Stealing Spree

When morning arrived, I woke up with only Haruko remaining in the room, snuggled comfortably on top of me while watching me sleep. With her quirk still making her clingier than normal, Haruko told me that she intentionally chose to stay with me in the room while the other two got up and went down to the kitchen.

Even though she should still be sore and tired from what we did last night, Edel was apparently the first one to wake up. She was about to leave the room when Haruko and Akane noticed her.

Upon asking what she was going to do, the girl energetically answered that she wanted to prepare our breakfast. Hearing that, Akane quickly got up and followed to help her. It’s not because she’s worried about Edel making a mess in the kitchen but most likely to get to know more about the silver-haired koala.

Well, she also thought that Edel being fully energized was unnatural. I mean, most of my girls would be too tired after doing it for the first time on top of being sore. The girl, on the other hand, appeared seemingly unaffected.

And with last night being marked as her entry into our complex relationship, Akane would begin treating her as one of them. Not just a guest brought by Haruko or my target but a new sister.

Anyway, knowing that Edel would be making our breakfast, my stomach was already looking forward to it… Considering she thought of surprising me, I opted to not get up quickly and just spend the first hour of our morning, doting and spoiling my Haruko.

No. Even if Edel didn’t plan for that surprise, I also noted in my mind to make use of our little time in the morning to focus on Haruko.

Although I got a happy ending with Edel, I somehow neglected Haruko last night when it’s supposed to be her once-a-week chance to be with me.

Naturally, I didn’t voice out an apology or even mention that I was blaming myself again for neglecting her. Not only would she deny it and scold me for thinking like that, but it would also sour our morning.

There were always things that were better left unsaid. Furthermore, in this case, action speaks louder than words.

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“Hubby, your efficiency in making someone fall in love with you is a lot higher than before. That’s three out of five in less than two months…”

Haruko teasingly said after we finished doing some bed exercises. Despite doing it twice with Edel last night, I still have the energy to do it twice again with Haruko…

Uh… Eating stamina-focused dishes and regular exercise surely played a huge part but doing it was also a form of exercise, right? Although it’s unscientific to apply the logic of building physical stamina to the number of ejaculations in a day, it probably still influences it, even for just a bit.

Moreover, admiring their beauty and alluring figures was enough to add a boost of energy to me… It’s also unscientific but that's just how it is…

I mean, even at this moment, part of my focus leaned towards admiring Haruko’s sweaty and rather disheveled appearance. I still find her too alluring despite doing it twice.

And that clearly resulted in my response coming a little late…

“… Is it more efficient now? You helped me connect to the three. It’s not only my effort. Besides, knowing that you’re also my girl eased their minds. In truth, half of the accomplishment should be credited to you.”

Uh. It’s wrong to call those as accomplishments but since the word was only used as a supplement to the context of our conversation, I guess that’s fine… As long as I don’t start treating them as trophies. They’re the same as everyone, someone I will be delighted to grow old with.

“… Maybe you’re right when it comes to Himeko, Mina and Edel. But what about the others? The girls from your class, Shizu and Kana. Do you think the middle-schooler Ruki could accomplish what you accomplished in these past two months?”

Can the past me accomplish it?

Right… There’s only one answer to that…

“No. If it’s my past self, I will probably still be ignorant that you’re there. Moreover, I might still be relishing my new conquest in the form of Kana… Alright, I’m aware… Even though I claimed to be different than before, I am definitely better at conquering girls in this present…”

“You’re right. That’s how you were before. You didn’t work on multiple targets at the same time. You’re always biding your time and you never appealed to us through emotions. You’re a cold, manipulative guy… If not for spending time with you after you conquered, I would also fail to notice how considerate you are and how much you cared for me.” Haruko nodded continuously as she expounded on ‘why’ my past self wouldn’t be able to accomplish what I built today.

“Hubby, if I am asked which version of you I preferred, my answer is too obvious, right? Your past self will not be able to hold a candle to your present self… Women, you see, will always prefer for our feelings to be validated and reciprocated rather than assume that’s the case through your actions. In which case, words speak louder than any action.” Haruko continued while putting on a meaningful smile.

Everything she said was correct. I guess except for one thing. It’s not only women who prefer that. Most people wanted their feelings to be reciprocated and spoken in words. Some would even hold onto it even if it’s a lie…

But of course, what Haruko was pointing out was the recognition of mutual affection, without it, it would remain one-sided. And the possibility for one to drop out was extremely high…

Satsuki and Sakuma was a prime example of it. Because they failed to validate their affection for each other before my appearance, it became my point of entry, taking Satsuki for myself instead.

The case of Ogawa and Nami was also similar at one point. They were successful at validating their mutual affection but at that point in time, another candidate already appeared, cracking something that was apparently built for years.

In short, my take on what Haruko raised was as follows; my past self was a menace while my present self was in the middle of being a menace and a fine gentleman… Uh is that understandable? I don’t know. But that’s it…

“Mhm… This is why I love my Haruko a lot…”

“You silly. You went off on your interpretation again. By the way, like you asked. I won’t interfere with Yui and Nori. Do as you see fit… I will also not impose on you to help them, everything will be at your discretion… As for my relationship with them—”

“You don’t have to change your relationship with them. Haruko. They’re leaning their backs on you, right? Keep supporting them. I noticed it from the three. You’re more than just a pillar for them. Your relationship wasn’t as simple as loving each other. It’s rather vague back then but the more I understand the girls around you, the more I understand why you did it. Besides, who am I to judge when I once threw most of you out of my life…?”

Hearing all that, Haruko put on a gentle, satisfied smile. However, it was soon replaced with a bitter and self-deprecating one.

“You’ve truly changed into a fine man, Ruki… It’s no surprise that most of us chased and waited for you … I’m not one of them though… I went and fell in love with the girls I’m only supposed to help…”