Chapter 2138: Crazy Proposal

With an objective in place, a deliberation committee is formed among the four girls in the room to decide where the only guy in this bedroom, me, will be positioned in this wide bed of

ours.

Their drowsiness somehow got set aside as they formed a circle, convening a meeting in the middle of the bed and kicking me to the side.

In their words, my input was unneeded and I wasn't a part of the committee!

These four are heartless girls. Doesn't it suck to be left out by being the only guy here?

As if! Who am I kidding? This is such a privilege that not even Eri or Futaba's boyfriend has experienced.

But well, this isn't anything new to me. Just last night, I slept with Akane and Fuyu. And then the night before, I was in Yue's room alongside Chisato-nee-san. And during the camping trip, I slept inside the girls' tent next to Maaya and Misaki...

Mhm. Let me shut my mouth and not injustice here when I'm the one reaping the rewards. Anyway, since I had nothing better to do while they convened, I watched and listened to their little meeting at the side while sipping on the remaining glass of pineapple juice.

But when Futaba cast her gaze on me, she asked for the juice even though I had already drunk a fourth of it.

She already drank two glasses of it before this. Won't she risk being called by nature for drinking too much at night?

Ah. Nah. This girl doesn't care. She still wants to drink it despite the pineapple juice also contains sugars. She simply loves the flavor.

Well, as long as she's happy I guess? I can just switch to water and my thirst will still be quenched.

So, I handed it to her, albeit reluctantly. I teased her about the possibility of needing to visit the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Futaba's reaction was gold. She froze and looked up at me, asking me if she could wake me up to accompany her.

If she didn't say that at a lower volume and let the other girls hear it, their meeting would definitely shift in topic, eyeing her suspiciously.

But well, it's not that inconvenient anyway. So I gave her my word.

Immediately after that, Futaba happily enjoyed the juice...

Somehow, I felt like I got duped by something I was enjoying.

Forget it. I'm certain I'll still do the same if the other three asked for the same thing, especially Akane or Fuyu. Besides, it's not something that will absolutely happen.

Anyway, as their meeting progressed without getting a decision after a minute, they somehow got into an argument.

What the heck?

It shouldn't be that hard to decide, right?

It's either putting me at the edge or between Akane and Fuyu. With that, everyone will be happy.

However, upon listening closely, my new girl best friend seemed to have something to say about it.

Yeah. I'll understand if it's Akane or Fuyu proposing something that will benefit them. But Eri? This night has really turned into something unexpected.

Her proposal was a different arrangement than the one I just listed. And it's something one will raise an eyebrow if they hear it.

"Can you repeat that again, Eri?" Fuyu who's presiding over their meeting couldn't help but ask her to repeat. A puzzled expression on her face.

Eri proudly snickered before complying. Repeating what she just said.

"I said, can I also sleep next to Ruki? You know. Either you or Akane can sleep on top of him. One of his sides will remain open that way."

Right. That's her absurd proposal that stumped even Fuyu and made Futaba almost choke on her pineapple juice.

Among them, Akane was the first one to react. My silly wife failed to hold back her laughter as she patted Eri's back as though she was praising the girl.

"Hehe. Eri, I love that idea. But can you tell us why you also want to sleep next to husband? It can't be because you fell for him like us, am I right?"

Yeah. There's no way that's it. This is Eri we're talking about. She had just consulted me earlier about her troubles and despite my attempt to warn her about getting close to another guy, she just displayed a high degree of trust in me.

"Y-yeah! What are you thinking, you crazy girl? That's not something a girl with a boyfriend should say. It's already bad that we'll sleep in the same room as him."

Shortly after, Futaba also broke out of her daze as she immediately criticized Eri's proposal. This time, she's really concerned for her friend. If I'm not wrong, she's wondering what kind of magical fruit Eri ate that made her think sleeping next to me wasn't a problem. Although the girl also couldn't help but take a quick glance at me, it probably didn't mean anything. Just her way of expressing her disbelief.

Honestly, I also wanted to pitch in and shoot that proposal down. No matter how much she trusts me, she can't be this naive, right?

But upon a closer look at Eri, I captured her current unperturbed expression. It was pure and sincere.

She's not thinking of anything dirty or indecent. What she proposed was something she believed wouldn't pose any problem.

"Eh... I get what you're saying, Futaba. I understand the implications. However, think about it for a second. This is a rare opportunity..."

"Rare opportunity?"

"Yeah. To be in the same room as Ruki! This sleepover has taken so long before it happened. We still don't know if there will be a next time!"

"Even if that's the case..."

"Let me finish, okay? See, Ruki tried looking out for us when Akane proposed bringing him here. Which means he might not agree again next time! See what I'm getting at?"

At this point, Futaba was already lost. Or rather, she couldn't find the words to retort anymore. Because in her eyes, it would feel like she'd be knocking at a thick and dense wall

that is Eri's head.

And so, she turned to me for help.

Akane and Fuyu also did the same. Rather than criticizing the girl or getting into the specifics

of her reasoning, they'll let me, the person she wants to sleep alongside her, handle the

situation.

But wait. Aren't I not part of their committee?

I tilted my head and then approached their circle.

"Eri." I started. "Do you really want to sleep next to me?"

"Yes. Can I? Wait... Am I being insensitive here?"

She blinked her pretty blue eyes a little as she smiled innocently at me. But a second later, she

suddenly realized what was wrong with her insistence.

"Well, kinda but I heard you and I understand where you're coming from. This is a rare

occasion so..."

I trailed my voice there and the girl's expression immediately radiated her great anticipation.

I didn't want to disappoint her but I had to spell it out to her, right?

"... let's do another sleepover next time. For now, we can't go on with your proposal yet."

The girl immediately deflated but she attempted to put on an energetic smile.

"Next time? Really?"

"Mhm. I'm worried about you, you know? If your boyfriend asks, will you be able to honestly

tell him that you sleep next to me?"

"Oh... I never meant to- Uh. I sounded foolish there, huh?"

"Well, not really, your purity and sincerity are refreshing, to be honest. I also appreciate how much trust you put in me. That's why... I should also think about your well-being, right?" "Yes! You're right... Hehe. Then forget about my proposal... Futaba and I can take the edges or... we'll be next to each other so you three can have a better moving space?" "I'm not part of the committee so... you four should decide. I'll go back to my side."

"Pfft. You're hilarious Ruki... But thank you. Hehe. Guide me more in the future, Sage of

Wisdom."

"Sure. Sure. You four are already tired so let's wrap this night up."

With that, I moved back to my side, followed by four pairs of eyes, each had a different glow

in them. Akane was neutral but her eyes were full of praise for me. She knew I could handle that easily.

Fuyu was looking relieved and then her beautiful smile soothed my aching heart for being not included in their committee.

Futaba was looking at me gratefully. I guess I earned more of her trust. Add everything that happened between us... something might change with her in the near future. But for now, it's safe to say we're getting along quite well with a hint of intimacy.

And lastly, Eri who was owning up to her blunder and insensitivity was full of praise for me. And unlike Futaba, her trust in me might've been elevated to the top.

She's not as innocent as Misaki. But it's her pure naivety that's making me feel funny when staring at and thinking about her.

In any case, with that over and done, after a few back and forths where they once again highlighted that we were in our bedroom, they finally made a decision. I'd be right in the middle of the bed and the two girls will take the edges.

The bed was big enough anyway. And since their drowsiness has begun to return, we soon lie down according to what they agreed with.

On my left is Fuyu. Then Eri is on the far left. On my right is Akane with Futaba on the far right.