Chapter 10: A Hand, Touched Where It Shouldn't!
[Saeko Busujima: Cough, cough, perhaps I can explain what a vector is.]
[Saeko Busujima: Simply put, a vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction.]
[Saeko Busujima: As for Vector Manipulation…] She didn't continue, only feeling that her guess was too far-fetched.
[Ren: You guessed correctly. Vector Manipulation means I can arbitrarily manipulate the direction of vectors, thereby manipulating these forces. However, the vectors in this ability have a broad extension. Besides physical vectors like momentum and electromagnetism, it also includes phenomena with defined directions, such as light, radiation, and oxygen.]
[Ren: This is what you'd call Hippo physics; never define it using ordinary physics!]
[Inorin's Note: "Hippo physics" is a fan term referring to the often illogical or reality-bending scientific principles that operate in the world of 'A Certain Magical Index', the series where Vector Manipulation originates.]
[March 7th: Wow… my head is spinning. I recognize the words, but I don't understand a single thing when they're put together.]
[Aqua: This goddess doesn't need to understand; having divine power is enough!]
[Exusiai: I understand. It's amazing. It feels much stronger than Originium Arts.]
[Saeko Busujima: The ability to arbitrarily manipulate vectors… truly incredible.]
[Ren: Haha, no matter how strong an ability is, it needs to be upgraded. Enough talk. I'm in a good mood, I'll send a red packet.]
[Ren sent a doomsday points red packet!]
[Exusiai has claimed it!]
[March 7th has claimed it!]
[Aqua has claimed it!]
[Saeko Busujima has claimed it!]
[March 7th: Wow! I got 100 points! Luckiest! Thank you, boss! Love you!]
[Exusiai: Claimed 80 points, thank you!]
[Aqua: Why am I the lowest again?! Only 50! Has my goddess luck abandoned me?]
[Saeko Busujima: 70 points. Thank you, Ren-kun.]
Ren didn't care. Only 300 points in total. It was nothing.
"Ren, can you hear me?" a clear, anxious call came.
His gaze returned to reality, only to see complete darkness. The lights in the dormitory room had gone out. He instinctively reached out to find the source of the voice, his hand moving through the pitch-black air.
"Ugh!" A small, surprised gasp echoed beside him.
"..." Ren went silent. His hand had landed on something impossibly soft, warm, and distinctly round. He seemed to have touched something he shouldn't have. He quickly retracted his hand as if burned, awkwardly coughing twice into the oppressive silence.
"Ahem, so, what happened?"
After a brief, tense silence, her voice trembled slightly in the darkness. "The zombies outside… they seemed to be making strange noises, so I turned off the light."
Ren groped his way to the window. This time, having confirmed Yukino's position, he didn't grope around anymore. He lifted the blanket a little and gently opened the window. He heard a cacophony of roars.
"Roar!" "Gah-roar!"
Endless, groups of zombies shrieked as if they were on drugs. He quietly closed the window.
"I think it's because of the night; the zombies have become more active. Try not to turn on the lights, so we don't get disturbed. I still want to get a good night's sleep."
"Alright," she replied, her voice small.
The two fell into a silent stillness again. Finally, Ren broke the awkwardness. "Well, how about I go to sleep first?"
"Alright."
Hearing the sound of her standing up, he lay down on his bed. Yukino slept on the bed opposite him.
In the darkness, her small hand gently pressed down on her skirt hem, right where his hand had landed. She pursed her lips. There seemed to be a warm, tingling sensation there still. Coupled with it being the first time sleeping in the same room with a boy, the tension, shyness, and restlessness made her unable to fall asleep.
Ren, on the other hand, had been busy all day and was quite tired. He quickly fell asleep. Hearing his even breathing, Yukino also tried to relax, regulating her own breathing and closing her eyes.
Rustle, rustle. Hearing the movement, she opened her eyes. She saw Ren already up, his upper body bare, doing stretching exercises in the faint morning light. He sat up.
He heard the movement and turned. "Did I wake you?"
"No, I just woke up." As he spoke, he sat opposite her, wiping sweat with a towel. Her gaze fell upon his smooth skin and well-defined muscles. She couldn't quite tear her eyes away. She somewhat understood why girls liked handsome boys with good figures.
"Hmm?" He noticed her gaze.
She quickly averted her eyes, stiffly changing the subject. "Do you have any plans for today?"
"I'm planning to clear out the zombies, but I'm worried about you here."
Feeling his concern, a warmth spread through her heart. "Thank you for your help. I'm only alive because of you. Don't let me be a burden. If I can repay you, I don't care if I die."
[Inorin Note:
If you wish to support me so I can continue to survive and afford proper food, you can join my membership on Patreon [patreon.com/InorinTL]. Be sure to check out "The Founding Pillars"—a special, limited-time tier that offers all the benefits of "The Plot Uncoverer" at a discounted price! Slots are limited, so grab yours before they run out. Besides membership, you can also donate via Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/inorintl].
I hope I am still worthy of your support. My life truly depends on this... haha, I know I'm so shameless.]