CH 37

“Ah~”

“Hehe, feels good, doesn’t it?”

As I soaked in the bathtub, I nodded in agreement, reveling in the luxurious experience after my exercise routine. The expansive size of the Hououin family’s bathroom only added to my sense of liberation.

Despite having a general idea of what the room looked like from playing games, the in-person experience was a whole different level.

“You know, it’s my first time seeing water coming out of a lion’s mouth.”

“Well, it’s not something you see in an ordinary household.”

“It’s almost like being at a traditional Japanese inn.”

“Do you like it?”

I couldn’t help but smirk at her question. 

“Doesn’t it seem like I don’t like it when you look at my face?”

As Shirayuki continued to chuckle, I realized that while the solitude was liberating, it could also be lonely. But then again, I had a sudden thought— maybe I wouldn’t have to take baths alone anymore.

“Shirayuki.”

“Yes.”

“Is it possible that we’ll be taking baths together from now on?”

“Huh? Don’t we already do that?”

Her surprised expression made me feel a bit foolish, but she quickly put me at ease.

“Oh, I was just joking. Of course it’s okay for Touma-kun and me to do things together. I’m sure you would like that too. But sometimes it can get a bit cramped, so we’ll just have to see how we feel.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“Yes, my mother and I want to be involved in everything with you, but we don’t want to be too overbearing. However, if anyone else tries to seduce you, we’ll love you so much that you’ll forget all your values and be completely smitten with us.”

Although I was a little frightened by her words, I laughed it off, feeling confident in my love for Shirayuki and Hisui. Being surrounded by them had already increased my appreciation for women, so I knew I wouldn’t be swayed by anyone else’s advances.

“Well, that’s definitely not going to happen. Besides, Shirayuki knows how much I love you guys, right?”

“I do understand. Touma-kun will never leave us, it’s destiny that has already been decided.”

In fact, she had even shown me the meaning of “pyu-pyu” right after we got into the bath earlier… I couldn’t help but think that no matter what they did to me, I would gladly accept it with this body of mine.

“Anyway, this is bad timing, isn’t it?”

“About, Hisui?”

“Yes.”

Today, Shirayuki and Hisui had planned to do various things to celebrate my move, but she received a message saying that she would be coming home late because work had kept her busy.

It wasn’t that she was too busy at the moment, but rather that Hisui was trying her best to make more time for us, as Shirayuki had explained to me.

“When I think of my mother’s voice on the other end of the phone…hehe♪”

“You have a mischievous look on your face, Shirayuki.”

“Sorry. It’s just amusing.”

Hououin’s family has a strong bond and are very close, but they often compete with each other, so this is normal.

Although we are close enough to touch each other’s shoulders, I wanted to feel her a little more, so I hugged her shoulders.

As we looked at each other without saying a word, I brought up that topic.

“I wonder if Yosuke will do anything?”

“I don’t think he will do anything. He’s not a strong-willed person, so even if he had a big desire, he’s fragile enough to crumble easily from something with a greater impact.”

“That’s probably true.”

“Yes. And even if he does do something, it won’t be a problem. At that time, we’ll just make him disappear for real.”

“…”

I sensed Shirayuki’s unwavering determination.

But yeah, I should also firmly consider the possibility of him doing something in a fit of rage.

“Yosuke probably sees me as a perverted b*****d who moves into the house of the girl he likes and shamelessly does sexual things to her…well, it’s probably best to be cautious. “

“I don’t think you’re a perverted b*****d. Besides, he was already creepy enough when he was following me and Touma-kun, so if he gets to see our relationship, it’s his own fault.”

It was clear that Yosuke was disliked by Shirayuki, and Hisui, but they didn’t need to worry. Though it was probably something I shouldn’t say, as someone deeply involved with them, I felt I had to protect them.

“I’ll protect Shirayuki and Hisui too. Fortunately, my body is big, so I’ll protect you with my body, like Benkei.”

“But you might die doing that.”

“That’s just the kind of spirit I have.”

“That’s not okay, you know? …Oh, but even if something happens to Touma-kun, my mother and I will follow you, so there won’t be a problem, right?”

“That’s not funny, Shirayuki-san.”

“That was a joke, I swear.”

Was she really joking…?

After that, we warmed up our bodies thoroughly and got out of the bath together…While feeling really sorry and creepy, I just watched Shirayuki dry her body and hair and change into her nightwear.

“What is it? Being stared at by the person you love so much that you feel like there’s a hole in your heart is so good! The embarrassment of thinking ‘don’t look at me so much’ and the feeling of wanting to be looked at are struggling inside me and it feels so good♪”

Oh, then I’ll keep staring at you from now on!

After getting out of the bath, the two of us started preparing dinner, and there I asked her something I had wanted to know for a long time.

“Come to think of it, Shirayuki, there’s something I haven’t asked you yet.”

“What is it?”

“I wonder…how did I come to this world?”

Yes, that was something I had never been able to figure out.

In my past life, there were stories of diving into a world of games and novels that were overflowing with imagination, but it was something that was considered impossible in reality.

“I see. Honestly, I don’t know the exact reason why my mother and I called the current situation a miracle. We believe that the love we have for you is what caused this miracle to happen, but we don’t have a clear answer.”

“…Yeah, I guess so.”

“But if we had that kind of power, we would have brought you to our world much earlier.”

“That’s true…”

It’s an unusual phenomenon… I can’t think of any explanation other than it being a prank by God.

But still, I’m glad that this miracle happened, and I think I’ll choose to believe that it was the result of the love between these two. I also love them, so that’s how I feel.

“Oh, that’s right. There’s something I wanted to say too.”

“What is it?”

“I explained about Touma-kun being adopted and all, but… well, if you think of yourself as a future son-in-law, that’s fine too. I plan to explain everything in order, but the ultimate goal of my mother’s plan is for Touma-kun and I to get married.”

“That’s a big topic to bring up all of a sudden.”

“Sorry,” Shirayuki apologized with a tongue sticking out.

“For us, marriage isn’t really necessary, and I was happy just to continue our relationship without any big celebrations. But my mother said she wants us to experience marriage.”

“I see…”

With a mischievous smile, Shirayuki added, “My mother also found it amusing to remind those who gave up on you of the weight of your existence by arranging for you to marry me, Hououin’s daughter… I’m also curious to see their reaction.”

“…Yeah,” I agreed. Apart from my father, who was threatened by Hisui, the others are likely to be quite upset… even though it has nothing to do with them anymore.

“You know, that thing. Hey, what kind of feeling is it? That thing where you provoke someone’s emotions!”

“Stop it, Shirayuki! Don’t let yourself get caught up in that kind of thing!”

Although she didn’t quite grasp the joke, her eagerness to use newly learned words made her all the more endearing, like a child exploring the world. She was so cute!