The day after I went to pick up Akari from her part-time job.

On this particular day, I was on my way to Lushia’s house. The situation was as follows: 『Okaya. The author's proofs are ready.』

Author's proofs refer to the process where the author personally reviews the manuscript after it has been checked for text errors by the editor.

Sometimes, they send the data via PDF.

However, since Lushia isn't tech-savvy, she receives a hard copy and marks it up with a red pen.

『I'm out right now, so if you're free, I can come pick up the manuscript.』

『Huh? Is that okay? Then... well, I'll be waiting!』

With that exchange happening, I headed to Lushia’s house to retrieve the manuscript, but...

"Hmm... I think it's around here."

I was in a high-end residential area within Tokyo.

According to the address she gave me, it should be somewhere in this vicinity.

I parked the company car at a nearby coin parking lot and started wandering around aimlessly. Just then... "Ow, ow, ouch..."

"Hm? Someone's crouching down there..."

An old man was crouched at the edge of the road.

He appeared to be in the middle of walking a dog, as a large one stood nearby. "Is everything alright?" I approached him and asked.

"Hm? Oh... what a coincidence."
"What?"

"Ah, yes. It's nothing. Please don't worry about it."

He was an elderly man draped in expensive traditional attire.

His hair was stark white, and deep wrinkles were etched into his face.

Contrary to his aged appearance, he possessed sharp eyes like those of a raptor.

...Those eyes brought to mind someone from the past.

"I've been resting here because my chest felt a bit tight."

"Are you okay? Should I call an ambulance?"

"No, no, there's no need for concern. Just let me rest for a moment... ow ow ow ow ow ow"

I stared at the old man, clutching his chest in apparent agony. I couldn't just walk away from that. "Is your home nearby?" "Mm-hmm. Just right there."

"Then allow me to carry you the rest of the way." "Oh my, would you? How kind."

Sure, I had a promise to keep with Rusiana.

But leaving an old man to his fate? That wasn't something I could do. "Please, I'm in your hands."

I scooped him up and slung him over my shoulders. The large dog sat patiently by the side.

When I took its leash and started walking, it followed obediently at my heel.

"Phew... you've really impressed me. They say this dog never takes a shine to anyone outside the family." "Seriously? No kidding?"

"Mm-hmm. The last time some lowlives showed up at our gate, he was foaming at the mouth, ready to tear them apart. It must be because you give off such a gentle vibe."

The white giant dog rubbed against my legs, nuzzling into me. So fluffy. So cute. Nanaiko would probably lose her mind over it.

Following the old man's directions, I walked through what looked like an upscale residential area. After a little while... "Here, right here." "Uh, this is... your house?"

Wow. It was a stunningly large mansion.

It had that kind of spacious grandeur you'd only see in a period drama set design.

And then... the nameplate bore the characters for [Kaita].
"Kaita?"
"M-Mitsuhiko-kun?"

Standing at the entrance to the gate was a beautiful woman in a suit, wearing sunglasses.

"Ichika? What are you doing here...?"

Nishikawa Ichika’s eyes went wide as she approached me.

"Doing what? I'm working... wait, Master Takahara!?"

Ichika stared with her mouth agape—not at me, but at the old man behind me—and cried out.

"Master Takahara, are you all right!?"

"Hm. Nishikawa, it is fine. I merely had a slight pain in my chest. Thank you; I am quite well now." I helped the old man down to his feet.

She gave me a pleasant bow.
"Thank you, Okaya-kun."

"Huh? Why do you know my name...?"

"Do you not recognize my voice?"

Come to think of it, I had spoken once to Rusian's guardian before we went on that trip to Karuizawa.

I'm pretty sure the name he gave was... "Heya!"

Thump-thump. A white-haired beauty in a kimono bounded out of the house.

"Oh, Nagareko. You came to greet Grandpa? Hm?"

Rushia ignored him and made her way over to me.

"Okaa-san, you're late! I've been waiting forever!"

"A, ah... sorry. Things got a bit complicated."

Rushia suddenly noticed the old man.

"Grandpa, why are you here?"

"No... uh-uh. Just taking the dog for a walk..." That vibe.

Rushia called her grandfather by his name, and he looked at Rushia and said Nagareko. "This person, could it be that..."

The old man flashed a smile and said to me:

"Nice to meet you. I'm Hiratsuka Kogen. I'm Nagareko's grandfather and her guardian. Please don't hesitate to contact me in the future." ★

I was led to a rather expansive grand room. ……Holy shit.

I’d thought she was an impressive heiress, but…… I see.

So Lushia was the daughter of the Hiratake Group.

Of course, there’s no way he wouldn’t know the name [Hiratake Kōgen].

He is the head of the Hiratake Group, a massive conglomerate.

I see…… I had assumed she was wealthy, but truly rich…… an heiress to a zaibatsu……

With the hotel seemingly booked exclusively by them, I’d already suspected she was pretty loaded, so in a sense, it wasn’t a surprise.

"Grandpa, why did you have to let the cat out of the bag?!"

Lushia tapped her grandfather’s shoulder, who was seated beside her, with gentle little pats.

"It would have come out eventually, wouldn't it? Then any time is just as good."

"B-But! I wanted to tell you such an important thing myself!"

Puffing out her cheeks, Lushia looked younger than usual and incredibly adorable.

"My granddaughter always relies on your help. This is nothing special, but... please accept it. Yasukawa."

Ichika nodded and placed a boxed set of sweets in front of me. "Then, here is my souvenir as well."

I took the box Ichika brought over.

Carrying it over to Rushia's side.

"Isn't this chestnut yōkan from Takaharado?"

Looking at the box, Rushia’s red eyes lit up with excitement.

"Oh, isn’t this my granddaughter’s absolute favorite? Mm, you certainly know how to pick, Okaya."

Highland-san nodded along, agreeing with him.

"Ichika! Tea! And go get the yōkan too!" "Yes, sir/ma'am." Ichika took the box and hurried off.

"Ryushu really should have a mature man like you, Okaya, someone who can look after her."

"A-aha ha... thanks. But honestly, I'm not exactly an adult or a considerate man myself."

And because of that, I ended up in a situation where I have five lovers.

"Mm, a humble man. I like him more and more." "Ookaya is amazing..."

Rushia moaned in admiration.

"I've never seen Grandpa take to someone outside the family this much at first sight!"

"Fufu... Of course. Ookaya spoke to me when I was crouching over there and carried me home. He is a wonderful man, unlike today's indifferent youth, isn't he?"

"Hmph! We already know Ookaya is amazing, no need for Grandpa to say it!"

The two of them seem to be competing with each other... What is going on here... "By the way, Ookaya." "Yes?"

"When are you and Nagare holding your wedding ceremony?" ""Pfft...!""

Both me and Rushia burst out laughing.

"J-Ji-jiji! What are you suddenly saying for?! (Grandpa! What did you just say all of a sudden!)"

Rushia's face turned bright red again as she pat-patted her grandfather's shoulder.

"I hear you two are dating?"

"Huh? How did you know...?"

"Yes! I haven't reported it to Grandpa yet! How do you know?!"

Kakou-ga-san smiled brightly and replied, "I know everything." S-so scary...

He's certainly a heavyweight who controls Japan's politics and economy.

"Nagisa, why didn't you take him down at the hotel earlier?"

There had been an instance where Ruchia slipped out of the party venue to meet me in secret.

Is he aware of even that? "Y-you're crazy!"

Ruchia, blushing scarlet all the way to the tips of her ears, kept bopping her grandfather's shoulders.

"This isn't nonsense, it's serious. Nagisa. You're eighteen already. It's not unreasonable for you to marry and bear children."

"W-well... yes, I suppose... but! There are proper procedures! Grandfather shouldn't butt in!"

"I just want to see my grandkids soon~. Chirachira. Hey, Okaya." "Y-yes..."

This old man seems quite welcoming of the fact that he and his granddaughter are dating.

"Actually, look, we can read the room and leave the residence. Just the two of you, sharing a bed..."

"Grandpa you fukin' idiot—!"

With a sharp thwack on her grandpa's head, Lucia stormed out.

"My apologies for my lack of manners. She's certainly a proper lady, but still a naive maiden at heart."

"I... I know her well enough, yes."

As she left, Ichika came in to take her place.

"Master Takahara? Miss Nagare has left the room...?"

"Oh, it's nothing. She just needs a bit of fresh air. She'll be right back."

Ichika nodded and served me and Master Takahara some tea and yōkan (yamaimo pudding). "By the way... Okaya." "Yes?"

"When are you and Ichika going to share a bed in the same futon?" "Hah?!" Both of us shouted with wide eyes.

"S-share a bed... w-what do you m-mean by t-that, h-hey!?"

Ichika was visibly flustered beyond belief.

Judging by this reaction, she probably hasn't told him we're dating yet...? Wait, isn't that actually a problem?

I'm supposedly dating Rushia, so...

"Ah, it's no trouble. You're dating five people, including Ichika, aren't you?"

"W-What!? How do you know that...?"

Kougen-san replied with a beaming smile.

"I told you, didn't I? I know everything." Yikes, he's scary...

"W-Wait! Hang on... Kouhiko-kun. Th-that... is that an acceptable statement to make just now...?"

Ichika asked me in a flustered tone.

"Including myself... five people? T-There's one... missing, isn't there?" Ah, right...

I had failed to tell Ichika about Lake Midori.

"Actually, I've gained another girlfriend." "What!?!" "My sister."

"W-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-what!?"

Ichika crumpled to the ground with a fwa...

「Th-that... Hikaru-kun... to become the kind of guy who could casually make a girlfriend out of thin air, without even realizing it myself...» Itachi said, her eyes glistening.

Y-yeah, right... normally speaking, that's weird.

What is it? Am I starting to lose my mind...? "D-Don't worry, Hikaru-kun!"

Ita said this on the verge of tears, clenching her fist tightly.

"Even if you change no matter how much, Hikaru-kun... I will keep loving you!" "Ita..."

"H-Harem's not a big deal! Even if you made around 100 girls, it's okay! I... I'll accept all of Hikaru-kun!"

What a woman with such a broad capacity...

"It's f-fine, Ita. I won't make 100 girls or anything like that. Sorry for almost not being able to say this time."

"Uuu~ ...it's okay, it's okay~ bububu~..."

Ita seemed quite shocked, tears welling up in her eyes. It didn't look like she was really okay...

"T-that's right. How about going out somewhere next time? Just the two of us... alright?" Ita stopped crying abruptly. "I'll go~♡" Ita laughed with an ehehe~.

I'm glad you've calmed down...

"Mm-hmm. Indeed, a fine male is one who keeps a harem. Typical of you, Oka."

Kougen-san nodded with an air of deep agreement.

"I... I'm sorry. To speak so frankly about going on dates with other women besides your daughter..."

"Doesn't bother me in the least. But... how would my granddaughter feel?" He pointed behind me. "O-o-Okaya~..."

Lushia, pouting like a squirrel, watched me with red eyes wet with tears.

S-She heard me? Did she hear all that?

Wait... I haven't even given Lushia my report yet!

"'The count has increased again?' What the hell does that mean~?"

"A-Ah, no, this is just... well..."

Lushia walked over to my side, grabbed my hand, and pulled me up.

"Come here, Oka! We need to talk!"

I let her drag me out of the reception room. "Rukako, you don't need contraception." "N-No way..."

Ah... Lushia blushed.

"Also, Naruko, your room is soundproofed. No matter how loud you scream, the old folks won't hear a thing." "Nye, nyenyenyen..."

Takayama-san smiled faintly and said, "I'm keeping the red rice warm for you."

Lushia trembled all over... and then—

"This old fop is a damn fool!"

Saying that, she grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the reception room.