Chapter 4: Mysterious Group
"Isn't... do you really think bowing and apologizing can solve everything? Moreover, what could possibly show more sincerity than money?"
Ren was speechless. He sighed and rubbed his throbbing temple.
After a moment of thought, Ren spoke slowly.
"Hashimoto-san, and everyone, I understand your difficulties. The harm and subsequent impact this accident has caused me, I believe you can see. Thirty million yen in compensation for emotional distress—I don't think that's excessive."
He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over the four beautiful faces before him, trying to catch a hint of emotion but finding nothing.
"Considering that I've already regained consciousness and have a high chance of recovery... twenty-five million yen. That's my bottom line. This amount should greatly alleviate your pressure while also being sufficient to ensure my future recovery and livelihood."
Ren decided to concede a step. He needed the money to secure his life, but he didn't want to strain the relationship too much—after all, pushing things to the extreme never brings any benefit.
However, this figure did not satisfy Ayaka and the other three.
Ayaka said with difficulty, "Twenty-five million? Thank you very much for your concession. But this amount is still... for us..."
"Very challenging..."
"We need some time to gather the funds."
"Indeed."
Each of the four spoke one sentence, maintaining the same stance.
Still not enough?
Ren slightly furrowed his brows.
Was their financial situation really that dire? It didn't make sense.
But the words were already spoken, and he didn't want to change them.
Twenty-five million—that was already his bottom line.
"I'm sorry, Hashimoto-san, this is the lowest amount I can accept."
Ren's tone, though calm, carried an undeniable firmness.
"I also need this money to cope with my future life and potential follow-up treatments. I hope you can understand."
The air in the hospital room froze for a moment.
Ayaka and the other three straightened up, the expressions of apology and pleading on their faces gradually fading, replaced by an almost indifferent calm.
The expressions of the other three also changed in sync—their eyes, the curve of their lips, even the subtle movements of their facial muscles showed an eerie uniformity, as if four faces were being controlled by a single consciousness.
"Amamiya-san."
Ayaka leaned forward slightly, and the other three almost simultaneously adopted the same forward-leaning posture.
The stark white light above stretched and distorted their shadows, the four shadows overlapping and merging on the hospital bed, transforming into a disquieting darkness that completely enveloped Ren's face.
Their breathing rhythms seemed perfectly synchronized as well, the inhaled and exhaled breaths converging into an invisible current, bringing with it an oppressive sense of discomfort.
A cold chill ran down Ren's spine, and his pupils involuntarily contracted.
Ayaka spoke first, her tone turning firm: "We hope you will reconsider the compensation amount. It would be beneficial for both parties."
Yui said gently, "You've just regained consciousness, and your future recovery will require a lot of money and time, won't it? If you agree to reduce the amount now, we can immediately pay a portion in cash to ease your financial situation."
Yua cautioned, "Pursuing legal proceedings would be a significant drain on a patient like yourself. We don't want to see you obtain a court ruling only to face hardship during the lengthy enforcement period."
"After all, the path to recovery is always fraught with uncertainty. If, during the enforcement period, there were an unfortunate relapse—such occurrences are medically common. A quiet rest, free from external stressors, would be the best choice for you."
Kana's gaze swept over the bedside monitor and IV drip before settling on Ren's pale face, her pointed words carrying a threatening undertone.
"So, regarding the compensation amount, we believe a more reasonable figure would be in the best interest of both parties' physical and mental health. Don't you agree?"
The four women subtly formed a semi-circle around him. Though there was no physical contact, their synchronized stares and increasingly firm tone created an inexplicable pressure.
"Tell me, are you threatening me?"
Ren was both angered and amused by these four women.
So this is what they mean by "small courtesies" in Japan?
When apologies and bows don't work, they resort to threats?
"Using polite language while threatening someone? Who the hell are you trying to fool?"
Ren forced a hollow smile and offered a courteous retort.
"Threaten? No, this is merely a friendly reminder."
Ayaka's lips curved slightly upward into a cold smile.
Almost as her words faded, the hospital room lights seemed to flicker faintly.
In the blink of an eye, Ren suddenly saw the whites of their four pairs of eyes expanding at a visible rate. Their dark pupils appeared to shrink, transforming the entire eye sockets into lifeless, pure white orbs!
Four pairs of pure white eyes stared indifferently at him!
Cold, hollow, inhuman!
Extreme terror washed over him like a bucket of ice water, making his scalp crawl!
His blood seemed to freeze, his breath caught in his throat, his heart pounded violently in his chest, and he couldn't even move his fingertips.
The inhuman gaze lasted only a moment.
The next instant, their eyes returned to normal, as if it had all been a trick of the light.
Ayaka raised her hand and casually tucked a strand of short hair behind her ear, her movements natural.
Was it really... just an illusion?
A strong unease rose in Ren's heart.
"We hope to resolve this matter peacefully, Amamiya-san."
Ayaka's voice sounded again.
"Please carefully reconsider our proposal. 10 million in compensation—this would be best for everyone."
"10 million? Are you fucking kidding me?!"
Rising fury instantly overwhelmed his brief unease. Ren spat the words through gritted teeth, his pale, weakened face flushing crimson with anger.
"Don't agree? What a pity. It seems words alone cannot make you understand our perspective."
Ayaka narrowed her eyes slightly, and the other three mirrored the expression. Four beautiful faces simultaneously took on an eerie demeanor.
The four of them parted their lips simultaneously.
In that instant, Ren's breath caught in his throat.
Deep within those four crimson throats, behind rose-colored lips, something seemed to be squirming.
These were definitely not human tongues or tonsils—rather, they were slender, tentacle-like entities writhing within the women's oral cavities, occasionally revealing needle-sharp glints of cold light!
What were those things?!
Intense disgust and terror struck Ren's heart. He wanted to resist but lacked the strength, his exhausted body unable to move, leaving him no choice but to watch in horror as those terrifying things gradually extended toward him.