The convenience of a reality too perfectly tailored was something Ren was still getting used to. He was so caught up in the effects of his tickets, in the grand outcomes of his power, that he failed to notice the subtle, yet significant, shifts happening behind his back. The strange, peaceful camaraderie among the Nakano sisters and the Yuragi-sou characters wasn't a mere coincidence; it was a well-orchestrated, if accidental, series of events that began a few days prior.
It all started with Nonko. As a woman of many hobbies, her latest obsession was an intricate puzzle game that she was failing miserably at. It was during one of her rare breaks from drawing manga that she decided to take a stroll, the fresh air doing little to soothe her frustration. She wasn't paying much attention to where she was going until she bumped into someone at a local park.
"Oh, I am so sorry!" Nonko exclaimed, her attention immediately shifting from her puzzle to the person she had nearly knocked over. It was a girl with short, wavy, light-colored hair and bright green eyes, holding a sketchbook. It was Chisaki.
Chisaki smiled politely. "It's fine. I wasn't watching where I was going either."
The two exchanged pleasantries, and a simple conversation began. Nonko, ever the talker, found herself gushing about her life, her work as a manga artist, and the wonderful man in her life—Ren. Chisaki, initially just listening out of politeness, found herself drawn in. Nonko's vivid descriptions of Ren—his kindness, his easy smile, the way he made her feel happy and secure—resonated deeply with her. As Nonko spoke, Chisaki found a surprising comfort in hearing someone else express the very same feelings she harbored. It was an unspoken understanding, a shared secret.
The coincidental meetings became intentional. They started meeting at the park every other day. Their conversations often revolved around Ren, and they found a unique joy in sharing stories about him. It was during one of these meetings that Nonko, with her usual easy-going frankness, confessed her feelings.
"Ren is my lover," she said, her voice soft but sure. "And I know he's your lover too, Chisaki."
The words didn't cause the uproar Nonko might have expected. Instead, a sense of relief washed over Chisaki. The silent, confusing feeling she had been carrying—the one that made her feel a connection to other girls in Ren's life—finally had a name. She wasn't alone. This new, shared reality felt less like a burden and more like a blessing. Their friendship deepened, becoming a sanctuary of shared affection for the man they both loved.
Chisaki, having learned this new way of thinking, began to observe Ren more closely. She noticed the way he would look at Ichika, the small, almost imperceptible smiles they shared. She knew, without a doubt, that Ichika was also his lover. Acting on her new conviction, Chisaki decided to approach Ichika.
The first few attempts were awkward. Ichika, with her cautious nature, was guarded, unsure of Chisaki's intentions. But Chisaki persisted, sharing stories about Ren and making it clear that she wasn't a rival, but an ally. Ichika, always perceptive, noticed the genuine warmth in Chisaki's eyes, the sincerity in her voice. She, too, had been struggling with the unconventional nature of her relationship with Ren. The idea of sharing her feelings for him with someone else, someone who understood, was an unexpected comfort.
Eventually, Ichika opened up, and the trio of Nonko, Chisaki, and Ichika became an official group. They would meet secretly, talking for hours, sharing laughter, advice, and a shared love for Ren. Their friendship was a bond forged in a reality they never could have imagined, a sisterhood born of a shared affection for the same person.
The other residents of Yuragi-sou, Sagiri and Hibari, reluctantly joined the group. Sagiri, ever the protective monster hunter, and Hibari, the competitive cousin, were initially suspicious. But they were unable to resist the genuine happiness that radiated from Nonko and Chisaki, and they were, of course, devoted to Ren as well. Sagiri's curiosity about Ren's "magical" abilities in a world that shouldn't have them was piqued. Hibari was mostly interested in getting to know her "competition" better.
Yuuna, grateful for the new friends and the end to her lonely existence, was a warm presence in their group.
Meanwhile, Ren, unknowingly, had set a new series of events in motion. The four 'Tickets of Relationship' he had used on Itsuki, Miku, Nino, and Yotsuba didn't just alter their feelings for him; they subtly wove them into the narrative he was creating. The past few weeks were rewritten, a new reality where the Nakano sisters had already met and befriended the Yuragi-sou residents. They were now a part of this close-knit group, their relationships with each other and with the rest of the girls growing stronger with each passing day.
This led to the baffling scene that morning at the school gate. Ren stood alone, watching from a distance, completely bewildered as all eight girls—almost his entire harem—chatted and laughed together like old friends. He couldn't have been more wrong about the "calm before the storm." What he was witnessing was the beautiful, chaotic, and very real result of his power, a blessing in disguise that was now a blessing in plain sight. He was happy, a gentle smile gracing his lips. He was happy that everything was working out. But he knew he still had to have that one-on-one talk with Itsuki, Miku, Nino, and Yotsuba to truly understand the new dynamics. He knew he had to talk to them alone before the school ends.