Renz paused to think. His usual passwords always began with the pinyin of his surname—like RZ—followed by his birthday, phone number, or gmail account. These were his go-to combinations. He tried entering a few of his typical passwords.
"Erina Nakiri, what's your birthday?" Renz casually called out as he walked out of the room.
Downstairs, Erina was deeply focused on her phone. Renz was mildly curious about who had called her just now, but since she hadn't offered the information, he didn't press.
"Huh? Why are you suddenly asking for my birthday?"
Erina blinked, still feeling out of sorts. After all, being force-fed future PDA was—strange. Completely indescribable. Normally, if someone she'd just met asked for her birthday, she would never tell them. It bordered on harassment.
But this time, she uncharacteristically answered honestly.
"Thanks," Renz replied, heading back into his room.
Not long after, Erina made her way upstairs. She wanted to see what Renz was doing—and also to share the information she'd just received on the call.
Inside the room, Renz typed in Erina Nakiri's birthday as the computer password.
He slapped his forehead. Why is that wrong too?
"What's wrong?" Erina leaned in closer, her curiosity piqued.
"Itchy," Renz muttered.
"What?" She tilted her head in confusion.
"Your hair poked me," he clarified. She had gotten a bit too close. Renz could smell the faint, clean scent of her bath gel—and her blonde hair tickled his face.
"Ah, I'm sorry," she said, unusually apologetic. She hadn't expected such a surreal day. The information Hisako Arato had given her was still hard to digest. The idea that she and Renz were such a loving couple in the future left her feeling oddly... bashful.
Renz was stunned. Why are you apologizing for something so trivial?
Hadn't she been super temperamental when they first met? Why the sudden change?
"Why did you ask for my birthday all of a sudden?" she asked, steering the conversation back.
"Because the computer's password uses birthdays. I tried my own, but it didn't work, so I thought I'd try yours. But that didn't work either."
He scratched his chin. "Weird."
Then he tried combining both birthdays.
"Still wrong," he muttered.
In Erina's heart, an unnamed fire flared up. She wasn't sure why, but she was furious. She felt like yelling on behalf of her future self.
I gave you such a disgusting nickname on LINE, and you didn't even use my birthday as your password? Do I even matter to you?!
"Scum!" she snapped coldly.
Can't you girls be a little more reasonable? That makes me scum? Your standards are way too low!
The tsundere was back. Renz had just been wondering if she had mellowed out.
"What's our daughter's birthday?" he asked after a beat of silence.
"September 12th," Erina replied, still clearly irritated. She had seen the date in the family register. Her inner volcano was about to erupt. This wasn't irrational—this was unfair! Her future self clearly adored this man, but his attitude in return? So indifferent!
Renz didn't notice the storm brewing on her face. And even if he had, what could he say? How could he explain something his future self had done?
He entered the password again.
"I'm in. It's your birthday plus our daughter's," Renz grumbled. "Was Haruki just an accident or something?"
He was annoyed. Haruki Nakiri—his son—wasn't even part of the password. Was his future self some kind of confirmed daughter-lover?
He had no idea he'd just stepped on a landmine.
Erina's expression brightened almost instantly—but then froze.
Still, her mood had improved considerably.
"Ahem. Renz, I have something to tell you," Erina said, suddenly serious.
Loved, saved the bigger one, C-section, saved together.
Random phrases flashed through Renz's mind. Curse those light novels—he read too many of them. His brain was full of bizarre scenarios. Thankfully, he shook the thoughts off quickly.
"What is it? Something to do with that call earlier?"
His instincts kicked in. Since they both came from ten years ago, any unexpected event had to be related to the present. And the only "sudden event" today had been that call.
"Yes. I got a call from a friend inviting me to join a cooking competition called 'Soul of Cuisine'—as a judge," she said. "It's a good opportunity to reestablish connections with my social circle from ten years in the future."
"Sounds good. But... are you sure you can handle being a judge?" Renz frowned. It seemed like a serious position. Judges were expected to critique dishes fairly and knowledgeably.
"I may not have my future cooking techniques, but my standards for judging haven't changed much. Even if there's a gap, it won't be that big," Erina said confidently. "After all, I possess the God's Tongue."
"Wow, that's so chuunibyou," Renz muttered, giving her no credit at all. "God's Tongue? And you say that with a straight face?"
Erina puffed her cheeks in annoyance. "That's what others call it!"
She added, proudly, "And my tongue is extraordinary. I can distinguish the faintest flavors with ease. Even blindfolded, I could tell where the salt came from with a single taste."
Despite her earnest expression, Renz found it more bizarre than impressive.
Don't think about it... Get out of my head! DIE! DIE DIE DIE!
What do you think Erina's "God's Tongue" means for her role as a judge? And how will Renz adapt to his new life as a professional streamer and a father?
---Support with power stones