Upon leaving their cabin, the moon was already visible at the slowly fading orange tint at the horizon. Up above, it actually looked like a beautiful purple that somehow made us stare at it longer than we should be.

Although things smoothened out with Setsuna-nee maturely acting back there, its still a little awkward. I mean, she couldnt look me straight in the eye after she calmed down. What she witnessed possibly kept replaying in her head.

And because of that, when we talked about splitting into two groups, she immediately grabbed onto her little sister, partly pleading and partly coercing her to not let them push her into accompanying me again.

Luckily for her, thats actually their original plan. Picking me up and delaying their arrival was the opportunity they gave us to talk. This time, Juri wouldnt hand me over to any of the sisters again.

Shes been acting too considerate since earlier, its about time for her to also have her moment with me.

Alright. Setsu and Satsuki-chan will be patrolling the other hill first while Ruki and I will patrol here. Is that clear?

Before we set off and separate, Juri brought that up which immediately got our agreement.

Idiot, dont cause trouble for Juri-nee.

Thats right! Reel in your shamelessness, Onoda-kun. Satsu-chan and I will punish you if you trouble Juri.

I understand. I dont mind being punished though. Especially since its going to come from the two of you.

Ugh. Are you not listening? I said dont be shameless! Setsuna-nee immediately flared up. If not for Satsuki hugging her arm, shed probably run to me and hit my head with her fist even if she had to jump to do so.

Nee-san, hes intentionally provoking you. Dont fall for it. Satsuki reminded her sister but secretly, shes just as amused at this.

Setsuna-nee frowned and looked like she couldnt let it go at first but understanding her words would amount to nothing at this point in time, she just turned to her best friend, reminding her.

I know... But I cant just... Whatever. Juri, dont fall for his tricks.

Hmm? Leave him to me, Setsu. If its Onoda-kun, hes aware of my focus on propriety. He wont act recklessly inappropriate with me. If he did so, I can also punish him. Am I right?

Responding to Setsuna-nee, Juri once again brought up her propriety which she always throws out of the window when it comes to me. Then, she linked arms with me, acting like she was forcing me to agree with her.

Naturally, I played along to satisfy them both.

Yes. Ill be at Juri's mercy. Setsuna-nee-san, take care of my Satsuki.

You dont have to remind me, shameless guy! Well meet up at the bridge before dinner. Is that clear?

Roger. You should also take care, Setsuna-nee-san. If someone troubled you... just shout for my name, who knows, I might hear it from here.

What are you? A superhero? Dont worry. We can protect ourselves. And... well call for you if its troublesome. Happy?

Mhm.

Hearing that last exchange between me and Setsuna-nee, both Satsuki and Juri just watched on in silence. It was probably entertaining for them to see Setsuna-nee acting like this around me.

Shortly after that, the Maemura sisters took off and soon disappeared from our sight.

Juri and I intentionally didnt move from the entrance, watching their backs.

For what reason?

Of course... To get our own golden opportunity together.

Ruki... Shall we also set off or...? Starting it with a question that didnt even need to be completed, Juris hand dropped on mine, entwining our fingers together.

I could sense the elation contained within her. She waited for almost half a day for this moment. Theres no way shed just pass on the chance to spend a meaningful time with me.

And thats why in response to her, I unhesitatingly pulled her to me, opening this up with a kiss under the moonlight.

Or what? Shall we also take a shower first?

Youve just taken one, Ruki. As much as Id like to do that, its a little inappropriate. You could catch a cold.

I see. Youre right. I guess I was beholden by the idea of also standing under that shower with you. Im being a pervert again.

Pfft... Youre not to blame, you silly. I brought up that idea first. Juri amusedly giggled before pinching my cheek. And this time, shes the one who initiated our second kiss for tonight.

Slowly, we moved out of the open area and into the side near the woods and outside the illumination of the lamp posts.

Spending a few minutes there while only savoring each others lips and tongue, Juri and I somehow made up for the few times we could only resort to sneakily holding each others hands.

And while we were in that state, I listened to her own experience during the day. Like how they went to observe the second-year girls activity and she was noticed by both Shizu and Haruko.

While those two girls are aware of her from me, Juri isnt. I mean, shes still refusing to let me tell her everything. Shes more comfortable learning about me using her own eyes. And due to that, she was confused at first.

According to her, the two were at least polite with her when Setsuna-nee was around but as soon as they separated, Shizu and Haruko put her on a hot seat as they tried to understand her and her growing affection for me.

Theyre quite scary for girls a few years my junior. But its fine. I know theyre good girls who put your well-being as their priority. They love you that much. Juri said as she tried to recall more of her conversation with the two.

Also, she somehow put on a bitter smile at the end of it. Most likely, she was comparing herself to them. Or rather, the level of their devotion to me.

Yeah. Theyre both scary. Haruko was a former Student Council President. She just didnt want to take up the same position nowadays and focused more on getting back together with me. As for Shizu... She's like Setsuna-nee when it comes to protecting those close to her. And now that shes with me, that trait also extends to me.

Since one meeting would probably not provide her a perfect insight regarding the two girls, I filled her in on some details about them.

Juri nodded in understanding. Un. As I expected from you. Everyone must have been being taken care of by you. Youre not just collecting these girls, youre also putting all the effort into understanding them. In return, theyre also doing that for you. This must be one of the answers to the mystery of why theyre not fighting each other when it comes to you.

Its not really a mystery but I guess youre not wrong with that. Just like with you, I love them just as much and I never played favorites. Although it might be seen differently by the others. Thats why... I cannot just stop in place and let them do all the work to maintain our complex relationship.

I see. It doesnt matter that much to me. I know my feelings for you and I dont see any reason to deny them to be with you. Were just girls who fell for your charms so... keep on taking care of us, okay? Satsuki-chan too.

Mhm. I will. Theres no need for more fancy words. Ill just let my actions convey that to her and all of my girls.

Even at this point, were still starting so theres not much of a challenge but maybe a year from now, were going to solve that one by one, together.

After another minute where we just savor the sweetness of each others lips, the two of us soon set off to accomplish the task given to us.