With our next destination being Nao’s house to send her home, I suggested for Akane to ride with us. Although it’s not along the way, it’s in the same direction. Shio could just drop her off at the station nearest to it.


    Moreover, when Shio also heard about that suggestion, she found Akane’s addition on ourst trip for the day a wee one.


    That’s because even though they always see each other whenever Shio woulde to visit or eat with us and even slept with us on the same bed once, there’s still a little restraint in the way they treat each other. With the n to let her sit on the passenger’s seat, they could talk more freely to each other. Furthermore, after her rtionship with Nao transforms into that of close sisters, she’s probably thinking that it’s time for her to put down her adult view and ept that she’s already the same as the others; to get along with them.


    Well, I had to hear her honest thoughts to confirm that.


    With everything settled as well as Shio guaranteeing that she could drop Akane right where she’s going to meet the two or near it, at least, we set off to Shio’s apartment to unload what’s on the trunk; the things we used, and get Nao’s luggage.


    Well, we couldn’t have Shio be seen by Itou, after all. Even though she’s aware that I didn’t just have one or two women, including her sister and Akane, she had no idea that one of the teachers in our school was also included. Her intense re at me might reach another level if that happened.


    Ah. Right. I forgot something.


    Before following them outside the house, I checked on Miwa-nee and Minoru before calling my mother. I asked her to apany the mother and child at home. Not only that, I knocked on our next-door neighbor couple along with Akane, to catch up and inform them about our ns for today as well as my parentsing to visit again.


    Actually, there’s no reason to do that but… I feel like it’s been a while since I talked to the two. Akane asionallyes there to visit her parents but I seldom do that. At most, I would knock on their door to pick up my wife.


    Maybe, one of these days or when there’s a chance, I would sit down at a dinner table again. And perhaps, Akane and I could use that chance to sleep in her room.


    She once mentioned to me about wanting to bring me there. Thest time I set my foot inside her room was before my desire manifested.


    That’s a long time ago. I wonder if it’s still the same. For sure, it would feel smaller than I remember.


    Nheless, Akane would definitely be overjoyed with it. Most likely, there were a lot of things there that would remind me of our colorful childhood.


    -


    -


    Just like I predicted, Akane and Miwa-nee talked to each other after the car left the apartment’s premises.


    As for Nao, she stuck close to me, savoring thest half hour that she’d be by my side. Sometimes we joined their conversation whenever they would throw a question at us but that’s it.


    They’re lost talking about different topics but most of those rte to me in the end. And the two wouldugh as they met my curious nce through the rearview mirror.


    A whileter, Shio’s car stopped, a few blocks before the park where Akane was going to meet Himeko and her little sister. It’s the same park where I met up with them during our date.


    Before driving off, I escorted Akane through my gaze and also, I searched for my Himeko''s figure.


    Uh. I certainly missed her but if I showed up with Akane, not only we would be dyed, Itou would surely erupt. I’d look for her tomorrow instead. For now, I wish them a fun day. Himeko and even Akane deserved it. That silly girl fully devoted herself to me ever since that day I asked her to live with me.


    Naturally, I asked her to inform me quickly if something unexpected happened.


    When Shio drove off again, Nao tightened her hold on my arm as she became more intimate.


    “I want to stay more with you…” With her eyes a little watery, Nao kissed me.


    I returned that and hugged her tightly, even putting her on myp to give her more than she asked for.


    Shio raised her eyebrows at that but stayed silent nheless.


    “Me too. But Nao, it’s not like we’re not going to meet again, right? You’re always wee toe again… Also, I will surely make some time to visit you whenever I can.”


    Nao bit her lips, preventing her tears froming out as she snuggled to my embrace. She gripped my back tightly and even sucked on my neck, leaving her mark there. And to make it fair, I did the same.


    We stayed in that position until we reached their neighborhood. Well, with the car slowing down as it entered the narrow street, it’s possible that we’d be a feast for their neighbors.


    Shio parked the car in front and I helped her get her luggage out and brought it to their front door.


    Her parents and siblings were in but considering there’s still the unresolved case, it’s not the right time for me to sit down and have a serious conversation with them concerning Nao…


    They knew that Nao stayed with her boyfriend though. That’s why upon seeing me, both her parents scanned me. Well, it’s easy to guess that I was that guy given how Nao was reluctant to let go of my hand.


    In the end, I bowed politely to them before excusing myself, saying I’ll introduce myself properly the next time I appear before them.


    When I returned to Shio’s car, the girl was staring towards Nao’s house or specifically at Nao hugging her mother.


    “Ruru, how will you get out of the situation when the timees that you have to reveal to everyone’s parents about our situation?”


    “That’s a good question. But honestly, there’s no correct way to do it. I have to brace for their rejection but still, I will not back down if all of you still want to stay with me. Perhaps, when that happens, it will also be the time for all of you to choose whether to continue in this…plex rtionship or return to normalcy…”


    “I see. That’s fair… It won’t be easy, Ruru.”


    “I’m aware. But it has to happen, one way or another.”


    I could only give Shio a confident smile to show her my determination. And without finding any words to say next, the girl epted it before starting the car again driving off.


    For our next destination, it’s the police station.


    Naturally, Shio pressed me for details about what happened. I gave her a summary and conclusion. She clearly expressed her worry and reminded me not to always put myself in that kind of dangerous situation.


    “Don’t worry. No matter what, my goal is still to live with all of you. There’s no way I will be brave enough if it’s too dangerous. That time, I was confident at subverting the danger. I prepared before showing up to Auntie’s rescue.”


    Although she also epted that answer, Shio stopped the car on the side for a while, to hug me, conveying what she was feeling. Ultimately, she still didn’t want me to always jump in that kind of situation but to not make it a big deal, she resorted to this.


    In any case, I assured her that I would always take care, to ease my Shio’s worry.