Chapter 51: The Afterglow of Happiness
The next day at noon, Ren awoke from a pleasant dream.
It was the first time he felt such exhilaration upon waking, more satisfying than sleeping in after a month of continuous work followed by a long-awaited break.
And all of this was thanks to the girl beside him, whose eyes were still glistening with tears and whose brows were slightly furrowed.
Hitori was sleeping deeply; the slight frown did not mar her expression of happiness. She clung to Ren's arm with complete trust and dependence, as if she had found a safe harbor to rest in, completely immersed in it.
Seeing this, Ren smiled gently, his heart filled with joy and contentment. Now that he had a luxurious home and his relationship with his girlfriend had reached a new level, he was in the best of moods, feeling as though everything in the world had brightened.
"Mmm~"
As if sharing a telepathic bond, not long after Ren woke up, Hitori slowly opened her eyes as well.
Her eyes were still filled with happiness and shyness, tinged with a hint of lingering pain and fear from the previous night.
"Good morning, Bocchi-chan."
Ren's smile remained unchanged as he greeted Hitori softly. He gently pulled the blanket up to cover her flawless, fair skin, mindful of her shyness.
"Good morning, Ren."
As the haze in her eyes gradually faded, Hitori also revealed a happy smile, holding Ren even tighter.
"Was it not too painful to bear?"
Seeing her reaction, Ren pulled Hitori into his arms and asked gently, holding her as if she were a soft, smooth teddy bear he couldn't bear to let go of.
"No, Ren, I love you~"
Hitori shook her head lightly. After completing her transformation from a girl to a woman, even her personality had changed somewhat. At least in front of Ren, she was no longer too shy to speak. Instead, she blushed and shyly said what she wanted to say, though after speaking, she would still lower her head in embarrassment, as if wanting to bury it in her chest.
"I love you too. Let's do nothing today and just waste time together~"
Hearing this, Ren smiled faintly, holding Hitori close and kissing her forehead gently. He savored her warmth, her scent, and the delicate feel of her body.
"Mmm... Huh?"
At that moment, Hitori wanted nothing more than to hold Ren. She pressed herself even closer against him, but before long, she noticed Ren staring at her with a fierce, almost angry expression.
This made her both shy and afraid. The subtle pain that had been overshadowed by happiness resurfaced, leaving her at a loss.
"Don't mind it. Just holding each other like this is enough."
Naturally, Ren was aware of the changes in his own body. His physique was such that he rarely fell ill and seldom felt fatigue. If he wanted to, he could continue all night without issue. But Hitori was different.
"But won't it be uncomfortable for you?"
Though shy and fearful, Hitori bravely kept her gaze fixed on him. That part of him was not only an integral aspect of Ren but also the source of their growth and transformation.
Efforts in a relationship are mutual, and Hitori wanted to do something for Ren, even though her body still carried deep exhaustion.
"If your body had fully recovered, it would be very uncomfortable. But since you're still tired, Bocchi-chan, it won't be a problem. It's a normal physiological reaction."
Ren wasn't so carried away as to let his still-uncomfortable girlfriend serve him. After pinching Hitori's cheek, he picked her up and carried her toward the small bathroom installed beside the one-way glass.
Hitori was remarkably light—the kind of lightness that didn't match her physique. Perhaps this was why she felt so soft, making it impossible to grow tired of holding or touching her.
Being completely exposed and bathing together posed a significant challenge for Hitori. She felt shy and uncertain, unsure how two people were supposed to bathe together.
Ren didn't know either, so he followed his instincts, clumsily washing each other with Hitori to rinse away the fatigue and traces of pleasure from the previous night. Finally, they settled into the bathtub together, gazing at the riverside scenery outside the window.
"Won't we be seen by others?"
This being her first time bathing in such circumstances, Hitori anxiously covered her chest. From inside the bathroom, she could clearly see the distant view, as if those outside could peer in just as easily.
"Of course not. We're on the thirtieth floor, and this is specially treated one-way glass. People outside will only see what looks like a dark green wall—they can't see us. Even if you lean against the glass, Bocchi-chan, it wouldn't change a thing."
Ren harbored no such worries. The house provided by the system eliminated any privacy concerns, allowing him to bathe boldly by the glass without a second thought.
"I wouldn't lean against the glass..."
Even knowing outsiders couldn't see inside, Hitori had no intention of testing it—the mere thought was too embarrassing.
But Ren thought differently. Although he and Hitori had only crossed into the realm of mature adulthood the previous night, his theoretical knowledge was extensive. Whether Hitori would eventually end up leaning against the glass was ultimately up to him.
However, that scenario wouldn't unfold just yet, as Hitori hadn't fully recovered.
And so, Ren held Hitori by the waist as they bathed together, admiring the breathtaking scenery outside the window. They lingered until Hitori's stomach growled with hunger, prompting them to finally leave the bathtub.
"Ren, I want to see if I can walk on my own."
After drying off, Hitori stopped Ren before he could pick her up again. Being carried everywhere posed a great challenge to her dignity—she was a mature woman now and shouldn't appear so fragile.
"Alright, but don't push yourself."
Ren had no objections, simply supporting Hitori as she attempted to take steps. She discovered she wasn't completely unable to walk, though her movements appeared somewhat stiff and mechanical, occasionally pausing mid-step. Still, she could manage well enough.
Seeing she could walk normally, Ren felt relieved. Hitori might seem delicate, but she was, after all, someone who could wield a guitar. The previous night's activities hadn't affected her too severely.
They walked slowly, passing by the bed where specks of fallen crimson lay uncovered by the thin blanket.
Blushing furiously at the sight, Hitori asked Ren to go to the kitchen first while she stayed behind to deal with traces of their passion from the last night.
Ren smiled, patted Hitori's head, and headed to the kitchen to prepare some food, sparing her further embarrassment.
Later, Hitori stripped the bedsheet, gazing at the scattered blood marks with a mix of happiness and a faint sense of loss. After staring blankly for a while, she took the sheet away to wash it.
Then, she slowly left the bedroom, gazing with curiosity and awe at Ren and her new home, momentarily doubting whether she truly deserved to live in such a luxurious house.
If she wore her tracksuit in this mansion, would laser weapons pop out and eliminate her?
Shock, joy, and unforgettable excitement filled Hitori's heart. Living in such a house made her feel much more confident.
She went to the kitchen and saw Ren's busy figure, which made her heart swell with even greater happiness. She obediently sat at the dining table waiting for Ren, savoring their time alone together.