In the very spot she'd stood a few seconds before, Rei Ao's figure appeared out of thin air.
"Tsk, why have all these people suddenly decided to focus on me?" he mused, having listened to her analysis in secret without her noticing.
He didn't bother hiding his presenceif she didn't sense it, that was on her. It didn't concern him much anyway, and in fact, he found it all rather amusing.
He wouldn't mind if more pretty girls ended up "delivering themselves" to him.
"I wonder if that Ojou-sama also has some designs on me"
Indeed she does, buddy.
In the Student Council room
"I must surpass him!"
Kaguya Shinomiya, the esteemed young lady, was currently harboring her own thoughts about Rei Ao, focusing all her energy on studying as she desperately tried to beat him in the upcoming exams.
"Fssss"
On the sofa, Secretary Chika Fujiwara was slouched, munching on potato chips.
She glanced repeatedly at Kaguya, who was buried in her books, clearly wanting to say something but holding back. Finally, she broke the silence:
"Kaguya-chan, why are you studying so hard lately? Is it because the midterm tests are coming up?"
In the past, Kaguya had always faced such tests with perfect composure. Chika had never seen her this driven. She'd even assumed that "geniuses don't really need to study."
""
Kaguya's expression tensed. Fujiwara wouldn't understand what a burden it was having the Shinomiya family name or dealing with someone like Rei Ao over her head. Not seeing Kaguya's disquiet, Chika just kept "complaining" in a carefree way:
"Oh, Kaguya-chan, you're such a good student, working that hard. You're leaving us ordinary people with no chance!"
Kaguya shot her a glare, replying icily,
"You can do the same and review your notes to get better grades."
"Uh"
Chika scratched her head sheepishly. "N-no thanks"
Her grades weren't badjust not top-tier. She never had any major pressure from her family, so she had no reason to push herself that hard.
Burying her nose in textbooks sounded awful; she'd rather play board games or gossip now and then.
Suddenly, a thought sparked in Chika's head:
"Oh right, Kaguya-chan, do you think that super-amazing Rei Ao-kun is maybe also cooped up studying for the upcoming tests?"
"Hmm?"
The moment Kaguya heard his name, her head shot up. Her brow knitted.
Chika's words made Kaguya's mind spin. Rei Ao was already amazingif he was also studying as fiercely as she was, then she'd lose every advantage!
That couldn't happen!
Kaguya's gaze grew determined.
I must surpass him! I am a daughter of the Shinomiya family!
If Rei Ao was studying diligently, she had to work even harder! She decided: tonight, she'd pull an all-nighter if necessary.
"But do you think he might be cramming all night?" Chika continued. Then she suddenly shivered. "Yikes, why is it so cold all of a sudden?"
""
Kaguya withdrew the frosty death glare she'd aimed at Chika, her expression turning stony.
This bird-brain sure knows exactly the wrong thing to say!
Her mood cratered. Any last scrap of wishful thinking was dashed by this chatterbox. Was there no hope for her? Kaguya's face looked grim.
Meanwhile, Chika, oblivious to her near miss with a murderous glare, kept munching on her chips. Had looks been lethal, Chika would have been sliced and diced a thousand times by now.
~~~
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Chapter 515: Public Confession and a Round of Kisses...
Early evening.
"Knock, I'm here."
Not long after Rei Ao's household finished dinner, Mafuyu Kirisu arrived, skillfully bringing along her two "treasured" students.
The three of them had fallen into the habit of coming here to study with Fumino and Rizu.
Their progress had been evident, motivating them all the more. With the upcoming tests looming, it was the best chance for them to see how much their efforts would pay off.
Meanwhile, Rei Ao
Mafuyu Kirisu glanced at him, leaning comfortably against Mai's shoulder. Ever since she and the others arrived, he'd been snugly enjoying Mai's soft and gentle presence while watching TV alongside Emilia and the rest.
Apart from Fumino and Rizu, who were studying in the study room, Kirisu found herself with free time as well. She also liked the warm, relaxed atmospherebut seeing Rei Ao surrounded by so many women gave her a strange feeling.
Though she was inexperienced in matters of the heart, she wasn't a fool. Now and then, she'd catch sight of some rather outlandish displays of affection between Rei Ao and Futaba or Tohru. It would be impossible not to notice that something was going on!
Realizing this "model student" she knew might actually be the legendary "player"and that he was brazenly so in front of herleft Mafuyu Kirisu feeling uneasy.
By nature, she would normally intervene in such a situation; however, she recalled certain embarrassing incidents between her and Rei Ao, and she simply couldn't summon the courage to speak up.
Over time, her gaze toward him was always tinged with hesitation and conflict.
Today her mixed feelings were even stronger because she saw there was yet another person in the house!
On the other side of Rei Ao sat a black-haired girl, sitting upright and tenseanother of Kirisu's good students, Yukinoshita Yukino!
Yukino had felt uneasy coming here, embarrassed in front of everyone else.
For the last couple of days, she'd even been half-avoiding Yui and Yumiko at the Service Club.
But Rei Ao insisted that wasn't an option. "We're all one family in the future, so we need to get along," he'd said, and forcibly brought her over.
Even now, she remains nervousespecially with her teacher, Mafuyu, here. She wouldn't even allow Rei Ao to hold her hand.
Suddenly, Rei Ao looked up. "Kirisu-sensei, you're looking at me with a terribly grim expression. Is there something wrong with me?"
Mafuyu jerked a little at being directly questioned. Ever since they arrived, her gaze on him had been so obvious that even Futaba and the others noticed.
When Mai looked at him with concern in her eyes, wondering if he'd somehow slighted Mafuyu, Rei Ao had no choice but to bring it into the open.
"Eh?"
Mafuyu was briefly startled. Then she hastily said, "N-no, nothing's wrong."
"That's not true," Rei Ao countered with a shake of his head. "These past few days, Sensei, you've been giving me odd looks. It doesn't look like everything's fine. We're all friends here. If there's something on your mind, it's better to say it than keep it bottled up."
Rei Ao couldn't recall anything recent that would have offended Mafuyu. Yet she looked like someone jealous or upset. As for Mafuyu herself, she was unaware some of her complicated emotions were showing. She merely saw it as her sense of responsibility flaring up.
""
Hearing his words, Kirisu took a deep breath. Time to make up her mind. She was a teacher, after allif she saw something improper, she should call it out.
Leaving it unspoken felt like having a thorn in her side. Making her decision, she straightened her posture, putting on her teacherly demeanor.
"Rei Ao, I've been coming here many times now, watching carefully. There are some things I think I have the duty to point out. Your relationship with Mai and the othersdon't you think it's somewhat inappropriate by normal social standards?"
"!!!"
Mai and the others froze. Previously, they'd been careful to tone things down around Mafuyu and her charges.
Now that she'd confronted it openly, everyone's expressions turned complicated. The shy Yukino blushed all the way to her ears.
After voicing this, Mafuyu observed each person's reaction, trying to discern which one Rei Ao might be "particularly close to."
But seeing everyone equally flustered made her heart jolt. N-no way Could it be all of them?!
The sheer absurdity of that thought made her mind reel. Yet her guess was on target. The only semi-exception was that Emilia had so far stopped at kissingand playing around with an electrifying effect from time to time.
She just hadn't gotten the nerve to take things further. Still, as they were forced into this topic, Emilia's eyes flicked to Rei Ao, her lips unconsciously recalling that tingling sensation
She couldn't deny that doing certain sneaky things with him felt addictive, and listening to the nighttime sounds from Rei Ao's room sometimes made her want to "recharge."
But pride and modesty kept her from bringing it up. Seeing Yukino here today filled her with a mix of emotionsboth restless and vexed, even a bit insecure about whether she lacked appeal.
Rei Ao sighed. Finally, Mafuyu was choosing to speak her mind. He'd been waiting for this moment.
"Kirisu-sensei, your eyesight is awfully dull."
"Huh?"
She had no idea why he was suddenly insulting her. Then she saw Rei Ao, right before her eyes, bend toward Mai and kiss her soft lips, then do the same with Futaba, Tohru, and Sora.
When he got to Emilia, he paused a momentthen skipped over and kissed a flustered Yukino instead.
"???"
Watching all of them accept it, some shyly, some quietly, Mafuyu felt her mind go blank.
It was like her brain and common sense had just been smashed by a speeding train. Rei Ao completed this public round of kisses without a hint of shame, then spread his arms confidently.
"Now do you see, Kirisu-sensei? They are all my wings!"
~~~
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Chapter 516: Everything are Consensual... (Bonus Chapter)
Even though Mafuyu Kirisu didn't get the reference, the meaning behind Rei Ao's actions was already blatantly clear.
After her initial shock, Kirisu rose to her feet, biting her lip in anger and sorrow.
"Rei Ao, how can you all be so reckless?!"
Such chaos, so far removed from normal social conventions it needed to be curbed. Otherwise, it would lead to serious trouble in the future!
Rei Ao wasn't at all surprised by Mafuyu saying that. In fact, he'd made a point of displaying everything so openly, just waiting for her to speak up.
Ever since their somewhat ambiguous "accident," their relationship had stalled because she'd deliberately avoided acknowledging it, trying to keep a lid on things. Now was the best time to break that stalemate.
He didn't argue back or protest instead, he nodded calmly.
"Kirisu-sensei, I think you're absolutely right. Stringing along multiple partners is a classic 'scumbag' move. It's disgraceful, and no one should endorse it. This is indeed just fooling around."
"Yes, Rei Ao, as long as you understand. Teacher hopes you'll develop a healthier relationship."
Hearing his words, Mafuyu breathed a sigh of relief. She assumed Rei Ao intended to change his behavior a prodigal son returning to the right path.
But Mai and the others exchanged looks. They knew Rei Ao far too well; no way would he genuinely speak such pure-hearted words. There had to be a catch.
A faint, unreadable smile tugged at Rei Ao's lips.
"Indeed, Kirisu-sensei, you're correct in everything you've said. But I have a question for you."
"Ask away. As yoursensei, I'll help you however I can."
Originally, she wanted to say she spoke as someone "experienced," but realized she was still single and had no qualifications to make that claim. So she ended up citing her role as a teacher instead.
"Well, Sensei, it's clear our current relationship isn't very 'healthy.' But if we all truly love each other, and each of our families gives their blessing, wouldn't that mean there's no problem?"
"Huh?"
Mafuyu froze, then shook her head. "That's impossible!"
Who on earth would have parents who'd agree to something so bizarre?
"Oh, really?"
Rei Ao gave a mischievous smile and gestured to Mai and the others.
"In that case, Kirisu-sensei, how about you listen to what they have to say?"
Mai rolled her eyes at Mafuyu, then spoke up first.
"Rei Ao's right. We've already told my mom about our situation, and she's aware and approves."
Not only was she aware; she also took part in it.
"?"
A question mark all but popped above Mafuyu's head. Next was Futaba:
She said calmly, "I have no parents. But the person who does have the right to make decisions for me knows about it and has tacitly allowed it."
It sounded awkward, but it fit her current circumstances.
"??"
Mafuyu interpreted the "person with decision-making rights" as a guardian, and her internal question marks multiplied.
Then Tohru spoke, brimming with confidence.
"Hmph. If my father dares oppose us, Rei Ao can just clobber him 'til he agrees."
She wouldn't go easy on that old man. She wanted a father-daughter relationship tempered by fists if necessary.
Mafuyu: "???"
Another powerhouse father? Next was Yukino, who lowered her head and spoke softly:
"Mymy older sister and mother approve as well."
Mafuyu: "?????"
Finally, Sora latched onto Rei Ao with both arms and shouted, "I love Master the most!!!"
Mafuyu: "!!!!!"
In just a few dozen seconds, each person said a sentence that left Mafuyu's brain completely frozen.
Honestly, after Mai's comment alone, she had already been in shock. She never imagined there could be so many parents out there who agreed to something so absurd, and not just one set multiple!
"Oh God! Someone tell me this is just a dream!"
She now deeply regretted her attempt to force the matter.
Being almost thirty, her worldview was being shaken to its core, as if someone were force-feeding her a radical new mindset. But she still refused to give in and muttered, "But how can any of you possibly be happy this way?"
Rei Ao laughed.
"Why wouldn't we be?"
"First of all, I'm financially independent and not short on money."
"Secondly, my body is strong, full of energy."
At that, Yukino and the others all looked away in embarrassed silence.
"Marriage is just a formality for us, anyway."
Mai and the rest found no words to refute that. All of them were already "molded into Rei Ao's shape," and none were mere ordinary humans anymore. That was just an undeniable fact.
"It's mutual consent. We love each other. Can't we have a bright future?"
"!"
Rei Ao's words snuffed out Mafuyu's last flicker of defiance. If they were already fine with "We love each other and don't mind even if marriage is purely optional," she had zero standing to oppose them further. Hence, her mind went blank and she just stood there, dazed.
