Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Please Serve Me, Ren
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Please serve me, Ren.
The next day.
During the morning hours before Ren arrived at the hospital, I called for a nurse.
"Nurse, could you maybe put a half-cast on my left arm too?"
"Pardon...? Your left arm isn't injured, though?"
Honestly, my right arm—where the ulna had snapped clean in two—didn't even hurt that much anymore.
So of course my left arm was completely fine.
But in the world of rom-coms, there's this special play you can only unlock if the protagonist has casts on both arms.
"Heh heh heh... As if I'd miss out on service play..."
"...?"
Besides, my relationship with Ren right now was the perfect opportunity.
She was overflowing with guilt toward me, so she'd grant any request I made without hesitation... How could I pass this up?
"Ah~ I don't know, Nurse. Anyway, can't you just cast it? Ow, it hurts~ Please~"
I was grinning to myself one second, then suddenly faking illness the next, and the nurse gave me this dumbfounded look.
But what could she do? The patient says he's in pain.
And I'm not just any patient—I'm in the VVIP room personally arranged by the director of Yumekoi Academy, the hospital's top-tier VIP. From the hospital's perspective, slapping a non-covered cast on and charging a few hundred thousand won is pure profit. No reason to refuse.
But the nurse was a bit strict.
"Are you really in pain? The tests showed nothing wrong, but if it's a nerve issue, it could be serious. Talk it over with the doctor first."
Pros are pros, alright.
I ended up sitting down with the doctor who came by on rounds—saving my room for last.
"You want a cast on your left arm too?"
"Yes, Doctor. It's not really pain or anything, but since I'm resting anyway, I just want to take it easy for sure."
"Hmm... Normally we'd avoid casts since they weaken muscles, but you're in such robust physical shape... A few days should be fine. Alright."
Okay.
The nurse, still looking baffled about why I'd want this inconvenience, wrapped the half-cast around my arm. Soon, it hardened with a nice warm sensation.
"Then I'll be going. Rest well."
"Thanks~"
With that, the nurse left, and I was alone in the room again.
Knock knock knock!
Not long after, there was another knock at the door.
Probably Ren, back after morning classes.
"That you, Miss Tsumetai? Come in."
The mood in the room brightened the instant Ren stepped in, lifting my spirits.
This really is like a drug.
"How'd you know it was me?"
She smoothed down her skirt as she entered, straightened her hem, and sat in the chair.
"Just that unique vibe you have, Miss Tsumetai. Like a beauty's aura? Or a nice fragrance?"
"...You're joking again."
It's true, though.
She said that, but she didn't seem upset. No girl hates hearing she's pretty.
She glanced around the room for a moment, then froze when she saw my left arm.
"Huh...? What happened to your left arm all of a sudden?"
Her voice dripped with worry.
"I didn't realize either, but they said breaking open that gym storage door handle strained the bones in this hand too. So for now, both arms are in casts."
"Oh, from back then! A-Are you okay?"
Hearing I'd wrecked my other hand saving her, she shot to her feet and gently touched the cast.
"B-Because of me..."
This inconvenience was nothing if it let me try all sorts of things.
"Being tough is my only redeeming quality. Don't worry."
"Still, if there's anything inconvenient... Just ask me. anything. It's partly my fault you're like this."
Oh ho. Really?
No take-backs on that?
I wanted to jump up and ask if she could handle my sexual needs too, but straight-up asking for a handy is a no-go.
Start with helping me change clothes.
"Then, mind if I ask one favor?"
"Of course."
"Could you help me change my clothes?"
"P-Pardon...?"
She looked like she had no idea what she'd just heard.
"Both my arms are out of commission. At least want to change my top."
"Y-You mean... undress you...?"
She, who rarely ever stutters, stared at me in shock.
"Yeah. It's not a big deal, right? The girls in theater club help the guys change without batting an eye."
"That's theater club! I'm...!"
I know.
Ren's the picture of a perfect virgin—even a unicorn would shed tears of joy.
Anyway, I put on my most pitiful puppy-dog face.
"Got it... I'll change alone then. Might strain my injured hand from the storage door, but I can't trouble you, Miss Tsumetai. I'll manage somehow. Ha ha... Like always."
Ren squeezed her eyes shut, agonizing over it.
Finally, she nodded.
"Fine. But no weird thoughts, okay? This is just helping with changing—nothing romantic or pervy between a guy and girl!"
"Who said anything? Ha ha ha."
She raised her palm like she wanted to swat my arm, then remembered both were casted and yanked it back in panic.
"Hah. Arms out to the sides."
"Yes, Mom."
"Ugh... Honestly...!"
I could feel how close we'd gotten. Back then, she wouldn't react to my teasing like this.
As I smiled softly and spread my arms, Ren started unbuttoning my gown with trembling hands.
Ooh... Feast your eyes.
Feast your eyes on my body!
This is the body I honed protecting you!!
I flexed to show off my hard-earned muscles, but Ren's face somehow stiffened more.
What's wrong?
Not into muscles?
"Your body's... a mess."
Ah, the scars. Fighting those yakuza left scratches all over.
"This is nothing."
"Nothing...?!"
She stared at the floor, eyes brimming like they might burst any second.
She must feel guilty realizing I'd handled everything alone until it got this bad. Not just failing to support me, but branding me a sex offender.
As I opened my mouth to say "Don't worry too much," she spoke first.
"How are you so strong, Yuu?"
"Me? I work out hard—"
"No, not physically. Mentally strong."
Mental strength, huh.
Yeah, any normal guy might've offed himself facing what I've endured.
Yet I could still smile because—
"Thanks to you, Miss Tsumetai."
"Huh?"
"You're the reason I could endure it all."
"What? I only made things worse for you—!"
"That doesn't matter."
I gently took her hand.
"...Eek!?"
"I heard somewhere once."
Our eyes met—hers startled, mine steady.
Like the day we first met.
Like the day I fell for her.
"Even if you lose your grip in the dark, just knowing that hand is still there makes nothing scary."
Ren's lashes fluttered like butterfly wings.
"Get what I mean?"
"..."
The silence was calm, but my heart raced.
Her gaze drifted quietly to where our hands touched, then slowly rose again.
She's looking at me.
Afternoon light filtered dimly through the room, sunlight from the window softly caressing her neck and jawline.
Her expression stayed composed, but her pale skin flushed red without warning—ears to cheeks. She was incredibly embarrassed.
Yet
She kept looking at me.
Didn't break eye contact.
What was she searching for in me?
Didn't matter. It was good.
Those deep black eyes drew me in, beautiful for no reason.
Ren's eyes really are special.
"Yuu... Thank you. So much. I'll repay you somehow. I really will, no matter what."
She squeezed my hand softly, her gratitude sincere.
Did our true feelings connect?
The system message I'd been waiting for popped up.
[Heroine Status]
...
...
Reliance Stage 3...!
That's the level even childhood friends rarely hit!
A bond forged over a decade or more for others.
The point where I could confess anytime and she'd say yes.
Put another way, it's the top stage without dating.
Perfect. With this... I can steer Ren away from the other endings for sure.
Tension melted away, strength draining from my body.
"Hep!? Y-Yuu! You okay?"
She looked up at me worriedly as I wobbled a bit.
"I'm fine. Just a little tired. No worries."
She bit her lip, bowed her head, and mumbled something.
"Always so considerate even when you're hurting... Over and over... Of course it feels weird..."
Her voice cracked with tears.
"What was that?"
I'd heard it all but pretended not to.
Flinch.
"N-Nothing!"
Too cute.
A few seconds later, realizing she was holding hands with a half-naked guy, Ren jolted back.
Thud-!
In her fluster, she knocked over the water bottle on the table.
"Eek!?"
"Oops."
Her skirt hem soaked through.
Drip... Drip...
Water droplets sparkling in the sunlight as they fell...
"Ha ha."
"W-Why are you laughing? Was I that stupid?"
"No. Just reminded me of a scene."
"...?"
Ren tilted her head at my cryptic reply as she frantically grabbed tissues to dab her skirt. If we ever get close enough to share all truths...
Could I tell her my secret then?
"Ahem! I-I'm gonna grab a drink from the vending machine."
Face still flushed, she fanned herself lightly.
Wanting to air out that intimate, delicate mood from moments ago.
"Sure. Be careful~"
"...Yeah."
But as she left the room, a new system message appeared—one I'd never seen before.
[New Objective]
📍 Awaken one of Tsumetai Ren's H Stats before the first semester ends.
⏰ Time Limit: End of 1st Semester
💥 Failure: Scenario Route B
Failure sends you to Route B, so this must be the major ending branch quest.
I dodged the worst—netorare A ending—but I can't let my guard down without knowing what this insane world's second ending is.
Might as well nail it and avoid that ominous 'B Ending' too.
...Awaken an H Stat, though?
In-game, you never get to sex and lose the girl, so I'd never actually viewed them.
'Open H Status'
Five in total, huh.
From all my eroge experience, the awakening conditions for those five were obvious without looking.
The one to awaken in our Ren...
Yeah. That one.