A Boring Story About A Boy Who Can Manipulate Reality By Doing Chores

The aroma of freshly baked cake mingled with the savory scent of Chitose's cooking, filling every corner of Yuragi Inn. Today was Ren's birthday, and the living area was abuzz with festive energy. Streamers, hastily put up by Yaya and Koyuzu, crisscrossed the ceiling, and a brightly decorated cake sat proudly on the central table. Shigeno Ren was officially eighteen.

As the last notes of "Happy Birthday" faded, Ren leaned forward, a wide smile on his face, and blew out the candles, a soft cheer erupting from the girls. Chitose, beaming, had truly outdone herself. The food, already renowned for its quality, was even more exquisite tonight, each dish a testament to her extra effort and affection.

Then came the gifts. Hibari and Sagiri, usually so composed, approached him with uncharacteristic shyness, their cheeks flushed. They presented their gifts, small, neatly wrapped packages, their eyes darting between Ren and each other. Ren, accepting them with a genuine smile and a word of thanks, saw the secret, bashful smiles that bloomed on their faces when he expressed his happiness.

Koyuzu, bouncing with excitement, thrust a small, oddly shaped package into his hands. It was a crude, handmade wooden carving of a cat, painted in bright, clashing colors. It was cheap, undeniably so, but the effort and sincerity behind it were clear. "Thank you, Koyuzu," Ren said, his voice warm, a genuine appreciation in his eyes. Koyuzu, who had come to treat Ren as her big brother since moving into the inn, beamed, her small face alight with joy.

Nonko, ever the enigma, handed him a flat, rectangular package. "Don't open it until you're alone, Ren-kun," she whispered, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Ren, intrigued, nodded and set it aside for later.

Chitose presented her gift next – a sleek, multi-tool pen, surprisingly sturdy and well-designed. "I thought this might be useful for you, Ren-kun," she said, her smile soft. Ren examined it, recognizing its practicality immediately. "This is incredibly useful, Chitose-san! Thank you!" His thanks was more active, a genuine enthusiasm that made Chitose's heart swell with quiet pride.

Finally, Yuuna floated forward, holding a small, brightly colored keychain. It was simple, a tiny, smiling ghost, clearly not expensive. "It's… it's not much, Ren-kun," she whispered, her translucent form flickering slightly with nervousness. "But I picked it out myself!"

Ren smiled, taking the keychain. "It's perfect, Yuuna. Thank you."

Yuuna's eyes widened, and an enormous wave of joy washed over her, making her shimmer with happiness. Ren had remembered. Just a few days ago, Yuuna had approached him, her ethereal voice hesitant. "Ren-kun… can I… can I possess you?" Ren, recalling the original story where Kogarashi allowed Yuuna to possess him to temporarily leave the inn, had readily agreed. That experience, the feeling of being tangible, of interacting with the world, had opened Yuuna to the idea of possession, but only with explicit permission.

Yesterday, driven by an overwhelming desire to personally choose a gift for Ren, Yuuna had asked Chitose for permission to possess her. Chitose, seeing the pure longing in Yuuna's eyes, hadn't hesitated. Yuuna had no money, but Chitose did, and their friendship had long transcended such trivialities as repayment. That's how Yuuna had managed to go out and select the keychain.

Now, as Ren thanked her, Yuuna felt an odd sensation. She had already accepted her feelings for Ren, a truth that had solidified in her heart. But why did it feel like she was falling in love with him for the first time, all over again? She had no memories of a past life, no before-and-after to compare, but she knew, with a certainty that resonated through her very being, that this life, with Ren by her side, was undeniably happier.

Two days later, the oppressive weight of exams finally lifted. As students spilled out of the school gates, a collective sigh of relief swept through the campus. Many of Ren's classmates approached him, their faces alight with gratitude. "Ren, thank you so much for the study group!" one exclaimed. "I remembered so much of what you taught us!" another added. They knew they wouldn't be scoring perfect marks, but thanks to Ren's impromptu lessons, they were confident they had at least passed.

The strange, almost palpable tension between Chisaki and Ren continued to be the subject of quiet observation among their classmates. Everyone in the classroom knew something was going on, yet couldn't quite put their finger on it. It was particularly odd because, for the past week, whenever Ren was lost in thought, oblivious to his surroundings, Chisaki would unconsciously gaze at him, a soft smile gracing her lips, only to immediately shake her head as if to dispel an unwelcome thought. This constant, subtle dance of attraction and denial had created a peculiar atmosphere around them.

Chisaki herself was a whirlwind of internal conflict. The idea of becoming Ren's "second lover" stubbornly refused to leave her mind. She knew it was wrong, illogical, against everything she believed in. So why did the option persist, tempting her with a quiet insistence? Whenever her thoughts drifted, her gaze would unconsciously seek out Ren, her mind replaying the scenario of being his lover, only for her to violently shake her head, trying to banish the thought. She was tired of thinking about it. Ren was just one boy, and there were so many other guys in the world. Why was she so fixated on him?

Needing to calm her turbulent thoughts, Chisaki decided to eat her bento alone, seeking solitude in the quiet, secluded space behind the school building. As she rounded the corner, she froze. Ren was there, but he wasn't alone. He was with another girl.

Chisaki recognized her immediately. Five new students had transferred to their school a week ago, and all of them were strikingly beautiful, quickly becoming popular. If she wasn't mistaken, the girl standing next to Ren, engaged in what looked like a casual conversation, was Nakano Itsuki. Chisaki instinctively pulled back, ducking behind a large bush, her eyes still fixed on them. She wasn't being weird, she told herself. She was just observing them. That was all.