Chereads / Harem Hero / Chapter 17 - The Quick and the Cloned - Part 5

Chapter 17 - The Quick and the Cloned - Part 5

Motoko reclines on the dirty couch and inspects her handgun. It saw a lot of use in that last firefight. Sundar and his droid had fled before they could really fight you – and he was targeting the Sledgehammer too. Was he trying to destroy it? It's a pretty sound strategy if he is.

You sit down next to Motoko and clutch the bruise on your chest where the droid's shot hit you.

"Shit that hurts."

"That's what you have to deal with in this business," Motoko smirks, "Don't expect a kiss from me. You're going to have to work a lot harder to earn something like that."

It's weird how some of these women are harder to please than others, though you suppose it's an expression of their personality in a lot of ways. Motoko isn't so easy to sway, while Rias is a huge fan of yours and is eager to do whatever you want.

"I wasn't asking for one." It's not a huge loss anyway, Rias and Akeno would be happy to monopolise you for themselves.

"Why don't you summon Asia and ask her to heal you?" Mitsuru suggests from behind the workbench.

"That's a good idea."

You lean over and grab the gun from the table. Motoko checks her watch, "I should be getting back. The next time he shows, call me."

"Sure. You're the first woman on my mind."

Mitsuru hurries over and hands an inter-dimensional phone to her, "Use this to mark yourself as ready. We don't want to pull you away in the middle of something important."

Motoko inspects the old phone and nods, "Thanks. See you both."

She disappears back to her home dimension as you unload the chamber, swapping her card for Rias and Asia's. You check your phone and notice that Rias is good to go, this should make explaining things a lot easier. This is going to be the first time you've summoned her, hopefully she doesn't mind doing you a favour on such short notice.

"ASIA AREGENTO! SHATTERING!"

"RIAS GREMORY! SHATTERING!"

The stern police officer is replaced by a pair of much more jovial devils. Rias doesn't hesitate to leap on top of you and pepper your cheek with kisses. The blonde ex-nun stands back with a blush on her face. Rias has completely ignored her presence… and her hand in putting pressure onto your left pectoral muscle. Ouch.

"Rias, Rias, that kinda' hurts!"

You push the devil away and down onto the couch. She pouts, "Aw, what's wrong hubby?"

"We had a big fight and I got injured a little. I was hoping that Asia could use Twilight Healing on me."

Rias doesn't wait for permission. Her hands shoot out and tear the front of your shirt open, revealing the angry purple and red splotch that covers one side of your chest.

Asia hurries over and kneels down in front of you, "Oh dear! Let me fix it right away."

"Nice to meet you too," you sigh. What a state you're in right now.

Asia smiles gently, "Don't worry – Rias already told me that she's set her sights on you. She asked me to watch the anime with her and… I became something of a fan myself."

"How good is that anime anyway?" you ask as Asia prepares to heal you using her power. If a traditional girl like Asia enjoys it, it must be very compelling.

Rias' chest puffs up, "Fufu. It's only the most popular anime series in the industry. A lot of fans don't even watch other series, I know I don't. That crossover appeal means that it transcends the boundaries of what the 'audience' should be. It attracts the best and brightest animators too! All of the key moments are rendered in incredible detail."

Is she talking about it or trying to advertise it? Asia holds out her palms against your chest and the rings on her fingers glow with green energy. Seconds later you watch as the injury begins to recede back into your body as if it was never there.

"Hm. It is mostly just bruising," Asia explains, "It shouldn't take much of my power to repair the damage."

"Thanks Asia, I owe you one."

She shakes her head, "There's no need to do anything in return. I'm always happy to help people in need."

What an angel this girl is. How could her own church reject someone with such a good heart? In under two minutes the injuries to your front and back and completely gone. You feel like a new man! Though it does mean that you need to find time to do Chun-Li's routine again now that your excuse is gone. Maybe you'll summon her to help out.

With that done, you button up your shirt and consider what you want to do next. Rias seems to be interested in properly introducing Asia to you. She places her hands on the shy girl's shoulders and presents her to you, "This is my Bishop, Asia Argento. I'm sure you know much about her already, but I hope that the two of you will get along."

"T-Thank you President."

"And by get along, I mean that hubby here claims you and adds you to the harem!"

"Rias, stop teasing me!" Asia squeals.

"I'm not teasing you," Rias says earnestly, "After all, Koneko-chan is going to be joining us soon too. I'd feel terrible if you were left out. Didn't you tell me that you have a crush on him?" Asia is stunned into silence as Rias airs her dirty laundry right in front of you.

"H-Having a crush on a character isn't the same as a real person," Asia replies. "I've never had a boyfriend before anyway. I have to retain my purity for God – ow!" Asia visibly recoils in pain as the word leaves her mouth.

"Jeez Asia, you aren't a nun anymore, remember? And I'm sure that Hubby would love to have a cute, helpful girl like you! Right?" Rias isn't content with just dragging Asia into this, now she's trying to embarrass you too. You don't want to insult Asia on your first meeting, so you just nod along mutely.

Asia blushes the same red as Rias' hair. It seems that Rias has derailed your first meeting in record time; "I'm sorry about the President, she can be very zealous when it comes to her peerage."

Rias rolls her eyes, "Why wouldn't I want my peerage to marry a good man?"

You decide to try and defuse things by taking Asia's side, "I think you're getting ahead of yourself a little Rias. Not everyone is going to jump in headfirst like you and Akeno."

"I guess you're right," she sighs, "But you better make plans soon Asia, or he might have another dozen girls to look after before you. Women should be decisive in matters of love!"

Asia chuckles nervously. She turns her attention to the garage, "This is amazing – it's just like it is in the anime." She waddles around the main floor, inspecting some of Mitsuru's prototypes and equipment.

"The universes are aligned so that the anime is very similar to our world," Mitsuru explains as the tinkers with some type of gadget, "It makes it easier for our summons to jump right in and start fighting."

"That was in the anime too!" Asia smiles. This is getting way too meta for your liking.

"How much did you tell Asia and Koneko?"

Rias looks away from you, "A little."

"She never stops talking about you," Asia reveals, "We have had a step by step recollection of every visit she's made!" Every visit? You certainly hope not – that fivesome wasn't something to be spoken of in polite company. Rias hisses at her for revealing her secrets.

"I'm not surprised, Rias. You always seem so excited to come over here."

She hugs you tight all over again, "Why wouldn't I be excited to be with my future husband? It's so nice to take a quick break from everything going on back home."

"How much time passes between you leaving there and going back again?"

"I'm not sure exactly, but it's so short that not a single second passes!"

"That's by design," Mitsuru chimes in again, "I've been tightening it even more recently. I want to leave as little disruption as possible."

Asia wanders back to the couch and stands in front of you, hands folded timidly into her lap. You reach down and take her hands into your own, "I hope that you'll keep me healthy from now on, Asia." Even that small amount of physical contact is enough to make steam come out of her ears, she squeaks and nods – so unfamiliar with contact with the opposite sex.

If Rias wants you to make Asia another one of your wives – you're going to need to do a lot of groundwork…