Chapter 63: To be or not to be.

 "Thank you for coming out this early, Andy..."  

"It's nothing. So, what do need my help with, Haruto?"

Having noticed my presence, Haruto started the conversation as I sat down next to him on the bench.

And because it's a weekday morning, the park has very few visitors besides us. Making it perfect for sensitive conversations.

'He didn't tell me anything, but I can tell it's something deep just by the tone of his voice.'

Haruto didn't immediately respond to my question. Instead he waited a few seconds before opening his mouth.

"Did you... see the news yesterday..?"

"The news?"

Like a keyword, yesterday's memories came rushing past me. Particularly last night's dinner.

'Is he referring to the announcement of the Incest Law?'

Though that's just my assumption. 

"I did, but what exactly are you referring to?"

"... The..."

Haruto paused. He shifts his gaze, from me to his lap.

"..... The Incest Law..."  He finally managed to say. 

"What..."

His hands curl into fists resting on his thighs.

"What's your opinion on it..? About family seeing each other that way."

He turns an eye and glances at me from the side. Gauging my reaction.

"What's my take on incest, huh..."

If we're talking about incest in fiction, then I might have said, "Incest is wincest lol."

But the atmosphere clearly hints that Haruto is talking about himself. 

Real life, not fiction. 

"... I don't see an issue with it. I mean, we did evolve to be able to handle one generation of it."  I respond with a casual demeanor.

Not because I'm taking this lightly, but because I want Haruto to feel less tense.

"But why are asking me about incest all of a sudden?"

At my question, Haruto flinched. His gaze quickly moved away from me.

"A- A friend! A friend of mine is stuck with a dilemma! His mom and little sister confessed their feelings for him, but he didn't know what to do! S-So he asked me help!"  He said outloud in a panicked voice.

'Ah, the "a friend of mine" tactic. Never thought I'd see it used in real life.'

It's a classic trope where a person pretends the situation isn't about them by shifting it to an unnamed friend that doesn't exist.

There's just one issue...

"Haruto... aren't I your only friend..?"

It's that Haruto here doesnt have any other friend except me.

"........... I made a new friend..."

"... Didn't you message me yesterday afternoon thanking me for being your friend and that you didn't have anyone else?"

"......"

"........"

Haruto's fists uncurl, and rise to cover his face.

"Please just go along, Andy."

He whispered. His face underneath red with embarrassment. 

"..... Ahem! So, uh, this friend of yours doesn't know what to do with the confessions from his mom and little sister, correct?"

Haruto pulled his hands away, and placed them back on his lap. And though his face is still red, he met my gaze again.

"Yes... He doesn't know what the right thing to do is... If he should reject them and pretend like nothing happened, or maybe..."

Haruto didn't finish the thought, but it's obvious what he wanted to say.

'To think even Haruto is experiencing something like this... Makes me wonder if 1 in 3 couples I see from now on will be incest couples.'

"Well then, how does this friend of yours feel? Does he want to become like that with his mother and little sister? Or does he only see them as family?"

At my question, Haruto fell into thought as he tries to understand his own feelings.

This period wasn't short either. Stretching on for a number of minutes.

During which, he opened his mouth several times, but no words came out.

".... He... He can see them as members of the opposite sex, but he's not sure if he wants their relationship to become that way..."

"I see..."

I raise my hand, and grip my chin.

'Hm... What do I do about this??'

Now I'm the one going into thought.

'....... Oh. That might work.'

But contrary to my expectations, a solid idea soon came to me.

Turning my head, I met Haruto's curious gaze.

"Imagine your mom and little sister each found love with another guy. How does that make you feel?"

'This has to work! There's no way it doesn't-'

"I... I don't know..."

"... Crap. That usually works."

I reach up and scratch my head as I think of another strategy.

'Maybe something that's more direct?'

"How about this. Do you hate your mom and little sister?"

"N-No. They're both very kind to me."  Haruto quickly responded this time. As if this is the one thing he's sure of.

Oh, and it seems he's forgotten about the whole "a friend of mine" thing.

"Even though I shut myself away for a long time, they welcomed me with open arms when I came out again."

"Then do you want to be with them forever? Living under the same roof?"

"That... doesn't sound so bad..."  Haruto muttered his response.

"So, you don't hate them, correct? Then do you want them to be happy?"

"Huh? Well of course I want them to be happy. They're my family."

Haruto stares at me like I just asked him if the sky is blue.

But I have my reason for asking that question in particular.

"Then do you want to be their source of their happiness?"

Haruto's eyes widened at my question.

"I, I think so?"

'Alright. Now for the next strategy.'

I lean in, and bring my lips close to his ear.

"Now close your eyes... And imagine yourself being intimate with them both. Not as family, but as man and women."

When my breath hit his ear, Haruto flinched, but soon does as he's told. Closing his eyes and imagining himself with the two women of his family.

'Now to paint the picture.'

"You're sitting on a bed... Both of them are standing right in front of you..."

"Your mom approaches, and brings her lips closer to yours... She's going for a kiss... Do you push her away? Or do you want it to happen?"

"I.... I want it to happen..."

"Then you don't push her away. She pushes her lips against yours... They feel warm, and wet..."

At my description, Haruto's breathing picked up. Going faster than it was before.

"When she pulls away, your sister comes closer for her turn. What do you do?"

"... I let it happen..."

'Ho? Would you look at that. It's actually working.'

"Your sister's lips meet yours... Though they aren't as big as your mother's, they're still just as warm, and wet..."

"Haa... Haaa..."

"She pulls away. Your eyes meet as she does... You didn't notice it before, but the way they're looking at you is filled with desire."

"They want you, they long for you on a deep, carnal level."

Haruto's breath hitched for a brief second.

'Hm... Maybe I have a talent for ASMR. I should try it on Hina next time.'

"They reach out."

"Their hands grip your shoulders, and they push you down."

When he imagined it- His mother and sister pushing him down, climbing on top of him, Haruto swallowed his spit. His throat flexed when he did.

"Last chance... You can still push them away. Go back to how things were..."

"....."

"But if you choose to continue, you'll no longer just be family, but lovers as well..."

"......"

"......."

Haruto didn't respond. Even after a minute has passed, he hasn't said a word.

'... Maybe I was wrong. Or perhaps it's because everything happened so fast that he hasn't had enough time to sort out his feelings.'

"I..."

Haruto finally spoke up.

He opened his eyes, and turned his head to face me.

"I want this... I, I want my mom and sister to touch me. I want to love them not just as family, but as lovers, too."

'His gaze...'

The look in Haruto's eyes, he's sure about this. About accepting their confessions of love.

'Hah... So you do know how to look someone straight in the eye after all.'

Bit by bit, he's coming out of his shell.

And as his friend, I can only be proud of his growth.

'I wish you happiness, Haruto.'

My dear introverted friend.

.

.

(BONUS)

"So you gave up on the whole "friend" thing, huh?"

"Ah! That- That's not fair! You tricked me!"

"Heh- I didn't trick you though~ You just forgot~"

"Ahhhh!! So embarrassing!"

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