This chapter is almost fully about Eta and her obsession with Shadow. Also contains interesting moments; basically wholesome - horni - wholesome

To be honest, Cid did not expect things to go the way they did.

Like, there are not even that many women in his life! Seven Shades, Nu, princesses, Claire… Now hang on a second, that already makes twelve. Did he really become harem protagonist and wasn't even aware of that? That sucks, actually; how much time will they all eat away from him? Nah, nah, he can't allow that. He has a goal! He has to become true Eminence in Shadow!

…Though thinking about Alpha's words, he can't help but agree: in all products of media he ever saw Masterminds Behind The Curtain were always surrounded by beautiful women and competent helpers. Sometimes these two were the same… Hm, just like him and Shades!

He was enlightened. Now everything was falling down in place.

"M-m-m…" oh, that's Gamma slowly bringing him closer.

Oh yeah, what happened after their little conversation?

Well, for starters, he got jumped on by Alpha and Gamma. The First Shade decided that he had an extremely low amount of hugs in his life, while Gamma…

"A-ha-ha, I'm sorry, Lord Shadow… I just really couldn't control myself…" was her (insincere) excuse as she fell with her luxurious chest right on his face.

Yep, that's about right. Gamma decided that he needed pillows for a goodnight's sleep. Well, technically, she wasn't wrong, as it was coming close to evening, but he wanted to go back to his dorm. Shades decided against that and argued that they are to have a bonding time, now. 'To strengthen their bonds', as they said. You know, with every passing day Cid becomes more and more convinced that they aren't roleplaying that part. No-no, not about Diabolos, that bit is obviously fake. However, it seems like girls really bonded over time and, even though were probably angry at his lie at first, decided to still forgive him. Then they supported him in his roleplay and, well… Looks like now they genuinely care about him, to the point where Gamma was ready to give him money the moment he asked for it. Well, yeah, billions zeni is her monthly revenue from one store, so no wonder she was willing to take it out; for her it's literally pocket change.

But did Gamma and Alpha really just fell in love with him? He's inclined to believe they did. And if their words are to be believed, all other Shades are actually attracted to him, too.

"Cid…" oh, that's Alpha taking him back from Gamma.

Funny enough, she's the only one who actually calls him "Cid" among the shades. Just an observation, but nonetheless interesting.

Did he tell that he's right now sleeping on very soft pillows? Yes, he meant Gamma's pillows. Yeah, Harem Protagonist is strong with him, considering that he was dragged to bed by both Alpha and Gamma ("Yes, Master Shadow, this is very important for our bonding!") and Delta jumped on top of him right after that (thankfully she just decided he's a very warm place to sleep so it's all good).

So here he is, lying down in bed and trying to sleep, with Delta hugging his knees, Gamma trying to suffocate him from the right side with her pillows, and Alpha snuggling onto him to the left.

'Sometimes with all these falls I forget that Gamma is actually the most mature among Shades… Even back then she tried to act all maturely around me once she became more confident… And she became confident after I gave her knowledge on business… These girls sure are scary- Now hang on a second, why did the surroundings go dark and I can see purple eyes staring at me?'

Right above him suddenly, out of nowhere, God only knows how, wild Eta appeared. She held herself right above them all by using slime tendrils to fix herself in place and stared unblinkingly right into his eyes. Well, gotta act first then.

"Hello, Eta."

"M-m-m… Master Shadow…" she nodded back at him and then continued her observation.

"Mind if I ask you what are you doing?"

"Collecting… information…"

"Wouldn't it be better to collect information together with everyone?"

She thought about for a moment and then carefully placed herself right on top of him. He had to admit, her stealth skills were top-notch: Alpha only shuddered a bit, but otherwise didn't wake up.

"Master Shadow… do you like it?" her eyes sparked as she pressed herself against him, however her enthusiasm quickly died out, "There's… no reaction…?"

"Oh, that's because I control my drive, can't have all these thought stand in the way of getting power," casually replied Cid.

"Mou… no fair…" researcher pouted, "I wanted… to study it… that's why… I added extra to your drinks…"

"Oh, so that's why they fell asleep so fast," he received enlightement.

"Fell asleep?…" Eta blinked, "Must have been… wrong mixture… I'll make a correct one next time…"

"How about you stop trying to drug other members?" her habit still didn't die out, huh? Well, at least now it's somewhat better; back then she tried to make test subjects out of everyone.

"Sacrifices are necessary to develop Shadow Wisdom," her speech became fervent as her face came dangerously close to his, "Now, Master Shadow, blush."

"Not when you do it on your allies," Cid sighed, "and blushing is controlled by me, too."

"Hmph, then let go of your control, I want to see your reaction at being in presence of four beautiful women," she started massaging his neck.

"Can't see why should I do it, tho."

"It's important for developing Shadow Wisdom," Eta carefully picked a strand of hair and gently caressed it.

"How?"

"I need to make sure you are a healthy male capable of performing intercourse with females that are Shades," she deeply inhaled, enjoying the scent of his hair.

"And what makes you think it's important?"

"The fact that you just approved a harem creation where Seven Shades will be the first members," her smile widened to inhuman proportions.

"…So you spied," he concluded.

"I did not spy. I merely observed your interactions. Now please let go of your control."

"Don't think I will."

"Yes, you will."

"Nuh-uh," a very profound, full of Shadow Wisdom, allowing you to peek in the ways of Heavenly Dao itself. That was Cid Kagenou's answer. However…

"Yuh-uh", Eta raised her own counterargument as she discussed Dao of Shadow Wisdom with her Master.

The conversation died out as Eta moved up on his body, pressing her generous chest (these clothes do very well at hiding her figure) right into his face.

"Say, Master Shadow…" she whispered into his ear.

"M-m?"

"What exactly did you mean by… 'this world'?"

He froze. She did not pick this up from a single conversation, now did she-?

"I know what are you thinking," she gently bit his ear, "'I will just speak my way out', right? That would work before, hi-hi-hi~" Eta's wide eyes did not have a single shred of sanity left, and her smile enlarged even more, "But not now. I know everything about you, possibly even more than you yourself know. Alpha could do a better job with trying to conceal information about you. Oh, right, no one else knows of it. It would be way better if I am the only one who has access to such an exquisite information, after all~" she gently opened his mouth, "Now, Master Shadow, would you please participate in my next experiment? For that I will need one healthy male, which would be you, and one healthy female, in this case, me… Thank you for you agreement~"

Her tongue slowly made its way into his mouth as she took him by his nape. Each time he tried to back down, she would push his head back up, forcing his face closer to her own.

'Now hold on a second, I am the Eminence here! I am the one who is supposed to be in control!'

Cid became way more aggressive and started pushing it himself, to Eta's surprised delight. Her breathing became ragged as she slowly caressed his nape, absolutely contended with sudden change. Unfortunately for her, both of them were still absolute newbies in this, so after half of minute she unwillingly let him go.

"That was good," her slime made its way to his body, "everything falls within my calculations. I have established a complete dominance over you, "Master" Shadow," Eta teased him.

"Yeah, if we don't count that both of my hands are caught within these pillows, sure-"

"Breasts," she suddenly interrupted him, and upon seeing his confused expression elaborated further, "bosom, chest, bust, mammary glands. "Master" Shadow, if you are to call Seven Shades your lovers in the future, you need to know proper naming, lest you embarrass yourself at the most important moment," researcher carefully caressed his adam's apple.

"Yeah, sure, whatever you say."

"M-m-m, it is, in fact, whatever I say," Eta nodded and once again suffocated him with her… 'pillows', "as it has come to my attention that you're not so knowledgeable as you made yourself to be~" she rubbed her chest against his face, "Ha-a-a~ That's right, our roles are now reversed~ Oh, who knows, maybe you would like for me to be the one leading you?~" her grip on him became tighter, "What do you say, "Master" Shadow? How does that sound?~ Surely it's a great idea for us, Shades, to become the leading ones for once, right?~ And I would want to study such an interesting relationship~" she lowered herself slightly, "So, will you give in?~"

"Nah, I'd win."

"…Huh?"

Bonk!

Eta fell down with her face resting into his neck.

"U-Uwah…" she clutched her head, "W-What was that for… Master Shadow?"

"You were too horny. You needed to be bonked," he nodded sagely, retracting his slime bat back.

"U-u-u," her sad face said it all, "I just wanted… to be the one in charge… since it seemed… I am the more knowledgeable one now…"

"And that's all you really wanted?" Cid's face softened.

Eta fervently nodded and once more inhaled his scent.

"Yes…! When I realized that I have surpassed you… At first I just thought of you as a specimen way too valuable… Then I realized… My feelings are way too strong to be called scientist's passion… I don't know how to call it properly… But it's good…"

She felt his warm hand slowly caressing her hair as she gently rubbed her face against his neck.

"And when I realized that… I also understood my obsession with you became stronger… I thought about locking you up… So you'll be mine forever… Realized you'd just escape and hate me afterwards… Unacceptable result…"

Her small hands found their way to his chest.

"I don't care… if I am smarter one… or if you suddenly become weaker… I would take it upon myself to protect you against everything… To teach you Shadow Wisdom…" she lifted her head to look at him, "I just wish to be with you… and explore this world, together…"

Eta moved herself in a comfortable position and snuggled up against Cid. Alpha and Gamma's hands slowly moved up and embraced researcher, gently wrapping her in a four-way hug.

"Sleepy… and warm… is this how family… feels like?…" a single tear escaped her eye as she slowly drifted to land of dreams.