Stealing Spree

Is it truly a good idea to bring them here to meet my parents?

That kind of question flashed in my mind as soon as my mom pointed out the expression I was making.

I did think that it was a hasty decision when Shio told me her woes. And that resulted in the others like Rae also postponing it as they’re not ready yet to meet them.

However, those who agreed were already here and… they already met my mom even though it was just a simple introduction that gave them the first impression of each other.

Anyway, whether it was a good idea or not, we’re going to reach this point sooner or later. No matter what apprehensions passed in my mind, I’d always drop it to favor the future where I could be with them…

“My sisters, hear this princess out. Have any of you been visited by the dark emissaries of the abyss, foretelling your immediate departure in this realm of our revered Dark Prince? Fear not! For we are the Holy Maidens grasped and pinned by him to stay by his side no matter how thorny the path is ahead of us. Be it the Chaotic Sea of Virtue or the Turbulent Storm of Cursed Blades will fail in hindering us in reaching Heavenly Paradise.”

Elizabeth’s cryptic declaration was the first thing that I heard as soon as I entered the living room and cast my gaze to the dining table where all of them were seated in a circle, munching on the food my mom prepared.

From how cryptic it was, it took some time for me to decode all of it which could roughly translate to ‘There’s no need to worry. As much as we want to stay with him, he’s the same. Whatever challenges we face will not block our path to be together for that future.’

That’s about it.

However, thinking about it, how come she ended up declaring that in a grand way that took all of our attention? My mom who had just entered before me, my dad who was sitting with Minoru in the living room and Miwa-nee who’s currently preparing tea for everyone in the kitchen also paused on what they’re doing and stared at her.

“Right, right. Sit down now, Risa. You’re scaring Minoru.” Yukari immediately stood up from her seat and pushed the girl down on her seat. However, upon seeing me approaching them, Yukari also closed her lips as she looked at me somewhat guiltily.

No. Not just her, everyone seated around that dining table, including Akane, had a tinged of guilt in their eyes.

Do I still have to guess? They probably reach a topic that involves our future and how difficult it is. And by being completely honest to each other, some or most of them pointed out their worries.

Elizabeth couldn’t take it so she blurted out what’s in her mind, albeit too cryptic for everyone to understand completely.

Anyway, whatever I planned for the future wasn’t perfect so that’s understandable. In fact, even the foundations for it haven’t been set yet…

“Hmm? Is this the wrong time for me to show up?” I said as I took the last step to reach Yukari who stood frozen there. Before she could open her mouth to answer, my arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her in my embrace. “Perhaps not. You all know me, there’s no need to look at me with guilt in your eyes. All of you have the right to be worried. It’s my job to turn that worry into confidence. Am I right, Elizabeth?”

While still hugging Yukari, I switched my gaze to Elizabeth who had just seated.

Upon hearing me addressing her, she immediately stood up and answered. “Absolutely correct, my Dark Prince. However, I apologize for raising my voice… That was insensitive of this princess.”

Elizabeth directed her apology to the other girls. With the lead of Akane, Yae, Nami and Satsuki, everyone followed suit as they all accepted it.

I then released Yukari before I made my round to each of them, showing them a smile, comforting them.

“I won’t say ‘blame it on me’ for giving you something to worry about as I know you’re all gonna stop me from doing that. That’s why instead of that, let me show you how devoted I am to all of you… You see, I probably fell into overthinking again before coming here, but the answer I came up with from that session of overthinking is this…”

I first scanned them with my gaze, including Miwa-nee, before I walked towards the living room and… dropped to my knees in front of my father and eventually sat down in seiza. My legs were neatly folded underneath me and my spine was straightened as I looked up at him in that position.

As I gathered my thoughts on what I’m about to say, my mom approached my father, she whispered in his ears before carrying Minoru away, leaving the two of us alone.

Well, not alone since everyone’s attention was already drawn to this part of the house.

“Dad, first of all, let me say thank you for not giving up on me and giving me the freedom to live my life like that for the past five years… I did a lot of things that should be enough to put me in a mental institution but you turned a blind eye to that and let me live my life according to my desire…”

“I’m not blaming you for not stopping me because, along the way, I came to understand what really is my desire… It’s impractical or literally insane in this day and age but that’s how it is for me. Besides, I met these wonderful women that are now part of my life and the reason for why I wanted to look forward to our future.”

Whatever the reason they had for letting me do everything I wanted, that’s irrelevant for now. Like my mother said, it’s a discussion for another day. That’s why I poured all the gratitude I have for them at this moment.

Without their permission, I would never meet all the girls I came to love, perhaps even Akane would be taken away from me. Furthermore, with Miwa-nee’s willingness to take the blame for what happened to me, she’d also be in for a bout of hardship had they restrained my desire and sent me somewhere to cure it.

My gratitude for them is genuine. Not just for them but also for Akane’s parents, especially Aunt Akemi. She tolerated everything that I did even though she’s well aware of my shenanigans for the past few years.

All of that was something I could probably not repay no matter what I do. So, all I could do now was to express this debt of gratitude.

As I said all of that, my eyes remained staring at my dad and likewise, he never averted his gaze even when my mom whispered to him.

My dad, Onoda Hiroki, also didn’t change his neutral expression as he took in every word that I uttered. Instead, he gave a small nod, not as an acceptance but for me to continue whatever I was going to say next.

That’s right, I’m not done yet. With my gratitude to them out of the way, it’s time to lay down what I planned to do.

“Dad, no matter how absurd this is from your eyes or to everyone’s eyes, I plan to marry all of them.”

It’s a bit simple and anticlimactic. However, the meaning of what I said was probably even heavier than the words of gratitude I had just uttered.