After spending what felt like an eternity in the infirmary, today I was finally discharged. Tachibana, ever the caring one, smiled and told me, "Your fever has cooled down. You're good to go now."
With a grateful nod, I made my way home. The familiar warmth of the household awaited me, and as soon as I opened the front door, I was greeted with an explosion of joy.
"Welcome home!" the girls cheered in unison, their voices bright and full of emotion as they rushed forward, enveloping me in a group hug.
I couldn't help but smile. "Mhm. I'm home, everyone."
But I didn't come home empty-handed. I had a surprise in store.
"Girls," I said, stepping aside, "say hello to a new member of our household!"
Standing behind me was Tachibana, her belongings neatly packed. She gave a small wave, her usual composed expression softening into a smile.
The room fell silent for a moment before erupting into excitement. The girls smiled widely and hurried to welcome her in. As expected, Tachibana received the same warmth and enthusiasm I had grown to cherish in this home. And just like that, the fourth member had joined our little family.
Oh, by the way, it's been three months since orientation. Time flies, doesn't it? Our first semester is almost over.
A New Tradition
Later that evening, Tachibana and I found ourselves on a date. It was something of a household tradition—each girl had the right to a private, one-on-one date with me. Tonight, it was her turn.
Over dinner, we started talking about her plans.
"Medical college?" I asked, tilting my head in curiosity.
Tachibana nodded, taking a sip of her drink. "Yes. You know my dream has always been to become a doctor. After we graduate, I plan to apply. There's still so much I need to learn."
"Graduate, huh..."
My voice trailed off, a hint of sadness slipping through. Noticing this, she leaned forward with a playful smile and flicked my forehead.
"Idiot. Don't look so glum. Just because I won't be here doesn't mean I'll stop loving you, okay?" she said gently, her hand coming up to caress my cheek.
Her words warmed my heart, and I held her hand in mine. "Thanks, Tachibana."
She smiled mischievously, then added, "Besides, I haven't had your child yet, so I'm not going anywhere."
I nearly choked on my drink. "W-Wait, what?! What do you mean—"
"Shh." She pressed a finger to my lips, cutting me off. "Let's just enjoy our date for now, okay?"
With that, she resumed her meal, leaving me flustered and unsure how to respond.
Under the Night Sky
After our fancy dinner, we took a stroll to the central park. Midnight was approaching, but neither of us felt like calling it a night just yet.
The park was lively, filled with couples enjoying their time together. Some chatted, others cuddled, and a few were... well, let's just say extra affectionate.
At the heart of the park was a large fountain, its cascading water illuminated by soft lights. We took a seat nearby, gazing up at the starry sky.
"Thank you for tonight, Wakui. The dinner was wonderful," Tachibana said, leaning her head gently against my shoulder.
"Thanks for coming with me," I replied, smiling. "You know, sometimes a simple, quiet date like this feels perfect."
She tilted her head to look at me, curiosity shining in her eyes. "What do you mean?"
"Well," I began, "the other girls' dates were all... different. Hikari's was simple and sweet since she's my first girl and all. Shiori wanted something exciting, so we went to an amusement park. Kaori, being as energetic as she is, opted for something sporty—a date that kept us moving and active."
"Do you ever regret doing all that?" she asked, her tone soft and thoughtful.
I shook my head. "Not at all. Each of them is special to me. In such a short time, they've all become precious friends... and lovers. Honestly, I thought Hikari alone would've been enough for me. But things turned out differently, and I'm glad they did."
Tachibana chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "Wait, are you saying this whole harem idea was Hikari's suggestion?"
"Yup. She's stronger than she looks, huh?"
"Why would she suggest something like that, though?"
I shrugged, smiling. "I guess it's because I couldn't give her the perfect answer. But that's just Hikari for you—always thinking about what's best for everyone."
Tachibana laughed softly, leaning closer to me. "She is amazing. You're lucky to have her... and the rest of us, too."
I nodded, wrapping an arm around her shoulder as we sat together, the sound of the fountain mingling with the laughter and chatter around us.
Under the starry sky, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this chaotic, wonderful, and loving life I had stumbled into.
As we were enjoying our date, a sudden commotion caught our attention. A little boy stumbled and fell right in front of us, scraping his knee on the pavement. Without hesitation, Tachibana jumped up and rushed over to him.
"Are you okay?" she asked gently, crouching down to inspect his knee.
The boy sniffled, his big teary eyes looking up at her. "It... it hurts," he whimpered.
Tachibana's expression softened as she examined the injury. "It's just a little scrape," she said reassuringly, her voice calm and soothing. "Nothing to worry about."
Reaching into her bag—because of course she'd have a first-aid kit on hand—she pulled out a small antiseptic wipe and a cheerful-looking plaster. Carefully, she cleaned the wound, her touch light and precise, then applied the plaster with a smile.
"There! All better now," she said, patting the boy's shoulder gently.
The boy's tears stopped almost immediately, his face lighting up. "Thank you, big sis!" he chirped, giving her a small, grateful bow before running back to his parents, who had been watching nearby with relieved smiles.
Tachibana stood up, dusting off her knees, and walked back to me with a casual shrug. "Well, that was a little unexpected," she said with a soft laugh.
I couldn't help but smile as I watched her. "You are amazing, you know that?"
She raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "What makes you say that?"
"Well," I said, gesturing towards where the boy had been, "you didn't even hesitate. You just knew exactly what to do. Seeing you in action like that... it reminds me why you'll make such an incredible doctor someday."
For the first time tonight, her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink. "Stop it. You're making me blush," she muttered, though the corners of her lips tugged upward in a shy smile.
I laughed softly, wrapping an arm around her shoulder as we continued walking. "Seriously, though. I'm lucky to have you."
She leaned into me, her warmth comforting as we strolled through the park. "You're not so bad yourself, Wakui," she teased, her voice playful.
The night felt even more special after that. In the quiet glow of the park's lights, surrounded by the sound of laughter and the gentle murmur of the fountain, I realized just how lucky I was to have someone like Tachibana by my side—not just as a partner, but as someone who brought light into the lives of everyone she touched.
And I knew, without a doubt, that no matter what the future held, moments like these would stay with me forever.
.