The morning's strange and pleasant gathering at the school gate still lingered in Ren's mind, but he knew he had more important things to address. The reality tickets had worked their magic, but the relationships they created were real, and they needed his attention. His first private conversation of the day was with Itsuki.
Itsuki sat in her classroom, her thoughts drifting back to the day she first met Ren. She remembered him in the library, a quiet, kind presence who helped her with her studies. After he had patiently guided her through a difficult problem, she had felt an overwhelming rush of emotion she couldn't control. In a moment of sheer impulse, she had confessed to him. The words had tumbled out before she could stop them, and immediately, she regretted it. She was uncharacteristically bold, and the fear of rejection was a cold knot in her stomach. But before she could take back her words, Ren had smiled and accepted her confession, a simple "yes" that had flooded her with an indescribable happiness. When he gently told her about his other lovers, a small pain had pricked her heart, but it was nothing compared to the immense joy of being with him. She had accepted him completely, flaws and all.
Now, at lunchtime, they sat together at the back of the school building, a secluded spot where they could be alone. Ren held out a piece of egg roll from his bento, offering it to her. "Say 'ahhh'," he teased.
Itsuki's cheeks flushed, but she happily opened her mouth and accepted the bite. It was just a simple, store-bought egg roll, but on her tongue, it tasted more delicious than any gourmet meal she had ever had. It was the taste of his kindness, of his care for her, and it was the most precious flavor in the world.
After they finished eating, Ren turned to her, his expression serious. "Itsuki," he said softly. "Are you really okay with this? With me being… a scumbag?"
Itsuki's heart swelled. He was thinking of her feelings. He was concerned about her happiness. She reached out and took his hand. "Ren," she said, her smile warm and sincere. "I am more than okay. I am happy. I'm happy that you're so thoughtful and that I don't have to fight my sisters. We have the same face, but it seems we have the same heart when it comes to you." She giggled softly.
Ren looked at her, his heart overflowing with a love so pure it was almost painful. He felt an irresistible urge to hold her close, to feel her warmth. He pulled her into a hug, surprising her at first. But in a second, she relaxed against him, fitting into the space on his chest as if she belonged there. She inhaled his scent, a mix of laundry detergent and his own unique fragrance, and a contented sigh escaped her lips. "Heaven," she murmured, a sound so soft only he could hear. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment as she realized what she had said, but she didn't pull away. She just snuggled closer, soaking in his embrace.
Their peaceful moment was interrupted by the bell for Physical Education. As Ren headed toward the gym, he accidentally crossed paths with Yotsuba. Her eyes lit up as she saw him. She looked around to make sure no one was watching before launching herself into a full-on hug. Ren was caught completely off guard, his head getting completely squished by her chest.
He managed to pull away, fearing he wouldn't be able to control himself if the hug continued, and countered her with a hug of his own. But Yotsuba, in a fit of playful passion, decided to take him down. In a swift, uncoordinated move, she brought them both to the floor, her body landing on top of his.
He was sprawled on his back, looking up at a very flustered Yotsuba. Her face was bright red, her breathing heavy, and her hands trembled at his sides, a primal desire, something she hadn't known was a part of her, threatened to take over. "Yotsuba," he said, his voice a low rumble.
His voice broke her from her trance. She immediately realized her position and her actions, her face burning hotter with embarrassment. She wanted to run, to bury herself in a hole, but Ren held her hands, keeping her from escaping.
As he held her, Yotsuba's mind raced back to her confession just a week ago. She had always been the girl who put others first, who held back her own desires to make others happy. But Ren had seen past her cheerful mask. He had seen the way she was destroying herself, holding back her true self. He had opened her heart with his words, and in that moment, she had fallen for him completely, confessing on the spot. When she tried to take her words back out of sheer embarrassment, he had simply hugged her and accepted her, even with his other lovers. That simple act had unlocked something in her. She had stopped holding back, and she discovered a new, more intense side of herself—one that was surprisingly forward and wanted to deepen their relationship in every way.
Yotsuba couldn't handle the intensity of her feelings anymore. She broke free from his grasp, but before she ran, she leaned down and pressed a quick, fierce kiss to his lips. "Later," she whispered, and then she was gone in a flash of green ribbons. Ren was left alone on the ground, a dopey, bewildered smile on his face, his heart pounding in his chest.