SWNOVELXO Chapter 7: 7
That night, Ren decided to brave his own room. Now that he possessed a nascent spiritual power, a body that could, in theory, somewhat resist Yuuna's accidental spiritual outbursts, the fear had lessened. Perhaps, he even entertained the thought of a "lucky pervert" scene, a staple of the genre he now found himself in. He laid out his futon, this time closer to Yuuna's, a silent invitation.
The hours ticked by, the soft glow of the moon filtering through the paper screens. Ren lay awake, staring at the ceiling. He wasn't bothered by the proximity of Yuuna, nor was he anxious about what tomorrow might bring. He simply couldn't sleep. His mind was buzzing, replaying the day's events, the revelations, the new memories, the strange power now residing within him.
Unable to find rest, he quietly slipped out of his futon and made his way to the balcony. The night air was cool, carrying the faint scent of the hot spring. He leaned on the railing, gazing at the full moon, a silent, silver disc in the inky sky.
"Can't sleep, Ren-kun?"
Yuuna's ethereal voice, soft and gentle, came from directly behind him. Ren didn't jump. He simply turned his head. She floated there, translucent and serene, her long hair shimmering in the moonlight.
"Yeah," he admitted, a small smile touching his lips. "Too much on my mind, I guess."
Yuuna drifted closer, positioning herself beside him, mirroring his pose as she looked out at the garden. Ren didn't mind her presence. He could feel the distinct coldness emanating from her, a chill that was both otherworldly and strangely comforting. He instinctively reached out, his hand hovering over her shoulder, wanting to offer a gesture of camaraderie. His fingers passed right through her.
Yuuna's eyes widened slightly in surprise at his action, but then a soft smile graced her lips. "This is the first time someone has ever tried to do that."
Ren felt a pang of understanding. He had forgotten. Yuuna, despite her ability to manipulate objects and possess bodies, couldn't actually touch anyone in her ghostly form. She was a presence, a voice, but intangible. "Oh," he mumbled, feeling a little foolish. "Sorry. I just… thought I could."
"It's okay," she said, her voice still soft. "I can move things, but I can't really touch. I don't like possessing people either, it feels… wrong."
They stood in comfortable silence for a few moments, bathed in moonlight. Then, Yuuna spoke again, her voice tinged with a quiet happiness. "I'm really glad you came here, Ren-kun. You're not scared of me, not even a little bit. And you're the first person I've been able to talk to like this, in my room. That's why… I'm really happy right now."
Ren looked at her, truly looked at her, and a wave of genuine emotion washed over him. He thought of his past life, the endless grind, the loneliness, the feeling of being utterly unremarkable. Here, in this strange new world, he was not only alive, but he was important, he had power, and he was making a difference, even if it was just by being present for a lonely ghost.
"No, Yuuna-san," he said, his voice earnest. "I'm more happy that I came here. I'm truly grateful that I came here and met you."
Yuuna's eyes widened, shimmering with unshed tears. She bit her lip, trying to hold them back, her translucent form trembling slightly. "Thank you, Ren-kun," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
They talked for a few more minutes, sharing quiet thoughts under the moon, before the chill of the night air finally prompted them to return to their futons.
Ren woke up first. The morning light was just beginning to peek through the screens. He stretched, feeling surprisingly well-rested. He glanced over at Yuuna's futon. She was still asleep, her body slowly, almost imperceptibly, inching its way towards his empty spot. The "lucky pervert" scene was indeed in progress, but his early awakening had effectively cancelled it. He chuckled softly.
He could go back to sleep, but the thought of earning more tickets spurred him on. He needed to be proactive.
He started his day with purpose. First, he grabbed a broom and systematically swept the fallen leaves from the inn's exterior, carefully piling them for disposal. It was a simple task, but the satisfaction of a clean path was immediate.
Next, he ventured into the kitchen. Chitose was already busy, but Ren offered to help prepare breakfast for the other tenants. He meticulously chopped vegetables, stirred miso soup, and helped plate the various dishes. His 'Real Illusion' power, while not directly used for cooking, made his movements precise and efficient, almost as if he had years of culinary experience.
Finally, after helping make breakfast, he tackled the hot spring area. It was clean, but he knew a thorough scrubbing would qualify. He used a brush to clean the stone edges, ensuring no algae or grime remained. It was physically demanding, especially for a body that was still adapting, but the thought of the Reality Ticket kept him going.
Ding!
[Chore Progress: 3/3]
[Current Activity: Sweeping leaves, assisting with meal preparation, cleaning hot spring. Status: Completed.]
[Congratulations! You have completed your daily chores. One (1) Reality Ticket has been added to your inventory.]
[Daily chore counter has been reset to 0. Next Reality Ticket will require five (5) completed chores.]
Ren checked his inventory. And there it was: [Ticket of Relationship]. His second Reality Ticket, and the one he'd been most curious about. Now, the question was, who would be its first recipient?
As if the universe itself was providing an answer, a figure emerged from one of the hallways, walking with a slow, almost somnambulant gait. Nonko Arahabaki. Her eyes were closed, her expression a mix of sleepy bliss and utter exhaustion. She was dressed only in a thin, loose yukata, which, in her half-asleep state, had slipped open slightly, revealing generous portions of her voluptuous figure. She was clearly heading for the hot spring, muttering something about wanting to just soak and sleep there.
She hadn't noticed Ren, who had a clear, unobstructed view. His teenage perverted mind, long suppressed by the stresses of his previous life, roared to life. The System's warning about unintended consequences flashed in his mind, but it was quickly drowned out by the sight before him.
Nonko…
He made his decision. With a mental command, he activated the [Ticket of Relationship], focusing on the sleepy, curvaceous manga artist.
Ding!
The System window appeared one last time, a final, silent warning.
[Warning: Using 'Ticket of Relationship' on Nonko Arahabaki at this juncture may lead to immediate, intense, and potentially overwhelming romantic developments that could complicate your current objectives. Are you certain?]
Ren's gaze was fixed on Nonko, who was now just a few steps from the bathhouse entrance, still oblivious. His teenage impulses won. He didn't verbally confirm, but his intent was clear.
The System, having given its final warning, simply disappeared, leaving Ren to his choice. It was just an assistant, after all. It wouldn't stop him from making his own decisions, even if they were impulsive and potentially problematic.