Kaya looked up at Reno with glimmering eyes, her heart quietly moved by his gentle care. She gave a sweet, obedient nod.
"Next," Reno said, eyes flickering with interest, "let's test limb regeneration."
With a clean swing of the knife, a chicken leg was sliced clean off.
Two seconds of stunned silence—then a piercing squawk.
The poor bird flailed in shock.
Kaya didn't hesitate. Her small hand glowed with a soft white light, hovering over the raw wound.
Nami and Makino's jaws dropped once again, their eyes locked in stupefied awe.
Before their eyes, the exposed muscle at the stump began to wriggle, like it was alive. Slowly, new flesh began to form.
Kaya's delicate face turned bright red from the effort. Sweat beaded on her forehead.
Unlike ordinary wounds, limb regeneration clearly drained more stamina.
Two minutes passed.
A brand new chicken leg—slightly off in color, but fully formed—had grown back.
The chicken blinked, fluttered its wings… and bolted from the kitchen like it had seen a ghost.
That man… is the devil incarnate!
"Hahh… I did it, Reno-nii." Kaya's voice was faint, clearly exhausted.
Reno rushed to catch her as she swayed.
"Well done," he said gently. "Let's get you some rest."
But just as he was about to help her back to bed—
Reno paused, eyes lighting up with inspiration.
Wait… the Healing Fruit can also remove negative effects…
Would fatigue count?
Testing a theory, Reno's palm lit up with radiant white energy, enveloping Kaya in a healing glow.
Unlike Kaya's delicate aura, Reno's light was far broader—stronger.
Kaya blinked in confusion—then gasped as her exhaustion melted away.
She straightened, blinking in wonder.
Her stamina had returned—completely.
Though sweat still clung to her brow, she no longer felt tired.
"How do you feel?" Reno asked, trying to hide the excitement in his voice.
Kaya's eyes sparkled. "I feel… fine. I'm not tired anymore!"
Bingo.
Reno nearly fist-pumped.
Exactly what he'd hoped.
That meant… he could loop this.
Anytime fatigue set in? Just purge it. Repeat endlessly.
Like an infinite energy cheat code.
Wait a second…
A different kind of idea crept into Reno's mind.
If fatigue could be cleared—
Then after every exploration of navigation theory with the girls…
He could just—
Reset.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Until satisfaction.
Every single time before, he'd been forced to stop—not for his own sake, but because the girls ran out of stamina.
But now?
Now he could restore them after each round.
And start again.
No limits. No mercy.
His lips went dry. His gaze drifted toward Kaya, suddenly intense.
I have to test this. I must.
"R-Reno-nii? Are you okay?" Kaya asked, tilting her head.
Reno coughed into his hand, quickly composing himself.
"Kaya," he said seriously, "do you trust me?"
She nodded instantly. "Of course I do!"
"And… if I asked for a favor, would you say no?"
Again, without hesitation—"Never. I'll help you with anything, Reno-nii."
After all, he had saved her life.
How could she ever repay such a debt?
Standing nearby, Nami and Makino exchanged long, knowing glances.
They didn't need words.
They already knew where this was going.
And this time?
They were certain—it was happening for real.
Neither said a word.
Better not to interrupt.
After all, no woman Reno had ever set his sights on had gotten away unscathed.
They weren't about to sabotage his moment.
They didn't want to suffer the consequences.
Reno's heart soared.
She said it herself—"anything."
"And what is it that Reno-nii needs help with?" Kaya asked innocently.
Reno winced dramatically. "Ahh… my leg feels stiff and swollen."
He leaned toward her, grimacing.
"Can you take me to your room and help me treat it?"
Worried, Kaya rushed to support him.
She didn't question it for a second.
She'd already forgotten that Reno also possessed the Healing Fruit's powers.
After waving goodbye to Nami and Makino, Kaya helped him back to her room.
Makino sighed helplessly. "Captain's such a scoundrel… his legs are perfectly fine."
Nami shrugged. "He didn't say which leg."
Makino froze—then turned crimson.
She glanced sideways at Nami.
"You're younger than me… why do you know so much?!"
...
Inside Kaya's room.
The devil finally bared his fangs.
Though Kaya was nervous at first, her trust in Reno won out.
After a brief explanation, Reno officially began instructing her in navigation skills.
Different from his method with Nami, this time he used a gentler style—tailored for Kaya's recovering body.
Even though she was cured, she still lacked a strong constitution.
Reno kept things within her limits—gradually raising the intensity.
But this session wasn't just about Kaya.
It was about testing his theory.
One hour passed.
The first lesson ended. Kaya looked ready to collapse.
Then—
Flash!
White light burst around her. Her stamina returned.
Kaya blinked, bewildered.
She was supposed to be tired…
...
Evening.
When Kaya emerged from the room, clinging gently to Reno's arm—
Nami raised a thumb in admiration.
Message received.
Makino smirked. "Nice sound quality."
Kaya turned red—all the way to her ears.
If there were a crack in the ground, she would've dove in immediately.
Some things…
She just couldn't control.
"…Don't bully Kaya," Reno said with a cough. "She's family now."
"Us? Bully her?" Nami scoffed. "We're the ones who need protection."