The wide gap between the futons seemed to mock Ren's predicament. He could try to stay awake, but exhaustion would eventually claim him, leaving him vulnerable to Yuuna's nocturnal spiritual flailing. He wasn't Kogarashi; he didn't have a body hardened by spiritual attacks. He was just a guy who used to work at a convenience store.
No, I'm not going to be harsh on myself on my first night in a new world, he decided. A third option presented itself, a logical one given his new status. He was the owner of Yuragi-sou. He had access to every unoccupied room. The only reason he was even in Yuuna's haunted room was because she was there.
With a silent, careful movement, Ren slipped out of the room. He padded softly down the hallway, past the closed doors of the other residents, until he found an unoccupied room on the second floor. It was small, simple, but clean. He laid out a futon he found in the closet and quickly drifted off to sleep, the anxieties of his previous life and the strange newness of this one fading into unconsciousness.
Morning light filtered through the paper screens, painting soft patterns on the tatami. Ren stretched, feeling surprisingly refreshed. He returned to his designated room, finding Yuuna still peacefully asleep on her futon, thankfully not sprawled across his now-vacant spot. He grabbed a fresh towel and a change of clothes. A morning shower was a must, even if the thought of cold water sent a shiver down his spine.
Then, he remembered. Hot springs! This wasn't his old apartment with its tiny, often lukewarm shower. This was Yuragi-sou. A wide grin spread across his face. He hadn't been in a proper hot spring in years.
He made his way to the bathhouse, the steam already wafting invitingly from within. As expected, it was exactly as depicted in the anime – spacious, traditional, and filled with the comforting scent of sulfur. He took a thorough shower first, scrubbing away the lingering fatigue, before slowly easing himself into the steaming water. The warmth enveloped him, melting away any remaining tension. He chuckled to himself. No lucky pervert ability here, thankfully. I'm not the protagonist of that story. He could simply enjoy the peaceful soak without fear of accidental encounters.
A short while later, feeling completely revitalized, Ren joined the others for breakfast in the dining area. Chitose, Yaya, and Yuuna were already there, and Sagiri soon joined them, her expression as serious as ever.
"Good morning, Ren-kun!" Chitose greeted warmly.
"Morning!" Yaya chirped.
Yuuna floated beside Yaya, giving Ren a shy wave.
As they ate, the conversation flowed, mostly between Chitose and Yaya. Ren occasionally chimed in, trying to maintain his "normal high schooler" facade. It wasn't long before the topic of Yuuna came up.
"It's still so surprising that Ren-kun can see Yuuna-san so clearly!" Yaya exclaimed, her cat ears twitching.
Sagiri, who had been quietly eating, paused, her chopsticks hovering over her bowl. Her sharp gaze fixed on Ren. "You met Yuuna before you met me?" she asked, a hint of something akin to disappointment in her tone. She had assumed that the moment Ren met Yuuna, he would leave the boarding house by himself and maintain it as an all-girls place. But more than that, a deeper suspicion was forming in her mind. He can see her so clearly, even her true form. And he's not an exorcist or a psychic, nor does he seem to possess any spiritual training.
Sagiri continued to observe Ren, her thoughts racing. He's not a normal human. Or rather, he's a human with a latent spiritual sensitivity. Perhaps he's on the verge of awakening his spiritual powers. She knew how it worked. Spiritual powers weren't always something you were born with, fully formed. Sometimes, they lay dormant within a person, like a seed waiting for the right conditions. Exposure to strong spiritual energy, like the residual power emanating from a powerful ghost like Yuuna, could act as a catalyst. Traumatic experiences, intense emotions, or even prolonged meditation could also trigger an awakening. It was a process where one's spiritual body, usually unseen and unfelt, began to develop and merge with the physical, allowing for perception and manipulation of spiritual energy. If he continues to live here, surrounded by Yuuna's spiritual presence, his powers might fully awaken. He could become a spiritualist, or even an exorcist himself. The thought was both intriguing and a little unsettling to Sagiri.
After breakfast, as Ren was gathering his school bag, Chitose approached him. "Ren-kun, I've already informed the school about your transfer. You'll be attending Yukemuri High School, the same as Sagiri-san."
Ren nodded, "Thank you, Chitose-san."
Sagiri, who was already by the genkan, paused, her back to them. "Don't talk to me at school," she stated, her voice flat and firm. She didn't elaborate, simply stepping into her outdoor shoes.
Ren blinked, a little taken aback, but quickly understood. Sagiri was a serious, no-nonsense person, probably worried about rumors or unwanted attention if she was seen associating too closely with a new male transfer student. He didn't mind. He was the owner of Yuragi-sou now, and Sagiri, despite her stern demeanor, clearly valued her place here, especially for Yuuna's sake and her own personal reasons. He wouldn't jeopardize that.
Sagiri left first, walking at a brisk pace, clearly trying to put distance between them. Ren took his time, securing his bag and mentally preparing for his first day.
Yukemuri High School. The name itself brought a sense of surreal familiarity. He followed the general stream of students, initially getting a little lost in the sprawling campus, but eventually finding his way to the main building by simply following others in the same uniform. He headed for the faculty room, a knot of nerves tightening in his stomach.
"Excuse me," he said to a teacher at a desk. "I'm Shigeno Ren, a new transfer student. I'm looking for my classroom."
A moment later, a woman with a short bob haircut and bangs that completely obscured her eyes approached him. Her posture was slightly hunched, and she seemed to emanate an aura of shyness. Harumu Yumesaki. Ren recognized her instantly from the manga. She was a teacher here, but in reality, a half-succubus who desperately yearned for a peaceful, normal life. Her bangs, he knew, were a deliberate shield, hiding eyes that, if exposed, could inadvertently trigger her succubus powers, which she struggled to control.
"Ah, Shigeno-kun," Harumu-sensei said, her voice soft and a little hesitant. "I'm Harumu Yumesaki. I'll be taking you to your classroom." She gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, and then turned, leading the way.
Ren followed, a strange mix of apprehension and excitement bubbling within him. His new life was truly beginning, and it was already proving to be far more eventful than his old one.