A couple more years continued, of which the teacher known as Rena had finally gotten what she spent years striving for. They started with simple dates, going to different restaurants and trips to local attractions. Rena was far more energetic than usual. After the years of her trying to act more serious and mature, this was when she could finally act like herself once Isanari and Kotoha graduated. Monogaku held his smile as much as he could, but mentally, this was something akin to torture. While Mongaku tried to avoid these places, many of the places Rena had chosen were all locations that he wanted Kei to see. There would be times where he would tune out Rena and simply imagine being with his sister.
Rena:"Huh?"
Rena had noticed one of his smiles during a daydream.
Rena:[Wow, he's even tearing up a bit. I can't believe someone like me is making him feel this way. I'm so happy.]
Monogaku:[Hey, Kei. Look at those performers, aren't they great? I'm so glad I could bring you here.]
…
As time continued to pass, Rena had seen that their relationship must now take the next step. One fateful day…
Rena:"Say, have you ever thought about settling down?"
Monogaku:"What brought this on?"
Rena:"Oh, well. We're not as young as we used to be. I was just wondering what your plans for the future were."
Monogaku:"Ah, yes, the future. Trust me, I'm always planning my next move. Like Chess, you must always plan three steps ahead."
Rena:"Would one of those next steps happen to be something along the lines of...you know…"
In her stuttering, Monogaku immediately understood what she was getting at.
Monogaku:[Ah. To think she would get so impatient. You truly are still the same child. You've never quite grown up on the inside. You pig, acting like you're 16 with the life you stole from my sister. You don't even have the guts to call me by name, not that I would want my name coming out of that disgusting waste of a mouth. Do you have any idea how grown up Kei would be now if you and your damn family hadn't-]
Rena:"Teacher?"
Monogaku:"Huh? Yes?"
Rena:"You looked like you were spacing out for a second. Was my question so shocking?"
Monogaku:"Huh? Oh, no, no...But I can't deny that I was indeed thinking quite heavily about such a prospect."
Rena:"I see…"
Rena suddenly realized what that entailed and looked away.
Rena:"...And what conclusion would you come to if you were to have to give an answer?"
Monogaku:"Why, I would simply say...that I'm more than open to the idea."
Rena jolted towards him and clasped her hands together.
Rena:"I see! We'll have to see how much further that prospect can go."
Monogaku:"...Yes, I suppose we will."
Monogaku then stood up.
Monogaku:"I must go to class now. You should as well."
Rena:"Of course!"
As Monogaku left, Rena began to get ready.
Rena:"I wonder...for a second he seemed different than usual, his face seemed...No, maybe that was just the surprise from bringing such a topic up. Our love will bloom, no matter what."
...
With time moving yet again, Rena had eventually bought an engagement ring. With this, she would be the one to propose. Whenever asked as to why it wasn't Monogaku who brought the question, he would simply say he was too shy as he laughed it off. But, the moment Rena had asked for his hand in marriage, he jumped at the opportunity. Despite his economical situation being quite good from the combination of living alone and his stint in politics, he continued to lie about it which led to Rena paying for everything from the venue to the dressing and eventually the entire reception. At the time of the wedding, no one could have predicted the outcome of this twisted love. All except for the man that would cause for the rift to happen. They would begin living together soon after.
…
In his next step, Monogaku looked into the company that his twin brother always wanted to work at. With enough time and patience, he found just the one. His twin had been working around the world as he was traveling. With this information, he opened a contact with them and slowly began to establish a good relationship. It certainly helped when he also learned later on that his brother was quite the troublemaker at times.
…
His next step was eventually tricking Rena into giving him a great share of her wealth. With the help of many insiders, he was able to move quite a bit of her riches into his pockets. He wanted everything, but he had to settle with what he got. This allowed Rena to keep quite a bit. But, no matter what he did, Rena trusted him to keep their money safe. She was truly blinded with love. With all the pieces together, he finally did the unthinkable. The moment he had been dreading for years, the moment that would cause him occasional sickness. This moment was necessary for him, so he did it no matter how much he hated it.
…
He got Rena pregnant.
…
A number of weeks later, the tests came positive, signifying that Rena would indeed have children. On that day, monogaku was alone reading the confirmation when something peculiar caught his eye.
Monogaku:"There are confirmations for...five children!? Quintuplets…?"
He slowly put the letter down and walked to his shrine which he still had with him. Rena had asked about his sister much to his disgust, but he simply implied an accident under the guise that he was too traumatized to fully talk about it. He opened the little door to see Kei's face and slowly began to laugh. He continued to ramp it up until he was practically screaming.
Monogaku:"Isn't this wonderful!? Who would have thought I could produce such a perfect amount!? So many children to take care of will break her for sure!"
He continued to cackle. Everything he had worked for during all these years was finally here. With time, the cackles began to turn into wails of anger.
Monogaku:"Kei! Kei! Why!? Why were you taken from me in the first place!?"
Those wails then transitioned to those of pain.
Monogaku:"Kei...Help me…Please stop me..."
But no one was there. No one could stop the wheels he had set in motion, not anymore.
…
In another part of the world, a certain person who looked exactly the same as Monogaku picked up the phone. His business told him about his next job in Japan.
Irigaku:"Japan, huh? I haven't been there in quite a while…"
This would turn out to be his last trip around the world for many years.
End of Chapter 102