Getting the correct answer right off the bat, I naturally went speechless, not knowing how to respond to it.

Nonetheless, my mothers voice continued, Were not spying on you, youre just too easy to read at times, my dear son. If thats what youre wondering.

Mom, at least message me first.

I was informed by them that they would be coming home this week or rather, Wednesday at the latest. So, I wasnt really expecting her to contact me beforehand.

What for? Am I interrupting something? Who is the girl with you? Not Akane, right?

Still ridden with a playful tone, my mother barraged me with questions.

Although the last question was correct, I chose to keep my mouth shut, in the meantime.

...

However, my silence only fueled my mothers playfulness. Even though the call was voice only, her excitement was fully conveyed by her voice. Oh! Are we playing a game?! I like this!

No, were not, mom... Im going to lower the volume, alright? Shes gonna wake up from how loud your voice is.

Restraining myself to facepalm, I calmly answered while vaguely explaining the situation to her.

Ara... Im sorry. But sleeping at this time? Son, where are you?

Hospital.

Eh?! Wait for us, well come home soon! Is it serious? Is my daughter-in-law fine?

Hearing the panic filling my mothers voice, shes genuinely concerned about me or rather, the girl with me. Since I could still answer her call and she knew what I was capable of, she instantly assumed that it was the girl with me who was hospitalized.

Nonetheless, the kind of reaction was enough for me to feel a certain warmth from them.

Although they hadnt truly explained why they seemed to be accepting of my twisted desire and my abnormality, knowing that they also cared about my girls was something I would always be thankful for.

Mom... At least let me finish my sentences first. Shes fine. Shes not the one that is hospitalized.

... I see. How embarrassing of me. But son, you sounded too unenergetic, are you not happy that Im calling you?

Of course, I am. But like I told you, I dont want her to be woken up by our loud voices. She needed this rest. I answered truthfully. Theres no point lying now. And somehow, I didnt want to lie to her anymore.

Theyre bound to meet anyway. I would introduce all of my girls to them... Besides, my mother was the one who encouraged me to take responsibility for the girls I stole.

Even though that could mean differently, like making it right for them, shes still partly the reason why I decided to take the girls from my past back.

Alright, to satisfy your curiosity, Im with Otoha. I continued, revealing the name of the girl I am with.

Apart from being what I stated, I also wanted to test if... shes aware of the origins of my girl.

And as expected, I was met with a few seconds of silence before she responded, extreme worry masking her voice.

... Son, did they find out about what you did? The Kaneko House isnt something you can face alone... I shouldve advised you not to involve yourself with a Noble House anymore...

As I thought, youre also aware of it... No, they still have no idea or at least, thats what it looks like. But mom, even if you advised me not to... I would still involve myself. I love Otoha. Just as much as everyone. I cannot be selective when I hurt them a lot in the past.

As if any advice would work on me. My greed and desire are boundless.

If shes aware of Otohas origin then shes probably also aware of the origins of my other girls.

Just how much they knew? Thats what eludes me.

Anyway, were fine here and I will still go to school later, dont worry, mom.

Are you sure? Dont you need extraction at that place?

Extraction? Thats a word that wouldnt normally be used in a normal conversation.

What extraction? Mom, like I told you, there's nothing to worry about. Please tell me the reason for this call...

You and your father are the same. You both always say dont worry. Stubborn men! I think I now have something to talk about with your girls. After complaining about my father and me, excited energy returned to her tone.

Mhm... As for the reason I called you... Tell Miwa to take our car and pick us up this Wednesday. She picked up the phone but I heard the boy crying in the background so instead of disturbing her, I thought of disturbing you instead. Being a mother is hard! My mother continued and she even attached a lecture. The car is in a storage area we own. I sent both of you the address so just in case she failed to read it or she forgot about it, you tell her.

To think that it was this simple. Because I didnt know how to drive and theyre bringing it with them whenever they leave for work, theyre storing it somewhere rather than getting someone to drive it back to the house.

Truthfully, they could go there and get it themselves but... theres surely a reason why they want Miwa-nee to drive it and pick them up.

Obviously, its because of me and my relationship with her... Most likely, even if its not my father, my mother was aware of Minoru being mine long before she guided Miwa-nee to come to our house.

I understand. Ill tell Miwa-nee about it.

To end the call, I didnt say anything more and just acknowledged what she wanted me to do.

However, it was at this point that the girl in my arms woke up.

Even with her eyes still closed, hearing my voice was enough to gather a reaction from her.

... Ruki?

Calling out my name as she wondered who I was talking to, Otoha opened her eyes and stared at my phone.

Oh! I heard that voice. Quick! Give her your phone.

And as if she had a keen hearing ability, my mothers thrilled voice rang out once more and with how loud it was, I couldnt help but remove it from my ears, leading for Otoha to hear it as well.

Son! Hurry up. I want to talk to her!

Ruki, is it... your mother?

With her round questioning eyes staring at me, my head involuntarily nodded.

And since it already reached this point, I gave the phone to Otoha whose excitement suddenly rose upon realizing the identity of the voice she heard. Grabbing the phone from my hand, Otoha hurriedly sat up from the bed.

Following that, even though she wouldnt be seen by my mother, Otoha slightly bowed her head as she respectfully uttered a greeting, Mother, Its a pleasure meeting?... uh listening to you. Im Otoha, Rukis girlfriend.

After saying all that, Otoha raised her head and flashed a proud smile at me. Even though her eyes were still a bit dreamy due to how she had just woken up, the girl was totally elated at the moment.

Apart from Akane and Miwa-nee, shes the first one among my girls to finally interact and get to know my mother.