Chapter 2945: Home

After tucking in Futaba and making sure she’d be comfortable for the rest of the night, I left her house. On my way out, I found my shoes still in the same spot as I left them. Sure enough, it was probably the reason why that guy came up earlier.

He saw that she wasn’t alone in the house and became suspicious. However, he didn’t have the heart to ask Futaba about it. Then, when she didn’t return, he came up, only to find us in the middle of our passionate session. The thought of him standing there, probably staring at the door with a mixture of shock and helplessness, made me chuckle as I stepped back onto the street.

Right. I’m really a bastard. I didn’t even feel bad stealing another girl from someone who was trying to include me in their group. Tomorrow, I might also run into him on that train.

Thinking about it, I had no idea if he recognized me or not. I was sunken in bed while Futaba was on top, after all. Of course, he might’ve heard the girl calling me but there was still a possibility that he failed to catch it.

In any case, it’s not like I’ll be bothered facing him tomorrow. Furthermore, I’ll probably be more focused on Akane and the other girls.

Taking in the slightly humid night air, I made my way to the train station. Luckily, it’s still early enough for the last trip.

As always, I used the time sitting inside it to check on my messages, especially the ones from my girls, bidding them a good night or checking if they were going to stay up late.

The usual suspects, Mizuki and Hifumi, were still awake. The moment I sent a message to them, they immediately replied with an excuse for why they were still up.

In Mizuki’s case, she claimed she was reviewing the strategy she was devising for Mitsui Kyoka.

As for Hifumi, of course, she was reviewing her notes just to be prepared if there was a sudden pop quiz.

I got the urge to call them one by one but before I knew it, the train had already arrived at my station.

On the short walk back to our house, I just continued chatting with them while also letting them fill me in about their day.

"Husband, you’re back."

As I entered the living room, Akane, who probably fell asleep waiting for me, was blinking awake, her eyes still hazy with sleep.

She was curled up on the sofa, a half-finished book resting on her lap. The sight of her, soft and vulnerable in the dim light of the room, made the lingering adrenaline from my time with Futaba finally subside.

"Mhm, I’m back. Why did you sleep here again?" I sat down beside her, letting her head drift onto my shoulder.

"Why can’t I? You took too long to return. Did something change?" The silly girl then took a sniff of my shoulder, her eyes narrowing. "Un. You smell like soap, husband. You took a shower with her."

A wry smile formed on my lips, but as always, denying it or lying to her wasn’t truly in my mind. "Mhm, we did. Akane, your bastard husband can’t control himself again."

"Geez. As if I didn’t expect this. Husband, the moment you accepted your request, I could tell things would eventually reach this point." Akane rolled her eyes, but despite her words of acceptance, there was a hint of loneliness in her voice.

Yeah. This was unavoidable. The more girls became involved with me, the heavier it would be for this girl. No matter how much she accepted our situation, it was inevitable to feel a little sour whenever I would bring up another girl.

She shifted her body and wrapped her arms around my waist, clinging to me tightly.

"Mhm. My silly wife has such strong foresight that she can see through me even before I do something."

"Pfft. You’re the silly one, husband. I just know you well enough. You won’t even dare to be close to another girl if you don’t favor them first," Akane mumbled, her voice muffled against my chest. She didn’t pull away, and neither did I.

I reached down, gently caressing her head as I felt her warmth seep through my shirt.

Akane always had a way of grounding me, acting as the quiet center of the storm that usually followed anything I decided. I get that it’s her way to keep being by my side. The years I had forgotten my love for her and neglected her would always be a source of fear for her.

Even though I would chase after her if she ever truly got mad at me and left my side, she was still afraid things might revert to the cold indifference of the past.

"Un. I’ll make the tea. Stay here a while, husband."

Akane pulled back slightly but before she could stand up, I sealed her lips with mine.

The girl’s eyes curved into crescents as she happily melted into the kiss, her hands gripping the fabric of my shirt. It was a slow, lingering exchange, a quiet reassurance that no matter how many paths I wandered or how many hearts I captured, she remained the foundation I always returned to.

When we finally pulled apart, her cheeks were flushed, and she looked at me with a gaze that was purely devoted.

"Husband, you still need that tea. I won’t let you go to sleep without squeezing you a few more times. Oh. There’s Miwa-nee too. As for the aftermath of what you did tonight... that could wait. Futaba must’ve been the one to lose control first, right?"

How should I answer that? Ah... Well, there’s only one option. Honestly. Because there’s no reason to hide it.

As agreed, Futaba will also reveal it to them.

Ah. Right. I should be prepared to appease Fuyu. That girl... she might feel like someone stole a march on her. After all, we still hadn’t gotten a chance to cross that final threshold together.

Before I could answer, Akane had already moved to the kitchen. She had already brewed the miraculous tea earlier, so she only needed to reheat it.

When she returned, I told her the sequence of events, just omitting the more explicit part. When she heard about Futaba’s boyfriend being there, her eyes narrowed into a slit as she stared at me with a hint of helplessness.

Of course, she was also worried that things might get out of hand tomorrow. Even if that guy decided to act oblivious, it was only a temporary peace.

Sooner or later, things would blow up and Futaba might be put in a difficult situation. After all, the fault truly lies with her. That guy will have all the justification to be furious, and while I don’t particularly care about his feelings, Futaba’s peace of mind is something I value.

"Husband, don’t make that face," Akane teased, noticing my contemplative expression. She placed the steaming cup of tea on the table and slid back into my arms. "You’re always worrying about the aftermath after you’ve already caused the chaos. Just be the reliable pillar Futaba might need in the future. You won’t let her go, right?"

I chuckled and took a sip of the tea, the warmth spreading through my chest and easing the last of the day’s tension. "Mhm. I’ll handle it. But first, I need to handle my wife and pamper her."

"Hmph. At least I’m at peace knowing you know how to appease your wife, husband." Akane happily teased, her eyes shimmering with a playful demand.

The house was quiet, the only sound being the distant hum of the refrigerator and the soft ticking of the wall clock. Miwa-nee was likely already asleep with the boy, leaving the living room as our own private sanctuary.

After downing the tea, I set the cup down on the coaster with a soft clink as my focus shifted entirely to the girl in my arms.

I shifted my grip, pulling her onto my lap so that her legs draped over the armrest of the sofa. Akane giggled as her hands looped around my neck, her body molding perfectly to mine.

Soon enough, I carried her back to our room, pressing her down on our bed.

I’ll get back to Mitsui Kyoka later. For now, I have a wife and a doting Miwa-nee to appease.