Makoto POV
"Hm? Is that Nijima?" I muttered as I saw Nijima walking toward me with a brand-name coffee in her hand. She had looked the other way, seemingly oblivious that I was in her path. So, I did the obvious thing. I moved out of the way at the last minute.
And there you go, Nijima fell toward where I was a second ago even though nothing had tripped her. Her coffee splattered on the roadside. I blinked at her awkward acting.
"Ah!! Makoto! Sorry!"
"Ah. Never mind. You didn't hit me anyway. Are you okay?"
"…Eh?"
"Eh?"
We looked at each other awkwardly. Then a realization came to me like a brick. Wait a minute. Is this the thing we planned in the dreamworld? What the heck? That's so awkward. Nijima, your acting was so bad it's not even funny.
"Y-y-you dirtied my clothes. You have to take responsibility!" Nijima started accusing me.
"No. You fell on your own, and even then, you fell on a clean pathway. The coffee didn't even spill on you," I blurted out. I should probably let it go. After all, I wanted Nijima to come to my house. But the way she did it was so absurd that I couldn't help but retort.
"Ugh…" Nijima shuddered as her plans broke apart.
"Well. If you want to come to my house, it's fine. I don't have anything, though, so would ramen be fine?" I threw her a lifeline. Thank God I already bought that surveillance camera. Now, even if something happens, Nijima wouldn't be able to sue me.
"Yes! Please!" Nijima beamed. Ugh… Don't act so excited, you filthy girl. The way you do it is a total turnoff. Please act a bit more shy or something.
"Well… Come in." I invited her inside. "I don't cook, but there are some cookies and instant ramen. Will soft drinks be fine?"
"Yes, please. Um… Thank you." Now that Nijima had calmed down, she covered her face with pillows. She finally realized how embarrassing her earlier show was. That was cute. I wish she acted more like that in the future. If she did, I wouldn't mind including her in my harem.
"You are welcome. Um… Is something troubling you?"
"Well… Um… do you accept a live-in maid here? Um… maybe I can cook or something…?" Nijima said.
"Hm? Sakura had been cooking lately, and I can wash dishes by myself. Pepe usually cleans my house." I pointed toward a vacuum cleaner robot at the corner of my house. The robot was shit, but in the worst-case scenario, I could clean myself.
"Ah… I am sorry…." Nijima sobbed. I reeled back. Whoa. If the previous one was like kindergarten acting, this one was Oscar-worthy. Wait. Is she seriously crying? Why? We hadn't even done anything.
"Wait. Nijima. Um… is something troubling you? I don't know if I can help. But I can at least listen to you," I offered. I might be a pervert, but I am no demon. Taking advantage of her like this would leave a bad taste in my mouth.
"My father came back home."
"Ah. I see. That cri— I mean. You didn't like your father, huh?" I cut off my words. I wasn't supposed to know anything about her father. Nijima nodded.
"Yes. He was jailed because he hit someone on the street."
"I see. Why?" Nijima shouldn't hate him just because of that. Did he do something at home?
"He thought my mom was cheating even though she was only looking for an alternative job. When he was put in jail, I thought, 'Serve him right!' He always complained about work at home, sometimes hitting Mom and me before that day."
"Well, did he repent?" It was a rhetorical question. I regret asking it. I could see from her expression alone that it had gone horribly badly.
"Not at all. It got worse," Nijima said. Her short answer left little doubt about his actions.
"I see. So you don't want to live with your father," I asked. Nijima nodded.
"Yes, but I am just a student. There is no way I could live by myself. I have no income. I have no special skills. I am just a nobody," Nijima cried. "I am not like you, an adventurer."
Becoming an adventurer means becoming special. There are riches untold inside the dungeon, ripe for the taking. But I knew the risk was also great. In this modern world, most people rarely come close to death in their lifetime except through accidents. Yet, I had almost died twice in a month. That's the risk of becoming an adventurer.
"Well… I thought you hated men, Nijima. I mean, you seemed so averse when talking to me. Are you sure you want to live here?"
"I had no other choice! You are the only hope I have left!" Nijima said, hugging me. "Please… I will do anything."
"Erm… you could live in Sakura's home, you know…" I turned away. That last line was good. I gave her that. The desperation really comes through.
"Eh?" Nijima stared at me blankly. I wonder if I had just ruined my chance here, but I am not ready. Sakura was not ready to accept an additional harem member yet.
"No…. I mean… I would trouble her. She had financial problems too." Nijima turned away. She was so preoccupied with stealing my apartment that she didn't consider this simple solution.
"Well… if it's just food and bills, Sakura and I could do something. Let me call her, okay?"
"… Yeah… Um… thanks… You are a good person, Makoto. I am sorry." Nijima covered her face with a pillow. I could practically see steam rising from her face. She was red to her ears.
'Sakura. Could you come to my house? Nijima is here. I think she needs our help.' I messaged Sakura.
The reply came immediately.
'I am coming now.'
It was short. I blinked at the reply. That was unlike her. She would usually be like… you know, acting lovey-dovey or playing the masochistic side. Was she upset? I had been tampering with her dream so she could see me doing things with Nijima.
Five minutes later, the door was slammed open by Sakura. Her breathing was ragged. I had just finished explaining things to Nijima in my message. But somehow, she had arrived just before that. Wow! She was quick. How did she arrive here so fast? Is this the power of a yandere?
"Hah… Hah…" Sakura was gasping for breath, her eyes manic as she searched for Nijima and me. I waved at her awkwardly. Did she run here? Why?
"Sakura. Hello. Erm… did you read my message?" I asked her. Sakura dug through her bag and opened her phone. The 'ting' sound that came from her phone, signifying that the message had just arrived, was both comedic and heaven-sent.
Sakura's face loosened after she learned the circumstances. Man… That was so scary. Is this the power of a yandere? Damn… I am an adventurer. I have faced orcs before, but I am shaking in my boots right now.
"Hah… you should have told me sooner." Sakura took a deep breath. "Nijima, is this true?"
Nijima nodded. She then began explaining things about her father and her family's circumstances. Well, most people nowadays don't want to ask for help. They have too much pride. I didn't think about such options either when we talked inside her dreams.
"Come on, Nijima. Don't cry. Of course I will accept you and your mother."
"Ah. Nijima. Before you move out, I need to tell you about Sakura's circumstances you need to be wary of. I need your help," I said.
"Huh?"
"The truth is Sakura might be in the middle of a scam by an evil corporation. Can you help her?"
"Huh? Really? What do you mean?"
"Makoto. We are not sure it was a scam just yet. It might be legitimate," Sakura pouted.
"Well, just be careful, okay? Sakura had signed with a shady lender to cover her tuition. She will become a doctor in the future. So, that's it." I said my piece. I don't know how the scammer will make his move, but now that I have warned Nijima, my conscience is clear.
"It's not shady… You are worrying too much," Sakura pouted.
"Well. I would be troubled if you got scammed. That house has Nijima now. Please don't lose it, okay?" I smiled. In the worst-case scenario, if I lose my blessing, I could marry Sakura and rent out her house. That way, we would have a passive income.
"Geez. Makoto. You are such a worrywart." Sakura pouted. But somehow, the manic feeling she had earlier was gone, replaced by a pouting smile as she turned to the kitchen.
"I have practiced cooking for a while. Do you want to try my cooking, Nijima?"
"Really? Thanks! I would love to!" Nijima hopped in. "Oh my, you look like a housewife already, Sakura. I didn't know you and Makoto were so close."
"We are technically childhood friends after all," Sakura said proudly. No, we are not, Sakura. You ignored me ever since we graduated elementary school, and you are now my sex slave. Don't distort the facts.
"I wonder if there is a place for me… Makoto, you are a nice person! Could I join your harem?" Nijima hugged my arm.
*clank
Sakura dropped her spatula. Her neck craned toward Nijima. Her glare was icy cold. I turned away. This isn't my fault! You know that.
"Of course you will be number 1, Sakura… Well… I am just kidding. Please forgive me." Nijima retracted her words.
"Of course. You know, I wonder…" Sakura's cheeks reddened. I knew that look. She was considering it!
I thought the plan was ruined, but it turned out even better than I expected. With just a little push, both Sakura and Nijima could become part of my harem. I can soon farm points with her.
"Wait a minute. Instead of asking Sakura, I should ask Makoto! What about you, Makoto? Could you share Sakura with me? Now that my problem is over, I don't need you anymore."
"Oi, you bitch. Sakura is mine, understand?" I ground my fist on top of her head, and she smiled sheepishly while Sakura blushed.
Half an hour later, Sakura prepared a feast. Curry, hotpot, and rice. We all ate happily just like a family.
Wait. Nijima is supposed to be my sex slave number two. Why does she act like our child? This is wrong. I should correct her immediately in the dreamscape.