Almost as soon as I had arrived at Isis-san’s home, I was bombarded by so many trials and tribulations that I was already emotionally and mentally drained from the sheer embarrassment and joy.
Noticing my state, Isis-san worriedly suggested that I turn in early for the night.
She was right; I wouldn't last much longer at this rate. My heart hadn't stopped pounding since I got here, and unless I took a moment to compose myself, I probably wouldn't even be able to hold a proper conversation with her.
I decided to take her up on the offer and followed her to the room I would be using.
The room Isis-san led me to was... well, it was obscenely massive.
Right in the center of the chamber—which was large enough to be a great hall—sat a bed adorned with glittering, lavish decorations. Apparently, she had bought it specifically for my visit.
Feeling guilty that she had gone to such lengths, I tentatively asked if it had been expensive.
"……If there is…… anything else…… you need…… I will buy it."
"……Ah, no, I’m fine, really."
Isis-san just gave me a serene smile and produced a literal mountain of Platinum Coins. I shook my head so fast I nearly gave myself whiplash.
What was with that absurd amount of money?! Is Isis-san actually filthy rich? Well, she did build a castle like this, and rumor had it that extremely rare gemstones could be found in this region, so she probably earned her fortune through them.
In any case, I settled into the luxurious bed. After thanking Isis-san and lying down on the fluffy duvet, I realized that exhaustion had caught up with me more than I’d thought. I sank into sleep almost instantly, as if falling into a deep pool of water.
I wasn't sure how long I had been out when I slowly opened my eyes, feeling a pleasant warmth.
In the dim room, illuminated only by the faint glow of a magic tool, I tried to sit up... only to freeze when I felt something tugging on my clothes.
It was just my imagination, right? I had a really bad feeling about this... No, it couldn't be. Right?
My heart hammered against my ribs as I slowly pulled back the duvet.
"……Mmm……"
"!?!?"
There she was, clutching the front of my pajamas with her small hand and snuggling up against me as she slept. It was Isis-san.
I had no idea when she had crawled into bed with me, but she was breathing peacefully, her face buried against my chest. Her breath tickled my skin, and I felt my body temperature skyrocket in an instant.
And that wasn't the half of it... Isis-san was wearing... a... a babydoll...
The pale blue babydoll perfectly complemented her delicate, ethereal beauty, making her look as adorable as a fairy. More importantly, the fabric was so thin it was practically see-through.
Gulp.
Looking at her figure—so suggestive and utterly defenseless—my throat made an audible sound as I swallowed hard.
People often say that even a detestable person looks cute when they're sleeping, which just goes to show how vulnerable and lovely a sleeping face can be. When it wasn't a detestable person, but an exceptionally beautiful girl for whom I already felt a profound affection, the destructive power was beyond imagination.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say there was an angel right before my eyes. My head felt hot, as if I were suffering from a fever, and I couldn't think straight.
As I desperately struggled to maintain my sanity, Isis-san's voice leaked out in her sleep as if to deliver the finishing blow.
"……Nn…… Kaito……"
"——!?"
That sweet, melting voice struck me like a physical blow.
Maybe... it was okay to touch her... just a little...
I slapped my own hand hard as it started to move on its own.
Wait, wait, wait! What are you thinking, you huge idiot?! I don't care how much she likes me! Pawing at a sleeping woman without her permission is the lowest thing a man—no, a human being—can do! Get a grip, Kaito!!
Desperately clinging to the shards of my reason, I pulled my hand back. To be honest, her current appearance was a massive temptation... but I couldn't betray the trust she had placed in me.
Wait, how long am I going to keep staring?! Just cover her back up!!
In my frantic state of mind, I managed to pull the duvet back over us... and that’s when I saw something glisten on her face.
"……Don’t want…… to be…… alone……"
"……"
I didn't know what she was dreaming about. But clearly, for her, the fear of loneliness had been a constant companion for a very long time.
Seeing the tears on her face, the emotions that had been vague and uncertain within me began to take a definite shape. I didn't want Isis-san to look sad. I wanted her to be smiling, always.
Isis-san possessed power at the very peak of this world, but she wasn't invincible, and she wasn't immune to pain. That was exactly why I wanted to protect her heart. I felt a fierce desire to shield her from the loneliness that still rooted itself in her soul.
I slowly reached out and carefully wiped away her tears. Isis-san reacted to my touch, her ruby-red eyes fluttering open.
"……Mmm…… Kaito?"
"Ah, sorry. Did I wake you?"
"……It’s okay…… Good morning…… Kaito."
"Good morning."
Isis-san looked relieved to see me, and I returned her smile.
"Isis-san, what should we do today?"
"……Eh?"
"I heard you have a lot of books, so I'd like to see them. And there’s a place where you mine gemstones, right? If it’s okay, could you take me there?"
"……Kaito."
"We’ve still got at least two days together, so let's make the most of it. Let's do lots of things together. Let's see lots of things! Okay?"
"……!?!?"
As if sensing the depth of feeling in my words, tears welled up in her eyes again. These were clearly different from the ones she’d shed in her sleep; they were the overflow of pure happiness. As a single drop fell onto the duvet, she lunged at me.
"I-Isis-san!?"
"……Kaito…… I love you."
"!?"
She had said those words to me many times before, but this time was different. Her voice and the raw emotion behind it shook me to my very core.
"……Even more than when we first met…… so much…… so much more…… I love you."
"……Isis-san."
"……More than anyone…… more than anything…… in the world…… I love Kaito so much."
"……"
My heart wavered violently. Even an idiot like me had to admit it now.
I see. I... I’m falling for Isis-san.
She was gentle and strong, yet somehow fragile and precious... and the affection she directed toward me was so pure. There was no way I couldn't be happy about that.
But at the same time, it made me incredibly sad. I loved her—there was no question about that. But even so, the person who occupied the largest space in my heart was Kuro.
I had to tell her. To leave things ambiguous would be disrespectful.
"……Isis-san. I……"
"……I know."
"Eh?"
"……You love…… Kuromueina…… the most…… right?"
"……How…… did you know?"
"……I can tell…… because I love you…… I can tell."
"……"
Seeing her smile as she said that made my chest ache.
"……Because I…… also love the Kaito…… who loves Kuromueina."
"!?!?"
This was painful. It was agonizing. But it was something I had to say, because a convenient arrangement where I liked both Kuro and Isis equally just didn't seem possible. I was going to have to make a choi—
"……So…… I…… don't mind being…… 'any number' in your heart, okay?"
"……Huh?"
Wait, what? That was not the response I was expecting. Hold on. Give me ten seconds to process this!
I was about to lay my feelings bare, but she had seen through me and accepted my affection for someone else. And then she declared she didn't care what "rank" she held in my heart? I was completely lost.
"……N-No, but, um…… wouldn't that be... dishonest of me?"
"……Eh? ……Why?"
"……I'm sorry?"
Okay, something was definitely wrong here. Isis-san didn't look like she was just refusing to give up; she looked genuinely, honestly confused by my question. Was I missing some fundamental piece of information?
"Um, Isis-san. Can I ask you something?"
"……Yes."
"Normally, a man is supposed to marry just one woman, right?"
"……Why?"
"What do you mean why? Isn't that just... how it works?"
"……Eh? ……Normally…… a man…… it varies…… but they usually marry…… 'about four or five women'?"
"……What?"
"……Some people marry…… only one…… but it’s…… very rare."
"Eeehhh!?"
What? Men usually marry four or five women? Does that mean... polygamy is the norm here?
"U-Um, is that just for nobles or something?"
"……It doesn't matter who you are…… everyone does it…… some people…… marry twenty……"
"……Are you serious?"
"……Yes."
I see. That’s why she looked so puzzled. That’s why she didn't mind that I loved Kuro.
Dear Mother, Father—I’ve realized that Isis-san has become someone very precious to me. My feelings for Kuro are still stronger, and I was prepared to break Isis-san's heart (and my own) to be honest with her... but according to her, in this other world—it’s apparently polygamy.
Kaito is starting to love Isis... but setting that aside...
[Polygamy]
Serious-senpai: "Nuwaaaaahhh!?"
...Oh, you're still alive? You're a stubborn one, aren't you?
By the way, this story is a harem! There won't be any "tearing yourself away from a love triangle" or "bowing out in tears" drama! I won't allow that kind of serious development!