Three months had passed since Ren's arrival in this world, and his life had settled into a rhythm of serene perfection. The days at Yuragi-sou were filled with a constant, happy bustle. His harem, as he had come to jokingly call it in his own mind, now included Nonko, Sagiri, Hibari, Chisaki, and Ichika. Oboro was also a fixture at the inn, a quiet but intense presence. She was interested in him, but Ren had yet to truly accept her into his circle of intimacy. Her desire to bear his children was clear, but her heart had yet to realize that the mysterious pull she felt towards him was, in fact, love. Ren, for all his heightened senses and otherworldly powers, was waiting for her to come to that realization on her own.
Every day was a blend of mundane happiness and spiritual shenanigans. Life was good, almost too good. As he interacted with Ichika's other siblings—the fiery Nino, the bubbly Yotsuba, and the earnest Itsuki—he noticed a pattern. Their initial wariness or indifference had given way to something more. Their eyes lingered on him a little longer, their smiles were a little brighter in his presence, and they actively sought him out. Ren was oblivious to the full extent of his charm. Having always been an above-average-looking guy, the physical enhancements from his 'Ticket of Strength' had transformed him into an extraordinarily handsome young man. Even Nino, who was supposed to be a fortress of guarded emotions against men like him, found herself falling under his spell, her initial hostility now replaced with a curious, blush-inducing flutter whenever he was near.
This development rendered his "Tickets of Relationship" almost useless in terms of entertainment. The thrill of the chase, the slow burn of winning someone over, was now replaced with a natural, almost inevitable attraction. He had gained immense experience in interacting with women, navigating their complex feelings and desires. It wasn't long before the rumors started circulating. The whispers in the school hallways were about the new, impossibly handsome transfer student, Ren, and his ever-growing number of girlfriends, all of them popular girls from various grades.
Ren's life was stable. He had so many reality tickets that he had stopped counting them, but he still continued to do chores and help others. It wasn't a chore for him; it was a habit, a part of the person he had become. He was an almost perfect person in terms of human sense—kind, strong, and intelligent. Thanks to his "Ticket of Fortune," he had become a major shareholder in countless companies both domestic and abroad. With the "Ticket of Strength," his physical power had become immense, despite his lean body stature. And with the "Ticket of Talent" and "Ticket of Skill," he had acquired so many life skills and innate talents that he knew he would never have the time to use them all.
Despite all this, a sense of monotony had begun to creep in. His intimate life was limited to Nonko, and he felt a growing desire to take his other relationships to the next level. He wanted to feel that deeper connection, that complete intimacy he knew was possible.
It was a quiet morning, earlier than usual, when Ren arrived in his classroom. He found Chisaki already there, her head resting on her desk as she read a textbook. She looked up when the door opened, a bright smile crossing her face when she saw him.
"Good morning, Ren-kun," she said softly.
Ren yawned, stretching his arms above his head. "Morning, Chisaki-chan."
Chisaki stood up and walked over to him, a slight blush on her cheeks. She leaned in and planted a quick, gentle kiss on his cheek. It was a simple gesture, yet it was filled with so much unspoken affection. Their classmates might have been oblivious, but their friends knew that something had been blossoming between them.
Ren's response was just as quiet and intimate. He patted her head, a gesture of affection that had become second nature to him. Then, in a smooth, fluid motion, he pulled her into a hug, his arms wrapping around her waist. He leaned down and kissed her forehead, a soft, tender kiss.
"Are you free on Saturday?" he asked, his voice a low rumble.
"Yes, I am," she replied, her face buried against his chest. "What for?"
"I was wondering if you would like to go on a date with me."
Her head shot up, her eyes wide with surprise and happiness. "A date? Yes! What time? Where?"
They spent the next few minutes quietly planning their date, a perfect moment of intimacy that was broken only when Ren's senses told him someone else was about to enter the classroom. He let her go just as her friend walked in, giving them a knowing look before Chisaki joined her to talk.
Lunchtime arrived, and Chisaki went to eat with her friends. Ren, expecting to eat alone, was walking down the hallway when he ran into Itsuki. Just as he was about to greet her, Ichika rounded the corner and joined them.
"Where are you two headed?" she asked playfully.
"To the back of the school to eat," Itsuki said, her cheeks slightly full from a small snack.
"Mind if I join?" Ichika asked, not waiting for an answer before linking her arm with Ren's.
The three of them found a quiet spot behind the school. As they ate, Ichika began her usual playful teasing. "You know, Ren-kun, a handsome guy like you shouldn't be eating alone," she purred, her finger tracing a pattern on his arm.
Ren simply smirked, a playful glint in his eye. "Oh? And a beautiful actress like you shouldn't be eating with a 'nobody' like me, should you?" he shot back.
Ichika's teasing instantly backfired. Her face flushed, and she looked away, flustered by his unexpected dominance in the conversation. She was used to being the one in control, but with Ren, she always ended up on the receiving end.
Itsuki watched their exchange, feeling more and more like a third wheel. A strange, unfamiliar ache spread across her chest, and she found herself wondering if she was getting sick. She didn't understand the feeling, but it was a quiet, insistent throb that made her want to leave, to get away from the easy intimacy between the two of them. Ichika, noticing her silence, remembered that Itsuki was with them and gave Ren a soft, flustered punch on the shoulder.