At exactly noon, after resting and eating the lunch Miwa-nee prepared last night, we changed back to our hiking gear and checked out of the cabin.

Even if descending the mountain was supposed to be easier than climbing it, being in full gear at all times was more than just being careful. Its something that most hikers tend to observe. While some only treated climbing a mountain as some kind of achievement or one entry to cross on their wishlist, those who took the hobby seriously would like for everyone to not put themselves in danger by doing just whatever they wanted.

Well, thats something I heard from Miwa-nee. And it was common sense to agree to it

Although theres nothing interesting that happened on our way down the mountain, we did stop for a moment to check on the two girls we left earlier.

Theyre actually still at the same rest stop.

The injured girl, Sara, was sleeping on the same bed, wet cloth on her head while her foots bandage was redone to keep it in place properly and prevent her from moving it accidentally.

Shiina was at her side, yawning as she flipped some kind of guide pamphlet over and over. Shes clearly bored but she couldnt just leave her friend there.

And lastly, Saras boyfriend, who I had already forgotten the name of, had returned. But instead of his earlier confidence, he looked like a beaten dog while sitting in a corner, not daring to approach Sara's bed. Most likely, he got into an argument with Shiina once again and he had no words to rebut.

Another show of his patheticness.

According to Shiina, they were advised not to move the girl hastily. They were told to wait until her fever subsided.

It was deemed serious enough that they might need to put a cast on it, depending on whats going to happen in a day.

Because of that, they already gave up the chance to climb the peak. And Shiina blamed everything on that guy.

Its the result of poor planning and the lack of decisiveness from the guy. Had he carried the girl back to the foot of the mountain when she got injured, they wouldnt be stuck there.

Two hours later, the car stopped in front of our house. And as soon as the engine was turned off, Akane and Kana emerged from the front door, welcoming us back.

With Minoru falling asleep once again during our ride back home, I carried the boy in my arms as I approached the two girls.

Akane looked at Minoru dotingly while Kanas doting eyes were focused solely on me. The former took the boy in my arms and went ahead inside while the latter jumped in my arms as soon as it got freed.

Even if I was still wearing thick clothes, the girl didnt even hesitate to bury her face in my chest.

Ruki, I missed you Kana lovingly whispered as she raised her head and parted her lips to wait for a kiss.

Mhm Me too. I swiftly answered before giving her what she wanted.

And while I doted on my adorable Kana, Miwa-nee passed by us and pinched Kanas cheeks. With how adorable this girl is I can see why you cant resist. She said before continuing inside while carrying one of the backpacks.

When Kana heard that, her face quickly turned as red as an apple as she once again buried her face in my chest. A few seconds later, she reluctantly took a step back and went inside.

The way she ran back inside was too cute. If someone saw her like that, they would probably fail to recognize her as someone older than me and Akane.

I could dote on her later For now I still have something to do.

Seeing the backpack that Miwa-nee carried reminded me of it. Unloading everything we used from the car. Its my job as the man, right?

Doing that for at most five minutes, I soon entered the house and found my father still sleeping on the couch. On the other hand, my mother was in the kitchen, mashing dough. Shes probably about to make snacks for everyone.

Did you have fun? My mother asked as soon as she spotted me.

And naturally, my answer was a swift nod. Mhm It was more fun than it was tiring. Besides, Im with Miwa-nee and Minoru. Theres just no way I wont enjoy it.

Great answer, baby boy. My mother nodded approvingly and giggled before putting her focus back on the dough.

Im wishing for her to stop calling me that but I guess thats wishful thinking on my part. In her eyes, Ill always be her baby boy I wont mind her calling me like that while were inside the house but it will definitely be embarrassing if I run into her outside and she immediately calls me with that nickname. No matter how thick my face is, being called baby boy at this age is just frightening.

After I finished carrying everything inside, I ran up the stairs and into Miwa-nees room to check on Minoru. Following that, I returned to our room to change.

As though they predicted that I would be there, Akane and Kana were already waiting for me, my clothes for todays part-time job neatly prepared on the bed.

To have thoughtful wives like these girls, I was once again reminded of how lucky I am

And so to repay them properly, I stripped in front of them Wait. That sounded wrong. But thats really what I did. I took off my hiking gear and returned to a normal shirt and shorts before taking them both in my arms.

Akane smilingly said, See this, Kana-chan-senpai? If you start living here, youll also be subjected to husbands constant spoiling.

Y-yes! Kana nodded continuously.

Looks like, within half a day, the two had become even closer. Thinking back on the first time I brought the cute and shy girl here, Akane scared her off that she could only hide behind me.

This is also progress, I guess?

Whats this, Akane? Are you trying to advertise the benefits of living here with me?

Why, yes, of course. Husband isnt that the next step? Were already letting everyone in our bed. Now I cant wait to have someone else here with me. That way, we can always team up to resist your teasing habit.

The next step, huh? Thats nice. But even with the two of you, you wont be able to resist it. As soon as I finished saying that, I began my attack, teasing them in any way possible.

While Akane could resist to an extent, Kana easily succumbed to it before holding onto me tightly, her tears about to burst from her eyes. Upon seeing that, I immediately switched to doting on her

Well, Im also weak to their tears, am I not?

Anyway, what Akane said wasnt possible at the moment and we could only see that coming to fruition a year from now. At best, the girls could stay one or two days here without arousing suspicion from their parents But living here, only Akane got approval for that.

Well, Shio could also live here. However, with her identity as our teacher, there still exists that risk of our close relationship being exposed to our school. Besides, we already deemed that apartment as our love nest or our own place as a couple.

Maybe I could ask Namis mother to let her stay with me for a night. It will be hard for the other girls though. Unless the excuse of sleeping over at a friends house was accepted by their parents, then thats doable.

Maybe I could also ask Elizabeths parents and watch her father seethe in rage when her mother gave her approval.

In the end, its still staying one night and going home the day after However, thats already many times better than only meeting at school or somewhere outside...

After pampering the two girls for around thirty minutes, the time came for us to prepare again.

I would first send Kana home before going to the Boxing Gym with Akane, meeting up with the other girls and starting the 9th day on my part-time job.

Now that I think about it I havent exchanged any messages with Coach Ayu this week Its not that I forget, Coach Ayu just refrained from sending me those reminders that she used to send Most likely, shes still affected by what happened last week