Chapter 624: The Tyrant's Eye is the Strongest! So Cool!
"Hmm?" Entering the quiet courtyard of the apartment building, everyone found a person standing by the grass, looking dejected.
"It's that person from earlier today," Kazuho noted. It was Toka. She stood there, hugging her bare arms, staring blankly ahead into the night. A gentle breeze was blowing, making her look frail and lonely.
"You all go back first. I'll go see what's happening," Ren said to the group from Asahigaoka. As neighbors, it was necessary to show some concern.
He walked towards Toka. With a silent wave of his hand, he conjured a soft, warm jacket and gently draped it over her shoulders.
"Hmm?" The sudden warmth made her turn in confusion. Seeing that it was Ren, she was a little surprised. "Ren-san…"
"Don't talk about me," he said, his voice soft. "What's going on with you, standing out here looking so dejected at this hour?"
"…" Toka lowered her head and didn't respond, pulling the jacket tighter around herself.
"Is it about Rikka-chan again?" he prodded gently. "It seems like you're under a lot of burden."
"No… it's not just Rikka's problem. It's my problem," she finally whispered. Perhaps because it was the first time someone was willing to listen without judgment, she subconsciously wanted to confide. She looked up at the gradually rising moon, her eyes distant as if reminiscing.
"Our father passed away, but… Rikka refused to believe it. With various other influences, she developed a… chuunibyou personality. Our mother left us, and now only we live together. But I have my work, and I can't always look after her." She felt a wave of guilt. "That day, she slid down from upstairs on a rope. I got so angry and said those things… Now Rikka doesn't want to see me, and I don't know how to face her…" She had a headache just thinking about it. The relationship between the two sisters had become very tense.
"Sorry," she said, suddenly realizing she had been rambling. "It has nothing to do with you, yet I've been talking to myself too much."
"It's fine. It's not good to keep things bottled up in your heart. It's good to have someone to confide in." Ren chuckled softly. "At least you look a lot more relaxed now."
"…" Toka had to admit that. Speaking out her stress did make her feel much lighter, both physically and mentally.
"Looking at the fatigue around your eyes, you must have been under a lot of stress lately. Why don't you find some time to relax?"
"Relax…" Ever since she had to take care of herself and Rikka, she had forgotten what that even meant.
"Tomorrow is the weekend, and I happen to be taking the children of a friend from Asahigaoka to the zoo. Why don't you and Rikka-chan come along?" he proposed on his own initiative. Of course, getting closer was his straightforward goal.
"This… will it be too much trouble for you all?" To be honest, she was indeed tempted. She also wanted to find an opportunity to mend her relationship with Rikka.
"It's just for fun, what's the trouble? Besides, we're neighbors. You said you don't have time to look after Rikka; you can let her come to my house to play."
"Ah?" Toka instantly became wary. No matter what, he was a male. Letting Rikka go to his house… it was impossible not to be suspicious.
Ren was not surprised. He shrugged. "Don't worry. I also have a mischievous but kind child at home, and I think Rikka might get along with her. We'll go to the zoo together tomorrow, and I'll introduce you. Someone at home is waiting for me. I'll head back first. See you tomorrow morning."
With that said, Ren didn't linger and left. As an experienced ladies' man, he knew that too much lingering would arouse suspicion.
"…" Staring at his retreating figure and touching the warm jacket, a ripple of emotion arose in her heart.
Early the next morning, Renge and the others were already buzzing with excitement. Kanae and the others didn't go. Besides Kaede's group, only Neko went along for the fun.
"Um, we're here," Toka said, arriving with Rikka, who was following behind with her head down, clearly still in low spirits.
"Now that everyone's here, let's go."
"Wow! Long-necked bird!" Renge excitedly pointed at the large bird with a very long neck.
"Renge-chan, that's a coward bird," Natsumi tried to show off her worldly knowledge to Renge.
But Komari mercilessly exposed her. "Idiot Natsumi, it's an ostrich, not a coward bird."
"Huh?" Natsumi pondered, pinching her chin. "But I clearly remember this kind of bird timidly burying its head in the sand."
"…" Komari was momentarily speechless. It seemed there was nothing wrong with that logic.
Hotaru also saw Komari's adorably embarrassed expression, her eyes lighting up as she immediately took out her phone. "Click, click!"
The flash wasn't turned off, and Komari discovered it, frantically covering her face. "Hotaru-chan, what are you doing!"
"Komari-senpai is too cute! I couldn't help but take pictures, hehe."
"Tsk tsk, how childish," Kazuho dismissed their behavior with disdain.
"…" Hearing her murmuring, Hikage rolled her eyes. Kazuho was talking about others, but her own hands were continuously taking burst shots of a cute koala.
They were having a lot of fun. And Rikka, who was originally silent and dejected, also started playing with Neko.
"Neko, the Tyrant's Eye is the strongest! I can form a contract with the demonic beast from the dark chaos ahead!" Rikka struck a very chuunibyou pose, extending her palm towards the tiger behind the tempered glass.
"Wow, so cool!" Because Neko was innocent, she completely believed her chuunibyou remarks. This was the key to them getting along.
But Neko suddenly thought of something and seriously retorted, "But Ren-kun is the strongest!"
"Ren-kun…" Rikka's gaze subconsciously looked towards the boy standing not far away with her sister. Their eyes met, and he gave her a gentle wave.
"…" Rikka hurriedly averted her gaze, a strange heat creeping up her neck, and she didn't dare to look back.
"How about it? They get along very well, don't they?" Ren asked Toka with a smile.
"Yes. It seems I worried too much," she couldn't help but sigh in relief. Seeing that Rikka had made a friend and her mood had improved, she also let go of her worries. She prepared to find an opportunity to have a good talk with her later. "Ren-san, thank you for your suggestion."
"No need for thanks. I was going to take them out to play anyway, right? Kazuho-san."
"?" Kazuho's body trembled. He not only smiled as he asked, but his hand also inadvertently held hers. She wanted to shake it off but didn't want to, and in her hesitation, she missed the opportunity, a silent struggle that Toka saw completely.
"Mm." Kazuho could only turn her face away, her heart pounding, and softly hum in agreement.
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