Kirari's question gave Ren a mont's pause. She had expected him to fall into a contemplative silence before offering a calculated solution, but his actual response caught her completely off guard, sending a tremor through her heart.
After only a brief, stunned silence, Ren spoke, his voice calm and certain. "You are the Matriarch of the Momobami Clan, Kirari. Handle it as you see fit. After all, the woman I know doesn't lose to anyone... except , of course~"
The words struck her, and the tremor in her heart intensified. Kirari reached out, cupping Ren's face in both her hands, a slow, dazzling smile spreading across her lips. "Lucifer was right," she murmured, her voice a low, intimate purr. "You truly are a devilish man, leaving a girl utterly helpless against you. How could I possibly bear the thought of losing when you say things like that...?"
"You really are..." Ren began, but she cut him off.
"You," Kirari said, her smile unwavering but her eyes glinting with a deep seriousness, "are the one prize I would never, ever risk in a gamble. You're the stake I can't afford to lose. Even a madwoman like has sothing she's afraid of."
Ren looked at the genuine light dancing in her smiling eyes and sighed with fond helplessness. "What I ant was, you've really picked up so strange nicknas from Lucifer."
"Oh? I don't think it's strange at all," she countered playfully. "It's the kind of thing you can only say to soone you're close to. But... what if I do lose?"
"First," Ren stated with unwavering confidence, "you won't lose to anyone but . Second, no matter what happens, you can always just co back here."
Kirari's eyes lit up with mischief. "Oh? May I interpret that as an invitation for to move in?"
"That's your own interpretation," he said, though the corner of his mouth twitched. "In any case, there will always be a place for you here whenever you co."
Her playful grin widened. "Then why don't you co to my place instead?"
Ren raised an eyebrow. "Are you offering to be my patron?"
"Hmm? Pfft~" A laugh escaped her. "Hmm~ Are you unwilling? Co on, let big sister take care of you. I have plenty of money~ Pfft~ Haha~ No, that doesn't feel right. Still, if we're talking about moving, it should be moving in with you, shouldn't it? Are you looking forward to it?"
"Not at all."
"Hmm? Really?" she purred, leaning closer.
He let out a long-suffering sigh. "...That was a lie."
"You sighed! You really are a devilish man!"
"You..."
"But I like it," she whispered, her smile triumphant.
While Ren and Kirari were lost in their own world, the gym around them was still buzzing with activity. Soryuin Akemi and the others continued their workouts, with Machio occasionally offering pointers. As for Kasugano Sora, she was an enigma unto herself.
She seed to have reached so kind of breakthrough, finishing her prescribed training routine with surprising speed. After a quick muscle stretch, she migrated over to the climbing machine. She expertly put on her headphones, skillfully queued up a TV show on her phone, and then settled into a steady, almost motionless rhythm on the machine, her eyes glued to the screen.
Sakura Hibiki, in the middle of a set of dumbbell flyes, glanced over at her friend. "Hey, Ayaka, you seem a little out of it today," she said, her voice laced with concern. "Sothing on your mind?"
Kamisato Ayaka set her dumbbells down with a soft thud and sighed. "When I went ho after dinner, I found my sister leading a training session at the dojo. She asked where I'd been, and when I told her... she suggested that maybe Ren-san could co train with us soti. I just... I don't even know how to bring that up..."
Sakura Hibiki nodded in understanding. "Your sister probably wants to et him. Just ntion it to him when you get a chance. Besides, isn't Ren-san's competition coming up soon? That 'Thai God of War' guy is supposed to be there. If he's a mber here, he might show up to train."
Ayaka sighed again, rubbing her temples. "Ah, this is all so complicated. I'm so fed up, my head hurts. Hey, where did Akemi go? Gina! Gina!"
"Hmm? What's up?" Gina called back from across the room.
"Have you seen Akemi?"
"She said she had to pass a ssage to the President and Ren-san. Are you two done with your workout?"
"Nope!" they answered in unison.
anwhile, Soryuin Akemi approached the couple, taking in the sight of Kirari practically glued to Ren's side. 'President Kirari is always like a completely different person around Ren-san,' she thought with an internal sigh.
"Akemi," Ren said, noticing her approach. "Is there sothing you need?"
Soryuin Akemi cleared her throat, snapping to attention. "It's nothing major! My sister just told this morning that she's planning to visit your shop soti soon. I don't really know the details, but she wanted to let you know."
Ren considered this for a mont, then nodded. "Got it. Thanks for the ssage, Akemi. You've finished your main workout, right?"
"Yes!"
"Alright, then. Hit the treadmill. Five kiloters of cardio."
When it ca to training, Soryuin Akemi's energy was boundless. "Yes, sir!" she chirped, imdiately jogging over to the treadmill next to Kasugano Sora and starting her run without a hint of hesitation, her body already thoroughly ward up.
Kasugano Sora turned her head, casting a brief, indifferent glance at the energetically jogging Akemi. She said nothing, turning back to her show. She would absolutely never run like that. While sweating felt good, she much preferred her exercise to be a little less... uncomfortable.
Elsewhere, the streets were exceptionally lively. It wasn't just because the comrcial district was hitting its evening rush, but because of the stunning group of won turning heads with every step: Ichihara Yuko and her companions.
Each of them was incredibly beautiful, with figures that commanded attention and a unique charm that set them apart. It was safe to say that n and won alike couldn't help but stop and stare. More than a few n earned a sharp jab in the ribs from their partners for looking a mont too long.
Courage sighed, observing the effect they were having. "We're certainly drawing a lot of eyes..."
Ichihara Yuko was carrying a large shopping bag overflowing with personal clothing. When Lucifer and the others saw the sheer volu of her purchases, they were all taken aback. Courage stared at the bags, dazed. "Yuko... are you planning on opening your own boutique with all this?"
Sonoko shook her head with a knowing smile. "Judging by her aura, Yuko-san probably doesn't go out shopping very often. I bet she's just stocking up so she's prepared for anything."
Everyone nodded in agreent. Ichihara Yuko looked slightly awkward. "Um... I confess, I rarely wear the sa outfit more than once..."
Her admission shocked them into silence. She quickly cleared her throat, adding, "But, well, it's also because I'm too lazy to go out and buy more."
"Oh~" the others chorused in understanding.
Suddenly, a mischievous glint appeared in Lucifer's eyes. "I never would have guessed," she said, her tone playful. "For soone who's never even been in a relationship, you're surprisingly bold, Yuko."
A faint blush rose on Ichihara Yuko's cheeks, but she recovered instantly, her expression turning coolly casual. "It's called being a mature woman. Besides, aren't you one to talk?"
"Hmm? I think I'm perfectly reasonable," Lucifer replied with an innocent flutter of her eyelashes.
"Lucifer likes little bunnies!" Cerberus suddenly barked from Lucifer's side.
"Cerberus!" Lucifer hissed.
Ichihara Yuko let out a soft, throaty chuckle. "Hoho~ Well now, Lucifer. Who would have thought?"
"That's... that's called having a youthful spirit! It's not what you think!" Lucifer sputtered, her composure cracking. "Anyway! Never mind that! Sonoko, where's that costics store you wanted to go to?"
"It's not far, just up ahead," Sonoko replied, trying to stifle a giggle.
"Hurry, hurry!" Lucifer urged, practically power-walking away from her embarrassnt.
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