"As you can see, the effects of the New Life Candy Tin and the Positive Energy Multifunction Water Kettle can make a person's body become much younger," I continued in an explanatory tone, my voice calm and measured, unhurried, as if every word had been carefully chosen to be easy to understand.
I paused for a moment, letting the sentence settle before continuing. "That is certainly a good thing… but it also has the potential to cause problems if other people see such a drastic and sudden change."
I slowly spun the small ring at the tip of my finger, the motion steady and repetitive, like an unconscious habit. A faint gleam from its surface occasionally reflected the light, subtly drawing attention.
Meanwhile, my gaze shifted between Yaeko and Ito, making sure both of them were truly following my explanation without missing anything.
"Because of that, I created this item as a counterbalance," I added, my tone still light, yet carrying a certainty that left no room for doubt. I lifted the ring slightly, just enough to make my point clear.
"As long as this ring is worn, the user's appearance in the eyes of others will remain the same as their original age before the change," I explained further, keeping my speaking rhythm steady. "Even if their body has actually returned to a younger state, other people will still see them as they were before—with an age that matches their previous condition."
After that, I fell silent. No additional words followed immediately, and the explanation hung in the air, giving them space to understand it in their own way.
For a moment, the atmosphere turned quiet—not an awkward silence, but one filled with thought.
"In that case… I just need to wear this ring, right?" Ito finally spoke, her voice soft yet firm, as if she had already reached a decision after weighing everything in silence.
I had not yet answered when Ito moved. Without waiting for confirmation from me, she immediately took the ring from my hand.
Her movement hesitated at first—her fingers stopping briefly just before touching the ring's surface, as if a faint doubt was holding her back.
However, that hesitation did not last long. With a single breath, Ito continued her movement with greater certainty.
She then carefully put the ring on her pinky finger, adjusting its position slowly, making sure it fit just right—not too loose, but not too tight either.
A moment later, Ito fell silent. Her eyes widened slightly, yet her body remained still, as if she was waiting for something to happen—waiting for a change, whatever form it might take—even if it might not be visible right away.
"Nothing changed?" Yaeko finally asked, her brows slightly furrowed, her gaze sharp as she carefully observed her mother.
Yaeko's eyes moved slowly, tracing every detail on Ito's face, from the lines around her eyes to the corners of her lips, then down to her posture. Nothing escaped her attention. Even her breathing seemed slightly held, as if she was afraid of missing even the smallest change that might appear.
She was searching for something—a sign, a difference, anything that could prove the ring was truly working.
But as far as Yaeko could see, nothing had changed, and in the midst of that intense observation, silence once again enveloped the room.
"That's because the barrier I created is still active throughout this entire apartment unit," I explained slowly, my tone remaining calm and controlled, as if there was nothing to worry about.
"As long as that barrier remains, you can only see Mrs. Ito's true form—the one she has now." My voice sounded steady, without hesitation, as though everything I was explaining had been carefully planned from the very beginning.
"The reason this happens is because this barrier is far stronger than the ring," I continued in the same flat yet clear tone. "The ring's effect is suppressed by the barrier I created, so it cannot function as it should while within this area."
"That's why," I said again, this time a little more softly, "even though Mrs. Ito is wearing that ring, her appearance still looks young."
I briefly directed my gaze toward Mrs. Ito, then returned it to them. "Mrs. Ito doesn't look her actual age, at least while she's within this area."
"However, once you leave this area…" I paused for a moment, making sure their full attention was on me. "Or if I remove this barrier, then the ring's effect will start working normally again."
"Other people will see Mrs. Ito as she was before," I continued, looking at them one by one. "In accordance with her real age, without any change in their eyes."
I tilted my head slightly, my expression still calm, though now there was a seriousness that couldn't be completely hidden. "As if what you're seeing now… never existed."
"I see…" Yaeko nodded slowly, her voice soft, almost like she was murmuring to herself.
Yaeko's expression, which had been tense, gradually softened. Her furrowed brows began to relax, and her shoulders, which had been stiff, slowly lowered.
The tension that had filled the room gradually faded, replaced by a lighter, warmer atmosphere, although a trace of confusion still lingered faintly.
I glanced briefly toward the kitchen, catching the faint aroma of ingredients beginning to drift into the air, a calming blend of scents, before looking back at Ito.
"So… is lunch almost ready?" I asked casually, trying to shift the mood to something simpler.
Ito, who had seemed lost in her own thoughts, looked slightly startled, as if she had just been pulled back into reality.
She quickly lifted her head, her expression turning more alert, though a hint of surprise still remained on her face.
"Ah! That's right," Ito said quickly, her tone slightly hurried, like someone who had just remembered something important. She then turned to Yaeko. "Yaeko, help me prepare the rest."
Ito's movements became faster, her hands beginning to move with well-practiced familiarity—taking ingredients, arranging them, and preparing everything with a neat and efficient rhythm.
That routine seemed to give her a sense of calm, as if the simple activity was enough to settle her previously unsettled mind.
Then Ito looked back at me, a gentle smile returning to her face, this time feeling warmer and full of trust.
"Kenji, could you keep Shoko company while watching television? While we finish preparing lunch?" Ito asked softly.
"Leave it to me," I replied lightly without hesitation, giving a small nod. "Come on, Shoko."
Without saying much, I led Shoko to the living room. She followed with slow steps, slightly hesitant at first, but there was a clear spark in her eyes—a small glimmer that was hard to hide, as if she was looking forward to something enjoyable even without saying it.
I quickly turned on the television, the sound of it powering on breaking the silence for a moment before the image appeared on the screen.
The light from the screen slowly spread, illuminating the room with bright colors that contrasted with the calm atmosphere of the apartment.
I chose a channel that was showing a children's anime—something simple, yet full of color, movement, and cheerful sounds that were easy to enjoy.
As soon as the sound became clear, Shoko's expression changed instantly. Her eyes widened, sparkling with pure enthusiasm, as if she didn't want to miss a single detail on the screen. Her lips parted slightly, then slowly formed a small, sincere smile.
Shoko sat quietly in her place, her body barely moving, yet it was clear that all of her attention was now fully fixed on the screen in front of her. Even the faint sounds from the kitchen in the distance were unable to distract her focus.
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[Note: This novel is updated on every even-numbered date]
[Note: This is my other novel: As the White Spider-Man in Earth-76 with the Spider-Man System]
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