Is It Wrong To Have A Harem In Daily Life?

"I really didn't expect that Sawamura-san would actually take the initiative to ask me to stay for lunch."

Kasumigaoka Utaha, who had come to the Sawamura residence, was invited by Eriri to stay when she was preparing to take her leave around noon.

"I just thought that since it's already lunchtime, and considering that if you went back now you'd just be stuck on the train with an empty stomach, I felt a bit sorry for you. Don't misunderstand anything."

Eriri was busy in the kitchen.

But even though she was busy, she was simply putting the dishes that her mother Sawamura Sayuri had prepared in advance into the microwave to heat them up and then serve them.

"This is truly textbook-level tsundere behavior. I suddenly find Sawamura-san quite cute."

Kasumigaoka Utaha showed a gentle smile while helping to carry the heated dishes to the table.

"Who's a tsundere?! You rude person!"

Eriri shouted loudly to protest her dissatisfaction.

"You clearly like it when I praise you for being cute, yet you're still blushing and ignoring your true feelings to give such contradictory words. This kind of statement is genuinely tsundere behavior."

"Kasumigaoka Utaha, you... and I was kind enough to invite you to stay for lunch!"

"Yes, I'm very grateful for that. Thank you, Sawamura-san."

With just one sincere sentence, Kasumigaoka Utaha calmed down Eriri who was on the verge of exploding. This technique of raising then lowering was so skillful it was amazing.

"Hmph... let's eat..."

Eriri huffily served rice for both of them.

As they sat at the dining table eating, Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly said something shocking:

"Does Sawamura-san hope to finish the game quickly and then escape from the game club as soon as possible?"

Eriri froze when she heard this, her chopsticks stopping mid-air as she was about to pick up food. She paused for quite a while before putting them down.

She carefully swallowed the food in her mouth, then slowly let out a breath.

"Why would you think that?"

"Because I saw your compromise."

"Compromise?"

"Yes, compromise."

Kasumigaoka Utaha put down her chopsticks.

"Are the character design original artworks that Sawamura-san is currently designing truly your most satisfying work?"

"No..."

Eriri said quietly. What she was most satisfied with was the character design she had presented to Aki Tomoya the second time, which carried all her beautiful fantasies about the female protagonist.

And the current one was just a soulless, inferior creation that copied Kato Megumi's appearance without any spirit. Forget being satisfied with it - she couldn't even figure out what the character's personality was supposed to be.

Simply put, the reason she drew this character was because Aki Tomoya, as the game producer, liked it. She was just following his preferences and requirements to design such a female protagonist character.

"A work without the creator's love poured into it is, in the end, just an empty shell."

Kasumigaoka Utaha sighed wistfully.

Eriri glanced at her.

"I remember your original first draft was also completely rejected by Tomoya, wasn't it?"

"Yes, it all needs to be scrapped and reconceived. According to his expectations, the plot should be interspersed within daily life. The idea is simple, but writing interesting plots in this way isn't that simple."

"Do you have feelings of resentment?"

"Though there are some, since I chose to agree to help him fulfill his dream from the beginning, I'll choose to stick with it to the end. After all, I received his care regarding certain matters before, so this is also my way of repaying him."

Kasumigaoka Utaha slowly expressed her thoughts.

That's the same thinking as me. Perhaps this person isn't as hopeless as she appears on the surface...

After thinking for a moment, Eriri looked at her and after a while managed to squeeze out this meaningful sentence:

"I wish you... success..."

Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled.

"What does Sawamura-san mean by this? Are you choosing to give up?"

"Give up what?"

"Playing dumb isn't your character, Sawamura-san. You know what I'm talking about."

Eriri glanced at Kasumigaoka Utaha, who maintained her shallow smile expression, picked up her miso soup for a sip, then said softly:

"Shouldn't this be something to be happy about for you?"

"I wouldn't feel happy about such a thing. The cheap sense of victory gained from an opponent's surrender isn't what I want."

"Sorry, I can't fulfill your wishes. I didn't want to exit this way originally, but... I've realized that what I once thought I wanted isn't what I truly want."

"What do you want?"

Eriri shook her head.

"You don't know?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha guessed.

"I can't say."

Eriri looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha's somewhat stunned face, showed her small canine teeth, and let out a satisfied smile of a successful scheme.

Kasumigaoka Utaha was silent for a while, then also smiled.

When she was about to leave after the meal, Eriri stood at the entrance, took Kasumigaoka Utaha's shoes out of the shoe cabinet, and neatly arranged them on the floor.

Kasumigaoka Utaha noticed this small gesture, her brow furrowed, and a faint gloom appeared in her eyes, but the moment Eriri turned around, it changed back to her usual shallow smile expression.

"Thank you."

"I'm getting goosebumps, so don't say such disgustingly polite things."

"Eh? Could it be that Sawamura-san actually has a personality that likes being insulted?

Well, that would make sense. After all, drawing those doujin pictures every day, awakening some unspeakable strange fetishes wouldn't be incomprehensible."

"Kasumigaoka Utaha!!!"

...

Coming out of the Sawamura residence, Kasumigaoka Utaha walked unhurriedly along the roadside toward the train station.

Above her head, large white clouds blocked the sun, providing her with shade from direct sunlight.

A breeze passed through her hair, but could only move a few strands at the tips, powerless to show more presence.

"Should I... be happy..."

Kasumigaoka Utaha murmured to herself, slightly pursing her lips, her eyes showing uncertainty.

She thought of the drawing she had picked up in Eriri's room.

The female protagonist had twin tails, and inside the cherry-small mouth being pried open by the faceless man's fingers, there were very cute small canine teeth.

...

Tuesday, after school, at an Italian restaurant.

"I didn't hear that there would be a third person present before coming here."

"What what? Don't you want me as a third wheel here disturbing your date with Rui?"

"Not really, I'm just somewhat dissatisfied that you didn't tell me clearly in advance.

Also, it's only been a few days, and I still remember how melancholy yet relieved Tachibana Hina-san's eyes looked when she gazed out the window that day.

Now she looks like she's completely free of any negative emotions. I have to say your recovery speed is really fast."

"That's all thanks to Murakami Yuu-kun's timely assistance, which allowed me to escape from the quagmire so quickly. Ah, thinking back on it now is really quite embarrassing."

"Has your personality become so outgoing and talkative after just a few days of not seeing you?"

"People do grow, after all."

"Growing in a frivolous direction isn't very good."

"I'm just putting my hand on your shoulder. Why are you making me sound like some irredeemably bad woman? Besides, when you were drinking alone at the bar some time ago, didn't you also approach me to chat with that mature attitude?

A male high school student hitting on a drunk working woman late at night - the word frivolous should be used to describe you."

"That day was due to special circumstances. Also, you weren't drunk. You can ask your sister - in that situation, I only played the role of a ruthless pickup machine."

"Ew..."

"..."

The above was a conversation between the expressionless Murakami Yuu and the energetic Tachibana Hina.

After school, Murakami Yuu received a message from Tachibana Rui saying she wanted to treat him to dinner to thank him for his help that day.

Murakami Yuu originally didn't want to come, but couldn't withstand her continuous message bombardment.

Cute emoji stickers floating over every few minutes made him laugh while choosing to compromise.

Then when he arrived at the agreed location, he found that besides Tachibana Rui, there was also an unexpected Tachibana Hina joining them for dinner.

Though somewhat surprised, maintaining a "since I'm already here" attitude, he just sat down across from them.

"First question: you're treating, right?"

"Yes, that's right. Don't worry, all of today's expenses will be paid by your sister who's become a new person."

Tachibana Hina looked at Murakami Yuu with a grin.

"Don't be polite, I'm quite wealthy."

"Don't worry, I won't be polite with you."

Murakami Yuu took the menu from Tachibana Rui, who had been sitting quietly since the meal began, and was about to open it when he suddenly realized something.

"All of today's expenses? What do you mean?"

"Sister reserved a private hot spring. She said she wants to properly thank you for that incident."

Tachibana Rui raised her neither sad nor happy eyes and softly answered him.

"Private hot spring?"

Murakami Yuu frowned and asked back.

If he remembered correctly, private hot springs, unlike traditional hot spring pools, were those exclusive private small hot spring pools in private spaces.

"Ah, that's right. It's a famous hot spring resort with a very nice environment. Their promotional slogan is that it can improve constitution, enhance immunity, and prevent various common diseases."

Tachibana Hina added, looking to be in a very good mood.

"Lucky us, we managed to book the best room. While soaking in the hot spring, you can supposedly also see nice garden scenery."

Compared to Tachibana Hina's high spirits, Murakami Yuu had a rather indifferent reaction.

"Ah... improve constitution and enhance immunity..."

"Yes, yes! Sounds great, doesn't it!"

"You said yourself that's their promotional slogan. Anyone can think that's just a marketing gimmick trap spread by capitalists."

"I have a colleague who actually experienced it personally, and she said it really was effective."

"Hearsay isn't reliable. Besides..."

Murakami Yuu looked at the two people in short-sleeved summer clothes in front of him.

"Why would you soak in hot springs in such hot summer weather?"

"That's such a rigid mindset. Summer is the best time for hot springs. Because of the higher temperature, the pores on the human body surface expand, so you can absorb more trace elements beneficial to the human body from the hot springs."

"Sorry. I appreciate the gesture, but really, no need. I'm not very interested."

"But the room is already booked. We can't cancel it now, can we? Then the deposit would all go to waste, benefiting those bad capitalists."

"Wouldn't it be fine for you two to go? Or bring your mother along - a family happily soaking in hot springs and having heart-to-heart talks would be great."

"We see each other at home every day. Heart-to-heart talks don't need a special trip to a hot spring pool."

Tachibana Hina looked at the unmoved Murakami Yuu, feeling somewhat dejected, and tugged at Tachibana Rui beside her.

"Rui, say something.

Don't just keep drinking water on the side. Are you that thirsty? When we were at home earlier, you were the one who asked me to invite Murakami... mmph!"

Tachibana Rui quickly reached out to cover Tachibana Hina's mouth.

But from the words that had already come out and Murakami Yuu's subtle expression, it seemed it was already a bit too late.

"I'm going to the restroom."

Tachibana Rui left her seat with a red face.

After ordering food and the waiter left, Murakami Yuu looked at Tachibana Hina and smiled.

"That was intentional?"

He was referring to what she had seemingly casually said just now.

"Eh, you noticed?"

Though her little scheme was seen through, Tachibana Hina showed no embarrassment, as if she thought this was natural.

"I wouldn't call it noticing. After all, it was too obvious - anyone with eyes open could see it."

"Haha, sorry sorry. I had no ill intent. I just suddenly wanted to see Murakami-kun's reaction to this. After all, from the time you arrived until now, although you've been talking with me the entire time, your gaze has been discretely glancing toward Rui every short while."

Is it that obvious? I'll need to be more careful in the future...

Murakami Yuu didn't deny this.

"Compared to Tachibana Hina-san, whom I've only met a few times, I'm obviously more familiar with Tachibana Rui-san. It's not strange that I would unconsciously focus my attention on her."

"Yes, that's true..."

Tachibana Hina nodded, looking sly.

"Can I ask a question I've been quite curious about these past few days?"

Murakami Yuu casually asked back:

"What if I say no?"

"Then this meal will be split."

Tachibana Hina answered with a smile.

Is this really the same Tachibana Hina who was fooled by a married man and lost basic judgment? Why is there such a big difference?

Love really does make women lose intelligence, huh...

Murakami Yuu thought about the expensive premium wagyu beef he had just ordered, then considered his current reality of having no stable income, and chose to compromise.

"Ask away."

"Why did you choose to help me?"

"Just this question?"

"Mm-hmm."

Tachibana Hina nodded and shrugged to confirm.

"Because Tachibana Rui-san asked for my help, so I agreed."

"That simple?!"

"That simple."

"Your relationship with Rui is really good. I've never heard of her having such a friend before, and it seems you're not from the same school either. How did you meet?"

"That counts as a second question."

"You don't need to count so precisely. I'm just a bit curious."

Not curious, but wanting to know my background...

"You can ask Tachibana Rui-san directly."

"She won't tell me, that's why I'm asking you."

"Since she doesn't want to say, naturally I can't say much either. Let's end this topic here."

"Tch~ Murakami-kun is like a gloomy working adult, completely lacking any cute attitude of a male high school student."

"No male high school student would want to be described as cute by an older woman. That would just make him feel effeminate."

"Got it. So about the hot spring - are you going?"

"No, why would I soak in a private bath with you two sisters? That's strange..."

Murakami Yuu's phone vibrated. Under Tachibana Hina's gaze, he opened it.

[After the last incident was resolved, the barrier between me and Hina-nee has been eliminated. If possible, I also hope you'll accept this invitation as a token of gratitude.

Also, Hina-nee likes to drink after soaking in hot springs and should fall asleep easily.]

Murakami Yuu stared at this very informative message in silence.

"Hey, what is it? A message from your girlfriend?"

Tachibana Hina leaned over curiously.

Tachibana Rui returned from the restroom to her seat at this time.

Looking at her calm face, Murakami Yuu turned his head toward Tachibana Hina.

"Private hot spring, huh. Occasionally trying it out should feel pretty good."

"Eh? You mean?"

"Let's go."

Murakami Yuu looked at Tachibana Rui drinking water with her head down and smiled.

"Since someone's treating, right? I'm looking forward to it."

---

Advanced 30+ Chapters in pat/reon.com/Sleepy_Hua