They didn’t stop until the afternoon.
Yanagi Kakeru finally called it quits, unwilling to push Hatsune any further.
He told her to rest properly, kissed her forehead, and got up to make dinner.
Hatsune had wanted to keep going.
She desperately wanted to have his child and didn’t want to waste even a single second of the five months he had left.
She had even made up her mind to quit Sumimi and focus entirely on getting pregnant.
Yanagi Kakeru explained what she had missed earlier.
His system was the Many Children, Many Blessings System.
Real rewards only came after they actually had offspring.
That meant she could stay with him, and they could build a real family together.
Hearing that, Hatsune finally gave up on her reckless plan.
At the same time, her heart bloomed with joy.
A family.
Spending a lifetime together with the person she loved.
That had been her deepest wish ever since she was a child who never received much love.
She couldn’t help but think back to those lonely days.
While her little sister played happily with Saki, she could only hide and listen from afar, imagining what it would feel like to be included.
Then that boy came into her life.
He didn’t come for her sister.
He came only for her.
He belonged to her alone.
He accepted everything about her and was willing to love her.
For him, she had come here to fight for her place.
With his encouragement, she had managed to keep going.
She became an idol only because she wanted him to see her.
Then one day, that same boy stood in front of her again and told her about his system.
She pretended she could see it too, because that was the only way they could have more time and more reasons to be together.
He said he was going to die soon and the only way to extend his life was by sleeping with her.
If it had been anyone else, who would have believed such a ridiculous story?
But she believed him.
She knew he would never lie to her.
Even if it really was a lie, what did it matter?
The lie was exactly what she had always wanted.
She also knew he had been pursuing other girls, but she didn’t care.
She didn’t mind if he wanted a harem.
As long as she could still “see” the system, she could understand everything and secure a place in his heart.
All she asked for was a small space that belonged only to her and someone who would love her.
And now, that dream had finally come true.
She would stay with him forever.
Until the end of time.
Even longer than the end of the world.
Lost in that sweet fantasy, Hatsune eventually fell asleep.
Yanagi Kakeru quietly left the room and went downstairs to cook something nice for her.
He felt strangely uncomfortable.
He had always seen himself as a cold, emotionless man who simply pulled girls into his life without real attachment.
But hearing Hatsune say she was willing to give up her entire future just to leave him with a child made his chest feel tight.
Everything he had done so far was only possible because of his transmigrator’s knowledge.
He had replaced someone to become Eriri’s only otaku friend, won over Yukino back in kindergarten before her worldview was even formed, bought a hairpin for Ichinose’s little sister, and so on.
Hatsune had been one of his smallest and easiest targets.
He hadn’t even needed to put in much effort.
He just spent a few days playing with her sincerely.
He didn’t think of himself as a good person.
Yet Hatsune’s humility still touched something soft inside him.
Maybe it was because he had been just as humble in his previous life.
Seeing her like this left a bitter taste in his mouth.
At that moment, he made a decision.
No matter how many women he ended up with in the future, Hatsune would always be his main wife.
He promised himself that.
He opened the fridge, took out some eggs, and started beating them.
Back in his previous life he could cook, but he usually just ordered takeout.
Today, for Hatsune, he decided to make an exception.
He started rice in the rice cooker, then turned on the stove.
He planned to make egg drop soup with seaweed and some nourishing ingredients first.
They had been going at it since last night, so Hatsune hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch.
Warm soup would be gentle on her stomach.
For the main dish, he ordered a freshly slaughtered chicken through delivery.
By the time he finished prepping everything else, it arrived.
He decided to make chicken stew with mushrooms.
He chopped the chicken into pieces, blanched them to remove the blood, then washed the mushrooms and set them aside.
After heating oil in the wok until it was hot, he added the chicken.
He tossed in green onions, garlic, cooking wine, salt, and MSG, then let it simmer until it came to a boil before adding the mushrooms.
The rice finished cooking just as Hatsune came downstairs.
She was wearing a thin nightdress and looked delicate, like a fragile flower.
With every step, her legs trembled from the intense soreness between them.
Her brows were slightly furrowed.
Kakeru quickly walked over and scooped her up in his arms.
He carried her carefully to the dining table and set her down on the chair.
Holding her like that, he felt like he was embracing a piece of warm jade that kept releasing a sweet fragrance.
Her soft body wrapped in the nightdress rubbed against him, and the sensation made his blood rush.
For a moment, he felt himself react again.
But seeing how fragile she looked right now, his conscience kicked in.
He pushed the dirty thoughts aside and focused on feeding her first.
He quickly brought all the dishes to the table.
After blowing on a spoonful of soup to cool it, he carefully held it out to her mouth.
“Be careful, it’s hot…” Hatsune felt shy and tried to take the bowl from him so she could eat by herself.
Of course, meals weren’t just about eating.
The dinner table was also the perfect place for conversation.
Touched by the warm atmosphere, Hatsune spoke softly, her expression gentle.
“I still remember the first time we met.
I was secretly watching you while you came to find my sister.
You were so mean and pushed me out in front of everyone…” Kakeru only smiled.
“I couldn’t help it.
I kept calling your name, but you were so focused on them that you didn’t hear me.
I could tell you really wanted to play with them too.
Maybe I went a little too far back then.
Sorry.” Hatsune smiled warmly.
“It’s okay.
I might have held a small grudge at the time, but looking back now, that moment always makes me feel happy.” The two of them smiled at each other, the scene as peaceful as a painting.
They continued chatting casually about their childhood, the things they had been through, and their hopes for the future.
The air was filled with a warm, joyful feeling.
Hatsune felt her heart overflowing with happiness.
Everything happening right now was exactly the kind of scene she had dreamed about countless times.
This happiness also made her reach a certain decision.
She had once been able to endure the darkness because she had never seen the light.
But now that she had tasted it, she could never go back to the way she used to be.
So, in order to protect this happiness, she would do whatever it took.
She was sorry, but Mana would have to be sacrificed.
With that thought, Hatsune suddenly straightened up and called out seriously, “Kakeru!” Yanagi Kakeru was startled by the sudden change in her tone.
Just a second ago they had been talking normally.
Then he heard the words that completely caught him off guard.
“What do you think of Mana?” …