In the end, Kaito had to use methods that were half-persuasive and half-deceptive, even swearing that he would not let himself be seduced by "wild women" before he could get those three great deities out of the hospital room.
"Bang"
The door closed, and the world returned to silence.
But Kaito knew that something was completely different from yesterday.
He could clearly feel a slight but incredibly firm tug, full of dependence, coming from the hem of his clothes behind him.
He did not turn around immediately, fearful that his movement might startle that little snail that had just bravely extended its antennae.
He simply used the softest and gentlest voice he could muster and said quietly:
"It's okay now"
"I'm here"
Then, slowly and cautiously, he reached back, fumbling until he gently and carefully covered the small, cold hand pulling at his hem.
This time, she did not shrink away as if she had received an electric shock.
She only trembled slightly, then allowed his warm palm to wrap around her cold fingertips.
This was the first time Kaito managed to establish prolonged physical contact with her, which she accepted.
A warm current ran through Kaito's heart.
He knew the opportunity had arrived.
He chose not to use a "utilitarian" method like a massage.
Instead, he turned his hand, gently and completely holding her small one, and then, with a tone of voice that revealed a secret, he began to tell her his story sweetly.
"Actually... I think I can understand how you feel"
He looked at the white wall in front of him, his gaze distant, as if remembering things from another world.
"Before coming here, I was also... always alone"
"In a huge, prosperous, and bustling city, I went to work alone, came home alone, and ate alone; there were so many people around me, but I felt like the whole world had nothing to do with me"
"Sometimes, walking through the crowd, I suddenly felt that even if I disappeared the next moment, probably no one would notice"
"So, I probably understand... living in your own world, although lonely, at least it's safe, because no one will hurt you again"
He could feel that the small, cold hand he was holding no longer trembled.
Her body was no longer as tense as a stone.
Kaito took the opportunity to guide her with extremely gentle force, helping her sit by the bed.
Then, he knelt before her, his gaze fixed on her eyes, which were still somewhat absent.
He gently placed her legs, stiff from long inactivity, over his knees.
"Let me help you untangle those 'thorns' that bind you, just a little, alright?"
This time, he activated the strongest skill he obtained after the system update.
[Advanced Massage Technique · Spiritual Resonance]
The moment Kaito's hands touched her calves, his consciousness seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, falling instantly into a completely different world.
It was a dark and desolate world shrouded in a thick mist.
The ground was covered with the sharp thorns he had seen before in the drawing, intertwined to form a huge and impenetrable cage.
And in the very center of the cage, that lonely and gaunt horse was curled up, lifeless.
This was her heart... Kaito did not touch the thorns.
He simply transformed his "consciousness" into a small humanoid figure that glowed softly.
He walked through that desolate wasteland and then stopped not far from the thorny cage.
He extended his hand and, on the gray and withered earth, with all his tenderness and goodwill, he planted a small golden sapling that emitted a warm glow.
...
In the real world.
Manhattan Cafe, who was sitting motionless like a doll, suddenly had her long eyelashes tremble violently.
A clear tear slid silently from the corner of her eye.
She slowly lowered her head, looking at the man who was kneeling in front of her, massaging her legs with seriousness and delicacy.
His head was bowed, his expression concentrated and reverent, and a fine bead of sweat was forming on his forehead.
His eyes were as sweet as a clear lake.
In her eyes, that void of dead water, for the first time, recovered a trace of clarity and spirit.
She looked at him.
Her lips trembled slightly, as if she were using all her strength to pronounce a syllable she had long forgotten.
Finally, with a voice so weak it was almost inaudible, but incredibly clear, with a hint of rawness and hoarseness, she softly and completely uttered three words.
"Thank you..."
[Ding! A miracle has occurred!]
[Congratulations, Host!]
[The target's self-imposed trust barrier, [Manhattan Cafe], has completely melted!]
[Trust level... MAXIMUM!]
[Target completely healed!]
[Physical and mental state evaluation: Perfect!]
The system prompt arrived as expected, but Kaito no longer cared.
He raised his gaze, met the clear eyes that finally reflected his own image, and showed a smile brighter and warmer than the sun.
And at this moment.
Outside the hospital room.
The trio, who were pressing silently against the door, trying to eavesdrop, instantly had their expressions turn incredibly vivid after clearly hearing that tearful and grateful "Thank you."
Gold City's pork cutlet rice crunched in her hand.
A crack appeared in TM Opera O's perfect professional smile.
Agnes Tachyon's glasses reflected a cold and dangerous glint full of "desire for research."
A new storm, even more terrifying, was brewing outside the door...
...
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