The night of the day I reached Water
That day, I planned to sleep alone.
I was pretty tired myself, but if I got into the same bed with either of them, I'd inevitably lose control—so I decided we'd sleep in separate rooms.
When
It wasn't the first time something like this had happened.
I never initiated it, but I'd never turned her down when she asked.
So I gave permission, and we'd sleep together tonight.
Needless to say, I had no intention of doing anything perverted.
At that moment,
But that was Norn for you.
Even if I invited her to sleep together, she'd probably refuse.
At least, that's what I thought.
But since I'd already given Aisha the green light, I figured I'd ask Norn too on the off chance.
And somehow, she actually said yes. So the three of us ended up sleeping side by side in a row.
Aisha on the right, Norn on the left.
Both of them slumbered peacefully, using my arms as pillows.
I was spread out with both arms extended, completely immobile, yet for some reason I was filled with a sense of happiness.
It was like a hole inside me that had always been missing was finally being filled.
Maybe wings don't work unless you have two of them. That was the thought that crossed my mind.
Just then, a jolt of lightning struck my brain.
*"I want to do it with both Sylphie and Roxy at the same time."* A devil's whisper.
The serpent of desire raised its head, flicking its tongue with a nasty hiss.
This was something I absolutely should not think about any further.
The famous 3P.
I'd been curious about it for a long time.
But actually asking for it was another matter entirely.
I said I loved them both, sure, but such things were naturally meant to happen one-on-one.
At least, that's what both Sylphie and Roxy would believe.
Being refused would be fine.
But what if, by voicing a trivial desire, I damaged the relationship?
That was the fear.
It wasn't that I was unhappy with the current situation.
I was alternating between two beautiful young women—ones you'd rarely see even in this era.
On top of that, one of them had even borne me a daughter.
What complaint could I possibly have?
But I wanted to try it with both of them at the same time.
After all, they were completely different types.
Sylphie was submissive.
She'd do whatever I asked.
If I told her to do *that*, she'd blush but comply.
If I said I wanted to try *this*, she'd close her eyes with a fearful look but never refuse.
And it wasn't like she was dead weight either—her reactions were wonderful, and she'd cling to me desperately, breathless and trembling.
All for my sake.
Absolutely endearing.
Roxy, on the other hand, was technique-oriented.
She'd constantly use the knowledge she'd acquired from her master to try and level up.
If I asked her to do *that*, she'd think about how to make it better.
If I said I wanted to try *this*, she'd suggest alternatives like, "Well, how about this instead?"
The difference in our body sizes made compatibility less than ideal, but she more than made up for it with effort and ingenuity.
All for my sake.
Absolutely endearing.
Sylphie was the type who accepted everything.
Roxy was the type who came up with solutions.
I wasn't saying one was better than the other.
Even if, over time, my feelings gradually tilted toward one of them, I had no intention of neglecting the other.
I meant to treat them as equally as possible.
Yes. Equally.
Was it really so wrong of me to want both women, who were equally precious to me, at the same time?
No, I didn't think it was.
Wanting to try it just once—that was a man's nature.
Men are wolves loyal to their desires.
But I wouldn't say it out loud.
When a desire goes too far, it's best to be content just thinking about it—that's the key to maintaining harmonious relationships.
And so, until recently, I had never once voiced my desire for a 3P.
I probably never would.
That's what I believed.
--- The next day, I came to
Cliff was researching magical tools.
Specifically, research on dispelling curses.
I stood outside his lab and listened carefully.
Depending on what sounds came from inside, I might need to keep my distance.
Once I determined there was no particular issue, I knocked.
"Come in, it's open."
When I entered, I found
Her magnificent curls hung down as she rested her chin on her hand, gazing outside.
As always, she was a picture when silent.
But she was probably thinking about something pink.
"Is it just you?"
"Yes."
Cliff had been busy, and lately his research hadn't been progressing much.
The plan was to use Absorption Stones to improve existing things, but there had been no developments in months.
"Cliff is off preparing for the wedding again today."
Right.
Cliff and Elinalise were getting married.
"I've told him I'll help, but he insists on doing it all himself. He won't listen."
"That's partly a matter of male pride, so just let him have it."
He'd said they'd marry once we returned.
But when we did come back, Cliff had nothing prepared.
It couldn't be helped.
We'd left on a journey saying we'd be back in two years.
It ended up being half a year.
It would've been stranger if he'd been ready and waiting.
Still, Cliff was a man of his word.
He'd shown remarkable persistence, getting everything in order over the past few months.
He secured a place to live, bought furniture, and laid the groundwork.
I helped in my own small way, though all I really did was help look for a new place.
Unlike me, he had no intention of buying a large house.
Cliff rented an apartment in a section of the student district.
If it ever felt cramped, they could just move, he said.
That was surprisingly modest for the usually proud Cliff.
Then again, Cliff wasn't exactly wealthy.
He couldn't afford an expensive house, and if he tried, Elinalise would end up paying for it.
I knew perfectly well how deep Elinalise's pockets were.
"Either way, congratulations."
The wedding was next month.
She was a bit of a bachelorette for a bride, but as long as both parties were happy, it would be a wonderful ceremony.
"Anyway, I'll wait here until Cliff gets back."
"Sure."
I said this and sat down in a chair.
Elinalise acknowledged my words but didn't look at me.
Instead, she let out a dramatic sigh.
"Haaah..."
*She's troubled about something.* *She wants someone to listen.* That's the kind of sound that sigh conveyed.
"Is there something you're dissatisfied with about the wedding?"
"Oh, nothing at all. Cliff is far too sincere for the likes of me—there's nothing I could complain about."
Yeah, I could see that.
Even from a man's perspective, Cliff was a genuinely decent guy.
Of course, he wasn't perfect.
He had plenty of flaws.
But Cliff was still not yet twenty.
When you thought about what he'd become in the future, you could say he was an impressive man.
"So what's making Elinalise sigh?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"Is it?"
Then it had to be something perverted.
"Lately, Cliff's been so busy that he only has time once every three days."
I knew it.
"Well, can't be helped, right? He's working hard for your sake?"
"Yes, of course I know that."
"Once your love nest is ready, he probably won't come out for a whole week, right?"
After that journey ended, Elinalise and Cliff had holed up in the research lab for a while.
You'd think they were only interested in each other's bodies.
Well, I was hardly one to talk.
Can't help it. I liked perverted stuff too.
"Haaah,
"No, even I go sometimes without for about three days!"
"But you're with both Sylphie and Roxy at the same time, aren't you?
I don't mind having just Cliff, really.
But having two is still enviable."
Naturally, I refuted this.
"No, no, no, no. I'm not doing any 3P!"
"Oh? You're not? Doing it with multiple people is actually quite nice, you know. Why not try it at least once?"
No good.
This was a devil's whisper.
I must not lend an ear.
Begone! Mara! Amen!
"3P is scandalous and depraved! It's from Elinalise's dirty books!"
"I'm sure neither Sylphie nor Roxy would mind."
"Of course they would! It could ruin everything!"
"Well, Roxy is a bit particular about certain things, so if you suddenly made such a suggestion, she might back away."
"See! Exactly!"
Right. That was true.
Sylphie was the submissive type—she'd go along with whatever I said.
I didn't know what she'd think deep down, but she'd probably comply.
Something about it felt like I'd be sacrificing something, though.
But Roxy was different.
She was actually quite the maiden at heart.
If I demanded a 3P and she said, "I can't take this anymore, I'm going back to my parents' house," what would I do then?
"Ah, but if you'd like..."
Elinalise murmured softly.
Her voice was reassuring, like a guardian angel.
"I could talk to both of them and lay the groundwork for you?"
*Groundwork!* That was it.
A sudden approach might not work.
But Roxy received technical guidance from Elinalise.
If knowledge of multi-person play seeped into those lessons...
And on top of that, if advice regarding Sylphie was mixed in...
Then without any worries in the back of my mind, we could all tumble together in the same bed!
"Elinalise!"
I thought I saw a halo appear behind her.
I bowed my head on the spot.
And then, from above me, Elinalise's delighted voice rained down.
"Oh my. But what should I do? There's nothing in it for me, is there?"
"Damn."
She'd proposed it herself and now she was attaching conditions.
What a terrible woman.
But it was too late.
I was already in the palm of the devil's hand.
Like a horse desperate to reach the carrot dangling before its eyes.
"What... should I... do?" I asked, raising my face.
Elinalise flashed a wide, wicked grin.
What a nasty smile that was.
Even I wouldn't pull a smile like that.
I was pretty sure I wouldn't.
"If I recall, there was a special love potion from the
"Yes, I have some. I've never used it."
"Would you be willing to part with it?"
The special love potion of the Asura Kingdom.
The one I'd received from Luke.
Honestly, I'd never had an opportunity to use it.
In a one-on-one situation with either of them, our stamina and energy were so mismatched that using something like that might break them.
Making the two of them drink it also felt like it would be crossing some kind of line.
I'd been struggling with what to do with it.
"What would you use it for?"
"For married life with Cliff."
"Is that necessary?"
"At least for the first night, I'd like Cliff to ravage me like a beast."
Why was Elinalise so unapologetically honest about sex?
I didn't think Cliff was *that* intense.
"Don't you worry that demanding too much might make Cliff tire of you?"
"Not at all. If he tires of me for that, then we were never compatible to begin with."
"Don't you think about adapting to his pace?"
"Forcing yourself to fit only leads to drifting apart eventually.
So from start to finish, I'll stay true to myself."
Impressive, honestly.
When I thought about it, Cliff wasn't forcing himself to accommodate Elinalise either.
They did their perverted things together, but neither was doing it reluctantly.
They were both selfishly loving each other on their own terms.
I was a little jealous.
"Alright. If that's the case, I'll bring it next time."
"Thank you. Oh, just thinking about Cliff losing control on that potion... ahhh..."
Elinalise was drooling in ecstasy.
Well, whatever.
If it deepened their bond, that was a good thing.
--- One month later.
The Holy Millis Church.
The only church in the magic city Shariah.
A place that gave off the same solemn atmosphere as a Christian church.
Simple pews were lined up, and before the large windows that let in the sunlight stood a Millis holy symbol.
Standing before the symbol was the priest.
The priest solemnly offered a long prayer to the goddess.
"The Holy Millis watches over you always."
Standing before the priest were a man and a woman.
The pair were clad in pure white attire.
Behind them, roughly two dozen attendees watched on.
"—Should a force arise to separate them, the Holy Millis shall shield them with her shield.
—Should a force arise to harm them, the Holy Millis shall sever it with her sword.
—Should their love prove false, the Holy Millis shall burn them with her own flame and pierce the heavens."
I was one of the attendees.
Dressed in the formal attire of the
Sylphie was to my right, Roxy to my left.
Both of them wore elegant dresses as well.
None of us had owned formal wear, so we'd purchased everything new.
It wasn't wasted anyway, since we'd need them for future ceremonies.
Next to Sylphie stood Ariel and Luke, also dressed in what looked like expensive outfits.
Behind us were
Further back stood Ginger,
I couldn't see them from where I stood, but Norn and Aisha should have been lined up behind me as well.
They were also in dresses, but theirs were rentals.
They were still growing, and we'd told them it was too early to buy their own—both of them had pouted.
There were also a few unfamiliar faces among the attendees.
Incidentally,
At a Millis wedding, seating was arranged by rank.
The front row was reserved for the highest-ranking guests and the families of the couple.
Ariel being in the front row went without saying.
Sylphie was Elinalise's only family.
And as her husband, I stood in the front row as well.
Essentially, I was there as escort.
You could say I was out of place in the front row.
But the person who probably felt most out of place was Roxy.
A second wife was not recognized by the Millis faith.
Perhaps sensing this, Roxy had been standing perfectly rigid since we arrived, not moving a muscle.
As Luke had explained, in the Asura Kingdom, many nobles who followed Millis didn't strictly adhere to the one-wife doctrine, so it wasn't something she needed to worry about.
I agreed—Roxy shouldn't have to feel bothered by it.
"Cliff Grimoire, husband, do you swear to love only Elinalise Dragonroad for the rest of your life?"
"I swear to love Elinalise until death."
A phrase I'd heard somewhere before flashed through my mind.
So the Millis faith had vows like these too.
Cliff's words carried weight.
That vow would certainly be kept.
Cliff would live his life loving only Elinalise.
I had to admit, I admired that kind of commitment.
Well, I hadn't been able to keep it myself.
"Elinalise Dragonroad, wife, do you swear to love only Cliff Grimoire for the rest of your life?"
"I swear to love Cliff for as long as I live."
As for Elinalise's vow—how would that go?
She'd probably try to keep it.
But there was the matter of the curse.
And then there was the lifespan difference.
Cliff would likely die first, and if that happened, I had a feeling Elinalise would seek out new love.
Not that I'd call it wrong.
Yeah.
Still, to think Elinalise—who had enrolled in the magic university because she wanted to sleep with a fifteen-year-old—was getting married.
You never knew what life had in store.
"Now, the husband shall place the Necklace of Millis upon his bride."
Cliff received the necklace from the priest.
It was an ornate piece, heavily decorated.
It was called the "Necklace of Millis"—a ceremonial ornament.
It was a replica of the actual necklace the Holy Millis had once worn, and every church was required to own one.
"Lize, bend down a little more."
"Oh. Sorry."
I could hear whispered words exchanged.
Elinalise leaned forward while Cliff stretched on his toes to fasten the necklace.
It was a slightly awkward sight.
Cliff just hadn't grown much taller.
"The wife shall now bestow the kiss of vows upon the husband."
"Of course."
Elinalise slowly leaned down and pressed her lips to Cliff's forehead.
Not his lips—his forehead.
The ceremony was apparently modeled after an episode from the Holy Millis's life.
Long ago, as the Holy Millis set off toward certain death, she entrusted her necklace to the one she loved most.
The one she loved most returned a kiss to her forehead, filled with a prayer for her safe return.
When the Holy Millis fell into peril, the one she loved most offered the necklace to the gods.
Moved by both the craftsmanship of the necklace and the depth of that person's love, the gods saved the Holy Millis.
That was the story.
It was hard to tell whether things in this world were fiction or based on fact.
Maybe this, too, was rooted in something that had actually happened.
"Gods! Grant them eternal love and everlasting prosperity!"
In that instant, the priest's crozier erupted in a blinding light.
The radiance flooded the solemn interior of the church.
The bride and groom became silhouettes, and amid their pure white attire, it almost seemed as though they were dissolving into the light.
A truly ethereal scene.
Meanwhile, here I was thinking, *"That crozier's got to be a magical tool, huh?"*—clearly, my capacity for awe had been running a bit thin lately.
--- The attendees were seen off by the groom and bride as the church emptied out.
The wedding was now over.
It seemed the ceremony was simply about proving their love before the gods, with us serving as witnesses.
There was no reception, no after-party.
Nobles might do that sort of thing, but Cliff wasn't a noble.
Then again, if Badigadi had been there, there would've been a raucous celebration for sure.
I was feeling nostalgic for some revelry myself.
Joyous occasions called for festivities.
"That was amazing!"
"The bride was so pretty!"
Aisha and Norn were fired up after watching the wedding.
For the past little while, they'd been exchanging impressions about the ceremony.
Looking at them like this, you'd never guess they didn't usually get along.
Actually, I hadn't seen them fighting recently.
They seemed unusually close lately.
"You'd really dream of a Millis wedding, wouldn't you?"
"Yeah! I'd love to wear that kind of dress!"
The two sisters chattered away excitedly.
Norn would someday find a worthy partner and don a pure white dress of her own.
Her future husband would be a lucky man.
As a congratulatory gift, I'd give him a good punch. Maybe that would set the tone.
And Aisha?
I couldn't really picture her finding a man and becoming a bride.
In my mind, she'd just be a maid for life.
"So do girls really dream about that kind of thing?"
I asked Sylphie, who was standing beside me.
"Well, yeah. But I'm not dissatisfied with how things were for us?
Our time together had its own warmth."
Sylphie smiled as she said this.
Of course, if she wanted something like that, we could arrange something similar.
We weren't Millis believers, so it might feel like playing pretend, but...
If I knelt down and begged Cliff hard enough, he'd probably play the priest role.
A man who humbles himself for the woman he loves—now that's admirable.
I'd be willing to lower myself plenty.
"..."
Suddenly, I felt a tug on my sleeve from the left.
I looked down to see Roxy gazing up at me.
Her face was beautifully made up with a hint of rouge, and her cheeks carried a faint blush.
"...Roxy, do you want a wedding too?"
Roxy and I hadn't had a wedding ceremony.
Part of that was because
But more fundamentally, the Migurd tribe didn't have a custom of holding weddings at all.
So she herself had said it wasn't necessary.
But maybe, after seeing something like that, she was starting to wish for one of her own?
"No, it's not necessary. But... you know, right?"
Roxy said this, then closed her eyes and puckered her lips toward me with a small "Mmm."
A beautiful girl with her eyes shut, right in front of me.
This was a feast set before me, ready to be enjoyed.
*Well then, bon appétit.* I pulled Roxy close by the shoulder and kissed her on the forehead.
"Huh!?"
"Forgive me. It's just that you have such a beautiful forehead."
"O-Oh... hehe."
Roxy looked a little surprised.
The kiss had landed somewhere other than where she'd expected.
But she was still wearing a dopey, blissful smile on her face.
Truly easy to read.
But that was part of her charm too.
Alright, decision made. Tonight, I'd make a request of Roxy.
"Oh, Rudy! Me too, me too!"
Sylphie latched onto my right arm, demanding the same thing.
Of course, there was no reason to refuse.
Kissing a beautiful girl on the forehead—what hesitation could there be?
"Hehehe..."
She'd been the one to ask, but Sylphie covered her forehead and giggled bashfully.
Ah, Sylphie was adorable as always.
What to do. I wanted to embrace Sylphie too.
But Roxy as well.
What about both together?
Was Elinalise's groundwork complete yet?
I figured it should be about time.
I'd already given her the love potion.
I'd ask her about it soon.
"...Brother. Could you please stop doing that kind of thing in public?"
Just as I was standing there with my head in the clouds, Norn lodged a complaint.
Her expression said, *I was having a nice time after watching the wedding, so don't go showing me weird stuff.* She probably didn't want to see her siblings being affectionate.
And of course, the whole two-women-at-once thing probably wasn't helping.
"Come here, you."
"Hey! W-Wait, stop!"
I pulled Norn close and kissed her on the forehead too.
Norn's face turned beet red and she scrubbed at her forehead furiously.
Wonderful.
"...Aisha, meanwhile, looked thoroughly envious.
She clearly wanted me to do the same but was hesitating.
*What if I ask and he says no?* That was the look on her face.
Of course, there was nothing to worry about.
"Aisha!"
I spread both arms wide with what I hoped was a loving expression.
"Big Brother!"
Aisha's face lit up instantly and she threw herself into my arms.
I kissed her on the forehead, and she rubbed against me like a cat, purring.
Come, perish in my arms, dear child.
But twining your legs together in the middle of the street was not appropriate.
She was in a dress, after all—someone might see her underwear.
"Aisha, stop wrapping your legs around me. You're wearing a dress. Someone might see your panties."
"Okaaay."
Aisha obediently detached herself from me, then walked ahead with a satisfied expression.
Honestly.
At eleven, she was still a child, but in this world, there were people who considered any girl past ten a full-fledged lady.
I really needed to watch her more carefully.
"..."
I suddenly recalled something.
In a letter I'd once received from Paul, he'd written that when everyone was finally together, we should have a celebration.
I'd been meaning to do it, but before I knew it, over half a year had passed.
We hadn't celebrated their five-year-old or ten-year-old milestones.
I'd been so thoroughly celebrated at those ages myself that I felt a pang of sympathy for them.
Being celebrated really was a wonderful thing.
Alright.
Decision made.
I'd throw a party.
School Rumors, Part 7 "The Delinquent Leader Is Awesome"