SCIAW: Chapter 205/206

Chapter 205: Intimate

If I were to look at the problem from the old man's perspective, I'd probably feel just as much of a headache.

Trying hard to protect the only normal person in the family, yet surrounded by so many abnormal relatives constantly stirring up trouble.

At this moment, Shinomiya Kaguya also felt a hint of sympathy. As the pillar holding up the last thread of normalcy in the Hatamoto family, the old man—Hatamoto Gozo—must have experienced countless moments of helplessness in his lifetime.

"How did Miss Hatamoto react?"

"She resisted fiercely. When Hatamoto Ichiro committed the crime, she used the power of Amamiya to stab high heels into his hands and shattered the bones in both."

Kaguya nodded approvingly.

"That's the behavior of a normal person."

"Even if they're close relatives, there should still be boundaries. How can someone who's already in university still be so ignorant?"

Science makes sense.

Science does not allow close-relative relationships for a reason—because the side effects are significant. The offspring often end up with genetic defects.

Now, Kaguya really wanted to know how Ichiro Hatamoto even got into university.

Even if it's an art school, there should still be some basic scientific literacy, right?

"After disembarking, hand over the suspects and evidence to the police. This clearly constitutes intentional homicide. With solid evidence, there's no way they can overturn it."

This kind of case was serious enough that it had to follow the formal judicial process.

As for the outcome, there was no need to overthink it.

After this incident, Kaguya didn't think the old man would hold any lingering affection for these family members. Most likely, once they got off the boat, he'd cut ties completely.

As for Hatamoto Natsue.

"Hayasaka, remember this Miss Hatamoto."

"If she proves useful to Ren in the future, lend her a hand."

Suddenly, Kaguya paused, glancing at Ren, who was still asleep, before turning to Hayasaka.

"Do you think this Miss Hatamoto will become one of Amamiya's believers?"

Hayasaka already had her answer.

"I didn't believe it before because I had never seen it."

"But having experienced it myself, I now believe Miss Hatamoto will become Amamiya's most loyal believer."

There's actually only one criterion for whether something becomes a belief—do you believe in it or not?

And what better way to awaken belief in the mysterious than through direct experience?

Because of that, Hayasaka was certain that Hatamoto Natsue, who had experienced that power firsthand, would undoubtedly become one of Ren's loyal believers.

And in that case, there was nothing wrong with helping her.

Although Hayasaka said this was just a casual act by Ren, if needed, these casual acts were actually a form of preemptive preparation. They might even serve as an emergency resource one day.

Most importantly, this was a way she could support Kaguya. That alone made it meaningful.

At that moment, Fujiwara Chika, who had been sleeping peacefully in bed, suddenly sat up.

"…Ren…"

With a dazed expression, it was clear she was still half-asleep. But due to the impact of yesterday's events, she subconsciously sought out the presence that made her feel safe, her gaze immediately locking onto him.

In that hazy state, she lifted the blanket off herself, barefoot and still in her nightgown, and stumbled over to the single sofa where Ren was.

She habitually tugged at her nightgown, then sat directly on Ren's lap, leaned against him, resting her head on his neck, and curled her legs up beside his.

Her movements were smooth and practiced, as if she had done it countless times before, executed without hesitation. Kaguya looked as if she had been struck by lightning.

"I… she… she—!"

Kaguya was so furious she couldn't even breathe.

Hayasaka quickly covered Kaguya, who looked like she was about to explode.

"Calm down,Miss Kaguya. Fujiwara-san just experienced something traumatic. According to Amamiya, there were serious side effects and pollution involved, and Fujiwara-san was also frightened."

Those words were barely enough to keep Kaguya calm.

But seeing Chika, who had clearly stored all her nutrition in her chest curled up in Ren's arms, Kaguya trembled uncontrollably.

She hadn't even done anything like that yet!

She had already confessed to Ren and was just waiting for his response.

But even as the potential girlfriend, she hadn't gotten this far—and Chika, that girl, got there first! How could Kaguya not be furious? She was about to die from anger!

At that moment, Ren, still asleep, felt a sudden weight on his body and a warm, ticklish sensation on his neck. He subconsciously opened his eyes.

And froze.

"???"

Fujiwara?

He looked down and saw the girl curled up on his lap, her body nestled into his arms, and her head resting on his shoulder.

The whole situation made Ren freeze in place.

He shifted his gaze and saw Hayasaka and Kaguya standing there staring at him.

Ren was completely at a loss, pointing at the girl in his lap with his left hand.

"…What's going on?"

Hayasaka, seeing Ren's miserable expression, felt a twinge of sympathy. Sleeping on the sofa was already uncomfortable and now this.

But she was sure Chika didn't do this on purpose. That girl wasn't bold enough especially not in front of her and Kaguya.

So Hayasaka slowly walked over.

"Fujiwara-san seems to have subconsciously sought you out after waking up, Amamiya."

"…"

Ren's mouth twitched. This was indeed unexpected, but Chika was always prone to this kind of behavior at times like these.

Losing control and being tainted by corruption, those weren't experiences normal people could go through.

Chika was just an ordinary girl (kind of). After enduring something like that, it was inevitable that she'd be left with psychological scars.

In that kind of condition, it was normal for her to instinctively seek out a person or place that gave her a sense of security.

This kind of trauma couldn't be healed that easily.

He glanced at Kaguya. Chika's situation could wait—he had more pressing matters to handle with Kaguya.

"Hayasaka, can I trouble you to look after Fujiwara for a bit? I need to speak with Kaguya."

Hayasaka nodded slightly in response.

"Understood."

Ren took a deep breath, carefully lifted Chika off his lap, and gently laid her back down on the bed.

Then Hayasaka climbed onto the bed from the other side, embracing Chika to soothe her.

That finally freed Ren up to turn toward Kaguya.

"Shinomiya, let's talk."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 206: Official

Ren brought Kaguya into the vacant room next door.

After she had calmed down, Ren looked at Kaguya, who was neatly dressed.

"Shinomiya, I've thought carefully about your confession. I can clearly feel your emotions, and I understand how you feel about me. So I think this is something that needs to be addressed properly."

Kaguya naturally understood that as well. Some things had to be made clear.

At this moment, she felt a bit nervous, worried that Ren would try to give a vague or evasive response.

"Actually, at first, I took the whole 'dating' thing Sonoko talked about rather casually. I always thought it was just for fun. But your sudden confession made me realize something was different."

"Originally, I was just a normal reborn person, planning to live an ordinary life—get into a good university, then live as a normal working adult."

"But that opportunity before high school began was a turning point. Then a year later, just over a month ago, I gained enough power to change my fate, and my way of thinking started to shift."

"After I got this power… I also came into contact with you."

"But when I realized it was you two, I felt relieved."

"Sanzenin is still a child, so she doesn't really count. As for you, Shinomiya, you were like a frozen shell. I thought only someone willing to reach out could melt that shell."

"So, back then, I just wanted to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with you."

"In order to gain more, I shared my information, and in return, you maintained a balanced relationship with me after getting those benefits."

That had originally been the ideal state of harmony that Ren wanted.

Because the diaries acted as mutual restraints, and because of them, they could provide each other benefits, allowing a delicate balance to form between everyone involved.

There could be fluctuations from interaction, but Ren had always worked to maintain that balance.

From the start, Ren had never intended to pursue anything beyond interest-based relationships with Kaguya or the others.

Because interests were the easiest thing to balance. But once emotion got involved, it became harder to maintain.

Human feelings were variables. Once emotional factors entered what had been an interest-based relationship, the original balance became unsustainable.

Just like now. What had once looked like a stable relationship completely collapsed in less than a month.

The speed of change in their relationships had far exceeded his expectations.

He had underestimated the ripple effects of the diary.

Kaguya wasn't surprised at all. In fact, she had already guessed this from the start. That was why, in yesterday's confession, she had spoken her mind clearly—because her instincts told her.

"You thought that if you didn't get too close to anyone, it would be easier when it was time to leave, didn't you?"

"…Yeah, I did."

Ren didn't deny it.

"But looking back now, I realize that idea was too naive. I didn't expect things between us to develop so quickly… and that some relationships would deteriorate."

"Even though I haven't changed my desire to travel and explore, some of my ideas have changed."

"I've given up on the idea of keeping my distance from you."

"I guess… some of the things I said back then were right. Our fates really are entangled."

Ren had already come to terms with it.

"I should be the one saying these words. Well… some of it might not come out exactly right."

After taking a breath, Ren extended his right hand toward Kaguya.

"Things around me will only get more complicated. There will probably be more girls involved in the future. Maybe the diary itself is a reflection of my fickleness. Even so, are you still willing to be my girlfriend?"

Without hesitation, Kaguya placed her hand in Ren's.

"Of course I am."

"Even if I still get jealous, considering our situation, I can accept it. What I can't accept… is seeing you leave with someone else hand in hand."

Holding his hand, Kaguya slowly stepped in front of him and leaned gently into his arms.

"Affection doesn't come from spending a long time together."

"Sometimes, all it takes is a moment—but it's precisely because of that moment that I want to make it last longer."

Then she gently bumped her forehead against Ren's chest.

"But jealousy… is a whole other thing."

"So this means… we're dating now, right?"

Kaguya still felt like she was dreaming. She'd suddenly met a boy she admired, appreciated, and liked and now she was dating him.

"That's right."

"…Then I should be the first one, right?"

"…"

The lack of response made Kaguya pause. She slowly looked up and saw Ren's eyes awkwardly shift to the side.

Suzuki Sonoko!

The name popped into her mind immediately.

"Again… Suzuki Sonoko…"

She had been surpassed once before. Now, even though she had confessed first, she was still one step behind Sonoko.

But how had Sonoko suddenly gotten ahead of her?

"…Wait! Sonoko got a diary too?"

The only explanation for Sonoko getting ahead was the diary.

"So, Fujiwara isn't the only one who received a diary this time…"

"…Hayasaka too."

"…What did Hayasaka say to me again?"

"You just woke up."

Ren's words reminded Kaguya that she had been asleep since last night, only waking up just now.

The first thing she did after waking up was go straight to Ren's door. She had only learned about Chika's situation through Hayasaka, and Hayasaka hadn't had the time—or chance—to explain her own.

Kaguya regretted sleeping so long.

Why was she always the one falling behind after waking up?

The thought made her feel a little bitter.

"…Her again. It's always her…"

Ren didn't know how to respond. He had never dated anyone before, let alone dealt with the complexities of dating multiple girls.

"Shinomiya, so… if we're dating, what exactly do we do?"

"Eh?"

Kaguya was stunned by the question. It was her first time dating a guy too. She had no idea what she was supposed to do in a relationship.

But there was one thing she had wanted to do for a long time.

"…Let's change how we address each other first."

(To be continued.)