Stealing Spree

1255 Inclusion and Revision

Hana appeared at our doorstep?

Why didn’t that girl tell me when I was receiving her messages throughout the day? Was it because she wanted to surprise me?

Possible.

It might be a deliberate attempt by her to check on us.

“You know, husband? She still looked almost the same as before. Donning her angelic smile as a mask to conceal her true thoughts. She went straight to ask for you but when I said that you’re not here, she simply turned around and left without leaving a message.” Akane recounted what happened. She even imitated Hana's angelic smile to demonstrate how that girl acted in front of her.

“Hana? That’s the girl who wants to steal you, right?” Yua, who hadn’t met Hana yet asked. Although she’s also informed about that girl’s challenging declaration, she actually didn’t mind it too much.

Because of their full trust in me, only those who knew Hana personally or those who interacted with her had taken her challenge seriously; Akane, Miho, Chii and Hifumi.

As for the others, even if they became wary and readied themselves to fight back if Hana actually dared to try and steal me in front of them, her threat was perceived to be on the low side.

That’s normal, of course. My girls were more focused on how they could spend their day with me in a way that we’d be fulfilled.

“Yes, she is. Let’s see. If she left right away then I guess she might return tomorrow. I’ll be with Yua for almost a whole day so… if ever she showed up…” I paused for a moment and turned my head to Akane.

Understanding that I was about to instruct her, the girl enthusiastically waited for it.

“Can you invite her in? If possible, keep her here for the whole day.”

While Shio hadn’t informed me yet about a new student admission, she really didn’t have that much authority as someone who only started teaching this year. Hana said it herself, a relative of hers had already applied for her admission. Then, to not be surprised at her appearance on the coming Monday, I’d like to talk to her in person.

If I could get her to drop whatever plan she concocted to steal me before she even starts with it then all the better. Furthermore, a part of me also wanted to see her in the flesh. There was no need to lie about that.

Akane picked up on that. She nodded affirmatively. However, it’s Yua who was still confused that raised her doubt.

“Huh? Ruki, do you plan on taking her back right away?”

If only it was that easy. But then again, she was clearly still into me. The unbending Shizu eventually yielded making me give up the other girls for her, what more a girl who’s still stuck in the past we shared?

Although I lost some of my aggressiveness when it comes to stealing a girl because of the change in me, my determination got boosted. I mean, I was more determined to make a girl mine especially if the feeling was mutual.

“That’s the ideal outcome. But I doubt it will be that easy.” I answered Yua before looking at Akane again. If someone could form an opinion here then it’s her. She’s the one who saw Hana first.

“She’ll be a tough opponent even for you, husband. Actually, the way she stared at me earlier contained a hint of acknowledgment. As for what kind, I’m not sure.”

“I see. You two won’t lose to her when it comes to beauty alone. Her acknowledgment must’ve been for seeing you as a powerful rival.”

“Heh. If that’s the case, she has no hope of stealing you from us. Alright, I’ll try to keep her company and not let her go home if she ever shows up tomorrow. But Ruki, have you forgotten? There’s a chance that I won’t be home too.”

“What? Oh! Right… Tomorrow might be the day for the recording of that song.”

With everything that happened today, I forgot that bit. I didn’t receive a message from Yue, after all. Kaoru-san also didn’t contact me about it.

I guess I should check before we sleep for tonight. Besides, Yue didn’t say for certain that it would be this week. She said in a week or two. So, there’s also a possibility that it won't be tomorrow. No matter how inspired they are, collaborating to create a song is still harder than they let on.

Miho would be composing the song. Yue and Akane would be writing the lyrics. Then the arrangement would be done by Yue. And lastly, the three would sing it together with Akane getting the bigger part.

Or that’s how they told me it would go. In any case, I’m also looking forward to it.

Now that our topic shifted from Hana to that song my three girls collaborated to finish, Yua, who also has her heavenly voice apart from her modeling aptitude, became interested. She wanted to become a part of it.

And because of that, the following hour was decided to be used for talking about that. Instead of contacting Yue later before sleeping, I set up a group video call along with Miho and Yue while the three of us squeezed on the screen.

Coincidentally, Miho was also thinking about it. She admitted to being in a slight slump on how to finish the song. As for Yue, she had just gotten back from another recording. The girl looked really tired so I told her she could rest if she wanted to.

Well, obviously, she did the opposite. Claiming that seeing me and hearing my voice are enough to reenergize her, she preceded the inclusion of Yua in their planned song.

As for me, my focus kept on switching over all four girls, only giving my input when they asked for it. And since Akane and Yua were at my side, I spoiled them rather stealthily. Just enough for Yue and Miho not to notice it.

“Okay! I got it! We’re going to do two songs then! The same melody, different lyrics and different arrangement. It will be a side a and b that can be sold as a single.” Yue, as someone who’s already a year in that industry, declared with a business perspective after they finished their discussion.

None of the three raised an objection though but they asked the girl to clarify what she meant.

And the explanation went on for another ten minutes, enlightening all of us.

“It’ll be great if Ruki also has a part in it… Maybe if we think ahead, there’s a possibility that a music video will be given a green light. I want Ruki to act there! As for his partner, it will be one of us!” Yue added and as soon as they heard that, the other three’s enthusiastic response made it feel like it was still earlier in the night because of their cheerful noises. Even though it’s still a ‘what if’, they started presenting themselves to be the candidate.

“I’m the wife, it’s only right that I will act as husband’s partner!” Akane declared with confidence.

“No! The music video will be done with a piano as a prop. It’s better if we play it together!” And that’s Miho’s counter.

Obviously, Yue and Yua wouldn’t miss another opportunity.

“What are you saying? It’s natural for Ruki and me to star in it. We are both great in front of a camera. Have you seen those recent photos of him? Now add these photos of mine.” Yua supplemented it by showing the trial photos that she sent to me where she modeled different clothes in her wardrobe.

“You three… We all know that I’m great with all of those you listed. I'm great in front of the camera. I can play music, be it a guitar or a piano. And lastly, I’m also his wife. Am I right, dear?” Not wanting to lose to the three, Yue smugly presented herself as someone who could be better on all of the points they raised.

With the three of them arguing like that and not reaching an agreement, they then soon focused on me. Instead of bickering continuously, they wanted me to choose.

After contemplating for a while, I faked a cough which made the four girls brace themselves for my answer.

Well, what should I say? I can’t simply pick one from the four of them right away… And so, I said what an indecisive harem protagonist would say in this situation.

“Uh… Why don’t we wait first? I will decide when Yua’s music label decides to produce a music video.”

As soon as the four girls heard that, they all pouted at the same time. Following that, Miho and Yue directed the other two, “Akane, Yua, we’ll leave Ruki/dear’s punishment to the two of you. Please do our part.”