Is It Wrong To Have A Harem In Daily Life?

Having witnessed the confession incident that occurred after school yesterday, Eriri's emotions were now somewhat chaotic.

Although Murakami Yuu's clear rejection of the confession made her breathe a sigh of relief, the scene of that sweet-looking girl standing on her tiptoes to directly kiss him made her heart, which had just settled down, rise up again in an instant.

Her feelings at that time were like the indignation and helplessness she felt as a child when her favorite stuffed toy was snatched away by the neighbor's kid.

She wasn't quite clear why she was having such feelings. Murakami Yuu was just her friend after all—an intimate friend she could talk to about anything, wasn't he?

This tangled mood accompanied her through the entire night. Several times she reached for her phone wanting to send a message to Murakami Yuu, but when her hand was positioned over the virtual keyboard on the screen, she didn't know what to say. She couldn't find a topic.

It was then that Eriri realized she didn't understand Murakami Yuu that well. What were his hobbies? His preferred tastes in food? His preferences in games and manga?

She knew none of these things. What she knew about Murakami Yuu only remained at a basic, surface level.

She had only been actively confiding her feelings to Murakami Yuu, seeking approval and comfort from him, but had never heard anything about himself from his mouth—not even a little bit.

Perhaps the relationship between them wasn't as open as she had thought.

After realizing this, Eriri's already dejected heart plummeted even further.

Murakami Yuu's recent subtle changes in attitude and personality, his ambiguous attitude toward her club situation, and the feeling of gradual distancing that wasn't apparent on the surface but was definitely there—all gave her an extremely unsettling sense of palpitation.

Was he troubled by something...

Was he angry about something...

Was he getting tired of me...

No no! It shouldn't be like this, this is an illusion!

Eriri vehemently denied the dangerous thoughts that emerged in her mind.

She suddenly remembered yesterday's conversation with Murakami Yuu, when he had placed his hand on her head. Although it was somewhat embarrassing, it was so reassuring and endearing.

She wanted to talk with Yuu, wanted to understand him, to know everything about him. If she hadn't noticed before, it wasn't too late now, was it?

She couldn't help but have this thought.

To be honest, she didn't know what specifically to talk about with Murakami Yuu, but even so, even if the conversation died completely, she urgently wanted to go to his side, just like before, with just the two of them sitting there together, looking at his gentle profile.

During the free activity lunch break, Eriri took her small comb and ran to the restroom, removing her hair tie to re-comb her somewhat messy hair.

After confirming multiple times in the mirror that her school uniform had no wrinkles or anything improper, Eriri walked quickly toward Murakami Yuu's classroom.

Her golden twin-tails bounced up and down with her walking steps, looking playful and light, while her brain continuously considered what to say when they met. Since it was lunch break, then...

Good afternoon, the weather's nice today, let's have lunch together, Yuu!

Ahhh! That feels so embarrassing! Isn't it too direct and immodest? Maybe I should change the phrasing? Then...

Yo, good afternoon Yuu, I happened to pass by your classroom, so I thought I'd say hello... Eh? You haven't eaten yet? Me neither, want to eat together?

This should be more natural...

Continuously rehearsing in her mind, Eriri gradually curved her lips, revealing one cute little fang.

Almost there...

The moment she turned the corner and looked ahead, Eriri's body stiffened and she stood frozen in place.

That familiar figure with his back to her was undoubtedly Murakami Yuu, but there was another person beside him—

Ogiso Setsuna, who no one at St. Chronia Academy wouldn't know, the one called the "Untouchable Flower."

She held a bento box in both hands with a charming smile, possessing a dazzling smile that even girls couldn't look away from.

And this radiant her stood right beside Murakami Yuu, so close, the two of them looking like a perfect match.

The two walked side by side toward the other end without noticing this side.

The hallway was filled with cheerful students radiating youthful energy, but Eriri, wearing the same uniform, was completely out of place with this atmosphere.

It was as if a transparent cover had fallen from above, blocking out sound and air. Eriri placed both hands on her chest, her heart aching so much she couldn't breathe.

She foolishly leaned against the wall with her head down, like a small dog abandoned by its owner with no one to claim it, bewildered and speechless.

"Sawamura-san... Sawamura-san... Sawamura-san..."

Kasumigaoka Utaha, passing by with a novel collection in her hands, called out several times in succession.

The familiar voice pulled her thoughts back, and Eriri slowly raised her head.

Kasumigaoka Utaha involuntarily widened her eyes.

In her field of vision, tears were welling up in Eriri's eyes, overflowing and streaming down her cheeks.

...

"Sorry about this, Murakami-kun."

Walking on the tree-lined path behind the school, Ogiso Setsuna said this.

"Setsuna really should apologize to me. Thanks to you, I've become the enemy of all the boys in school. I hope no boys ask me to duel at the back field after school today."

Thinking of the dangerous wolf-like gazes those energetic high school boys had directed at him after Ogiso Setsuna appeared at his classroom's back door and waved at him, Murakami Yuu felt somewhat helpless.

"Eh? It's not that serious! Murakami-kun, you're exaggerating!"

Ogiso Setsuna voiced her disagreement with dissatisfaction.

"I'm the one under pressure here. Why do I have to be stared at with such hostile looks by so many girls just for standing next to you?"

"That's an illusion."

"Absolutely not. I'm certain of it."

The two sat down on a bench.

"So, did you need something today?"

Murakami Yuu asked.

Since Ogiso Setsuna had idol-level popularity at school, she usually didn't actively approach him in crowded places to avoid causing trouble for Murakami Yuu. Today's action was unusual.

"Really, can't I look for Murakami-kun if there's nothing wrong?"

Ogiso Setsuna puffed up her mouth in dissatisfaction.

Murakami Yuu stared at her meaningfully for a while, until she became embarrassed, deflated, and lowered her head with a red face, then he withdrew his gaze.

"Sorry, my way of asking was wrong. I was just a bit surprised that Setsuna came to my class to find me, since this is the first time."

"It's nothing particularly special. I just suddenly realized we've never really talked properly at school, and I made an extra bento today, so I thought I could eat with Murakami-kun."

Ogiso Setsuna waved the bento box in her hand at Murakami Yuu.

"Don't you need to go to the band at lunch today?"

Instead of responding directly, Murakami Yuu asked this question.

The reason Ogiso Setsuna had such high popularity at this school was partly due to her looks and kind personality, but most importantly because of her spectacular performance at the previous school festival.

The campus band she formed with Touma Kazusa and Kitahara Haruki—when Ogiso Setsuna took the stage as the lead singer wearing a white performance outfit, she conquered the hearts of almost all the boys in school with her heavenly voice.

The performance was even filmed by someone with camera equipment and posted online, where the view count exploded instantly.

During that period, many enthusiastic fans gathered at the school gate waiting for Ogiso Setsuna after school, just to take a photo with her. This craze only gradually died down over time.

If he remembered correctly, Ogiso Setsuna usually chose to spend her lunch breaks in that special second music room with her close band friends.

"I actually wanted to talk to Murakami-kun about this too."

Ogiso Setsuna stopped her motion of opening the bento box.

"I've already quit the band."

Hearing this, Murakami Yuu looked at her with some surprise.

"Hehe, surprised?"

"Indeed. Setsuna, you love singing so much, why did you quit the band?"

"How should I put it... it's probably that feeling of losing motivation to continue after being satisfied."

Ogiso Setsuna said.

"Being able to stand on stage and share what I love most with everyone was indeed very happy, but having one such experience for memories is enough. Besides... I'm not suitable to continue staying there."

"Because of conflicts with teammates?"

Murakami Yuu tentatively asked.

"No... it's because I discovered some of my past thoughts were wrong, and... I understood what I really want to do."

When Ogiso Setsuna said this, she wasn't looking at Murakami Yuu, but kept her head down while fidgeting with her fingers.

After a while, Murakami Yuu nodded.

"Knowing what your goal is is a wonderful thing. Congratulations, Setsuna."

"Yes, anyway, starting today I'm a free person. Without the constraints of clubs and bands, and finally not having my rest time occupied by endless practice, I can return to my lazy lifestyle for the first time in a while."

Ogiso Setsuna raised both hands above her head and stretched widely.

"Alright, enough about me. Try the bento I made."

"I don't need to. I'll just buy yakisoba bread from the school store later."

"No way! That stuff isn't nutritious at all. Besides, I already made it, so help me finish it."

Ogiso Setsuna forcibly stuffed one of the bento boxes into Murakami Yuu's arms.

"Thank you."

"No need, just don't think it tastes bad..."

Under Ogiso Setsuna's gaze, Murakami Yuu slowly opened the bento. When he saw the food inside, he was slightly stunned and turned to meet Ogiso Setsuna's eyes that seemed so shy they might drip water.

The bento box contained hamburger patties with rice, and brightly colored shrimp on the side.

...

"Hah... hah... the wind in the hallway is so strong, I got sand in my eyes, it hurts."

Eriri forced herself to stay calm as she wiped the tear tracks on her face with her sleeve.

"Use this, Sawamura-san. It's more hygienic."

Kasumigaoka Utaha took out a tissue from her pocket and handed it over.

Eriri was somewhat surprised by her unusually gentle reaction today. Based on her understanding of Kasumigaoka Utaha, she should be mercilessly mocking her with poisonous words right now. Had she changed her personality today?

After thanking her in an almost inaudible voice, Eriri took the tissue.

While she was wiping her face, Kasumigaoka Utaha's gaze turned to the surroundings, and her eyes moved slightly after seeing a classroom sign not far away.

"Sawamura-san's classroom is in the completely opposite direction, right? How did you end up here?"

"Ah... that... because... because I was thinking about how to draw original artwork, so I was just walking around school looking for inspiration!"

"I see, looking for inspiration..."

Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded and said flatly:

"It seems you found quite good inspiration. You were even moved to tears."

"Hey! Kasumigaoka Utaha, you..."

Eriri instantly bristled, and the slight gratitude that had risen in her heart immediately vanished without a trace.

"This spirited look is more pleasing to the eye. That sickly feeling from before didn't suit you at all."

Kasumigaoka Utaha interrupted Eriri's words.

After hearing this and realizing its meaning, Eriri's bristles were instantly smoothed down.

"I'm going to the library, so I'll take my leave."

Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled and, without waiting for Eriri to react, passed by her and left directly.

Eriri reached out toward her retreating figure, wanting to say something, but ultimately made no sound.

...

After school, having handed in the self-reflection he had written intermittently throughout the day to Sakata Gintoki, Murakami Yuu returned to his residential apartment.

Then he saw Tachibana Rui crouched at his front door.

You're really getting more skilled at this...

"Here."

After seeing Murakami Yuu return, she stood up and handed him what she was holding.

"A visiting gift?"

Looking at the dessert package that was identical to yesterday's, Murakami Yuu asked with a guess.

"It's a thank-you gift for not attacking me last night."

Tachibana Rui's expression was normal.

Murakami Yuu: "..."

He still accepted it.

"Come in."

Taking out his key to open the door.

"Excuse me."

Tachibana Rui followed behind him into the house.

"Don't you have my phone number? Next time you come, you'd better notify me. What if I had something to do today and came home late—were you planning to crouch at the door for several hours?"

Throwing his bag aside casually, Murakami Yuu said this.

"I would naturally call when that time comes."

Tachibana Rui was unconcerned.

"But you really do like this shop's cakes. You brought this kind yesterday too."

Opening the package in the kitchen, dividing the cake properly, and bringing it to the coffee table, Murakami Yuu sat on the sofa.

"I don't particularly like them. It's just because they can't be sold."

Tachibana Rui said this.

"Huh?"

Murakami Yuu had a confused expression.

"This type of cake is a newly developed variety that can't be kept overnight. If it can't be sold that day, it can only be thrown away at night, so to avoid waste, there's no choice but to eat it."

Tachibana Rui explained.

"You really are frugal... but what does the cake shop's unsold cakes have to do with you?"

"It makes me feel bad."

"..."

After a moment of silence, Murakami Yuu continued:

"What about fruits at the fruit store that look bad, aren't fresh, and are about to be thrown away?"

"What about them?"

"Don't you feel bad, frugal Miss Tachibana Rui?"

"Not at all."

"Do you discriminate against fruit?"

"No."

"Then why?"

"Because my family doesn't sell fruit."

"..."

Murakami Yuu carefully considered the meaning in Tachibana Rui's words, then slowly put down the spoon that had a small piece of cake on it.

"Next time you come to my door carrying cake, I won't let you in."

"The cake isn't even spoiled!"

"This isn't about whether it's spoiled or not. I feel like you're treating me as a garbage recycling station. This is a matter of respect."

"Tch... stingy man..."

"What did you say?"

Murakami Yuu looked at Tachibana Rui, who had turned her face aside and was muttering to herself quietly.

"Nothing. Speaking of which, did you contact Haruna-nee today?"

"Not yet. I had classes during the day, and I was busy during lunch break too."

Murakami Yuu took out his phone.

"Should I contact her now?"

"She's working now and probably doesn't have time to deal with you. It would be better to send a message between nine and ten tonight."

"Understood."

Murakami Yuu stood up, made a round in the kitchen to confirm something, then returned to the living room.

"I need to go out. What will you do?"

"Where are you going?"

"To the supermarket to buy ingredients. There's no food left at home."

After thinking for a moment, Tachibana Rui stood up with her hands clasped behind her back.

"If it's convenient, I'd like to go too."

Looking at her casual clothes, Murakami Yuu nodded.

"Nothing inconvenient about it. Let me change clothes."

---

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