Chapter 33 The Girls' Doubts
On a weekend afternoon, the three girls gathered at "Momoyuzuya," sipping tea and sharing their thoughts.
On their fingers sparkled the engagement rings given to them by the boys — Momoko's heart-shaped pigeon blood ruby ring, Miyako's round cornflower sapphire ring, and Kaoru's star-shaped Muzo emerald ring.
These precious gemstones symbolized their love with Yuzuhiko, Kagami, and Shigeru, as well as their engagements. However, despite the preciousness of the rings, the girls were perplexed by the boys' "saint-like" behavior.
Momoko was the first to break the silence, her tone filled with barely restrained frustration, "I seriously can't stand it anymore! We've been living together for three years now, and yet, not once have they crossed the line! Three years!"
Her words instantly resonated with the other two girls, who immediately nodded in agreement.
Miyako frowned, her voice full of helplessness, "Yeah, I've tried all kinds of hints, dressing in light, sexy outfits, and all Kagami does is blush and tell me to put on something warmer, saying I might catch a cold... He doesn't have the slightest intention of going further!"
Kaoru chimed in, just as aggrieved, "Shigeru is the same! One time I walked out wrapped in nothing but a towel, and his face turned as red as a ripe apple. But all he did was tell me to quickly change into proper clothes, saying 'it doesn't look good this way,' without any other reaction! I started to wonder if there's something wrong with me!"
Momoko rolled her eyes and slapped the table, "Yuzuhiko is even worse! Just the other day, I showed up in a brand-new lace nightgown, and all he did was glance at me and say, 'It's too cold like this. You should change into something warmer, or you'll catch a chill.' Do you know how dumbfounded I was?"
The three girls almost spoke in unison as they voiced their frustrations, all sharing the same deep confusion. They had lived with the boys for three years, yet no matter how many hints they dropped, the boys seemed to maintain a certain "saint-like" restraint, never crossing any boundaries.
"Is there something wrong with us? Or are they just not interested in us at all?" Miyako frowned, deeply puzzled by the situation that had bothered her for a long time.
"That can't be it," Kaoru quickly rejected the idea. "I can feel they do have feelings for us. But why, after three years, has there been no progress at all?"
Momoko took over the conversation, "I've thought the same! Sometimes I wonder if we were standing naked in front of them, they still wouldn't react!" She sighed. "We're engaged now, and there's still no further development! What are they thinking?"
The more the girls talked, the more frustrated they became, especially as they recalled their previous attempt to question the boys about the origins of their rings. The girls had even resorted to using "foot punishment," pressing their feet against the boys' sensitive areas in an attempt to force out the truth.
Although the boys seemed to enjoy it, they ultimately refused to reveal the source of the gemstones.
Momoko angrily recalled the scene, "Yuzuhiko clearly looked like he was enjoying it, yet he still had the nerve to say, 'If I told you, you'd be mad!' and refused to say where the gemstones came from."
Miyako added, "Kagami was the same, looking all satisfied while pretending to be calm, saying 'It's for your own good,' and still refusing to tell me the source of the stone."
Kaoru also chimed in, "Shigeru's expression was full of satisfaction, but he kept saying, 'I'm afraid you'll worry if you knew,' and stubbornly refused to reveal the origin."
In fact, the boys had their reasons for being so cautious. In order to obtain these three precious gemstones, each of them had risked their lives by traveling to Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Colombia, where they encountered drug cartels, terrorists, and armed soldiers.
They were even nearly swept away by underground water after a landslide. However, the boys had never mentioned these dangerous experiences to the girls, fearing they would worry too much.
The girls recalled a recent experience when all three of their menstrual cycles unexpectedly synchronized. During that time, the boys took exceptional care of them—preparing hot water bottles, buying chocolates, massaging their sore muscles, and even handling the medication. Every small gesture deeply touched the girls, but what surprised them the most was discovering that these "saintly" boys also had moments when they couldn't suppress their own desires.
That was a few months ago. The three of them happened to start their periods on the same day, and the discomfort left them leaning on their respective fiancés for support.
The boys cared for them with the utmost attention, preparing hot water bottles, making tea, cooking nourishing soup, and even stocking up on medicine and snacks beforehand. These thoughtful actions filled the girls with warmth and happiness.
But what happened next left them utterly speechless.
Momoko remembered that day when she finally felt better and decided to get out of bed for a bit. As she quietly walked to the door, she unexpectedly saw Yuzuhiko on the other side of the room, seemingly lost in some deep emotion. His lips moved slightly, and he whispered her name softly, "Momoko… Momoko…" His voice was low, but filled with an unmistakable yearning.
Momoko froze in place, her cheeks burning as if they were on fire. She realized what he was doing—the unmistakable motion, the unrestrained desire, and the puddle on the floor that she couldn't tear her eyes away from. Her heart pounded. Yuzuhiko hadn't noticed her at all, completely absorbed in his world, whispering her name as if doing so would release the emotions he had been bottling up.
On the other side, Miyako experienced something similar. When she cautiously got up, she caught sight of Kagami. He, too, was sitting in a corner, his hands never stopping, his gaze intense and focused. She heard her name softly leave his lips, "Miyako… Miyako…" The sound was laced with longing and restraint, leaving Miyako stunned in place.
"He… he's really thinking of me like this?" Miyako was deeply shocked. She had always thought Kagami's love for her was gentle and reserved, but at that moment, the hidden desire he had been keeping inside was clear.
His expression was so focused, so sincere, as if she were his whole world. The liquid on the ground silently confirmed that his emotions had reached a breaking point.
Kaoru, on the other hand, stumbled upon Shigeru in the kitchen. She had just gotten out of bed to grab some water, only to find herself witnessing something completely unexpected. Shigeru stood in a corner of the kitchen, his strong body trembling slightly, his hand gripping tightly, and his deep voice calling her name, "Kaoru… Kaoru…" There was a rawness in his voice, a suppressed pain, as if he had been holding back his emotions for too long.
Kaoru's face turned bright red. She was always straightforward, but in that moment, she had no idea how to react. The intensity of Shigeru's feelings shocked her. "He… he really feels this way about me?" she muttered to herself, her gaze inevitably drawn to the undeniable pool at his feet, evidence of his overwhelming restraint.
As the three recalled these scenes, their hearts were filled with mixed emotions. They knew the boys' love for them had long surpassed ordinary affection. It wasn't just love; it was a deep desire they could no longer suppress.
Yet, despite this yearning, the boys had held back, never once overstepping boundaries. This saintly self-restraint left the girls both touched and confused.
"Our fiancés… they've held back to this extent?" Momoko whispered, her heart swelling with a mixture of wonder and emotion. "Why didn't they tell us?"
"Maybe they think it's for our own good, that they don't want to pressure us," Miyako sighed softly, recalling the day she saw Kagami and feeling both touched and perplexed.
"Idiots," Kaoru snorted, though there was a hint of frustration in her voice. "They love us so much, yet they still hold back like this. Do they really think we wouldn't understand?"
The girls came to a conclusion: their problem wasn't just one boy's "conservativeness" — all three boys were the same! This realization made them feel even more frustrated and helpless.
What they had initially thought was a unique case turned out to be a situation that applied to all three, with their reactions seemingly in perfect sync, as if they had coordinated.
The girls exchanged looks, their emotions a tangled web of frustration and love. On one hand, they knew the boys' love for them was genuine. On the other hand, they couldn't understand why the boys kept restraining themselves so much, even when the opportunity presented itself. This "saint-like" level of self-control was both endearing and infuriating.
"It's unbelievable…" Miyako sighed in frustration. "Do you think they've made some kind of pact or something? I just don't get it."
"No matter what," Momoko said firmly after a pause, "we can't keep waiting like this. We have to ask them what's really going on."
"I agree," Kaoru nodded. "If this continues, the three of us might actually go crazy."
As the discussion deepened, the girls' thoughts gradually returned to their first loves and compared them to their current relationships with the boys.
Everything felt so intense that they couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
"Do you remember?" Momoko softly asked, gently turning the ring on her finger, her tone carrying a faint trace of sentiment. "Our first loves... The feelings back then and the deep love we have now, they're worlds apart, right?" Her gaze shifted between memories and reality, as if she couldn't quite put into words the transformation in her emotions.
Miyako smiled and nodded, also lost in her memories. "Yeah, back then, I liked Takaaki. I thought he was my hero, always helping the weak. Those feelings were like admiring a perfect image, and I thought he was irreplaceable. But thinking about it now, that kind of feeling is nowhere near the love I have for Kagami now. He's been with me through so much, and our bond has grown so deep that it's beyond words."
Kaoru chuckled, a hint of reminiscence in her voice. "I remember wearing a skirt for the first time back then, trying to get my senior's attention. Looking back now, it was so naive. That kind of infatuation is nothing compared to how I feel about Shigeru now. That was just a teenage crush, but now, the love between Shigeru and me has gone through so many trials, it's true deep love." Her smile carried a mix of self-mockery and emotion.
Momoko nodded, taking a deep breath before softly saying, "Exactly. First love can't stand the test of time and reality. Thinking about the way I was attracted to Sakamoto and Natsuki, they seemed so charming at the time, but those feelings were like fleeting clouds, unable to endure the passage of time. But now, our love has been tested by life and death..." Her voice trailed off but was full of deep affection.
Miyako lightly bit her lip and nodded again. "Kagami has done so many crazy things for me. Our love isn't just about romance anymore. They've risked their lives for us. Think about when they entered Yomi twice to face Izanami, even accepting the harshest conditions, not hesitating to give up their own lives just to bring us back..." Her voice was filled with gratitude and admiration, her eyes shimmering with a hint of tears.
Kaoru softly added, "And that time they went to dig up the gemstones. Honestly, who would risk their lives, going to Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Colombia just to prepare rings for us? They confronted armed drug lords and soldiers, nearly pushing themselves to the brink of death, and almost got swept away by floods in underground caves.
Those experiences go far beyond any ordinary love, far beyond." Her tone carried a touch of astonishment, as if even now, she couldn't believe they had gone to such lengths for them.
"Yeah, and that time they dealt with those creeps..." Momoko couldn't help but show a trace of admiration. "They took care of those bastards themselves, making them disappear from society. Yuzuhiko never told me the details, but I know his way of handling it wasn't as simple as calling the police." Her tone carried a strong sense of gratitude and pride, her heart full of the boys' deep love for them.
Miyako also quietly said, "Kagami, too. He borrowed the shrine's sacred sword and went to confront that professor, saying he'd turn him into 'human sashimi.' I couldn't have imagined something like that before... But every single thing he did was to protect me, to keep me from being hurt again." Her gaze sparkled with tenderness and surprise.
Kaoru recalled what Shigeru had done. "He single-handedly took on fifty yakuza thugs, almost wiping them out. Shigeru always looks so gentle, but when I'm in danger, he'll stop at nothing." Her tone was filled with admiration, and the dangerous memories still gave her a chill.
"This kind of love is something ordinary people could never achieve." Momoko concluded, her tone full of awe and amazement. "They're even willing to give up their lives and existence just so we could live. They're so selfless, they love us so deeply. This is true love, something no first love could ever compare to."
"Exactly..." Miyako gently nodded, her smile filled with deep emotion. "My admiration for Takaaki back then seems so light now. Being with Kagami, this love has seeped into my very bones. The things he's willing to do for me are things I couldn't have imagined back then. This kind of deep love has gone through life and death, through so many trials, nothing in reality can defeat it."
"My feelings for that senior back then can't even compare." Kaoru chuckled, her tone carrying a bit of self-deprecation. "Those first love feelings seem so simple now. Back then, it was just about trying to get attention, but now, what Shigeru and I have gone through is beyond words."
Suddenly, something dawned on Momoko, and her eyes widened as she turned to her friends. "Wait… Do you remember when they were younger?" Her voice dropped as she seemed to realize a possible clue. "Back when they were still the Rowdyruff Boys, and we were the Powerpuff Girls Z… when we were just starting middle school…"
"Oh! Right, they were our enemies back then!" Kaoru said, her eyes lighting up in realization. "They constantly tried to challenge us, but every time they were defeated by our flying kisses. Especially after we defeated them, they were completely knocked out, unable to fight back at all."
She laughed, recalling those awkward, youthful moments.
"Could that be why they're so restrained now?" Miyako asked softly, uncertain. "Do you think… they still remember those things?"
Kaoru nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe. They were defeated so thoroughly, and they were so small back then. Maybe… those experiences left some kind of lasting impact on them?" Her voice was full of doubt, but the theory seemed more and more plausible.
Momoko fell into thought as well, recalling every interaction she'd had with Yuzuhiko. Whether it was hugs or kisses, they always stopped at the most basic level, never crossing the line. "If it's really because of that, then… that's just…" She trailed off, not sure how to describe her feelings. "But we've grown up. We're engaged now; they can't stay like this forever, right?"
Miyako nodded in agreement. "Maybe their self-restraint has become second nature? In every other area, they're fearless, but when it comes to this, those past experiences have made them overly cautious." She paused, her expression complicated. "We should find a chance to talk to them about this."
Kaoru chuckled, crossing her arms with a playful glint in her eye. "Yeah, this time we'll hold an 'interrogation of love' and see what they have to say! I don't believe they can dodge the topic this time."
Momoko grinned mischievously, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Exactly. This time, we're going to get to the bottom of what they're really thinking!"
Thus, the three girls reached a consensus: they would no longer endure in silence. They would have a serious conversation with the boys to uncover the mystery that had lingered for the past three years. After all, they were tired of this "saint-like love."
As night fell, the girls returned home together, resolved to confront the biggest challenge in their relationship.
After dinner, the six of us sat quietly in the dining room, the girls smiling sweetly but with a strange air of mischief. Although dessert was on the table, it was clear they had something else in mind.
Momoko was the first to speak, her tone gentle but full of pressure, "Yuzuhiko, there's something we've been wondering about for a long time. Today, I hope you'll answer seriously."
I looked at her smile, and an ominous feeling crept into my heart. Before I could say anything, her foot suddenly slid up to my leg, but this time it wasn't the light touch from before. Her toes skillfully grasped onto a particularly sensitive spot, and the mix of pleasure and pain hit me like a freight train, making me feel like I might just pass out.
"W-wait, Momoko, this is…" I managed to stammer, cold sweat breaking out on my forehead. The sensation was far too intense — I couldn't bear it.
But I wasn't the only one suffering. Kagami was experiencing his own version of the "toe punishment" from Miyako. His face was as red as a boiled shrimp, and he tried to explain, "Miyako, I-I really…"
"Really what?" Miyako smiled gently, but the pressure from her toes increased. Kagami's breathing became visibly faster, and he couldn't give a coherent answer.
Shigeru wasn't faring much better. Kaoru's feet were just as active, relentlessly targeting his sensitive area. Cold sweat covered his forehead, and he clearly couldn't think straight. His voice trembled as he tried to plead, "Kaoru… I really didn't mean to…"
"Didn't mean what?" Kaoru smiled and applied more pressure with her toes, leaving Shigeru struggling to even speak, helplessly gritting his teeth.
"Did you think you could dodge the question like this?" Momoko's voice remained sweet, but I knew they weren't going to let us off so easily.
Her feet expertly continued their work, causing me to fluctuate between pain and pleasure. I wanted to answer, but my mind was a complete mess.
"Alright, Yuzuhiko," Momoko said, narrowing her eyes with an unyielding tone, "today we need to understand why you've been so restrained. It's been three years. We've lived together for three years, yet you've never crossed that line."
I knew they were determined to get answers today. Under this relentless foot punishment, I finally spoke, "It's not… it's not that we don't find you attractive. In fact, it's the opposite…"
Panting, I tried to gather my thoughts, "You're the most beautiful girls in our lives. Since we started dating in high school, we've fantasized about you… countless times."
Kagami, his face still bright red, added, "Really, every time I see Miyako — her smile, or even just catching her scent — so many scenarios play out in my mind."
Shigeru tried to stay composed, though his voice trembled, "We've never doubted our desire for you. It's just… we don't want you to feel like we're rushing things. We genuinely cherish you."
"Then why haven't you taken it further?" Momoko pressed, increasing the pressure from her toes, and I nearly let out a shout. "Is it because of your childhood experiences? Or do you think we can't satisfy you?"
"N-no!" I quickly answered, trying to stay calm despite the dual torment making it impossible to think clearly. "Actually… it's because of our memories from childhood. When we were the Rowdyruff Boys, and you were the Powerpuff Girls Z, we were enemies. You defeated us with your flying kisses, and that defeat really hurt our pride…"
"After that, we've always been worried, afraid of repeating that failure. Especially after that incident when your chastity was nearly taken… it made us even more cautious. We don't want to trigger any trauma for you or make you feel pressured." I gritted my teeth, continuing to explain.
"Every time… every time we think about taking things further, those memories come back…" I had to admit, my voice carried a note of regret.
"We just can't focus on the present. We're always worried about making you uncomfortable."
Kagami, his face still flushed, nodded, "Yeah, every time… I think about going further with Miyako, those thoughts pop up in my head. I really want to, but a voice inside keeps reminding me not to make her relive those bad experiences."
I noticed that the girls' expressions had turned speechless, but their feet still hadn't stopped attacking, continuing to exert pressure on us. Momoko frowned and intensified her tone, "So you've been holding a grudge over this all along? There must be another reason, right?"
Gritting my teeth, I shook my head, "Actually, there's more..." I started explaining our deep-seated inferiority, "We aren't ordinary humans. We were created from your DNA and Chemical Z. All of this makes us feel unworthy… unworthy of you."
Upon hearing this, the expressions on Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru's faces turned serious. A trace of dissatisfaction and confusion flashed in Momoko's eyes as she released her foot and straightened up, "So you've been suppressing yourselves for three years over this inexplicable insecurity? You think we would look down on you because you're not human?"
Miyako frowned as well, with a slight tone of reproach, "You actually think we'd reject you because of that?" Her voice was gentle yet heartbreaking, causing Kagami to blush and lower his head.
Kaoru, on the other hand, snorted coldly and looked directly at Shigeru, "You big idiot! You really think I'd dislike you just because you're not a real human? Your inferiority is simply incomprehensible!"
Shigeru remained silent, just looking down at her, his face full of guilt. He knew how ridiculous his feelings were, yet he couldn't overcome them.
"We've never cared about any of that!" Momoko sighed softly, her voice gentle. "Why would you think we'd change how we feel about you because of your identity? What we love is you, the person, not your origin, background, or anything else."
Her words made me feel somewhat relieved, yet I felt even more guilty at the same time. We had spent three years suppressing ourselves, never realizing that they had never been troubled by our identity.
"You should know that we've never cared about these external things," Miyako also held Kagami's hand, speaking gently. "I love you, Kagami, no matter if you're human or not. You're the most important person to me."
Kagami's gaze softened instantly, but the guilt on his face was still clear.
Kaoru, however, continued to glare at Shigeru fiercely, "So, you've been suppressing yourself all this time because of this reason? What do you take me for?"
Shigeru lowered his head, a hint of regret in his voice, "Kaoru… I just… feared that you'd think I wasn't good enough."
"Not good enough?" Kaoru glared at him, her tone laced with anger, "Do you know how much you've done for me? You ventured into the Yomi and almost sacrificed your life for me. Do you think someone like that isn't good enough? If that's not good enough, then no one in this world is good enough for me!"
Shigeru couldn't refute her because every word she said hit him straight in the heart. In a low voice, he said, "I really love you, Kaoru... I'm just afraid I'll disappoint you."
Kaoru glared at him coldly, her voice still filled with intense emotion, "You big idiot, you've never disappointed me! But if you keep wallowing in self-pity like this, I'll really get angry!"
Her words left Shigeru stunned. He had never realized that Kaoru's love for him was so strong and unconditional. The girls' attitudes shocked the three of us; our long-standing inferiority and worries seemed to start crumbling in that moment.
However, they still hadn't fully relaxed. Momoko, frowning, continued to ask, "But that's not all, right? There's still something else you haven't told us."
"Yes... there is one more thing..." I swallowed hard, finally bringing up the most painful memory in my heart. "Do you remember Him? Him... he killed you."
As we recalled that event, the painful fragments of that day vividly resurfaced in our minds. The sight of the girls collapsing in front of us was like countless sharp blades stabbing deep into our hearts. They were cruelly murdered, and no matter how hard we tried, we couldn't prevent that tragedy. At that moment, we felt nothing but overwhelming despair, anger, and helplessness.
I still clearly remember, as Blossom, Momoko used her last ounce of strength to say to me, "…You must protect this world…"
Her voice was so weak, yet her eyes were filled with determination. At that moment, my heart nearly shattered. Her words were a farewell, but I couldn't accept that reality. I gripped her hand tightly, trying to use my own strength to bring her back, but no matter how much I called out to her, her eyes slowly closed.
"This world? I didn't care what happened to the world!" At that time, I had only one thought in my mind—revenge. No matter what she had told me, about protecting the world, at that moment, I didn't care. I only wanted one thing—to kill the bastard who took away the person I loved the most.
Kagami and Shigeru had the same thoughts. The three of us stood there, watching our beloved girls slowly lose their life, while pain and rage boiled inside us. We didn't care what happened to the world. Protecting the world, justice—none of that mattered. We only wanted revenge.
"We didn't even care if we would die," Shigeru said in a low voice, his fists clenching slightly. "As long as we could kill that bastard with our own hands, we didn't care about the cost."
"Exactly." Kagami nodded, his expression somber. "The three of us were in complete agreement at that time. If not for revenge, we probably wouldn't have been able to keep going."
"We really did lose control back then," I admitted. "But in the end, we managed to defeat Jagu and even entered the Yomi to bring you back. Still, the fear of losing you again stayed with us, making us extremely cautious."
"Right now, the only thing we care about is you." I said, my gaze serious as I looked at Momoko. "That's why we've been holding back so much—we don't want to see you hurt again. We don't want to lose you."
Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru listened quietly to our explanation, their expressions softening from their initial doubt. They finally understood the fear and pain that lingered deep within us—the terror of losing them again had taken root in our hearts. But despite feeling our sincerity, the teasing actions of their toes didn't stop.
"Ah—wait!" I couldn't help but let out a small cry as the sensation in my legs intensified. The overwhelming pleasure made it impossible to think clearly.
Kagami and Shigeru also couldn't hide the tension and embarrassment on their faces. Their expressions were redder than usual, clearly struggling with the extreme teasing.
Miyako raised an eyebrow slightly and asked in a gentle voice, "So… how do you manage to suppress yourselves?" Her voice was filled with curiosity, yet the playful movements of her toes didn't stop, making Kagami turn even paler.
I took a deep breath and confessed, "I… bury myself in work to suppress these urges. Every time I have such thoughts, I go interrogate criminals to release it… which is why my case closure and conviction rate are always the highest in Japan."
"And what about me?" Momoko's gaze held a hint of suspicion.
"It's not that you're not attractive—in fact, it's the complete opposite. You're the most beautiful girl I know. I just… really don't want to make you uncomfortable." As I finished speaking, I felt her toes ease up slightly.
Kagami then softly said to Miyako, "I calm my thoughts by forging katanas. Whenever I think of Miyako, I go make the finest blades. You could say those katanas are forged from my longing and desire for her."
Miyako smiled, a hint of understanding in her expression. "So every time you get lost in forging katanas, it's because of that?"
Shigeru confessed to Kaoru, "I… write for fifteen hours a day, barely taking breaks. My editor even asked if I should slow down, but I know if I stop writing, my mind will be filled with fantasies about you. Only by constantly writing can I keep my composure."
Kaoru chuckled, "So that's why you've managed to publish three books in such a short time, and they've all been hits?"
"Yeah…" Shigeru nodded, a look of helplessness in his eyes. "If I didn't do that, I really don't know how I'd keep myself under control."
Momoko, resting her chin in her hand, gave me a playful smile. "So, Yuzuhiko, you relieve yourself by interrogating criminals? Isn't that a bit of a misuse of public resources?" Though her tone was light, I could sense the deeper meaning behind her words. Her toes teasingly brushed my leg, a mix of teasing and provocation.
I chuckled awkwardly in response, "Well, it's not that bad. Those crooks deserve it, and I just happen to let off some steam in the process." But deep down, I knew I felt a bit guilty. There were definitely times during interrogations when I vented my frustration over not being able to get intimate with Momoko, so I hit the criminals even harder.
"Oh, I see," Momoko raised an eyebrow playfully, pretending to have a sudden realization. "So are you going to arrest a few more criminals next time to let off steam?" Her tone grew more mischievous, making me scratch my head in embarrassment.
Kagami wasn't faring much better. Miyako giggled softly, her voice gentle but filled with teasing, "So, you calm down by making katanas? Does that mean I should thank those fine katanas, forged in my honor? Each one is born because of me?"
Blushing furiously, Kagami struggled to respond, looking down to avoid Miyako's gaze. "I… I just wanted to stay focused and not seem too impatient."
"Impatient?" Miyako chuckled and playfully suggested, "I don't think you're impatient at all—you're too patient. Maybe next time, try a different way to relax and stop tormenting those poor katanas. They're innocent."
Kagami turned even redder and stammered, "I… I just wanted to do something meaningful…"
"Something meaningful?" Miyako's eyes narrowed with playful intent. "Well, let's discuss next time what exactly you find most meaningful."
Kaoru, meanwhile, was smiling as she looked at Shigeru, her expression full of playful mockery. "So, Shigeru, you've been using writing to suppress your thoughts about me? Fifteen hours a day? That's some impressive efficiency. But… have you ever considered other ways to let off steam?"
Blushing even harder, Shigeru tried to explain, "I just… writing helps me stay calm, or else I'd really…"
"Really what?" Kaoru interrupted with a playful smile. "Lose control? If you're struggling that much, we can explore other ways for you to relax. Why must it always be writing?"
Shigeru, now utterly flustered, stammered, "I just… I just… want to channel my energy into something productive…"
"Productive?" Kaoru raised an eyebrow, her grin growing wider. "You do know there are other 'productive' things you could do, right?"
By now, Shigeru's face had turned completely crimson, and he was practically melting into his chair.
The dining room filled with the girls' light laughter as we three guys sat awkwardly, our faces red as we endured their teasing. Even though we felt a bit embarrassed, seeing them so happy brought us a sense of relief. Their teasing wasn't just for fun; it was their way of showing care, making us feel even closer and more at ease.
At last, Momoko withdrew her foot, her smile softening slightly. "So, you've been holding back because you love us too much?"
"That's right," I nodded, feeling the tension drain from my body. "We just don't want you to feel uncomfortable because of our impatience."
"But," Miyako said with a mischievous grin, "we've never thought you were being too impatient. In fact, we think you've been too restrained."
Kaoru smiled softly, her tone carrying a hint of temptation, "Maybe you should try relaxing a little… You don't always need to hold back."
Those words left me, Kagami, and Shigeru stunned. The girls' attitude was completely different from what we had imagined. We thought we were protecting them, but perhaps they didn't need that kind of overprotectiveness.
Finally, Momoko sighed softly, looking at me with understanding in her eyes. "Yuzuhiko, I love you, and I appreciate how much you care for me and try to protect me. But I'm not as fragile as you think. We're equals in this, and I want you to trust me as much as you trust yourself."
"We've already been through so much together, even facing death side by side," Miyako added gently, her voice filled with determination. "So from now on, we should face every part of life together—no more holding back or avoiding each other's feelings."
Listening to the girls, we finally understood that love wasn't just about protection—it was about trust, equality, and sharing everything with each other.
They weren't fragile; they were our partners, our equals, and we didn't need to keep suppressing our feelings. Instead, we could truly open our hearts and walk forward together with them.
"Finally…" I let out a long sigh of relief, thinking the "interrogation" was over. However, just as I was about to relax, things took a sudden turn for the worse.
Momoko's smile grew even sweeter as she suddenly leaned in and softly blew a gentle breath against my ear. That delicate stream of air instantly ignited every nerve in my body, making me feel like I was about to leap out of my chair.
"Mom-Momoko…?" I stammered, unable to react before her lips gently pressed against my neck.
Completely unprepared, I felt a surge of heat spread through my body, making me tremble uncontrollably. And it didn't stop there — Momoko's hand suddenly reached toward the spot where she had just applied her "foot punishment," her unexpected advance making me nearly lose control.
"If you keep doing that, I…" I stammered, my voice shaking as I struggled to maintain composure.
"What will happen?" Momoko asked innocently, her hand continuing its teasing.
Meanwhile, Kagami and Shigeru were faring no better. Miyako gently licked Kagami's ear, a playful smile on her lips, while Kaoru planted soft kisses along Shigeru's neck.
The three of us were completely overwhelmed, our faces turning bright red as our breaths grew rapid. I felt like I was about to explode, and finally, I couldn't hold back anymore and shouted, "I surrender! I give up!"
Kagami and Shigeru quickly followed suit, raising their hands in defeat. "No more! We surrender!"
Hearing our capitulation, the three girls finally stopped their "attacks," their satisfied smiles showing just how pleased they were with our reactions.
"Looks like you finally understand our appeal, huh?" Momoko lightly patted my shoulder, her sweet smile laced with a playful challenge.
"Got it… got it…" I replied helplessly, though inwardly, I vowed never to let myself be "tortured" like this again.
"Well," Momoko concluded, "I guess we'll end today's discussion here. But next time, we can talk more about this."
As I sat there, exhausted from the ordeal, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Perhaps, from now on, things would be different.
Momoko suddenly put away her playful tone, her gaze turning serious. "Yuzuhiko, if you ever have that kind of need next time..." She paused before continuing slowly, "Tell me immediately, and I'll take care of it for you."
"Wha... What?" I couldn't believe my ears. Hearing those words from her mouth felt like stepping into a parallel universe. I couldn't help but glance at Kagami and Shigeru, and their reactions were the same as mine—stunned. Kagami's expression looked like he'd been struck by lightning, while Shigeru seemed to be at a loss for words.
"Momoko, what did you just say?" I stammered, trying to confirm I hadn't misheard.
Momoko smiled, looking calm and composed. "I said, if you ever have that kind of need, remember to tell me. I won't let you handle it on your own."
My mind was in total chaos, unable to process this development. At the same time, Miyako softly said to Kagami, "Kagami, you too. If you need anything, just tell me. I won't let you carry it all by yourself." Her tone was gentle, playful, but serious enough that it couldn't be ignored.
Kagami stammered, "Wh-what... what does that mean?"
Miyako raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Exactly what I said."
"I... I..." Kagami's words got stuck in his throat, his face turning red all the way to his ears.
Kaoru then said to Shigeru, "Shigeru, next time don't just bury your head in your novels. If you need something, tell me. I'm your fiancée, after all. I won't just ignore it."
Shigeru looked completely shocked. "Wh-what? Are you saying..."
"That's exactly what I mean," Kaoru said cheerfully, wearing a casual smile.
Before I could respond to this madness, an image suddenly flashed through my mind—of the girls sitting on top of us, seductively saying, "You can do whatever you want~."
At that moment, I realized I'd started grinning like an idiot, mumbling under my breath, "Momoko... hehe..." Imagining Momoko saying something like that made my body heat up unconsciously.
I snapped back to reality, only to find Kagami and Shigeru wearing the same expressions, both mumbling, "Miyako..." "Kaoru..." with drool hanging from the corners of their mouths.
"You three!" The girls looked speechless, quickly handing us tissues to wipe away the drool.
Momoko squinted her eyes. "You guys aren't thinking about anything perverted, are you?"
I froze for a second, then immediately shook my head to deny it, but my face was burning hot. The three of us guys were instantly reminded of the time when we were kids, knocked out cold by their blown kisses—we were utterly defenseless back then. Now, we've grown up and become their fiancés, but whenever we want to take things a step further, we're still held back by those memories... even to the point of getting nosebleeds.
The girls looked at our expressions, exchanged helpless glances, and then sighed softly together. "What a bunch of big idiots."