Having finished all of his daily trading routines, software development, and reviewing his German lessons, Yuuji spent the rest of his night rexing along with Aika and Erika in his room.
The three cuddled up uhe b. Yuuji was topless with only a boxer brief c his bottom. Erika had a thin, light-pink tank top on and light blue, fortable hot pants, while Aika was only wearing one of Yuuji’s t-shirts with nothing more underh.
Although it was a very rge and loose t-shirt which would normally reach the upper part of her thighs, Aika’s… massive twin peaks and wide hips made it ride up her body. Now… it barely covered her crotd butt.
It was the most fortable nightwear for her, but it would feel chilly if she walked around in it. So, she only wears this kind of attire when she’s going to sleep. But, if she o go out of Yuuji’s room and she was too zy to ge, she’ll snatch his boxer briefs ahem before she goes.
The two girls id their heads fortably on Yuuji’s shoulder, leaning back at the soft headboard of the bed, as they watched an a was an anime about Lelouch’s world called “Code Geass”.
They ehe show within the dimly lit room rexedly as the two girls sna some pop from a bowl they pced on Yuuji’s p. When suddenly Yuuji’s ph.
“Hm? Aika, you grab my phone for me?”
“‘Kay~”
She rolled to the edge of the bed, grabbed Yuuji’s phohat was right beside Aika and Erika’s phones on the bed-side desk, and rolled back to his side.
“Here you go~”
“Thanks.”
Yuuji kissed her softly on the head after she handed him the phone auro hugging his arm, resting her head on his shoulder and fog ba the anime.
Oher hand, Yuuji looked at the s on his phone and saw that it was a call from Tatsuya.
“Hm? Tatsuya?”
A brief moment of fusion crossed his mind before he picked the call up.
“Evening, Tatsuya. What’s up?”
“Good evening, Yuuji. Is Aika and Erika there with you?”
“Hm? Yeah, they’re here with me.”
“Hello, Tatsuya~!”
“Hm? Oh, is it Tatsuya on the call?”
“I see.”
“Is there something you need from us?
“No, I’m just inf you that my aunt just left.”
Yuuji paused in a brief moment of thought before something clicked in his mind.
“Your aunt… Wait, does that mean…”
“Yes. She left with the relic.”
“I see… I’ll be in your house in a sed.”
Yuuji straightened up from his leaning position, earning him a fused look from the two girls by his side. But just as he was about to get off the bed to put on clothes, he was stopped by Tatsuya.
“There’s no need for you to go. It’s a simple matter. I know where the sniper would be. I eliminate him before he fires.”
“...Are you sure? Aika and I go with you just in case. I use Invisibility ohree of us.”
“Thank you, but I will be fine. I will report to you once again afterwards.”
“Wai-”
Before Yuuji could say anything, Tatsuya hung up, causing him to sigh deeply.
“That guy’s really…”
“What’s wrong, Yuuji?”
Having paused the anime, Aika and Erika turowards their beloved, who seemed a bit upset after the phone call.
“...Tatsuya’s being reckless again.”
“Eh? What’s wrong?”
Yuuji g Erika, keeping his eyes on hers for a brief moment, before he began expining the situatiarding Tatsuya, his aunt, the “relic” she brought, and the trouble she made.
--------------------------------X--------------------------------
The day.
Yuuji met up once again with Tatsuya to help him on his research regarding the Magatama and other possible materials that could be used to store a magic sequenbsp;
However, with everything that had happe night, the versation naturally veered in that dire.
When Yuuji asked how it went, Tatsuya expi briefly.
“It went as you expected. My aunt is fine, except for a few minor injuries from the crash. And I mao elimihe sniper before he fired. I’ve made a pn to take the relic to the FLT b as soon as possible as well.”
Yuuji let out a deep sigh of relief when he heard Tatsuya’s words.
“I see. That’s good. Aika and I were worried, thinking at the possibility of you getting shot as well iy.”
Tatsuya’s lips curled into an ever so slight smile and replied.
“Thank you, but you don’t o worry. I have Regrowth and the automatic effect of my <
The hands that had been typing away and piling as much relevant information to the subject as he could stopped as Yuuji slowly turowards Tatsuya with a frown.
“...That’s not the point, Tatsuya.”
“Hm?”
Tatsuya turned his head towards Yuuji, and his eyes slightly widened in surprise when he saw Yuuji’s upset expression.
“I know you have skills and magic that would keep you alive, but none of them could erase the pain of being shot straight through the chest. That’s not something you just brush off…”
“...”
“How could we, as your friend, not be worried if we knew our friend might be shot straight through the chest?”
Yuuji stared at Tatsuya for a moment as he fell into silence.
From the anime, Yuuji khat Tatsuya didn’t have any regards to how he feels or what danger may befall upon him. If it was reted to the safety of his little sister, he would dive down, head first, into danger immediately without any regard for his own safety. Even if he were to experience pain to protect his little sister and make her wish e true, he won’t even flinch when he suffers.
His safety and his life would bee the st thing he’d care about. And this kind of mi was something Tatsuya, Aika, and Miyuki wao ge.
After all… although he was turned into a on by the Yotsuba, he was still a dear friend and a beloved brother to them. They didn’t want to see him suffer, and simply wished for him to be able to lead a life full of happiness with her little sister.
In the a took quite a while for him to “heal” and regain his emotions, his feelings towards others. But now, Yuuji and all the members of the Group Chat will be there with him. And all of them wao help him heal faster.
After all, they’re rades now. Although they’ve just met, it feels like they’re very close friends sihey’ve watched each others’ anime. Or in Yuuji’s case, his hentai animation…
But still! Now, they are aware and familiar with the true personality and character of each other, creating a deep bond of trust, camaraderie, and friendship that would normally only be born after years of spending time together.
Which is why, when Yuuji heard how indifferent Tatsuya was towards his own safety, he felt extremely sad and a bit upset.
“I see… Thank you for your… for all of your s.”
“A “thank you” is not what I’m looking for. Whether or not we give you our is up to us. You don’t o thank us if we give it to you. But Tatsuya… You ’t go on like this.”
“...”
“Your disregard of your own pain, safety, and even your life is hurting those who care for you.”
Tatsuya’s eyes wide Yuuji’s words.
“You’re making all of your friends and your little sister worried and sad… It pains us to know that you are suffering, even if you don’t show it in your expression.”
“Yuuji…”
A sigh escaped Yuuji’s lips as he turned his eyes back to the s, though his hands still hadn’t resumed typing.
“I’m sure you’ve seen Miyuki shedding tears in your pce for your suffering in the ahat’s not just something that happens there. It’s happening iy as well.”
“...”
“So please… If you care about us… about her, then take better care of yourself.”
Just then, Yuuji’s ph with a call.
“...I’ll be back soon.”
“Ah…”
Yuuji stood up, took out his phone from the pocket in his bzer, and walked away to a more secluded pce to take the call.
After walking a few distance away from Tatsuya, he stopped in ay hallway ihe library and leaned against a wall.
“Hey, Aika.”
“Ah, Yuuji~ Are you busy?”
“No, not really. What’s up?”
“Great~! You’re in the library right nht? Hirakawa-senpai is asking if you could find and send her a copy of a research journal from there~ Seems like this particur research journal only be accessed from the library, so she needs your help~”
“Oh? Of course. Just sehe title and I’ll send it to her as soon as possible.”
“Fufu~ Did you hear that, Hirakawa-senpai~?”
Then, he heard a slightly muffled voice through the call from beside Aika.
“U-Uhn… T-Thank you very much, Kiryuu-san, Tsubakihara-kun. Please get the copy under my name…! I-I will take responsibility for it!”
“Mm. Please don’t mind it, Hirakawa-senpai. I’m happy to help.”
“You’re very wele~ Anyway, thanks a bunch, Yuuji~ See you~”
“See you.”
Aika hung up, and Yuuji quickly texted Tatsuya that he’s requested by Koharu to do something, and headed to the private puter booths area.
If the research journal Koharu wanted could only be accessed in the library, then it must be quite an important and highly guarded research journal. So, it would be better for him to access it from inside a private room.
The private puter booths se was an area in the library where dozens of small, 3 by 2 meters rge rooms with a puter inside were arranged in a line and close proximity to each other. Each line of puter booths were separated by a long corridor, and there were several of such corridors in the se.
Sihere were only a few people currently in the library, it didn’t take long for Yuuji to find ay booth for himself. But just as he was about to enter, a familiar voice called out to him.
“O-Oh~? Yuuji-kun~ What a ce~”
Yuuji turo the familiar, melodic, charming voice that tickled his heart every time he heard it, and saw the beautiful onee-sama figure, Mayumi, smiling at him ever so softly.
A smile immediately surfaced on his face, which just as quickly charmed the Saegusa heiress as she began to stare at him in a daze.
“Mayumi-senpai. Good m. What a deed.”
“U-Uhn… W-What are you doing here~?”
She approached closer and leaned in towards him in her usual pyful manner. But truthfully, this was only her feeble attempt to hide her nervousness. She was ag pyful exactly to mask how nervous aed she was for meeting him.
“I’m helping Hirakawa-senpai get some materials to be used for the Thesis petition for her.”
“Oh, I see. Fufu~ Even though you are supposed to be her guard, it seems like Hirakawa-san believes in you enough to entrust you with helping her~”
“I am just doing a little errand for her, Mayumi-senpai. Oh, and if you are free, would you like to apany me?”
“E-Eh?”
Mayumi yelped in a fluster at Yuuji’s invitation. She didn’t expect him to invite her himself!
She was super excited, but at the same time, extremely nervous! Her heart was thumping out of her chest. She could hear her heartbeat thumping loudly and rapidly in her ears!
Yuuji was also super nervous, and he was quite surprised at himself for invitioo. But he didn’t want to waste this ce God had given him to spend some time with her!
“Are you… busy?”
“Oh, no! I-I’m not busy.”
“I see. Then, would you like to apany me?”
“Y-Yes.”
Mayumi nodded shyly, and inside his mind, Yuuji couldn’t help but do the guts pose in celebration.
Of course, he simply let out a dazzling smile and acted calmly in appearance.
“The’s eogether. I only o access and send a research journal to Hirakawa-senpai, so I don’t think it will take long.”
“Yes.”
Mayumi nodded meekly and followed after Yuuji.
After deg on a room, Yuuji tapped his student id to the sing mae right beside the door tister himself as the user.
But the moment he opehe door and saw hoed and small it was… he froze.
Mayumi fidgeted nervously right by his side, her face blushing redly. She knew how small it was beforehand, and khat if they were to eogether, they would be in aremely close proximity to each other, alone in a room. That’s why she was so nervous!
Yuuji slowled turowards Mayumi and smiled awkwardly.
“Uhm… I didn’t expect the room to be this… single-sized. Should we return and use the puters outside…?”
“N-No! W-We should use this! After all, you will be gathering materials for the Thesis petition! It will be safer if you use this one instead of the publies!”
Mayumi argued. She had steeled herself for this! And there’s no way she’ll be letting this ce go!!! E-Even though she was still super nervous and embarrassed, she ’t let this ce just fly away!
“...I uand.”
The two ehe cramped room together and sat side by side before the puter monitor. They tried their best not to touch each other, but it was simply impossible for their shoulders and arms to not toubsp;
An awkward silence filled the small room, dimly lit solely by the puter s before them.
Yuuji tried his best to distract himself, but it was simply impossible…
This was the first time he had ever been this close to Mayumi. He could even feel her warmth and softness from her arm and smell the fragrant st of her shampoo. It was filling the entire room and his mind!
How could he trate on doing his task for Koharu when his crush was sitting this close to him?!
Wait… Isn’t this a ce…?
Yuuji froze for a moment as a myriad of thoughts fshed across his mind.
To be able to be with mayumi alone in a room like this… a ce like this might not e again. A ce… to fess his feelings.
Ever sihe end of NSC, his retionship with Mayumi had grown much closer. He had also firmed, or at least, obtained a quite definitive proof of her feelings towards him when he was calibrating the CAD Mayumi would use for her Crowd Ball event.
But after that… they hadn’t had the ce to talk face to face aloen.
It was iable. After all, both of them were busy with their own busihe most they could do was message each other occasionally.
Aika had beeering him ever sihe end of NSC tress his retionship with Mayumi, and Erika had also been asking him why he wasn’t making a move. But that’s because he hadn’t got the right mome!
And now might be it.
“U-Uhm… Mayumi-senpai.”
“W-What’s wrong? A-Are you feeling unfortable?”
“N-No, that’s not it… Uhm…”
Yuuji braced himself for the moment. His heart was beating rapidly, but he was determio do this now…! If he missed this ce, then the might be after the ihat will happen in Yokohama finished. By then, he might very well get teleported back immediately for having pleted his missions.
So it has to be now.
“...There’s something I wish to tell you.”
“Eh? W-What is it…?”
Mayumi shyly turned her gaze towards Yuuji. Her face blushing redly, but thankfully, the room was dark with only the light from the puter s before them lighting it up, making it quite difficult for others to truly see how red she was. Little did she know, even if it was an absolutely lightless room, Yuuji would’ve had no difficulty seeing her because of his enhanced senses.
But this time, Yuuji didn’t notiot because he didn’t see it, but because his mind was busy rapidly turning and ing, trying to find the words to vey his feelings and thoughts to Mayumi.
“Mayumi-senpai… Are you aware of my retionship with Aika and Erika…?”
Her eyes widened in shock for a brief moment. And after recalling Yuuji’s iions with the two… she nodded with a saddened smile as she felt her heartbeat start slowing down.
“Uhn… I have an… idea.”
Hearing the dishearteone in her voice, a helpless smile appeared on his fabsp;
“Aika… She is… aremely important person to me. At first, I thought she was just a fellow rade and a close friend. But after all the time I spent with her… She became much… Much more important than I realize. And when I found out that she felt the same… We started dating.”
“Uhn…”
The sting in her heart deepened when she heard his words and saw su affeate and loving expression from him.
This was the first time she had ever seen Yuuji make su expression. It was beautiful, but at the same time, it stung just as mubsp;
“She’s a pervert. A super pervert. Although she might look proper and graceful in public, she is sloppy, clumsy, messy, and a serious pervert in private.”
“Eh? Really?”
“Uhn… I’m serious.”
Mayumi looked at Yuuji in shock. She didn’t… expect the ever so graceful and bright young dy like Aika to be described as… those adjectives. She wouldn’t have believed it, but because it came from Yuuji, then perhaps… There's some truth to it.
“But maybe… Maybe because she’s like that, that she’s perfee…”
“Eh? W-What do you mean… Yuuji-kun…?”
“...”
A brief moment of silence passed. Mayumi kept her gaze locked on Yuuji’s face. And this time, even within the dimly lit room, she noticed a deep blush surfag on his fabsp;
“I… I’m also… a pervert…”
“E-Eh?! W-What?!”
“B-But not in that sense! I-I mean, i-it might be, but it’s definitely not what you’re thinking of!!!”
Yuuji waved his hands frantically in a panic, his face blushing super red, as Mayumi looked at him in pure shod began moving away from him instinctively.
“W-What i meant is… I-I-I have a fetish for harem!!!”
“...”
If the brief moment of silence before was quiet, then it would be a vacuum now.
Mayumi’s eyes widened into saucers as she looked at the redly blushing Yuuji, who was looking down in pure embarrassment after revealing the fetish he, the freshman ace of the First High School, had.
Mayumi couldn’t believe her ears for a moment. But seeing his rea, a blush began to resurfa her cheeks once more.
“I-I-I-Is that true…? I-I-Is it really… W-What I think it is…?”
He nodded shyly.
“I… just found out about it too… After Aika poi out to me.”
Yuuji said in a quiet, shy voice, a tone Mayumi never heard of before from him. Before her was no lohe fident, handsome, kind, and perfect gentleman he always appeared to be. But a shy, nervous, and embarrassed young man who’s trying his best to show his true self to her.
“I realize that… I fall in love easily… Of course, I won’t just fall in love with any random girl I see. But… with girls that I’ve bee close with… and became ied in… I would fall in love with them before I k…”
Mayumi never shifted her eyes away from his as she listeo his words. And when he mentiohe ter half, a realization came to her.
“I-Is that what happened… with Chiba-san?”
He nodded.
“Mm… Erika was in the same css as Tatsuya. And because I am also close with Tatsuya, we eventually met and became closer after hanging out together often. And before I k… I was attracted to her…”
“I see… B-But… What about… Aika-san?”
Mayumi asked with a trace of fusio in her fabsp;
She had a guess. After recalling everything Yuuji had said about Aika, she had already came to a possible ao ahat question. But she had to firm it with him. She had to be sure…
This time, Yuuji’s expression ged from shy to wry and helpless once again.
“She supports me… Maybe because she’s familiar with “harems” from the media she es or because she’s perverted, she accepted me having a harem and even weled Erika as her “sister” with open arms…”
Her eyes widened once again. Her heart began to thump faster, excited, as hopefulness filled her chest. It was as if she could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“T-Then, what about Chiba-san…?”
“She was quite surprised when we suggested it. But… I was blessed with suderstanding parthat even I couldn’t believe it at first…”
“S-So you’re now in a romantic retionship with the both of them?”
“Yes.”
Yuuji nodded firmly with his eyes locked into hers.
And as a brief moment of silence fell upowo once again, Yuuji could see a whirling mix of various differeions from her expression and her silenbsp;
He k was unfair to her… As unfair as it was for Aika and Erika, who had given their whole heart to love him utterly and pletely. But even so… it was too te for him. He had already fallen in love with Mayumi as well, and he didn’t want to let any of them go, including his mother, aunt, and sisters.
So all he could do now… was to make sure they would nret the love they’ve given to him and give them all the happiness in the world.
“Mayumi-senpai… I have also fallen in love with you.”
“Eh…?”
His words snapped Mayumi out of her daze. Her heart ched, and the whirling storm of mixed emotions in her heart suddenly disappeared and cleared, as if they were never present.
In an instant, everything became clear, and a realization came to her.
Ah… I still do… love him.
Even after everything he said… she still loves him. It was surprising.
Although it wasn’t on in normal families, a man with more than one wife was not unon in higher society. She had seen, and even knew personally, some men having more than one or even two wives.
And although it was quite surprising that Yuuji, a first year student in the school she was attending, had a retionship with both Aika and Erika, the most surprising realization that came to her was the fact that she realized that she still loves him this quick…
With all the emotions swirling around her just a few moments ago, she thought she’d need a bit of time to process everything and make a decision. But… she didn’t expect the answer would e to her this quickly.
As she was stunned by her owion, Yuuji tinued.
“I uand if you were to have… doubts about me after this. But I won’t give up, Mayumi-senpai. I might fall in love easily, but will never give up until I receive your love back. I know it would be unfair to you, but I promise I will love you with all my heart and make you happy. So… please think about it…”
A warm, f sensation washed over all the doubts and shock within her and began filling her heart.
She could see his unease, his nervousness, and his embarrassment. They were obvious, even within this dimly lit room. But they were not born out of deceit.
He was uneasy, nervous, and embarrassed precisely because his words were genuine and sincere… And in his eyes, she could see that he was determio chase after her if she was to reject him now.
A smile… The softest, ge, and most beautiful smile she had ever made appeared on her face. It was a smile she had never made before; a smile of a maiden in love.
“I love you as well… Yuuji-kun. And although I might need some time to get used to… a harem, p-please take care of me…”
His eyes widened for a brief moment, before a smile of pure happiness appeared on his face. Yuuji took her hand slowly and gasped them ever so gently in his hands, as if it was the most precious thing in the world.
He then lowered his head and pressed her hand against his forehead, before looking up to the redly blushing visage of Saegusa Mayumi.
“Thank you… for loving me, Mayumi-senpai. Please take care of me as well…”
“U-Uhn…”
VergsX