Loner Harem Meister - Chapter 17

Chapter 17

“And that’s all . ”

“So something like that happened . ”

The three of them were considerably shocked after hearing about what I went through . Well, despite everything that happened, I have already recovered, so I didn’t find it as surprising as they did, objectively speaking .

“Regardless, if you stand by my side with these kind of rumours flowing around… that’s why I don’t want you around me often . Yuki is my boss; Hinata, the school’s nurse; and Utano, you are my old acquaintance . Our relationship should stay this way . Professional . ”

[ED: Recap: He’s referring to Yuki wishing to use him as arm-candy in front of her parents; and he doesn’t want them to become closer to him, friends or otherwise . ]

“…”

The three of them kept silent, resulting in a quiet ambiance hanging around the room . A relationship with someone is not something that can change just from speaking about your past . And I would feel terrible if bad rumors started circulating about them just from them interacting with me . How would the prospect not trouble them?

“Well, that’s all what I wanted to say . Don’t think about it too much . I’m going to sleep . Please close the door on your way out . Also, the keys, lock the door, and you can return them to me on  the morrow . ”

I went decided for sleep, laying down and closing my eyes, my mind slowly drifting as I remembered more of my past .

*

My eyes snapped open . What time is it? It was hard to tell from window shrouded by curtain, but still, it didn’t look like morning yet . With that thought, I reached over, searching for my watch .

“Already up, Yuuki?”

I jumped, my head whirling round towards, and as it did, I saw Yuuki sitting calmly on a chair near the bed .

I sighed .

“Yuuki? You’re still here?”

“Just go back to sleep . There’s nothing to worry about . ”

As I was getting up, she gently stopped me, and pressed me back down . How nostalgic… my mother would do the same to me back then . No, wait, this is not the time to be thinking about that .

“Yuki, shouldn’t you have gone back? What about the bookstore?”

“Don’t worry about it . And I’ll give you the day off tomorrow . You seemed pretty tired today, so for now, just take a rest and don’t think about anything . ”

“I . . I… Ok . ”

Judging from her expression, I decided to give up on persuading her . My words would just end up on deaf ears, anyway .

Yuki took the towel I had on my forehead, dampened it, and placed it back . The cool touch felt good; It seems I still have a fever .

“Goodnight, Yuuki . ”

And with that, I fell into a deep slumber, yielding to Yuki’s warmth .

*

When I woke up in the morning, that the feeling of dullness and sluggishness had lessened considerably . I still had a small fever, though, but this was better than nothing .

“Good morning . How are you feeling?”

“Yuki?”

Yuki was still sitting in the same place as yesterday . Don’t tell me…

“Did you stay here all this time?”

“Yeah, I was worried about you . I will place your clothes here, change them after getting up . I will go prepare something light for breakfast . ”

“Ah… sure . Thanks . ”

“Really, what’s going on with her?” I mumbled as I headed to the toilet . I wonder what she was doing here until now . I can’t understand why she treats me like this despite hearing about my past . Women . I guess I’ll check on her state later . I’m kinda worried about her… in a different meaning .

Afterwards, I snuck into the living room and glanced at her back . Why is she doing all of this in my house? Why do all of this for me?

“Let’s use this and that for Yuuki…” I heard her giggle .

Such spirit! And just for making me breakfast . I’m really happy to be eating Yuki’s homemade breakfast and all, but her mood… such gusto… . suspicious .

~~~~Piin Poon~

Hm? The sound of the doorbell rang . With Yuki so ‘busy’, I went to check who it was as she didn’t even seem to have noticed the bell .

“Yes,” I called out . I hadn’t even checked the peephole, and just opened the door, only to find Hinata and Utano standing there .

“Uum…Hello?… Why are you here?”

“Humu… I wanted to taste Yuki’s homemade breakfast you see . ”

A school nurse intruding on the property of her ill student to eat his breakfast? … Are you really a nurse?!

“I”m still a sexy nurse in spite of everything, you know?”

I didn’t even have to say anything… “Don’t put that sentence in an interrogative form please . ”

“That means I am sexy after all . ”

As usual, speaking with Hinata only crumbled my peace of mind . That woman sure knows how to tease .

“Good morning, Yuuki . How are you feeling today?”

“I feel a lot better than yesterday . How about you Utano, is it fine to miss your job?”

“… Yeah . From today on I will be working as counselor; at the same post as Hinata . ”

“Hmm? Doesn’t that mean…”

“From now on I will be by your side . ”

That’s not the problem here . If these two started working at the same school I attend, I’m the one who will end up with an even bigger headache . Especially because of the tricks up Hinata’s sleeves .

“So, are you going to let us in? I’m starving and don’t have much energy left . ”

“Okay, okay . Go ahead . ” I waved them in .

“Excuse me for the intrusion . ”

“Sorry for the disturbance . ” Utano and Hinata said .

The two were lead into the living room .

“Yuki… Hinata and Utano are here!”

“Okay . But Yuuki, shouldn’t you be sleeping?”

“Ah, I just got up to go to the toilet is all . ”

“Can’t be helped then . In that case, I have just finished making breakfast so try eating what you can . ”

Yuki placed grilled fish, miso soup, and a few other dishes on the table .

“I’m excited to try your cooking, Yuki . ” Utano said .

“This looks pretty good . ” I inwardly drooled .

Hinata smirked . “… Ohoho, this looks like it will be a great treat . ”

“Yes . Well then, please go ahead . ”

We started eating Yuki’s cooked rice . It tasted great as usual, which made me feel relieved . I wonder how long it was since I last ate cooked rice in the morning . Probably since the days when my mother was still alive .

“So, why are the three of you in my place? I think I told you to not get concerned with me yesterday…”

It was a nice meal, nice atmosphere, but I wanted to get to the main topic . It’s always best to settle troubles as soon as possible .

“Yuuki . I wanted to talk to you about that,” Yuki said as she looked me right in the eyes . “Ever since I met you, I couldn’t tell how bitter life had been for you, and so I was shocked after I heard about it . But when you tried to distance yourself from us for our sakes, I began thinking about it more and more, and I finally realized something . ”

Yuki looked at me with an unwavering gaze .

“Kiriyama Yuuki, I love you .

“And no matter what past you had, I will always be by your side . ”

“I…”

My mind went blank . I had no words . This was the first time that something like this had ever happened to me . It was sudden, and by of all people, Yuki . A beautiful, and heartfelt woman .

“Humu… I’m sorry to intrude in you little world but, I’m also interested in Yuuki . I think things could go smoothly if I was with him, no? So I’m not intending to lose out . To top it off, Despite knowing my personality, Yuuki has never complained . Makes me pretty happy, you know? That’s why I want to be his girlfriend . ”

“Hinata…”

This sudden… Am I perhaps going to die? God is flipping the laws of the world just to appease my soul before it enters a forever torment? That is the only reason I can think of!!

“I love him too . That’s why from now on I will stay close to him . I love you, Yuuki . ”

“Utano, you too?”

What am I supposed to do here? The progress of the situation depended solely on my answer . I knew that at least . But…how should I answer? I mean, I’m not experienced with this… and should I even be with a woman? My life, my history is not suited for… .

“Yuuki,” Yuki’s voice was clear, drawing me from my thoughts . “We will love you despite what’s happened . So don’t let it detain you . Make a decision from what you want . Not what you think you should want . No matter who you chose, or what you chose to do, we will accept it . ”

So she has accepted me for who I am and what I have done and still wants to be with me? A woman like her… She deserves an answer .

“I… I lost everything because I killed someone . With me, you may not live an easy life anymore . But despite that, if you all still willing to bear through the storm to come then please… be mine as I will be yours . ”

I bowed down . These kind of times are scary since I’ve never experienced them . I couldn’t help but feel nervous .

“There was no doubt in my mind, Yuuki . ”

“Of course . ”

“I’m yours . ”

And like that, I made my first step into making my harem .