"Amane?"
"We got it, Mahiru!"
Mahiru arrived quicker than I expected, but I had everything ready, and Ruby was already seated. She walked briskly to her seat next to Ruby, a sight that was truly pleasing to the eye.
"Hahaha! To think I'd have the honor of dining with two beautiful ladies—what a blessing!" With playful exaggeration, I sat across from them and gestured for them to pick their favorite pieces first.
"Save that for Sawako-san!" Ruby teased, playing along with my exaggerated performance as she grabbed a leg and a chicken breast, adding mashed potatoes and gravy to her plate.
Mahiru, her face slightly pink, picked up three drumsticks and a single leg, adding a small portion of mac and cheese along with mashed potatoes and gravy.
I opted for two chicken breasts and a serving of mac and cheese. I wanted more, but I didn't want to take too much in case they wanted seconds.
"By the way, Ruby."
"Yeah?"
"If Sawako were here, it would be two beautiful ladies and a goddess!" With that, I took my first bite.
"…"
Ruby pouted cutely and started eating, while Mahiru flushed a little before timidly beginning to eat. For the first few minutes, we all ate in blissful peace before Ruby finally brought up something important.
"I'm Ruby Hoshino! Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself earlier... That idiot right there caused us both some trouble!"
Mahiru looked stunned before letting out a refined giggle. "Hehe~ You're right! He should totally be taught a lesson. Mahiru Shiina is my name. I-I don't mind if you call me Mahiru."
"Really? You can call me Ruby too!"
With introductions out of the way, the two girls started chatting about a myriad of topics, though it was mostly Ruby talking while Mahiru chimed in every now and then. That made sense—Mahiru had just met Ruby and was still getting used to this kind of socializing.
Even at school, she only gives the correct responses but never really shares her own thoughts.
I knew in time Mahiru would open up, so I didn't worry too much.
"Amane, can Mahiru stay over?"
Mahiru's fingers flinched a little, and she did a cute little jump. She never denied Ruby, so I entertained my cute star-eyed friend.
"I don't mind, but why?"
"So we can have girl talk!"
"She lives next door..."
"Yeah, but I can't just intrude on her place so suddenly."
Ruby's words made sense, but I highly doubted Mahiru had anything to worry about. I knew she kept her place clean, and there was no way there was anything embarrassing over there.
"Yeah, that's fine, but I don't know if that mattress is big enough."
I guess I could give them my bed even if I really don't want to… but I can't let either of them sleep on the couch.
"Don't worry about it—we can just sleep on your bed, right? We banish you to the couch!" Ruby declared.
"R-Ruby, I don't think that's right," Mahiru stammered.
"It doesn't matter! He owes us for messing with us!"
"Y-But I don't know..." Mahiru shyly made eye contact with me. It was super adorable, but I calmed myself.
"Sure, I have no problem with it. I'll just sleep on the couch then." Finishing the last of my food, I made my way to my bedroom and took my phone charger. I left them with the blankets and everything since that would be a hassle.
O-Oh shit, I just realized I don't think... I walked to the closet full of stuff, and my thoughts were right! There was a mattress, but unfortunately... No blankets?!
It made me question why Mom didn't have any, but then again, this was technically my place. I should've bought some from the system before it shut down! But really, why would I have even done that? The only person to stay here before was Sawako and Mahiru for a mere few hours.
Pain. I walked back to the living room in quite a dejected manner. I was just going to have to sleep without one or just stay up all night. The system comes back on at midnight, so it isn't like I wouldn't have something to do.
"What's wrong, Amane?" Ruby noticed my dejected look, and I told both of the girls.
"T-Then you can sleep with us!"
"Eh?"
"Uh..."
Mahiru declared it confidently, but after hearing our responses, she seemed to realize what she had just said. I get that she's a good person, but she definitely should've thought more about that! Of course, I had to make sure to make the most of this.
"Well, thank you, Mahiru, I think I will!" I nodded exaggeratedly, really just intending to joke. But... there was silence. Silence for a little too long?!
I snapped my eyes open, and the two girls were making serious eye contact with each other. It was like they were communicating telepathically! It honestly made me feel a little strange.
No way they say okay to that, right?
"Sure, I don't mind."
"I-I-I actually don't mind either, strangely."
"O."
It was my turn to be stunned. I really couldn't see how these two managed to reach that conclusion. Also, tonight would be a serious test of my loyalty!
Ding~!
A message at this time of night?
[Sawako: I thought about it, Amane, and I want you to not hold back! My mom told me it's hard for men to hold back their desires, but I know I can't handle it that much, so I don't mind other girls. But, just remember I'm first!]
[Me: Sawako, are you okay?!]
[Sawako: Y-Yeah!]
[Me: What even brought this along?!]
[Sawako: Okay, honestly...]
[Me: Honestly what?]
[Sawako: I watched a historical shoujo anime, and seeing the MC being the head of a powerful harem kind of made me want to be like that...]
[Me: ...]
[Sawako: Hehe~!]
[Me: Love, I mean this in the best way possible. I don't know if I can agree with that reason.]
[Sawako: What? Shouldn't you be jumping at this chance?]
[Me: I'm perfectly happy with you, and yes, while I'm glad to have a chance many men don't, I don't like it being for the reason you just told me.]
[Sawako: How about this then—any girl has to get my seal of approval, and you obviously have to like them!]
[Me: I g—Sure.]
[Sawako: Good! Don't ruin my chance at this! I'll be mad! Oh, and I know you are with Mahiru and Ruby.]
[Me: You approve of them?]
[Sawako: Ruby, yes, and from what I hear about your neighbor... sure.]
[Me: Alright, those two are looking at me weird, but we are going to talk about this more in-depth later.]
[Sawako: Okay, but seriously, don't mess my chance up! 😏]
[Me: 😂😂]
What the hell is going on...