"Truly scandalous, truly absurd," Kaede and Rin muttered as they helped in the kitchen. They shot occasional, complicated glares toward Alex. Just thinking about the depraved scene they had witnessed when they first arrived—that shameful display—sent a wave of indignation through them.
Well, it was hard to say if it was indignation or jealousy.
"Kaede, what's so absurd about it? It's not like you haven't experienced an orgy like that yourself," Yui Obata giggled while chopping vegetables. "You and Rin are twins; you must have served Alex together before, right?"
"We have," Rin replied, maintaining her usual stoic, deadpan expression. "Even though Sister is a tsundere, she's actually very proactive when it comes to sex."
"I am not proactive!" Kaede retorted, her face turning crimson. However, her darting eyes betrayed her guilty conscience. On the other side of the kitchen, Tsubaki Rurikawa, dressed in her maid uniform, walked in. The exquisite noble-turned-maid seemed to carry an invisible air of authority.
Kaede's voice instinctively lowered a few notches. "I was just forced into it, that's all—"
"Tsubaki, Kaede is still being so stubborn. Is there a way to make her more honest?" Yui smiled. "I know being a tsundere is her charm, but always saying the opposite of what she feels is exhausting to watch."
"You just want to tease her," Tsubaki smiled, glancing at the blushing Kaede. "Don't worry about it. Kaede only acts this way in front of us. Once she faces the Master, that stubbornness naturally melts away."
"Rin, is that true?"
The emotionless girl nodded. "Yes. Sister can't keep up the act when she's with Alex."
This triggered another round of laughter from the girls. Kaede stomped her feet in frustration. "You guys...! I'm the Student Council President at school! How dare you mock me!"
Watching the sisters bicker, Tsubaki's pale, elegant face lit up with a beautiful, happy smile. She turned and left the kitchen. By the time she reached the living room, the mess from earlier had been cleared away.
The wanton, erotic, and hazy atmosphere had vanished. The room was clean, as if nothing had happened, save for Alex sitting on the sofa watching TV and Mrs. Kasumi and Mrs. Mira tidying their clothes.
"The fireworks festival is tonight. It's a rare summer celebration, and I don't want to miss it," Mira Tsubahara said, winking at Alex as she held a kimono. "Alex, haven't Shiho and the others arrived yet?"
Alex looked toward Tsubaki.
Tsubaki stepped to her master's side and handed him a cup of tea. "Aunt Shiho and Aunt Natsumi will be here soon, along with Saki and Ai. They'll definitely make it in time for lunch."
Alex nodded. "The fireworks festival... I promised to watch them with you all, and I won't break that promise. I'm just a bit surprised you're so interested in it, Mira."
"Alex, what a thing to say. I'm a woman too; of course I crave romance," Mira gave him a seductive roll of her eyes. She raised her arms to stretch, her hot, curvaceous body on full display. With her perfect hourglass figure, she was a masterpiece of a woman.
"Besides, even if I weren't interested in fireworks, I could never say no to you. The fireworks aren't the point; it's who you watch them with," Mira blinked suggestively at her younger man, tapping her red lips with a finger.
As they spoke, Natsumi Obata and the others arrived.
The room was suddenly filled with the chirping voices of many women. Kaede and Rin were still cooking; Makoto was playing around with Ai Kitami; Chika was chatting with Saki. Natsumi and Shiho Haibara were smiling as they looked over the kimonos Mira had prepared.
Alex, however, found himself pushed out of the circle. He stood alone on the sidelines, unable to find an opening to join the conversation. He wasn't annoyed; instead, he watched the scene with a wide smile, feeling the warmth of this large, happy family.
"Alex..."
Saki Yoshida saw him standing alone and felt a pang of sympathy. She wanted to go talk to him, but Ai Kitami grabbed her arm. "I heard he just had another orgy here. Hmph, that sex maniac. Ignore him, let's go look at the clothes."
"Eh? But..."
Saki couldn't win against the blonde gal and was pulled away. Before leaving, Ai stuck her tongue out at Alex. He didn't mind, firing back a wicked grin that made Ai grit her teeth.
Soon, lunch was served.
"Phew, thank goodness we're at Aunt Mira's villa, otherwise Alex's place definitely wouldn't fit everyone," Makoto Gimiya giggled as she helped move a large table into the dining room. She pouted slightly. "It's impressive. Alex has so many women now that one table isn't enough."
"It hasn't been enough for a long time. If you count the women in Kyoto and the ones he's hooked up with elsewhere, several tables wouldn't be enough. Even my villa would be crowded," Mira Chimed in, teasing Alex.
"Cooking was a chore too. It's the first time we've had to make this much food," Yui added with a smile.
"Fine, fine, it's all my fault," Alex glared at them playfully. "But even if you complain, I'm not stopping. I'll bring every woman in the world into my harem, and then I'll make Yui cook every single day until her arms fall off!"
"Giggle, Alex, your threats have no bite; they're actually quite cute," Yui secretly rubbed her foot against his leg under the table. "As for what we said, we're just joking. Cooking isn't a problem, especially with everyone helping."
"And compared to living apart, I prefer us all staying together. It's livelier and warmer, isn't it?"
"Hmm, in that case, we need to find a proper place to live. Even my villa isn't big enough for everyone," Mira mused, resting her cheek on her hand. "We need a large estate."
"Boyman's villa might be suitable. It's a private territory, and the estate is huge," Tsubaki, sitting next to Alex, said as she peeled a shrimp and placed it in his bowl.
"But it belongs to someone else. It wouldn't feel right," Mira shook her head.
"What about the Haibara estate?" Shiho Haibara poured drinks for everyone. "The Haibara territory is vast. Alex has been there many times, and the old man wouldn't be stingy with him."
"No, no, the Haibara place is in Kyoto. It's too far and inconvenient," Mira said, shaking her head again. "I'll arrange it. Buying a plot of land isn't hard."
"It's better if we build our own home from scratch."
Ai Kitami seemed interested. "Can we choose the location? Like by the beach?"
"The beach might not be great. I think we shouldn't be too far from the city center..."
As they discussed enthusiastically, Alex didn't participate. He didn't care about the details; he was happy to let them decide. Chika and the others weren't ordinary girls anymore; with their boosted stats and the power he had granted them through the [Silver Crest], they were essentially untouchable in this world.
Suddenly, Alex felt something strange under the table. Something was touching his foot. His expression darkened. Seriously? Again?
Does everyone love flirting during dinner this much?
Alex counterattacked swiftly, trapping the stealthy foot with his own. The person clearly hadn't expected such a decisive move. Alex chewed on the shrimp Tsubaki had peeled, casually scanning the room.
His eyes locked onto Yui Obata.
Despite Yui appearing to be in a deep conversation with Saki, Alex could sense it was her. Tsk tsk. I thought it was Ai, but it's you, Yui, you naughty girl.
However, I satisfied your lust this morning. It's not your turn.
Alex released her foot and gave the redhead a warning look. But before he could relax, another sensation appeared under the table. This time, it wasn't a foot—it was a hand! Alex's expression turned bizarre as a hand began stroking his thigh.
Damn, at this distance and angle, he didn't even need his senses to know who it was. He turned his head and gave the girl on his other side a resigned look. "Rin?"
Rin usually didn't compete and stayed quiet, almost invisible, but Alex knew exactly how bold and proactive this emotionless girl could be during sex. Back then, it was her help that allowed him to win over her sister, Kaede.
Now, this girl was taking the initiative. Seeing her casually stroking his leg made it hard to believe she was a "cool" type.
This is out of character, lady!!
"Rin?" Alex tried to stay calm.
"I'm jealous," Rin's voice was as flat as ever. "Only Yui and the others got Alex's love this morning. We didn't. It's not fair."
"..."
"One should not worry about scarcity, but about inequality. This is dangerous."
"...You even know that quote?" Alex rolled his eyes. "Even so, not right now. We have time this afternoon. Wait until then; we're eating."
"It's a deal—"
Rin withdrew her hand. For a split second, Alex thought he saw a hint of a smile on her cold face, but it vanished instantly.
Alex sighed inwardly. It's not that I want to have orgies every day, or that I'm overwhelmed by lust. It's just that the women around me need to be fed. As Rin said, fairness was essential for a harmonious harem.
With that in mind, Alex turned to his other side.
"Tsubaki, come to me first this afternoon."
"Yes, Master~"
Tsubaki didn't ask a single question. She just obeyed. She was always so compliant and reliable. Alex felt a surge of appreciation.
Wait... why was it so quiet?
He looked up and realized the girls had stopped chatting. Everyone was staring at him. Clearly, they had heard every word of that conversation.