Chapter 27: Harem

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“—Huh? Wait a second. I feel like you dodged the issue, but you never actually denied that Finn is living together with another girl besides me, did you?”

Still being carried on my back, Aria wrapped her arms around my neck and pressed her ample chest against me as she spoke, as if the thought had just occurred to her.

“It’s not a matter of denying it. It’s simply the truth.”

“……Why would you do something like that?!”

“A companion who couldn’t stand seeing my living conditions took pity on me and did it out of goodwill.”

“What kind of excuse is that?! There’s no way I’d believe it!”

“I was staying in cheap inns nonstop, so I was told to get my act together and live properly already.”

“Eeh……”

After all, it was a life that started in a stable and graduated to cheap inns. There was no such thing as security, and I had to live constantly fearing robbery. After I got stronger, I stopped being attacked entirely, but in the early days, there were plenty of times when perverts tried to go after my rear hole. Well, it wasn’t like I ever lost to that level of opponent.

I’m not a pervert, so I never got excited but if I had gotten excited, then the me I am now probably wouldn’t exist. Well, if that had happened, then so be it. I would have gotten excited anyway. That’s just how I live my life.

When I conveyed only the first half of that explanation, my master twisted her mouth oddly and asked.

“I told you, didn’t I? I said I could recommend a place.”

“I don’t intend to rely on you that much, Master.”

I was already a grown man! A virgin, though. Ahhh, I really missed bathing together with Master back then. Why on earth did I not take an interest in something so outrageously bouncy and absurdly amazing?

Because I’m a hardcore masochist.

I was getting thoroughly beaten every day and feeling fulfilled, so there was no way I’d develop an interest in the female body. It wasn’t until I came out here that I finally felt like I’d grown. After that growth, I made up for it by accidentally running into Carla in the bath, catching glimpses of Astrea’s underwear, and having inappropriate fantasies about Marianne. It had been five years since I started carrying the desire to fool around with a sexy older woman, and my dream still showed no signs of coming true.

“U-uh, a stable…? Is that really okay?”

“I wasn’t bullied for nothing. That life was fun in its own way.”

Of course, I was also enjoying the triple combo of intense pain from unhealed wounds, fever, and a terrible environment but I wasn’t about to mention that. Just as much as with Marianne and the others, these two were people I absolutely couldn’t let find out I was a hardcore masochist. Because they would think I was gross. 

“I trained because I liked getting beaten by my master since it felt good, getting stronger was a bonus,” or something like that. Aria’s idea of “special” and my idea of “special” weren’t the same. If it got out, I wouldn’t be surprised if I were killed on the spot.

“Haha, after going through such harsh days, there’s no way Finn would crumble over an environment like that.”

“No, that’s really not something to be happy about……”

Astrea’s older sister, Alicia-san, muttered that. How utterly reasonable…

Yeah, that was the normal reaction. She was probably hearing stories about my childhood. I bet she was completely put off. I thought those days were the best, but at the same time, I was well aware that, from an outsider’s perspective, they were abnormal.

I was aware of it and accepted it anyway. That was the hallmark of a masochist with common sense.

“Well, it does seem like you’re living comfortably now, at least……”

“……Yeah. Lewd. Pervert. You little—”

“Obof.”

Aria, still on my back, started kneading and squishing both my cheeks. D-damn it! What the hell was going on?! Aria used to be so shy, and now she was doing this kind of skinship…!! Unforgivable!! She definitely realized during the journey that she was cute, busty, and attractive, and went around ensnaring countless men!!! I just knew it!!!

Haa, haa—my childhood friend, the childhood friend praised as a hero, became aware of her appeal as a woman and started to toy with men, and the cause was her gaining experience during the journey…?!

Ugh… This is bad! This is a dangerously good feeling!

The supple way her hands moved over my cheeks, the soft, squishy sensation pressing against my back, the feel of her thighs and butt…!!

Calm down!! She’s your childhood friend!! How can you do nothing but get excited?! Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?!

『Gross.』

M-Marianne!!!

“…So? What’s the truth, really?”

“…The truth about what?”

“Don’t play dumb. Who’s your main one?”

My master asked with a grin.

Ahh… Right. Marianne, Carla, or Astrea. She was asking which one I was involved with like that, right? This woman…! Did she know I was a virgin when she asked that?! No one was interested in me at all! I was a lonely man who couldn’t even go to a brothel! My lovers were monsters and my right hand!

“Eh, isn’t it all three?”

“…What’s wrong with High Elf common sense? There’s no way Finn would do something like that.”

“N-no, but heroes are like that, right?!”

Gik-gik-gik!!

It wasn’t like I had romantic feelings for all three, so Alicia-san’s comment missed the mark but it was absolutely true that I saw all of them as sexual objects and sources of arousal. In that sense, it was all of them. Her intuition was sharp… As expected of the High Elf princess. Astrea also occasionally had moments of uncanny insight, so I really needed to be careful. I had to avoid my masochism being exposed at all costs…!

“A-a-all of them…?! Every night…?! A-ahhh……”

“No. I’m not doing anything. Really. Believe me.”

“B-but Finn, you seem really used to girls……”

Well yeah, if you live together, you’re bound to develop some tolerance toward women. Fantasies in your head and reality were two completely different things. Living with that distinction firmly in mind, that was the secret to being a fulfilled masochist. That said, the thick, soft sensation pressing against my back was undeniably that.

This is reality, this is reality, this is reality itself…!

『Shut up, you gross masochist virgin』

Now, now. Carla, that was a bit much. Could you say it again a little harsher? And if possible, while tying me to a pillar and cutting me with a sword.

“More importantly, it’s not just three, is it? You even gathered the Second Princess around you, didn’t you?”

Her ears were sharp. Really sharp, even. It had only happened a few days ago, yet Master knew it as if it were obvious. Given her earlier comment, it seemed like she’d been hearing about me from time to time, but if that was the case, couldn’t she have sent a letter or something? I was honestly lonely. Though being neglected did feel good too.

“I hear the Second Princess keeps close companions. All of them are nobles without much fortune, and they’re also adventurers… Personally, I wouldn’t recommend nobles. There are too many constraints, and the gap in upbringing is too wide.”

“I know that much. I’m just a farmer’s son. A life that suits my station is enough.”

Seriously. I wanted to passionately explain just how amazing my current life was. Before getting involved with anyone in particular, just let me lose my virginity at a brothel. Seriously. If someone suddenly said, “Actually, I’ve been dating him…” I’d probably explode on the spot.

“…So, that means Finn doesn’t have anyone?”

“…………That’s how it is.”

“Heeey. Hmmm. Hoooo~n.”

『So you don’t even have anyone, poor virgin~』

My childhood friend hero pressed her body against me as if to say that. She was teasing me because she knew I was a virgin.

Damn it, this is in public! What are you thinking?! This is bad…! All the blood is rushing to the lower part of my body! Calm down, me! Dark Marianne, help me!

『Begone, demon』

That was way too indiscriminate…!! Just because I’m a gross masochist doesn’t mean anything goes. Damn you, Dark Marianne! Could you insult me a bit more harshly? Along with Aria’s teasing. Me being denied by both the hero and the saint…! That might be a little too sinful.

“…Eh. Wait, seriously? She’s being this obvious and he still hasn’t noticed?”

“He’s always been like that. And on top of that, he’s a flirt, so I can’t handle him. That’s exactly what makes him Finn, though.”

“…You really should think about the age difference.”

“Hahaha. N-no idea what you’re talking about.”

“…………Is this really okay?”

~*~*~*~

Marianne returned home and sat slumped alone in the living room. She couldn’t move her body anymore, having been shocked over and over again.

The past of the man she loved. The family of the man she loved. The appearance of the woman loved by the man she loved.

“…T-they…”

The hero and the Starry Sky. She had been subjected to an obvious display of affection and deep relationship, to the point  she couldn’t even wedge herself between them.

“…T-taken.”

This wasn’t on the level of the Second Princesses’ approaches that didn’t even warrant caution. On top of the appearance of a woman who had built a special relationship they couldn’t enter, he had been taken away by a forced request under conditions he couldn’t refuse.

Would he come back? Would he return to them?

The part of her that wanted to believe he would return, and the calm part that told her he wouldn’t, clashed violently. Marianne clutched her head, threw her staff aside, and sank down onto the floor.

“…Taken taken taken taken taken taken taken taken taken. My Finn-san, our Finn-san was taken taken taken taken taken……”

There was no light in her eyes. And after remaining that way for a long time, she suddenly stood up.

“…I will take him back. Our—my Finn-san…”

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T/N: Is that the birth of the real Dark Marianne?! (｡ᵕ °ㅁ° ).ᐟ.ᐟ.ᐟ