Is It Wrong To Have A Harem In Daily Life?

When did she change from being cheerful and outgoing to her current reticent personality?

Tachibana Rui had thought about this question before, but the answer she came up with wasn't very clear.

It might have been because she was affected by her parents' divorce due to their incompatible relationship. The three women depended on each other, and compared to her peers, she experienced the hardships of life too early.

It might have been because of the increasingly fat orange cat that had accompanied her since childhood. That one time it unusually climbed onto her pillow, gently licked the back of her hand, then closed its eyes and never woke up again.

It might also have been because one early morning when she got up to go to the bathroom, she secretly saw her mother, who worked multiple part-time jobs to support her and her sister's living and education expenses. Still in her work uniform after getting off work, she sat in the living room, quietly sobbing while stuffing leftover bento from the store into her mouth.

She didn't know when it started, but that lively summer evening breeze filled with comfort, the pure freedom after relaxing her mind and body, gradually became imperceptible.

The world was colorful, full of changes and challenges. It was right there, seemingly within reach, but for Tachibana Rui, it didn't matter if she didn't engage with it. She only needed to guard her small corner and stay close to the two people who had always been with her.

She immersed herself in her own world, using emotionless eyes to reject all unnecessary interpersonal interactions, studying diligently according to her mother's expectations. She understood this was the best way to make her mother smile.

Although life for the three women was difficult, they were indeed steadily moving forward.

Her mother, using knowledge learned from her part-time jobs, opened a cake and dessert shop. With good taste and affordable prices, it gained many repeat customers. Gradually, three branch stores had opened.

They also moved from a run-down small house to a better-conditioned apartment.

But it was during this period when life was gradually improving that Tachibana Rui discovered her sister had fallen in love.

She had originally approached this romance with blessing and support, but once discovered through her sister's unlocked phone that the man was married.

So she took action. She chose not to tell her mother, but instead confronted her sister Tachibana Haruna when they were alone.

The gentle smile that had been on her face slowly faded after Tachibana Rui laid out everything she knew. Her expression became melancholy, then turned cold.

"Rui, you wouldn't understand. The adult world is much more complicated than you imagine."

After saying this, she turned and left, unwilling to communicate further.

Adult? What counts as an adult? Leaving school and entering society? Working to earn money and being independent? Or officially having a sex life?

If you don't tell me, how could I possibly understand?!

Carrying sadness and disappointment, the restless Tachibana Rui accepted a classmate's invitation to a mixer.

At the dinner, she met someone as indifferent as herself—he had attractive features and a temperament that made people want to naturally approach him.

"You're not an adult, you wouldn't understand."

She remembered what her sister had said to her.

Then, she just needed to become an adult, right? That way, you would choose to communicate with me, choose to confide in me, wouldn't you?

If it was this person in front of her who didn't seem disagreeable, perhaps she could...

...

"What are you thinking about? You're so absorbed."

Murakami Yuu, who had changed clothes and emerged from his parents' room, immediately noticed Tachibana Rui's abnormality.

Her cheeks were flushed red, moisture seemed to appear on the surface of her eyes, and besides that...

Why were her legs pressed together so tightly?

"No, it's nothing."

Tachibana Rui withdrew her thoughts from that intertwined night, took two deep breaths to calm her emotions, then turned her gaze to Murakami Yuu.

Then she was somewhat surprised.

"What's this situation?"

The Murakami Yuu before her wore rimless glasses, his bangs combed back and fixed with hair gel.

He wore a vertical-striped long-sleeved shirt with a light blue tie loosely knotted at the collar, a silver mechanical watch on his wrist.

Below, he wore black suit pants with the shirt hem simply tucked in.

Combined with Murakami Yuu's unflappable face and the intellectual aura emanating from his entire being, he looked exactly like a corporate executive at work.

Looking at the dramatically changed Murakami Yuu, for some reason, Tachibana Rui's cheeks, which had just cooled down, began to warm up again.

"These are clothes my father left behind. The glasses are blue-light blocking glasses for work—they don't have prescription lenses."

"I'm not asking where your clothes came from, but... but wanting to know why you're dressed like this?"

Murakami Yuu looked at her with amusement.

"Where are we going later?"

"Later we need to pretend to accidentally encounter my sister. We're going to a bar."

Murakami Yuu pointed at Tachibana Rui.

"So, Miss Tachibana Rui, dressed youthfully and cutely, do you think if I also wore casual clothes like usual, and we encountered a conscientious bar staff member, would he let us in when we obviously look like students?"

"I understand..."

Tachibana Rui immediately got it.

"Mm."

Murakami Yuu nodded, went into the bathroom to briefly tidy up and wash his hands in front of the mirror, then returned to the living room and asked:

"Not considering other factors, how old do you think I look now?"

"About... twenty-two or so."

Tachibana Rui said uncertainly.

"That's enough. Let's go."

Taking his wallet, phone, and keys, Murakami Yuu headed toward the entrance.

"Mm."

Tachibana Rui followed behind this familiar yet strange person with complex emotions, step by step.

...

The bar that Tachibana Rui's sister Tachibana Hina frequently visited was called "Devil's Dalliance"—a name full of bad taste.

But fortunately, the interior layout wasn't as tasteless.

Upon entering the bar, the first impression was that the space inside was very large. Facing the entrance was a long bar counter with three bartenders working.

The left area had sofa booths with somewhat dim warm yellow lighting.

On the right was a small stage where a female singer was performing.

The overall environment wasn't too noisy, which made Murakami Yuu sigh in relief. He didn't really like the chaotic atmosphere of nightclubs.

Tachibana Rui, wearing a mask, followed the leisurely strolling Murakami Yuu and sat down at an inconspicuous position at the edge of the bar.

"One Martini with half a lime slice, and one fresh orange juice without ice."

After stating his needs to the service staff, Murakami Yuu noticed that Tachibana Rui beside him was staring at him with a very peculiar look.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing..."

You obviously have something on your mind.

But Murakami Yuu didn't dwell on it further. Women were creatures with changeable thoughts and rich emotions. One second they might be thinking about which restaurant to eat at tonight, and the next second they might open their phones to online shop for flash sales.

If they didn't voluntarily explain, without clues and hints, you could never guess what they were thinking.

"Has your sister arrived?"

Taking the wine glass in front of him and bringing it to his lips for a light sip, Murakami Yuu gave it a decent rating in his mind.

Tachibana Rui looked around.

"No."

"There are already many customers in the bar now. Look more carefully."

"She's definitely not here."

Tachibana Rui gave a definitive answer.

"Are you sure she'll come? It's already 10:30."

"She'll come. This is my sister's habit—I know it well."

"Then let's wait slowly. I don't know what your sister looks like, so pay attention to the entrance."

"Mm."

Tachibana Rui turned to face the entrance, but her gaze often involuntarily drifted to Murakami Yuu.

"Want to try this?"

Murakami Yuu tentatively gestured toward the wine glass in his hand.

Surprisingly, after being stunned for a moment, Tachibana Rui firmly nodded.

"Then try it."

Murakami Yuu handed over the glass.

Tachibana Rui took it, looked at the transparent drink in front of her, observed it for a moment, then opened her mouth and took a small sip, like a cat drinking water.

"How does it taste?"

Murakami Yuu asked with interest from the side.

"It's a taste I personally don't like. It feels very strange."

After returning the glass to Murakami Yuu with thanks, Tachibana Rui gave her answer.

"A very honest answer. When I first tried it, I had the same thoughts as you. But after coming a few more times, I could appreciate some different aspects. There's a fusion of fresh fragrance and sharp taste, a sensation you don't normally experience spreading in your mouth. Occasionally experiencing it feels quite nice."

"It's like interpersonal relationships. Initial encounters always feel uncomfortable and constraining, but after trying to get closer, getting used to it, and discovering the other person's good points, the situation becomes different. You want to try, you want to get closer."

Murakami Yuu smiled and drained the glass, then asked the bartender for a glass of ice water.

"I was thinking before—are you really a high school student?"

Tachibana Rui was somewhat puzzled.

"Of course, a genuine second-year student at St. Chronia Academy."

After drinking some ice water to moisten his throat, Murakami Yuu answered with a smile.

Tachibana Rui looked at him silently for a moment. Just as she was about to say something more, she caught sight of a familiar figure in her peripheral vision.

"She's here!"

Lowering her voice and adjusting the mask on her face, Tachibana Rui signaled to Murakami Yuu.

"Oh?"

Murakami Yuu looked back and saw a woman carrying a bag and wearing professional OL attire.

After entering the bar, she didn't rush to find a seat, but first went to the restroom.

"Later, act according to plan. Pretend to casually strike up a conversation with my sister. It would be best if you could get her contact information."

"Although we agreed on this beforehand, when it comes time to actually do it, I still feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Hey, don't you think the role I'm playing now is like a host? You know, the kind of bad guy who approaches women with ulterior motives and then abandons them."

"No, although the behavior does have many similarities, your purpose is positive. You're going to rescue an innocent woman who's been deceived by a middle-aged man. You shouldn't feel guilty about it.

In other words, you're now a positive character actively dedicating yourself for love and justice."

Tachibana Rui clenched her fists to encourage him.

"Alright, alright, I understand."

Helplessly standing up and straightening his shirt, just as Murakami Yuu was about to leave, he inadvertently noticed more than one gaze falling on Tachibana Rui with interest.

No wonder. Even wearing a mask, it was difficult to ignore the female hormones Tachibana Rui emanated. Just sitting naturally on the high stool with her legs extended could attract the gazes of a large group of men who understood this wonderful appeal.

From Tachibana Rui's perspective, Murakami Yuu stood up and looked around, thought for a moment, then lowered his head while supporting the back of his head with one hand and directly leaned in to kiss her.

Although there was a mask in between and no direct contact, Tachibana Rui still heated up instantly upon realizing what happened, a red flush spreading from her ears all the way to her neck.

After looking around and seeing that those gazing eyes had lost interest, Murakami Yuu nodded with satisfaction.

"Let me explain briefly. In diplomatic terms, this counts as declaring sovereignty. This way, when I leave to execute the battle plan, you won't be bothered by annoying guys trying to hit on you."

Tachibana Rui covered her face, her mind in complete chaos, not absorbing what he had said at all.

With business still to attend to, Murakami Yuu smiled and didn't waste any more time. After saying "sit here obediently and don't wander around," he got up and sat down at a conspicuous position at the bar, preparing for what was to come.

...

Tachibana Hina emerged from the restroom. The workday was over, and now began the leisure time she could spend as she pleased.

That said, since it was already close to midnight, there weren't many good places to go, so like usual, she came to this bar she frequented.

She chose a seat at the bar, ordered a bottle of beer, and after pouring and drinking two glasses by herself, a natural and gentle voice came from beside her.

"If it's alright, may I sit in this seat?"

Tachibana Hina turned to look and saw a very handsome man with attractive features greeting her.

Although she didn't particularly like being hit on when relaxing at the bar, his looks and those eyes that didn't contain a trace of desire made it impossible for her to say no.

"Yes."

Perhaps due to the alcohol, her cheeks were slightly flushed.

Murakami Yuu smiled and sat down beside her.

"Belgian Leffe beer—a completely different experience from traditional beer. Aromatic scent, sweet taste, with addictive qualities. But this type of beer usually has an alcohol content of over 6%. If you drink it too fast, you'll get drunk easily."

"You really know your beer."

Tachibana Hina tucked her hair behind her ear and looked at Murakami Yuu with interest.

"I just happen to like this type of beer as well."

Murakami Yuu gestured to the bartender, who nodded and handed him the same beer and a glass.

The salad he had pre-ordered was also perfectly timed to be brought by the server. Murakami Yuu took off his glasses, wrapped them in a tissue and placed them on the bar, then pushed the salad toward Tachibana Haruna.

"I always like to have some appetizers when drinking. I recommend trying this Caesar salad without too much dressing. The cheese aroma will blend with the wheat fragrance, creating a different special taste. Plus, this dish isn't very high in calories, so you don't need to worry about gaining weight."

Tachibana Hina was slightly stunned. After impolitely trying a bite, she showed a satisfied smile and thanked him, then filled her glass and gently clinked it against Murakami Yuu's.

"Cheers~"

Murakami Yuu showed a gentle smile.

"Cheers."

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