Chapter 186: Gabriel warning and borrowing Again... Rio Futaba, let's go see my home...

In a spot away from prying eyes, Gabriel spoke as soon as Rei Ao approached.

"That girl has a problem."

"I know."

Rei Ao replied casually.

"She has something called Adolescence Syndrome. It's not a big deal."

Gabriel stared at him deeply.

Then, with a sigh, she waved a hand lazily.

"Whatever. If you think it's fine, then it's fine. I don't care enough to bother."

"Tsk tsk."

Rei Ao chuckled, his tone playful.

"I thought you were going to ask me for money again. But it turns out you're actually bringing up something serious. That's… unexpected."

"Then again…"

He smirked.

"Since you're working a part-time job now, maybe you've finally achieved financial freedom and don't need to borrow money anymore?"

"Ugh…"

Gabriel visibly flinched.

Her hands trembled slightly.

Financial freedom?

If she had that, why would she be working part-time?!

Rei Ao noticed her reaction perfectly but acted as if he hadn't.

He turned away as if losing interest.

"If there's nothing else, I'm heading back."

"Wait!"

Gabriel suddenly grabbed his sleeve.

Rei Ao, still facing away, smirked slightly.

He turned back toward her with a raised brow.

"What is it?"

Gabriel hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

"I… I want to borrow another 20,000 yen."

Alright.

She couldn't hold out any longer.

Part-time jobs were exhausting.

The wages were pitiful.

Who knew how many years it would take to save enough for the equipment she wanted?

But...

'This is the last time! Just this once, and I'll be done!'

Gabriel tried to convince herself.

Unfortunately, she didn't realize…

Some things only have two possibilities—zero times or infinite times.

Rei Ao grinned.

"Sure, no problem."

Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and sent the money.

[Ding! You have received 20,000 yen!]

"???"

Gabriel blinked, completely confused.

"W-Wait… You're not asking me for anything in return?"

Rei Ao shook his head with a smirk.

"No rush. I've got things to do right now."

"We'll discuss our… arrangement when I get back tonight."

As he spoke, he gently ruffled her hair before turning to leave.

Gabriel stood frozen in place, heart pounding.

She could already tell…

Tonight was going to be hell.

By the time Rei Ao returned to Rio Futaba, her previously furrowed brows had relaxed.

"So?"

Rei Ao sat down, curious.

"Have you made a decision?"

Instead of answering directly, Rio Futaba adjusted her glasses and asked:

"You seem to understand Adolescence Syndrome quite well. Can I assume you also know how to cure it?"

Rei Ao chuckled.

"That's a bit of a reach… but yes, I do know how to resolve your situation."

Then, his tone suddenly shifted.

"But—I don't want to."

"Is there something I need to do in exchange?"

Rio Futaba instinctively assumed it was some kind of trade.

But Rei Ao shook his head.

"You're overthinking it."

His gaze became serious.

"I already told you—I like Rio Futaba."

"So of course, I won't let her disappear."

"Rather than erasing a version of you that has developed her own consciousness…"

"I'd rather make sure she exists completely in this world."

Rio Futaba was stunned.

She stared at him, completely speechless.

Rei Ao's expression remained firm.

"You might think this is unfair to you.

But the truth is…

The one I fell for at first sight was Rio Futaba—both of you."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Rio Futaba fell into a long silence.

She had really just been confessed to.

No—not just her. Both versions of her.

Now she understood why Rei Ao had chosen to help both of them.

Taking a deep breath, she responded seriously.

"I'm sorry. We don't really know each other, so I have to refuse your confession."

"Haha, that's only natural."

Rei Ao didn't mind at all.

No matter how well he could read people at first glance, that was just his effort in understanding them.

He had no reason to expect someone to like him immediately.

Winning someone over takes time.

But being the closest one from the start definitely had its advantages.

"You can just think of me as being one-sidedly infatuated with you."

Rei Ao shrugged nonchalantly before bringing up something important.

"There's something else you should know."

"If you and the other you ever truly want to do the exact same thing—she will disappear."

"?"

Rio Futaba's gaze flickered.

She didn't understand Rei Ao at all.

"Didn't you just say you like her?"

"Then why tell me this?"

"If I decide to make her disappear..."

Rei Ao simply smiled.

"You still don't understand me."

His voice was calm yet filled with confidence.

"I always prefer direct, straightforward pursuit."

"And I have full confidence in my abilities."

"I will never let Rio Futaba disappear from this world—and I always keep my word."

There was something unwavering in his eyes.

His self-assured tone made Rio Futaba feel a bit envious.

Because the "Rio Futaba" he spoke of was not her.

Then, without much hesitation, she suddenly spoke.

"Rei Ao-kun, please allow me to stay at your place for a while. I will pay you back for it later."

Rei Ao raised an eyebrow.

"I thought after hearing all my shameless words, you'd reject my offer to help."

"I'm not an idiot."

Rio Futaba replied calmly and rationally.

"Given my current situation, I truly have nowhere to go."

"And you might be the only person I've met who understands what's happening to me."

She adjusted her glasses and continued.

"As for your help—"

"I will consider it a business trade. I will accept your assistance in exchange for compensation later."

Her words were logical, calculated, and well-reasoned.

But there was one important thought she didn't say out loud.

That was—

Rei Ao hadn't hidden anything from her.

If Rei Ao were truly a deceptive, untrustworthy man, he could have easily kept important information from her.

He could have lied.

He could have manipulated her into dependence.

But instead, he had laid everything bare—

His flirtatious nature, his methods, and even the way to make her other self disappear.

It was because of this that Rio Futaba was truly curious about him.

She wanted to understand him.

She wanted to know—

Why did the other version of her trust him so much?

On the other side of the table, Rei Ao grinned.

"A trade, huh? I like that word."

After all, trading was his specialty.

Hearing someone else bring up the idea first gave him a strong sense of déjà vu.

"But no need to rush your decision just yet."

"At least come and check out my place first."

Rei Ao stood up.

"Come on. Let's go see my home."