Chapter 71 — Tsumiki Fushiguro Needs Help
Putting everything else aside, the shadow storage ability alone was already enough to tempt Ren.
As for the Construction Technique—looking at it from a practical angle, its greatest strength was simply this: creating objects. And not just illusions, but real, tangible items that could be carried, transferred, and even given away.
Which meant—
Anything Mai created could essentially become his.
And as for Tsumiki… while he couldn't quite take it for granted, as long as he maintained a good relationship with her, asking for help in the future shouldn't be too difficult.
The Ten Shadows Technique, on the other hand, didn't work like that at all.
He couldn't exactly say:
"Megumi, lend me your technique. I'll take it to Kyoto and bring it back later."
That was obviously impossible. A shikigami user couldn't just "lend out" their shikigami like that.
As for learning both techniques at once, Ren didn't even consider it.
Right now, he had three main priorities:
Learning a new technique,
mastering a Domain,
and continuing to refine his Reverse Cursed Technique.
A Domain was the ultimate trump card of a sorcerer. Compared to it, all techniques were secondary.
And Reverse Cursed Technique was his lifeline.
There was no way he would sacrifice time from either of those just to learn another technique.
Speaking of Domains…
He had been putting in serious effort lately, but had made little progress. That frustrated him.
Knock knock knock.
A soft knocking came from the door.
Ren turned his head—it was Megumi Fushiguro, standing there with two bags in hand.
"Morning, senpai," Megumi greeted with a nod before turning to his sister. "Tsumiki."
"Megumi," Ren smiled, standing up. After exchanging a brief glance with Tsumiki, he picked up his notebook and headed out. "I'll leave your sister to you. I've got a few more patients to check on."
Megumi nodded. "Thanks, senpai."
After Ren left, Megumi tidied up the room while chatting with his sister.
Then his eyes fell on the apples on the table.
"Did Ren-senpai peel these for you?"
"No," Tsumiki replied with a smile. "I peeled them for him."
"…Oh."
Megumi nodded at first—then suddenly stiffened slightly, a trace of suspicion creeping into his expression.
"You… peeled an apple for Ren-senpai?"
"What's wrong?"
"N-Nothing," Megumi shrugged awkwardly.
"But… you're the patient. Shouldn't Ren-senpai be the one—"
Tsumiki looked at him teasingly.
"Megumi… are you jealous?"
"I'm not! What are you even talking about?!"
"Here," she said gently, handing him another peeled apple. "Eat."
Megumi took it reluctantly and bit into it.
Later that day, Ren was once again in the room, explaining cursed energy control and the fundamentals of the Construction Technique.
Suddenly, Tsumiki reached out and pressed the nurse call button beside the bed.
Ren paused, slightly puzzled.
"What's wrong?"
Ren had already seen her press the nurse call button three times in the past few minutes.
"Is something wrong?" he finally asked.
"N-no, it's nothing…" Tsumiki's cheeks flushed red. "Let's… just wait for the nurse."
"Ren-senpai, please continue explaining cursed energy control," she added quickly, trying to change the subject.
Ren nodded and resumed his explanation.
A few minutes later…
She pressed the call button again, her face even redder than before.
Ren frowned slightly.
"Maybe I should go check," he said. "Why hasn't anyone come yet?"
"No," Tsumiki shook her head. "Let's… wait a little longer. There are more patients lately, so it's normal if they're short-staffed. We should be understanding…"
Ren turned to look at her.
Her face was completely flushed, her expression clearly strained.
"Are you sure, Tsumiki? You don't look well."
"Is something bothering you? Do you need a check-up?"
He leaned in slightly, examining her condition more closely.
"N-no, it's fine!" she quickly turned her face away, clearly embarrassed. "Just… wait for the nurse. It'll be fine, senpai."
"…Alright."
Ren had a vague guess now—maybe it was something she felt too awkward to tell him.
Still…
Looking at her flushed face, he couldn't help but think Megumi was right.
Tsumiki really was kind to a fault.
Even in this state, she was still worrying about inconveniencing others.
So he stayed.
But a few more minutes passed.
Still, no one came.
By now, Tsumiki's condition had worsened.
Her body trembled slightly, her teeth chattering, brows tightly knit. Her expression was one of barely contained distress.
Ren couldn't take it anymore.
He stood up immediately, ready to go find a nurse himself.
At the same time, irritation rose in his chest.
What are they doing? Even if they're busy, a patient has been calling for this long—someone should've responded! If this were serious, it could cost a life.
But just as he reached the door—
"R-Ren-senpai!" her strained voice stopped him.
"Don't go…"
"I'm going to call a nurse."
"I know, but… please… don't go."
He turned back.
She was looking at him, her delicate face filled with pleading.
"It's… too late…"
"What?"
"There's not enough staff… If they haven't come, it means they can't. And even if you call someone now… it'll be too late…"
She lowered her head, her voice trembling—almost breaking into tears.
That tone immediately alarmed Ren.
This wasn't emotional crying.
It sounded like someone pushed to the absolute limit of physical endurance.
"T-Tsumiki, what's wrong?" Ren asked, flustered. "Are you in pain? Do you need me to use Reverse Cursed Technique?"
"N-no…" she bit her lip, drawing in sharp breaths. "It's not that…"
She hesitated, then seemed to make up her mind.
"Ren-senpai… can I ask you for a favor?"
"Of course."
Tsumiki slowly lifted her head.
Her face was completely red, her eyes glistening with tears.
"…I… I need to go to the bathroom."
For a moment, Ren's mind went completely blank.
It felt like thunder had just struck.
"I—I'll go get a nurse right now," he said immediately.
But just as he turned—
"N-no… I can't wait anymore…" she said, her voice shaking.
Her whole body trembled, like a string stretched to its breaking point.
"P-please…"