The kitten climbed up and gently rubbed Ren's palm. "Meow." (Did you save me?)
"Yes, it's fate that I met you, so I helped you out."
The kitten's eyes widened, and it excitedly waved its front paws. "Meow meow meow!" (I can understand what you're saying; can you understand me?)
Ren nodded, "Yes, I can."
The kitten wagged its tail and tilted its head up. "Meow!" (You're amazing!)
Ren then noticed that the cat's eyes were red. It seemed... somewhat familiar. The kitten's appearance triggered Ren's memories. My Roommate is a Cat? Haru? Looking closely, it really did resemble her.
"Little kitten, do you want to come home with me?"
"Meow?" The kitten tilted its head, expressing confusion.
"It means you'll live at my house from now on, with plenty to eat and drink."
"Meow meow, meow meow meow." (Then what will you eat? You shouldn't just give away your own food; you'll go hungry.) The kitten lectured Ren like a teacher. She had personal experience; Sister Tiger had taught her the same thing back then.
"..." This cat was not only cute, but also caring. Ren was starting to like her. He picked her up in one go. The kitten didn't struggle; she felt this human was very kind and wouldn't harm her.
"Don't worry, I have so much food I can't finish it all; even if you come, you won't finish it."
"Meow." (I see.) The kitten understood, as if after some thought.
"Meow." The kitten nodded. "Meow meow!" (I'll also teach you survival skills.)
She was truly responsible. Ren-kun smiled in response, "Alright."
"However, I think I should give you a name, otherwise it's inconvenient to call you."
The kitten tilted her head again. "Meow? Meow? Meow?" (Name? What's that? Is it delicious?)
He rubbed her fluffy little head and chuckled, "It's not something to eat, it's a form of address."
"For example, my name is Ren. If you call me Ren or Ren-kun, or something like that, I'll respond to you."
"Meow?" (Ren-kun?)
"Uh huh, that's me." The kitten understood; it was similar to how she called Big Sister Tiger.
Ren thought for a moment and felt that she might really be Haru, so he simply said, "How about we call you Haru then?"
"Meow? Meow meow." (Haru? Okay.)
Ren tried, "Haru."
"Meow meow!" Haru responded cheerfully. Suddenly having a name, she also felt a strange, warm sensation.
Ren smiled. It's just... this name reminded him of Haru again. Who exactly was she?
"Meow meow?" Haru thought he was sad and patted him with her small paw.
"Don't worry, I'm not sad, just a little nostalgic."
Emerging from past memories, Ren looked at Haru and had another good idea. "Oh right, Haru, I need your help with something."
"Meow!"
*****
"I'm back, was I not too slow?" Ren walked back to Yukino's side.
Yukino shook her head gently, "No, what did you go to do?"
"Nothing, let's go back." Ren took Yukino's hand and walked back. Under the setting sun, Yukino's face was flushed, but she didn't refuse, even intertwining her fingers with Ren's. In this situation, she didn't notice the bulging part of Ren's jacket.
"Want to come to my place first?" After arriving home, Ren invited her.
"Why?!" Yukino seemed to have thought of something, shy and wary, like a startled kitten with puffed-up fur.
Ren was amused by her, "Don't be so wary, I don't have any improper thoughts; I just want you to sit for a bit at my place."
"..." Yukino was still willing to believe Ren's words. Because he had never lied in front of her. "Alright."
However, she raised her left hand. "Your hand..." Their fingers were still intertwined.
Ren smiled smugly, "Not letting go." Then he directly opened the door, pulling Yukino into the house.
The lights in the room were off. They changed their shoes. Walking from the entrance into the living room, the living room was completely dark.
"Is no one home?" This made Yukino feel confused. Normally, there would always be someone at Ren's house. Either Eriri's family, or Nezuko's family, or Cocolia and Kanae, and occasionally Leone and her group would also be there. Today, there wasn't a single person.
Just as she was about to go and turn on the lights, Ren pulled her back.
Bang!
In an instant, all the lights in the room turned on.
"Boom!" Confetti exploded, scattering flowers over her.
Then Yukino saw Sayuri pushing out a cake. A group of people shouted in the living room. "Happy Birthday, Yukino!"
The members of Night Raid, Eriri, Nezuko's family, Cocolia, Chika, Yuuri, Megumi, Kanae, Kitagawa Marin, Yotsuya Miko, Yui Yuigahama, Fujiwara Chika, Kaguya Shinomiya. It could be said that everyone Yukino had met through Ren was present.
Everyone...
"Yukino, Happy Birthday." Ren unzipped his jacket. Haru's small head peeked out. She curiously looked around, then quickly focused on Yukino. This must be the girl Ren-kun talked about.
"Meow!" (Hello there!)
"This is..." Yukino looked excitedly at the cat.
"This is a birthday present. Your previous apartment didn't allow cats, right? You can have one here."
"I originally wanted to give you something else, but I happened to meet Haru, and I felt that Yukino also really likes cats, so I brought her back."
"Meow." Haru let out a soft meow and jumped into Yukino's arms.
"!!!" Yukino gently held her, stroking Haru's fur.
"Ren-kun..." Her heart was beating very fast. Happy... or rather, feeling blessed.
"Yuki! I have a present for you too!" Yui placed a small gift box in her hand.
"Thank you, Yui."
"Heh heh, Yukino-san, look at my gift." Kaguya pointed with her right hand at a huge box placed in the living room. Kaguya clapped her hands. The box automatically opened, revealing a super-sized Mr. Pan!
Yukino looked gratefully at Kaguya, "Thank you, Kaguya-san." The change in address was a sign of their deepening relationship.
"Kaguya-chan, your gift is way too exaggerated." Fujiwara Chika complained.
Kaguya raised her head, "This is befitting of the Shinomiya name."
Sayuri clapped her hands, a gentle smile on her face. "Everyone, please put your gifts on the sofa first. It's time to blow out the candles."
With a click, the lights turned off again. The candle flames on the cake flickered like tiny stars. Ren personally put the birthday hat on Yukino. Just as Yukino was about to blow out the candles, Eriri quickly stopped her, "Make a wish! Make a wish!" Only then did she remember that she still had to make a wish.
Under the gaze of so many eyes, Yukino nervously closed her eyes and made the wish she most desired at that moment. When she opened her eyes, led by Ren, everyone began to sing the birthday song. Her beautiful eyes sparkled in the candlelight. She blew out the birthday candles!
The singing gradually stopped. The lights came on again. Next was the lively celebration. It was very boisterous, but with Ren there, there was no need to worry about disturbing the neighbors.
*****
This time, the liveliness was truly lively. Too many people. Miko, who was initially nervous, slowly adapted to the atmosphere. The aftermath was truly difficult to clean up. Leone and the others were really drunk this time. They were carried back directly by Akame and the others. Sayuri and Kie cleaned up the mess. Cocolia is a very cultivated and disciplined person and would not get drunk. Although she was once the Great Guardian, she was very skilled at clearing the table. Ren, on the other hand, was responsible for sending Kaguya and the others home one by one. After all, he was the one who called them over, so of course he had to be responsible to the end.
Fujiwara Chika and the others wanted to go back by themselves, not wanting to trouble Ren too much. Ren sternly refused. He picked up Chika and flew directly to her house. It only took a few blinks of an eye to get there. Chika herself hadn't even reacted yet.
"Eh! That fast?"
"How is it? I told you it wouldn't be any trouble." Ren patted her head, "Go back, I'll leave after you go inside."
Chika pouted. For some reason, a faint sense of regret arose in her heart; she hadn't expected to be home in an instant.
"What's wrong?" Seeing Chika motionless, Ren was a little puzzled.
"Um…" Chika lowered her head, twirling her index finger, and asked shyly, "Um, are Nezuko and the others all your girlfriends?"
Ren nodded generously and honestly added, "Yes, Kie, Sayuri, and the others are too."
"!!!" Chika covered her small mouth in disbelief. From their first meeting and introductions today, she knew that Kie, Nezuko, Eriri, and Sayuri were all mothers and daughters.
"That surprised you?" Ren raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"No way!" Fujiwara Chika pouted. Finally, she asked in a voice as small as a mosquito, "Then… I really won't get pregnant with a baby, will I?" She had been agonizing over this question all night after her social demise.
Ren didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and assured her, "Don't worry, nothing will happen, and even if it does, I'll be responsible to the end."
"Mm." Chika nodded blushingly, quickly turned, and ran back. If she stayed any longer, she really felt her brain would burn out.
Ren only relaxed after seeing her enter the house.
Next, he sent Kitagawa Marin home. She kissed him again before parting and said, "Ren-kun, I also hope to have a birthday like that. When it's my birthday, how about we celebrate together?" Ren readily agreed.
Then he sent Miko home. However, as soon as they reached the doorstep, Miko's mother saw them and mistook him for Miko's boyfriend. Miko, blushing, pushed her mother into the house.
Then he sent Megumi home. Megumi was very well-behaved. No need for many words, just a long, deep kiss, and she entered her home.
When sending Yui Yuigahama back, she was different from her cheerful self during the dinner party, becoming silent and taciturn. She hadn't said a single word. As for Yuigahama, Ren didn't know how to comfort her. He could only carefully send her home. Before entering the house, she smiled and bid Ren farewell. Upon returning to her room, she sat down leaning against the door.
"Those are Ren's girlfriends, then…" When she actually saw them, Yuigahama's heart was in turmoil. But when she saw everyone so happy and joyful, she could feel that it was true happiness. "Even Yukino…" Yuigahama lowered her head, feeling very despicable. When she saw Yukino, she had imagined it was herself.
"If Yukino can… then can I also…" A thought emerged in her heart, unable to be erased.
The last one he sent was Kaguya. Due to the special circumstances of her home, he directly sent her to her room.
Ren: "We're here, I'll head back now."
"Mm-hmm." Kaguya, shy from being in her room for the first time, nodded.
Ren left like the wind.
"Eh!" Kaguya, realizing what happened, quickly turned around. But Ren was already gone.
"Wah!" She immediately threw herself onto the bed, angrily slapping it. "Why didn't I make Ren-kun stay just now!"
Last night, she had another growth spurt. The current Kaguya is Ultimate Kaguya. She is a very traditional woman. Coupled with understanding her father's steadfast love for her mother, she was also deeply moved. She had already recognized Ren and would not change her mind. Today, she met many people and roughly analyzed their relationships with Ren. Yet, it still didn't change her mind. Her mind was very clear: she just needed to get along well with them and not cause Ren any trouble. She had completely adopted the mindset of Ren's wife. One could say, she skipped the dating step and jumped directly to marriage and having children.
Love is War? Sorry, it doesn't exist!
"Miss, you're back?" Hayasaka Ai knocked on the door and asked.
Kaguya lifted her head from under the covers. "Mm."
"…" Hayasaka Ai stood in silence at the door. When did the Miss return? Why didn't I notice at all? Also, what did the Miss go out to do today?
Ever since Kaguya became more free, she had understood less and less. Even the search history she saw yesterday left her full of questions. Did the Miss really take that step?
She decided to start her investigation with the Student Council President, Ren.
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[Apologies if this note is disruptive, but it will be present on every bonus chapter. Feel free to skip it if you wish]
Hey everyone, InorinTL here!
Just wanted to share some exciting news: About 12+ hours ago, I actually got my very first Patreon membership! I'm still working on setting up the Patreon page itself, which might take anywhere from 2-3 days at the fastest, or up to 4-7 days at most. But honestly, this has made me incredibly happy and is a massive help with my current financial situation. What's even more surprising is that my first member didn't just join—they chose the most expensive tier, "The Plot Uncoverer"! You can imagine how shocked I was!
Since my Patreon isn't fully ready yet, I want to show my appreciation right away. So, as a bonus, I'll be releasing 5 extra chapters starting now, with one chapter dropping every hour. Get ready for them!
For those wondering about bonus chapters:
The first 25 members who join Patreon will receive bonus chapters here on the platform. The total number of bonus chapters depends on the tier they join:
The Curious Reader: 2 Bonus Chapters
The Dedicated Fan: 3 Bonus Chapters
The Lore Diver: 4 Bonus Chapters
The Plot Uncoverer: 5 Bonus Chapters
Also, I'll be releasing 1 bonus chapter for every 150 Power Stones reached each week.
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