The next few days passed very peacefully. Occasionally, they would chat in the group or inquire about Saeko Busujima's recent situation. According to her, they had already established a base around a villa and built a basic defense line with Rika Minami. With Rika Minami's inclusion, their weapons and overall strength further increased. Their personal safe zone became more secure.
The other three continued to do what they needed to do. The Star Dome Train that March 7th was on was still docked at the Black Tower Space Station. Aqua had already earned a lot of money and started enjoying life. There were significant changes on Exusiai's side, though. The power she displayed greatly shocked Texas and the others. On Ren's side, after acquiring Vector Manipulation, Ren-kun's actions became swift and convenient. He began clearing evil spirits over a large area every day. Within a few days, the evil spirits in this city were all cleared out. He gained 70,000 doomsday points.
At school, the club didn't receive many requests. Today, Ren was preparing to invite two people to join the club, as the club members were not yet full. Ren and Yukino stayed in the classroom. When bored, Ren would help Yukino test and practice her abilities. This allowed Yukino to skillfully use her abilities.
It is worth mentioning that their relationship did not become strained due to that incident. Instead, they got along more harmoniously and naturally after that day, even feeling somewhat intimate. Ren occasionally said funny things, sometimes even making Yukino laugh. It seemed her smiles had unknowingly increased. Perhaps she hadn't even noticed it herself.
*****
During this break, Yukino had just finished practicing her ability.
"Knock, knock!" The clubroom door was knocked on.
Whoosh. The door opened. A pink dumpling rushed in. Yui Yuigahama, full of energy, said, "Yahallo! Ren!"
"Yahallo, Yuihama," Ren said with a smile, waving his hand.
"Hehe." Yui Yuigahama walked in with a silly grin. Yukino, however, had a strange expression. Almost everyone in the class could see it. Every day, the first time they met in the classroom, these two would greet each other in this strange way. Their relationship seemed very good. Many people speculated about their relationship. Yukino was also curious about Ren, this non-ordinary person. What was the reason Yuihama had such a good relationship with him before?
"Megumi, you're here too." Ren suddenly greeted someone behind Yuihama.
"Mm, after all, it was Ren-kun's invitation." A faint voice came from behind Yuihama.
"Ah!!!" Yuihama shuddered all over. She was so scared that she immediately ran behind Ren. She looked at the doorway in horror, her finger trembling as she pointed at Kato Megumi. "You… you… when did you get behind me? You're not a ghost, are you?"
Yukino also frowned, scrutinizing Kato Megumi. If Ren hadn't spoken to her, she wouldn't have noticed Kato Megumi at all. However, Yukino, who had experienced 'big storms,' quickly calmed down and asked Ren, "Are these the two club members you said you were inviting?"
"That's right." Ren introduced the two. "This is Yui Yuigahama from our class, and that one over there is Kato Megumi. She's not a ghost, okay?"
"It's good that she's not a ghost." Yuihama patted her chest in relief. Two more dumplings bounced around.
"Yahallo!" Yui Yuigahama, knowing Kato Megumi wasn't a ghost, immediately greeted her warmly.
"Yahallo." Although it was the same greeting, Kato Megumi's tone was a bit too flat.
Yukino did not learn this special greeting. She simply said, "Hello."
Ren cast a smiling gaze at Megumi. "Megumi, didn't you ask me why I invited you to join the Supernatural Research Club?"
"Mm." Kato Megumi nodded lightly.
"You saw their reactions just now. Your weak presence is a manifestation of the supernatural. Joining us is definitely the right choice."
"But, why can Ren-kun always find me?" Megumi's voice, whether resentful or expressing some other emotion, didn't feel like her usual flat tone. Ren was the first person to spot her at a glance. On the first day of high school, on the way to school, the transparent Megumi was discovered. Since then, the transparent Megumi could not be transparent in front of Ren.
Facing this question, Ren uncharacteristically pinched his chin and fell into thought. After a long time, he finally looked up and answered very seriously, "Because Megumi is a very cute beautiful girl. If I couldn't find you, I'd regret it to death."
"…" Instantly, the three people in the classroom silently stared at Ren.
"A beautiful girl…I feel very ordinary." Kato Megumi slightly lowered her head, preventing anyone from seeing her cheeks.
"Ordinary?" Ren shook his head with a tsk. "Megumi, I think you completely misunderstand your own charm. You are truly beautiful, and I say so, even Jesus would have to admit it!"
"..." The three became even more silent. Where others couldn't see, Kato's earlobes were faintly red.
"Haha, does Ren like girls of Megumi's type?" For some reason, a sour feeling inexplicably rose in Yui Yuigahama's heart. Yui Yuigahama blurted out this question. Realizing the awkwardness of her question, Yui Yuigahama immediately patted her forehead: "I'm sorry, I spoke out of turn."
Ren scrutinized Yui Yuigahama from head to toe.
"Eh! Ren, don't look at me like that!" Under his direct gaze, Yui Yuigahama hugged her chest, turning her body sideways in embarrassment.
"Yui Yuigahama, what you said is wrong. I like beautiful girls. Yui Yuigahama and Yukino are also beautiful girls, and they are also within my hunting range."
"Eh?" Yui Yuigahama's eyes widened in surprise. She inwardly complained that Ren was too much of a playboy. Yet, a subtle, hard-to-detect joy welled up in her heart.