After they finished dinner, and Mahiru declined Eiji's offer to wash the dishes.
They sat together on the comfortable living room sofa.
"...."
"...."
The sudden silence felt a little awkward. Mahiru kept fiddling with the hem of her shirt, her face slowly turning a pale pink. She glanced at Eiji from time to time, then looked down, her eyes cast downward.
Eiji certainly had no plans to go home right away, but he wasn't in a hurry to say anything in this situation either.
He could tell that Mahiru was hesitant to say anything.
[Mahiru, what do you want to say? Is it a confession of love? I'll wait patiently!]
You should be the one to say something first!
And no, I'm not about to confess my love!
Mahiru complained in her heart.
They'd only just met yesterday, but Eiji's presence gave her a pleasant feeling she'd never felt from anyone else.
She no longer felt lonely, and she'd forgotten about her family problems. That made her hooked.
"Eiji…" Mahiru called out the name of the man sitting next to her very softly, almost in a whisper.
"What's wrong, Mahiru?" Eiji asked, glancing curiously at the angel.
Mahiru turned to face Eiji, nervously wringing her own fingers. "That... um... can I ask you for something?"
"Of course. Just say it."
[You can ask me for anything, and I'll give it to you. For example, if you want me to pluck a star and turn it into a lamp for your apartment. I can do that, and even make the temperature safe for humans.]
[I remember Mahiru likes to save money; those stars wouldn't require an electricity bill. Should I give them to her as a gift?]
Mahiru was stunned—not because of what Eiji said, but because of his inner voice!
He's joking, right?
Even if he really could do something like pluck stars, she doesn't need them to be lamps in her apartment.
"Pfft!"
Still, she couldn't help but laugh.
"Mahiru, what's so funny?"
[When you laugh, you're so cute.]
Eiji looked confused on the surface, but he was secretly admiring her cuteness.
"It's nothing." Mahiru's face was now bright red all the way to the tips of her ears. With a very shy gesture, she shifted slightly closer to Eiji and bowed her head in front of him. "L-Like when we were at the playground yesterday… could you… pat my head again?"
"You want me to do that again?"
Eiji didn't immediately agree or refuse, but asked with a surprised expression.
Mahiru bit her lip and nodded.
"Yes, can you?"
Eiji held back a smirk; he smiled gently and didn't laugh at Mahiru.
Her spoiled attitude was really cute.
She really was just like a cat.
Eiji raised his right hand and placed it on Mahiru's silky-soft blonde hair, then gently stroked it with a loving motion.
His god-level head-patting skill activated automatically.
"Ngh..." Mahiru let out a soft moan, her caramel-colored eyes closed as she savored the warmth of Eiji's palm. Her body, which had been tense, slowly relaxed, and without realizing it, she leaned her head a little closer to Eiji's arm, acting spoiled like a tame little kitten.
Yare-yare, Eiji thought.
"I know this is weird... we just met yesterday, but... it feels so comfortable when you do this, Eiji." Mahiru squeaked from behind her hair, hiding her face, which was bright red with embarrassment over her own behavior.
"If you like it that much, you can ask me to do it anytime."
"R-Really? That wouldn't be a bother for you?"
Mahiru peeked at his handsome face with her gaze. Seeing his gentle smile, her heart raced.
Numerous notifications from Leme popped up in the corner of Eiji's eye, but he ignored them because he knew he'd already won Mahiru's heart—it was a sure thing.
"It's not a bother because I actually enjoy patting your head, Mahiru."
"!"
The sweet words that came so naturally from Eiji's mouth were too dangerous for any woman. Mahiru was no exception; she felt both embarrassed and happy.
A few moments later.
Once Mahiru felt satisfied, she looked up and held Eiji's hand until he stopped stroking her head. Her small hand clasped his, which was much larger than hers.
It was the first time she'd held a man's hand; she was in awe and, for a moment, forgot what she wanted to say next.
She kept staring at Eiji's strong, calloused hands. Just holding it gave her a sense of security.
"This… If you want my hand, I probably can't cut it off for you, Mahiru."
"N-No way! How could I possibly want you to cut off your own hand, Eiji!?"
Mahiru glared at Eiji because, at that moment, he was laughing. He was clearly joking with her, but she didn't mind it—in fact, she enjoyed it.
[Tsk, tsk, host. You're getting more skilled.]
'Miss System, are you jealous again?'
[Impossible.]
Eiji didn't believe what the woman said; she clearly fell into the tsundere category.
Mahiru suddenly called his name in a spoiled tone she wasn't even aware of herself, "Eiji..."
"Yes, Mahiru?"
"Why are you being so nice to me?" Mahiru asked in a voice that sounded a little fragile. "We just met yesterday. At school, everyone treats me like a perfect, independent 'Angel.' They think I can do everything on my own. But you… the way you treat me is different from everyone else."
Hearing that question, Eiji kept staring into Mahiru's caramel-colored eyes and casually replied. "Because to me, you're not an angel, Mahiru. You're just a beautiful, cute woman named Mahiru Shiina whom I want to date. You're an amazing cook, you pay attention to the little things, you'd make a good wife, and I know you also need someone to lean on when you're tired. You don't need to pretend to be perfect in front of me."
Given his personality, even the protagonist Amane wouldn't dare say something like that so bluntly.
After all, it's no secret that Japanese beta protagonists always have low self-esteem, are cowards, and are indecisive in many ways.
But Eiji?
He's the Harem King!
For him, saying something like that is as easy as breathing, and he doesn't even blush the slightest bit.
Leme: Hahaha! Our King, you're amazing!
Miss System: Tsk.
"!!!"
Hearing that answer—so casual it sounded sincere—the corners of Mahiru's eyes seemed to glisten slightly. The loneliness she had been bottling up all this time—because her parents had neglected her—seemed to simply vanish upon hearing Eiji's words.
Mahiru mustered the courage to hold Eiji's hand a little tighter. "In that case… will you promise me one thing?"
"What kind of promise?"
"P-Please take care of me… and come see me often." Mahiru's face flushed red again as she looked directly into Eiji's eyes. "Even though we just met yesterday, I feel... I don't want to lose moments like this. Promise me you won't leave me like my parents did, Eiji."
This time, it was Eiji who was taken aback.
[The first part of what Mahiru said... That sounded like consent to something.]
[Could it be…!]
Mahiru lowered her head; she was so embarrassed and had needed all the courage she had to say what she'd just said.
And yes, Eiji's guess was right.
Still, unlike other guys who might have asked if she agreed to be his girlfriend just to confirm his guess,
"I promise you, Mahiru. I'll take care of you, too, and I'll never leave you the way your parents did. As your boyfriend and future husband, I'll take responsibility for looking after you forever."
Eiji promised, having no doubt that Mahiru was already his woman.
Mahiru was happy, but couldn't help but ask, "F-Future husband!?"
"Yes. Mahiru, do you just want me to be your boyfriend, but don't want to marry me after you graduate from high school? I'm the kind of man who'll take responsibility until the very end."
"I-I…!"
Mahiru stammered; her face was undoubtedly almost as red as Rias's hair. Eiji could even hear the rapid beating of her heart.
A few seconds passed before Mahiru rested her head against his chest. "Allright, you can't take back what you said."
Her voice was very soft.
Actually, she didn't mind marrying Eiji when she heard his proposal, but she was worried he might change his mind about her in the future.
This angel always put others before herself. Eiji sighed and embraced her soft body in his lap.
What kind of man would let Mahiru go and willingly let her marry someone else?
He wasn't one of those idiots.
"I won't regret having Mahiru as my future wife. But you haven't forgotten that I also have other women who are my future wives, have you?"
Mahiru pouted at the mention of other women; she wanted to have Eiji all to herself.
But she knew that wasn't possible.
She wasn't even his first girlfriend.
If that man were Amane... Mahiru would have refused, but Eiji was so charming that she could only compromise.
"I don't mind."
"Good. Even if you'd changed your mind in the past, there's no way you could've escaped me, Mahiru."
Eiji said in a commanding tone.
Mahiru shuddered, not just because of what he said, but also because his hand was now rubbing the lower part of her back.
He was almost touching her butt!
Mahiru's face felt hot.
Maybe she'd been too hasty? It was as if she'd surrendered herself to a wolf!
Tonight, he's going to devour her! She wasn't ready, but if Eiji insisted... However, Mahiru was surprised because, just a moment after they'd leaned against each other, Eiji said goodbye and went home.
Mahiru was relieved, and her positive level went up by three points. Even so, she was a little reluctant to part with him.
Still, as if remembering something, Eiji suddenly turned around when the two of them were standing in front of the apartment door.
"Mahiru, I know you get lonely easily. So, how about you move to my house, just like my other women? We can see each other every day, and you can get to know your sisters, too. They're all kind and friendly—don't worry."
"Huh? Move into your house, Eiji?"
Mahiru's eyes widened; she hadn't realized that the door to her neighbor's apartment was slightly ajar. At that moment, Amane happened to be on his way to the nearest convenience store to buy instant noodles and a drink, but he was surprised when he saw two familiar faces come into view.
Amane hadn't forgotten what Eiji looked like, but what surprised him was the woman he was talking to.
Wasn't that the "angel" who was famous at her school? Mahiru Shiina? Had she been his neighbor all this time!?
Watching the two of them gaze at each other tenderly, Amane felt a pang in his heart, as if something precious to him had been snatched away by someone else. He was confused and wondered why he felt that way.
He was curious about what Eiji and Mahiru were talking about, but he couldn't hear their conversation clearly.
He was also hesitant to step out of his apartment door right now.
Eiji, of course, realized Amane was peeking; he grinned in his heart and nodded.
"At my place, there are also plenty of empty bedrooms. You can have one or two of them."
"Just one is enough! Umm… Eiji, I don't mind moving in with you. But I need some time to get ready. How about tomorrow afternoon? For now, I don't mind spending the night alone, and… I'm not really feeling lonely either."
Mahiru didn't refuse, and she looked shy in Amane's eyes.
Amane: Is that really an angel at my school!? She and that guy seem to have an unusual relationship...
Eiji placed both hands on Mahiru's shoulders, "Okay, I'll pick you up to move to my house tomorrow afternoon after you get home from school."
"Mhm."
"For now, how about we kiss so you don't feel lonely tonight?"
Before Mahiru could say anything, Eiji leaned in and took her first kiss.
Right in front of Amane, their lips met.
"Nnng!"
Mahiru widened her caramel-colored eyes, but she quickly closed her mouth. She even awkwardly parted her lips, sensing Eiji's tongue pressing against hers.
She felt embarrassed, and her heart was pounding wildly. From what she'd seen in movies, that was a French kiss. Mahiru thought Eiji was a pervert, but she didn't hate him and was happy that he was attracted to her.
For nearly ten minutes, their tongues and saliva intertwined.
During that time, Amane froze and was so shocked that the dull ache in his heart became even more pronounced. He didn't realize it himself, but he was like an NTR victim watching his girlfriend cheat on him and kiss another man right in front of him.
That night, he couldn't sleep soundly and even had a nightmare. In the dream, he and Mahiru had a very good relationship; he had even fallen in love with her.
However, Eiji suddenly appeared and snatched Mahiru away from him. Amane cried; he felt as though part of that dream was real.
What he didn't know was that Eiji was using the power of the Lord of Dreams to project scenes from the original story onto him, manipulating him to feel immense heartbreak.
As for Mahiru?
After kissing Eiji, she immediately said, "Be careful on your way home," and went into her apartment, not forgetting to close the door behind her. Her face was undoubtedly bright red; she had a wonderful dream that night.
...
The next day.
[Ding! Detected that the host has changed the plot of "The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten".]
[Successfully changed the plot by ——% by completely winning Mahiru's heart and making her one of your women.]
[You also made the protagonist, Amane, witness you kissing Mahiru right in front of him. You even manipulated his dreams, making him feel like a true NTR victim.]
"Just as expected from the Netori System. That last part counts as one of my achievements, too."
Sitting on the sofa, Eiji wasn't surprised. He spoke with Miss System using telepathy.
But on the surface, he was busy talking to his daughter, Lilim, who was now sitting on his lap.
"Papa-sama, can I invite my friend over after school?"
"Your friend? Who is it? A man or a woman?"
Suddenly, Eiji understood how a father felt when his daughter wanted to invite a friend over to play at their house.
However, he was concerned about the friend's gender.
He ignored the blank stares from Lilith, Mira, Ravel, and Mai, who happened to be in the room as well.
The women: Seriously, Eiji? Are you worried about that?
They found it amusing.
"Her name is Kana, and she's a woman. She's really cute and has silver hair." Lilim said as if she understood someone's preferences.
By the way, even though she's actually a Grimoire that gained consciousness by absorbing Eiji's magical energy, she's currently attending third grade in elementary school.
"Sure, you can invite your friend."
Eiji was relieved and even enthusiastically agreed to Lilim's request to invite her friends over to play.
[But Kana? Hm… That can't possibly be the Kana I know, right?]
The women in the room: Eiji, do you know any other third-grade elementary school students besides Lilim? Please don't joke!
Eiji: ?
The women in the room seem to have misunderstood something.
But his attention was immediately diverted by the reward he had just received.
[Congratulations hos, you've gained the Divine Replication ability.]
"Mahiru is truly an angel! She's given me two jackpots in a row!"
Eiji suddenly jumped up from his seat and pushed Lilim aside. In his excitement, he actually said what he said.
"Eiji, what jackpot?"
"You're suddenly saying something I don't understand."
"How strange."
Lilith, Mai, and Mira said in turn.
"Eiji-sama, what's got you so excited?" Ravel was the most polite among the women.
Eiji glanced at her and ignored the others, "Ravel, from now on, I can mimic the supernatural abilities of anyone I've ever seen."
"What!?" Everyone, including Lilim.
The latter stared at him in awe.
Of course—after all, he now possessed Divine Replication, also known as the Eyes of the Lord.
Eiji remembered that in the original work, this was a power belonging to Adam from the series titled Record of Ragnarok.
With it, he could replicate any fighting technique he had ever seen, including those of the gods. Divine Replication also allowed him to automatically dodge every attack.
That ability was incredibly overpowered, but it also had some weaknesses. For example, it strains the eyes, has a usage limit, and using it too much in a single day can lead to blindness.
However, such weaknesses don't apply to Eiji. After all, he isn't human and possesses extremely fast natural regeneration. He even has Avalon, which prevents any side effects except for eternal youth.
In short, he can use Divine Replication without limit!