Chapter 28: Another Morning!

School, huh…?

The last school visit got Eryn thinking about taking the three monstergirls to Little Flower. He figured it would be a nice and new experience for them. All the monstergirls expressed enthusiasm about going to school and learning new things. I think Lofie would like to go the most!

Since he adopted the monstergirls, taking them to school never crossed his mind until the little Anubis brought it up. Being their owner, he felt it was his responsibility to provide them with an education of sorts. They deserve it, don't they? Otherwise, I'd feel I'm robbing them of valuable learning experiences.

Eryn didn't know much about monstergirl schools. But Little Flower is in a convenient spot. He could walk the monstergirls to the school gate and pick them up at a reasonable pace. The monstergirl teachers he met there gave him great impressions. And honestly, the idea of a monstergirl school fascinates me. He'd like to check out the library again in his spare time.

Azusa contacted him a few days ago, letting him know that she could assist him with registering the monstergirls to Little Flower. She sure has lots of connections, huh? But she's been nothing but a great help to him. I have to repay her eventually.

First things first, let's get out of bed! Eryn told himself, but there was one small issue. I would get out of bed but…

His chest felt heavy as if someone was sleeping on him. He craned his neck and saw a familiar pale purple hair. He tried to reach out to her but couldn't budge his hands. I can't move my arms either! Looking left and right, he saw the other two tightly wrapped around his arms.

Here we go again. It's become a common occurrence by this point. He'd sleep together with the monstergirls huddled close to him. In the morning, they'd have him trapped in the bed.

"Iris, Melty, Lofie."

The catgirl's ears twitched. She lifted her head and rubbed her eye.

"Hello there, sleepyhead."

"Eryn…" Iris plopped back to his chest and snuggled to his chin. "Morning…"

"Morning." He whispered. "It's time to wake up, Iris."

"Mnnnh…" was her sleepy response as she went back to sleep again.

"Come on, don't fall asleep again." He sighed, a faint smile forming on his lips. "Time to get out of bed, Iris."

Iris lifted her head again, visibly displeased. She stretched her arms forward and straightened her back as a cat would after waking up.

"Good morning again." Eryn grinned, motioning to both his trapped arms. "Mind helping me wake them up?"

"Okay, okay…" Iris nodded timidly. As much as she wanted to cuddle with him, it was time to rise and shine. Being the eldest, she had a duty to follow. And she wouldn't let Eryn down.

Iris looked left and right. Her sisters were sleeping peacefully, their hands wrapped around Eryn's arms. She would start with the little hinezumi as she'd be easier to wake up.

"Melty." Iris crawled behind her. "Melty, wake up."

"Mnnnhum…" Melty snuggled closer to Eryn, wrapping her arms tighter around him.

O-Ouch. Eryn groaned internally. She still does not judge her strength! Not that she could since she was asleep. I'm surprised Melty hasn't squeezed me to death in her sleep!

"Melty, wake up!" Iris pinched her cheek and pulled it. "You're hurting Eryn!"

"… Mhnn?" Melty's ears twitched as she opened her eyes. She blinked a few times to clear her vision. Her eyes drifted to Eryn's face.

"Hey, Melty." He greeted her with a smile. "Good morning."

"… Eryn!" Her eyes shot open. She threw her arms around his head, nuzzling their heads together. "Good morning!"

"O-Ouch, Melty…!" Eryn gently patted her back. Even awake, she still does not judge her strength! I won't be surprised if she squeezes me to death now!

"Let go of him, Melty!" Iris pouted and grabbed the back of her shirt, dragging her off from Eryn.

"O-Oh!" Melty quickly let go of him and put her palms up. "Sorry, Eryn!"

"It's fine." Eryn felt out his free hand. "Always an energetic morning with you, eh?"

"Hehe!" Melty returned a toothy grin and scratched her cheek. The energy was already coursing through her body! So much that she could burst into flames!

"All right, and next up is…" He turned to his other arm. The little Anubis was sleeping without a care in the world.

"Lofie never wakes up like us, Eryn." Iris poked her cheek.

Melty raised her fist with a wide smile on her face. "Can I set her on fire?"

"No." Eryn shook his head. "I told you two we will not be using any extreme methods."

This is how it's been for the past several days. Eryn would usually wake up Iris, who would then wake up Melty. Lofie wouldn't wake up in the mornings like them, so he always cradled her in his arms and went about his day.

Each time, Melty gave him suggestions to help wake her up which grew ridiculous with each passing day. Like dumping a bucket of water. Repeatedly slapping her face. Pulling and twisting her tail. Or even setting her on fire!

I am heavily opposed to anything Melty says. Eryn sighed. How can she suggest all those things with a wide grin on her face? Perhaps monstergirl bodies could withstand a lot of punishment, unlike humans. Melty has shown me her strength countless times. Maybe her body is durable, too? Still, I wouldn't want to subject Lofie to any of her suggestions!

It's become routine by this point. Eryn sat up and adjusted Lofie in his arms. As he stroked her brown hair, she instinctively nuzzled into his neck.

"It's no fair, Eryn!" Melty pouted, throwing her hands down. "Why does Lofie get to sleep with you longer than me?"

"Well…" He stared at her. Of course, I'd be lying to myself if I thought they wouldn't be envious. "I think it's fair, Melty. After all, you and I go on morning jogs."

"But that's not sleeping time." Melty crossed her arms. "Sleeping time is different from jogging time! So it's not fair!"

"… How is that not fair?" Eryn blinked a few times. What is that adorable logic of hers?

"It's just not fair!"

"Stop bothering Eryn, Melty." Iris narrowed her eyes at her mouse sister.

"B-But…!" Melty jumped up and down on the bed. "Don't you feel this is unfair, Iris? Lofie's getting all his attention!"

"Uhm…" Iris puffed her right cheek, avoiding Melty's gaze. "N-No… not at all."

I'm sure Iris would agree with you, Melty. Eryn cracked a smile. Her response was rather endearing. She's always the responsible sister.

"Let's set that topic aside, shall we?" He stood up from the bed. "Why don't we prepare for your morning bath time?"

"Oh, bath time!" Iris nodded cheerfully and got off the bed.

"Mnngh, bath time…" Melty huffed, not as cheerful as her sister.

Carrying a sleeping Lofie in his arms, Eryn walked to the bathroom with the monstergirls following behind him.

Time to start! After drawing the curtains away, he turned on the faucet and adjusted the temperatures till warm water flowed and filled up the bathtub.

He turned to the monstergirls. "Let's get you out of your clothes now, shall we?"

"Okay!" Iris began taking her clothes off.

"Can Eryn help me take a bath again?" Melty asked as she took her clothes off.

"You can take a bath by yourself now, Melty." Eryn smiled. "You don't need my help."

The past few days, Melty grew accustomed to taking baths with her sisters without his assistance. While she still disliked baths, she always felt comfortable having Eryn bathe her. It also helped that Lofie wasn't being—in her own words—a "meanie" to her.

"But I like it when Eryn gives me baths…" Her mouse ears draped down.

Eryn stared at her frowning expression which tugged at his heart. Is this what a parent feels when they feel like spoiling their children? It's not that he minded bathing her. He simply felt she needed to learn to take them by herself. There's just one tiny issue.

"I can't do anything while Lofie's still asleep." He briefly raised his shoulders. She's got a tight hold on me.

"Muuuu!" Melty pouted cutely. "That's—…"

"Unfair, I know." He chuckled. "We'll let her slee—…"

"Mhhnn…?" Lofie blinked a few times, opening her eyes.

"… Lofie?" Eryn returned a long glance. I didn't expect she'd wake up so soon! "Good morning!"

"She's awake!" Melty exclaimed, pointing at her. That means he could bathe her now!

"Eryn…" She yawned and rubbed her eye. "Morning…"

"Lofie, Melty, and Iris are going to take a bath." He stroked her cheek. "Would you like to join them?"

"Okay…" she nodded with her half-lidded eyes. Her head fell back into his neck.

"Don't sleep again, Lofie." Eryn patted her head. "I'll put you down now, okay?"

He gently let her down on the floor. With her eyes shut, Lofie yawned again and stretched her arms to the sides.

"Here, let me wash your face." He ran his fingers over the running water and carefully rubbed his thumbs over her eyelids.

Lofie bobbed and shook her head, slowly opening her eyes. "… I'm awake."

"Great." He ruffled her hair. "I'm sure you need a moment to gather your spirits."

"Eryn!" Melty tugged at his shirt. "She's not asleep anymore!"

Astute observation, Melty. He raised a brow at her.

"That means Eryn can give me a bath now, right?" her eyes sparkled with hope.

"… Okay, okay." He crouched down and poked her nose.

"Yay!" She hopped up and down.

Oh, dear. Eryn couldn't help but find her joy infectious. In the end, I just can't say no to her. Someone then tugged at his shirt. Of course, that someone was none other than…

"Eryn…"

"Mhmm…?" He turned his head, seeing Iris looking up at him with wide eyes.

"Can you… give me a bath too?" she asked shyly.

"… I suppose it wouldn't be fair if I only helped Melty." He sighed, then smiled. "Okay, okay. I'll help you too."

"… Hehe!" Iris grinned brightly.

"All right!" He clapped his hands. The bathtub is nearly full. "Time to get in the bath!"

After turning off the running water, Eryn lifted Iris and Melty into the bathtub one by one. Hold on… aren't I missing someone here? Normally, Melty would be the last person to get into the bathtub. Something feels off here.

"Hnnnmm…"

"… Lofie?" Eryn turned around, seeing Lofie in the middle of taking off her clothes. Except she wasn't taking off her clothes. Her shirt was halfway lifted over her head.

"… Hum?" She turned unknowingly away from him.

"Haha, let me help you." Eryn gently tugged her arm towards him and helped her take off her clothes. "Still feeling sleepy?"

"… No." She shook her head. "I'm awake."

"All right." He chuckled. He lifted her and set her down in the bathtub. And now they're all here. "Why don't you wash first while I take new changes of clothes?"

"Okay!" Iris and Melty replied in unison with Lofie giving a meek nod.

Eryn went to his sister's room. Her room has become a wardrobe of sorts for the monstergirls. I should probably organize this better. He opened up a drawer and grabbed three new changes of clothes. I wonder if I should buy them new clothes anytime soon…? All he had were clothes he bought from shopping or received from Azusa. I'll think about it later.

Eryn returned to the bathroom and set the clothes on the washing machine. He then turned to the monstergirls who were already splashing water on themselves. "Okay, let's get your bath started!"

"Me first, me first!" Melty raised her palm, shifting closer to the edge.

"Very eager, aren't you?" Eryn pushed a stool in front of the bathtub and sat on it. She did ask me first, so fair is fair. As he rolled up his sleeves, someone caught his accurately, it was someone not being here that caught his attention.

Wait, something feels amiss. Eryn blinked a few times. His eyes shifted from Iris. She's right there. Then to Melty. She's right in front of me. And then to a pair of dog ears sticking out of the water. Oh, never mind. She's right here, too. Just simply being underwater… wait.

"LOFIE?!" Panic kick-starting his heart, Eryn dived his hands underwater, lifting the little Anubis to shoulder level.

Lofie drew her head up, her eyes closed. She rubbed them and slowly opened them, meeting Eryn's worried gaze. "… Hum?"

"Lofie!" He heaved a sigh of relief. "Did you fall asleep again?"

She averted her eyes. "… Maybe."

Eryn stared at her, wide-eyed. Did she… fall asleep underwater? Isn't that dangerous? Couldn't she have drowned, somehow?! How sleepy does one have to be to fall asleep underwater?

"Don't worry." Lofie gave a thumbs up. "I was holding my breath."

"That… worries me even more, Lofie." Eryn tilted his head. How is that even possible?

"It's one of her habits." Melty grinned. "Lofie can fall asleep anywhere! It's like a special trick!"

"Wait." His eyes shifted to the other two monstergirls. "You noticed?"

"Yes, Eryn." Iris nodded. "Lofie's always been like this."

These two don't even look remotely surprised! Eryn crossed his arms. I know Lofie's a heavy sleeper, but this is taking it to the next level!

"Aren't you two… worried about her? Falling asleep underwater?"

"Nope!" was Melty's direct reply.

"It does worry me sometimes…" Iris scratched her cheek. "But I trust Lofie is very careful."

"Huh." Eryn raised a brow. If the eldest sister trusts her, then maybe I can rest easy…? It was a jarring scenario. I know they're monstergirls but that is a terrifying habit. He could understand Melty's flames. He could understand Lofie's magic. But her ability to fall asleep underwater is… not it.

"Can Eryn not fall asleep underwater?" Lofie asked as if it was the most normal question.

"… I can't, Lofie." He placed a hand on his chest. "I would probably drown to death if I tried that."

"Oh!" Her green eyes widened in shock. She pointed a finger at him. "Then Eryn must not try that."

"Er, I wasn't planning to—…"

"Yeah!" Melty cut in. "Please don't try that, Eryn! I don't want you to die!"

"Melty, Lofie." Iris folded her arms. "Eryn is a human. We can trust he is very careful and knows how to take care of himself."

"Oh, okay!" Melty nodded with a smile.

"Very good." Lofie gave a thumbs up.

… Thanks for the save again, Iris. Eryn rubbed his temples. This too has become a common occurrence. More often than not, Lofie and Melty would derail the conversation to amusing tangents, prompting Iris to keep them grounded. As expected of the eldest sister! However…

"I'm counting on you three to watch out for me if I fall asleep underwater."

"Ehh, Eryn?!" Iris pouted. Why was he joining in their nonsensical conversation?

"Kidding." He grinned.

"I'll keep Eryn safe!" Melty pumped her fists up. "I won't let anything bad happen to Eryn!"

"Maybe I should teach Eryn how to fall asleep safely…" Lofie stroked her chin.

"No, you won't!" Iris huffed.

Oh, dear. Eryn covered his mouth, holding back his laugh. Sometimes, he liked to indulge in their amusement. I think they've influenced me.

"All right!" He clapped his hands. "Let's get your bath started!" For real, this time!

The monstergirls looked at Eryn, then exchanged glances with one another. They all shared giggles.

"Yeah!"