When the time to leave arrived, Ayu and Marika clung to me tightly, not wanting the night to end. Akane and Sena giggled at the sight while Miwa-nee went upstairs, bringing Minoru who was already asleep to their room.
Looking at their reluctant faces, I couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth in my chest. "Should I just keep you here with me then?"
Marika quickly nodded with a grin, her beautiful white teeth peeking from her lips.
That earned her a flick on her forehead though. Because among the two, she's the one who had someone waiting outside. The car of her guards was still parked not far from our house.
As for Ayu, she didn't give a definite answer. Instead, she simply wrapped her arms around my waist as though asking me for more time to pamper her.
“Why don't you stay the night too, Ayu? Are you afraid you'll wake up late for your workout?”
“It's not that… I'm afraid I'll hold you back in the morning. It's Monday. You can't be late, right?”
This girl… I'm impressed with her reservation. She made it sound as if she could keep me with her in bed, or if not that, tire me out completely that I wouldn't be able to wake up on time.
“Did you forget about my miraculous tea? No matter how tired I became, I'd be fully energized in the morning. And the side effect too.”
Ayu immediately blushed, remembering the last time they stayed the night.
Eventually, she nodded as she grasped my sleeve.
“T-then, I'll stay the night. I won't let you sleep.”
“Well, we'll see if you can do that. Even if there are three of you, you won't be able to outlast me.”
Ayu lightly hit me with a jab again before pushing on my chest as she stepped away, returning to the living room where Sena and Akane were.
“Ruki-kun… Am I the only one going home?” Marika said in a downcast tone as she watched Ayu go.
I turned to her, caressed her cheek, and used my thumb to stretch her lips, which were about to pout. “Only for tonight. I’ll escort you home and then… ask your Aunt to let you stay with me next time. Sounds good? No matter what, she's your guardian at the moment. It won't be good to disrespect her, right?”
Although she clearly understood what I was saying, Marika was unconvinced. Her desire for me had long been overflowing. She wanted to stay more with me. Spend the night. Sleep and wake up with me next to her.
That's why she's reluctant to leave even if she knows it won't be good.
I continued caressing her face, wiping away the loneliness that was gradually settling on it. I lifted her chin and caught her lips with mine.
Almost instantly, Marika threw her arms around my nape, deepening our kiss, conveying her love and longing for me.
With Akane and the others in the living room, I also let myself loose, answering the emotions she was conveying to me.
“Marika, it won't be long. I promise.” I said in between our kisses.
And she responded with a nod. But her expression turned more needy as though telling me to pamper her more, forget where we are and only focus on her.
This was her own way of showing me how much she wanted to stay with me. Not just for the night but for the rest of her life.
“Once we convince your Aunt and your family, live here with us, alright?”
“Un… I will.” Marika’s expression gradually brightened as the color on her cheeks bloomed into crimson red and her lips stretched into her most beautiful smile. “Next time… I'll sleep and wake up next to you, Ruki-kun.”
“Mhm. And I will comb your hair as we lay down next to each other. I'll straighten your ringlets with my fingers and then become frustrated because they keep curling back.”
“Pfft… That sounds fun, Ruki-kun.”
“It's fun to see me frustrated?”
“Yes. Because you're always confident, it's rare to see you show any frustration. Fear not, Ruki-kun for I will comfort you. Always.”
Marika giggled as she pushed her finger on my lips before cupping my whole face.
She stared at me lovingly before snuggling into my embrace, her reluctance to part with me still at the forefront. But she already accepted it.
Tonight, she couldn't stay with me yet.
“Let's go, they must be waiting for you. Also, wear this.”
I reached for the jacket that Akane prepared for me and put it around Marika, covering her from the cold of the night.
She looked up and nodded, her arm tightening around mine.
Before stepping out of the house, I looked behind where the three girls were sending us out with their warm smiles.
Marika turned to them and waved before saying, “Goodnight everyone, I will be taking away Ruki-kun for a while. I'll return him later.”
Ending that with a cutesy tongue, Akane and the other two laughed with her, telling her to take care of me and return me safe and sound.
I let them have their fun and just watched as they all playfully tried to tease me.
In the end, Marika dragged me to the door, basically pulling me with her.
The moment we stepped out, the car of her guards pulled up in front with the backseat door opening. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ N0veI.Fiɾe.net
Marika excitedly ran up, pulling me in with her.
Of course, the two guards stared at me as if I was going to ask them to drive me back home later so I instantly waved them off, telling them I'd go home later by myself as soon as I handed Marika to her Aunt safely.
For the entire trip, Marika opened up my jacket and draped the half over me as we shared in its warmth.
Halfway through the drive, Marika dozed off, her head comfortably resting on my chest as I held her tightly.
The two guards didn't say anything but they both warned me to make sure she wouldn't be inconvenienced.
As if I'd do that to my girl. They're just as worrywart as I am.
Upon arriving at her place, I nudged her gently, waking her up.
Noticing that our parting was approaching, the girl took a few minutes just snuggling with me inside the car before we stepped out, meeting her Aunt who had her arms crossed right by the entrance.
“Kagura-san, good evening.” I greeted her as we walked up the steps.
“The evening wasn't great when you took her away earlier.”
“Do you really have to not give her the freedom to choose, Kagura-san?”
“It's not a question you should ask, Onoda. You may have the approval of Uncle but he doesn't have a say in our family’s affairs. The engagement has yet to be broken. Do you know how bad this will reflect on Marika?”
“Of course, I know. But if it's only to please the Ichihara Family, then this is better. Marika has already expressed her sentiment but none of you is willing to hear her.”
“What do you know? Ugh. No matter, it's not your decision to make. Bring her here and go.” Kagura clicked her tongue, not wanting to argue anymore. She knew she'd lose, after all.
Besides, I could see that she's also holding herself back here. She knew what was happening and what Marika was enduring. Unfortunately, as long as the engagement holds, her hands are also tied.
“Aunt Kagura… Please tell Grandpa and Father, I won't marry anyone else except Ruki-kun.” Marika raised her head and held my hand down, telling me to leave this to her.
We continued our steps up until we came face to face with her Aunt.
Kagura’s face was already twitching but in front of Marika’s resolve, she couldn't say anything anymore.
With a sigh, she stepped to the side, unblocking our way in.
As we stepped forward, we both stopped and bowed in front of her before continuing inside.
I brought Marika up to her room, helped her change into her sleepwear and lay with her on the bed where she used my embrace to calm her emotions down.
I combed her hair gently, caressing her softly, giving her the comfort that she needed.
Thirty minutes later, she drifted off to sleep. I carefully get up and leave her room, making sure to do it as quietly as possible to not rouse her from sleep.
And as I expected, Kagura waited for me downstairs.
With her face filled with both conflict and concern, she called out to me, “Hey. Sit down and let's talk.”