Chapter 550: In between

Arriving home at the same time as last night, I was still welcomed by Akane. Despite her sleepiness, the girl waited for me right at the front door, the same as every other day.

I’m aware. Seeing her like this always pricked something inside me.

I was supposed to only love her. But this desire of mine broke that premise. She had no choice but to adjust and make a corner for herself. That way, she’d be with me. That’s the most important thing for her. To be with me. To continue being by my side.

I probably went over this topic a lot of times already but every time I would see her like this, I couldn’t help but think back on it.

Nonetheless, having been reminded earlier, I reeled in the other urge to apologize. That wouldn’t do any good at this point after all. Instead, I put on a wide smile as I closed the distance between us.

After kissing her, I carried her like a princess, brought her to the living room and spent some time with her as we both talked about what happened today.

Miwa-nee, Minoru, Haruko and Serizawa-senpai had already retreated to their rooms so the whole living room was for the two of us.

Reflecting on everything that happened today, from when I picked up Haruko until my last minutes on the train where I spent it all to check on everyone, including those who failed to come today; Himeko, Otoha and Nao.

Akane evaluated it as partly successful. Only partly because of how I still had to leave in the afternoon. I left them by themselves to socialize and get to know each other.

According to Akane, even if it appeared that nothing major happened, some of them were still reserved with each other. Akane also admitted earlier that she’s finding it hard to get along with Shizu because of the latter’s stubbornness.

“I know it’s still far off the calendar. What do you think about going somewhere during summer vacation? All of us... in one place for a few days.”

I opened a suggestion in line with our topic. Summer vacation was something all of us would experience. Using that time to once more gather everyone, it was better for it to be more memorable.

“That’s a great idea, husband. But the same as today, some of us have the possibility of being unable to come. Unless all of us planned for it and set aside that date. Furthermore, you have to prepare yourself because... everyone will try to earn your attention. You will truly be put under time pressure even if we hold ourselves back. And even if we think about your health, the reason why everyone will come is to be with you, spend time and make memories with you.”

Akane gave me her insight. Everything made sense. My suggestion was assuming that everything would be perfect just because we’re all in the same place. That’s too much positive thinking.

In the end, even if I was there with them, it’s still my time that would be constricted.

“Thank you for your insight, Akane. I’m being naïve again, huh? I better increase my daily workout so I won’t burn out when that time comes. Let’s talk about this topic with everyone. If everyone is fine with it, let’s plan for it together.”

After a few minutes there, Akane and I took a bath before finally retreating to our room.

And as always, even if I had just done it with Saki before going home, Akane would always be irresistible for me. Making love with her in our special room and spoiling each other was another way of communication between us.

Before turning in the night, I excused myself to Akane to check on Miwa-nee as well as Haruko.

Even though she hadn’t let me finish with my excuse, Akane already gave me her permission.

Obviously, knowing my character, she already predicted it.

In a way, excusing myself like that could now be seen as a common courtesy for us. It’s to let her know that... I would be out of our bed for a while.

In the end, I would still return to our bed and hold her close until the morning.

When I reached Miwa-nee’s room, the mother and child were already asleep.

I had to open their door myself to check on them because Miwa-nee wasn’t answering it.

The beer they drank earlier surely influenced her slightly, making her sleepy. Moreover, she’s probably the most tired among us today. Apart from washing and cooking, she also cleaned the interior of the house when everyone left. Akane, Haruko and Serizawa-senpai helped her but still, most of the work was done by her.

To not disturb them, I only fixed their blankets and made sure that they’re comfortably sleeping before leaving their room.

When I knocked on their door Haruko and Serizawa-senpai were still awake.

As soon as the door opened, Haruko’s meaningful smile welcomed me, pulled me inside and had me join them in bed.

Considering this was the bed where I would sleep with a girl before, it’s wide enough for three people.

Serizawa-senpai who was lying down at the side next to the wall instantly buried her face on the pillow to escape my eyes.

The two were already wearing their night attire. For Haruko it was a somewhat oversized pair of purple pajamas while it’s a frilly one-piece thin negligee for Serizawa-senpai. The latter was already covered in a blanket so there’s no way for me to get a better look at her figure.

In any case, it’s not like I visited this room for her so I didn’t mind it.

Being next to my Haruko was enough for me.

“Hubby, how long will you be able to stay?” Haruko climbed the bed and asked.

We already did it twice earlier so... the girl was surely not planning to do it with me. Especially with Serizawa-senpai here with us. Cuddling was more than fine though and perhaps, a little intimate moment.

“Let’s see. I don’t want to make Serizawa-senpai too uncomfortable with my presence so... I’ll stay until you fall asleep, how’s that sound?”

It’s not even midnight yet so... I could still stay up until then. I just didn’t know if Haruko would be able to fall asleep quickly.

Either way, I somehow had an invisible alarm in my mind reminding me to return to our room before sleepiness sets in.

“Un... That’s enough. Come here and lay down in between us.”

Instead of scooching over to the middle of the bed, Haruko tapped the middle portion while flashing a meaningful smile on her lips.

“Huh? I just told you—”

“Have you forgotten? If you’re close enough to her, Edel’s fear will not trigger.” Haruko cut me off and reminded me of earlier.

It’s easy to guess what Haruko wanted this time. An extension of what happened earlier.

With my eyes alternating from her and to the girl who was lying on her stomach with her face hidden by the pillow, I observed her reaction to our conversation.

And given that she’s not asleep yet, her exposed ears kept on twitching from what she was hearing.

“Still... Isn’t it better for me to ask her first?”

“Hmm... You’re right. Go ahead then. Edel, can you turn your head to us?”

The confidence in Haruko’s voice wasn’t even masked. It’s like she’s certain that Serizawa-senpai would say yes.

“... Haru.” Reacting to Haruko’s voice, the girl slightly lifted her head and turned her head towards us with difficulty.

“It’s your choice that we will respect. You can say no if you don’t want Ruki to be in between us.”

Perhaps to ease my mind that she’s not forcing the girl, Haruko presented that choice.

And following up on that, I also added. “Senpai, don’t hesitate to say what’s on your mind. We’ll respect your choice here.”

In any case, given what happened earlier... I was already expecting Serizawa-senpai to say yes. The way she clung to me was as if she’s in the safest place in the world.

I was aware that Serizawa-senpai also wanted to improve her situation. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be here.

“I... If you... don’t mind me clinging to you again. Go ahead.” Serizawa-senpai answered as expected. But her words of acceptance were kind of weird. It’s like she’s certain that I would be used as a hug pillow by her once more.

On the side, Haruko giggled lightly, “See? Hurry up, hubby. We still have school tomorrow.”

“You and your plans...” I answered while sounding somewhat helpless.

“Can you forgive me for my selfishness? You know, I’ll take every chance to help them.”

“There’s nothing to forgive, silly... If it’s for you, I will do it.” I said as I slowly climbed on the bed and settled myself in between the two girls.

“Come here.” I stretched my arms open, gesturing for Haruko to use it as a pillow.

Haruko happily took it and snuggled to me before she affectionately whispered words of gratitude. “Thank you for today, hubby.”

I answered that with a kiss rather than words. It’s better to convey my appreciation of her through it.

A few minutes later, the girl on my left carefully moved her body as she shakingly snuggled to my free side until she found the most comfortable position while clinging tightly to me.

Just like what she told me, Serizawa-senpai chose to be in her paradise rather than be engulfed with her fear at a distance.

To calm her down, I just did the same thing as I did earlier, rubbing her head and her back.

I know.

With this kind of position, it will somehow be impossible to leave later. But rather than think about it now, I’ll do something about it when the time comes.