Life after Harem

Rest after the storm.

Futaba came back to Leblanc to find Joker waiting for her standing close to the entrance door.

- You were gone for quite some time, I was wondering if I should go look for you.

- Don't worry I am not that easy to get rid off. - She said while she reached out to his hair to play with it.

- You have any plans for rest of the day?

- Nope. I have like two of the seasonal Anime episodes airing today, but it's not like I have to watch them today.

Akira smiled while scratching the back of his head.

- I know it's a bit unfair, but could you help me relax today? I still feel really tense after everything that has happened today. 

Futaba looked at him while slowly tilting her head to the side.

- And what should I do to help you relax? Wait! They said that you were always relaxed after...

- No, not today. - He grabbed her in his arms princes-carrying her to his room in the attic. He continued talking while he was slowly going up the stairs, careful to not trip and hurt both of them. - I want to lie down on my bed with you next to me and cuddle. I must ask you that if I would fall asleep doing that, could you quietly leave and go back to your room? As much as I would love to wake up having you next to me, and as much as Sojiro said that if I fix this harem mess, he would really be happy to know you would have me to take care of you, I don't think he's yet ready to find us asleep while  hugging each other, and he should be back in an hour.

Futaba tried imagining how Sojiro would react to finding them like this, and it made her giggle. While Joker finished his sentence they already stood next to his bed. He carefully put her on the bed while himself going over her to lie closer to the wall and windows, so she wouldn't have to get over him while leaving, if he would actually fall asleep. 

Futaba was the first to initiate the hug and she positioned herself higher to have their heads be on the same level.

- I like doing this on the bed, this way I don't have to stand on my toes to kiss you.

- But it's really cute when you do that. Not to mention you can just tell me to lift you up, so you won't have to try so hard. Or you could ask me to lower my head.

- That would be embarrassing. - She answered blushing. - It's kind of like asking someone to reach something from higher shelf in a shop. I know it might sound stupid, but it makes me self-conscious about how small I am. 

- I really like our height difference though, not only it makes you even more cute, but sometimes I look at you and I think to myself "I must protect this adorable little creature no matter the cost". Also I really like how I can just pick you up anytime with ease.

- Well if you put it like that, I guess maybe being small isn't so bad... - She said as she moved closer to hug Akira more tightly.

- If you ever feel like learning how it would feel to be big I can always give you a ride on my shoulders.

Futaba giggled.

- I'll definitely take you up on that someday.

After that their conversation stopped for quite long time. The only thing that disturbed the silence was the sound of them breathing and for each of them hearing the heart beat of the other. Akira felt that sleepiness was slowly getting to him.

- Futaba.

- Mhm?

- I love you.

Joker was already to tired to keep his eyes open, which caused him to miss one of most genuine and beaming smiles to ever show on Futaba's face.

- I love you too. - She said getting a bit closer to gently kiss him on the cheek. - Sweet dreams my biggest treasure.

Akira smiled and slowly his breathing calmed down and Futaba realized he fell asleep. She slowly and cautiously freed herself from his embrace and sat on the bed looking at his sleeping expression. She could tell that he had some problems sleeping on the last few days by looking at his closed eyes, but at the same time she saw that even sleeping he still had a small grin on his face. She slowly stood up and whispered mostly to herself.

- See you tomorrow.

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Well, good thing that I already had this pretty much done, because even with that I missed the planned upload date by like 3-4 days? On that note - Honkai: Star Rail is really addictive. I tried Genshin, liked it but didn't like the gameplay loop, and stopped playing it after about few days, but Star Rail is just so much fun, It's been a while since the last time I've played around 8 or even more hours in a day, but this game did it. 

This is the second to last part that I've wrote, but I am thinking about doing small kind of epilogue with Futaba & Mc short moments in future and maybe in strikers (there were some really good opportunities for romantic moments for the girls there, but sadly they almost never commited, even on Ferris Wheel), but that could take maybe 2-3 days if I will even get to it, so no promises.