"I see you've figured out the bathroom. What you'd expect from a Nara clan girl... Hungry? Come on, breakfast time," Kenshin said, grabbing her hand and pulling her along.
"Break free and slap him!" Kasumi mentally scolded herself, but did nothing and meekly followed the commanding guy. She was angry at herself, feeling inner conflict. She didn't understand why she suddenly saw this guy as a close friend and felt such warmth toward him—after all, just yesterday he'd brazenly kidnapped her and kept her locked up.
But her conflicted thoughts were interrupted by immense curiosity about the place she'd ended up. Kasumi stared wide-eyed at the beautiful hallway, several doors, and perfectly laid parquet floor.
"Let me introduce you to my humble abode. That's my bedroom, and down the hall is the dining room—we're heading there," Kenshin said, not releasing the petite girl's hand.
Kasumi was very curious where she'd ended up and where such an incredible house—with its own water supply and wonderful finishes—was located. She tried recalling nearby places where such a house might theoretically be, but her thoughts were cut short by arriving at the dining room.
As soon as she entered, she immediately saw a magnificent long table in front of her, at which sturdy-looking guys were sitting—most of whom she had crossed paths with yesterday. They merely gave her an indifferent glance and nodded to Kenshin.
Kasumi didn't focus on these guys, but instantly shifted her gaze to the two girls sitting on either side, right next to the empty seat at the head. The two girls stared back at her, drilling the newcomer with wary and unfriendly gazes for several seconds.
Kenshin dispelled the awkward situation by smiling and saying, "Here, Kasumi, you're my guest, so sit next to me."
As soon as the black-haired Kunoichi was practically forced onto the chair next to Kenshin, he suddenly said, "Allow me to introduce you to my wives. This is Aya, and this is Natsumi. Girls, say hello."
"Hello, Kasumi. We're glad to meet you," both girls chirped with fake smiles, not wanting to upset their husband but also not wanting to befriend the new girl.
"Um, hi..." Kasumi muttered, completely shocked by this revelation.
"Wives?! He already has two wives?!" she exclaimed mentally, immediately feeling a bitterness arise from nowhere.
After Kenshin bit off a piece of perfectly roasted boar meat, everyone else started breakfast too. Kasumi was very hungry, so she began eating as well, temporarily forgetting her worries.
After Kenshin's sons finished eating, they silently stood up, thanked their mothers for the food—remembering their father's order not to call them "moms"—then got up and left the dining room together, heading to the Gym.
"Kasumi, shall we help Aya and Natsumi clear the table?" Kenshin said with a smile, intending to ease the tense atmosphere that had arisen between his wives and this beautiful Kunoichi.
Kasumi wanted to object that she was a captive, but for some reason, contrary to her thoughts, she silently stood up and began clearing the table along with everyone else, carrying the dirty plates to the kitchen.
She kept marveling at the futuristic nature of all the rooms in this extraordinary home. And when she saw the incredible high-tech appliances, she completely forgot her bad mood and started asking Kenshin how this miracle machine called a "Refrigerator" worked, or that bulky thing that washed dishes on its own.
Kenshin happily explained how everything worked, only omitting the formations that formed the basis of these devices. The girl understood that this was secret information and didn't insist. As a professional Kunoichi, she knew better than anyone the value of information and knew how to keep secrets.
All this time, she kept glancing at the big bellies of the two girls but was too shy to ask. Only when Kenshin seated everyone at a small table in the kitchen and poured them a strange light-brown drink did she dare to ask the question that interested her.
"Um, are you pregnant?"
"Yep, we're both carrying Kenshin's children. And soon we'll give birth to his wonderful babies, right, Aya?" Natsumi said with a sly, fox-like smile, showing her small neat fangs.
Aya just giggled and cutely covered her mouth with her palm, agreeing with her friend.
Kasumi was in shock and stared at Kenshin, who merely shrugged and explained, "I love my girls, and I want them to bear my children."
He stood over both girls, stroked their heads, and then kissed their obligingly offered cheeks.
Kasumi suddenly felt a slight pang of jealousy for herself and wanted to give Kenshin a hard slap to make him stop kissing other girls.
She immediately pulled herself together and realized she couldn't forbid Kenshin from kissing his pregnant wives. Kasumi was full of conflicting feelings and didn't even immediately notice the wonderful taste of this drink.
"Mmm... What do you call this drink?" the black-haired Kunoichi said, savoring the sweet, milky taste. Deep down, she was a sensitive little girl who loved everything beautiful and everything sweet, but since childhood, that side of her character had been strongly suppressed by self-discipline and militarized training.
"It's Coffee. Like it? If you stay with me, you can drink it every day," Kenshin said with a smile, deliberately using the words "with me."
Kasumi blushed a little and shifted her gaze to the two girls, wanting to see their reaction. When she noticed nothing, she asked, "And your wives aren't against you kidnapping another girl and asking her to stay with you?"
"To be honest, if it were up to me, your foot wouldn't be in this house..." Natsumi began, but was interrupted by Kenshin's displeased shout.
"Natsumi! Stop it!"
"I wasn't finished," Natsumi said. Looking her husband in the eyes, she shifted her gaze back to Kasumi and continued. "But I respect any decision my husband makes and will obey him, whatever he decides. I'll even become your best friend if he wants."
Kasumi was shocked. Barely containing her astonishment, she nonetheless met Natsumi's stern gaze, sighed, then shifted her night-black eyes to Kenshin and asked, "Maybe you'll finally explain why you kidnapped me? What do you want? The Nara Clan secrets? If so, you can kill me—you'll never get them," the girl blurted out in one breath. Since everyone was being so frank, she decided not to hold back either.
"Hm, asking why I kidnapped you? Well, first off, I didn't kidnap you—I saved you. And second—obviously so you could become my third wife and bear my children," Kenshin replied without embarrassment.
"WHAT?!" Kasumi exclaimed. "Never! I'll never become your wife, let alone bear your children!"
The black-haired Kunoichi was in absolute shock and rage. Even her favorable attitude toward this guy couldn't extinguish the fury that blazed in her incredibly strong-willed eyes.