Chapter 521: Breaking the Standoff

After snatching a few minutes inside that room wherein Miyako and I caught up on what’s happening around us personally, we left with Miyako sticking closely to me.

Well, although we always talked to each other, updating us of our day, there were still some details that were left off.

And this time, Miyako told me everything that’s inside her mind. From her thoughts after restarting her relationship with me and the days that passed without being able to be by my side again.

She expressed how she’s looking forward to just having me sit beside her just like in the old times. According to her, even without talking to each other, the companionship that I gave her back then was enough to save her from the troubles she’s not telling me.

Due to that, I told her that next year, I would ask all of them to come to the same school or I would just come to the same school as them. Either way, I would be asking for all their opinions and decide based on that.

And when she heard that, Miyako expressed excitement for that prospect. She began listing the places she would take me where we could be alone or... things we could do that we failed to do back then because of my desire running rampant.

When she suddenly barged into that room to confront me, Miyako was too gloomy that it appeared as if the world were working against her. But now, with each passing day, that gloom gradually disappeared and was replaced with the smile on her lips that was gradually getting bigger and brighter.

And although there were still times when her hate for me would resurface, Miyako apologized to me for it and asked me for my understanding.

Naturally, I answered that it wasn’t bothering me, in fact, I wanted her to vent all of that. At least, I deserved the hate she had for me and I was more than willing to atone for that.

It was hard for her before and perhaps even now.

Nonetheless, with Akane and the other girls now acquainted with her or how some of them would deliberately come to her classroom and asked her to hang out with them, the feeling of being ostracized because of the rumors had already eased up to the point that there were fewer people who would talk behind her back.

If it was only me... it would take a while for those rumors to disperse and being not from the same school, it would be hard for me to enact my plan for it.

That’s why my girls going out of their way to look after each other was something I would always be thankful for.

It’s easy to guess that like everyone else, she wanted a relationship with me that was more than lovers. At the moment, at least.

We’re all growing so it was inevitable that there would come a point wherein they had to rethink their decisions again.

Whatever their decisions may be, I will prepare myself to accept them.

“They’re still going at it, huh?” I couldn’t help but mutter upon seeing the girls still crowded in the living room.

With Miyako stuck to my side, I went there to see the current state of their game. I was sure that the girls already saw me earlier but... they’re seriously trying to play the game.

With Mizuki moving to the side to let me in before taking my free side, I became a witness to something like a UNO standoff between the three girls

Shio already finished since she only had two +4 Cards earlier.

According to Hiyori and the others who explained the situation to me, that should be the end of their game. However, the three continued the game by saying Shio’s win wasn’t counted because she was only dragged by them into playing that game.

“Your girls are all too stubborn, Ruki. They all take from you.” Mizuki smirked. “Won’t you stop them?”

“Un. It’s time to stop it before it escalates to something else. I’ll be back.” I answered before gently sliding both Mizuki and Miyako’s arms that were hooked on mine.

Following that, I entered the circle and crouched down next to Shio and Chii.

Shio had a defeated face as she slowly shook her head. She’s taking it to heart that she failed to stop the game with her win. As for Chii, she meaningfully smiled and whispered something to me. “Kii, you know what to do. You’re the only one who can stop this...”

And with that additional encouragement from Chii, I asked Shio to let me take her place.

As soon as I sat down in front of the three, they all raised their focused eyes and put me under their gazes.

Starting from Akane, all three and those behind them stopped in place. Akane and Yae instantly dropped what they’re doing and crawled towards me on all fours.

Satsuki clicked her tongue and put down the card before doing the same. She was then followed by Nami who also felt a bit embarrassed.

Saki and Hina remained from where they were but they both had a wry smile on their lips.

Shizu sighed and whispered to Aoi who was urging her to do the same.

“Won’t you finish the game?” I teasingly asked them which made Akane and Yae stop in place, Satsuki averted her gaze and Shizu sighs once more.

“Husband... the game is...” Akane ashamedly muttered

“It was a childish quarrel.” Satsuki silently whispered

“I admit. My feelings got the better of me...” Shizu lowered her gaze, not daring to look at me.

Although I only asked one question and I didn’t mean to make them feel bad, the three of them had almost the same reactions.

I then scanned my gaze to the girls around them, Yae, Nami and Aoi were probably guilty that instead of stopping, they egged them on.

As for those who were just spectating like Haruko, Miwa-nee and the other girls I greeted earlier, they couldn’t help but stifle their giggles at this situation.

With this little event, they somehow got the impression of each other, especially of those playing the game.

“Alright. I’m not mad or anything. I don’t know what exactly happened that you ended up playing like that. And I can feel the intense rivalry earlier... But, you three or six both know me, right?” Returning my gaze to the six girls in front of me.

“It’s my bad, husband. I... I provoked them.” After saying that, Akane apologized to the two girls and Shio.

Yae followed her and apologized alongside Akane.

“No... I also had a hand on it, sweetie.”

Satsuki didn’t accept their apologies and instead did the same. “It’s my frown and how I stared at them that started it.”

“Wrong. I am the one responsible for it. I want to check your women... And I must say, I’m not disappointed...” Before they all turned to Shizu, the girl stood up and confidently took responsibility.

On the other hand, Nami and Aoi remained silent. They only joined in when the game was already underway. Especially Nami who arrived with me.

These girls... I never told them to apologize or take responsibility but they still did it.

Perhaps in their eyes, they did something wrong. But for me... I saw that as them bonding together. Especially when the others were watching them interestingly.

Even Hiyori, who was shy for the most part, was enjoying it.

Or am I seeing the situation differently?

Either way, before they could go in circles by apologizing to each other, I stood up and swept the cards to the side in the middle of them before pulling all four of them in my arms.

“You girls, you’re all too silly, don’t you think so?”

After embracing them, I gave all of their foreheads a flick and followed it up with a kiss on the part they were hit.

“I love you. All of you. If anyone’s to blame and take responsibility here, that’s me.”