After his intense encounter with Yotsuba, Ren spent the rest of his free period trying to compose himself. He knew he had two more conversations to have before the school day ended, and he needed to be ready for them. He found Miku in a quiet corner of the library, flipping through a history textbook. She looked up as he approached, a faint blush dusting her cheeks.
"Miku," he said, taking a seat across from her. "Can we talk for a bit?"
She nodded, placing a bookmark in her book. Her mind replayed the day she had confessed. She remembered being so afraid of rejection, of not being as good as her sisters. She had always felt like the quiet, nerdy one, content with her love for historical figures and her reserved nature. But Ren had seen her for who she was, and he had loved her for it. When she confessed, he had accepted her without a moment's hesitation, telling her that her unique interests and quiet strength were what drew him to her. He had also confessed to having other lovers, but for Miku, the relief of being loved was so overwhelming that she didn't care.
"I... I feel so much happier now," Miku said, her voice soft. "It's not just because of you, but because I feel like I'm finally myself. And... and I'm okay with the others. I love you, Ren, and that's all that matters to me."
Ren reached out and gently squeezed her hand. "Miku, you're not just 'okay.' You're wonderful. Your passion, your intelligence... I love those things about you. Thank you for accepting me."
Their moment was one of quiet understanding and deep affection, a stark contrast to the passionate chaos of his previous conversation.
His last meeting was with Nino, and it was as direct as he expected. He found her in an empty classroom, a sharp, confident aura around her. Unlike Miku's quiet confession, Nino's had been a declaration of war on his heart. She had started as his rival, fiercely protective of her family, but Ren had broken through her tough exterior with his genuine kindness. The reality tickets had simply expedited her journey from hostility to acceptance.
"So," she began, crossing her arms. "You're going to talk to me now?" Her tone was a mix of a challenge and a playful demand.
"I am," Ren said, a smile on his face. He found her directness refreshing. "And I'm so glad I am."
Nino's tough facade wavered for a moment, a hint of vulnerability showing in her eyes. "I just... I want to know that you're serious about this," she said, her voice softer than before. "I'm not going to share you with just anyone. But they're my sisters. And I love them. So I'm willing to share you with them. But you need to know, I'm not going to let you go easily."
Ren walked over to her and took her hand. "I know, Nino," he said. "And I would never want you to. You're strong, and you're fierce, and you're passionate, and I love those things about you."
Nino's cheeks flushed, and she looked away, trying to hide her a soft smile. "Good," she said, her voice a little breathless. "Because you're all mine, too."
The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. As Ren left the classroom, he felt a strange sense of peace. The tickets had done their job, but it was his genuine affection that had made these relationships real. He had entered a new, unfamiliar reality, but with each conversation, he was finding his place in it.