Inside Kaya's bedroom, bathed in soft pink hues, the air was warm and fragrant.
By the bed, Kaya's delicate hands clenched into tiny fists.
Her expression was slightly tense, clearly uneasy.
Even though this was for medical treatment, it was still the first time she'd ever allowed a man into her private room.
It felt… a little strange.
"Relax," Reno said gently, sensing her nervousness. "It's all for your recovery."
And he wasn't lying.
With Kaya's fragile condition, there was no way she could handle his usual extended teaching sessions.
First things first—he had to cure her illness.
Only then could they move on to more in-depth instruction.
"Mhm." Kaya nodded obediently.
A soft flush colored her pale cheeks—rare for someone usually so ghostly white.
"Mr. Reno… I've seen so many doctors. None of them could cure me. Are you really sure… you can help?"
Her voice trembled, full of both anxiety and hope.
Reno gave her a reassuring look. Then, behind his back, his right hand summoned a strange, glowing green fruit.
The Healing Fruit.
With a magician's flourish, Reno revealed it and placed it gently before her.
"Mr. Reno… what is this?" Kaya blinked curiously.
Reno cleared his throat and spoke with utmost seriousness.
"Kaya, my body carries a special healing power. But to extract that power, I have to give up some of my lifespan."
"I condensed five years of my life into this fruit. If you eat it, not only will your illness vanish—your body will gain the ability to heal others, too."
Kaya's eyes widened. "Five years of your life?! That's… I can't accept that!"
Pure-hearted and kind, Kaya believed every word.
She wanted to be cured—but not at the cost of someone else's life.
If Nami were here, she'd probably roll her eyes and mutter, "What a gullible girl."
Reno reached out and flicked Kaya lightly on the nose.
"Silly. The fruit's already made. If you don't eat it, it's just wasted."
Kaya paused.
That… actually made sense.
Still hesitating, she looked up—and Reno pushed a little harder.
"Kaya, didn't you say you want to become a doctor someday? To heal others?"
"If you get better, this power will let you help people who suffer like you did."
"Really?!" Kaya's eyes sparkled with joy.
That had always been her dream—to heal, to save lives.
This… this was everything.
"Of course it's real," Reno said with a soft smile.
"Then I'll eat it." Kaya nodded firmly, then glanced at him with concern. "Mr. Reno… I'm sorry you had to give up so much."
Reno folded his arms and scowled playfully.
"Call me Onii-chan."
Kaya froze, stunned.
Then, like a kitten, she lowered her head and whispered:
"…Reno-nii."
"Now that's better."
Grinning, Reno placed the Healing Fruit in her hands.
"Go on. Eat up."
Trusting him completely, Kaya took a bite without hesitation.
"Mmm—so sweet!" she exclaimed, eyes lighting up.
It was the sweetest fruit she'd ever tasted.
Reno chuckled. The system had removed all drawbacks—no bitterness, no side effects.
The moment Kaya swallowed the first bite, Reno felt a warm surge of energy inside his own body.
The ability sync had kicked in.
Just like Kaya, Reno now shared the Healing Fruit's powers.
And before their eyes, color returned to Kaya's face.
The pale, sickly tone faded rapidly.
Her posture straightened. Her limbs no longer trembled.
From weak and bedridden to healthy—in moments.
"I'm… better?" Kaya muttered, dazed.
The illness that plagued her for years… gone?
Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Reno.
Her heart was full.
Was he an angel? A miracle?
He had exposed Kuro.
He had saved her.
And now… he had healed her.
"Thank you, Reno-nii."
She reached out, gently placing his hand on her cheek.
Reno smiled purely.
"This is a happy moment. No need for tears."
He wiped the corner of her eye with his thumb.
"Your body's healed. Let's test out that new power."
Kaya nodded, understanding what he meant.
The moment she'd eaten the fruit, she had felt something awaken inside her—
A warm, radiant energy.
Healing energy.
It was real.
Reno wasn't lying.
They left the room and headed to the kitchen—passing Nami and Makino along the way.
Both girls had just finished eating.
When they saw Kaya, they froze.
Her face… that sickly white pallor was gone.
She looked like any other healthy, lively girl.
Just minutes ago, she had looked like death itself.
"Wait… you actually healed her?" Nami blinked in disbelief.
Makino, remembering her own assumptions, lowered her head in shame.
So Reno really had entered the room just to cure Kaya…
And here she had been imagining… other things.
How embarrassing.
Driven by curiosity, the girls followed them into the kitchen.
Reno fetched a chicken and, without hesitation, sliced a shallow wound across its side.
Blood spurted.
The chicken shrieked in alarm.
Kaya flinched—but took a breath, then reached out with glowing hands.
A gentle white light emanated from her palm.
In full view of the three girls, the wound began to close.
Skin reknit. Feathers regrew. The injury vanished.
Even the chicken looked confused.
Hadn't it been hurt a moment ago?
If not for the bloodstain on the floor, they'd have doubted it ever happened.
Stunned silence filled the room.
Then—
"I did it!" Kaya beamed.
"This power is amazing! I can really help people now, can't I?!"
Her face lit up with the purest kind of joy.
Reno nodded in approval, then ruffled her hair.
"Just don't forget—healers need to take care of themselves too."