When I arrived home with Aoi and Ria, I filled Akane and Miwa-nee in on the details of what happened. Obviously, they quickly checked if I was hurt or anything. When they found nothing of the sort, they both sighed in relief before softly reminding me to take care.

As for the two girls that I took home, they still apologized for the incident even though I told them not to.

Well, our ride back home became something like a soothing moment for the two. Truthfully, despite how they appeared fearless earlier, even smiling when I called them, they still became afraid of the possible outcome.

Even the unruly Aoi couldnt help but crumble in her fear that I would get hurt. I mean, even if I confidently strode forwards, believing in my own ability or even though I seemed invincible in their eyes during the previous incidents, nobody knows when an accident would happen. Furthermore, no matter how one looked at it, I should be the one at a disadvantage.

Even experts couldnt boast that they would always come out on top when faced with disadvantageous odds. What more an amateur like me?

Although the blame should be put on those idiots, these girls tried owning it. Thats why I gave them a good flick on their foreheads to wake them up.

Good thing, Akane and Miwa-nee backed me up in not letting the two dwell on it. Their worries werent unfounded but they shouldnt be stuck at it. It would just be an endless cycle, after all. Just like my self-deprecating that they managed to put a stop.

During dinner, I attentively attended to the two but halfway through it, they regained their spirits back and turned tables on me. Upon seeing that, Akane and Miwa-nee laughed at us which set a lively atmosphere.

Also, Minoru who was probably curious about what hes witnessing copied it. He asked Akane and Miwa-nee to feed him but before they could do that, I took up the role.

I even picked the boy up and sat him on my lap. He appeared sulky at first but with my relentless doting on him, he settled down by the end.

The four women at the table then looked at us with smiles on their lips. Especially Miwa-nee.

Alright, Ill take this boy to the bath. I got a little busy earlier.

After dinner Miwa-nee took the boy from me. The thing she got busy with was probably her research on which mountain camp we would go to next weekend. It would be a special day for us and since shes the one most knowledgeable about it, its better to let her decide the place.

Akane went to the sink to do the dishes, leaving me with Aoi and Ria.

With their moods returning to normal, I still had things I needed to ask them so I brought them to the living room.

Darling, excuse me.

Dumb-senpai, me too!

As soon as I sat down on the sofa, the two spread my legs open to take a seat on my thighs. Aoi on my right and Ria on my left.

Looking at them giggling as they snuggled to my neck and chest, I couldnt help but dote on the two. But like I said, I needed to know something

Alright. Lets put what happened behind us and focus on an important question Ria, will you tell me how you predicted that I was going to pick you up?

Turning my head to the girl, who was satisfying herself by pushing her whole face to be buried in my chest, I swiped her hair gently to have her look up at me.

The observant girl bit her lips and reluctantly turned her head somewhere, her gaze landing on someone else. Following her eyes, theres only one girl thats at the end of it my silly wife.

I see. So, you got a hint from Akane. Lets see Is it that? My small rant about you two planning to come here but you kept on pushing it back because of your considerations? I put a hand on my chin as I looked at her like an interrogator to a suspect.

Ria slowly nodded her head before pouting. Aoi who started kissing my neck also somehow froze from hearing that. This observant girl surely explained her predictions to her.

And since the water was running at the sink, Akane failed to hear that. Shes still obliviously humming a cheerful song while doing the dishes.

Well, shes not to blame for that. She probably mentioned it in their group chat. I mean, Akane was like the faucet for more information about me. Some of the girls were relying on her to hear things that even I was failing to notice about myself. Or what I was like at home.

Besides, I didnt tell Akane to keep quiet about that rant of mine. Its not like the gifts I prepared for all of them. I explicitly told Akane not to tell anyone about it.

Hmm Alright, I get it. And you, Aoi, must be the one who suggested to Ria to surprise me.

As soon as I said that, the girl on my right flinched. That alone was enough of an answer. But she also lifted her head, an apologetic expression was once again drawn on her face.

Relax, I just want to know the sequence of events. Were past that incident The most important thing is youre here with me I smiled and caressed her cheeks.

Uhm. I will consult you in the future before deciding, darling.

Mhm Thats the correct mindset too. Prevention is better in this case. But lets move past that and cheer up. Lets see, one more thing I wanted to ask from you two what excuse did you use for your parents to let you go?

This was the most important, after all. If they ran away without making an excuse then I might send them back home.

I mean, I prepared myself by talking to their parents when I showed up at their house to ask for them. Although the probability of being rejected was high, its still better than taking them with me without permission. It would feel like were eloping if thats the case.

That, you see, darling

Its like this, Dumb-senpai.

The two then started telling me the excuse they made.

In Aois case, the girl told her parents that she was going to join an overnight review session with her friend from another class for the midterm exams tomorrow. She talked to Akane and made her the friend for that excuse. Her parents even called the house next door to confirm.

And yep, Akane asked her mother to answer it and make it look like a legitimate sleepover.

Thats something they didnt inform me But whatever, instead of worrying again, Im actually glad that it worked.

For Rias case Well, its simple and easily accomplished. Aoi was already a regular visitor to their house. She made it look like she was picking Ria up for another sleepover like before when I visited Aois house while her parents were away.

I see I understand now. Then lets make it a believable excuse I grinned and called out to Akane, telling her that once shes done with the dishes were going to do a review for our exams tomorrow.

I dont mind it, Dumb-senpai. But look at her Ria laughed as she pointed at the girl at my right.

Aoi closed her eyes and started faking a snore. She clearly didnt want to do a review session.

Oh I see. Aoi is already asleep. I guess it will only be the three of us, Ria. Wait for me, Ill put this girl down in the other room. Then you and Akane will prepare the review materials in our bedroom.

Since shes clearly faking it, I also used a fake tone while declaring that. Ria laughingly rode on it. I understand, Dumb-senpai. Too bad. Aoi will be alone in that room. Will you pamper me after were finished?

Thats a matter of course, Ria. I miss you. Its really too bad that Aoi is asleep. I also miss her. But well, what can I do? Her beauty rest is more important. I shrugged and acted like I was about to carry the girl.

And right at that moment, her eyes snapped open and glared at me.

Darling, Im awake. Arent I? With a forced smile, Aoi got up from my lap as she crossed her arms.

Seeing that, Ria laughed again. And this time, Akane as well as the ones who came out from the bathroom; Miwa-nee and Minoru joined in laughing. Well, I doubt Minoru understood why they were laughing but he still joined nonetheless.

Little by little, Aois face turned red in embarrassment.

And with this, our night cast off the low-spirited atmosphere brought about by that incident.