Published at 25th of September 2024 8:22 pm

Chapter 2194: A Little Surprise

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When I returned home, Akane had already dozed off on the sofa. The TV was still humming at low volume as it was still tuned in to a late-night variety show. Soft, colorful lights flickered across my silly wife's peaceful face as she slept, her chest rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm.

I glanced at the table and noticed an empty plate and a glass, evidence that she had already eaten.

Seeing that, I let out a small sigh of relief.

I had worried she might have waited up for me again. Since I ended up cooking for Hana and staying longer than planned after Aunt Tomori's visit, I had messaged her to eat on her own if her sleepiness got the best of her. It looked like she had done just that. Thankfully.

Putting down my bag, I quietly walked over to her, careful not to wake her up.

She looked so serene like this, completely relaxed and vulnerable. Her usual energetic presence was replaced by something softer. And it was just the most beautiful thing.

Noticing the blanket that she must've pulled over herself slipped off one of her shoulders, I gently tucked it back over her, making sure she was warm. As I did, I couldn't help but smile. This was a side of Akane that not many would be able to see. She was always so lively with no one to deter her whims. In moments like these, when the day's energy had faded away, she kept reminding me of just how much I missed this from the years that I ignored her.

I knelt beside the sofa, brushing a few strands of her bright golden hair away from her face, "Akane..." I whispered softly, soft enough to not stir her awake.

I chuckled to myself and poked her soft cheek.

For a moment, I just watched her, feeling that familiar warmth in my chest. It was more than just love; it was also comfort, a sense of belonging with her.

Despite everything going on with Hana and all the complexities of my relationship with the other girls, Akane would never change. She'd always be my anchor, waiting for me in this house. She's the person I could return to no matter how turbulent things became.

But I also couldn't help but feel a small pang of guilt. Not counting my time with the girls at the clubhouse, I spent so much time with Kazuha-nee and Hana tonight. Just knowing that she's spending time waiting for me, alone in this house, will always make me feel guilty. Still, seeing her peacefully asleep here, I told myself it wasn't something to worry about now. She knew me, and she understood what our relationship was.

We had built something stronger than fleeting feelings of jealousy. There's no point bringing it up over and over again since I knew my mind wouldn't change.

I was that terrible.

Haa... Alright. Enough about this.

I should stop being sentimental for once. All these thoughts were better off converted into motivation to treat her, and all the other girls, better. It would be more productive than rambling to myself here.

Leaning down, I kissed her forehead softly.

"Goodnight, Akane," I whispered before standing up again.

I turned off the TV and began tidying up the dishes left on the table. I also ate the portion she left for me, as well as drank the miraculous tea she kept warm in the thermos.

The clinking of plates was faint in the quiet room, but it felt like a nice, simple routine. After putting everything away, I stretched, feeling the weight of the day finally settled on me.

I glanced back at Akane who was still sound asleep. I considered carrying her to our bed, but then an idea crossed my mind.

It was something small, but something I hoped she'd appreciate.

I headed back to the kitchen, quietly pulling out a few ingredients.

Despite it being late, I knew Akane had some fondness for midnight snacks. Although she hadn't slipped off our bed to sneak into the kitchen in the middle of the night lately, there were a few times when I found her lips stained by the cream of a creampuff she ate, or crumbs from potato chips in the morning.

Taking that into account, I decided to whip up a simple dessert. Something she could wake up to as a little surprise for her in the morning.

As I got to work, my mind drifted to my other girls. I hadn't talked to them tonight yet, so I'd get to that as soon as I finished. Furthermore, there was the promise I made with Mutsumi- senpai. She asked me to video call her or send her a spicy video. What should I do? Of course, the spicy—Yeah, right. I'll call her after I tuck Akane in bed.

I should thank her for the renovation of our clubhouse. It was now multiple times better than when we first found it. I should also thank my mom for spending, no?

Ah... If she wanted me to do so, she'd show up in front of me, telling me about it.

Miwa-nee and Minoru will return to our house soon so... I'm sure my parents will accompany them back.

Minutes passed.

By the time I finished, the smell of freshly made pancakes filled the air. I stacked them neatly on a plate, drizzled a bit of honey, and left them on the counter with a note, 'For my silly wife who will surely wake up in the middle of the night. Love, your silly husband, Ruki'.

It was quite cheesy but I don't care how it sounds. It's for Akane. I'll do everything for her. Satisfied, I headed back to the living room after securing the plate on the table. It might go cold by tomorrow, but its fluffiness will remain. I made sure of that.

As I expected, Akane hadn't moved an inch, still lost in whatever sweet dream had claimed her. There's her silly smile and her occasional chanting of my name.

I first sat down on the edge of the sofa, just watching her while I started messaging girls, updating them on my status, and also checking in on them.

After bidding goodnight to most of them, I stood up, turned off the last remaining light in the room, and picked Akane up in my arms, carrying her upstairs to our bedroom.

As I tucked her in bed, I made sure the room was comfortably warm.

Following that, I sat down in the chair in front of my study table, gazing at the moon outside our window as I tapped the call button to Mutsumi-senpai.

Two rings were all it took before the older girl's drowsy face popped up on my screen. Slowly, her lips stretched from side to side as a smile grew, her sleepiness gradually fading.

Her hair seemed a little longer than I remembered. However, it still had that short, bushy, almost boyish cut that gave her that 'Fierce Fairy' charm.

"Ruki..." she whispered, her voice still heavy with sleep but carrying a playful tone. "Did you miss me so much that you're calling me this late?"

"Of course, Mutsumi-senpai. I couldn't resist seeing your face," I teased back as I leaned closer to the screen, letting the camera capture my whole face, "Besides, you asked for this call, didn't you?"

She laughed softly, shaking her head, causing her short, bushy hair to bounce slightly as she shifted in her bed. "True. But I didn't think you'd actually call. I was expecting the spicy video, you know? I haven't seen you at all these past few weeks. All I have in my memory is our encounter in the clubroom."

"It's because you're busy too, senpai. When can I see you again?"

"Soon," She said, her voice laced with promise. "I'll have some free time soon enough. I intend to take that day off as the day to fill my longing for you."

"You still haven't changed, senpai. We only met physically once. Shouldn't you be nagging at me for not looking for you?"

"Pfft. Didn't I tell you I'm attracted to you? And your scent alone is enough to get me wet. I don't need any other justification for this attraction. Unless you're uncomfortable with it."

"Not at all... I'm looking forward to seeing you again, Senpai. Also, I'm curious. How did my mother find you?""

.

"Oh. That, huh?" She let out a playful giggle, leaning closer to her camera now as if she were about to share a secret. "Hehehe. You should ask Mother instead, she'll tell you all about it."

"So, keeping in suspense, huh?"

"You deserve it, Ruki," Mutsumi-senpai, her grin widening. "You've been keeping me in suspense for weeks. Turnabout is fair play, isn't it?"

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