"Ugh... I'm going to lose it from anxiety!" Ryan grumbled, throwing himself onto the couch as if the weight of the universe rested upon him.
"What's the big deal about going a few days without using your powers, idiot?" Yuno retorted, not even looking at him. She walked to his refrigerator with the familiarity of someone who already considered herself the owner of the place, opened it without ceremony, and began rummaging through the compartments.
Ryan watched the scene with a squint, dragging his hand along the back of the sofa. "Getting comfortable, huh, Pinkie? Feeling at home already?" His voice was lazy, but loaded with sarcasm.
Yuno, oblivious to the provocation, grabbed a tub of ice cream and ripped off the lid. "I missed a couple of classes because of you, and also you keep using me as a personal taxi from one place to another, so it's only fair that I get to eat too."
Ryan sighed, sinking deeper into the couch. "Yeah... You have a point."
Yuno plunged her spoon into the ice cream, brought it to her mouth, and let out a satisfied murmur. "Hmmm!" Her eyes sparkled for an instant with the cold, sweet taste before returning to the subject. "But seriously, what's the problem with not using your powers for a few days?"
Ryan tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling. "You keep calling me an idiot. You should have figured it out yourself, since you're so intellectual..." His voice dripped with sarcasm, slow and drawn out, as if he couldn't care less.
Yuno savored another spoonful before answering, without losing her composure. "I can only imagine that you've become so dependent on the ability to fix your mistakes that, without it, you feel like you're going to collapse."
Ryan threw his hand to the side in a dismissive gesture. "Just so you know, I hardly ever use time reversal. If I were addicted to it, I would have done a lot more shit and simply reset afterward."
Yuno swallowed the spoonful and fired back without hesitation: "Pervert."
Ryan narrowed his eyes. "You're the one with the dirty mind, you nymphomaniac."
Yuno leaned forward, pointing the spoon at him as if she were about to use it as a weapon. "You don't even know what that means, kid!"
Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Kid!? You think you're older than me now?"
She just rolled her eyes and took another scoop of ice cream. "Just tell me. What's the real reason you're so restless?"
Ryan took a deep breath before answering. "I should be asking why you're so worried about me being worried..." He closed his eyes for a second, then sighed. "But, since you insist... It's because of that Goddess from Hinamizawa." His voice lost some of its carefree tone, gaining a rare weight. "So far, she's been the most dangerous thing we've encountered. And Arona didn't kill her. You know as well as I do... She could come back at any time. So, I need to get stronger."
Yuno let out a low laugh, one of those that didn't come with genuine humor.
Ryan straightened up on the couch, frowning. "What's so funny, you crazy woman?"
She rested her elbow on the table and stared at him with sharp eyes, loaded with malice. "Nothing... It's just that this doesn't suit the Old Testament Ryan at all."
Ryan chuckled. "And this Yuno in front of me is also very different from version 1.0."
Yuno took another spoonful of ice cream, without denying it. "I'm glad you noticed too."
Ryan observed her gaze for a moment and smirked. "Oh, so you mean we're on the same page? Interesting... You've been having the same thoughts as me, huh?"
Yuno stood up, crossing her arms. "Well, at least you have one good characteristic."
Ryan widened his eyes in theatrical exaggeration. "Holy shit! Am I going to get a compliment from Pinkie? Now I'm actually excited!"
Her smile disappeared as quickly as it appeared. "Among a thousand flaws, at least deep down in that annoying personality, you know how to be focused."
Ryan threw his head back on the couch. "What the hell kind of compliment was that?"
Yuno picked up the tub of ice cream, unhurriedly. "See you later then... Oh, and I don't guarantee I'll ask for the third-floor room you want for your club." Her tone was casual, but loaded with the intention of provoking him.
Ryan narrowed his eyes, watching her leave. "Tsk... I knew something was coming."
"Yes, you will, I am sure of that." Ryan provoked, his voice carrying that playful tone of someone who was already sure of victory.
Yuno didn't even react, she just crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, her expression maintaining that usual disinterest. "Will I?"
Ryan smirked, tilting his head to the side as if analyzing the girl in front of him. "It's just that, amidst a thousand flaws in that difficult personality of yours, there are some cute little things hidden in there." The sarcasm in his voice was almost palpable.
Yuno let out a sigh, her gaze becoming even sharper. "Wow... You're terrible at this, Ryan. I don't understand how girls still fall for you..." Her dry tone made it clear that she wasn't impressed by his words in the slightest.
Ryan raised a hand dismissively, as if it were obvious. "It's because I'm funny."
She was about to disappear when his voice made her stop.
"Oh, and bring Rika over to my place tonight?"
Yuno stopped mid-teleport. Slowly, she turned to him and walked to the couch, stopping beside him. Her gaze fell upon him as if she were observing an inferior being. "No." The answer was short and sharp. "Why the hell would I bring my sister to be near a predator like you?"
Ryan kept his face serious, but a corner of his mouth twitched into a smile, loaded with provocation. "How cute, you calling her your sister..." His eyes sparkled with a mixture of amusement and analysis, as if he were savoring the small vulnerability that had escaped in her speech. "But, for your information, I've owed her a game night for quite some time. And you wouldn't want to see Rika sad, would you?"
Yuno's gaze remained firm for a few seconds, but something in her expression changed slightly. She looked away, almost unconsciously, and her lips pursed into an adorable pout, a gesture that contrasted absurdly with her usually cold demeanor.
"I don't understand how someone as cute as her likes an idiot like you." Her voice was lower at the end, as if she were angry at herself for admitting it out loud.
Ryan smiled, but this time his gaze gained a sharp, almost predatory tone. "Maybe I'm not as bad as you like to say..."
Yuno closed her eyes, letting out a long sigh. "Baka."
And, without waiting another second, she disappeared.
__________________
Find these offers on Patreon: patreon.com/ErisNoSeraph
🎯 The Goal: Reach 20 Patreon Supporters (any tier counts!) 📈 Current Status: 8 / 20 supporters (Thank you! ❤️)
🎁 The Reward: Once we hit 20 supporters, daily chapters return right here on Webnovel! 🎉 📖 Every 100 PowerStones OR 5 Reviews = 1 EXTRA CHAPTER!