Ch.348Side Story: Encirclement

Looking at the three people gathered around the table, it felt like we were having a family meeting.

Their bright-eyed gazes fixed on me seemed somewhat cute.

“What’s going on?”

Findenai was concerned, seeing my not-so-pleasant expression. The other women must have had similar thoughts as they pressed their lips together and stared at me.

“Sigh.”

Eventually, I started spilling everything that had happened yesterday and today.

At first, Findenai sat tensely, listening attentively, but now she had her legs up on the table with her eyes twitching.

When I finished, she couldn’t hold back her question.

“What? What am I supposed to do about it? So you’re super popular, so what?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“You stayed out all night! Are you bragging that you kissed your little sister and went on a date with your fiancée? Ugh, I really don’t understand what you’re saying!”

“Haa.”

Findenai stood up in anger, ready to explode, but now I understood.

I caught her exchanging subtle glances with Stella, revealing this was their plan all along.

“Calm down and listen. I already heard about Stella’s scheme.”

[What?]

“……”

Stella blinked at me in surprise while Findenai pressed her lips together and avoided my gaze.

“I heard all about how you’re deliberately acting exaggerated. Constantly showing jealousy to put me in a position where I can’t freely choose someone.”

I could feel how desperate Stella had been. It was a somewhat clumsy and forced strategy.

The fact that it had actually worked on me only made me feel foolish.

“Thanks to that, I’ve been quite anxious. I’ve been wondering what I could do for you all, and I almost went down a strange path.”

Just the fact that I had seriously considered the male-shaped device Professor Per Petra had offered was already shameful.

That could definitely be called a dark history moment.

“I’m someone who struggles to love even one person. So I tried to choose one of you. I thought that would be best for you all.”

Who would enjoy their lover spending time with someone else or showing affection to others?

“But I think we were a bit misaligned. My intention to choose someone was actually making you all more anxious.”

The fact that Stella had secretly devised such a scheme behind my back was proof enough.

“Honestly, I don’t know. What I should do, how I should do it. I’ve always thought asking like this was shifting responsibility, but…”

[You’re helping us.]

The Dark Spiritmaster answered with a bright smile. She was the only one maintaining composure in this situation.

Why was she alone so relaxed?

I wanted to ask, but she continued speaking.

[When defining relationships, you shouldn’t decide alone. We’re here too.]

“Yes, you’re right. I was arrogant.”

[It’s more that you were overly considerate. You valued us so much that you tried to spare us from difficult thoughts.]

The Dark Spiritmaster was taking my side to an extreme degree. The other two must have thought something was off too, as they stared at her.

The Dark Spiritmaster covered her reddening cheeks with both hands and squirmed.

[I’ve had a sexual relationship with this person, you know? Would he abandon someone like me?]

“Wow…”

[Wow…]

I never imagined the day would come when Findenai and Stella would have the same reaction.

Both stared at the Dark Spiritmaster with their mouths hanging open, clearly having much to say but holding back to avoid a major fight.

“Well, she’s not wrong. If we did it, you wouldn’t abandon her at least. Considering your sense of responsibility.”

[……]

It wasn’t wrong, but I felt a strong urge to correct something.

“Let’s just be honest.”

Finally, trying to relieve my throbbing head, I asked:

“What do you want to do?”

After much deliberation, I threw out the question.

The three looked at each other but remained silent.

They seemed to have many things to say, but just as I was wondering why they were holding back:

“That’s for you to say.”

Findenai’s words pierced me sharply.

“You’re the central figure in our relationship. You decide, master. We just follow.”

“……”

“Just choose. Either pick one of us or choose all of us. We’ll follow whatever you decide.”

“But.”

I was about to say that would be too hard on them, but:

[Why do you think we’re still with you?]

Stella posed a fundamental question.

[Do I look like I’m waiting for you to choose me over other women?]

“……”

[I’m sorry, but that’s not it.]

She smiled brightly, but there was firmness in it. The spirit of a kind but resolute woman.

[I just want to be with you. Even if I’m compared to other women or have to share your time, I want to be with you.]

“I don’t compare you to others.”

[I know.]

Looking at Stella smiling happily, I scratched the back of my head.

Even though my prosthetic body couldn’t feel itchy, I just felt awkward.

[I’m curious about something.]

Stella whispered quietly.

[You don’t really think we’d all leave if you chose just one person, do you?]

“Huh?”

My head rang.

As I grasped the truth in Stella’s words, I instinctively looked at the other two.

Findenai, meeting my eyes, shrugged.

“I’m your maid, aren’t I?”

“Yes, but still.”

“Don’t newlywed homes have maids? We have a contract.”

“……”

I was at a loss for words.

It seemed certain that even if I chose Erika or Stella, Findenai would still stay in this house.

Turning to look at the Dark Spiritmaster, she was the same.

[I’m your monitor and teacher, aren’t I?]

[I’m your monitor too.]

Stella had already answered before I could ask. As they said, I now realized that whatever answer I gave, the current situation wouldn’t change at all.

[Well? Do you understand now?]

Stella teased with a mischievous smile.

[In the end, we’ll be by your side. The choice is yours.]

Whether to love one person or love them all.

“When did it… become like this?”

When I came to my senses, I found myself at a dead end.

The moment I realized the pressure not to choose just one, their gazes felt different.

I was being urged.

I was being forced to make a choice.

Being dull to emotions like love, I had to admit that I hadn’t noticed their encirclement.

[Well.]

The sweet whisper of the former Saintess flowed into my ear.

[Will you make your choice?]

As if saying, go ahead and do as you please.

As if we all know what the result will be.

Under the tightening pressure, I could only let out a hollow laugh rather than feel tense.

“Is this really the ending you all want?”

[It’s the ending everyone wants.]

“I’m naive. I’m very lacking when it comes to loving someone.”

[How nice. Since you can share multiple loves at once. You’ll learn quickly.]

Looking at Stella speaking so confidently, I was dumbfounded.

“Well… even though it sucks, I’ve already developed feelings for you other girls.”

Findenai added, scratching her cheek.

“Right.”

My head dropped.

With a certain resolve, I smiled bitterly.

“Though I’ll be lacking.”

My beliefs that I had held.

“There’s only one thing I can say.”

I felt them crumbling under their efforts and affection.

“Until the day you don’t want it anymore.”

So this was the only reward I could give to these women who had tried so hard.

“I’ll tell you I love you.”

Will this be enough?

I had that thought briefly, but it quickly disappeared.

Because the smiles that bloomed on the three women’s faces were like flowers in a garden.

“H-hmph.”

[Until I don’t want it? So it continues until I say I don’t like it?!]

[Yes! Yes!]

Findenai trying to hide her twitching lips.

The Dark Spiritmaster childishly demanding detailed explanations.

Stella turning away, clenching her fist and quietly savoring the joy of victory.

Watching their various reactions, I continued seriously:

“I’ve been thinking again recently about how important relationships between men and women are.”

Look at the Dark Spiritmaster.

Just spending a little time together had strengthened her trust in me, and she had no insecurities.

I wanted to make the other women feel secure too, but there were physical limitations.

However.

“Bellas told me. Gods don’t have physical bodies, but they live similarly to those with bodies through something called mental bodies.”

I told Bellas I wanted to research mental bodies when I had time, but I’ve heard nothing back.

But I had already found a clue about mental bodies.

“When I spent time with the Dark Spiritmaster in the forest, she wasn’t an ordinary soul. She had saliva, warmth, and her love juices flowed.”

[Wha, whaaa! Are you crazy?!]

The Dark Spiritmaster flew at me urgently. The other two women glared sharply, but I didn’t want to stray from the topic now.

“I think that’s a clue about mental bodies. A soul comparable to a physical body. If I could achieve that, I wouldn’t need to use a prosthetic body…”

And could have complete relationships.

But the other two women gave somewhat skeptical looks.

“You don’t need to push yourself too hard.”

[That’s right, you don’t need to obsess over that.]

Findenai and Stella spoke as if they felt sorry that I was researching and working hard for them, but:

“No, this is for me.”

Since I wanted to have deeper relationships with them, there was no need to hesitate anymore.

“So from today, I’m going to start researching.”

With that, I strode over and grabbed Stella’s wrist. Looking at her, not understanding the situation, I spoke matter-of-factly:

“Based on what happened then, clues about mental bodies appeared during extreme excitement. I’m going to continue that.”

[Huh?]

Looking at Stella with a puzzled expression, I pulled her toward the bedroom.

[W-wait a minute! I’m not mentally prepared yet…?!]

Despite Stella’s panicked struggles, she was already firmly in my grasp.

I gave her a somewhat mischievous smile.

“You’ll cooperate, right? It’s for all of us.”

[Y-you! You’re angry at me now! For doing strange things behind your back! F-for pushing you like this!]

I didn’t bother to answer.

I did want to punish her a little for being naughty.

[W-wait! Wait! S-senior! Findenai! Please stop this!]

Despite Stella’s delicate cries, the two just stared blankly at us.

Click.

After entering the bedroom and locking the door:

“What the fuck?! Why am I last?!”

[Wait a minute! Y-you got the hint from me, so shouldn’t you be with me?!]

The two finally came to their senses and started shouting, but I ignored them.

Looking down at Stella with her flushed cheeks, I gave her a small smile.

“Even if it’s hard, bear with it a little.”

This is all for everyone’s sake.

[Hiccup.]

Stella’s tearful hiccup sounded adorably.