Starting With The Sefirah Castle In The Anime World-Chapter 236: Why Do You Think I Don’t Know?

It was Friday night, and everyone was getting ready for the hot spring trip to Tochigi Prefecture scheduled for the next morning.

But not everyone was acting the same.

For example, Chika, who once again arrived at Ren's house right on schedule.

"Amamiya, good evening~"

Her greeting came with a warm bear hug.

Ren looked at the increasingly attached Chika and then at Hayasaka, letting out a sigh.

So, you two planned this?

As if she understood the meaning behind his gaze, Hayasaka closed her eyes and lowered her head slightly.

That only made Ren more certain of his suspicion.

They really had discussed it.

Even though he was a little slow to pick up on things at times, the treatment sessions had been moved earlier each of the past five days, and Chika's mental state improved more and more after each visit. By now she had almost no psychological issues left.

If Ren hadn't noticed something was off with that pattern, that would've been more surprising.

Under Ren's touch, Chika had transformed into a spoiled cat, even letting out contented purring sounds.

Then came a sudden knock.

Bang!

A sharp smack landed on Chika's head.

She looked up blankly at Ren, holding her head.

"It hurts! Why'd you hit me?"

"What do you think?"

Ren rolled his eyes in annoyance. But when he saw her rubbing the spot he hit, he thought maybe he went too far, so he gently pushed her hand away and used his spiritual hand to soothe the area.

Feeling the pain fade and comfort setting in, Chika leaned against Ren again.

"You're already fine now, but you still dragged Hayasaka into your scheme."

Enjoying Ren's touch, Chika realized she'd been found out. Still, she smiled.

"So you noticed, huh?"

"What do you think?"

Ren sighed.

"You had a real psychological breakdown on Monday, and your condition clearly improved on Tuesday and Wednesday. I thought I could assess your state a bit earlier, but you started showing up even earlier on Thursday."

"And yesterday? There weren't any symptoms at all, right? But you still came today. You addicted or something?"

Chika nodded with a cheerful smile.

"Well~ I've gotten used to it." freeweɓnøvel.com

"But it's Ren's fault. Your scent is just too comforting. Being next to you feels even better than curling up in a warm blanket."

Ren couldn't help but laugh, though it was more out of helplessness.

He knew exactly why this was happening.

His level of integration with the River of Eternal Darkness was steadily increasing. As this resonance grew stronger, he began to exude certain traits associated with it.

Eternal slumber. Darkness. The end. These were all descriptors of the River of Eternal Darkness.

As the resonance deepened, those characteristics began to subtly manifest in him.

They weren't easily noticeable, but since Chika walked the Spectator pathway, which focused on perception and spirit, it was only natural that she could pick up on those changes more easily.

"I really don't know if I should call you sensitive or just too sharp."

The moment he said that, Chika's eyes lit up with curiosity.

"What? What's that supposed to mean? Are you hiding something?"

Ren tapped her gently on the forehead.

"Rein in your curiosity. The stuff I'm talking about is way beyond just corruption or a loss of control. Don't poke too deep once you step into the path of Sequences. Knowledge is a kind of poison."

Knowledge is a kind of poison.

Chika had heard that phrase from Ren many times before. Even though her curiosity hadn't faded, she knew not to ask further.

"I get why you're doing this. But how did you convince Hayasaka to go along with it? You know she hates betraying Kaguya more than anything. So how'd you win her over?"

Hayasaka tried to turn her head away, lowering her gaze.

That reaction only made Ren more curious. What did Chika do to sway Hayasaka?

Then, Chika answered with a mischievous smile.

"It was actually super simple."

"Hayasaka... likes you."

Hearing that, Ren froze for a second and turned to look at Hayasaka with a knowing look.

Hayasaka nodded helplessly with her head still lowered...

"..."

Seeing her nod, Ren was left speechless.

Chika stared at Ren with disbelief and finally couldn't help blurting out:

"Ren, aren't you surprised?"

"???"

Ren's mind was full of question marks.

He looked over at Hayasaka, who was also staring at him in disbelief. Neither of them had expected such a flat reaction.

At that moment, Ren finally realized—these two really thought he was an idiot.

He took a deep breath.

"Hayasaka, come here."

Startled, Hayasaka stepped forward as ordered.

Bang!

He gave her a solid karate chop to the head.

Hayasaka held her head in pain, staring at him with big, confused eyes like a startled animal.

"You bring Fujiwara here every single day, she stays overnight, and you even let her sleep in my bed. Do you really think I'm stupid? That I wouldn't notice with hints that obvious?"

After lecturing Hayasaka, Ren reached out and grabbed Fujiwara Chika's cheeks with both hands.

"And you, Fujiwara. It's one thing if Hayasaka didn't realize it, but why do you think I wouldn't?"

"Um... Amamiya (my face)..."

Chika's voice came out muffled as she pointed to her pinched cheeks.

Ren let go, and she rubbed her reddened face while glaring at him.

"I always sleep in your arms. How could I see your expressions or actions? You carry me back to my room in the morning, so I never get the chance."

Because she hadn't directly observed anything, she hadn't realized Ren already knew about Hayasaka long ago.

Chika looked up pitifully, hands still on her cheeks.

"I thought you'd treat Kaguya and Sonoko the same way."

Ren was speechless.

"What did Hayasaka even do? She's just like you. You're literally throwing yourself at me. And you expect me not to know what you're thinking?"

"Hayasaka's already lying in my bed. You think I still don't get what she's feeling? Am I supposed to be that dumb?"

(To be continued.)

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