Miu had been preparing for this day for what felt like an eternity. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stood before Rudra's house, clutching a small gift in her trembling hands. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. Today, she would confess her feelings to the boy she had grown to love.
Gathering all her courage, Miu knocked on the door. However, instead of Rudra, a stunning woman answered. She had an aura of mature beauty that took Miu's breath away. The woman's long, flowing hair and elegant demeanor made Miu feel instantly inferior.
"Hello," the woman said with a warm smile. "You must be Miu. I'm Sera."
Before Miu could respond, Sera gently but firmly took her by the arm and led her inside. Miu's mind raced. Who was this woman? And why was she in Rudra's house? Her confidence wavered as she followed Sera into the living room, where she was ushered onto a plush sofa.
"I'll get some refreshments," Sera said, leaving Miu alone with her spiraling thoughts.
Miu sat there, her mind in turmoil. Her recent date with Rudra had been magical. She couldn't sleep at night without his face appearing in her thoughts, making her heart flutter. She had realized she was genuinely in love with him, and today was supposed to be the day she confessed. But now, confronted with Sera's overwhelming beauty, her confidence crumbled.
She doesn't know who she is, but she is convinced that she is his girlfriend.
She had always considered herself attractive, but next to Sera, she felt plain and unremarkable. The possibility that Rudra already had a girlfriend—and one so much more beautiful than herself—hit her hard. She wanted to run, to escape this painful situation, but Sera had effectively blocked her path.
Her inner ramblings were interrupted by Sera's return. She placed a tray with glasses of juice on the table and sat down across from Miu. Seeing Miu's distress, Sera's expression softened.
"Let me introduce myself properly," Sera began. "I'm Sera, Rudra's legal and first wife."
The words hit Miu like a physical blow. Her heart shattered, and the world seemed to lose its color. Seeing her reaction, Sera quickly cast a calming spell, easing Miu's emotions.
As Miu regained her composure, she processed Sera's words more carefully. Legal wife? Did that mean Rudra is already married, he has a harem? She voiced her confusion, her voice shaky.
"Wait... you said first wife. Does that mean he has a harem?"
Sera nodded. "Yes, polygamy is legal and somewhat common in our country due to the low birth rate. Rudra will have other partners besides me."
(Note: Japan allowed polygamy after World War II because the young population was reduced to 1/10 of the whole youth population. This is fictional for the story.)
The concept of harems might have been acceptable in their society, but it was still a lot for Miu to digest. She had grown up dreaming of a love story where she was the sole object of her partner's affection. Sharing the man she loved was a daunting thought.
Seeing the conflict in Miu's eyes, Sera continued, "I know it's a lot to take in. But you should know that Rudra cares deeply for his loved ones. In our household, love and respect are paramount."
Miu's thoughts raced. The idea of being part of a harem was overwhelming, and yet, the thought of not being with Rudra was equally painful. Society might accept polygamy due to the population crisis and cultural shifts, but Miu wasn't sure if she could embrace it herself.
Sera seemed to sense her hesitation. "Why don't you talk to Rudra? He's on his way home now. You deserve to hear his feelings directly."
Just then, the door opened, and Rudra walked in. His eyes lit up with surprise and joy when he saw Miu.
"Oh, Miu! What a surprise," he said, his warm smile making her heart skip a beat.
With Sera's gentle encouragement, Miu found her voice. She stood up and faced Rudra, her emotions a whirlwind inside her. "Rudra, I... I came here to tell you that I love you. But now I know about Sera and... everything."
'Eh!! What did I just say?' Miu thought. She had confessed her feelings without even thinking about it.
She just wanted to ask Rudra to have a conversation alone, but what had she blurted out? She hurriedly turned her head to see Sera's reaction, but she saw no one there.
*Haa~* She exhaled a sigh of relief, but she didn't know that she was unable to lie because of the enhancements made to the house. One of the many was a non-obscuration area, in which people cannot lie.
"Umm... Miu," Rudra's voice made her startled. She pushed her thoughts to the back of her mind and faced Rudra, the three magical words ringing in her head over and over again.
She saw Rudra with a little expectant and awkward expression. A thought suddenly entered her mind like a lightning bolt, her expression froze then suddenly she closed her eyes and when she opened them, there was no shadow of her shuttering and confused self.
Rudra straightened his posture, considering it a matter of utmost importance and a lifelong memory for a woman.
"Hey, Rudra," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "There's something I've been wanting to tell you."
Rudra looked at her curiously, his eyes soft and encouraging. "Yes?"
Miu swallowed hard, the words feeling heavy on her tongue. "I... I really like you, Rudra. I have for a while now. I just needed you to know."
For a moment, silence hung in the air, each second feeling like an eternity. Miu's mind raced with all the possible outcomes, her heart pounding in her chest.
Rudra's expression softened, and he stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers.
"Miu, I... I had no idea you felt this way. But I'm glad you told me."
Miu's breath caught in her throat. "You are?"
Rudra nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah. I like you too, Miu. I've just never had the courage to say anything."
"But are you sure? I am going to have multiple women and you may not like that. So, I would like you to consider carefully." His words were filled with sadness, which made Miu's heart wrench.
"Baka! Baka! Baka!" She pouted and punched him, which he didn't dodge.
"I know that already. Even if I cannot be the first, I still want to be with you. I was so lonely in my life, everybody only wanted to keep me near because of my looks and body, nobody saw the real me but you, so there is no way I am going to let you go…*sniff*" Tears started forming in her eyes.
Miu, though admired as a model, found the industry a harsh place for someone as kind-hearted as her. She had to play at the whims of producers and companies to climb the ladders of success, and trading one's body for opportunities was a norm among new models seeking more work and fame.
That was also the reason Miu had to endure so many hardships to just get decent work, which was also with the help of Hikari. Had she not been patient enough, she might have ended up in someone's bed.
In that world, Rudra came as a light in the darkness, like water in the desert. He invaded her heart and made his home there. Now, even if she wanted to, she couldn't push him away.
Rudra saw her resolve, which melted the last barrier he was maintaining. He came forward and hugged her. She buried her face in his chest and cried her heart out. She let out all the pent-up frustration she had accumulated over the years she had spent modeling.
He gently rubbed her back. After she calmed down enough, he took his handkerchief and wiped the tears from her eyes.
Miu, seeing his care, blushed. Rudra then, looking into her eyes, said, "Though I may have multiple women in the future, know that my love for you will never fade. I love you, Miu. Will you be my wife?"
Her heart started to beat like crazy. It was obviously not her first proposal, but his was different. His sincere eyes and love-filled words won over her unwarranted worries.
"YESS," she said with a beautiful smile, like a clear blue sky. Rudra lifted her chin up a little and leaned down.
Miu closed her eyes in anticipation, her heart pounding. A soft feeling was transmitted to her.
Miu was kissed. It was her first kiss, and it was with her beloved. She couldn't be happier. She thought he was done when he eased a little, but how wrong could she be? He again pressed his lips to hers, this time more passionately.
His hands held her hips closer to him. Miu's hands found their way to his head, grabbing his hair and inviting him in.
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Sera watched all of this on a monitor, munching on popcorn, while Nat typed at an incredible speed, her movements a blur.
"Haha... Finally, darling can have a human love. Maybe now his longing will be filled, even a little," Sera mused aloud, her words drifting to Nat, who stopped typing and turned her gaze toward Sera.
"You should already have his memories, right?" Sera asked, turning her rotating chair toward Nat's hologram.
"Yes," Nat replied, sitting straight.
"Then you should know that I may be his soulmate and wife, but my existence as a system doesn't change. He may appear alright on the outside, but inside, he is but an empty shell."
"Huh!" Nat was confused.
"Don't be so puzzled. I'll explain. Human emotions are incredibly valuable and complex. My and Rudra's relationship is more than just lovers and husband and wife. He was a former human, so he has a deep longing for normal human love, which he himself doesn't recognize," Sera said, sadness in her eyes.
"Then why can't you become human and provide him that love?" Nat asked, her question reflecting her mechanical understanding of emotions.
"Even if I tried becoming human, I would still be me, the one he has known for more than a millennium. So, I wanted him to have a harem so he can experience normal love and life."
"Ugh, so confusing." Nat's calculations began to haywire, her core releasing smoke as she processed Sera's complex emotions and explanations.
"Haha... Stop, stop! You don't have to think that hard. Just know we are going to have a big family," Sera laughed, turning back to watch Rudra making out with Miu, while Nat busied herself repairing her core.