It was the first day of the Month of Earth. Early in the morning, still a bit too soon for breakfast, I sat alone, lost in thought... and agonizing over a certain dilemma.
"Kaito-kun?"
Kuro, who was sitting on my lap cradling a bag of cream-filled baby castellas, noticed my distant look and spoke up. Meeting her gaze, I felt my nerves bunch up, but I managed to open my mouth.
"Actually, Kuro, there’s something I need to tell you."
"Yeah?"
What was weighing on my mind was, of course, Isis-san. She had confessed her feelings to me, and I was currently keeping her waiting for an answer.
My sensibilities as a Japanese person told me that since I now had a girlfriend in Kuro, I should reject Isis-san’s confession. However, I didn’t want to turn her away—not when she felt so single-mindedly and sincerely for me.
That was where the common sense of this world came into play. Here, polygamy was the norm; it was expected for men to marry multiple women. But I couldn't just flip a switch and adapt to that overnight. That was the source of my struggle.
Above all, I was worried about how Kuro would feel if I accepted those values and reciprocated Isis-san’s feelings. It took a significant amount of courage to bring it up, but keeping it from her wasn't an option.
So, while we were alone, I decided to lay everything bare. I told her about Isis-san’s confession, the fact that I was holding off on an answer, and... my own feelings. I confessed that I, too, was starting to feel attracted to Isis-san.
I was incredibly nervous, my explanation halting and awkward, but Kuro didn't interrupt. She simply listened in silence until I had finished the whole story. I let out a long, slow breath.
"...So, that’s how it is. Um, Kuro... what do you think?"
I felt like a defendant awaiting a verdict, the words squeezed out of my throat. Kuro remained facing me, then broke into a bright, cheerful smile.
"That’s great! To be loved that much by Isis—I’d expect nothing less of you, Kaito-kun!"
"...Eh?"
Wait, what? Her reaction was completely different from what I’d braced myself for. I thought I’d be scolded for being unfaithful or lacking integrity, but she actually seemed... happy?
"K-Kuro... you’re really okay with this?"
"Eh? With what?"
"I mean, you and I are already in a relationship. Doesn't it feel unfaithful for me to say I like Isis-san too?"
"Why? If you and Isis become a couple, I’ll be happy too. Ah, I see... come to think of it..."
Kuro tilted her head in genuine confusion before catching herself. She rested her chin on her hand, appearing to recall something. After a brief silence, she looked back at me.
"In Kaito-kun's world, it’s normal to have only one marriage partner, right?"
"Y-Yeah."
There were exceptions like remarriage, and perhaps some other countries had different customs, but in the Japan I knew, monogamy was the undisputed standard. Kuro nodded to herself, crossing her arms.
"Hmm... I see. So that’s what was bothering you."
"I wanted to hear your honest opinion on it, Kuro."
"I only know about your world from what Shiro or the previous Heroes told me, so I’m not an expert. It is a difficult subject. But Kaito-kun, you do know that men in this world marry multiple women, right?"
"Yeah."
"I’ve lived in this world my whole life, so I can’t help but think according to its common sense. And since you're my first lover, I don't know if I can say anything particularly helpful. I'm sorry."
Kuro seemed to understand the root of my anxiety immediately. However, as a native of this world, her perspective was naturally skewed toward its own customs.
I understood that feeling well. My own thoughts were currently being anchored by the values of my original world. It was clear that our fundamental concepts of love and marriage were simply different.
"Hypothetically... if I were to date Isis-san while being with you... or even marry several other people... how would you feel, Kuro?"
"I’d be happy, of course."
"You’d... actually be happy?"
"Yeah. I mean, it would mean my beloved Kaito-kun is such a wonderful man that he’s loved by all those girls, right?"
"..."
The logic was fundamentally different. To me, dating multiple women felt like a betrayal, but to people here, it seemed to be viewed as a status symbol or a point of pride. It didn't seem to trigger jealousy at all.
I wasn't sure if this was just Kuro's personality or if everyone felt this way, so I decided I needed to gather more opinions.
"...And that’s the situation."
"E-Eh? Kaito-san? Since when did you and the Underworld King become lovers?"
"Just the other day."
"I-I see. Well, congratulations. (So she was the first. I suspected as much after seeing how he acted... Hmph, does he really prefer petite women?)"
Sieg-san stood before me with a bewildered expression. After Kuro went home, I had decided to visit Sieg-san to give her a brief summary of the situation and ask for her thoughts.
"So, if it’s alright, I was hoping to hear your take on this, Sieg-san."
"E-Eh... Why me? (Aren't you asking the wrong person?)"
"Well, you always seem so mature, Sieg-san. I figured you might have a good perspective on it."
"I see... (I'm sorry, it's impossible! I've never even been in a relationship!)"
The question was likely too sudden, as Sieg-san looked genuinely troubled. I didn't want to force her, but she was the first person I thought of when I needed someone to talk to.
"Ultimately, I have to decide for myself, but I’d really appreciate any advice you could give me."
"R-Right. Well... (Please don't look at me with such expectant eyes! I have to say something... anything!)"
"Sieg-san?"
"N-No, it’s just... regarding the cultural gap with your world, I think the gender ratio here is a factor. But I also think it’s because of the long-lived races, like my own."
That made sense. This world was full of Elves and other races with incredibly long lifespans—or no natural lifespan at all. Compared to a world of only humans, their perception of time was likely much more relaxed. Even with multiple wives, the sense of "not having seen someone lately" probably operated on a much longer scale.
"There are exceptions, of course. My father, for instance, only ever married my mother. But he was considered an eccentric for it."
"I see..."
"To me, the idea of a man marrying many women feels quite natural."
It really was the common sense of this world. I wondered if I should just stop worrying and accept Isis-san’s feelings. But if I remained indecisive and ended up hurting Kuro or Isis-san, it would defeat the purpose. I had to think this through properly.
"Just for my own reference..."
"Yes? What is it?"
"If, hypothetically... and this is strictly a 'what if'... you and I were lovers, Sieg-san..."
"!? (K-Kaito-san and I... lovers? I’d be so happy... No, wait!)"
I decided to ask her the same question I’d asked Kuro.
"If I had other women after me, or if I found myself liking someone else, how would you feel?"
"I think it would be a very joyful thing for you to be loved by so many women, Kaito-san. (Though that’s basically the situation you’re in right now anyway.)"
Her conclusion was the same. The idea that a man being popular was a good thing wasn't just Kuro's quirk; Sieg-san felt the same way. Hearing that made me feel a little bit lighter.
"Thank you. That helps a lot."
"No, don't mention it... But if you want a real consultation, wouldn't it be better to talk to another man? Someone of your own gender might have a more relevant perspective."
"You’re right! Thank you so much! I’m really glad I talked to you, Sieg-san."
"It was no trouble at all. (I'm sorry! I just changed the subject to get out of it! I’m such a coward... Please don't look at me with those sparkling eyes, I can't take it!)"
She was right; a man's perspective would be invaluable for a talk like this. And as soon as she said it, the perfect person came to mind.
Orchid. He was a married man, he was friendly, and he was easy to talk to.
Dear Mother, Father—
I’ve finally started thinking about my answer to Isis-san’s confession. It’s hard to let go of the values I grew up with, and I’m still quite conflicted. But thanks to Sieg-san, I think I know who I need to talk to now.