Stealing Spree

The next morning, Akane and I stayed a few minutes longer in bed before getting up and starting our preparation for our day.

Taking care of the side effect of the tea aside, the two of us spent that extension cuddling in each other’s arms. At the same time, we watched as the sunlight gradually brightened up the outside and eventually spilled into our bedroom windows. There’s no other special reason, really.

Akane also didn’t question me about it. One look and she immediately went along with my whim. To enjoy that moment with me.

A while later, we wrapped it up with another intimate kiss that we wouldn’t get tired of. Following that, Akane went downstairs to prepare our breakfast. Her mother, Aunt Akemi would also come over to help her with that.

Akane told me about how she came over last night before I arrived home.

Well, she’s already pregnant and possibly wanted to bond more with her daughter so... it’s understandable even if we’re just next door.

And since she’d be here for breakfast, Uncle Satoru would also be around. I guess we’d be having a family breakfast.

Next week, it will be my parents and Minoru coming over again. Well, they’re a little busy too so they couldn’t really come over often.

As for the news about Miwa-nee, I called her last night too. Thankfully, she wasn’t in bed when I did. We immediately switched to a video call and spent at least an hour just talking and catching up with what we missed about each other. Akane also joined in but only to greet Miwa-nee. She acted considerate again which was fine at that moment. I mean, it’s different when she’d deliberately hold herself back just to be considerate of the other girls.

Anyway, Miwa-nee told me that the divorce procedure was already done. Unlike how it happened with Shio, there are a lot of formalities needed with her marriage considering it also involved her in-laws. As for the specifics, she spared me the complexities of it. She simply assured me that at the fastest, she’d be home by next week or by the end of it.

Delighted and excited by that, I told her that we could go somewhere together when she returned. To celebrate her freedom – well, it’s probably not in good taste to call it like that but whatever.

Miwa-nee laughed and scolded me for it but ultimately, she didn’t reject my suggestion. Unlike me, she needed that to unwind or simply move on from her former marriage and start making more memories with me and Minoru.

I now have a week to prepare for that. It’ll be like an extension of our time when we went hiking.

Mhm. Sounds like a good plan.

Once alone in our bedroom, I picked up my phone to send a morning greeting to everyone. One by one, I came up with not just a simple text but also voice messages for those who were still asleep – some of them requested it last night. They wanted to hear my voice first thing in the morning. Since I’m the ‘love them all the same guy’, I spared no one from my raspy morning voice.

Those who woke up from that called me back almost instantly, extending our morning greeting to a more fulfilling moment for us.

Next, I finished up with my usual study of Mizuki’s lesson and the practice of playing the keyboard.

I have yet to decide when to contact Mitsui Kyoka, it has only been three days since that night. I still hold onto that negative impression I have of her.

I mean, they walked out on us last Sunday. Does she expect me to contact her right away just because she left her business card? Hell no.

Mizuki also updated me about them anyway.

Hassen most likely took up my advice. His bookstore chain will be closed down temporarily starting today for ‘renovations’. Maybe I’ll be hearing from Mizuki that he’ll be paying soon.

And Kyoka canceled her appearance on a live show tonight.

As for how Mizuki caught a whiff of that information, I have no idea. Maybe she has an insider close to them.

Anyway, that’s that on the business side. As for the music... well, I still couldn’t finish one song but I at least have started to get a hang on hitting the right notes. I still have a long way to go before I can even consider playing a piece for my girls, not to mention, sing along with it.

Uh. I guess I’ll just be looking forward to their collaboration song. Akane and Yua were already excited about it. And then there’s Miho who’s continuously perfecting her craft to make a fitting melody.

And Yue... as the mastermind behind it, she already has everything prepared. Maybe before the camping trip this Friday, we’ll be hearing from her manager, Kaoru-san.

After finishing up with all of that, I soon went downstairs, finding the pair of mother and daughter in the kitchen while Uncle Satoru was sitting in the living room as though he was waiting for me despite having a newspaper on his hands.

And sure enough, as soon as he noticed me arriving from upstairs, Uncle called out to me.

“Ah. Sorry for the early intrusion, Ruki. You don’t mind, right?” His smile was friendly but I could easily sense how he was trying to size me up again. He still cannot move on from how I took his daughter away.

I guess that’s how it is for most fathers. I can’t help but think about Elizabeth’s father and his constant reminders when I visited them. Ugh. At least, Uncle Satoru wasn’t openly hostile like him.

“Of course, Uncle. I appreciate it. I think it’s great to do this once in a while.”

“Yeah. Right. We have to time these visits whenever your other girls aren’t around.” With a smirk, he tried to take a jab at me that way.

“Hmm? I don’t see any problem with it. I think they’ll also be pleased to get to know Akane’s parents.” I shrugged, intentionally deflecting his attempt.

But knowing those girls, they’re really going to be delighted by it rather than be afraid or embarrassed.

Nonetheless, it would really be disrespectful to either party if I did that so... this was just me playing with Uncle.

From the kitchen, I could see Aunt Akemi putting a hand on her forehead. She heard us.

As for Akane, she’s snickering from her mother’s side, clearly amused by our conversation.

I waved at them before addressing Uncle Satoru again.

“Ah. Right. I think I haven’t congratulated you yet, Uncle. You got to it right away. I’m honestly impressed.”

“You brat.” Clearly riled up, Uncle Satoru’s face turned beet red as he tried his best to hold himself back from hitting me. “Yeah... You should be good for that child in the future and don’t teach him your ways.”

“Will it be a boy though? Besides, you can rest assured. I don’t want anyone else to copy me. I’ll advise anyone not to.”

Of course, not because I don’t want more competition. It’s just honest advice. While it’s great and all to love my girls equally, it will be physically and mentally taxing if one just jumps on it without a certain conviction.

It’d be nothing more than just a failed attempt to make their frivolous dream come true.

“Good... Good... Good... It’s enough that there’s only one of you or this world will be chaotic.”

“Did you dream of it, Uncle?”

“Many times! Especially when I’m not around. I’m afraid my... Ugh. Never mind. Just take care of my Akane and continue to be responsible for all your actions. I... No, we’ll support you the best we can.”

“Thank you, Uncle. I’ll take that advice to heart.”

After a few more exchanges like that, Aunt Akemi soon called for us to the table. I guess she hurried as well to stop whatever tension that was getting built around us.

But all in all, it’s a fun exchange in the morning. Right? Yeah. It’s probably not as fun for Uncle. But, oh well, he should get better at his responses to beat me.

Following, we had a sumptuous and harmonious breakfast. Seeing Akane enjoying dining with her parents again, I’m more than satisfied with it.

There’s nothing more precious than seeing my girl’s genuine smile.