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Chapter 68
Gilgamesh, told to get lost by Artoria, acted as if he hadn't heard a thing.
He continued looking at her with great happiness, seemingly overjoyed that she was still alive.
But Artoria had absolutely no intention of exchanging pleasantries with him. She walked quickly into the hospital.
Along the way, seeing the civilians injured by the giant eagle, her heart grew heavier and heavier.
When she reached the ward where her colleagues were, she pushed open the door with trepidation.
Inside, she saw many familiar faces.
Some were lying in beds, others sitting at the bedside.
Though all were bandaged, they looked to be in good spirits.
"Liya! You're alive—that's really great! I thought…"
"Where have you been? Why didn't you answer our calls?"
Hearing her colleagues' concerned words, she suddenly felt that everything she had endured was worth it.
…
At this time, Ye Yu had also returned home.
Seeing Ye Yu come back, Ichika immediately rushed over and gave him a big hug.
Even though their relationship had never been explicitly stated, the others weren't fools. Ichika always snuck out, but after so many times, anyone with a brain could figure it out.
Ye Yu gently held Ichika, his right hand continuously stroking her back.
Nearby, Yotsuba watched this scene with a sour feeling in her heart.
Her pitiful eyes revealed a trace of grievance.
Soon night fell. Ye Yu was still lying alone in his bed.
In the other room were Karuizawa Kei and Ichika.
He was thinking about tomorrow's date.
It wasn't with Ichika and the sisters, nor with Kurumi or Ibuki.
It was with Sarashina Ruka—the girl he had booked through the rental girlfriend app.
He remembered from the original work that the reason she fell for Kazuya was quite abstract.
She had congenital heart disease—her heart beat very slowly from birth.
As a child, she couldn't do intense exercise, or she would experience breathing difficulties.
Though the symptoms disappeared as she grew up, she still couldn't feel her heart race like normal people.
Her reason for becoming a rental girlfriend was also bizarre: to simulate dating and experience the feeling of falling in love!
And in the original story, Kazuya won her heart simply by catching her when she fell down the stairs!
Thinking of this, Ye Yu already knew what they should do tomorrow.
While he was lost in thought, he felt a figure sneak quietly into the room.
Then, clumsily, she slipped into his bed.
Through her pajamas, Ye Yu could clearly feel her soft body.
"So late and you're still not sleeping—why did you come here?"
In the moonlight, Ye Yu smiled as he looked at Ichika's perfect face.
Ichika's face flushed slightly, but she directly wrapped her arms around Ye Yu's neck.
What happened during the day had really scared her.
Not only had people come to kidnap her sisters, she had also witnessed a monster eating people.
When she heard that a monster had completely destroyed the police station Ye Yu went to, she felt like her heart was about to stop!
"Today some people came to grab us, but before they could pry the door open, they all mysteriously disappeared. But I saw a monster eat them! That monster was protecting me, right?"
Though it was phrased as a question, Ichika already knew in her heart.
It must have been him!
Ye Yu nodded gently, then looked at Ichika tenderly.
"Are you afraid of me?"
Ichika shook her head, then hugged him even tighter.
It was as if she wanted to merge her body into his.
"I'm not afraid. I feel very safe!"
Of course she was afraid—when she saw that monster devour people, disgust and terror flooded her mind. She felt like she was going to be scared to death.
But who made her such a hopeless romantic?
When she thought Ye Yu might be in danger, all her fear turned into worry for him.
Now that he had returned alive, wasn't that the best thing?
No more words were needed.
She looked at Ye Yu with deep affection, then took the initiative to kiss him…
...
The next morning, Ye Yu thoughtfully prepared breakfast for Karuizawa Kei and Ichika.
Then he made an excuse and left home.
While contacting Ruka on his phone, he headed toward their meeting place.
Sitting lightly in a café, Ye Yu was lost in thought.
Soon he heard the "Welcome" from the door.
A beautiful short-haired black-haired girl slowly walked in.
She wore a striped JK uniform with her signature ribbon on her head.
Ye Yu recognized her instantly—it was Sarashina Ruka!
He waved lightly at her, and Ruka slowly walked over.
"Hello, are you Mr. Ye Yu?"
Ye Yu smiled and nodded.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Sarashina Ruka!"
After Ruka sat down, a brief silence fell between them.
Ye Yu was sizing up Ruka—her beauty was beyond his expectations.
She was completely on par with Ichika, especially those sapphire-like eyes.
Ye Yu felt they almost seemed to glow.
Meanwhile, Ruka was also a little awkward. This was her first day as a rental girlfriend.
She didn't know how to handle this situation yet!
Seeing the client staring at her in a daze, she didn't know what to say.
But she was somewhat relieved—he didn't seem like a weird person.
She had read posts from other rental girlfriends describing strange clients— some were sleazy old men, others perverted scum.
She had already decided that if he was problematic, she would run immediately.
But unexpectedly, her first client seemed pretty decent.
"Sorry—I just got lost in thought when I saw you."
With that, Ye Yu directly handed Ruka three bills.
A rental girlfriend session cost 30,000 yen.
Ruka didn't hesitate and put the money in her small bag.
"It's okay. Where are we going today?"
Ruka's face was expressionless, but her eyes stared straight at Ye Yu.
Though it was all fake, Ruka still cared a little about the content of her first date.
She hoped it wouldn't be something cliché like shopping or watching movies.
"How about we go to the amusement park?"
Ye Yu smiled at Ruka.
Hearing "amusement park," Ruka was slightly stunned.
Because of her heart condition, she had never been to one.
Having her first date there seemed… pretty nice!
"Okay!"
Afterward, the two drank coffee. During this time, Ye Yu took the initiative to chat with Ruka.
But Ruka's responses remained very reserved.
After leaving the café, they took a car to the amusement park.
Seeing the various rides inside, a small smile appeared on Ruka's face.
"Ye Yu, should we ride the Ferris wheel first, or the merry-go-round?"
Ye Yu smiled faintly and pointed to a ride not far away.
"Let's start with the roller coaster!"
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