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.)
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