ERA Calendar: 2nd Month of the Year 3115.
Southern Hemisphere.
Southern Helia.
Yosen High.
1:07 AM.
Resting on the bed in an attempt to sleep.
"..."
Sure enough, it no longer worked. Even in class, it had been the same.
He cursed [Nightmare].
Since he was already used to this routine, he was doing everything subconsciously.
But now it will no longer work. Not when it felt like he now knew how the ability worked.
He could also come up with one or two hypotheses as to why he'd originally experience the loops.
But now, while that's not the case, and now that he looked at it—
Glancing over at the nurse seated, tucked at her table side, he focused his [vision] on her.
He had tried this with most people on his way to school, and he had noticed something.
Most people definitely had colors—not around them, but inside them.
Small, like a pebble, but undeniably present.
Other than that, colors were what differentiated them.
For some, their color was green, for others, blue, and so on.
He suspected it was because they were ordinary, not awakened.
Now, looking over at the woman seated at her desk, he furrowed his eyebrows.
She was just like the others, but her color was green—yet oddly mixed with gold.
It was unlike any color he'd seen, as most followed the colors on the visible spectrum.
'She's different, alright.'
But since he was mostly clueless about the world of Limit Breakers, he couldn't quite place what made her so.
Yet, he knew she was different.
However, there was one more thing he wanted to check.
"..."
'Her lifespan has reduced significantly. This woman… she'll die tonight.'
He thought this almost indifferently, resting his chin on his hand atop the bed.
After a minute or two of silence, he finally spoke.
"Do you have any plans for later?"
Ren asked, keeping a level gaze on her.
"...? It seems you no longer want to sleep. How about I send you out?"
"I'm asking because it's the first time I've seen that outfit on you."
She shot him a questioning yet slightly judging gaze when she initially had heard him say so.
Perhaps she thought Ren was going to hit on her.
However, the male in question had no such intentions.
At the very least, he figured he should try to help her since she had been generous enough to let him use this place.
More so, if he allowed her to die and a new nurse replaced her, he couldn't be sure they'd be as accommodating as her.
Hence, out of these reasons, he decided to keep an eye on her for now.
As for who could be targeting her, all signs pointed toward the Order.
Since he was planning on intervening with their affairs, he could more or less use her as bait if her reduced lifespan is related to what would happen tonight.
"Why do you want to know? What are you, my boyfriend?"
Of course, her response was laced with sarcasm, naturally assuming a student—let alone someone younger—had no business asking such a question.
Perhaps, she would have but it in a better way, but there was just no way.
"Is that so? Forget I asked."
Saying that, he lay back down on the bed, closing his eyes to enjoy the fresh breeze.
His spot was naturally close to the window, a place where a gentle breeze always flowed through.
As he did this, she winced. Seeing him dismiss her so indifferently left her—irritated?
No, not quite.
It was something closer to… disappointment? Which was ridiculous. Why would she care?
Naturally, she was used to the constant flirtations thrown her way.
She had been dealing with them for a long time.
But this was the first time someone had cut her off so bluntly.
No, it wasn't just that.
She already knew how straightforward and unbothered he naturally was.
Perhaps she was just caught off guard, thinking he had an interest in her, only to realize she might have been wrong.
With all this, she realized she had been in the wrong to instantly jump into conclusions like that.
"Haah. I have an appointment with someone I'd rather not meet tonight."
Hearing that, Ren hummed before asking, still lying on the bed.
"Then?"
"I was forced. My parents keep nagging me that I'm close to 'that' age."
He could now more or less understand.
A blind date.
The final boss of parents who want their child to get married.
A situation where they pair you up with either someone you know or don't.
In most cases, they'd pair you up with someone influential, especially if their daughter was beautiful.
"I can see why you look so bothered."
"Oh?"
She raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into an 'O' as she stared at the half-asleep student.
This student… could it be…
Not to brag, but she considered herself quite the beauty—especially in this outfit she was wearing now.
Yet, he seemed completely uninterested.
She wanted to test it.
"Stella."
"Huh?"
"Be my fiancé. After meeting with the one scheduled for tonight, I'll make plans for us to go on a date."
"Hah?"
Hearing that, Ren sat upright, annoyance written all over his face. His expression seemed to say, 'What is this woman on?'
"Of course, I mean temporary. It's no problem, right?"
"It is. A massive problem for me."
"Don't worry, I'm not interested in anyone right now. You're the perfect candidate."
"Hey, that's—"
"It's settled then."
Without even giving him the chance to argue, she had already decided it herself.
First, it was Jeanne. And now her.
'Thinking about it is a drag.'
And if his memory serves him right:
"Listen, son, women are troublesome; your mother is a prime example!"
His father would always say it with a smirk, only to get himself into trouble moments later.
His mother would respond with a perfectly harmless yet chilling smile—one that, even back then, sent shivers down his spine.
Then, without fail, she would drag his father into a room.
By the time he came out, he looked completely drained, while she wore a bright, satisfied smile.
Now that he thought about it…
The memory brought nothing but sadness.
"...."