Stealing Spree

As my girls got introduced to my parents one after another, the slightly suffocating air surrounding us slightly relaxed.

Even the girls from my school had already settled down as they waited for when I would call them. Even Saki who’s probably thinking she’s inferior to the girls again looked better.

Well, I went through those girls from my past first since my parents were already aware of them. And it was proven when they also commented about their past with me. The past that connected us.

As for the remaining seven, they probably only had an inkling of who they are. However, not a lot of time had passed since I entered a relationship with them.

Even if they had the means to put me under surveillance or gather information through unknown means, they wouldn’t be able to make a portfolio about their profiles this quickly. Or it could also be that I was underestimating my parents’ methods.

Either way, that would be answered in a bit.

“Oh. Right, Akane, can you hold Minoru for me? Also, who among you can help me in the kitchen? Let’s prepare a dinner for everyone – And before anyone forgets, call your house to say you’re having dinner here. Don’t make them worry.”

Before my eyes rested on the next girl, Miwa-nee unexpectedly spoke as she handed the silent Minoru to Akane, sitting him down on her lap.

I then noticed Miwa-nee looking at me, a crafty smile hanging on her lips. If I had to guess, she raised that question to give the others something to do rather than just hold their breath and wait for me to finish introducing them one by one.

A while later, after they called or sent a message to their homes, three girls stood up to help prepare our dinner.

“Ah, Ayase-chan, you don’t have to. I’m pretty sure Ruki’s going to call you soon.” Miwa-nee stopped Aya. She’s about to stand up and even though she’s still not as comfortable with others from the other school, she wordlessly wanted to help.

Looking for confirmation, Aya’s eyes promptly landed on me.

Naturally, I responded positively which made her return to her seat before commending the two girls who volunteered; Yukari and Miyako. After wearing the aprons given by Miwa-nee, they disappeared into the kitchen.

Ah. Not really disappeared since it’s not that far from the dining table. But with their attention now turned to prepare dinner, I somehow got the urge to stand up and watch them do something housewife-like.

As far as I remembered, whenever I would bring them to this house when I had just stolen them… I was always the one serving them dinner even though they’re expressing their willingness to do it for me.

Given how stubborn I was back then. I always refused.

Well, it’s different now and I am looking forward to what they’ll make.

Back on the dining table, the other girls showed a rather regretful and ashamed expression. However, I could understand why they decided against volunteering. They feared that they would make a mess instead of helping. Most of them weren’t really that well-versed in the art of cooking.

“… Dear, tell me. Will you be mad at me if I also fell in love with different girls back in high school?”

Upon hearing that question that originated from my dad who also watched what happened, I couldn’t help but shake my head.

Dad, are you asking to be hanged?

“Mad? Dear, you’re underestimating me. I’d strip you naked and parade you around our school. If need be, I’d tie you along with your bestfriend, Satoru. You two are cut from the same cloth, I will be doing Akemi a favor.”

The temperature around my mom immediately lowered as a bone-chilling smile peeked out from her lips making my old man perspire cold sweat.

Even if it’s just a joke on his part, my old man risked his life…

But really, seeing my mother react that strongly, she’s the real deal.

If Aunt Akemi was a delinquent… She's the hidden boss of their school. Despite her lazy-looking, innocent appearance, she’s most likely capable of overturning heaven and earth when it comes to her relationship with my father…

And upon seeing this, that returned me to the same question… Why did they tolerate my desire? It’s not that they didn’t care… They allowed it to happen while monitoring me.

When my dad failed to make any response, remaining frozen at his seat, my mom’s gaze then landed on me. “Don’t worry about it, Ruki… Go on, call the next girl… I can’t wait to get to know them.”

Knowing that I wouldn’t get an answer even if I asked her about it right now, I just nodded and called Kana.

Although she already mustered her courage, witnessing that exchange that instantly stumped my stoic father, the shy and cute girl stuck to my side after sitting down, afraid to meet my mom’s gaze.

“Kana-chan, isn’t it? Don’t be afraid. I love everyone my son loves. It’s just bad taste that this man even thought of copying his son.”

“… It’s a hypothetical question!”

My old man instantly rebutted. However, he was once again met by mom’s cold gaze, her hands crawling from his arm to his shoulder, making him shiver in fright.

“Hypothetical, huh? It oozed out your desire to get more girlfriends other than me. Dear, are you actually the one who passed that to our son? Do you wish for him to fulfill your hidden desire?”

… Alright, that’s a new angle that I never thought possible.

Naturally, that’s impossible. We already found the culprit after all and I don’t see any point in confronting her for it.

“I never thought of that until today!”

“Remain sitting there, dear. Wait for me to erase that thought in your mind once we’re done getting to know our lovely daughters-in-law.”

With that one-sided banter between my parents, Kana eventually relaxed as she giggled at what she’s witnessing. My old man being at the mercy of my mom wasn’t something new. I knew all along that… he’s more of a simp than me. He just had to be that careless in blurting out his thoughts…

In a normal sense, bringing the girls here with me might not come off me introducing them… If someone else would be questioned about this situation, they’d definitely call this as me presenting my girls as trophies.

That’s how absurd this is.

In any case, that should only be held true if I still had the same mindset of not being able to recognize the feelings of like and love.

I am aware of my own feelings. Even if someone tries to point out that I’m not actually in love with all of them, I’ll just have to prove it wrong.

It’s unusual, yes. But not totally impossible.

However, on the same note, no matter how I tried to justify this relationship, it would never feel right to others… That’s something we had no choice but to accept.

Anyway, even though I’m hoping to present them as lovable as possible, I’m not seeking my parents’ permission or validation. I just want to show them the path that I have chosen.

I will be treading this with the girls who’ll stay with me whether my parents accept it or not in the end.