[161] Huh? You too?

Chapter 161: Huh? You too?

Even though he had such thoughts, Shunsuke ultimately didn't go through with them. Right now, Yumeko was his priority. As for Kirari, there was no rush—he could take his time playing around with her.

Fingers interlocked with Yumeko's, Shunsuke stepped out of the Classical Literature Research Club. To his surprise, he found Itsuki standing at the door, hands on her hips and gasping for breath, her back damp with sweat.

"Well, isn't it Itsuki? Long time no see," Shunsuke greeted casually. "Getting some exercise?"

Itsuki's expression darkened. "No."

"Then why are you out of breath?"

—It's all because of you!

Had she been claimed on the very day she became "property," Itsuki might have come to terms with it, viewing Shunsuke with a calm, detached attitude.

However, after being left in limbo for days, with the suspended above her head but never dropping, she had grown increasingly anxious. She even began to wish he would hurry up and fully possess her, ending this once and for all.

Simply put, Itsuki's resolve wasn't strong enough, and she couldn't hold out any longer.

This was why she'd rushed over to the Classical Literature Research Club as soon as she heard about Shunsuke.

Noticing the hesitant look on Itsuki's face, Shunsuke quickly grasped the situation. But glancing at Yumeko, who had his left arm completely wrapped around her, he thought, Itsuki, you'll just have to wait for now.

Having three people involved might sound more exciting, but both Yumeko and Itsuki were first-timers.

Shunsuke, despite everything, had a certain sense of gentlemanly decorum. Even though Yumeko likely wouldn't care about these details, he still wanted to give her a perfect, unforgettable experience on her own.

"This is my number. Once you're ready, book a hotel room yourself, and let me know a day in advance."

Shunsuke took out his phone and exchanged numbers with Itsuki.

Itsuki felt deeply insulted. I have to book the room myself? What's next—am I supposed to buy the TT too? The nerve of him to humiliate me like this. Does he really think I'm—

"Hmm?"

"Sure. How about tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow, huh..." Shunsuke thought for a moment. "Alright. Itsuki, you can go ahead and prepare now."

"Then I'll head out."

Itsuki jogged away.

"Shunsuke, you're quite popular, aren't you?"

Once Itsuki was gone, Yumeko continued chatting with Shunsuke, her tone as casual as always.

Shunsuke felt a little uneasy and asked, "Yumeko, don't you care at all?"

When he was talking to Itsuki earlier, Yumeko had been silently standing by, showing no signs of displeasure. Her smile hadn't faded the entire time, which gave Shunsuke an odd feeling.

Even though he had always dreamed of being surrounded by a harmonious harem, with a chief wife's grace, he couldn't feel happy about this situation. It seemed to suggest that, in Yumeko's heart, his presence held no real significance.

As expected, Yumeko replied without a hint of concern, "It's fine. Shunsuke, you're my master now. Even if you did something, I couldn't object."

Shaking his head to push away those strange thoughts, Shunsuke reminded himself: when it comes to someone like Yumeko, as long as you have her, who needs her heart? Returning to his usual self, he said, "Well then, Yumeko, you'd better give me your full cooperation today. Otherwise, I'll lock you in the basement and never let you gamble again."

Yumeko puffed out her cheeks. "Geez, I'll pay the wager properly, of course!"

"Then I'll be looking forward to it."

....

Back at Yumeko's home, Shunsuke made a quick call to Mrs. Izumi before proceeding: "Ma'am, I'll leave Mashiro in your hands today."

"Shun-kun, don't tell me you're going to—"

"Huh?" Shunsuke interrupted. "You're still calling me 'Shun-kun' over the phone? What did I say before? Isn't this the time you should be calling me 'Anata'?"

Anata— a term in Japan that wives use to address their husbands affectionately, meaning "darling" or "dear." It sounds especially pleasant, and if spoken with plenty of genuine emotion, it's even more delightful.

At home, Mrs. Izumi quickly covered the phone, glancing around to make sure Sagiri wasn't nearby. Only then did she reluctantly mutter, "But you still call me ma'am…"

"Sigh," Shunsuke replied. "Ma'am, you're Eromanga Sensei. How can you not understand this? Out of all the titles, 'ma'am' is clearly the best one!"

Mrs. Izumi's voice came back with a hint of indignation: "Especially when this 'ma'am' also has an adorable daughter, right?"

"...See? So you do understand," Shunsuke dodged the question.

"Even if you put it that way... I won't say it unless you do too," Mrs. Izumi replied in a huff. "What's the point of only me calling you 'darling'? If we're going to use those terms, we both have to say it."

She could be quite childish about certain things, despite being an adult.

"Fine, fine." Glancing at Yumeko, who was already starting to undress, Shunsuke decided not to waste any more time. "Honey, darling, sweetheart, I love you the most—love you lots."

As he said it, Shunsuke's face turned a bit red.

Though he didn't show it outwardly, the sheer cheesiness of his words, especially while standing in front of another girl who was already taking off her dress, made him want to dig a hole and hide.

"I-I love you too, A-Anata," Mrs. Izumi stammered shyly.

Shunsuke frowned. "No, that's not how I taught you. Try again."

Sitting on the floor in a duck-like posture, Mrs. Izumi once again glanced around nervously. After confirming that Sagiri wasn't nearby, she held the phone in her left hand, her right hand involuntarily moving downward. After a long pause, she said in a tender voice: "A…na…ta… Make sure you come home tomorrow, okay? I'll be waiting…for you…"

"Sure, I'll definitely come home tomorrow."

Shunsuke agreed instantly, at the same time pressing down on Yumeko's hand to stop her from taking off her black stockings. He firmly guided her back down.

As for Itsuki? Who was that again?

Yumeko obediently kneeled on the floor, unbuttoning his clothes with practiced ease.

"Don't stay up too late," Mrs. Izumi advised, her tone filled with concern. "Take care of yourself."

"Mm, don't worry. I'll save some for tomorrow—it'll definitely be enough."

Glancing at the golden light reflecting behind him, Shunsuke tightened his grip. Yumeko coughed softly in response.

"…Alright, I'll hang up now."

Mrs. Izumi fell silent for a moment before quickly ending the call. Shunsuke's hands paused.

"Pop."

Yumeko wiped the corner of her mouth. "Shunsuke, do you want me to call you 'Anata' too? Or… maybe 'Onii-chan'?"

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