As the morning sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows across the shrine grounds, Rito and Yuri continued their conversation. Though she maintained a respectful distance, subtly adjusting the hem of her shrine maiden outfit as she worked, her gentle and refined demeanor made their exchange feel comfortable.
"So, do you live around here?" Rito asked, watching as Yuri knelt down to rearrange some of the small offerings left by visitors.
She nodded softly, her delicate fingers brushing against the wooden ema plaques. "Not too far. I attend a different school, though. St. Raphiel Academy."
Rito blinked. "Oh, so a private school?"
"Yes. It's affiliated with a religious order," she replied, glancing at him with a faint, almost embarrassed smile before quickly returning her focus to her task.
Something about her behavior made Rito curious. Unlike most shrine maidens he had met before—well, not that he had met many—she didn't seem overly formal or distant, but there was a certain air of reserve to her, as if she wasn't used to speaking so openly with strangers.
"That makes sense," Rito said, rubbing the back of his neck. "You did say you're a Hime-Miko, right?"
She paused for a brief moment, then gave a small nod. "Yes. I have… a certain connection to the divine, which is why I serve at shrines like this. It's part of my duty."
"A connection to the divine…" Rito muttered, thinking back to his strange experience just moments ago. Given the sudden godly encounter, this was starting to feel a little too coincidental.
Yuri seemed to notice his deep-in-thought expression and hesitated before adding, "I… I don't talk about it much, since most people wouldn't believe me."
Rito let out a dry chuckle. "Trust me, I believe you. After what just happened to me, I don't think anything is off-limits anymore."
Yuri tilted her head slightly, curious but hesitant to pry. Instead, she continued sweeping the shrine grounds, moving with practiced grace. Rito watched as her long, light brown hair swayed gently with each movement, the various colored ribbons tied at the ends adding a subtle charm.
"So, what about you?" she asked, keeping her eyes downcast as she worked. "Do you go to school nearby?"
"Yeah, Sainan High. It's not far from here."
She nodded again, as if filing the information away. Though she was clearly shy, there was an underlying warmth in her voice, a quiet sincerity that made Rito feel at ease.
As they spoke, Rito realized that despite her reserved nature, Yuri was a good listener. She never interrupted, responding in small, thoughtful ways that encouraged him to keep talking. Their conversation drifted from everyday topics—school, hobbies, and favorite foods—to more personal ones, like childhood memories and dreams for the future.
Despite her seemingly composed exterior, Rito noticed that whenever their hands accidentally brushed against each other while tending to the offerings or sweeping the grounds, Yuri would subtly retreat, as if uncertain about physical contact.
"Sorry," she murmured the second time it happened, clutching the broom slightly tighter.
Rito shook his head. "It's fine. You seem a bit shy, though."
She glanced away, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. "I… I suppose so. It's not that I dislike talking to people, but I've always found it easier to observe rather than participate."
That made sense. She wasn't completely avoiding him, just keeping a comfortable distance.
"Well, talking to me is a good start, right?" Rito grinned.
Yuri's lips curved into a small smile. "Yes… I think so."
As the conversation flowed, Rito found himself relaxing more around her. It was a rare feeling—most of the time, talking to beautiful girls made him flustered. But with Yuri, there was something different. A quiet understanding, as if they were connected by something beyond words.
And then—
Ding!
🔹 [Fated Bonds] has leveled up! 🔹
Rito's body tensed. He hadn't even activated it consciously, yet somehow, the skill had strengthened just from their interaction. A faint warmth spread through his chest, and for a brief second, he felt an unusual sensation—something awakening deep within him.
Unbeknownst to him, his transformation was progressing. The divine power that had been bestowed upon him was subtly reshaping his body, strengthening his very existence. His heartbeat remained steady, but his senses sharpened ever so slightly. The morning air felt crisper, the scents more distinct, and even the faintest sound of rustling leaves reached his ears more clearly than before.
And yet, despite these changes, he felt… normal. As if his body was adapting seamlessly, controlling the potential drawbacks that should have come with such a transformation.
Yuri, oblivious to his inner thoughts, glanced up at the sky. "It's getting warmer. You should be careful not to stay out too long in the sun."
Rito laughed lightly. "Are you worried about me?"
She hesitated, then nodded softly. "A little."
For a moment, he simply stared at her, surprised by her honesty. But before he could say anything, she turned away, busying herself with tidying up the shrine's offerings once more.
A shy, mysterious Hime-Miko with a divine connection…
And now, thanks to his bizarre encounter with a god, they were somehow connected.
Rito let out a breath.
"Yeah… my life really isn't normal anymore, huh?"
As the sun climbed higher, casting a warm glow over the shrine, Rito and Yuri's conversation naturally came to a close. Yuri resumed her duties, her movements graceful and deliberate, embodying the serene atmosphere of the shrine.
"Thank you for keeping me company," Rito said, offering a genuine smile.
Yuri returned the smile, her shyness evident in the slight downward tilt of her gaze. "It was my pleasure. Please feel free to visit anytime."
With a nod, Rito turned and made his way down the stone steps, feeling a sense of calm he hadn't anticipated.
As he reached the base of the hill, his phone vibrated in his pocket. Glancing at the screen, he saw Mikan's name flashing.
"Hey, Mikan. What's up?"
"Rito, can you do me a favor?" Mikan's voice carried a hint of urgency. "Dad needs some help at his studio. He's got a tight deadline and could use an extra pair of hands."
Rito's father, Yuuki Saibai, was a well-known mangaka, renowned for his remarkable speed and skill in producing manga. To LOVE-Ru Wiki Despite his demanding profession, he maintained a laid-back demeanor, often working from a separate apartment nearby to keep his creative space undisturbed.
"Sure, I can head over now," Rito replied, already altering his path toward his father's studio.
"Great! Thanks, Rito. Dad will appreciate it."
After a short walk, Rito arrived at the familiar apartment building. He entered the studio, greeted by the familiar scent of ink and paper. Stacks of manuscripts and art supplies cluttered the room, a testament to Saibai's creative process.
"Hey, Dad," Rito called out, stepping over a pile of sketchbooks.
Saibai looked up from his drawing table, a grin spreading across his face. "Rito! Perfect timing. I could use some help filling in these backgrounds."
As Rito settled in to assist, the studio door swung open, and a young girl with short brown hair and vibrant energy bounded in.
"Mr. Yuuki! I'm here for the assistant job!" she announced enthusiastically.
Rito recognized her immediately—Izumi Hashima, a junior high student and budding illustrator. They had met previously at a convention, where her passion for art and games had left a lasting impression. Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata Wiki
"Izumi? What are you doing here?" Rito asked, surprised.
Izumi beamed. "I heard Mr. Yuuki needed help, and I couldn't pass up the chance to work with a professional mangaka!"
Saibai chuckled, gesturing for her to join them. "The more, the merrier. Grab a pen and let's get to work."
As the hours passed, the trio worked diligently, the studio filled with the rhythmic sounds of pens on paper. Izumi's enthusiasm was infectious, her admiration for Saibai evident in every question she asked about his techniques and experiences.
During a short break, Izumi turned to Rito, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, Rito, do you draw as well?"
Rito scratched his head, a sheepish smile on his face. "Not really. I'm more of a helper when Dad's on a tight schedule."
Izumi nodded thoughtfully. "Well, it's still cool that you get to be involved. I'm learning so much just by being here."
As they resumed their work, Rito couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. Despite the unexpected twists his life had taken recently, moments like these—surrounded by creativity and camaraderie—reminded him of the simple joys that anchored his world.
Little did he know, these connections would soon intertwine with the fated bonds and newfound abilities awakening within him, leading him further down an uncharted path.
As Rito continued helping with the backgrounds, his hands moved instinctively, filling in details with surprising ease. At first, he didn't think much of it—he had helped his dad plenty of times before. But as he worked, a strange sense of familiarity washed over him, as if his hands already knew what to do before his mind caught up.
Then—
🔹 New Skill Acquired! 🔹[Manga Illustration (Lv. 2)] – A skill that enhances the user's ability to draw and ink manga-style artwork. Due to past experiences, the skill starts at Level 2 instead of Level 1.
Rito's pen halted mid-stroke.
"...Huh?"
He glanced at the notification in disbelief. He had expected the Growth System to work for things like combat or physical abilities, but now it was activating for manga drawing?
"Everything okay, Rito?" Izumi asked, noticing his sudden pause.
"Uh—yeah, just spacing out a bit," Rito quickly replied, shaking off his surprise.
But as he resumed working, he felt the difference immediately. His strokes were cleaner, more confident—almost like muscle memory from another life had surfaced all at once. He barely had to think about proportions or shading; it just felt right.
Izumi peeked over his shoulder. "Whoa! Rito, you're actually pretty good at this!"
Saibai, who had been silently working, also glanced over and nodded in approval. "Not bad at all. Looks like all those years of helping out finally paid off, huh?"
Rito chuckled nervously, trying to process what had just happened. So my past self actually had a decent foundation in manga drawing? It made sense. He had spent years assisting his father, but he had never thought of it as learning—just as something he did to help.
Now, thanks to the Growth System, all that experience had been consolidated into a solid skill.
As he continued working, he couldn't help but wonder...
If a skill like this could develop so easily, what else was hidden inside him, waiting to awaken?