Rei Ao patiently summarized the situation, and finally turned to the original Rio. "All right, it's time for you to make a decision. If you want her gone, you can confine her inside your body forever so she never reappears."
That was what he meant by "leaving it in her hands." Honestly, Rei Ao was curious to see which path Futaba Rio would choose.
Meanwhile, the outgoing Futaba Rio lowered her head, resigned, awaiting her fate. She assumed the original would make her vanish for good.
Yet to her surprise, the original peered at her for quite a while, then asked in a subdued voice, "Don't you have anything you'd like to say yourself? Like pleading with me not to erase you?"
""
The outgoing version shook her head. With a self-mocking smile, she said, "I'm in no position to demand anything from you; from the moment I was born, my ending was already decided."
She was, after all, a pathological manifestation, destined to disappear into nothingness. She clearly recognized that. Besides, her existence had caused a lot of inconvenience for the originalno way she'd be so easily forgiven.
"Still, before I go, there's just one last thing I'd like"
Hearing that, the original Rio was taken aback to see her "other self" abruptly hug Rei Ao and stand on tiptoe to give him a quick kiss.
The kiss came suddenly and ended just as fast. With a slightly forlorn expression, the "outgoing" Rio murmured, "Rei Ao-kun, thank you for everything you did for me."
Even she had never expected that the first person she met upon appearinga strange man who professed to like her at first sightwould go so far for her on the strength of a simple promise. Even she couldn't remain unmoved.
"But your confession" She paused, blinking back a hint of sadness, then gave a playful smile. "I'm afraid I can't give you an answer. Let's just call that a small thank-you gift for all you've done. Honestly, living for these days as an ordinary person has made me very happy."
Her words made it clear how reluctant she was to leave reality behind, yet she turned decisively to the original. "Go aheadfinish it off, the other me."
She stretched out her right hand as if to welcome her fate, expecting to fade on the spot. But the original just glared at her, cheeks blazing, and barked, "Do you have any idea what you just did?!"
"Mm?"
The outgoing one tilted her head. "I was just thanking Rei Ao-kun."
She didn't see the problem. But the original's shoulders trembled, lip quivering in embarrassment. "But you did it using my body!"
"Uh"
That was when she realized that while they were two separate individuals, her body was effectively a complete "copy" of the original's. So from the original's perspective, seeing someone who looked exactly like her kissing someone else She could imagine how weird that was.
"Cough, sorryI wasn't really thinking that far."
Outgoing Rio rubbed the back of her neck, abashed, but she didn't regret it. It was what she most wanted to do.
""
Faced with the other's apology, the original didn't know what to say. Finally, she muttered, "Fine."
She looked serious: "But from now on, I forbid you from doing weird things in front of meabsolutely forbid it!"
"All right," the other replied. But a second later, she realized something was off.
Wait a minute"from now on?" She widened her eyes at the original. "So you're saying"
The original Rio pushed up her glasses. Calmly, she said, "I won't shut you inside my body forever."
"Heh, so that's your choice," Rei Ao remarked with a satisfied grin.
"Don't act like you know me so well!" she snapped at him, then turned back to the newly overjoyed clone. "Don't think I'm showing you mercy."
"?"
She cleared her throat. "It's just that your existence has plenty of research valuemaybe it'll help me explore quantum fields further."
She really couldn't give up on quantum mechanics.
"And having two of me around might produce some new ideas," she added softly.
In words, that was her logic. But of course, part of it was she couldn't stand by and let a fully self-aware being get erased.
~~~
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Chapter 225: Thoroughly... (Bonus Chapter)
After listening to what Futaba Rio said, the outgoing Futaba Rio froze for a long moment. She never imagined she wouldn't have to disappear.
"Thank you"
Her expression was complicated as she gave a sincere bow.
"Mm."
The original Futaba Rio calmly accepted her thanks.
Afterward, the two locked eyes, then both fell into an awkward silence.
After all, facing an exact copy of oneself made even a normal conversation feel strange.
"So this counts as a happy ending for everyone, right?"
In the end, it was the "outsider," Rei Ao, who spoke up first, breaking their stiff atmosphere, clearly offering congratulations on the current situation.
To him, this was indeed something to celebrate:
Futaba Rio (the original) had gained a new power.
Futaba Rio (the outgoing version) had been granted "human rights."
And Rei Ao had secured two special "goals" he was interested in, having paid no particular cost beyond freely granting his blessing.
You could certainly call that a "win for everyone," a multi-win scenario.
"'Happy ending'"
Futaba Rio's eyes were somewhat distant.
"Because of you, things have gotten complicated."
If Rei Ao hadn't taken it upon himself to give her that power, she most likely wouldn't have been forced to make such a difficult choice. Deciding someone else's fate was hardly something that brought her relief; all she felt was enormous pressure. Her palms were already sweating.
"I said I wouldn't lock her away. So you must take responsibility!"
"Responsibility? Sure, I'd be more than happy to."
Rei Ao had long been preparedand eagerto take responsibility.
"But are the two of you willing?"
He spoke with a slight grin, teasing the potential "double meaning" in her words.
"???"
Realizing they weren't talking about the same thing, Futaba Rio's face reddened, and she hastily clarified:
"Don't misunderstand! I mean responsibility about her identity issue!"
Since the two had decided to live separately for the time being, if people found out about them, it was sure to cause an uproar. The secret had to remain protected. That naturally meant they couldn't live together, nor both appear at school at the same time.
"Then let her stay here." Rei Ao casually suggested. There's that room you've been using, it's perfect."
""
Right in front of her, he was basically giving her room to someone else. That felt a bit off. Yet in the end, she said:
"I'll be heading back today, but in the future we might switch places. We'll share the room, and I can pay rent or something."
"That's fine,"
he agreed without hesitation. It clearly didn't put him at any disadvantage.
Later, Futaba Rio left. She needed to return home for the moment. On her way back, a sudden thought struck her:
"Leaving those two alone together Could something happen?"
She felt a pang of worry.
"In that case, from now on this is your room," Rei Ao said to the other Futaba, the "outgoing" one.
"It used to be Futaba Rio's (the original) room."
But recalling something, he added:
"From here on, I'll call you 'Futaba,' and call her 'Rio,' so it doesn't get confusing."
"Futaba"
She repeated the name softly, eyes lighting up. Even though she too was "Futaba Rio," she was more like a separate, split-off existence. The name "Futaba Rio" in full was never truly hers. Being called simply "Futaba," as if she were recognized independently when she spoke with him, felt comfortingshe actually liked it.
"Mm, I'll go by 'Futaba' from now on."
Futaba smiled sweetly, a slight movement but a very natural, enchanting expression. She looked so lovely Rei Ao couldn't help praising:
"At this moment, Futaba is really captivating."
"Ugh"
Futaba froze. She remembered the reason for her existence: the desire to be noticed. Now it had changedshe only wanted to be noticed by this person. The man who had kept every promise and gifted her a new life.
She couldn't deny that she was now quite taken with Rei Ao. Lips trembling slightly, she mumbled:
"Then can I attract your attention, Rei Ao-kun?"
"Of course."
He answered without hesitation.
"You attracted me from the very first time we met. I like you, Futaba. Will you entrust your future to me?"
He even slipped in a confession right then.
"!!!"
Futaba's heart pounded wildly. Meeting his blazing gaze, her whole body felt faint. She couldn't help nodding. The moment she did, Rei Ao scooped her into his arms. Their gazes locked in a profound warmth as the two drew closer. Futaba closed her eyes, eyelashes quivering, feeling the warmth land on her lips
"Hey, you two"
They hadn't even deepened the exchange before a voice interrupted them: a soft, brooding voice from Sakurajima Mai, who'd apparently finished lecturing Tohru. Being caught so close up, Futaba was embarrassed beyond measure, fleeing Rei Ao's arms:
"II'll go tidy up my room!"
She slammed the door shut.
Leaving Rei Ao and Mai outside, they stared at each other. Mai sighed:
"While I was in there having it out with Tohru, you were out here seducing Futaba Rio?"
"Rei Ao-kun, should I be angry?"
"Angry?"
Rei Ao gave a calm smile, reaching out to wrap an arm around her waist. Though Mai tried to dodge, he just effortlessly held her.
"If Mai's angry, let me make it up to you~ and get rid of that anger."
"Ugh!!"
Meanwhile, the original Futaba Rio, on her way home, suddenly halted.
"Mmph!!"
Some strange tingle, warm and electric, flashed across her lips. She patted them, perplexed.
"Static shock?"
Rio felt puzzled, though she soon brushed it off as trivial and continued on her way.
After some persuasion, Rei Ao had soothed Mai. He also explained Futaba's situation to her.
""
Mai was exasperated. This guy hadn't just set his sights on Futaba Rio but was going after the other "version" of her too. Knowing Rei Ao's nature, he'd be after them both eventually
Mai let out a mental sigh. Tohru, when she learned of it, didn't care at all, so Mai felt she couldn't say much. Since apparently everyone would be "one family" in the end, best to get along well.
So, in a gentle tone, she asked:
"Then do you know what taste of food Futaba might like?"
She planned to help Futaba settle in from the angle of good cooking.
"I'm not sure," Rei Ao said. "We only saw each other a few times before we ended up deciding on our relationshipthat did happen pretty fast."
"You really"
Mai started to protest. Rei Ao preempted her:
"Today, I plan to thoroughly get to know Futaba. Make up for our lack of real communication."
""
Is that how you plan to 'get to know' her? Mai gave him a fierce side-eye, but only said:
"I'll go make dinner."
~~~
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Chapter 226: Teaching, Husband Candidate? (Bonus Chapter)
When dinner was ready, Futaba also emerged from her tightly shut room.
Shyness only lasts a moment; what must be faced still must be faced.
At the dining table, Rei Ao introduced her future "family."
She already knew Sakurajima Mai, but the other three left her shocked, one more than the next: two newly awakened "magical book" girls, and a dragon!
If she herself weren't so unusual, she would have assumed she was dreaming.
Futaba also understood that the kiss earlier signified her relationship with Rei Ao. With nothing held back, Rei Ao told her everythingan absolute trust in her. She felt happy and moved by everyone's acceptance.
Even knowing Rei Ao's tendency to have multiple loves, Futaba didn't mind as much now.
"Please take care of me."
With a deep bow to everyone, Futaba resolved to blend into this family.
"Please take care of me!"
Following her example, Sora also bowed. Ilia sighed.
"Sora, there's no need to be that formal and stiff if we're all family."
"Huh?"
Sora pouted, hands on her hips.
"I was just doing what you taught me. Geezthis is such a pain!"
She hmphed and plopped down to start devouring her meal without caring about "manners" any further.
"Areare they?"
Futaba saw Sora and Ilia seeming to bicker and got worried.
Rei Ao took her hand in reassurance:
"They're not quarreling."
"It's just that Ilia wanted to teach Sora a bit about courtesy and suchbasically she's like a mini-teacher now."
Sora's personality was quite uninhibited, only acting obedient around Rei Ao and the others at home. Toward outsiders, she definitely showed no polite face. So Ilia felt it necessary to guide Sora a bit, hoping she could at least adjust some behaviors for Rei Ao's sake when guests came. But she never forced herSora agreed voluntarily. There had been some progress, but Sora was easily annoyed by it. They all were used to such scenes.
"OhI see"
Futaba breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't want strife arising on her first day joining the family.
Sakurajima Mai nodded as well:
"Ilia's extremely knowledgeable. She's also good at teaching people."
Mai herself had learned things from Iliahow unbelievably knowledgeable she was. Despite not having been in this world long, she knew more than Mai did. Ilia just stayed modest:
"That really isn't anything specialmostly it's from my nature as the magical book 'Ilias's Fragment.' Recording knowledge and using support magic are just fitting for study and teaching."
"Hmm?"
Rei Ao paused in surprise, noticing something: "Using support magic for teaching?"
He suddenly recalled the matter of Kirsu Mafuyu earlier in the day. She had asked him for help with two problem students, Ogata Rizu and Furuhashi Fumino. Rei Ao himself didn't want to waste time teaching. But with Ilia's help, it might be possibleand far more efficient, too. Letting Ilia teach them could also be an excuse for him to stay close at hand.
Once that idea appeared in his head, he couldn't stop thinking about it. After dinner, he left the house.
Where was he going?
Obviously
"Rei Ao-kun, why are you here?"
Dressed casually, Kirsu Mafuyu peered warily through the gap of her half-closed door, looking at him who had rung her bell.
