Chapter 382: The Distinction of Feelings and a Language of Cake
Kurayoshi Rino had finished her meal with a speed that spoke of a singular focus. Now, she simply sat, her hands clasped in her lap, her gaze fixed on Ren with an intensity that was almost unnerving. Ren, however, remained unperturbed, maintaining the steady, unhurried rhythm of his meal, seemingly oblivious to the weight of her stare.
When he finally set down his utensils, Rino leaned forward, her expression a mixture of anxiety and desperate hope.
Ren let out a soft, weary sigh. "Miss Kurayoshi, you already know that I am aware of the situation. Why do you feel the need to state it again?"
"Because I want you to know my attitude!" she blurted out, her voice tight with emotion.
"What attitude?" Ren asked calmly. "That you have no real connection to those Combatants? I am already perfectly clear on that matter."
Rino froze for a second before the words tumbled out in a rush. "Then… then why?! Why won't you accept me?! You know I'm so—"
"You have yet to untangle the threads of affection, love, dependency, and simple expectation," Ren interrupted, his voice gentle but firm. "They are all knotted together inside you. This is something you must carefully consider for yourself… In a way, you and Miss Hiyama are very similar."
A sudden, brilliant smile bloomed on Kurayoshi Rino's face, chasing away the desperation. "Is that so? Then, if I can distinguish between them? If I can prove that what I feel is genuine, and not just some so-called expectation born from you being different from everyone else… then it's alright?"
Ren paused, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, before a small smile touched his lips. He shook his head slightly. "If you can truly distinguish them, you will understand what I want you to understand. For now, let's just say there are no major problems."
As he spoke, he rose from his seat. "The bill has been paid. Miss Hiyama, remember my words. In some respects, Miss Kurayoshi…"
At that moment, Rino's bright smile widened. "Ren, as a little encouragement, could you perhaps change how you address me?"
Ren looked at her for a moment, then turned his gaze to her friend. "Miss Hiyama, in her own way, Miss Rino is still quite reliable. Well then… have a safe trip home. Goodbye."
With that, he departed with Sōryūin Shion and the others, leaving the two girls alone at the table.
Hiyama Shunka turned to her friend, her voice soft with concern. "Rino… are you okay?"
"He… he finally called me by my name!" Rino whispered, her hands flying to her cheeks, her eyes sparkling with pure elation. "Shunka, he called me Rino!"
"Uh… yes, he did!" Shunka confirmed, a little taken aback by the sudden shift in mood.
"This is wonderful… Shunka! Come out with me tomorrow!" Rino declared, grabbing her friend's hands.
"Where are we going?"
"I don't know yet! To all the places where couples gather. I… I need to do some research. I want to understand what this feeling is… what this joy I just felt truly means."
"Hmm… Rino," Shunka began hesitantly. "I feel…"
"Feel what?"
"I feel like your feelings for Mr. Ren are a little… twisted," she said carefully. "But Rino, you helped me. So I'll stay with you."
"Mhm! Shunka, let's go back, too."
After the two had left, Inui Hinako, who had been observing from a distance, sighed as she cleared a nearby table. "Love really is far too complicated. It seems only that woman fails to recognize her own pathological possessiveness and psychological dependence on Shopkeeper Ren… It just goes to show how incredible he really is."
"Chef Inui! New order!"
"Coming!"
While Ren and his group were heading home, a rather surreal scene was playing out in a quaint cake shop across town. To put it simply, three beautiful women were watching two other beautiful women devour an astonishing amount of cake. They had been at it for an hour.
These were, of course, the five members of the WGO. The ones engaged in the pastry massacre were Nakiri Mana and Lanterby.
Courage swallowed nervously. "La-Lady Mana! Please eat a little slower! Eating so fast isn't good for your health!"
"Mmmph mmm mmmph?" Mana replied, her cheeks full.
Courage froze, blinked, and then looked at Anne with a helpless expression. "Um… Anne… What did Lady Mana just say?"
A muscle twitched in Anne's cheek. "Lady Mana asks if you are underestimating the capacity of her stomach."
Nakiri Mana nodded emphatically and continued to mumble through a mouthful of strawberry shortcake. "Mmmph mmm mmmph mmm mmmph!"
Decora glanced at Anne, who sighed again. "Lady Mana says she's starving. She claims Shopkeeper Ren only made a tiny portion of dessert, and that she should have known better than to drink that yogurt."
Mana finally managed to swallow the large bite. "Phew~ Anne! Excellent translation!" she exclaimed, taking a deep breath. "I haven't had a proper meal in days. It's been nothing but yogurt and fruit, which basically turns into a fruit salad. The more I eat, the hungrier I get!"
Courage offered a weak smile. "Lady Mana, Ren did say not to eat too much all at once."
Mana sighed dramatically. "But I have to get full first! Besides, I've only eaten three cakes, I'm just chewing slowly! But… Courage, that way you address him… have you succeeded?"
Decora and Lanterby both paused, their forks hovering mid-air, and looked over. A warm blush crept up Courage's neck. "Mhm… Soon, I think. But Ren should be aware of it, at least a little."
"So, what was his reaction?" Decora pressed, leaning forward with undisguised curiosity.
"The same as always, ah… just like with Lucifer and the others. In short, he's… very good to me. And very considerate. His daily life is also very interesting. It's a very peaceful but fulfilling existence."
Decora covered her face with her hands. "Why do I feel like I just got served a massive plate of public affection? Lady Mana! Where are we heading next? The resort or Totsuki?"
Nakiri Mana tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I want to go back to Totsuki, but Father said I shouldn't return just yet. He said that since we just confirmed the move, there's a lot to do, and I won't be able to settle down properly. Also, my God Tongue has flared up again and needs to be brought back under control, and the practical training is about to start… so he forbade me from going back. He told me to wait for that girl, Erina, at the shop and clarify… ahem!"
"Eh? Clarify what?" Courage asked, her head tilted in confusion.
"Nothing important. So, we're going to the resort, then Misty House, and then… there are so many places. We need to hurry."
"Eh? What's wrong with all of you?"
Courage buried her face in her hands. "Lady Mana! That sounds exhausting! Can we please just do our business during the day and then go back to the shop to tally everything at night?"
"That was my plan all along," Mana said with a slight smirk.
"Yay!" came the synchronized cheer from Courage, Anne, and Decora.
"Mmmph mmm mmmph!" came the muffled agreement from Lanterby.
Nakiri Mana stretched languidly in her seat. "What was that dessert Shopkeeper Ren made, anyway? It was so delicious."
"I have no idea," Courage admitted. "After all, when I was bored and looked up some recipes, I realized that the dishes I usually eat from him aren't even the tip of the iceberg. Ren is truly amazing… But it's a pity you can't see Fuji Yumiko and Jinx."
"Eh? Yuko and Jinx went back home for something? What a shame… We had such a good time on our video chat before. Oh well, we'll see them again soon enough. Lanterby, eat up, we have to go!"
"Oh! Can I have something to drink? I'm choking…" Lanterby gasped, patting her chest.
"You're so hopeless!" the other four chorused in perfect unison.
"Hey! How can you all say that!"
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