🎉🎉🎉SCIAW: Chapter 250/256

Chapter 250: The Two Aunts Are Also Very Popular
After Ren finished speaking, the hot spring fell into a long silence.

The person in question looked around at the silent group in confusion, blinking innocently with nothing but clear puzzlement in his eyes.

"What's wrong? Did I say something weird?"

"No, nothing's wrong."

Nagi quickly interrupted, stopping Ren from overthinking. She lightly patted her cheeks. Maybe the hot spring was too hot—her face felt unusually warm.

Does he really not realize how much that sounded like a confession?

Thinking about his personality, Nagi sighed silently.

Sigh… He probably doesn't even realize the kind of feelings those words stir up in people. He likely just meant he liked the characters in the story.

Her thoughts now somewhat sorted, Nagi still found her face growing warm.

It's such a strange feeling to be suddenly praised like that.

Especially when he set up an atmosphere so similar to a confession, any girl would feel like they were just confessed to.

She glanced around at the others present. Yeah, pretty much everyone was the same.

But this also helped Nagi realize something important.

It seems that Maria, Isumi, and Sakuya all have a crush on Ren.

Only when a boy they like confesses to them would a girl suddenly get emotional. And only when the body releases a lot of dopamine would such emotions be triggered.

Take Isumi, for example. Nagi had never seen Tachibana Wataru do anything to cause that kind of reaction in her.

"Ren, aside from us, are there any other characters in the story who are very popular and well-received?"

Nagi's question prompted Ren to recall quite a few people.

"There are definitely quite a few."

This response instantly calmed down all the girls who had been emotionally affected earlier, and now their gossip-loving instincts were fully reignited.

"I know there are a lot of popular characters. Among them, there are many from Sonoko and Ran's story."

"For example: Kudo Yukiko, Kisaki Eri, Sato Miwako, Absinthe, Miyano Akemi, and Miyano Shiho."

Hearing those names, Sonoko and Ran were stunned.

Sonoko couldn't help but ask:

"Ren, why are Aunt Yukiko and Aunt Eri on that list?"

Those two are the very definition of 'aunties' in this world. At 37, they definitely qualify.

So why are they so popular?

"Um… how should I put it? I think they're popular because they look young, mature, intelligent, and attractive in the story. It's hard for people not to like them."

Though a little embarrassed, Ren still gave a sincere answer.

"Plus, character portrayals in stories aren't the same as in real life. There's a filter. So the signs of aging on their faces are practically nonexistent. In that sense, there's a big difference between fiction and reality."

A filter, huh. Animation versus reality does have a thick filter. With that kind of filter, it's easy to see why many people like elegant-looking older women in stories.

"Filter… yeah, that makes sense."

Sonoko nodded. She agreed with the idea. After all, stories are stories, reality is reality. The two shouldn't be confused.

"I've seen Aunt Yukiko in person. She takes good care of herself, but you can still tell her skin is a bit loose."

"Yeah. People do gossip about her, and it's true that her skin has gotten looser."

Ran couldn't help but agree. She saw Aunt Yukiko more often than Sonoko and more recently too, so she noticed the traces of time more clearly.

"And my mom too. Because of her work, she often stays up late reviewing documents and checking case files. That's why her eye bags are heavy, and she has crow's feet at the corners of her eyes."

"Also, her irregular schedule. When I moved in with her, I realized she had a bit of a belly."

Age and work have clearly left marks on her mother.

Ran was certain that her mom today was quite different from how she was ten years ago. While she was still charming, she couldn't be compared to the younger generation anymore.

As a middle-aged woman, Kisaki Eri was still a strong and hardworking professional. Naturally, it was harder for her to maintain her figure.

Being a lawyer wasn't exactly easy.

Working constantly on the front lines, Eri's physical condition understandably declined a little.

Just some effects from staying up late and a bit of belly fat due to irregular living habits—those were already very mild symptoms.

Ren thought that was perfectly normal. Many people are born beautiful, but only a few can maintain that beauty over time.

"Sato Miwako, she's the police officer we met on Tsukikage Island."

Ren's reminder made the girls remember the policewoman who came to protect them.

In terms of looks and figure, they recalled she was indeed top-tier.

"Miyano Akemi and Miyano Shiho are sisters. Ran, remember what I told you? Your role in the story was reduced because another character entered the plot. That character was Shiho Miyano, who took the same drug as Kudo."

"Her sister has long black hair. And she herself… actually looks a lot like Sonoko when Sonoko doesn't wear her headband and styles her hair in soft waves."

"Huh?"

Sonoko blinked in surprise, and the other girls turned their attention to her. In their minds, they imagined her with wavy hair and no headband. Then they all nodded slightly.

They could picture what Shiho Miyano looked like now.

"Shiho Miyano's personality is also very different from Sonoko's. She's more like Hayasaka during her work mode—she shows little emotion and is a very young scientist. She inherited her parents' talent and developed the drug that shrank Kudo based on their research."

Thanks to Ren's explanation, the girls now had a better understanding of Shiho Miyano.

A genius girl.

But most of the girls present didn't think much of the "genius" title.

Because they were the same.

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to BurglarOfTurds for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉
Chapter 251: Other People Make Things Angry

"Miyano Shiho's parents are really impressive. They could actually create such a bizarre drug," Sanzenin Nagi couldn't help but sigh.

"It's honestly strange that scientists like them weren't taken seriously."

"Nagi, I think it has a lot to do with development funding. Developing a drug like that probably isn't cheap, and Miyano Shiho's parents clearly didn't have that kind of money," Ren replied.

"Plus, this kind of research is nearly impossible to monetize."

Nagi thought it over for a moment and then nodded in agreement.

"That's true. Even if the drug is successfully developed, it's not something you can profit from."

"People dream of drugs that restore youth and extend life, but if such a drug were ever made public, it would cause global chaos. At worst, it could even start a war."

Ren smiled and nodded at her reasoning.

"If a drug like that really existed, it would definitely stir things up. But even if it did, it would only extend lifespan, not grant true immortality."

"After all, the number of cell divisions in the human body is limited. I don't know the exact mechanism of the drug, but I'm pretty sure it just temporarily rejuvenates the body. At best, it could increase the number of cell divisions."

"So even if you took the drug and turned from an old man into a child like Kudo, it wouldn't actually reverse your lifespan. At most, you'd get a few extra decades, aging backward from old age to adolescence, improving your quality of life."

"Yeah, that makes sense," Nagi said, nodding. From a scientific standpoint, she felt that life extension and rejuvenation were far more realistic.

"Amamiya even if we wanted to live forever, it wouldn't be that easy, would it?"

Ren nodded slightly.

"To truly achieve immortality by your own strength, you'd need to at least reach the level of a demigod. From our perspective, as we grow stronger, we gradually drift away from being ordinary humans."

"We're steadily advancing in power, and fundamentally changing who we are—that's the beginning of becoming immortal."

"But stepping into the realm of demigods isn't easy."

"Even if you had the chance to attain immortality, it's still extremely difficult. That's why I think Miyano Shiho's parents were a bit too idealistic. At best, their drug can extend life and rejuvenate the body. Immortality? That's just wishful thinking."

Ren had never denied the potential of technology. However, he also believed that human immortality could not be solved with a couple of pills.

At the very least, unless humanity can solve the issue of limited cell division, the lifespan barrier cannot be broken.

Although Ren explained it from his own perspective, Miyano Shiho's parents probably believed the drug could still be improved to create a perfect version—one that could overcome cellular limits.

He took out the maple leaf coin from Sefirah Castle and flicked it with his thumb. The coin spun in the air before landing in his palm, face side up.

"Looks like my guess was right."

"Even if APTX4869 is perfected, it can only prolong life at best."

He flipped the coin again, and once again, it landed face side up.

"This is the limit."

Ren lightly shook his head and put the maple leaf coin back into Sefirah Castle.

"Technology's ceiling is life extension. It can't completely stop the natural cycle of cell division."

"Only by introducing new variables to science can we go beyond mere longevity and approach eternal life."

The girls present understood that the variable he spoke of was the mystical.

But that kind of mysterious variable would never be added to normal scientific methods. At least, not unless there was cooperation. Without it, such variables would never be integrated.

"Immortality is definitely a complicated topic, but it's one that every era obsesses over," Nagi said, shaking her head. She wasn't too disappointed. After all, if just two pills could solve humanity's greatest problem, it would be too easy.

"Let's drop the topic for now. We're still just teenagers. We don't need to be worrying about immortality."

That made all the girls laugh.

True enough, the average age among them was under 20. Why worry about such a distant issue?

"We were just talking about the popular characters in Ran and Sonoko's stories. So, are there any popular characters in my story and Shinomiya's story?"

Nagi changed the subject again, but this one gave Ren a slight headache.

"The popular characters in Kaguya's story mostly revolve around her. There aren't many surprises. I think the most popular one is probably Hayasaka."

"As for your story… I think you already know who the top character is, right, Nagi?"

Hearing Ren say that, Nagi immediately understood who he meant.

"Katsura Hinagiku, right?"

Ren nodded.

"The student council president won both popularity polls. And both times, her votes were more than double the second place. You could call it a landslide victory."

"Apart from Hinagiku, the only one who might surpass her is Athena from Tenou Academy. She's just as talented and knowledgeable, with athletic skills superior to Hinagiku's. She even outclassed Saginomiya in some aspects and was the first person to make her taste defeat."

"Though the others are popular too, none come close to those two in terms of strength and appeal."

Suddenly thinking about the topic of popularity, Ren glanced at Maria, who was sitting next to Nagi.

"Also, Miss Maria ranked second in both previous popularity polls, consistently ahead of Sanzenin."

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to BurglarOfTurds for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 252: Outrageous
The afternoon hot spring ended with casual conversation.

Bathing felt incredibly comfortable, especially in that special environment, surrounded by people to talk with.

After the bath, everyone returned to their rooms to rest for a bit.

The weather outside was cold. It's best not to expose yourself to the cold right after bathing, as it's easy to catch a cold.

After a short rest in their rooms, everyone gathered again in the entertainment area.

More specifically, they gathered in the massage section of the entertainment area.

Aside from massage appointments, there were also several high-end massage chairs.

They had just enjoyed the hot spring, so it was a reasonable next gathering spot.

Ren exited his room and walked down a long corridor. The dim lighting gave the hallway a strangely nostalgic, retro feel.

As he made his way through, the sounds around him grew louder. The sound of a game in particular stood out clearly to Ren's ears.

There were only four people in the group who were really into games.

Ren didn't even need to guess and simply followed the sound.

"Ha! If this were Street Fighter, you wouldn't be able to rely on observation to read my moves!"

Sanzenin Nagi laughed triumphantly.

"Ugh… 583…"

Chika lowered her head and clenched her fists in frustration. Without even looking at the screen, it was obvious she had lost badly.

A quick glance from Ren was enough to understand what was happening.

The Spectator's enhanced observation allows Chika to read someone's true intentions through their expressions and movements.

But in a game, your attention is focused on the screen. You can't analyze your opponent's body language in real time, so it's naturally hard to predict their next move.

Ren walked over with a smile.

"Let's go another round."

"Wuwu~ Amamiya, I lost so badly!"

Chika turned around and hugged Ren, starting to sob. In the gaming field she was supposed to be good at, she had been utterly crushed by Nagi.

"There, there."

Ren gently patted Chika, soothing her crushed ego.

"I've told you this before. A Spectator is just that, an observer. You're not an actual participant in the game. It's because you haven't fully understood either the game or yourself that you lost so badly to Sanzenin."

Chika looked up at Ren with teary eyes.

"What should I do?"

Ren instinctively stroked her head, calming her down, then offered his advice:

"Play your role properly."

"The Spectator's physical strengthening lets you determine someone's true thoughts by observing their actions and speech. Mental strengthening enhances focus and observation, which improves your ability to read your target."

"Every game is built on patterns. The characters' moves follow a logic set by the developers. What a Spectator should do is observe those characters' actions and then infer the real intention behind them—attacks, positioning, movement."

Chika's eyes lit up instantly.

"So I should observe the game characters' movements to predict Nagi's next actions?"

Ren smiled and nodded slightly.

"Exactly. Don't focus on Sanzenin. Focus on the game."

"Oh! Nagi, let's go again!"

Just like that, Chika went from teary-eyed to pumped up in an instant, filled with fighting spirit and eager anticipation.

"Hah, you think you can beat me just because Ren gave you a few tips?"

Faced with the renewed challenge, Sanzenin Nagi didn't back down. She didn't believe Fujiwara Chika could adjust that quickly.

And at first, she was right.

The game began, and Nagi still held an overwhelming advantage. With her skillful control, she slowly whittled away the health of the character controlled by Chika.

However, this time was noticeably different from the complete beatdown earlier.

Chika's character no longer got wiped out without resistance. Instead, she managed to deal over half damage to Nagi's character.

"…No way."

Nagi could feel the pressure.

Chika's mechanics hadn't improved, but she accurately predicted several of Nagi's big moves, dodged what should have been guaranteed hits, and even landed counterattacks with only half-decent execution.

The second match started soon after.

This time, Chika's counterattacks were more frequent—more than double the first round. Her execution still wasn't polished, and she couldn't chain stylish combos, but even those simple counters were starting to frustrate Nagi.

She still lost the second match.

But this time, Nagi's character only had a sliver of health left. If the skill gap wasn't so large, the outcome could've been completely reversed.

"Ohhhhhh!"

Even though she lost again, Chika jumped up in excitement.

"…That was actually kind of crazy."

Though she won, Nagi felt the pressure big time.

She had barely scraped out the win. If her technical edge wasn't so strong, she might have lost embarrassingly.

"Her skill hasn't improved at all, yet she pulled that off just by observing."

The counterattacks were simple, but the fact that Nagi was almost defeated using just observation made one thing clear. If Chika's technical skills were on par, she would've lost both rounds.

"It's honestly terrifying how high her observation ability is."

Aizawa Sakuya, also a gamer and someone who had studied game mechanics, understood better than most just how absurd Fujiwara Chika's performance was.

"It's not just observation. Her concentration is insane. In the second round, she interrupted almost every one of Nagi's attacks, cutting them off cleanly and even retaliating."

Saginomiya Isumi wasn't good at action-heavy games, but after being dragged into enough matches by Nagi, she'd developed some appreciation for them. Even if she lacked the hands-on skill, she understood what she was seeing.

In conclusion, the Spectator's observation ability was absolutely outrageous.

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to Vester 1 for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉
Chapter 253: The Battle of Virtue
The third round became a complete reversal of the previous match.

With more than half her health remaining, Fujiwara Chika nearly crushed Sanzenin Nagi outright.

"Yeah! I won!"

Having defeated Nagi for the first time, Chika was visibly ecstatic.

On the other hand, Nagi took the blow hard.

"How could this happen… how could this happen…"

Being crushed in her area of expertise by someone with such poor technical skill was the ultimate disgrace for a gamer.

Her skills couldn't even last a single round against Chika's overwhelming observation. Didn't this imply that technique alone was inferior to observation?

Clack!

A hand suddenly rested on Nagi's shoulder, snapping her out of her dazed state.

Turning around, she saw Aizawa Sakuya looking at her with sympathy.

"Nagi, give it up. Your observation and focus can't compare to Fujiwara's."

"Her observation of the game characters is razor-sharp. Didn't you notice? She could read your next move every time. That's not cheating. That's just pure observation and focus."

This technique was often referred to as Mezo.

But Mezo required extremely high talent, observation, concentration, and even superhuman reaction time.

Coincidentally, while the Spectator pathway didn't involve physical enhancement, its supercharged observation and focus allowed Fujiwara Chika to prepare in advance without needing rapid reflexes, thus bypassing the body's reaction time.

That was how she nearly wiped the floor with Sanzenin Nagi.

"The Spectator isn't suited for direct combat, but in games that rely on observation and awareness, they can really shine."

Ren wasn't surprised by the outcome. Given Fujiwara's Spectator abilities, this result was to be expected.

"Ugh…"

At this point, Nagi was on the verge of tears. She couldn't handle suffering a complete reversal in her specialty.

Her beautiful eyes started to brim with tears.

"Nagi, remember this feeling of defeat. For those who walk the extraordinary path, it's not something to be ashamed of. It's a step that must be taken. You've felt this before with Kaguya, but this time it's in a field you're more confident in, so the frustration hits harder."

Ren didn't rub it in. Instead, he gave her a reminder, although he was inwardly exasperated at how rigid she was about martial virtue.

He placed a hand on her head.

"So tell me, when you realized Fujiwara was using an extraordinary ability, why didn't you think of using yours to find a counter?"

"Use that clever mind of yours. Are there any rules in the game saying only Fujiwara can use powers? Why are you being so stubborn?"

The teary-eyed Sanzenin paused. Her expression shifted from hurt to surprise as she looked up.

"Isn't that cheating?"

"Seriously… sometimes you need to learn to adapt. It's fine to insist on fair play when it's just between you and Sakuya, but you can't apply that same thinking to everyone."

After messing up Sanzenin's soft, golden hair, Ren sighed inwardly.

"You know what? I'll set a new rule for you and Fujiwara's match using extraordinary abilities."

"Fujiwara, if you can detect when Sanzenin cheats, you get a point."

"Conversely, if Sanzenin manages to cheat and you don't catch her, she gets a point."

"Then you'll have one normal Street Fighter match per round. The winner gets one point."

"Five points in total. Whoever loses has to go to the other team and admit she's not as good."

"…!?"

That last condition made both Fujiwara Chika and Sanzenin Nagi's eyes sharpen instantly.

Competitiveness wasn't exclusive to boys. Girls could be just as fired up.

The punishment wasn't anything severe, but being forced to admit defeat was still emotionally tough.

Of course, even knowing it wouldn't affect their relationship, neither of them wanted to lose in something they prided themselves on.

So, as soon as Ren suggested the rule, both girls' competitive spirits flared up.

No matter what, they couldn't lose.

"Alright! Chika, think you can handle it?"

"Bring it on! I already beat you once. I'm not afraid of your tricks!"

The tension exploded instantly.

Even Nagi, who had just experienced the sting of defeat, was reignited with the desire to completely overwhelm her rival.

Soon, the two started a new round.

Meanwhile, Ren nodded to Saginomiya and Aizawa, then made his way to the massage area.

Aside from a few playful kids, everyone else was relaxing there.

Ran Mouri, Sonoko, Hayasaka, and Maria.

These four girls had fairly balanced body types and were also prone to shoulder and back soreness.

Sonoko and Hayasaka had only mild symptoms, while Ran and Maria had more serious ones.

At the hot spring hotel, there was no need to wear thick coats. In fact, the building was so well heated that wearing even a thick yukata could feel stuffy. So everyone only wore a single yukata.

Under the yukata was just underwear.

With so few layers, the yukata naturally accentuated their figures.

When Ren walked in, he saw the girls reclining on massage chairs, their faces relaxed. That kind of deep relaxation clearly relieved a lot of built-up stress.

He also noticed that Shinomiya Kaguya was the only one standing off to the side with a gloomy look.

He walked straight toward her.

"Kaguya, have you rested?"

"Yeah."

Kaguya's response lacked energy. She seemed down.

"Still jealous?"

"Hmm… huh?"

Kaguya replied reflexively, then paused. A moment later, she remembered what had happened at the open-air hot spring, and her cheeks puffed up in frustration.

"Still jealous! Super jealous! And I'm not letting you off the hook!"

That reaction was so cute that Ren couldn't help but smile.

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to Vester 1 for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉

Chapter 254: Ren: Want to Talk to Ran

Kaguya's puffed-up cheeks from jealousy and frustration made her look even more adorable.

Ren smiled and raised a hand to gently poke her cheek.

"Not easy to coax? Then how about I don't bother? I'm not exactly good at coaxing girls."

That line instantly made Kaguya anxious.

"Try it! Try it first! Maybe I am easy to coax!"

Pfft!

The nearby girls couldn't hold back their laughter. That reaction completely shattered her usual calm image.

They didn't even last a minute.

"Then I'll give it a try."

"Mmm."

Ren suppressed his smile and hugged the fidgeting Kaguya before she could start bouncing in agitation.

As soon as she realized he wasn't brushing her off, Kaguya's mood improved dramatically. But the moment she felt herself being pulled into a hug, her brain short-circuited.

Her mind blanked out.

By the time she snapped back to reality, she was already in Ren's embrace.

"Kaguya."

His sudden voice whispered into her ear made it tickle slightly.

"I told Sonoko in the hot spring just now—I don't really understand girls. I don't know how to interact properly. If I ever neglect you, just tell me, alright?"

Ren's honest words calmed Kaguya down little by little.

As a girl, she knew she needed to be reserved. But just like Ren, this was her first time experiencing romantic feelings and dealing with the opposite sex.

She didn't really know how to navigate it either. Maybe being upfront with Ren about her feelings would be better.

It was the first time for both of them, so naturally they would need time to learn and grow together.

"Yeah."

That scene from the open-air hot spring flashed in her mind again.

Back then, Sonoko had tilted her head slightly and looked up at Ren with a mix of anticipation and shyness, as if silently asking for something.

Kaguya now understood exactly what Sonoko was feeling at that moment.

She lifted her head, almost like she was possessed.

"Ren, I—"

"Hey, hey, hey! Big Ice Princess, be careful. We're still here."

In an instant, Kaguya sprang away from Ren as if shocked by electricity.

She had completely forgotten there were others watching.

"Kaguya-san, next time you want to confess something to Ren, find a quiet room. That way, no one will interrupt."

"If you need privacy, just ask me. The other dimension is very quiet."

Hayasaka ahhhhhh!

Kaguya nearly ground her teeth in frustration.

She had almost said something completely embarrassing in front of everyone, only to be interrupted—by her own maid, no less.

"Ahem."

Ren coughed awkwardly and took Kaguya's hand.

"Next time, if you need to talk, let's do it in private."

Kaguya looked down at their joined hands. She didn't pull away, only tightened her grip slightly.

"Okay."

She had already made up her mind. Next time, when no one was around, she would monopolize Ren all for herself.

"Ran, have you gotten in touch with Uncle Mouri yet?"

Ren suddenly changed the subject.

The shift was so abrupt that Ran, who had been watching everything unfold, needed a second to process it.

"My dad? Not yet. But Aunt Yumi told me that the hot spring inn they went to is Benkei Ryokan."

"Benkei?"

Ren muttered the name and instinctively looked toward Hayasaka.

Feeling his gaze, Hayasaka smiled and responded.

"Benkei Ryokan is located just at the foot of Mt. Kuro. It's a very old hot spring inn. Since it's an older place, it mostly gets middle-aged and senior guests. It doesn't receive many customers annually."

"Not many? How do they stay afloat?"

Ren was curious.

"Maybe I wasn't clear. I meant it gets fewer guests than newer inns. But they still get a steady stream every week."

"The annual profits are still decent. But compared to the newer, more modern inns in the area, it definitely falls short."

"Still, because of its age, the rates are lower. That's why it's actually more popular among older guests."

The phrase "cost-effective" popped into Ren's mind the moment Hayasaka finished.

Unlike well-off foreign tourists, most older locals preferred inns that didn't charge exorbitantly.

Ren could understand that clearly.

This current inn, Jūraku, was high-end in both design and amenities. But that also meant its prices were sky-high.

For most families, staying here would be hard to justify.

Choosing a more budget-friendly place made more sense for the average person.

"If it's at the base of the mountain, then Ran, I'll go with you later."

"Okay."

Thinking of what Aunt Yumi had told her earlier, Ran couldn't help blushing slightly, but still nodded.

"Kaguya, Sonoko, are you two coming?"

"Forget it. There's still time to rest in the afternoon. And I'm not familiar with Uncle Mouri anyway."

Sonoko waved her hand dismissively and then glanced sideways at Kaguya.

Kaguya also glanced in Ran's direction, then slowly let go of Ren's hand.

"I won't go either. I'd like to rest a bit more. I've been exercising a lot lately."

With that, Kaguya sat down next to Sonoko on a massage chair.

The intentions of these two girls were obvious—maybe too obvious.

How could Ren not notice?

They were giving him space and time with Ran.

…Looks like I really should talk to Ran.

Kaguya and Sonoko's actions clearly confirmed what he had already suspected.

Ran had feelings for him too.

And now that he thought about it, this whole hot spring trip had been suggested by Ran after she learned about his group's plans.

Would a casual friend really do that?

"Alright then. Ran, let's head out."

"Okay."

(To be continued.)

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Chapter 255: I... Can't Be Sure

At the foot of the mountain, in the old hot spring inn called Benkei, six middle-aged people were having a reunion for the first time in five years.

"Five years have really passed in the blink of an eye."

Mouri Kogoro couldn't help but sigh.

"Yeah. So much has happened, and yet it feels like no time has passed. That last class reunion still feels like it was yesterday."

Ayashiro Yukio echoed with a nostalgic tone.

Five years was not short. To gather again here, at the same place, brought with it a strong wave of emotion. It felt almost surreal.

After a moment of silence, Ayashiro looked down at the little boy with glasses sitting beside Mouri Kogoro.

"Actually, I was just wondering—Kogoro, when did you have a son?"

"Five years ago, you brought Ran along. This time, instead of her, you've brought your little boy. Looks like you and Eri finally made up, huh?"

Faced with the teasing, Mouri Kogoro rolled his eyes.

"This brat's not my son. He's the child of a friend. The parents went abroad to enjoy life and left their son in my care."

Ayashiro Yukio widened his eyes at the boy, then turned back to Kogoro.

"Your friend's got guts, leaving their kid with a sloppy guy like you. But I guess it's fine since Ran's around. If you mess up, she can pick up the slack, right?"

"Exactly."

Mouri Kogoro downed a drink, then slumped with a sigh.

"If Ran could take care of him, I'd be thrilled. But our apartment's not big. It used to be fine with just me and Ran. Now that this kid's staying with us, it's a squeeze."

"Ran's already sixteen, you know. It's not appropriate for her to sleep in the same room as a child. So ever since he moved in, Ran's been staying over at Eri's place."

As Mouri Kogoro sighed, his five old classmates looked at him sympathetically.

Among them, the only two female classmates—Ayashiro Yukio's wife, Ayashiro Noriko, and Horikoshi Yumi—were especially curious.

"Kogoro, it's been five years. Ran must've grown into a real beauty, huh? You got any photos?"

"What kind of father carries photos of his daughter around?"

Kogoro scoffed. He wasn't in the habit of carrying photos of Ran with him.

"I have one."

Yumi Horikoshi smiled and pulled out a photo she had clearly prepared in advance.

"I ran into Ran on Monday afternoon at the shopping street. Five years have passed, and she's grown from a little girl into a young lady."

Ayashiro Noriko's eyes sparkled as she took the photo.

"Wow! This is Ran now? I can't believe how much she's changed in just five years!"

Yukio, Omura Jun, and Nakamichi Kazushi all leaned in. Just one glance and their jaws dropped.

"Jeez! She grew up into that in just five years?"

"She doesn't look like Kogoro's kid at all."

"No kidding."

Hearing the jabs from his old pals, veins bulged on Mouri Kogoro's forehead.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?! Can't my daughter be beautiful?! She takes after Eri, okay?"

At that moment, Nakamichi Kazushi suddenly burst out laughing.

"So you admit it—you couldn't possibly father such a beauty?"

"Damn it! You bastard!"

Kogoro was speechless for a second, then exploded.

"No matter how much Ran takes after Eri, she's still my daughter! Hmph! She's beautiful, and you're just jealous!"

The three classmates without daughters twitched visibly. They all felt the same urge to throttle this show-off dad.

Fighting him was pointless. They might not even win.

So the three exchanged glances. That old classmate's silent understanding kicked in immediately.

Ayashiro Yukio's mouth curled into a sly grin, and his voice suddenly turned teasing, full of mischievous glee.

"Kogoro, you must be on cloud nine. So tell me, how will you feel the day Ran brings home a boyfriend?"

That one line made all of Kogoro's smugness vanish in an instant.

That brat who tried to date his daughter recently had gotten into an accident, but with the way Ran was growing up, suitors would be lining up soon. And he was terrified that day might come too soon.

And it wasn't just Mouri Kogoro who feared that day.

Edogawa Conan feared it even more.

He had chosen to pursue the Black Organization no matter the cost. For that goal, he had abandoned his identity as Kudo Shinichi and killed off the idea of ever being himself again.

But by doing that, he had cut off his own path of return.

Unless the Black Organization was completely taken down, he would never reclaim his real identity.

And so, Edogawa Conan hoped harder than anyone else that the day Ran found a boyfriend would never come.

He prayed that she wouldn't fall in love with someone else before he could finish what he started.

Right now, he was just a child. He didn't even live under the same roof as Ran anymore. It was impossible to know what might happen in the future.


---

On a hillside not far from Benkei Ryokan, Ren stood beside Ran, his voice gentle but probing.

"Ran, do you… like me?"

"I… can't be sure."

If she didn't, Ran would've denied it on the spot, maybe softened it with polite words.

But because she couldn't deny it, her voice hesitated.

"I think I liked Shinichi. That feeling came from us growing up together."

"But… now I don't know anymore."

In the past, Ran had been certain she liked Shinichi. Even during their interrupted date at Dorobiga Paradise.

But too much had happened that day.

She learned Shinichi had been attacked with a blunt object after tailing two suspicious men. That he'd been fed a mysterious drug that shrank him into a child.

And that instead of trusting her, Shinichi chose to hide everything.

She found out he had even tried to get close to her again under a false identity.

If none of that had happened, she might've still said she liked Shinichi.

But everything that happened eroded her feelings for him.

Especially the part where he moved into her house through deception, secretly acting possessive of her while keeping everything hidden.

And ultimately, Shinichi chose to "kill" himself.

Maybe that was the moment Ran finally let go of her feelings for him.

How could she love someone who had already decided to disappear?

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to Manny Sanchez for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉
Chapter 256: Mouri and His Wife Never Truly Broke

"Maybe it's not that I'm unsure. Maybe I already became certain the moment I heard the news of Shinichi's death. What's uncertain is just... my emotions."

As she said this, Ran slowly lowered her head, her gaze falling on Edogawa Conan beside her.

So much had happened in the span of a single month—more than she'd experienced in the past ten years combined.

She had been exposed to too many things, which had left her confused and unsure how to sort through her emotions.

Then, turning to glance at Ren beside her, Ran quietly leaned in.

"That uncertainty… it used to be real. But now I'm sure."

"Maybe the bond between me and Shinichi was completely severed the moment he chose to let Kudo Shinichi 'die.'"

At just the right moment, Ren reached out and wrapped Ran into a gentle hug.

Ran's cheeks turned a soft pink. Her heart was racing.

And at that moment, she realized—when she was with Ren, she couldn't keep her emotions in check.

Before, she had dismissed this as simple attraction or fleeting emotion. But now... she could say with certainty that she had fallen in love.

Not with her childhood sweetheart, Kudo Shinichi, who had already "died"—but with the boy named Amamiya Ren, whom she'd only known for a month.

"Now, when I'm with you, I feel like I don't have to endure topics I don't care about. When I'm with you, my heart races, and sometimes I catch myself thinking about you without realizing it."

Ran couldn't help but recall everything that had happened over the past month.

The initial shock of learning that Shinichi had shrunk into a child had been washed away by the discovery of the diary—by the sheer emotional chaos it had unleashed.

When it was confirmed that Shinichi had effectively erased himself from existence, Ren had quietly entered her world.

At first, it was just fleeting encounters at school. Then, gradually, their interactions deepened after class. And eventually, the space left behind by Shinichi had been filled.

A quiet, slightly self-conscious boy had always kept a respectable distance from her.

But somehow, little by little, he became part of her everyday life—adding color to her once-monochrome days.

Habit was a frightening thing.

When Ran realized that she had grown used to Ren being around, she also realized something else: her feelings for him were growing.

Maybe she couldn't say with 100% certainty that she "liked" him.

But she definitely wanted to share everything with him.

She wanted to let him see the emotional parts of her that no one else could.

"I ran into Aunt Yumi on my way home Monday night. When I heard about the weekend hot spring trip, you were the first person I thought of."

Ran sighed softly.

"I think it was because of something Aunt Yumi said. She said, 'You can go on a hot spring trip with your boyfriend and surprise your dad.' And the first person I thought of... was you."

"…That's an incredible honor."

Ren hadn't expected that at all.

"Is this because of the story again?" Ran asked, raising an eyebrow.

Ren nodded with a somewhat pained expression.

"It is. In the story, your feelings for Kudo Shinichi were so unwavering. Even when complications arose, you never faltered."

"So I assumed... that you were still just as loyal in real life."

Hearing this, Ran angrily pinched the "big idiot" beside her.

"I can be loyal—but he didn't give me the chance."

"Loyalty starts with communication, right? He destroyed his own identity. We weren't even in a relationship. So why should I wait around and avoid getting close to other guys just for him?"

"That's not loyalty. That's just blind devotion!"

If they had been a couple, maybe it would've been different. But they weren't.

Loyalty should only exist in a confirmed relationship.

"I was just a fool in that story. Who would be that loyal to someone they weren't even dating?"

"And do you think I wasn't hurt by how I was treated in that story? No matter how patient someone is, if they're constantly hurt, they'll eventually give up."

Ran had never believed that feelings could last forever on their own. No matter how deep the bond, it had to be nurtured.

She had seen her own parents, despite their once-strong relationship, live apart because of unresolved issues.

She and Shinichi were just childhood friends. Nothing more.

Hiss—!

Ren flinched from the sharp pain where she had pinched him. Even the "clown" couldn't hide the agony from his face.

"Ran, please go easy on me… My body's not that durable."

Ran paused and stopped pinching. She glanced at the spot on his waist she had just grabbed.

She thought about massaging the bruise to help ease the blood flow, but gave up.

They were outside. She couldn't just slip her hand under Ren's clothes, could she?

She couldn't exactly do it over the fabric either.

So instead, she lightly knocked on his arm a couple of times.

"Anyway, the characters in the story are way too perfect. But no one's that flawless in real life."

"No one can sustain a one-sided love forever. Especially in relationships. If the feelings aren't returned, they'll burn out."

"Even if my parents had a strong bond, they still live apart because of their differences. If I didn't know that they still care about each other and secretly meet from time to time, I might've thought their relationship was over."

"Huh?"

That was the first time Ren had heard this particular detail, and he was genuinely surprised.

"Your parents still meet up often?"

Ran pouted slightly and replied in exasperation.

"Of course. Why else do you think they've been separated for so long without divorcing? You think it's just because of me?"

"Those two just had an argument. It's not like they really fell out. I've been watching the whole time. How could I not know?"

"Both of them are stubborn. If either one would just take the first step, they'd be back to normal. I even tried arranging situations to bring them together without them realizing. I gave them every chance."

"But they always put on an act in front of me."

Click.

Ran clicked her tongue in irritation.

Sometimes, being the one who knew the truth was the most exhausting thing.

Especially when you had to pretend not to know.

(To be continued.)