forgotten many things from the series, but a small smile touched his lips. It didn't matter. This was his story now, his own unfolding narrative. His life was being documented by higher beings, shared with readers across realities.
"Share this story with others," Ren thought, a mischievous glint in his eye, a subtle nod to the unseen audience, "and give more power stones!"
With a final wave to Yuuna, who waved back enthusiastically, Ren opened the door and stepped out of Yuragi-sou, ready to explore the town and perhaps, just perhaps, find inspiration for his next move.