Chapter 158: We Are Lovers

Chapter 158: We Are Lovers

Yukima Azuma's room.

Miyamizu Mitsuha had fallen into a deep sleep.

Meanwhile, Kato Megumi and Kasumigaoka Utaha were still sitting by the edge of the bed.

"...What do you think?"

"Azuma-san must have his own reasons. I don't want to cause him any more trouble."

"Oh."

"Actually, I can understand Kasumigaoka-senpai's feelings."

"You don't need to comfort me."

"Um."

After this brief exchange, neither of them said anything more.

Time quietly passed by.

It was nearing midnight.

The two girls sitting by the bed gradually began to feel the onset of sleep.

Fatigue quickly took over their minds.

Kato Megumi propped her hands on the bed, furrowing her brows, trying to keep her eyes open.

Kasumigaoka Utaha tried to stand up, but her body wouldn't listen to her will.

In a daze, the moment when the old day transitioned into the new one arrived.

Unable to resist the sleepiness, both of them slumped down by the edge of the bed, falling into a deep sleep.

In the silent room.

Yukima Azuma opened his eyes and slowly sat up.

He looked at the two girls who had fallen asleep by the bed.

His emotions were tangled.

He was surprised by their sharpness and also moved by their feelings for him.

With just a few brief exchanges, they had realized that the person they were talking to, though with the same face and voice, was completely not him.

This, perhaps, could only be called love.

But at this moment, Yukima Azuma felt a little scared.

The past few days had passed peacefully.

It was because he had always stood in the middle, balancing everything.

Giving each girl special attention.

That's why the relationship issues could be delayed until now.

But this time, even just leaving for a short while.

Everything was exposed right before his eyes.

Between these two girls, which one should he choose?

This question, in fact, Yukima Azuma had already had an answer for a long time.

He chose all of them.

But that was only his own thought.

Would these two girls, and even Eriri, Yukinoshita Yukino, agree with that?

Normally speaking, there would be no way that could be acceptable.

These girls, in his memory, were all Heroines.

They were not possessions of anyone.

They had their own feelings, their own love.

Kasumigaoka was proud.

Kato Megumi was sharp.

Eriri was arrogant yet clumsy.

Yukino was righteous yet cold.

Could people like them truly compromise their feelings for a single person?

Yukima Azuma had declared his intent to form a harem, but whether it would happen was still an unknown.

Even he himself could only say that he would try his best.

Temporarily pushing aside the chaotic thoughts in his mind.

Yukima Azuma gently sat up without making a sound.

Then, he leaned down, wrapped his arms around the slumped Kasumigaoka Utaha, and placed her on the bed.

Next, he picked up Kato Megumi, placing her on the outside.

Finally, he laid down in the middle.

No matter what happens tomorrow.

He still had to do this.

After all, he couldn't let these two girls just sleep by the edge of the bed until morning.

They would surely wake up with sore backs.

It was a big mistake to let them worry like this.

How could he let them suffer physical pain?

And why not carry them to their own rooms?

It could only be said that the things one must face, sooner or later, must be faced.

...

The next morning.

Kasumigaoka Utaha sensed the change in light, her eyelashes trembling slightly as she gradually woke from her sleep.

Before even opening her eyes, she smelled a familiar and pleasant scent.

Something warm stirred in her chest.

It felt like she was hugging a large body pillow.

And this pillow was truly comfortable to sleep with.

Kasumigaoka almost wanted to fall back asleep.

But wait, did she have a pillow like this in her room?

Something felt off, and Kasumigaoka opened her eyes.

She looked down and saw the sleeping face of a young man.

No wonder it felt so incredibly comfortable.

Yukima Azuma had curled up into her arms.

Becoming a living body pillow.

The corner of Kasumigaoka's mouth couldn't help but curl into a slight smile.

Her arm that had been draped over his neck gently lifted, intending to stroke his cheek.

However, as soon as she raised her hand, she met a gaze from the opposite side.

No matter how subtle it may be,

The bed wasn't that big.

Kato Megumi's presence couldn't be ignored.

Kasumigaoka Utaha and Kato Megumi—who had no idea when she woke up—stared at each other.

The air was a little awkward.

But after that brief moment of eye contact, Kasumigaoka couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph rise within her.

Whether Yukima Azuma had intentionally curled up against her,

Or simply unconsciously shifted toward her while sleeping,

No matter what...

He was in her arms now.

Kato Megumi saw through Kasumigaoka-senpai's thoughts.

But she didn't say much.

She just gently pulled herself out of Yukima Azuma's embrace under the blanket.

She had woken up early.

And as soon as she opened her eyes, Kato Megumi realized she was being tightly held in his arms.

She buried her head into the blanket to check.

She found that his hands were holding her tightly, almost as if he didn't want to let go.

At first, Kato Megumi was quite happy about it.

But when she lifted her head out of the blanket...

She saw Yukima Azuma's body nestled in Kasumigaoka's arms.

Immediately, the girl, with a face like tuberoses, pouted slightly.

But when she saw Kasumigaoka-senpai waking up,

Kato Megumi quickly hid her expression.

She also took this opportunity to gently pull herself out of Yukima Azuma's embrace.

If she didn't do so, he'd be in big trouble later.

But deep down, Kato Megumi couldn't help but sigh quietly.

She wasn't the type to be this accommodating.

Maybe it was because she loved him so much.

Spoiling him to the point where even her own limits had become blurry.

...

After a few seconds of facing each other,

Kasumigaoka Utaha also released Yukima Azuma.

She reached out and poked his forehead.

Yukima Azuma gradually woke up, his eyes darting around as he took in the scene before him.

"Utaha-senpai, Megumi, good morning."

Kato Megumi sat up, quietly covering her mouth as she smiled to herself.

Kasumigaoka, being more direct, glared at him, then sat up and lightly kicked his leg with her little foot, wrapped in black stockings.

So, Yukima Azuma obediently sat up, giving the impression of someone who was about to seriously face the consequences.

Seeing his demeanor,

The anger Kasumigaoka Utaha had been feeling...

Suddenly dissipated by more than half.

The remaining anger, she directed at Yukima Azuma, coldly asking:

"Don't you plan on explaining yourself?"

She was only angry because something like this had happened, and he hadn't said a word to her about it.

When something like this happens, shouldn't they face it together?

He hadn't even bothered to discuss it with her.

It felt like he was treating her as an outsider.

Kato Megumi had similar thoughts.

The swap was something Yukima Azuma couldn't control.

But if he were to explain, at least they could help in some way.

"I was wrong, please forgive me this time."

Yukima Azuma clasped his hands together, looking as though he was sincerely apologizing.

"Oh and... Utaha-senpai and Megumi haven't had breakfast yet, right? How about I make some wontons?"

"And while we eat, I'll explain everything."

No excuses.

No pretending not to understand what they were talking about.

Yukima Azuma directly expressed his attitude.

Then, he obediently tried to make up for his mistake.

This was the Way of Yukima Azuma.

After all, what had happened couldn't be changed by any explanation now.

Since everything had already been exposed, it was better to fix things quickly before it was too late.

Kasumigaoka Utaha sighed helplessly.

Kato Megumi simply smiled faintly.

Despite being angry earlier, in this moment, both girls were soothed by the boy's efforts.

....

The three of them moved to the living room.

Yukima Azuma finished making the wontons and placed them in front of the two girls.

Then, he went back to the kitchen, got his own portion, and sat at the table.

At that moment, Yukima Azuma began to briefly recount the story of Itomori Town.

In short, he had been entrusted by the guardian god of that place.

He traveled to Itomori Town three years ago.

Attempting to save the town which was being affected by fragments of the comet Charlotte that had fallen.

After hearing Yukima Azuma's story,

Kasumigaoka Utaha furrowed her brow.

Although she had encountered supernatural abilities before, things related to gods were somewhat beyond her comprehension.

Meanwhile, Kato Megumi, hearing about such miraculous things for the first time, couldn't help but be amazed.

Even though she had witnessed it with her own eyes, she was still in awe.

After a moment of processing the story,

Kasumigaoka Utaha was the first to speak up:

"What if you don't succeed? Will there be any consequences? Does that god... threaten you in any way?"

In Kasumigaoka's eyes,

Although the lives lost in the disaster in Itomori Town were tragic and she sympathized with them,

But in her heart, they were no match for Yukima Azuma's well-being.

Kasumigaoka Utaha may have a kind nature, but she could easily disregard everything for the one she cared about.

Therefore, compared to the town of Itomori, she was more concerned about whether this would affect Yukima Azuma.

Yukima Azuma shook his head.

"It won't affect anything. To put it plainly, I can stop this swap whenever I want."

"Although I say it's a god, it seems their abilities are very limited, otherwise, they wouldn't have needed my help."

"Even if I fail, that guardian god of Itomori would probably just sigh about it, but can't do anything."

Upon hearing this, Kasumigaoka Utaha felt much more relieved.

If it was just an effort-based commission like this, then there was really no major problem.

"Has Azuma-san come up with any plans? Do you need our help with anything?"

Kato Megumi asked.

"I have a few ideas for now." Yukima Azuma replied, sighing.

"If we were in the same timeline, Megumi and senpai would definitely be able to help a lot."

"But from three years ago, it's really a bit difficult to reach."

The two girls glanced at each other.

Both understood that Yukima Azuma was probably just comforting them.

But if he said it that way, then there was a high chance they really couldn't help much.

"When will this swaped end?" Kasumigaoka Utaha asked.

"Five more times." Yukima Azuma answered truthfully.

Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded, not saying anything further.

.....

After finishing breakfast,

Kasumigaoka Utaha hugged Hogyokumaru and returned to her room.

Yukima Azuma got up, preparing to take Kato Megumi home.

Last night, Kato Megumi had stayed out all night.

Moreover, it seemed like she hadn't informed her family about the urgent situation.

As they left Yukima's house, the two walked towards Kato's home.

Today, Kato Megumi seemed somewhat quieter.

Yukima Azuma of course noticed this.

Throughout the walk, he kept wondering how he should approach the subject.

It wasn't until they reached Detective Hill,

Looking up at the hill where the fateful meeting had taken place,

That Yukima Azuma seemed to see the figure of a girl amid the cherry blossom rain from that day.

"Megumi, we're lovers, you know?"

Yukima Azuma suddenly said something abrupt.

But Kato Megumi immediately understood.

Yukima Azuma was referring to the conversation she had with Miyamizu Mitsuha yesterday.

At that time, she had vaguely described their "lover" relationship.

And now, Yukima Azuma was bringing it up again, but with an incredibly firm tone.