After we returned home, the girls greeted us with eager, expectant looks on their faces. It was clear they were itching to know how our date went. Naturally, all their attention was focused on Tachibana.
With a calm smile, Tachibana began recounting the evening in vivid detail, not leaving out a single moment. After all, it was an unspoken rule in our household—every girl shared their date stories openly, fostering a sense of inclusion among us all.
As their animated conversation filled the room with laughter and excitement, I quietly slipped away to the kitchen. Leaning against the counter, I sipped on a glass of water, taking a moment to gather my thoughts.
Out of nowhere, a soft voice from behind startled me.
"Enjoying the view, Wakui?"
I nearly choked on my drink, spinning around to find Hikari standing there, her arms crossed and a sly grin on her face.
"Hikari! You scared me!" I said, catching my breath.
She chuckled, stepping closer. "Sorry, couldn't resist. You looked so lost in thought." Her tone softened as she leaned against the counter beside me. "Watching from afar, huh? You always do that after dates."
I smiled sheepishly. "It's not that I don't want to join in. I just like seeing you all so happy together. It's... comforting."
Hikari's expression softened, and she gave me a knowing look. "You're such a sap sometimes, Wakui. But that's why we love you." She nudged my shoulder playfully before turning towards the living room. "Come on, don't just stand here. You're part of this too, you know."
With a chuckle, I followed her back to the others. As I walked into the room, the girls were still chatting excitedly, Tachibana animatedly describing how she had tended to the little boy's injury.
The warmth of the scene filled my chest, and I couldn't help but feel grateful once again for the chaotic, loving family we had built together. Moments like this were what made everything worthwhile.
After a long and lively conversation with the girls, Tachibana and I finally made our way to bed. It had become something of a tradition in our household: after each date, the couple would share a moment of intimacy to bond even further. While it wasn't my first time, being with Tachibana, my childhood friend, made me feel a bit nervous.
"Are you nervous, Wakui?" Tachibana asked, her voice soft and teasing as she lay beside me.
I shifted slightly, trying to hide my unease. "W-Well, yeah. Just a little. It feels... kind of odd, you know? I mean, it's you, Tachibana."
She raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Odd? What do you mean? You don't want to do that with me?"
The question caught me off guard, and my face immediately flushed. "I-I didn't say that! It's just... we've known each other for so long. It's a little hard to believe we're here, like this."
Tachibana's expression softened, and she reached out, gently taking my hand in hers. "Wakui... we've always been close, right? This isn't some big change, just... a deeper step in what we already have. It's just us, nothing to be nervous about."
Her words were comforting, her touch grounding me. Still, I could feel my heart racing. It wasn't just about the physical aspect—it was about the connection we shared, and that made everything feel more significant.
She shifted closer, her breath warm against my skin. "But if you're still nervous, that's okay. We can take things slow. I'm not going anywhere, Wakui."
I smiled, feeling a wave of reassurance wash over me. "Yeah... you're right. We'll take it slow."
Tachibana leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on my cheek. "Good. And remember, we're not just doing this for the sake of tradition. It's because we care about each other, deeply. So don't worry, alright?"
With her words and presence, the nervousness began to melt away, replaced by a sense of calm. Slowly, I relaxed, realizing that this was just another step in our journey together—a journey we were both ready for.
And with that, we turned the lights off, our hearts beating in sync as we embraced the quiet intimacy of the moment, knowing that no matter what, we were in this together.
The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, and both Tachibana and I slowly woke up, our bodies sore from the night before. Neither of us had expected things to get so... intense. It wasn't my first time, sure—this was my fourth time—but even so, my hips were screaming in protest.
Tachibana groaned softly, sitting up and pushing her hips forward with a wince. "You damn monster, Wakui," she grumbled, her voice filled with playful annoyance.
I couldn't help but chuckle nervously, feeling a bit guilty. "I-I didn't expect it to be like that either..."
She shot me a side-eye, still grimacing in pain. "No kidding. I didn't know you had that much stamina in you, Wakui."
I laughed again, rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly. "Well... I didn't exactly plan it. I guess it just happened, you know?"
Tachibana sighed and then chuckled softly, the tension easing as she leaned back against the headboard, stretching. "Well, I'll admit, you're the best head of household. Four lovers and you seem to manage it all without breaking a sweat."
Her words caught me off guard, and I blinked in surprise. "Tachibana, don't joke around like that..."
But she just grinned at me, clearly enjoying my flustered reaction. "What? It's true, isn't it? I've been watching you, Wakui. You've got this whole thing figured out—balancing it all without any of the girls feeling left out. You are something else."
I felt a wave of warmth wash over me, both from her praise and the underlying affection in her words. "I... I'm just trying my best. It's not easy, but they all mean so much to me. I don't want any of them to feel neglected."
Tachibana smiled, her eyes softening as she reached over and took my hand. "I know. And that's why I trust you, Wakui. I'm glad I'm here with you. But, maybe next time... a little less intensity, yeah?"
I couldn't help but laugh at that, nodding sheepishly. "Deal. I'll try to pace myself better next time."
We shared a quiet moment of laughter before the atmosphere turned more tender. Tachibana leaned in and kissed my cheek softly. "Just... remember, you don't have to prove anything to anyone, okay? You're doing great just by being you."
Her words felt like a balm to my soul, and I couldn't help but feel even more grateful for having someone like her by my side.
As the morning wore on, we slowly got out of bed, stretching and groaning from our sore bodies. But despite the aches, I felt incredibly content. Life had a way of surprising me, but for now, with Tachibana and the girls, I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
(Isami's Arc End)