Chapter 42 - Teasing

Ryuu never expected that his childish dream would come true looking at the two siblings bickering over him. He vaguely knew that Kanae was only doing it to tease her sister. It was surprising how well she was accepting things and made him wonder why the rules were so vague. 

"Onee-san, can you stop teasing me!?"

"Fufufu, how cute, Shinobu-chan. You've told me that it's been a few years since I died, so can't I at least do this for those years wasted?"

Shinobu was shockingly making a pouting face that Ryuu would never expect to see knowing how she was the one who likes to annoy and tease people. Ryuu wants to snap a photo but is unsure if it would trigger that loophole of a rule. 

He was glad that his memory was perfect and allowed to store it into his mind. Ryuu then was surprised when Kanae got closer and wrapped her arms around him.

"Hey, Ryuu-kun was it? Do you think I'm beautiful?"

"A-Ah...well uhm…."

Ryuu slightly regretted his action and didn't expect to be a victim of teasing galore. He wasn't annoyed and even found it amusing. 

Shinobu, on the other hand, was slightly annoyed that her sister was getting all over her man. She wouldn't mind if not for the fact she was only doing to tease her. 

"Well?? I'm waiting?"

"Y-Yes I find you alluring a-and to describe your beauty then it would be a gentle flower." 

Ryuu honestly said, receiving a sweet smile from Kanae that forever ingrained into his memory and received a light peck.

"Alright that is enough. I want to talk to my sister alone. Can you get us out of here?"

"Y-Yeah just imagine going outside."

"Ara~ I feel like I'm in big trouble."

Ryuu could see a suffocating air around Shinobu who held her sister who tried to escape but failed before the two disappeared leaving him to smile. 

Afterwards, he left the dimensional room to do some mundane task like helping with cooking and washing the dishes. Ryuu decided to take a break from his mission. 

Few days had passed, Kanae had gotten used to her new life and true to her words decided to retire helping with the housework. She wanted to join the fight but it was suspicious and didn't want people to know that she was alive. 

Surprisingly, the girls in the mansion didn't recognize her after alternating a bit of her looks. It appears to be the same but somehow had the effect of superman's glasses. 

"What are you doing, Ryuu-san?"

Currently, Ryuu was in the lake with a bamboo hat and fishing rod in his hand turning his attention to the source. He smiled, finding it was Mitsuri who had arrived. The reason why he was fishing was because it made him relax and get some air while getting fresh fish. 

"Mitsuri-san, how've you been? Did you come to see?"

He asked with a cheeky smile that made her slightly blushed. Mitsuri tried hiding her embarrassment and shyly tapped his index finger against each other. 

"Y-Yeah, I m-miss yo-I mean I miss you training with me. Yeah that's why."

"Really now? Is it not because you like me?"

Ryuu received another blush only laughed wholeheartedly, finding how hypocritical he was when he was weak when teasing but slowly grew to tolerate them. 

"I'm just joking. Here, why don't you sit beside me?"

He gestured at his side that Mitsuri reluctantly accepted and sat beside him looking in a daze. Ryuu noticed that she was wearing his gift that made him smile. 

"I see that you wore my gift. It looks amazing on you."

"T-That's because you gave it to me and it would be a waste if I just stored it. "

Mitsuri caresses her hand to the Hairpin stick recalling how their journey felt magical. 

"Is there anything you want to ask?"

"Uhmm...I-I want to ask if it's alright to tell me more about yourself? You've told me a few stories but I'm curious about your family. Only if you don't mind!"

"Hahaha relax, no need to flail your arms. Well where should I start?"

Ryuu placed his hands on chin while deeply thinking about what he wanted to share with her. The two chatted for a while getting to know each other even more than before.

"Ryuu-san?"

"Yeah that's my name."

"Can I ask what your relationship with Shinobu-san is?"

"Lover's."

Mitsuri felt a slight pain upon hearing his words. She wanted to see if he was the perfect husband for her and every category was checked which was a win against her strength. 

"Though, it's a bit complicated considering she accepted to be my second woman."

That single statement restored something within her and wanted to hear more about it. She was curious if her chances were still there. 

"You had a lover? Who is she??"

"The childhood I mentioned earlier? Yeah, she took the first position but Justine isn't my lover yet since I haven't responded to her confession."

"Why didn't you accept it yet treat her as your first lover?"

Mitsuri was confused as to why he would refuse and accept her at the same time. 

"That's because she was drunk when her emotions were in chaos. I didn't want to take advantage of it when she's not in the right mind, which is why I accepted her but hadn't told her until she confessed without anything influencing her."

Ryuu explains unsure if the last part of his word was held true since it was possible that he had more charisma than before that influences her but didn't mind as long it isn't mind control.

Mitsuri heard his reason and smiled, finding how considerate he was to do something like that and unconsciously lean on his shoulder.

"Though, I'm still afraid that she won't accept sharing her man."

"Huh? Why wouldn't she mind? Isn't it normal for a man to have multiple wives?? My father had four wives with my mother being the third wife."

"What?? That's surprising?"

Ryuu was shock that Mitsuri's parent had polygamous relationship and never mention in the mange not the anime. 

"That's right, my aunt's or my mother's sister wives had a healthy relationship. They took care of me at times and even though my father isn't home much due to working never made my mother feel alone as aunt made sure that they worked together to help my father, which allowed him to be with them much faster." 

He nodded knowing that his adventure would be tedious and would take a lot of time. It was fortunate that most journeys have time to stop. 

"Then why were you sad when I mentioned that Shinobu was my lover?"

"I-I...well…."

Ryuu raises his eyebrow looking at the blushing mess. He didn't expect for her to grow fond enough to start falling for him. It was an unusual development that could only explain that his luck was abnormal. 

Mitsuri couldn't answer since it was too complicated. She unsure herself if he liked her and still remains self conscious about herself. Mitsuri is afraid of what people would think about Ryuu if they saw her hair and abnormal strength. 

"Is it because you like me?"

"Waahh!?? No! I mean yes!! I mean I don't know!"

She turned into the ultimate blushing mess that tried running away but Ryuu grabbed her hands stopping her. 

"Why are you running away? If you like me then I like you as well."

"R-Really!? You like me?"

Mitsuri, delighted to hear his words, was surprised that he actually had mutual feelings for her. Ryuu smiled, wrapping his hand on her shoulder before letting her lean on his chest. 

"Yes, the reason is you are bubbly, kind, passionate, fun and someone who always thinks of others before herself. I cannot deny your body and looks that first allured me, especially your eccentric hair color that has captured my heart."

Ryuu smiled, telling why he was attracted to her. He may have been attracted by her seductive body but that made him love her is the fact she was passionate and always put others above herself. Though, it is also a flaw that she has caused her to be self conscious.

"But-"

"No but! I don't care much about people's opinion and matter of fact I want to say something important."