The cool night air of the mountains was a stark contrast to the oppressive, spiritual atmosphere of Genshiro's cave. Ren walked with a purpose, the four unconscious girls—Sagiri, Hibari, Yuuna, and now Oboro—floating silently behind him, illuminated by a gentle, ethereal light. With a thought, he cloaked their procession in a 'Real Illusion,' making them invisible to the mundane world. To any passing mortal, it was just a lone young man walking down a quiet mountain road.
Ren didn't stop until he arrived at the front door of Yuragi-sou. He gently guided the three Yuragi residents—Sagiri, Hibari, and Yuuna—through the entryway and towards their respective rooms. As he walked past the living room, a collective gasp and a rush of movement greeted him. The rest of the residents were there, their faces a mix of relief and concern. Chitose, who had been with Yuuna earlier, saw the unconscious form of her charge and a wave of worry washed over her.
"Ren-kun! What happened?" Nonko exclaimed, her eyes wide as she took in the sight of the unconscious girls. "I felt a massive spiritual power spike earlier. I was just about to go out there to help, but I didn't want to get in the way. I was so worried..."
"Everything is okay now," Ren said, his voice calm and reassuring. He placed Sagiri and Hibari in their rooms first, then returned to the living room with Yuuna. Chitose rushed over, her hands hovering over Yuuna's unconscious form.
"She's fine, Chitose-san," Ren said gently. "She just needs to rest."
"Thank goodness," Chitose breathed, a hand over her heart. She then looked past him, her eyes falling on the fourth girl still floating in the living room. "Wait... isn't that...?" Her eyes widened as she recognized the girl who had been with the man who kidnapped Yuuna. Chitose was about to say something, but Nonko, ever the mother hen, got there first.
"Ren-kun, who is this?" Nonko asked, pointing at Oboro. "And why is she here?"
Ren gave a nonchalant shrug. "Genshiro kidnapped Yuuna," he said simply. "So, I thought it would be funny if we kidnapped one of his people in return. An eye for an eye, you know?"
Nonko's mouth fell open, then she let out a hearty laugh. "That's so like you, Ren-kun! Too honest!" She was still a bit confused about how he had defeated a spiritual dragon god and rescued Yuuna, but she trusted him implicitly. He was just that kind of person.
Ren took Yuuna to her room as well, making sure she was comfortable. When he returned to the living room, he set Oboro's body down gently on the tatami mat, the invisible illusion dissolving as she settled onto the floor.
He knew she was faking unconsciousness. He'd seen her eyes flutter open earlier as they walked back. He also knew she had been watching him, observing the Yuragi-sou residents with a keen eye. He decided to play along.
A moment later, Oboro's eyes fluttered open as if on cue. She looked around, feigning confusion, her gaze landing on Nonko, Koyuzu, and Chitose. She then noticed Ren standing a short distance away. Her eyes settled on Chitose, and for a moment, an odd sense of recognition and a feeling of an invisible force washed over her. She remembered feeling a chill, a sudden, powerful spiritual pressure, when she had first met Chitose on the short bridge. Now, looking at the peaceful inn and Chitose's kind face, she realized the innkeeper was a far more powerful spiritualist than she let on, yet someone who clearly abhorred violence.
"So, what do we do with her?" Nonko asked, looking at Ren.
"She's our hostage," Ren said with a playful grin.
Nonko rolled her eyes and walked over to him, leaning in close. "Seriously, Ren-kun. Why did you really kidnap her?"
Ren's grin softened into a genuine smile. "Because tomboys are great too," he said honestly.
Nonko stared at him for a moment, then burst into laughter. "You're such a pervert, Ren-kun!" she exclaimed, but without any malice. "But I can't be mad. You're too honest." She then turned her attention to Koyuzu, who was looking up at her with wide, curious eyes. "Koyuzu-chan, let's go play! I'll make sure you get tired enough to fall asleep."
Koyuzu's eyes lit up, but she quickly put on a pout. "I'm not a kid anymore!" she shouted, though her heart was secretly filled with excitement at the prospect of playing with Nonko.
Chitose, meanwhile, had remained in the room, her gaze fixed on Oboro with a mix of suspicion and concern. As the innkeeper, she was responsible for the safety of her residents. Ren noticed her unease and gave her a small, reassuring smile.
"Chitose-san, could you leave us alone for a bit?" he asked.
Chitose hesitated, her instincts telling her to stay, but she saw the trust in Ren's eyes and knew he had things under control. With a silent nod, she left the room.
Now alone, Oboro stood up, her body still feeling a faint residue of the invisible force that had bound her. "How is Lord Genshiro?" she asked, her voice low and filled with concern.
"He's fine," Ren said, the playful tone gone from his voice. "I just... did something to his mind."
Oboro's eyes flared with anger, and she tensed, preparing to attack, but an invisible pressure wrapped around her body, holding her in place.
"I didn't harm him," Ren clarified, sensing her intent. "I just manipulated his memory about Yuuna and the others. He won't bother them anymore."
Oboro's anger immediately subsided. She stood down, her gaze fixed on the powerful young man before her. She was a loyal blade, born to protect her clan and the Black Dragon God. She knew of Ren's immense power from their brief encounter, and she knew she couldn't defeat him. A thought, both radical and desperate, solidified in her mind. This was the most powerful being she had ever encountered, and if she could not defeat him, she would bind herself to him. It was her duty to the clan, to ensure its survival. She would sacrifice herself, her body, her future... and bear his children.
Ren, for his part, had no idea of the depths of her internal monologue. He had, however, felt the subtle shift in her aura. He knew that by stealing the future of Kogarashi, he had also stolen the love of the girls who were destined to fall for him. Oboro, who had never felt such a thing, was now feeling it for the first time, a powerful, unshakeable connection to the man who stood before her. She just didn't know what it was.