NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 26: 26
The walk back to Yuragi Inn was a whirlwind of emotions for Ren. Between Sagiri's furious blushes and Hibari's triumphant, almost possessive, grip on his arm, he felt like a prize being paraded. He had accepted the double marriage proposal, a decision that still felt surreal, even for him. As they approached the familiar entrance of Yuragi Inn, the warm lights spilling out into the twilight, Ren took a deep breath. Time to face the music.
They stepped inside, and the usual evening calm of the inn was immediately shattered. Nonko, still in her yukata, was sketching intently in the living area, while Yaya was playfully chasing Koyuzu, who giggled as she darted behind furniture. Chitose was tidying up, a soft hum on her lips, and Yuuna floated nearby, watching the playful chaos with a serene smile. All eyes turned to them as Ren, Sagiri, and Hibari entered.
"Everyone," Ren announced, a casual smile on his face, "this is Hibari Ameno. She'll be joining us as a new resident here at Yuragi Inn."
A chorus of polite greetings began, but before they could fully welcome Hibari, Ren continued, his voice clear and unwavering. "And, well, there's one more thing. Sagiri and Hibari are now engaged to me."
Silence. Absolute, profound silence descended upon the living area. Yaya froze mid-chase, Koyuzu stopped giggling, and Chitose's hand, holding a dusting cloth, hung suspended in the air. Yuuna's serene smile slowly, almost imperceptibly, wavered.
Nonko was the first to react, a sharp intake of breath. Her eyes widened, but then, a strange, almost knowing, look settled on her face. She had felt it, hadn't she? That subtle shift in Sagiri's demeanor recently, the way her usually stern gaze softened just a fraction when Ren was near. Nonko, being a woman who understood the complexities of the heart, especially her own feelings for Ren, felt a pang of surprise, but no true alarm. If Ren was happy, and if she could still be by his side, even as a concubine or mistress, she would be content. As long as he never abandoned her, she would be okay.
Yaya's ears twitched, then drooped slightly. Engaged? Both of them? A flicker of confusion crossed her feline features, and then, a faint, unfamiliar ache bloomed in her chest. It was a strange, dull throb, a feeling she couldn't quite identify. She shrugged it off, dismissing it as nothing important. With a shake of her head, she turned and flopped down next to the enormous, fluffy cat, burying her face into its fur, seeking the familiar comfort of its warmth.
Chitose, the ever-composed innkeeper, felt a peculiar mix of emotions. A motherly pride swelled within her; it was as if her own son was growing up, finding his place in the world, and now, even a family. But beneath that warmth, a subtle, unsettling ache, much like Yaya's, began to stir in her own chest. Unlike Yaya, however, Chitose, with her logical and analytical mind, questioned this feeling. Why did she feel this way? What was this strange discomfort? She decided to ponder this mystery later, when she had more time to herself.
Yuuna was the most visibly shaken. Her translucent form flickered almost imperceptibly, and her eyes, usually so bright and full of life, welled up with unshed tears. She felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to cry, a profound sadness that she couldn't explain. She tried desperately to hold it back, to maintain her composure, to not bother anyone with her inexplicable emotions.
Ren, oblivious to the emotional turmoil he had unleashed, simply smiled. "Well, let's get Hibari settled in her room." He picked up Hibari's bags, which were surprisingly heavy.
As Ren turned, Sagiri, her face still a furious shade of red, began to punch his arm repeatedly, though her blows were more like playful taps. "You idiot! What was that?! You can't just blurt out things like that!" she hissed, trying to maintain some semblance of her usual stern demeanor, but the effect was ruined by the obvious blush on her cheeks. To an outside observer, they looked less like an angry fiancée and more like a flirting couple.
Hibari, seeing her cousin's "flirting," immediately hugged Ren's other arm, her own blush matching Sagiri's. "Don't be mean to Ren-kun, Sagiri-chan!" she chirped, a competitive glint in her eyes.
Sagiri, not to be outdone, tightened her grip on Ren's other arm. "Hmph! I'm not being mean! I'm just... reminding him of proper etiquette!" Despite her earlier protests, the overwhelming happiness that Ren had accepted her, that she was truly engaged to him, drowned out all logical objections. She might have accepted her feelings, but she wasn't going to be an easy girl. And she certainly wasn't going to let Hibari win this unspoken battle for Ren's attention.
Ren, caught between two fiercely blushing, arm-hugging girls, felt the weight of Hibari's bags. His raw physical strength was, by human standards, merely average. He didn't want to be limited by such common sense. With a subtle mental command, he activated his 'Real Illusion,' focusing a minute amount of spiritual power to temporarily enhance his physical strength. The bags, though still heavy, now felt manageable, almost weightless. The spiritual power consumed was negligible, barely a ripple in his vast reserves.
As they walked towards Hibari's designated room, Yuuna, still struggling with her emotions, watched them go. The sight of Ren, flanked by Sagiri and Hibari, their laughter and playful banter echoing down the hallway, finally broke her. The tears she had been desperately holding back streamed down her face. "Excuse me," she choked out, her voice barely a whisper, and then, her translucent form flickered as she darted into an empty room, the sounds of her muffled sobs filling the silence.
It was in that quiet, empty room, surrounded by her own tears, that Yuuna finally understood. The ache in her chest, the inexplicable sadness, the overwhelming urge to cry – it all clicked into place. She had fallen in love with Ren.
Meanwhile, Ren, Sagiri, and Hibari arrived at Hibari's new room. Ren opened the sliding door, revealing a traditional Japanese room, simple but clean. "The futon is in that closet," Ren explained, pointing. "And the shared bathroom is just down the hall, first door on the left. Chitose-san will explain more about the inn's rules later."
Hibari, still clinging to Ren's arm, nodded, her eyes sparkling. "Thank you, Ren-kun!" She then glanced at Sagiri, a hint of reluctance in her voice. "And… thank you, Sagiri-chan."
"Hmph," Sagiri responded, releasing Ren's arm and crossing her own.
Ren and Sagiri left the room, leaving Hibari to settle in. They stood outside for a few seconds, the soft hum of the inn filling the quiet space.
Then, Sagiri finally spoke, her voice still a little flustered. "Just because we're engaged now doesn't mean I'll become an easy girl, you hear me, Ren?!"
Ren turned to her, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "You're cute, Sagiri."
Sagiri froze. Her eyes widened, and a furious blush immediately painted her entire face a deep crimson. "D-don't call me cute!" she stammered, turning on her heel and walking away quickly. Ren couldn't see her face as she walked, but he knew, instinctively, that she was smiling.
Ren chuckled softly to himself, then turned and made his way to the garden. He walked along the stone path, the cool night air a welcome contrast to the warmth of the inn. His mind, however, was buzzing. Everything was moving so fast. His relationships with the residents of Yuragi Inn, especially now with Sagiri and Hibari, felt like they were accelerating at an impossible pace.
"System," Ren thought, directing his query inward, "why is everything happening so quickly? Why do girls, even someone like Hibari whom I just met, seem to fall in love with me so easily?" He wasn't dense; he could feel their hot gazes, especially Sagiri's, who was supposed to hate him for being an "intruder" despite his ownership of the inn.
The translucent System window shimmered into existence before him, displaying a concise explanation.
[System: The rapid development of romantic interests, even from individuals you have recently met or those who would traditionally be antagonistic, is a direct consequence of your use of the 'Ticket of Existence'.]
[When you commanded the 'Ticket of Existence' to steal Kogarashi Fuyuzora's future, it did not merely transfer his spiritual power to you. It also transferred his destined path, including his future love interests, his future rivals, and his future enemies. This world's narrative, originally centered around Kogarashi as the protagonist, has now fundamentally shifted to revolve around you.]
Ren stared at the text, a slow, dawning realization washing over him. He had stolen Kogarashi's future. He had technically stolen the main protagonist's position. The girls, the power, the unfolding events – it wasn't just luck or his charm. It was destiny, usurped. And with it, came not just the good, but the bad too. Future rivals, future enemies… they were all now his future.