Yuuna's simple, honest confession hung in the air between them, a fragile and beautiful thing. The silence that followed felt endless as she waited for his response, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against the walls of her chest. She was nervous, a swirling mix of hope and fear, but a moment later, her fears were washed away.
Ren reached out and gently took her shoulders. He didn't say a word. Instead, he leaned forward and, with a silent understanding, claimed her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. Yuuna's body stiffened in surprise for a second, but it was followed by a flood of warmth that spread through her, melting her nervousness away. She instinctively closed her eyes and returned his kiss, the moment growing hot and intense. When they finally parted, both of them were breathless, their eyes meeting in the dim light of the room.
For the first time, Yuuna saw the full depth of his eyes, not just their surface color, but the infinite kindness and gentleness that resided within them. They were like a galaxy, swirling with a beautiful, unknown light.
"Beautiful," she whispered unconsciously, her mind reeling from the intensity of the kiss and the sight before her.
Ren looked at her, a hint of surprise in his eyes. He didn't know why she said that, but he didn't question it. Instead, he pulled her into a warm embrace. "I love you too, Yuuna," he said, his voice a low rumble against her ear. "I love you too. But... I have many other lovers."
Yuuna had been preparing for this. She had seen him in the hot spring with Nonko and had been heartbroken at the time, but she knew now that she could not be selfish. She had a chance at life again because of him. "I know," she said, her voice muffled against his chest. "I accept who you are, Ren-kun. I just... I couldn't help but fall in love with you."
The truth was that he was too kind, too perfect. He had given her a new body, a new chance to live, to feel. A chance to love. He was her savior, and she would accept him as he was.
As she was hugging him, Ren suddenly lifted her into his arms, and she gasped in surprise. He then gently placed her down on his futon, lying next to her. A nervous excitement fluttered in her stomach. She had reluctantly watched Ren and Nonko in the hot springs, and she knew what he was capable of. Was it too soon?
Ren just held her, his arms wrapped around her. Her substitute body felt so real, and her heart felt so human. She could hear nothing but the frantic beat of her own heart as her mind raced with a flurry of vivid, embarrassing images. But as she looked at him, her thoughts stilled. He was already asleep, his face peaceful in the dim light. Her mind went blank for a second, then a wave of embarrassment washed over her. She couldn't believe she had gotten so worked up.
But as she lay there in his arms, feeling his warmth and the gentle rhythm of his breathing, she felt an overwhelming sense of comfort. She couldn't move, not because of his strength, but because of a deep, peaceful contentment. She closed her eyes and, lulled by his presence, she too fell asleep.
The next morning, Yuuna woke up to the soft light of the sun streaming through the window. She was still in Ren's room, but he was gone. A wave of relief washed over her, mixed with a flush of embarrassment. She was too mortified to face him right now.
Meanwhile, Ren was in his bathroom, taking a cold shower. He couldn't believe it. He had faked being asleep, holding back his powerful urges, and when he woke up, Yuuna's warm body against his own had made him as hard as a rock. He was in awe of how believable her substitute body was, a perfect recreation of a human form down to the smallest detail.
After school, Ren was surprised to find Sagiri waiting for him. "Don't get the wrong idea!" she said immediately, a faint blush on her cheeks. "I'm only walking with you because... because I want to walk with the person I love. Don't think anything of it!" She said it all in a perfect tsundere tone, her bashful nature still present despite her growing confidence in expressing her feelings.
Ren simply smiled and tried to pat her on the head, but she batted his hand away with a soft hit, which he easily evaded.
"I'm not letting you get all the good parts!" a voice called out, and Hibari came running up to them, a bright, friendly smile on her face. She was just as beautiful as Sagiri, a fact that had made her popular ever since before and after Hibari transferred. Sagiri, of course, was completely oblivious to her own beauty and popularity.
The three of them continued their walk, a popular boy with his two beautiful and popular girlfriends, blissfully unaware of the many envious stares they were receiving.