Makoto clapped, making an appreciative sound. "You're... absolutely gorgeous, Mafuyu-nee," he said, his voice low and sincere. "It almost makes me fall for you again."
Then, noticing the twin glares from Mika and Yuna, he quickly added, "Almost as cute as my stepsister and my Mika, too." He stuttered through the save attempt.
A girlish laugh bubbled up from Mafuyu's throat. The blush on her cheeks deepened, but it was a blush of happiness now. "Thank you, honey, you're too kind," she said in a shaky voice and made a clumsy bow, the oversized kimono sleeves flopping around her.
His stuttered addendum, however, did not go unnoticed. Ayane let out a loud, theatrical "AHEM," collapsing onto the couch in a mock faint. "Smooth recovery, harem king," she drawled, fanning herself dramatically with a magazine. "Real smooth."
Yuna just scoffed, but the jealous glare was only half-hearted and performative. She couldn't quite hide the small, proud smirk tugging at her lips. "Whatever! It's just a cheap costume. Don't get a big head about it." She pointedly turned away to arrange a pile of thread, but Makoto could see her watching Mafuyu's reflection in a nearby window.
Mika's serene smile turned genuine for once. "It suits you, Mafuyu-san," she said softly. "The darkness brings out your inner strength. You should wear black more."
The mood in the room had shifted. The exhaustion, the tension, and the competitive undercurrents had all been washed away, replaced by a warm, almost familial sense of joy.
Makoto yawned and stretched, giving his laptop to Ayane. "I'll leave the retouching to you then? The order form is done! We can start taking pre-orders tomorrow before sending the final version for printing." He winked at Yuna. "Help Ayane design the standee and the stickers, since it was your idea."
Ayane snatched the laptop with a predatory grin. "Oh, I'll retouch them alright," she purred, her eyes sparkling with wicked light. "I'll make sure every single pore is perfect. Every highlight is popping. And..." Her grin widened. "...maybe I'll make a few adjustments to Yuna's and Mika's bust sizes. For marketing purposes, of course."
"You will not," Yuna snarled, stomping over and yanking a chair up to the computer with a determined glint in her eyes. "You have the artistic sense of a blind mole. Give me that mouse!"
Mika was already on her phone. "I'll research printing shops," she announced. "Compare prices, check turnaround times, look into shipping logistics..."
And Mafuyu, who had been quietly observing this whirlwind of chaotic energy, just smiled. She stood, her movements a little hesitant, and began gathering the empty cups and discarded snack wrappers. "I'll make more tea for everyone."
The harem, it seemed, had found its rhythm. It was a chaotic but surprisingly efficient machine.
Makoto leaned back in his chair and watched the team at work. His mind wandered to the conversation he had overheard just last night. "I can't let what Mika said happen. No, it might really happen unless I do something." His face turned serious for a while as he watched the serious Mika.
"Hmm, let's go out and research those shops together then, Mika." He walked over and lifted Mika, still in her costume, up onto his shoulder. "I'm going to kidnap this Nezuko for a date, don't mind me."
"EEP! What are you doing, darling?" Mika let out a small, surprised squeak as he hoisted her over his shoulder with a grunt. The move was so sudden and unexpected that she dropped her phone, which clattered onto the floor.
For a second, she was just a surprised girl, her legs kicking slightly in the air. And then she understood. Her surprise melted into a look of triumph.
The room, which had just settled into productive harmony, exploded.
"HEY! PUT HER DOWN, YOU FAT, PERVERTED PIG!" Yuna shrieked, leaping up from her chair, her face a mask of possessive fury. "WE'RE WORKING! AND YOU CAN'T JUST—"
Ayane just leaned back in her chair, letting out a slow whistle. "Well, well, someone's playing favorites today, boss. This should be interesting." She picked up the dropped phone and walked over. "You dropped this, Mika. Remember to buy us some souvenirs when you're back."
Mafuyu made a small, confused sound, taking a step forward as if to intervene before stopping herself.
Mika, slung over Makoto's shoulder like a sack of rice, quickly recovered her composure. She took the phone from Ayane's hand, then wrapped her arms around Makoto's back, her body molding against his. "Oh dear. I'm being kidnapped! Someone help me!"
As they walked out the door, Mika glanced back into the apartment, giving a furious Yuna and an amused Ayane a teasing wave.
As Mika entered the car and settled into the passenger seat, she leaned in close, her warm breath a tickle against his ear. "So, where are we going for our date, darling?"
"Hmm, let's see. I remember there are some printing shops in that shopping mall we went to for lingerie last time," Makoto murmured. "It's been a while since it was just the two of us, huh? That last time was when I drove you home after your study session with Yuna."
Mika smoothed down the pink kimono of her Nezuko cosplay with a small, knowing smile on her face. The bamboo muzzle was resting in her lap; she had snatched it on the way out.
"It has been a while, indeed," she agreed, her voice soft. "Things have gotten a lot more crowded." She turned to look at Makoto, her gaze warm and lingering. "I'm not complaining, of course. It's been very entertaining."
She went silent for a moment; the only sound was the soft hum of the engine.
"But yes, this is nice," she said, her voice a little more subdued now. She looked out the window at the familiar, everyday sights of the city passing by. "Just the two of us." And then, as if she couldn't help herself, she asked: "So, is this really a date, Makoto?"
"It's really a date," he said with a giggle. "I remember I promised you one for being a good 'second wife' back then, when you welcomed Mafuyu-nee into our house. But things were so busy until now, so..."
A genuine smile spread across Mika's face. "At least you remembered," she whispered, her voice filled with giddy hope.
Mika didn't say anything else. The rest of the drive passed in comfortable silence. After half an hour, they arrived at the mall. It used to be their familiar, chaotic battlefield, but this time, it was different.
This time, Makoto was a man on a date with a beautiful girl (in a Nezuko costume). Mika seemed to sense the shift. She wasn't clinging to him or trying to compete for his attention. She was just walking beside him, almost like a normal girlfriend.
"So," she said, her voice gentle as they approached the printing shop. "Since this is a date, does that mean I get to be the main wife? Just for today?" She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with wicked light.
"And does that mean," she added, "that you'll buy me whatever I want, darling?"
He grasped her hand and kissed it. "You're my one and only girlfriend for today until we get back." But he couldn't resist a little tease. "Just don't make me buy a diamond ring yet, or my bank account will cry!"