SWNOVELXO Chapter 8: 8
Ren stood there, the System's warning echoing in his mind, but his gaze was fixed on Nonko, her alluring form slowly drifting towards the hot spring. His teenage mind, fueled by the sudden influx of power and the tantalizing possibilities of this new world, overruled caution. He had the [Ticket of Relationship], and he intended to use it to its fullest.
He began to formulate his command, carefully, yet with a touch of selfish ambition. First, absolute loyalty. He wouldn't tolerate betrayal, especially not from someone he intended to bring into his inner circle. Second, an open mind regarding other relationships. If he was to truly build a "harem" as per the genre's tropes, he needed a foundation of acceptance. And finally, a deep, singular devotion. He wanted to be the only man she would ever love, in this life and the next. It was selfish, he knew, a possessive desire born from a combination of past insecurities and newfound power, but he wanted to ensure his heart, and his future, were secure.
"I command the Ticket of Relationship to rewrite Nonko Arahabaki's history such that she is fiercely loyal to me, possesses an open mind towards my future relationships, and that I am the sole man she will ever love, now and in all future lives."
As the command solidified in his mind, the [Ticket of Relationship] glowed intensely, then dissolved into pure light that surged towards Nonko. Simultaneously, a familiar, sharp ache erupted in Ren's head, more intense this time, as if his very brain was being rewired. A deluge of new, yet deeply ingrained, memories flooded his consciousness, reshaping his past.
He was a child, perhaps eight years old, playing in a park. A girl, a few years older, with serious, almost stern eyes, sat alone, sketching intently. This was Nonko Arahabaki, much younger, and surprisingly, far more serious than the cheerful, frantic adult he knew. She was a mixed-blood, her spiritual powers growing to the point where the main Yoinozaka House, one of the powerful spiritual families, had adopted her. Her life was rigid, filled with missions and expectations, a stark contrast to his own carefree childhood.
One day, he had approached her, offering her a piece of his candy, a simple act of kindness. Her serious eyes had softened, just for a moment. They began to meet, slipping away from her demanding missions, finding solace in their innocent games. Ren's kindness had pierced her guarded heart, planting a seed of affection that would only grow deeper with time. He was her escape, her only taste of a normal, carefree life.
She knew it was wrong, the seven-year age gap, the forbidden nature of her growing feelings for a normal boy, but she couldn't stop herself. He was the only one who saw her, truly saw her, beyond her spiritual abilities and her family's expectations. He was the only one who made her feel normal.
Then, one day, he told her his family was moving away. Young Nonko tried to be strong, to hold back her tears, but as the small, kind boy she cherished finally left, her resolve shattered. She cried, a torrent of suppressed emotions, and retreated back into her serious, guarded self. But every day, Ren was in her thoughts. Her love for him deepened, becoming an unbreakable vow. She loved him so profoundly that the thought of sharing him, should he find another, was acceptable, as long as his love for her remained. And she swore, with the fierce devotion of her young heart, that she would never love another man, not in this life, nor in any life to come.
The other events of her life, her near assassination by Yoinozaka Jousuke due to her growing reputation and power, and her subsequent rescue by Tenko Genryusai who brought her to Yuragi-sou, still occurred. But the history had subtly adjusted, weaving Ren's presence into the fabric of her past, making her deep, singular love for him the underlying current of her entire life.
The ache in Ren's head subsided, leaving him with a dizzying sense of a past that was both his and entirely new. The power of the Reality Ticket was immense, but it wasn't a direct "poof, you're lovers" button. It had established the foundation, the deep, unwavering emotional connection, the loyalty, the open-mindedness. The actual relationship would still need to unfold, but the groundwork was now irrevocably laid. He understood the System's warning now. It established the conditions for a relationship, not the relationship itself.
He looked up. Nonko, still in her sleepy daze, was just about to step into the hot spring area. He had to act now.
"Nonko-san!" Ren called out, his voice a little louder than he intended, a mix of excitement and trepidation.
Nonko, her eyes still mostly closed, paused, a soft groan escaping her lips. Someone had called her name. She slowly opened her eyes, blinking against the soft morning light. Her gaze, still hazy with sleep, fell upon Ren.
Her eyes widened. The sleepy haze vanished, replaced by an expression of utter shock, then overwhelming joy. Her lips parted, a gasp escaping. "Ren-kun?!" she shrieked, her voice surprisingly loud for someone so recently asleep.
Before Ren could react, Nonko launched herself forward, a blur of white yukata. She enveloped him in a bone-crushing hug, her arms wrapping around him with surprising strength. Ren was strong, yes, but Nonko, a spiritualist from a powerful family, possessed far greater physical might. He felt his ribs protest, his breath leaving his lungs in a sudden whoosh. He couldn't even enjoy the voluptuous softness of her breasts pressed against him; the sheer force of her embrace was too overwhelming.
"Ren-kun! You're here! You're really here!" she sobbed, burying her face into his shoulder, her grip tightening even further.
The world swam before Ren's eyes. The last thing he registered was the feeling of being squeezed beyond his limits, before darkness claimed him. He lost consciousness, collapsing into Nonko's surprisingly powerful, tearful embrace.