45: Serenity

"And then I sucked you dry" - finished Miku while licking her lips - "It was a lot simpler than I thought, though this shouldn't be much of a surprise after everything you went through with those two."

Saya and Rei, simply averted their eyes because they couldn't believe what they had done, though their bodies remembered it without much trouble.

"Thank you for your... information..." - Cloud said as he let out a sigh - "I guess this lines up with what I remember and how my body feels, but whatever the case may be, we'd better get ready."

"Do you still want to go through with the operation?" - Yuriko asked as she raised an eyebrow. She had no problem with her daughter's actions, after all, she was old enough to make her own decisions, not to mention that it was hypocritical of her if she stopped her, besides, she knew that currently the blonde boy was infertile, so there was no need to worry about Saya doing something she would later regret.

"I'm fine," Cloud replied as he shook his head.

"I think it's better that we take a day to relax, I mean, there's no need to put ourselves in danger, not to mention that it's possible that the soldiers are exhausted or in trouble from celebrating so much last night" - Saeko said while shaking her head.

Cloud was silent for a few seconds before he let out a sigh and nodded - "I understand, I'll take a break."

"Cloud, I need to talk with you" - Shizuka said as she looked at the blond boy with concern - "It's important".

Cloud was silent again as he looked at the beautiful blonde nurse.

The two didn't say a word, though after a few seconds Cloud nodded and started to get dressed.

The women watched him in silence, or rather, everyone in the room had seen the naked boy, and had even done much more embarrassing things, so there was no need to avert their eyes, not to mention that Cloud didn't seem to mind in the least.

"Ok, I'm ready, let's go" - Cloud said calmly as he followed the nurse, so they could talk in a more private place.

"Now I'm curious what they will talk about, although there is something much more important" - Saeko said as she looked at the three naked girls - "But that can wait, now you'd better go take a bath, you stink of sex."

Saya and Rei blushed at these words while Miku simply walked towards the bathroom to take an ice-cold shower.

* * * * *

"Ok, what do you want to talk about?" - Cloud asked as he looked at the blonde nurse.

"Wait a little longer, we have someone else to join us" - Shizuka replied calmly.

Cloud folded his arms before watching as Rika appeared at the entrance of the room - "Ho? This is interesting."

"Hey, Cloud, I didn't expect to see you so soon" - Rika said, confused because she didn't expect Shizuka to call her so soon, not after she told her that she had feelings for her best friend.

Shizuka seemed a bit self-conscious, that's why Rika was a bit confused, although seeing Cloud next to Shizuka, made her understand what was going on.

"Ok, we're all here" - Shizuka said as she let out a sigh - "It's time for us to talk."

Cloud remained silent, while waiting for her to continue with her words.

"First, I want to apologize to you, Rika-chan, but I can't do it, I'm not ready for this..." - Shizuka said as she let out a sigh.

"What do you mean?" - Rika asked as she raised an eyebrow.

"W-Well, a relationship with a girl, it's something I hadn't thought about, not counting that I'm happy with Cloud" - replied Shizuka with a red face, even though she wasn't being completely honest, in other words, yes, she wasn't a lesbian, or curious with other women, but she loved Rika so much that if it wasn't because she was in a relationship, she would have thought about Rika's proposal in more detail.

"Oh, I understand" - nodded Rika as she folded her arms - "I only said it because I thought it was interesting to have a threesome with you and Cloud, I mean, with everything you told me, I got a little interested in him."

"You're not upset?" - Shizuka asked in surprise.

"Why would I be? You're my best friend, Shizuka, and I love you, but that doesn't mean that my desires will get in the way of our friendship, I was just curious to try something else, but if that makes you uncomfortable, I guess I can wait, I mean, seeing that you're in a harem type situation with Cloud, then it's a matter of time when you have your first threesome" - replied Rika while shrugging her shoulders - "Anyway, I just want you to be happy."

"Oh, now I feel like an idiot, sorry, Rika-chan" - Shizuka said with embarrassment.

"You don't have to apologize, I'm glad you love me enough to be honest with me" - smiled Rika as she folded her arms - "I guess there's only one thing left now, you be a little better and win my full attention, Cloud, so I can at least join in the fun"

"I'll give it a try, no promises though" - Cloud replied as he rolled his eyes at her.

Rika responded with a small smile as Shizuka was glad of her boyfriend's interaction with her best friend - "You're on the right track, Cloud"

"Really?" - Cloud asked in surprise.

"Of course, I heard what you did, and if I'm honest, I'm a bit jealous, I mean, it's been a while since I've released all my tension" - Rika replied while shrugging her shoulders - "That aside, I hope you're ready, because now that we've stabilized the situation in Taiei, it's time to explore all the surrounding areas."

"I know, we've already planned the next steps" - Cloud replied as he pulled out a map from one of his pockets and spread it out, showing a few marked points - "With Yuriko we've been thinking about it for days, and this is the route we'll follow."

Rika was silent as she looked at the map curiously, only to smile slightly - "Who was it that designed this route and objectives?"

"Saya, Yuriko's daughter was the one who planned our objectives, and we were the ones who created the route after pondering Saya's words a little more" - Cloud answered honestly. He had no thoughts of stealing credit for things he hadn't done.

"I see, that girl has talent, though you guys are no slouches" - Rika said as she got to thinking - "However, I think after this point, we should create a little bigger perimeter and take advantage of the nearby dwellings so that the civilians have more privacy."

"Oh, I see what you're trying to say" - Cloud said with a huge smile - "You want to first outline the perimeter and then fortify it from the inside to the outside..."

"Exactly, with this we will not only get more territory, but also supplies" - Rika answered simply - "Besides, that would help us to create more checkpoints in the outer area, and thus facilitate the fourth step of the operation, this place."

"It's impressive that you saw our intentions so soon" - Cloud said while stroking his chin.

"It's simple after seeing the map in more detail" - Rika replied calmly - "It's noticeable since you drew the circle in this area that you want to take control of the power plant, not to mention that it's something I would also do because it would completely improve our situation as a group."

"What are you talking about?" - Shizuka asked with a frown because she couldn't follow their conversation thanks to the lack of context.

"We're talking about our next operation" - answered Cloud while giving her a smile - "Seeing if we can change the plans at the last minute, and I have to admit that your suggestions are perfect, I'm going to tell them to Yuriko when we meet up later."

"I'd like to do it personally" - Rika said as she folded her arms - "Will there be a problem with that?"

"Not in the slightest, in fact, I wanted to ask you to come with me, so we can talk in more detail about our plans" - Cloud replied with a small smile - "Anyway, I think I'd better go make a few extra preparations"

"Then I won't take up any more of your time" - nodded Rika as she watched the blond haired boy silently leave - "This boy is more interesting than I thought, I mean, he not only acts mature, but also like a person of his age, which confuses me because I don't know if I'm talking to a man, or a child..."

"You're really not mad at me?" - Shizuka asked as she looked at her best friend.

"Seriously, you don't have to think too much about it, you just have to follow your heart, not to mention that as I said, I don't intend to let the fact that you rejected me, ruin our long friendship" - replied Rika while shaking her head - "Putting that aside, Cloud is a nice guy, despite the harem situation which I honestly feel you don't deserve, although I say this as a friend and a person who is interested in you"

"I understand what you're trying to say, but I'm happy with my situation" - Shizuka replied with a happy smile.

"Well, that's all that matters" - nodded Rika before retreating with a serene expression on her face.