Chapter 83 — Caught in a Dilemma
"Karaoke?"
"To celebrate Tsumiki's discharge, let's go sing our hearts out at karaoke!" Nobara pulled out her small hammer, holding it like a microphone as she pouted and stomped her foot, striking a dramatic singing pose.
"A lively song dedicated to Tsumiki—wishing her full energy from now on!"
Sitting on the table, Megumi scratched his head, clearly reluctant.
"Is that really okay?" he asked hesitantly. "Tsumiki just got discharged. She still needs rest. A place like karaoke is noisy and stuffy…"
And based on what he knew, Tsumiki had always been gentle and quiet—hardly someone suited for loud, chaotic environments.
"I'm fine," Tsumiki said with a slight tilt of her head and a soft smile.
"I've already been discharged. I'm not a patient anymore."
"And why are you looking at me like that, Megumi? Like I'm a stranger."
"I've been cooped up in the hospital for so long… sometimes I want to experience something lively too. It might even be good for a body that's been lying in bed for over a year."
"Exactly!" Nobara chimed in.
"But your health—"
"Don't worry. I've mostly recovered. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been discharged."
"Besides…" Tsumiki turned her head slightly, her smiling eyes landing on Ren. "Even if something happens, I still have my 'attending physician' with me."
"Senpai, you'll come with us, right?"
Ren looked at her—so gentle and composed, completely different from… before—and felt a flicker of unease.
"…Yeah." He quickly pushed those lingering thoughts out of his mind. "I'm fine with it. If you want to go, Tsumiki."
"See? No problem," Nobara said, slinging an arm around Megumi's shoulders and patting him. "Even if she doesn't like the atmosphere, she can step out anytime. And Ren-senpai will be keeping an eye on her the whole time."
"…If the main guest leaves, what kind of welcome party is that?" Megumi shot her an annoyed look. "You just want to go yourself."
"Obviously!" Nobara replied without hesitation. "If you can't enjoy the party you're throwing for someone else, doesn't that make it fake?"
"Anyway, it's settled. Go inform Yuji. Oh, and invite the second-years too—Maki Zen'in, Toge Inumaki, and Panda."
"A welcome party should be lively! Let's go all out!"
—
Tokyo, Ginza. Inside a karaoke room.
Under the spinning glow of colorful disco lights, Nobara stood front and center, gripping the mic and belting out a song with full energy.
Not far from her, Panda clutched another microphone, roaring along enthusiastically while swaying his round body with exaggerated flair. His stage presence rivaled that of any world-class performer Ren had ever seen.
Meanwhile, the others gathered around the table, playing dice games and chatting.
Ren had been completely exiled to a corner of the room.
His face was covered in doodles—someone had drawn a turtle and two little pigs on him with watercolor pens—and he had been banned from participating in the game for three rounds.
His crime?
He had tried to use his Limitless technique to manipulate probability during the dice game.
"Shameless!"
"Despicable!"
The others had immediately pinned him to the ground and gone wild with the markers…
"I'm done playing." Maki Zen'in suddenly stood up from the lively group. "The air in here is too stuffy. I'm going outside for some fresh air. You guys continue."
She walked past Ren expressionlessly. As she passed, her eyes flicked toward him, giving him a cold, meaningful glance.
Ren understood instantly.
Not long after she left, he stood up as well, ready to make an excuse and slip out to meet her—
"Ahem."
A soft cough came from the table.
Ren turned his head. Tsumiki had raised her head, her cheeks faintly flushed.
"Sorry," she said apologetically. "I think I got a bit too excited. I'm feeling a little dizzy."
"What's wrong?" Megumi immediately grew tense, setting aside the dice in his hand.
"I knew it," he muttered, clearly worried. "You just got discharged. You shouldn't have come here."
"No, Megumi," Tsumiki quickly reassured him. "It's not that serious. I'm just having a bit of trouble breathing. I think… I should step outside for some fresh air."
"I'll go with you." Megumi stood up at once.
"No need." She gently pressed him back down. "I'm not a child. I'm just going out for a bit of air. You should stay here and have fun with everyone."
"Oh—and I think your song is up next."
"Huh?" At a time like this, Megumi hardly cared about any song. But just as he was about to follow her—
Nobara suddenly rushed down from the stage and shoved a microphone into his hand.
"Next up: a duet by Megumi and Nobara!" Nobara announced loudly.
"Be honored, kid. I'm graciously singing with you."
"I—" Megumi tried to pull away instinctively.
"Hmm?" Nobara grabbed him firmly, her eyes flashing with killing intent. "What's with that expression?"
"Isn't it an honor to sing with me? Don't be ungrateful!"
Before he could protest further, she dragged him straight onto the stage.
Tsumiki watched her younger brother stand there awkwardly, holding the mic, completely out of his depth—forming a stark contrast to Nobara, who was fully immersed, singing with wild enthusiasm.
After watching for a moment, she turned and walked toward the door.
As she passed Ren, she glanced at his doodled face and couldn't help but laugh softly.
"Senpai," she said, covering her lips, "you actually look kind of cute like this."
Ren looked at her silently.
One of the little pigs on his cheek… was her handiwork.
"Don't worry," she added gently. "Your punishment time will be over soon."
"Later…" She paused, and a subtle glimmer appeared in her gentle eyes. "Let's play together."
Ren's heart skipped.
He watched as Tsumiki's graceful figure disappeared beyond the door—
and his expression instantly turned grave.
Maki had gone left.
Tsumiki had gone right.
So now the question was—
Which way should he go?
The images of a cold, sharp beauty and a gentle, elegant one flashed through his mind in turns, leaving Ren with a splitting headache.
This "happy dilemma" was so intense it felt like it might tear him apart.
Where was that blue-haired cursed spirit right now?
For the first time in his life, Ren desperately wished for its existence.
Come on—hurry up and show up…
Use your technique and split me in half.
No—on second thought, make that three parts.
He could even send one over to Kyoto for Mai Zen'in while he was at it.