Chapter 53: A writer’s confession of love and a new development

　It was the night I received a love letter from Rushia.

　After eating dinner, I was washing the empty dishes in the kitchen of the cabin.

“…………”

　What occupied my mind was a love letter from Rushia.

　It was a love letter from Rushiya, in which she expressed her love for me in her masterful handwriting.

[“9pm tonight. I’ll be waiting for you at a lake nearby.”]

　Rushia is expecting a reply from me.

　Reply…… reply, huh.

　She says she likes me.

　In the past, I would have dismissed this as a child’s argument.

　But …….

“Okarin.”

　Someone popped me on the back.

　I turned around to see Akari standing there smiling at me.

“I’ll help you with that, okay?”

　…… I was about to say it’s okay, but then I stopped.

“Ah, please.”

“Nnn. Okay.”

　We stood side by side in the kitchen, doing the dishes in silence.

I’m so glad you did that.

“That?”

“Hmm. Usually, you keep me away saying that kids should play with their friends.”

“Yeah, I guess so. ……”

　The night before last, Akari’s serious expression came back to my mind.

　The girl I saw at the time, with her horrifyingly sexy features, was not a girl, but a woman.

　It’s not just Akari, but , Nanako, and Rushia as well.

　They’re adults now.

“I thought it would be rude to turn down an offer that’s been made to me.”

“Hmm. That’s a good idea. You should do that from now on. Fufuu♡.”

　Akari happily rinsed off the detergent stained plate with water.

“Hey, Okarin-san”

“What is it?”

“Did Rushian confess to you?”

　…… There was a moment of silence.

　Jiiaaa …… silence, dominated only by the sound of running water.

　It was so sudden that I could not react immediately.

　It seemed to be taken as a silent affirmation.

“I knew it!”

“How did you know?”

“Well, how should I say it. Girls are more sensitive than boys think. Except for my sister.”

　At dinner today, Rushia was silent the whole time and didn’t look at me at all.

　I guess she sensed me because of my attitude.

“You have good intuition as usual.”

“Fufu♡ So …… what are you going to do?”

　Akari’s voice sounded really flat.

　It’s as if she was listening to the weather today.

“…… I’m wondering, how should I face it”

　The day before yesterday, Akari’s naked body came back to my mind.

　Akari and the others are already grown women.

　They want to be in a serious relationship with me.

　It’s cruel to dismiss them as the ramblings of a child,…….

　That’s why I have to think about it carefully.

　Be an adult, be sincere, and give a response.

” Are you confused about whether she’s a writer or a woman, Okarin?”

　If I make the wrong choice here, it will affect the way I interact with her in the future.

　Should I see Rushia as a woman or as a writer?

　At the very least, if I see her as a woman, it may become difficult for both me…… and above all, her, to work together.

　It will also interfere with [our] dreams.

　I made a promise to her.

　I promised her that I would make her the best novelist ever.

“Aren’t you happy, Okarin?　Being told that?”

“I am. At least you guys are attractive in your own way, and you’re both beautiful. It’s a real problem. I can’t believe I have to choose one of you.”

“…………”

“Akari?”

　Akari suddenly became silent.

　When I looked at her face, she was slumped over and her neck was bright red.

“…… ah, …… eh, …… uhm.”

　She opened and closed her mouth like a goldfish.

　Eventually, she clears her throat and smiles.

“Thank you so much ♡ …… kwaaaaaaaa!”

　Akari crouched down on the spot and held her head in her hands.

“Okarin!　You took me by surprise!　It’s not fair!”

“Eh?　Ah, ……, were you embarrassed?”

“Yes, I was!　Mou……You can’t just suddenly …… say something that …… makes me happy, …… you idiot.”

　Akari must have been embarrassed by the unexpected compliment, even though she was an adult.

“A-Anyway, ……. I’m sure Rushian…… will be happy to see you. Okarin, the girl you care about is seriously thinking about you.”

　Akari finished washing the dishes and wiped her hands.

“And I don’t think you want a conclusion now. It was sudden.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Of course. Ah, Ichika-chan is probably the same way.”

　I didn’t tell Akari that Ichika had told me.

“…… You’re an esper, aren’t you?”

“That’s right. Esper Akarin can see through anything and everything.”

　Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, Akari came at me.

　The back of the room was a wall, so I was in close contact with Akari.

　I could feel her soft, large breasts through her thin clothes.

　The tautness of it presses against the breasts, flattening the shape in an unpleasant way. …… My eyes are glued to it.

　Akari whispered amidst the sweet, intoxicating scent.

“‘…… It’s okay, if you cheat on me with another girl. I’ll forgive you ……. Even if you kiss other girls, date other girls, or have sex with other girls,…… Okarin’s desire,……, I will forgive you all of it.”

　But, Akari says, her breath catching in my ears.

“…… because I’m the one who’s going to take your heart in the end.”

　After saying that, Akari waved her hand and left.

“…… Now there are three, huh. I’ll have to think of a plan.

At 21:00, I headed to the designated place.

　It was a lake in the middle of a forest, surrounded by trees.

　There was a white bench, probably to enjoy the night view, and Rushia was sitting there waiting.

“You’re here, Okaya?”

” Yeah.”

　I sat down next to her.

　Her cheeks flushed, and she took a step, trying to shift next to me…….

　But on the contrary, she took another step closer to me.

　She has an interesting expression on her face.

　I guess you could call it a look of determination.

“Okaya. Thank you for coming and not running away. I was afraid that you would kick me out of the room, saying that I was a …… child’s ramblings. The truth is.”

　In the eyes of the world, 29 and 18 are too old for each other.

　I think she was aware of that.

　She knew that she would be thought of as a child …….

“I won’t run away.”

“I see. ……”

　Rushiy’s mouth curled up in a smile.

“… I’m glad. Please face me properly.”

　There was a moment of silence.

　Now ……, the night wind blows through.

“…………”

　Rushia hugged her own shoulder and rubbed it.

　Karuizawa is a town on top of a mountain.

　Even in summer, the nights are chilly.

　I took off the jacket I was wearing and put it on Rushia’s shoulders.

“Okaya ……”

“You’ll catch a cold.”

　She smiled happily and hugged my jacket close to her.

“So, what’s your …… answer?”

　I searched for the right words to answer.

　In the past, I would have thought that as an adult, I should try to make things right.

　But she doesn’t want that.

　So, not as an adult, not as an editor, but as [me].

“I’m …… honestly lost.”

“Lost……?”

“Yeah. I like you, that for sure.”

“!　I-I see …….”

　Rushia’s pure white skin turns red.

　She squirmed and giggled as she repeatedly brushed her silky hair with her hand.

“You’re so straightforward. You’re a hard worker. I know that from working with you for the past two years. I know a lot of good things about you.”

　It’s been two years since I received her first manuscript until today.

　We’ve been through a lot together.

　But …….

“But that’s just the two years I spent with Rushia Kaida as editor Mitsuhiko Okaya. I don’t know anything about …… Ryuko Kaida.”

“…… Yes, true. There are many things I’ve kept from you”

　Before we could become man and woman, we needed to get to know each other better.

　I was going to tell her that …….

“U …… Uuuuuuu~ …………”

“R-Rushia!?”

　She suddenly burst into tears.

“What’s the matter?”

“Because……Because~…….”

　Rushia wiped her tears with her hand.

　I hurriedly took out a handkerchief from my pocket and wiped her cheek with it.

“Because……Because……Okaya…..You’re going to reject me, right ……?”

“What?　Why would I do that……?”

“Eh……?”

　Pokan, Rushia rolled her eyes.

　It seems that I’ve misled her.

“Rushia. I’ll face you properly. It’s just that …… up until now, I’ve only seen you as a writer. I can’t respond to you from that point on.”

“T-then, ……?”

“Give me some time to think. Little by little, …… I’ll start to see you as a proper woman.”

　I’m going to stop fooling around with things like age, children, and adults.

　I’m going to be straightforward with the girls about everything.

“Okaya……”

　Rushia’s eyes welled up with tears and she hugged me around the waist.

　…… She’s so small and fragile, but she’s a grown woman of 18.

” Rushia. Actually, there’s another girl who says she likes me.”

“…… Somehow, I understand. It may be Ichibana and Akari.”

　After all, like Akari, this girl had also guessed.

“I really want to focus only on you, but I’m ……”

“I know ……. You don’t hate the other girls either, right?”

I’ve been friends with Ichika for 10 years, and she makes me feel safe when I’m with her.

　Akari always cheers me up.

“I can’t neglect the goodwill they have for me. Of course, I want to respect yours as well.”

“…… You’re a greedy b*****d, you know that?”

“I’m just indecisive.”

　When Rushia looked up, she smiled.

“Thank you for telling me. You are …… kind. You’re really nice. You’ll be able to face it.”

“You don’t like that?　Do you hate it when I think about other women?”

“No, not really.”

　Rushia shook her head with a refreshed face.

“It’s only natural that more than one woman would like an attractive man. Especially Okaya, he is a man of great character and ability. It’s only natural for other women to fall in love with you.”

“I…..see?”

“Yeah. But no matter who likes you,……, I will never change my mind.”

　Rushia touches my chest …….

” I belong to you. My body, my mind, my …… everything.”

　Rushia closes her eyes and puts her body into mine.

” …… You can hold me if you want.”

　That’s when it happened.

“…… Y-you can’t!”

　When I turned around, there was a beautiful girl with black hair.

“Nanako…….”

　JK sister, Nanako Ina raises her voice.

“You’ve been watching us, haven’t you?”

　Nanako runs up to me and hugs me from behind as I sit on the bench.

“M-me too…..me too! I love you, Sensei!”

Gyuu, Nanako hugged me tightly, refusing to let me go.

“I won’t give him to anyone. Sensei!”

“Ah……Sister. Wait a minute, please. Take it easy.

“Akari …… and also Ichika ……?”

　Akari and the others appeared from behind the trees.

　All the members of the trip were now together.

“I-Ichika ……, even you …….”

“Y-young lady!　I’m so sorry!　I was curious about …… you …….”

“…… No, it can’t be helped. I know how you feel.”

　When Rushia said in a gentle voice tone, Ichika breathed a sigh of relief …….

“No, …… you guys, I’m not impressed that you’re eavesdropping on a serious conversation.”

“Well, come on. It’s over. Besides, Okarin ……, what are you going to do about this situation?”

　There are four women who have told me they like me.

　And they’re doing it almost simultaneously.

“Even if it’s just a simple matter, you’re still being favored by four women. Honestly, aren’t you in trouble?”

“Well, ……, I’m just wondering what to do.”

　I decided that I would face each and every one of them properly, but as expected, four of them at the same time. ……

“So, Akari, the genius, has a suggestion.”

“””Suggestion?”””

Ichika, Rushia and Nanako tilted their heads.

“Okarin-san, please go out with all of us♡!”

“Go out with all of us ……………………… Ha?”

　What is she talking about……?

“…… A-Akari. That’s being u-unfaithful!”

　Nanako said with a red face.

“Eh, this is not being unfaithful. We all like him. Okarin, is not hiding the fact that he likes us.”

“……I see ……?”

　Akari continued when Nanako was confused.

“Okarin, you said you’d face us properly, right?　So why don’t we go out with you as a trial?”

“What do you mean by “trial”?”

“Yeah. That’s right. If he’s with just one girl, that girl will become his girlfriend, right? Therefore, with everyone♡, even if Okarin is only thinking about one girl, the others can be at ease~.”

　Ichika tilted her head.

“I-Is this what it’s like to be in love with a girl nowadays ……?”

“It’s only with Okarin that I make such crazy suggestions.”

“Oh, good. You’re aware that you’re crazy, right?”

Hoo……Ichika breathed a sigh of relief to Akari.

“But you don’t like it either, do you, Ichika?　Even though I want Okarin to look after me, isn’t it unsettling to see Okarin with another girl, three of them, and a younger one? Don’t you feel uneasy?”

Y”T-that’s…….”

“That’s why we’re going out for now. At any rate, if we have the title of lover, we are equal. It makes you feel safe, right?”

“…… Indeed, …….”

“Ichika……?”

　The next thing I know, I’m looking at Akari and Rushia.

“Rushian?”

“No, no need to say anything. I’ll take you up on your ruse.”

　Rushia looked straight at Akari.

“…… ruse?”

“What do you mean, young lady?”

Fufu, Rushia sniffed.

“You’re acting like a good person and saying it’s for the good of everyone, but in essence, it’s just a way for you to get one step closer to Okaya.”

　That’s what she was thinking about. ……

“Well, it’s up to Rushian to decide how to interpret it.”

　Akari flushes it away.

　Rushia looks straight at her and says.

“Fuun….It’s clever. But it’s good. This is also a move that won’t be a burden on Okaya.”

“Hee, you’re so calm. I thought you’d rant like a child.”

“I was afraid you would not want me to take away your home, so I thought you would be pushy.”

“I’m sorry, but I have no intention of losing or giving up my heart to a child like you.”

　The two of them are glaring at each other.

Nanako and Ichika were cracking up.

　I was more or less in the same boat as Nanako and Nanako.

“Okarin, not good?　Four girls, each at the same time?”

“…… You guys don’t mind?”

“I’m totally okay with it. I’m the one who’s going to get your heart anyway♡.”

　Rushia said, closing her eyes.

“I don’t mind. I’m fine with it, too. It’s more convenient for us to be on the same side. I can show them the difference with pride.”

　Nanako is baffled, but …….

“…..I-I uhm don’t really care. Eh, Sensei’s girlfriend….I can be……Kyuuuuu……”

Syuuuu……With steam pouring out of her face, Nanako collapsed on the spot.

“Ichika-chan?”

“M-me?　As for me, …… I’m not sure about that kind of …… things. ……”

Ichihana says while squirming.

“……..If Okaya-kun wants to do that, I’m …… fine with it.”

“Un un right♡. Once we become lovers, I can seduce Okarin and have all the fun I want without worrying.”

“…………”

　Ichika’s face turned red and she fell silent.

　You …… that kind of things……

“Well, Okarin♡ There’s no way out now♡”

　Akari and the rest of the girls stare at me.

“Dating, the four of us. You can try it ♡”