Hina faked a gloomy expression earlier just to get a chance to be alone with me. This time, she bared her face in a rather upfront manner. Although shes not like Saki who had her inferiority complex, she was used to comparing herself to Nami. Furthermore, shes not aware of it.

Shes definitely selling herself short and thinking of herself as someone with lesser charms compared to the girl before her turn came.

By being upfront, the girl focused on showing my mom her sides that were different from Nami.

However, being a discerning woman, my mom quickly caught her on it. She smiled amiably and like what she did with Nami, closely conversed with Hina.

Hina-chan, youre lovely as you are. You dont need to sound so desperate just because you think youre going to lose to Nanami-chan. This boy was indiscriminate to those he loves. I bet hes going to scold you soon for thinking like that.

My mom intentionally let me hear that.

On that note, did you fall in love with him because of your competitive spirit? No, right?

I

With that question, Hina appeared lost as her eyes sought mine. She looked helpless enough that shes definitely asking me to save her.

However, instead of doing the obvious like supporting her and saying its not like that, I clasped her hand on mine and gave her a nod.

My moms question was spot on. Even if she ended up fully invested in me now, her affection towards me started with her competitiveness towards Nami and her cooked-up scheme to somehow open Ogawas eyes for her.

That didnt go well and it just became the stage for me to sweep in. Some might think that I only became her rebound. She settled on me after finally giving up on Ogawa.

Thats true, in a way. However, thats something irrelevant for me. I used to steal girls that were invested in their relationship with a few exceptions like Mizuki, Miho and Yukari.

The more important thing here is shes now mine and she already clearly expressed it to me. For example, she would probably reject the idea of meeting my parents if shes still hung up on that coward.

Hina looked at our clasped hands and squeezed them. Thats enough to give her the determination to honestly tell my mom how our relationship came about.

It started as that I cant help but feel competitive over the years with Nanami. With Ruki, I might still compete for his attention but that doesnt mean I will jeopardize what hes building for us I cant speak for the other girls, mother. But for me, I see myself being invested in this relationship with Ruki. Im not perfect and I will have insecurities but even if thats the case, Ruki accepted me for who I am.

After a supply of courage, determination and assurance from me, Hina poured out what shes currently feeling. Even my mom who probably thought shed be able to tease Hina got slightly overwhelmed by the girls feelings.

Her lips curved upward and nodded in approval, Youre wonderful, Hina-chan. I definitely look forward to seeing you more besides this shameless boy.

Now, youre calling me shameless as well Anyway, as if I can retort to that.

With that clear appreciation by my mom, Hina beamed a beautiful smile and assured her that shed continue staying by my side for my moms satisfaction.

And seeing the girl successfully picking herself up, Im truly glad that she chose to come here. Before sending her back to her seat, I couldnt help myself but also dote on her for a bit which Hina gladly received.

After her, Sakis turn came next. And as I expected, her inferiority complex oozed out just from how she introduced herself.

Greetings, mother, I Im not as beautiful or great as the girls before or after me but I Ill give it my all to be deserving of Rukis affection.

Upon hearing that, Mom looked at me with inquiring eyes. Even though she hadnt verbally asked a question, its easy to understand.

Before my mom could open her mouth I pulled Sakis arms and placed her in front of me, hugging her from behind as I whispered in her ears. Are you joking with me, Saki? I get that you still feel inferior to them. However, you more than deserved my affection. Also, leave it to me to make you feel more special than you are. I wont force you to change instantly. Just let me show you that I love you as much as I love them.

At this point, both my parents were looking at us. My old man, who had already recovered from earlier, lightly sighed while my mom watched us in interest, swallowing down the words she was about to say.

I didnt mean it like that.

Really? But it sounded like that. You can ask my mom for confirmation.

She did as I said and found my mom confirmed it by a simple gesture of closing her eyes.

I messed up. Saki sighed. Her tone was akin to someone who got defeated in an important match in their career. She then lowered her head and grasped my arms wrapped around her navel.

Lets say you did mess up Is my Saki gonna let it stay that way?

But

No buts I wonder, wheres that chance-taker girl who always asked for a kiss right after opening the door to their clubroom?

To avoid her from being too embarrassed, I naturally didnt say that out loud. But my parents managed to catch it. My moms eyebrows raised in pleasant interest while my dad rubbed his chin, definitely interested as well.

Truthfully, I actually got taken in by that boldness you always show me. Our first kiss, those chance-taking kisses that I just mentioned, the way you boldly ran after me which led to our relationship evolving further and the way you told me not to seek for your permission anymore whenever a chance presented itself before us.

Thats

Hmm?

Do I really deserve it?

Definitely. Will I ask you to come with me here if you dont? You dont have to worry, Saki. Theyre not going to bite at you.

I tightened my arms and planted a kiss on her cheek before I pointed at my parents whos waiting for our conversation to end so that they could get to know this girl further, in their own way.

Arent you giving her special treatment, son? Wont they be jealous of what youre showing this time? My mom naturally pertained to the girls behind us.

Although they didnt hear our conversation, they saw how I affectionately held the girl.

Following her words, I twisted my head a bit to look behind me. Starting from Akane, everyone was pouting, clearly envious of my treatment of Saki.

Theyre jealous, alright. I bitterly smiled.

Satsuki, with her chin resting on her palm, immediately snarled after seeing that. The others also had different reactions. Some settled down while some clearly showed how they wanted me to do the same for them.

Well, its just their way to appeal to me and I know for sure that it wont evolve to something messy. Well have time later and Im going to shower them with my affection.

Is that fine, Ruki?

Yep. They know I will be doing the same to them once were done here. You dont have to worry about that.

I assured Saki. And seeing how unfazed I was, my mom excitedly clapped her hands as if saying Im proud of you, son.

After a while, my parents began talking with Saki to get to know her apart from what they heard from our conversation.

And a few minutes later, the girl with an inferiority complex stood up and bowed to the two before going back to her seat, her mood greatly lifted.

Were down to the last one, huh?

What are you talking about, dear? There are more of them who didnt come. There are also the girls from the noble families as well as the only adult apart from Miwa

Ruki, youre a mad lad. Being reminded like that, my old man almost choked from how difficult it was for him to accept it.

Anyway, I only smiled at that exchange as I waited for the last girl to come over.

Ruki

Unlike the other girls before her, Eimi abandoned the normal way of sitting next to me. She didnt want to wait for me to pull her closer, she sat in front of me and grabbed my arms to wrap around her.

Its the same as last Sunday when the girl strode forward and hugged me from the back as soon as she arrived.

My~ How bold My mom teasingly exclaimed.