That afternoon, Portobello Road Market was bustling with visitors weaving between rows of antique stalls. The sounds of haggling, laughter, and the aroma of street food blended together, creating a lively atmosphere. The golden-orange sky cast a warm glow over the rooftops of the old buildings, painting a scene straight out of an impressionist painting.
Still clinging tightly to Ren's arm, Ichika matched his calm stride. She glanced up at him with curiosity.
"What exactly are you looking for here, Ren-kun?"
"Just taking a stroll. Maybe I'll find something valuable." Ren answered lightly.
Ichika frowned, eyeing him with slight concern. "You should be careful. Markets like this are full of fakes made to look like antiques. Don't end up paying a fortune for something worthless."
"Mhm."
Ren only nodded slowly, as if her advice didn't fully register.
"By the way, who came with you to London? Or did you come alone?"
If Itsuki had come along, Ichika would have felt awkward being so physically intimate with her brother-in-law. She didn't quite understand why her perception of Ren had changed so drastically after learning the truth about the hidden world. The Ren she once dismissed as a scumbag—an irresponsible young man who had gotten her younger sister pregnant—was actually a Campione.
'What's really going on with me? Is it some primal instinct—a woman's subconscious desire to seek protection from a strong man? Is that why I'm so drawn to Ren-kun?'
The thought made her cheeks flush slightly, but Ichika quickly diverted her attention.
"Itsuki lives in Japan. She's about to give birth soon, so I asked Nino-san and Miku-san to look after her while I'm away. As for who came with me, it's Ai."
Unaware of Ichika's inner turmoil—had he known, he would've dragged her to a hotel and taken her virginity right then and there—Ren answered nonchalantly. After all, he never considered himself an honorable man. In fact, he took pride in being a scumbag. So if his sister-in-law had romantic feelings for him, he wouldn't hesitate to claim her.
"Hayasaka-san? Where is she now? Why isn't she with you?"
Though she had never met Hayasaka Ai, Ichika had heard plenty about her from Itsuki. The young woman was a maid given to Ren by the Shinomiya family as a symbol of loyalty.
"Ai is studying magic, so I left her behind." Ren replied casually.
"Magic?!"
Ichika nearly shouted, her eyes widening in shock. But realizing the people around them, she quickly lowered her voice. Still, since they were speaking Japanese, the locals wouldn't understand—yet she remained cautious.
"You mean like spells from fairy tales?" She asked skeptically, her curiosity undeniable.
Ren nodded slowly, seemingly unfazed by her reaction.
"You could say that. All my accommodations were arranged by a local Mage Association called Witenagemot. While I handle my own business, I let Ai learn magic from them."
"..."
Ichika fell silent for a moment, processing his words. After all, she was just an ordinary person—had Ren not been her brother-in-law, she would have never known that the world she lived in for 22 years had a hidden side behind its peaceful facade.
"I'm so jealous~ I want to learn magic too."
"You want to be a magical girl like Itsuki?"
"No way! Out of the five of us, only Itsuki has childish hobbies like loving magical girls."
Ren chuckled softly at Ichika's reaction. Her slightly flushed face, combined with her puffed-up cheeks in a pout, created an amusing contrast with her usually playful and mature personality.
Occasionally, Ren would stop at a stall to inspect the merchandise, his eyes glowing faintly as he used Insight Gaze.
[Antique Pocket Watch: Crafted in 1912 by English watchmaker Edward Hargrave. Still functional despite being over a century old. Made of pure silver.]
[Analog Camera: A popular model from the 1970s used for amateur photography. Still in good condition and usable with the right film. Once owned by an aspiring photographer.]
[Pendant Necklace: Cheap factory-made jewelry from the 1990s. Purchased as a birthday gift for a young girl. No significant historical or material value.]
[Old Coin: Currency from the 18th century, used in the Prussian region. Made of silver and holds minor collectible value for numismatists.]
"Sigh... Seems like my luck isn't great today."
Ren let out a light exhale after checking several items. Just ordinary objects with no magical properties.
It was to be expected. If he could find treasure every time he visited a flea market, he'd suspect the Goddesses of Fortune from various pantheons were spoiling him.
As they walked, a boy around 10 years old in shabby clothes rushed toward them.
"Hm?"
Ren immediately sensed ill intent.
Just as the boy was about to bump into Ichika, Ren acted swiftly. He pulled her into his arms with a deft movement, startling her.
"Eh?"
"..."
Ren glared sharply at the boy, his gaze intimidating despite not uttering a word.
"Damn it!"
Realizing he'd been caught, the boy stumbled back before bolting into the crowd, disappearing in an instant.
"Ren-kun?" Ichika asked softly, her eyes filled with confusion and embarrassment.
Suddenly pulled into an embrace, her heart raced uncontrollably. The overwhelming sense of safety in Ren's arms, combined with the awkwardness of such close contact with her brother-in-law, made her cheeks burn even brighter.
Letting go of Ichika, Ren explained, "There was a pickpocket trying to take your wallet, Ichika-san. Be careful in crowded places like this. Many people take advantage of carelessness."
"Thank you, Ren-kun."
Ichika nodded slowly, lowering her head slightly to hide her still-flushed face. The experience only made her feelings toward Ren even more tangled—a mix of admiration, embarrassment, and something she couldn't quite define.
"That poor boy. He's just a child, yet he's already committing crimes. Do you think he'll ever change, Ren-kun?" She asked, glancing in the direction the boy had fled.
After a brief pause, Ren shook his head.
"Hard to say. Some people learn from their mistakes and reform. Others never change. The former is rare. The latter is the norm. Maybe one or two might turn their lives around."
"..."
Ichika was stunned by his words. The way Ren said it—so casually yet so profound—made him feel different from the young man five years her junior.
*THUMP!* *THUMP!* *THUMP!*
Her heart pounded uncontrollably, an odd sensation flooding through her. She stole a glance at Ren, admiring his handsome profile under the evening sun.
'What's happening to me?' Ichika panicked internally.
She quickly averted her gaze, trying to suppress the fluttering in her chest.
'No way. This can't be. He's Itsuki's lover. Not only that, he's the father of my little sister's child!'
Yet the harder she resisted, the stronger the feeling grew. A mix of admiration and… something else. Something she shouldn't be feeling.
Ichika remembered her high school days when she and her sisters had fought over the same man. She had sworn to herself she would never repeat that mistake. But this situation was far worse. It wasn't just about an attractive man—it was her brother-in-law!
'I can't do this to Itsuki. I can't!' Ichika desperately tried to push away the encroaching emotions.
Yet, beneath her resolve to stay moral, a small part of her found this thrill… exciting. A mix of exhilaration and guilt, like a child sneaking a bite of cake before dinner, unable to resist temptation.
Unaware of Ichika's inner turmoil, Ren turned to her with concern. "You alright, Ichika-san? You look a little pale."
Ichika jolted, then forced a smile to mask her unease. "Ah, I'm fine. Maybe just a little tired from walking."
"In that case, how about we take a break?" Ren suggested, eyeing a small café at the end of the street. "My treat for tea. Consider it compensation for dragging you into this crowd."
Ichika nodded slowly, trying to regain her composure. "Alright, I won't say no to free tea."
As they walked toward the café, Ichika struggled to control her thoughts.
'This is just a fleeting feeling. I'm just impressed by him. That's all. Nothing more.'
But deep down, she knew it was something beyond mere admiration.
And that terrified her.