When Akira first got into this relationship, she hadn't expected it to be so complicated. Sure, dating four people was a bit complicated on its own, but this was different.
She could not give anyone more attention than the others. It was impossible to do. If she did it immediately she had two others clinging to her, demanding attention as well. It was a mess. And of course, the only one who wasn't involved in this mess -Michiru- was staying far away from it. She was always watching from the sidelines, laughing as Akira tried to compromise with them.
Why was this her life now? Why did the three younger edels get so jealous if any of them got a slight bit more attention? What was she going to do about it?
And why wasn't Michiru giving her any help? She was always just watching from the sidelines, seeming to enjoy her struggle.
Akira was really going to give her an earful the next time they were alone. How dare she leave her to be eaten alive by the others as they insisted on getting her attention.
"Akira? Um, could you help me with some work?"
Another death wish was upon her. Shiori wanted her help. And the moment the other two found out, she was going to be in for it. This was just great.
"What is it?"
"Some science... I can't find the answers in the book."
"Bring it here."
Shiori pulled up a seat next to her and pulled out her work. Akira glanced it over.
"Where should it be at?"
"In this chapter." Shiori opened her book up.
Akira skimmed through it, looking for anything that mentioned the question. Eventually she found it.
"Here. It was in this little fact box." Akira pointed to it.
"Eh? They can be in there too?" Shiori didn't seem pleased with that information.
"It seems so."
Of course, that was when the door opened. At least it was only Michiru.
"I don't think that's the papers you should be signing." Michiru commented.
"I think school work is a bit more important." Akira replied, "And it'll only take a few minutes."
"Sure." Michiru rolled her eyes and plopped into her seat, "What are you even doing?"
"Science."
"It's not hard. I just have to find the answers in the book. They're in order of pages so... I just um... didn't realize they could be anywhere on the page and not just in the text." Shiori said.
"Sure. Just get it done quickly."
"I will." Shiori promised.
Akira expected her to move away, however, she remained beside her. It wouldn't be long before the other two arrived and then all hell would break loose for her once again. Were they all competing for her attention? What was going on with them?
Akira had never asked them. She was hesitant to. What if they got upset by the question? What if they felt bad about it and started avoiding her? It could be a disaster.
So, she just silently went along with it. It was exhausting, though. Having to devote that much energy every time was hard. Why hadn't they figured it out amongst themselves already?
Akira paused as Shiori pressed against her, "Senpai? I'm lost again..."
"What's the question this time?"
"Here." Shiori pointed to it.
Akira read it over and then started scanning the text for it. She was finding it a bit hard to focus as the younger girl was still pressed up against her, even going as far as to lean on her shoulder. It was made even harder as Shiori grabbed her hand and intertwined their fingers.
She was as good as dead if either Yachiyo or Mei Fan entered the room. They'd both want just as much attention and that was not something that was easy to do. Especially when they had work to do too.
"Here." Akira managed to find what was needed.
"Thank you, senpai!" Shiori smiled at her and wrote it down, still holding Akira's hand on the side.
As luck would have it, those two arrived together. Handling one of them when they were jealous was hard enough, but both at the same time was near impossible sometimes. And they both seemed a bit displeased by what they saw.
Though, it seemed Michiru finally wanted to step in. She had moved over to Akira's free side, and started demanding she work on the papers. Not the best, but it kept those two from having a chance to jump on her.
They both seemed a bit dejected as they took their seats. Michiru quickly set them into work. Shiori was the only one not doing the correct work. But, she was almost done her science homework.
Akira glanced at Michiru, the shorter girl giving her a knowing look. So Michiru had done that to save her. That was nice. Maybe she wouldn't scold her as much now. She still needed to be told off for abandoning her up until this point, though.
Then again, it wasn't like Michiru wasn't part of the problem either. She just tended to find Akira when she was alone and have her time then. She didn't do it in front of the others.
The moment Akira was alone, those two pretty much pounced on her, demanding she give them attention. It started with Mei Fan catching up to her on the way to the dorms and holding her hand. That wasn't too bad, at least.
Then Yachiyo found them and proceeded to cling to her other arm. Most students were aware of the edels' relationship, so most didn't even bat an eye at it anymore.
"What are you doing tonight?"
"Michiru mentioned we should have a movie night."
"What movie?"
"I don't know. She didn't say that part."
"That'll be fun."
"Yeah. Anyway, I have some personal things to do for a bit. I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to let go."
"Aw..."
Akira wasn't lying. She did have some stuff to do. Now, would it hurt if they were with her for it? No. But it gave her a chance to be alone for a bit. Something she very much needed after today. All day had been chaotic with the three of them.
"I'll see you at dinner."
Akira let out a sigh of relief as she closed the door to her room. She was free for a bit. Now, to do her school work that she hadn't finished yet.
She didn't get very far before there was a knock on the door. Akira sighed. Who wanted her now?
"Yes?"
"Can I come in?"
It was Michiru. That was fine then. Michiru was calmer than the others. Not by too much, though.
"Sure. As long as it's only you."
"Mei Fan is being tortured by the other two at the moment. They're rather preoccupied with their... toy? Doll? They're playing dress up, if you will."
Michiru entered the room. She made herself at home beside Akira at her desk. Or rather, on her lap.
"What do you want?" Akira questioned.
"Thought I'd join you for a bit." Michiru hummed, "Those three are a handful, aren't they?"
"I wish they would share the same energy about me with you. Or any of them, honestly." Akira grumbled, "This isn't an equal balance."
"You're the one they look up to the most, Akira."
"But they look up to you too."
"Well, perhaps you let them have their way too much?" Michiru hummed, "If you don't complain, they'll keep doing it."
"I don't care. It's just... been a while."
"You thought they'd stop?"
"No. But I thought they'd come up with a compromise amongst themselves. Maybe have certain times each of them can have me?"
"Hmm... I don't see that happening. They're not acting bitter to each other, so I feel like they all are in agreement with how things are."
Akira sighed, "Of course..."
"You don't care that they do this?"
"No. It just gets a little overwhelming on some days."
"I'm not sure what to tell you for advice."
"Maybe I do just need to talk about it with them. I've just been avoiding it because I'm unsure how they'll take it."
"Well, that's a start. Anyway, finishing you're school work?"
"I was until you decided to join me." Akira sighed.
Michiru smiled at her innocently. Akira rolled her eyes. Michiru didn't seem like she was moving anytime soon. Guess this was how she was working now.
"Don't you have anything you could be doing?"
"Nope. I'm free."
"You aren't going to get off of me, are you?"
"Hmm... not unless I have to."
"Honestly you're just as bad as them."
"Hmmpf."
Akira was very much dreading the movie night. Not because of the movie or anything, but because of the people watching it. She was definitely getting strangled in a hug by two people. And then the third was going to be jealous again. At least Michiru didn't act that way, even if she was just as clingy.
"You two seem like you're having fun."
As Akira came to the living room, she found that two of them were already there. Said two being Yachiyo and Shiori. Who had been making out on the couch before Akira interrupted them.
"We got bored waiting for everyone."
"And somehow that equates to making out in public?"
"No one else is around. It's fine."
"Sure." Akira didn't want to argue with either of them about it, so she dropped it.
"You gonna sit?"
"Not yet."
She didn't want to deal with that yet. Though, the last two arrived very quickly after her. Now she had to make the decision.
It was still weird having them all seemingly always battling for her attention. It wasn't like they didn't give each other attention too, but she was always getting ganged up on. Why did no one else have that problem but her?
Why was it when someone got her attention, everyone else got jealous? But it was never between anyone else? What was it about her that made them act different? She was the last one to join this relationship anyway. She really didn't get it.
First it had been Yachiyo and Mei Fan dating, then they started dating Shiori as well. A bit of time passed and from what Akira knew, it was Shiori who brought up wanting to date Michiru and the other two agreed to it. That ended with Michiru dating all of them instead of just Shiori like it had originally been planned to be.
Akira never really had a formal invitation to the relationship. It just kind of happened and she started being included. Not that she minded. She was very satisfied with this relationship the way it was.
"I'll set up the movie." Michiru stated.
"What's the movie?" Yachiyo asked.
"You'll see." Michiru hummed.
"Should that raise concern?"
"I'm just toying with you. It's the new movie that got released a month ago."
"Oh, that one."
"Yes."
Now with that going on, everyone was starting to settle down to watch it. Which meant Akira had to take a seat. She didn't know where to sit. She decided to sit on the end of the couch. She didn't want to deal with too much right now. Sire, if she said to leave her alone, they would, but she didn't want to have to say that if she could avoid it.
Surprisingly, she ended up with Michiru next to her. That was not what she was expecting. And it caused some concern. Was Michiru starting to get in on it too?
"You three are so easily made jealous when you can't have her." Michiru hummed.
"You two planned this then?"
"No. Michiru, what are you doing?" Akira gave her a look of anguish. Why was she doing this now?
"Toying with them." Michiru replied with a smirk, "Since they just hate when they can't have you for themselves."
"Eh?" The three younger girls didn't know how to react to all of this.
"You guys do know how noticeable your jealousy is, don't you?"
"Jealousy? That's not true!" Mei Fan was the first to protest it.
"Oh?" Michiru smiled dangerously at her, "Then how come the moment anyone else takes her attention, you're immediately clinging to her?"
"W-well..." Mei Fan didn't finish her sentence.
"See. You're jealous." Michiru stated.
"I don't know that it's the right word." Akira commented, "Jealousy normally deals with negative actions. I don't think that qualifies."
"I suppose you have a point. Then clingy is the word we'll use. You're all very clingy."
"And you aren't?" Akira questioned.
Michiru pouted, "Stop teasing me! You're ruining the scene!"
"Hmm... maybe we should join in too?" Yachiyo took the initiative and smothered Michiru into a hug, "As payback for accusing us of being possessive."
"I never said-" Michiru's rebuttle was cut short as a pair of lips met her own.
"Karma." Mei Fan snickered.
Yachiyo pulled back, a smirk on her face. Michiru frowned at her. She grabbed Yachiyo by her shirt and tugged her down to eye level.
"That wasn't very nice." Michiru stated.
"I'm not sorry." Yachiyo replied. She wasn't thrown off by the situation like Michiru had hoped she'd have been.
Michiru turned to look at Akira, "Aki-"
Yachiyo struck again, easily getting out of Michiru's grip. She pulled the shorter girl into a tight hug. Michiru yelped as she tried to get free, but Yachiyo wasn't letting go.
"Yachiyo!" Michiru whined, "Let go of me!"
"Nope. Since you have a problem with how we are with Akira, you just volunteered to be the replacement." Yachiyo was still smirking.
"E-eh?" Michiru was thrown off guard by that.
"Why must you gang up on someone anyway?" Akira questioned.
"It wasn't intentional." Mei Fan replied, "Are you gonna share her or not, Yachiyo?"
Yachiyo turned so she was facing the other two. Michiru was still trying to get out of Yachiyo's grip. She was suddenly immobilized as Mei Fan joined in and hugged her too.
"How am I supposed to join?" Shiori pouted.
"Hmm..."
"Let me go!" Michiru was still trying to break free, even as trapped as she was, "Akira! Help me!"
"Nope. Have fun."
"Akira!"
Shiori couldn't find a way to join in, so she opted to move over and sit next to Akira.
"We were supposed to watch a movie! Let me go!"
"Nope. You're stuck with us until we want to let go."
"Yep."
Shiori looked up at Akira, "So... what do we do until they're done?"
Akira shrugged. That was something she didn't know. Honestly, it was entertaining watching the three of them.
"You said it wasn't intentional you all decided to go after one person for attention. Explain?" Akira still wanted the answer to that question.
"Well, that's all there is to it. We didn't realize we all were going for you until it was too late." Shiori offered.
"I don't think there is a too late." Akira commented.
Shiori shrugged, "True... we just didn't want to change."
"Hey! Stop it!"
The two of them brought their attention back to the other three girls. Michiru was getting smothered in kisses from the two younger girls. They seemed to be enjoying tormenting the poor girl.
"You two certainly are lively tonight." Akira commented.
"Yeah." Shiori nodded in agreement.
"What did I do to deserve this treatment?" Michiru pouted as they stopped their attack.
"Nothing. It's just fun messing with you." Yachiyo hummed.
"Are you done?"
"I don't know. Do you want a turn, Shiori?"
"H-huh? Oh... I'm good. I think anymore and she'll kill us."
"Will you now, Michiru?" Mei Fan cupped her cheeks.
"Yes, I will! Now let go of me!" Michiru huffed.
"You're adorable when you're mad." Mei Fan teased.
"You're gonna get it tonight! Now let go of me!"
"Sure." Yachiyo chuckled as she hugged Michiru from behind again, "You aren't as intimidating as you seem anymore, Michiru."
"Alright you two, knock it off." Akira stepped in.
"Fine..."
Michiru was finally released from their grips. She gave Akira a glare. She had taken too long to step in and help her. Akira just shrugged at her, not really sorry for her actions at all.
"Shall we get to the movie now?" Michiru asked with a huff.
"I guess."
"It's over. That was longer than I thought."
"I know."
"It's pretty late. We should head to bed."
"I'm a little stuck here. Someone fell asleep on my lap. And another someone is crushing my arm."
"Sorry."
Sometime during the movie, positions has changed. It started with Shiori deciding Akira's lap was a better seat than the couch. For a while, Yachiyo had been beside them, hugging Shiori.
Mei Fan had pulled Michiru into her lap, getting some protests in reply. Michiru accepted her fate after a few minutes and just let it happen. And then Yachiyo had moved to them and decided Mei Fan's shoulder was a good headrest.
As it stood, Michiru was asleep. She was curled up against Mei Fan's chest, holding onto her shirt with a loose grip.
"I guess you've been claimed for the night." Shiori offered in a teasing tone.
"So... don't wake her up?"
"She'll probably get mad at you if you do that."
"Okay. Well, guess I'll take her to bed." Mei Fan tried to determine the best way to stand up.
"I'm joining you." Yachiyo declared.
"Fine."
She found a way to stand up. Thankfully, Michiru didn't seem to be disturbed by that. Mei Fan carefully adjusted her grip on the sleeping girl.
"Go first. I can't open doors like this."
"Right. Goodnight you two."
"Goodnight."
"Night."
Those three left the room. Now it was just Akira and Shiori.
"I think they're going to start giving more attention to Michiru." Shiori commented.
"Seems so."
"Then I get more time with you."
Akira rolled her eyes, "As if you didn't before."
Shiori pouted, "Senpai!"
"Come on. Let's head to bed." Akira stood up.
Shiori continued to pout.
"What?"
"Carry me."
"You can walk."
"Please?" Shiori gave her a more defined pout.
Akira sighed, "Fine."
Shiori smiled and held out her arms. Akira rolled her eyes before going and picking her up. It was a slight struggle, but she succeeded.
"I guess that means you're staying with me tonight, doesn't it?" Akira questioned.
"Yep!"
They started heading to her room. Akira paused outside of Michiru's room. She could hear Mei Fan and Yachiyo talking.
"I'm cuddling her from behind. Not you."
"I was the one who brought her here. I get to choose."
"You got her attention already! It's my turn."
Akira and Shiori exchanged glances. Those two were still being a handful. Now Michiru had to deal with them.
"Yachi-"
"Then how about I cuddle you instead?"
"H-hey!"
Akira sighed, "How do they still have so much energy?"
"Who knows?" Shiori nuzzled herself into Akira's neck.
"They're gonna kill Michiru with all that affection."
"You think so?"
"Look at how red she was before the movie."
"True..." Shiori yawned, "Mmm... I'm tired..."
"Yeah. I guess we'll let them figure things out themselves."
They continued on their way. As Akira entered her room, she had determined Shiori already fell asleep. So, she carefully placed the younger girl on the bed.
Akira climbed in and pulled her close, Shiori almost instantly snuggling against her.
"Goodnight, Shiori."
