The Four Heroines

In the end, Rei-san, Kotone, and I safely returned to the Tomi residence.

That's because the "kidnappers" returned us to the mansion.

 

Though it was more of a staged kidnapping...

 

During the ride back, Rei-san and Kotone looked at me with sparkling eyes.

 

"How did you manage to negotiate our release from the kidnappers?" they asked.

I explained that I realized their true identities and negotiated with them.

 

 

It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't entirely true either.

I had been instructed by Soichiro Tomi to keep quiet about the staged kidnapping.

 

Soichiro couldn't afford for Kotone and the others to know he was behind it.

However, given the immense power of the Tomi family and the presence of Kaho and Amane-nee-san in the mansion, I couldn't defy Soichiro.

 

As a result, I haven't been able to tell Rei-san and Kotone the truth. From their perspective, I must seem like a hero who defeated the kidnappers. It's painful to deceive them, but I have no choice.

 

More concerning is the issue of arranging Kotone and me to be engaged.

While Soichiro hasn't officially announced it yet, I wonder what Rei-san and the others would think if they found out.

 

When we returned to the mansion, a girl wearing a chef's coat over her sailor uniform greeted us.

She was a live-in maid, with a cute atmosphere and braided hair.

 

I had met her on the first day I came to the mansion, but we had only spoken briefly since I was staying in a separate area.

The girl's face lit up as she greeted us,

 

"I'm glad the ladies are safe. And Akihara-san too."

 

"Um…?"

 

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Nao Watakai."

 

She had never bothered to introduce herself to me before, so what changed?

 

"Haruto-san, your status here at the mansion has skyrocketed! You're the hero who saved Kotone-sama, after all."

 

"I'm not really..."

 

"But that's how the young ladies see it, isn't it?"

 

Looking at Rei and the others, I blushed and looked away. Their embarrassed reactions made me feel embarrassed myself.

 

"...Until the other day, you treated Senpai as a man who seduced my sister."

 

I was a bit surprised by Kotone's murmuring.

I didn't know that's how I was being treated at the mansion, but...

 

Well, it's natural to think that way when a branch family member starts living in the same building as the main family member just as Rei-san returns to the mansion.

 

"Well, it's different now. It wasn't just my sister who got seduced; Senpai seduced me as well."

 

Nao, the maid, looked at us with great interest, Rei puffed out her cheeks, and I felt embarrassed.

I quickly retreated to the separate area of the mansion, where Kaho and Amane-nee-san were waiting.

 

Kaho was wearing a thin dress and had tears in her eyes. As soon as she saw me, she hugged me tightly.

 

"K-Kaho..."

 

"Haruto... I was so worried about you."

 

She buried her face in my chest, and a sweet fragrance filled the air.

Feeling the softness of Naho's body, I blushed.

 

"My sister wasn't the only enemy..."

 

Kotone murmured softly.

Amane-nee-san seemed to know everything and chuckled.

 

Kaho raised her head and looked up at me.

 

"Haruto... I want you to kiss me."

 

"Eh... but, in front of everyone..."

 

"Then, how about tonight, just the two of us in bed?"

 

"I feel like that's even worse..."

 

"In that case..."

 

Kaho leaned in gently and suddenly pressed her small lips against mine.

While I had kissed Kotone several times and even Rei, it had been a while since I kissed Kaho.

 

It felt different from kissing Rei or Kotone, a pleasant sensation.

I had always liked Kaho.

But now...

 

After the kiss, Kaho pulled away and looked at me with a bright red face.

 

"Um, Haruto... I..."

 

Kaho started to say something, but her words were cut off.

 

Kotone intervened and forcefully kissed me.

 

Kaho looked stunned as she watched us.

 

Kotone monopolized my lips for much longer than Kaho had.

After the kiss, Kotone turned to Kaho with a mischievous smile.

 

"This is how it is. Sasaki-san, be prepared, okay?"

 

"And, Tomi-san, did you also fall for Haruto!?"

 

"Yes!"

 

While Kotone and Kaho chatted excitedly, Amane-nee-san leaned close to my ear.

 

"Would you like to kiss me too?"

 

"Amane-nee-san... don't tease me."

 

"Hmm? I'm quite serious, you know."

 

With a smile that left me unsure of how serious she really was, Amane-nee-san leaned back.

 

Only Rei-san remained silent, gazing intently at us.

 

It was late at night that day when Rei-san appeared on my futon.