Chapter 81 — Something Is Wrong With This World
"…Huh?" Ren froze for a moment.
Tsumiki let out a soft gasp—and then suddenly realized something.
"Senpai… could it be—?" Her pupils shrank.
In the next instant, Tsumiki began struggling violently.
Ren also snapped back to his senses.
He almost threw the girl in his arms away on instinct—only stopping himself at the last second when he remembered she was a weak patient.
"S-sorry, Tsumiki!" he said hurriedly. "Listen, I can explain—"
But before he could finish—
"It's okay," she said softly.
"If it's you, senpai… then whatever you do to me is fine."
She tilted her face up toward him, her star-like eyes half-lidded. Her usually gentle and refined features were now flushed a deep red. She took a slow breath, her expression turning strangely dazed, almost entranced.
"Because… I like you the most, senpai."
—
Ren staggered backward, hitting the bathroom door with a dull thud. In that moment, it felt like all the strength had drained from his body.
He stared blankly at the fluorescent light on the ceiling. The glow seemed to flicker in and out, and his head spun.
His thoughts dissolved into chaos as he struggled to make sense of what had just happened.
Something… is wrong with this world.
He felt as if his entire understanding of reality had just taken a direct hit.
Girls like Maki Zen'in—cold and aloof—and Tsumiki—gentle and refined…
…how is it that each one is more intense than the last?
…Suddenly, as his thoughts teetered on the edge of collapse, Ren noticed something even more unsettling—
Why was Tsumiki suddenly able to stand?
Not only could she stand—she was currently squatting on the ground…
A few days later, on the training ground of Tokyo Jujutsu High.
In recent days, Ren's schedule had proceeded in an orderly routine.
Studying domain expansion, researching his innate technique, refining Reverse Cursed Technique, and continuing to tutor Tsumiki.
Yes—what should have ended a few days ago had instead continued. But this "tutoring"… had started to feel a little different.
Ren looked at the girl standing not far from him, dressed in her school uniform, her gentle features accompanied by a soft, smiling gaze—and his expression stiffened slightly.
Now, Tsumiki had regained the ability to walk. She no longer needed a wheelchair to move around. Though her body was still weak and she remained in the hospital for recovery, she was no longer confined to the ward and could move about freely.
Their relationship…
Of course, it was no longer as awkward as after that first "medical incident."
But somehow, it seemed to have drifted toward another… strange extreme.
Still, that wasn't the focus today.
Ren turned his head and looked toward Megumi, who stood beside her.
Although Ren had made no progress with his domain research lately, thanks to Megumi's wholehearted guidance, he had achieved solid results elsewhere.
And since that progress was largely due to Megumi, it was only right to return the favor.
Ren formed a hand seal—a canine-shaped sign.
"Divine Dog: Totality."
A thick, viscous shadow spread across the ground before him. In the next instant, a massive black-and-white hound leapt out from the darkness, letting out a resounding howl.
"Fushiguro, take a look—what do you think?"
"Divine Dog: Totality?" Megumi's eyes reflected clear surprise.
"Senpai… you've already mastered this technique?"
Then suddenly, his eyelid twitched.
"Senpai… did you… kill one of the Divine Dogs?"
Ren waved his hand dismissively. "I'm not that bloodthirsty."
"Look closer. What's different between this Divine Dog: Totality and yours?"
Megumi raised his gaze, carefully observing the imposing hound before him. The difference became obvious almost instantly.
The Divine Dog summoned by Ren was nearly twice the size of his own.
"…Is it because your cursed energy reserves are higher than mine?"
"No," Ren shook his head.