NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 27: 27
The morning at Yuragi Inn dawned with a familiar, comforting rhythm. The aroma of miso soup and grilled fish wafted from the kitchen, and the soft murmur of conversation filled the living area. Nothing seemed overtly new, except for the vibrant presence of Hibari Ameno. She had integrated seamlessly into the eccentric household, her competitive spirit now channeled into playful banter with the other residents. She laughed easily with Nonko, shared quiet moments with Chitose, and even engaged in spirited, if one-sided, debates with Sagiri.
Most notably, Hibari had formed an unexpected bond with Yuuna. The ghost, usually shy with newcomers, found herself drawn to Hibari's lively energy, and the two were often seen floating or sitting together, sharing secrets and giggles like long-lost friends. Ren watched them, a faint smile on his lips, but he couldn't ignore the subtle, intense gaze that Yuuna occasionally directed his way. He knew. Thanks to the 'Ticket of Existence,' the future feelings Yuuna was destined to hold for Kogarashi had been irrevocably transferred to him. Her longing, her quiet devotion – it was all for him now.
A week passed in a blur of routine and strategic action. Ren, ever diligent, had dedicated himself to accumulating as many Reality Tickets as possible. He performed chores with a relentless efficiency, seeking out every opportunity to assist the residents of Yuragi Inn and the people of Yukemuri City. The result of his efforts was a formidable collection: fourteen Reality Tickets now shimmered in his mental inventory. Among them were five 'Ticket of Relationship,' three 'Ticket of Skill,' two 'Ticket of Intelligence,' and one each of 'Ticket of Talent,' 'Ticket of Charm,' and 'Ticket of Fortune.' The 'Ticket of Despair,' still as useless as ever, remained untouched.
The 'Ticket of Fortune' had proven to be particularly impactful. Ren now held a significant share in a major, thriving company. He had even received a call from the company president, a man whose voice crackled with a mix of relief and barely suppressed anxiety. "Mr. Shigeno," the president had begun, "we just wanted to confirm if you have any… changes in mind for the company's direction?" Ren, with a casual shrug that the president couldn't see, had simply replied that he would leave everything to the president's capable hands. A palpable sigh of relief had echoed through the phone line; the president, clearly a man with many plans, was grateful Ren wouldn't disrupt them.
The 'Ticket of Charm' had also yielded immediate, noticeable results. Ren had commanded it to make him more charming, even when doing absolutely nothing. The effect was undeniable. He had become an instant sensation at school, his natural charisma drawing people to him like moths to a flame. In just one week, he had received several confessions from various girls, each one earnest and heartfelt. Yet, Ren had politely turned them all down. He felt nothing for them, no spark, no connection that resonated with his own desires. One of the confessors had even been a side character from the original Yuragi-sou series, a friend of Chisaki's, but even she hadn't stirred any emotion in him.
Chisaki Miyazaki, witnessing Ren's sudden surge in popularity, felt a complex swirl of emotions. A flicker of anger, sharp and undeniable, pricked at her. Why were all these girls fawning over him? At the same time, the sight of him turning them down, one after another, made her mind revisit his audacious suggestion: "You can be my second lover, Chisaki." She couldn't lie to herself; the offer, despite its unconventional nature, was incredibly tempting. But she wasn't an easy girl. There were so many other guys in the world, she told herself. She would eventually find someone else, someone who wouldn't ask her to share him. Despite this internal pep talk, a quiet, unsettling truth echoed in her heart: she might never love anyone quite like she felt for Ren.
For the rest of his Reality Tickets, Ren decided to hold off. He had no immediate use for them. He could, of course, use a 'Ticket of Relationship' on Chisaki, but he knew, with a certainty born from his unique position, that everything was now centered around him. This world, operating on a strange blend of anime logic and real-world common sense, would inevitably guide Chisaki into his orbit. He wasn't self-centered, he reasoned, merely a hypocrite playing by the rules of a world he now controlled.
As the school term drew to a close, the looming specter of exams became the dominant topic of conversation. Ren, despite his newfound powers and distractions, maintained a decent academic record. When a few of his classmates suggested forming a study group at the local library, Ren readily agreed. It would count as a chore, a convenient way to add to his daily tally.
But that wasn't his only reason. Ren had overheard whispers in the hallways, rumors of new transfer students, girls who had quickly become popular due to their striking beauty. He had a hunch.
At the library, Ren settled into his role as the impromptu "stand-up teacher" of his study group. He wrote out practice questions, patiently explained concepts, and guided his classmates through difficult problems. Soon, they were all engrossed in their work, heads bent over their papers, completely focused.
This was his chance. Ren subtly shifted his gaze, scanning the other tables. His eyes landed on a lone girl at a nearby table, her brow furrowed in concentration, a look of frustration on her face as she stared at her textbook. She was clearly struggling.
Ren approached her table, his movements quiet and unhurried. He glanced at the open textbook, identifying the question that was causing her difficulty. "That one's a bit tricky," he said, his voice soft and friendly, immediately providing the correct answer and a brief, clear explanation.
The girl looked up, startled, her eyes wide. She was beautiful, with a serious yet gentle aura. She didn't immediately introduce herself, her gaze lingering on him. Then, a flicker of recognition crossed her face as she glanced towards the group of students Ren had been helping.
"You're… you're the one teaching that group over there, aren't you?" she asked, her voice quiet.
Ren smiled. "That's right. I'm Shigeno Ren. It's nice to meet you."
A faint blush touched her cheeks, and she finally offered her own name. "I'm… Nakano Itsuki."