Chapter 117: Understanding

Before we set off to my house, I called Akane and told her about Haruko, Sena and Otoha.

Haruko told me she already informed her but I also want to tell Akane, just like how she advised me back then.

After Yae, it will be these three. Will I have another busy night?

Ah. Otoha couldn't stay the night so they'll leave by 8 pm. Only Haruko will stay since that's what she asked of me.

"Mihara-san, long time no see. Are you doing well?"

I greeted Otoha's chauffeur. Mihara Hitomi, she's what you could call a cold beauty. Her age ranges between Shio and Miwa-nee. She still has her long hair that was done into a ponytail using a white ribbon. Her naturally glaring eyes which were adorned by a small mole on the left side, one look at it and people would already think twice before approaching her. Partnered by her suit which failed to conceal her huge breast, she's the type of woman who will be popular among young men. She was specifically handpicked by Otoha's grandfather to be her chauffeur, bodyguard as well as an instructor. She was already with Otoha ever since 1st grade.

One and a half years ago, when I was still in the process of stealing Otoha, I met her. I was naturally attracted to her but because of my tendency to only go after those girls who were in a relationship, I never entertained the idea of taking her as well, no matter how attractive she is for me.

Err. It was Otoha who introduced her to me. We never had a long conversation and it only always ended in greetings.

She might be her all around bodyguard but she never interferes with Otoha's affairs, even when it's clear as day to her how I was trying to steal Otoha from her fiance. She's even the one who drove us to their house together with Otoha. She's devotedly serving Otoha's family but Otoha told me that she was instructed to only obey her instructions, not even her grandfather can command her. Despite Mihara-san's beauty, she didn't have any inclination to start a family with someone. 

There's only one instance that got imprinted in my mind about her. It was how she was interested in sexual things.

Err… since I knew that she wouldn't report back what Otoha and I were doing, oftentimes we'll be all over each other at the backseat of the car. And through the rearview mirror, I could catch Mihara-san watching us.

"I see. Ojou-sama went to meet you again, Ruki-sama."

Her way of calling me didn't change but I guess this is fine, I'm taking back Otoha after all.

I heard from Otoha that she had already asked her grandfather about calling off the engagement. But the decision hasn't been decided yet.

I might be ignorant but it won't be that easy. Her grandfather probably already knows about me. That is if he treasures his granddaughter.

Haruko sat on the passenger seat while the four of us fit ourselves at the backseat.

With Sena at the leftmost side, then Otoha, me and Aya at the rightmost side. Since we'll drop her off at the station Sena conceded that side to her.

It's great to see that even if it's their first time meeting each other, Aya's introverted nature didn't show up often and she could at least hold a conversation with them. Is it because of their similar circumstances of being connected with me? In any case, I love seeing them get along together.

After dropping Aya off, Sena then changed seats to take that side where Aya was sitting earlier.

I looked in the rearview mirror, not only Haruko was looking at us but also Mihara-san. With these two sticking close to me, I don't know what she will think about this situation.

Ah. There's no point minding their gazes, these two will soon grow content at being this close to me. About Mihara-san though, since I'm attracted to her, there might be a point in time where I will also try to take her as mine and now's not the time. She might be interested but my hands are full that I don't even get to see a time to rest.

Well, that will ease up starting next week. The things I have to do for now is to settle these girls, especially those who I haven't met yet, after that will be to plan for the future.

With my limited abilities right now, it won't be a grand of a plan but something in the lines of what I should aim for. And since we're still in high school, studying seriously to learn a trade or two will be my priority.

Stealing girls will still be there since that's just how I really am. That won't just stop but it will be toned down after I'm done with Nami, Shio and Himeko.

The number of girls I have is not normal and well, each of them has their own views for the future. Take Kana who's currently trying her best to change herself for the better. Breaking it off with Kenji, the path ahead of her was now open.

Soon enough, the familiar neighborhood could be seen from the windows.

I already brought Otoha to my house back then so Mihara-san doesn't need any direction on where to go.

"This takes me back, it's been a while since I stepped foot inside your room."

Haruko commented as she looked straight ahead. There's a bit of excitement in her eyes but yeah, Akane and Miwa-nee are there, I wonder how everything will turn out today.

She expressed her want to meet Miwa-nee, the reason for my desire, but what about these two?

"Your room. I remember when I got mad at you there when you revealed everything that you did. You took all of my punches without putting your guard up. After that, you hugged me tight without saying a word nor groans of pain."

Right. There's that instance with Sena, she didn't mention it earlier in consideration of the other two.

"Ruki's room…"

Otoha only muttered that before giggling by herself.

"You three. Can you get along with Akane? That's all I ask of you."

"You don't need to mention that, only Yaeko wanted to compete with her. But you already fixed that, right?"

From the rearview mirror, I saw Haruko's smile.

Ah. The news about Yae spending the night was probably already talked about in that group chat of theirs.

"I have yet to thank Akane. I'll do it today."

Eh? Aren't you the one who thought she was lying when she sent in that group how I was sleeping beside her?

Ah. I guess after sending that picture before, they already accepted that Akane was now also like them.

"Un. Akane made it possible for us to meet again."

By gathering all of them in that group, Akane got to know everyone who harbored feelings towards me. If not for her, they'll probably start showing up one by one or completely give up on me when I cut them off.

"You girls…"

"We don't mind her living with you, just don't forget that we're also here for you."

What more can I say? They're this understanding of the situation, I don't have any worry anymore.

Only Minoru though. He will see another set of beautiful ladies in our house. That boy…

We arrived at my house soon, after disembarking, Otoha also pulled Mihara-san inside the house. She's already like a sister for her so she always tried to pull her everywhere she goes.

With me leading them to the door, Akane greeted us as soon as the door opened.

Haruko went in first and hugged Akane before thanking her.

Then Sena and Otoha followed suit.

Only Mihara-san watched on as to what's happening. Err. She never voiced her thoughts anyway, she's here for Otoha.

After they're done, I went to Akane and kissed her before leading them all to the living room.

Miwa-nee was at the kitchen, cooking our dinner while Minoru was playing games.

When the boy saw the four new arrivals, he was only surprised for a bit before asking who they are.

Err. He's slowly getting used to seeing more of them.

After putting my bag down, I went next to Miwa-nee and greeted her as well.

Akane probably already told her that Haruko and the others will come so she's cooking on a larger pot.

Miwa-nee shooed me away after giving me the kiss I asked of her. She's too focused on cooking that I felt guilty by disturbing her.

Haruko and the other two busied themselves as they circled around the boy which freed Akane from being a punching bag on the game they were playing.

Seeing that, I called Akane to my side to help me prepare tea for everyone.

She's not pouting today and it seems she's really trying to understand that all this will become part of our daily lives now.

"Will you do it with them?"

As we prepare the tea, Akane curiously asked.

"Not necessarily. Unless they ask me for it. I just want to talk to them for us to come to another understanding of what will happen after this."

Err. But not seeing the two for a while, my desire to have them was already ignited. I'll just restrain myself for now so that everything will end well.

They only stuck to me earlier but before leaving my house, they will also decide whether they will stay with me or not. Just like how I asked Ria and Aoi back then.

I also don't need to worry too much about Haruko, she will spend the night here and maybe she will want to talk with Miwa-nee alone.

"Yaeko and I are getting along now, husband. I thought about what you said. That it's much better for us if we all get along with each other."

"Thank you, Akane."

I sincerely thanked her, I might be doing her wrong here but I'm determined to take care of all of them.

After a while, the tea was prepared. We brought it to them before I took Sena upstairs to my room.

I want to hear all their thoughts. There are always things they're not comfortable talking about with others. If we're alone, they will be able to stop restricting themselves from saying anything to me.

I don't know but I was kind of expecting it. Just after closing the door, Sena immediately turned around and embraced me, with tears flowing out of her eyes, she whispered.

"Sorry for getting mad at you and hurting you before. Only when you cut me off did I realize how much I love you…"

"You did those things to steal me and after you succeeded, you changed. Not for the worse but better. Better than him."

I still have no idea how she fell in love with me but now that she's pouring out everything she bottled up, I guess I'm starting to understand.

I also took her in my arms as I quietly listened to everything she had to say.