Ray returned to the Vermillion's residence where the Vermillions and Jean have been waiting for him.

" I'm back."

" Oh, welcome back, Ray."

" Welcome back, Ray-nii."

The girls greeted Ray and went back to their discussion.

Ray put his belongings back into his room and came into the living room where the girls were gossiping.

He actually had the plan to go into the spirit ranch, but rushing things wouldn't work, and looking at the girls who were so engrossed in their discussion, somehow caught his attention.

" So, am I missing something?"

Ray sat down on the couch and put Rena on his lap. They have been living together for a while now; thus Ray and Rena wouldn't shy away from displaying their affection in front of the girls.

" Ray-nii, you won't believe this. There was a really big event happening in the school today. It's such a shame that you missed it."

*Sigh* Girls... No matter whether it was in his old world or this world, girls and gossip still couldn't be separated.

But it could be said that it worked well to Ray's advantage, though. Since the girls like to gossip so much, Ray could know most of the events that happened in the school from their mouths.

" Hmm, what is it?"

" Hehe, I don't think you would believe it if you don't see it with your own eyes, but fine. Today, the first ranked came at Elsa and propose to join her team, thus making her team has the three top ranker in the school!"

" Oh, so that's all about it?"

For the girls, this might be a hot topic. However, Ray had long foreseen this event. It would even be stranger to him if the first ranker didn't join Elsa's party.

" Ehhhh? It's the first ranker, you know? The strongest in our school! Why are you looking so uninterested?"

" *Sigh* It's just the first rank in the school. You don't need to make such a fuss about it. By the way, if I don't remember it wrong, the first ranker should be jean ex-fiance, right? Wouldn't your reputation be pretty bad if your fiancee volunteered himself into another girls party?"

Ray shifted his focus at Jean, who was looking back at him with a daze on her face.

' I wish I could exchange positions with Rena.'

" Jean... Jean??"

" Eh?? No-no, I'm not envyi.."

Jean's face was blushing madly that she almost said what she thought in her head.

' Calm down, Jean, calm down. You don't want to break the current relationship with Ray because you want something more.'

" *Sigh* It's not like I don't care about the gossip or my reputation, but I have learned that I just need to be grateful for what I have now. And having you guys as my partner, I can't ask anything more."

" Jean... *hiks*"

The girls who heard Jean's word couldn't help but feel touched. This girl was too adorable, and they needed to protect her at all costs.

Of course, Ray at the side also felt bad for Jean. She had been through so much at a young age, and ray couldn't help but wonder what the developer had thought when they choose Jean as the villain of the game.

Not long after, Anna also came back from her work at the restaurant, and the Vermillions have their dinner together.

***

The next day, Ray and the girls attend the school together. Even though Ray was reluctant to leave his bed and Kyouko, his parents will be angry if he skips school too much.

' Hmm.. I don't think I have met my parents in the world yet. Shouldn't they be a bit worried after their son, who has been missing for three years, suddenly come home?'

[ Well, are you missing your parents already host?]

' Not that, but... I have always been an orphan in my previous world. Thus I don't know what I should do when I faced them. Especially after taking their precious son's body.'

[ Hmm, Aina doesn't really understand. But Aina thinks you will do just fine. Just do like usual, and believe that they will accept you as you are.]

' Thanks, Aina, It was pretty relieving to hear that from you.'

Ray then stopped thinking about the matter with his parents. Aina was right. From his memories, he could see that his parents love him, and all he needs to do is just to replicate their feelings.

Soon, the teacher entered the classroom, and the class began.

As usual, the main topic of this world is spirit beasts, and since Ray could just use the appraisal function from Aina, he always feels the class was boring.

It was unnoticed by Ray, but as time passed, he could feel his eyelids getting heavier.

" Ray...."

" Run Ray, you just need to remember that we will always love you."

" We're sorry that we can't always be with you.."

" Ray...."

" Ray...."

" Ray...."

Ray could feel someone was calling his name in the dark, and when he finally could open his eyes, he noticed chalk has been flying in his direction.

"Khwak!"

Fortunately for Ray, he had a pretty good reflex. He was able to dodge the incoming chalk, and the chalk hit the person behind Ray.

' What the heck was that..'

" Ray Vermillion, I need to bring you with me to the principal office now!"

" *Sigh*, Yes Ma'am."

Even though Ray didn't know what that dream was just now, the only thing he was sure of was that he would soon face a predicament. In all the web novels he read, a dream like that was a sign that something was coming.

The principal office.. Maybe it would be better if he gets a suspension so he could prepare for the upcoming trouble.

Ray followed the teacher to the principal office, but just before the two entered the office, Ray could hear the voice inside.

" Gaby, why are you doing this to me?"

" I'm sorry Phil, but from the start, I never thought our relationship was a thing. It was just that I am lonely, and coincidentally, you were there."