Chapter 7: Annoying Feminists
The summer heat was already scorching even in the morning. The sun shone mercilessly, its rays piercing through the windows and curtains, making the air inside the room feel even more stifling.
In the still-dark room, only the sound of calm breathing could be heard. Clothes were scattered on the floor, bearing witness to what had happened the night before. A faint, distinct scent still lingered in the air, mixed with the lingering aroma of bodies clinging to the sheets.
On the bed, Itsuki was sound asleep, her face peaceful though still showing traces of exhaustion. Her usually neat light pink hair was slightly disheveled, with a few strands sticking to her temples from sweat.
"It's morning already, huh..."
Ren slowly opened his eyes. He didn't get up immediately, just stared at the ceiling for a moment before shifting his gaze to the woman sleeping beside him. Her face looked softer in sleep, different from her usual serious and firm demeanor.
Not wanting to wake her, Ren carefully got out of bed. He pulled the blanket over Itsuki's body, then gathered his scattered clothes before leaving the room.
His steps took him to the bathroom. After washing his face and taking a cold shower to refresh his still slightly tired body, he put on his school uniform.
Ohananomitsu High School had a standard uniform for male students, consisting of a dark blue blazer and matching trousers. The blazer had three pockets—two on the sides and one on the left chest—and most students also wore a white shirt or blouse underneath.
As he walked to the kitchen, his eyes caught sight of covered plates on the dining table. It was the leftover food Yotsuba had made last night. Without much thought, he grabbed it and started reheating it in the microwave.
The sound of the TV playing in the background caught his attention. While waiting for his food to heat up, he sat on the sofa and watched the news.
On the screen, a reporter stood in front of the wreckage of a collapsed building.
"This morning, a gas explosion occurred in the Shinjuku district. Authorities have secured the area and confirmed no fatalities, although several people sustained minor injuries from shattered glass and falling debris. Investigations are still ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident."
Ren narrowed his eyes. He leaned back on the sofa, watching the news with a skeptical expression.
"Another gas explosion, huh... Happening way too often lately." He muttered in disgust.
"Most likely just an excuse to cover up something... something related to supernatural beings. If only I could find a Heretic God and kill it..."
If he could obtain a Divine Authority, Ren wouldn't have to live in fear of dying without knowing the cause, all because of supernatural entities. With such power, he could dominate the beings lurking in the shadows of the world.
However, he was aware that there was probably an organization handling these phenomena. If not, society would have collapsed long ago.
*DING!*
The sound of the microwave brought Ren back to reality. He stood up, grabbed the reheated food, and began eating quietly. The warmth spread across his tongue, but his mind was still filled with thoughts of Heretic Gods and the possible organizations out there.
After finishing his meal, he quickly washed the dishes and headed to the front door. Putting on his shoes casually, he took a deep breath before leaving.
Suddenly, Itsuki appeared from the hallway, her steps sluggish. Her hair was a mess, her eyes still sleepy, and her body was only covered by a blanket that had slipped slightly off her shoulders, revealing her smooth skin and her large belly due to her eight-month pregnancy.
"Hubby... Have a safe trip, be careful on the way." She said in a hoarse voice, still groggy from sleep.
Ren stepped closer, pulled her waist, and kissed her deeply.
Itsuki let out a soft moan but didn't resist. Their lips stayed together for a few seconds before Ren finally pulled away. Itsuki looked at him with half-open eyes, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"I'm off." Ren said lightly before turning and opening the door.
Behind him, Itsuki could only sigh and shake her head with a small smile. As usual, the two of them really looked like a newlywed couple still burning with passion.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Since early morning, the train station had been packed with people crowding to wait. Office workers with tired faces stood in line, some still yawning, while high school students like Ren prepared to board the train to their schools.
As the train arrived, the familiar announcement echoed throughout the platform. Passengers began moving, pushing their way into the already packed trains. The oshiya staff stood by the doors, ready to help squeeze people in.
Ren was lucky enough to snag a window seat. He leaned back comfortably, enjoying the cool breeze from the air conditioning that slightly alleviated the summer heat. Around him, other passengers stood packed together, with almost no room to move.
Out of the corner of his eye, a female office worker held onto a hand strap with one hand while the other busily typed on her phone. An elderly man closed his eyes, perhaps trying to steal a moment of sleep before reaching his destination.
Ren leaned back, staring out the window, his thoughts drifting.
'Should I buy a car? This daily commute in a packed train is quite exhausting. Besides, I'm not short on money.'
However, he quickly dismissed the idea. He wasn't old enough to get a driver's license.
"..."
Inside the train, the atmosphere remained quiet as usual. The Japanese were known for their calm demeanor in public facilities, unlike some foreign tourists who sometimes weren't used to this culture.
It was then that a blonde woman, most likely a tourist, glared at Ren sitting comfortably. With an annoyed tone, she asked in slightly stiff Japanese.
"Hey, aren't you ashamed to sit so comfortably while a woman in front of you is standing?"
Ren raised an eyebrow, looking at her with a flat expression.
"Are you pregnant?" He asked casually.
The woman frowned and answered, "No."
"Then, are you seeking equality?" Ren smiled faintly.
"Of course." The woman nodded firmly.
Without hesitation, Ren closed his eyes for a moment, then said in a relaxed tone, "Then stand. Equality means we all get the same treatment, right? The country and religion give women privileges, but you still want equality. How foolish."
"Pfffttt..."
Some passengers nearby who had been quietly listening to the conversation exchanged glances. Some held back smiles, while others pretended not to care.
"YOU!!!"
The woman's face turned red, a mix of anger and embarrassment. She seemed to want to argue but couldn't find a strong enough rebuttal. In the end, she just clicked her tongue in annoyance and chose to stay silent.
'What bad luck, I ran into an annoying feminist,' Ren grumbled inwardly.
"..."
Throughout the ride, Ren could feel the woman's sharp gaze on him. However, he simply ignored it.
When the train reached his stop, the woman got off with an annoyed expression, while Ren just smiled faintly, feeling slightly amused by the small interaction.