Tatsuya and Mayumi sat huddled together in a cramped space, one that was barely large enough to accommodate the two of them.
Mayumi wore a radiant smile, her face glowing with the unmistakable bloom of a girl in love.
"Um, Mayumi? Why exactly are we in here?"
"Hehehe, because I wanted to have a private chat with Tatsuya-kun."
"...I understand, but we could have done this somewhere a bit more spacious."
Mayumi turned to look at him, her eyes shimmering like the most exquisite jewels in the world.
"Does Tatsuya-kun not want to be here with me?"
"...I didn't say that."
Mayumi's smile brightened instantly.
"Then there's no need to fuss over the small things."
Tatsuya fell silent, feeling completely outmaneuvered by her.
"Tatsuya-kun, how do you see me? What am I to you?"
"A petite woman putting on a mature act?"
"Huh???" Mayumi turned to him, annoyed, but she froze the moment she saw the mischievous smirk playing on Tatsuya's lips. "You!"
"Hehehe, I'm serious. You really are a tiny woman who tries too hard to act grown-up. But—"
"But what?" Mayumi held her breath, waiting for his answer.
"You are very beautiful, caring, and you smell lovely. If I'm being honest, I've been romantically interested in you for a long time."
"Eh?" Mayumi was stunned. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson while her heart hammered against her ribs. "You... you like me?!"
"Mm. My feelings for you are equal to what I feel for Miyuki, Kuroka, and the others."
Mayumi fell silent, completely at a loss for words.
"So, you intend to build a harem?" Mayumi asked, her voice tinged with a sense of helpless resignation.
"Do you think I'm wrong for that?"
"I don't know. I really don't."
Tatsuya smirked, continuing in a composed, philosophical tone.
"In my opinion, as long as there is sincere love, polygamy is a valid path."
"...And what if a woman refuses to be part of one?"
"My answer would depend on the circumstances. If it's truly impossible, I would let her go."
Mayumi's crimson eyes widened. Her lips trembled as if she wanted to say something, but no sound escaped her throat.
Tatsuya took a deep breath and looked her straight in the eye, his expression turning serious.
"What do you think about polygamy?"
Mayumi remained silent, unable to give an immediate answer.
Tatsuya waited patiently.
"I don't know... I've never really thought about it before." Mayumi's voice was laced with sadness, her expression looking so fragile it seemed she might break at any moment.
Feeling a pang of sympathy, Tatsuya took the initiative and drew her into a hug.
Mayumi gasped softly, resting her small face against Tatsuya's chest as tears of confusion began to fall.
Fifteen minutes later, Tatsuya and Mayumi finally stepped out.
"Thank you, Tatsuya-kun. I feel much better now." Mayumi offered a thin smile, looking significantly more composed than before.
"You're welcome. I'm glad I could help."
"Well, I'll take my leave here. I still have to handle that business with Morisaki." Mayumi winked at him with a playful grin.
"Take care of yourself."
"Hehehe." Mayumi walked away, her steps light and cheerful.
Tatsuya watched her go, a complex smile on his face that soon hardened into a look of resolve.
"I've finally reached this point. There's no turning back now." With a firm tone, Tatsuya decided to be more aggressive moving forward.
Of course, he would do so while maintaining his dignity as the cool, calm, and reliable protagonist.
...
"Onii-sama!" Miyuki practically lunged into Tatsuya's arms the moment she saw him.
Mizuki and Honoka looked slightly flustered by the display of affection, while Erika watched them with a sidelong glance. Only Shizuku remained unfazed by the siblings' embrace.
"Hmm? This scent..." Miyuki closed her eyes and sniffed Tatsuya repeatedly.
Whoosh!
The surrounding air temperature plummeted several degrees in an instant.
Erika, Mizuki, Honoka, and Shizuku were forced to back away, unable to withstand the biting cold radiating from Miyuki's body.
"Miyuki? What's wrong?" Erika asked, shivering.
"Onii-sama, please explain why I can smell Mayumi-senpai's scent so strongly on you."
Erika and the others immediately understood the reason behind Miyuki's frosty rage. A jealous "brocon" sister was truly a terrifying thing.
Tatsuya stood his ground, completely unaffected by Miyuki's ice magic.
"Calm down. We were just talking, though we were in fairly close proximity."
"Hohoo..." Instead of calming down, Miyuki's aura grew even more intense.
Tatsuya was forced to use Super Decomposition to neutralize Miyuki's magic. He did so with extreme precision, ensuring not a hair on her head was harmed.
Before Miyuki could voice another protest, Tatsuya reached out and stroked her head affectionately.
Miyuki's face turned as red as a tomato. Her heart raced so loudly it felt like everyone could hear it.
"Are you calm now?"
"Mm. Forgive me, Onii-sama."
Tatsuya smiled and pulled Miyuki into a firm embrace.
"If it makes you feel better, you can overwrite Mayumi's scent with your own."
Miyuki's eyes widened before she nodded softly with a shy, bashful smile.
Five minutes later...
"Um, do you two plan on hugging all day? If so, we're heading home first," Erika said awkwardly, glancing at the pair.
Tatsuya let out a light chuckle.
"Are you jealous? Do you want a hug too?"
"Who said that?!" Erika denied it in a panic, her face flushing crimson as she scrambled away from him.
"Hahaha, no need to be shy. As a fair man, I'd be more than happy to give you a hug."
"Not necessary!" Erika shrieked like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
Honoka watched with envy, Mizuki stayed quiet with blushing cheeks, and Shizuku looked on with curiosity. Miyuki, meanwhile, let out a soft, melodic laugh that sounded like the chiming of silver bells.
To be continued...
Anvanced Chapter p*tre*n.com/AgamYupi02