Chapter 255: Crucible (I)
Harribel had all the time in the world, but Kazuya only had two hours — one hundred and twenty minutes — before leaving the mansion. Instead of spending it solely with Harribel, he chose to share it with everyone. This way, Harribel, Apacci, Sung-Sun, Mila Rose, Izumi, and Cirucci — all of his lovers — would get to be with him.
Harribel seemed genuinely pleased with the agreement.
{Partner, why does it feel like you’re an escort for giving them limited time?}
“Escort?”
{You don’t have to learn about it, Tsu!}
“But I want to!”
Kazuya paid zero attention to the bickering idiots in his head, as he had become accustomed to ignoring them. Nothing about their talk was worth holding his attention when Harribel was by his side.
The golden-haired woman led him into her bedroom and invited him to sit beside her on the bed.
He cleared his throat loudly. “Tier, I promised to do that last time, but let’s not do that today.”
Confusion clouded her expression, causing her to tilt her head before a subtle flush of embarrassment colored her cheeks. “I didn’t bring you here for sex… I want our first time to be free from time constraints.”
“Oh, it was just a misunderstanding.”
She nodded slowly. “I wanted you to have some rest…”
Without giving him a chance to respond, she gently placed his head on her lap. Not content with just the lap pillow, she started caressing his hair with a tender touch.
“You looked tired when you arrived,” she softly said, weaving her fingers through his silver locks. “I’ll make sure you leave here feeling refreshed.”
Her affectionate action didn’t surprise Kazuya at all, as she knew how much he loved being on the receiving end of lap pillows. Getting angel-like kindness from her was just a side benefit of having this double relationship.
He no longer felt tired, but he wasn’t about to reject her. “Aren’t you going to ask why I’m tired?”
She shook her head. “The cause doesn’t concern me... caring for you this way makes me feel good. This… brings me more satisfaction than anything else.”
A sigh escaped his lips. Though his view was obstructed by her ample bosom, he could still imagine the warmth of her smile — the smile that always made him feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Harribel kept showering him with affection as the minutes slipped away.
“Sheesh, Tier. You’re spoiling me too much. Is it a ploy to always keep me here?”
He was obviously teasing her — an old habit that won’t ever go away.
Leaning over slightly, she locked eyes with him. “I’ll be happy if you decide to stay.”
In fact, everyone in the family would prefer he stopped going to the Soul Society and risking his life. They could find a new home far away from the reach of the Soul Society and Aizen and spend a peaceful life.
Harribel, of course, kept her thoughts private. But she couldn’t hide her internal conflict from him — he saw every emotion reflected in her deep eyes.
With a smile, he held her hand. “I promise I’ll stay with you all after this is over.”
“Don’t feel forced to relinquish your freedom for us,” Harribel said as she gently patted his face. “Apacci, Rose, Sung-Sun, Cirucci, Izumi… we all want you to be happy. Everyone will be heartbroken if you were to lose your own heart because of everything happening in the Soul Society.”
“I have the best lovers… it makes me a little guilty for forcing everyone to go along with my whims.”
Harribel grabbed his cheeks tightly, effectively shutting him up. “You aren’t forcing anyone… A small compromise is nothing compared to the happiness you bring us.”
Her stern tone had him speechlessly amused. After all, she had never scolded him with this much intensity.
“Kazuya, you’re the central pillar of our family. Our happiness hinges on yours…”
Just as she finished speaking, the door creaked open, and Sung-Sun strolled into the room with a confident gait.
She kneeled before the bed and playfully poked his face. “Darling, you’re the core of my universe, the words that paint the pages of a book. Without you I’m blank, colorless.” She leaned down and pecked his lips. “Without you I’m just… Hollow.”
After hearing Harribel’s impressive talk, Sung-Sun felt like she had to add something of her own and frankly convey his importance in his life. She did just that with her most straight face and her most calming voice.
Kazuya felt every bit of their affection for him, which could be simply described as borderline obsessive.
“Wife, I—”
“Shhh, I already know the depth of your love surpasses the Mariana Trench.”
{Partner, Lisa infected her mind with trash romance stories. What a tragic fate…}
Kazuya moved her finger from his lip and sat up from Harribel’s lap. “Wife, I was asking for something to eat. I’m starving.”
Sung-Sun covered her mouth and giggled. “Cheeky as always.”
He pulled her up and hugged her lithe figure. “You girls don’t have to worry about anything. I’m not letting anything happen to me before I take Harribel.”
Sung-Sun turned to Harribel. “Then it’s decided. Harribel-sama must stay virgin forever for my dear husband’s safety.”
Kazuya bit Sung-Sun’s nape, causing her to yelp adorably. “It’s just a matter of time before I pin Tier down and claim her. Nobody can stop me.”
“Not even Harribel-sama herself?”
“No.”
“How come I didn’t know my husband was into kinky force play?!”
Harribel looked at the two with a slight smile. “Kazuya, forgive me… but I can’t let you touch me for at least a hundred years. By that time, our family would be strong enough to protect you from anything.”
Harribel was, of course, teasing him, and her smile was the clear sign of her mischief.
He was still speechless by the confidence in her voice.
Using the opportunity, Sung-Sun suddenly pushed him down on the bed and straddled his waist. “Husband, Harribel-sama enjoys teasing others now. She is learning from the best husband and wife in the world.”
“True. By the way, why are we in this position?”
He wasn’t dumb enough to not know Sung-Sun’s intentions. Her sheer lust was greater than Apacci and Mila Rose’s combined. She wasn’t the type to let a great opportunity slide by.
Licking her lips, she revealed a predatory smile. “Because…”
She unzipped her baggy jacket and took it off in one smooth motion. Tracing her hands up her waist, she cupped her covered breasts and twisted her figure.
“Husband, sex?”