While Momo was chatting with Akira and the others, an equally interesting conversation was taking place at Haruka's house. But first, let's go back a few minutes…
It was morning, not too early and not too late — the perfect time to wake up and have a relaxed breakfast. More or less at the same time, Ami and Haruka woke up. However, both had different routines and habits, so they didn't meet up right away.
After getting up, Ami's routine was to take a shower to wash off the sweat she claimed to have accumulated during the night, while Haruka preferred to take a bath at night. So it took them a few minutes to meet up.
"Hey, Haruka. Do you have any clothes that would fit me? I forgot to bring mine…" Ami said.
Ami was only in her underwear — beautiful pure white lingerie with a small red bow on the top part of her panties. Despite being small, her figure was captivating: smooth, soft legs and an incredible body. Although she lacked large breasts, that didn't take away any of her charm. In short, Ami was a true beauty — the kind every man would want to hold in his arms… and some women too.
"Aren't you afraid I'll attack you? I mean, you didn't even try to cover yourself and just appeared in front of me in your underwear," Haruka said after seeing her.
"It's not like you haven't seen me before. Besides… I trust you and I know you won't attack me. After all, you've changed a lot. You're not even a shadow of the Haruka I used to know," Ami said.
"… A lot of things have changed, that's all," Haruka replied.
"Yeah, but you haven't told me what kind of things. A change like this doesn't happen overnight. Something must have happened to make you change so much. Now that it's just the two of us… why don't you tell me? We're friends after all," Ami said.
Haruka sighed, but thought it wasn't a bad idea. After all, she had never talked about her true thoughts with anyone, and no one had ever helped her sort things out. Maybe talking with Ami was the right choice. But first…
"I don't mind talking about some things, but first I'll give you something to wear. Also, who the hell goes on a trip for a few days and doesn't bring any clean clothes?" Haruka said.
"I forgot, teehee," Ami said with a cute gesture.
{Teehee?}
"Teehee?" Haruka asked, frowning.
Ami had many virtues, but she also had flaws. One of them was that she was extremely absent-minded and often forgot things she shouldn't forget. This was a perfect example.
"Hehe, I was reading some manga while waiting for the time to leave, but I got distracted. By the time I realized it, I had to run out. I barely made it to the train on time," Ami said with a smile.
A drop of sweat rolled down Haruka's forehead. This girl…
"Fine, let me give you some clean clothes," Haruka sighed.
"Lend me underwear too! I wore this yesterday and it's dirty!" Ami exclaimed.
"Hey. You know underwear isn't something you lend, right?" Haruka asked.
"Huh? You really have changed. Don't you remember that one of your fetishes was making me wear your underwear? Sometimes even used ones…" Ami said.
"Ahhhh! Fine, I'll lend you my underwear and later I'll buy you a few sets, but don't mention that!" Haruka said, embarrassed.
That was one of her fetishes — one she wasn't exactly proud of.
"You even made me wear vibrators without underwear sometimes, both while walking down the street and at school… It was really hard not to cum back then and for my classmates not to notice anything strange," Ami said.
"Ami!" Haruka said, somewhat angry.
"Hehe, relax, it was a joke," Ami said with a mischievous smile.
After calming down and putting on one of Haruka's outfits (except the bra, since Haruka's breasts were much larger than Ami's), they made breakfast and sat at the table facing each other.
"So? Are you going to tell me everything that happened?" Ami asked while biting into a piece of toast.
"Fine… I'll tell you everything," Haruka nodded.
Anyway, Ami wasn't going to stop until she told her, and it would do her good to vent.
"I'm listening," Ami said.
She was also curious to know what had caused such a radical change in her.
After those words, Haruka began to narrate everything she had experienced since arriving in Sainan, omitting some details like the true identities of Lala, Akira, and the others.
The explanation lasted almost half an hour until she finally finished telling everything.
"And that's it," Haruka said.
She had been talking non-stop for nearly half an hour and her throat was a bit dry, so she took a sip of milk as soon as she finished.
"I see. Now I understand that change in you. But you know something?" Ami said.
"What?" Haruka asked.
"I'm glad," Ami said.
"Really?" Haruka asked.
"Yes. This Haruka is much better than the previous one and I like her more. I'll be honest with you. Coming to Sainan has been the best thing that could have happened to you in your life," Ami said.
Haruka sighed.
"Yeah, but… I didn't achieve my goal after all," Haruka said.
"Do you really like that girl that much?" Ami asked.
"Yes, but don't worry. My love is platonic. It's enough for me to be her friend and be with her. At least that way I can see her almost every day. That's enough for me," Haruka said.
Her gaze reflected some sadness and melancholy.
Ami thought for a few seconds.
"What if I told you there's a solution to your problem?" Ami said.
"Ami, the old Haruka would definitely accept your proposal, but now I'm a completely different person and I won't do anything that might make Lala uncomfortable. Besides, Akira is my friend now and I don't want to betray the trust everyone has placed in me — trust that was so hard to earn," Haruka refused.
In the past it would have been different, but now… no. She was no longer that kind of person and didn't want to go back to being one.
"Who said anything about interfering in their relationship or stealing her? I don't remember saying that," Ami said, confused.
"Then what did you mean?" Haruka asked, raising an eyebrow.
"The solution to your problem is simple: join Akira's harem. That way, even if you can never have Lala, you'll be able to stay by her side forever — even if only as a friend," Ami said.
"Don't say nonsense, Ami," Haruka said.
Join Akira's harem just for that? No way.
"Come on, I'm talking about a fake relationship. You give Akira what he wants and in exchange you get to be with Lala. Everyone wins. Besides, it's not like you like him or anything…" Ami said.
In reality, it had all been a joke because there was no direct solution to that problem. It was clear that Lala's relationship with Akira was extremely strong and Lala was completely in love with him to the point of not even interacting with other men. Combined with her lack of interest in people of the same sex, Haruka's love was not only unrequited but impossible. So she had said those words just to distract her a bit, as a joke, hoping Haruka would get annoyed and the topic would change naturally. But she never expected Haruka's reaction when she mentioned those last words.
When she said that, Haruka's face turned red and she lowered her head without denying anything.
"You… no way. Are you…?" Ami said, surprised.
Now she was truly shocked. That reaction… was the reaction of someone who was genuinely in love. That wouldn't be surprising if it weren't for the fact that Haruka was a lesbian and had no interest in men at all. But then why did she blush and act so shy when those words were mentioned?
"I… my feelings have been confusing for a while and I don't know what to do," Haruka said.
Her feelings for Akira had appeared some time ago and had only kept growing since then. But because of her pride, she had refused to believe she felt love for a man — especially when no other man had ever sparked her interest. But Akira… was simply different, though she didn't know in what way.
"Haruka… are you in love with both Akira and Lala at the same time?" Ami asked.
"I… yes… but I don't know what to do…" Haruka said.
She didn't want to admit it, but aside from Ami she had no one to confide in, and honestly, she was tired of it. She wanted someone to talk to about her feelings, someone who would listen and give her advice. So she swallowed her shame and told Ami everything.
On the other hand, Ami was so surprised that she even doubted if she had heard correctly. Haruka in love with a man? Had she crossed a wormhole and traveled to a parallel reality? If not, what was happening?
"Ami… at first I didn't want to admit it, but… I really like both of them and the worst part is that I'm not attracted to any other man. For some reason only Akira awakens desires in me that I didn't think existed. Tell me, what would you do in my place?" Haruka asked.
Ami snapped out of her trance.
"Haruka… I really don't know what to say because I never thought those words could come out of your mouth," Ami said.
And it was true.
"I know it's weird, but… I can't help it. Those are my feelings. But I don't know what to do. I like both of them, but they don't like me, and honestly… I don't know what to do. These feelings overwhelm me and I can't decide what to do with them. I already confessed seriously to Lala and was rejected. Should I do the same with Akira? But what if he rejects me? Will the girls think my confession has impure motives? Will they reject me? I don't know what to do, Ami…" Haruka said.
Ami was surprised. Haruka had improved her character a lot while being here, but with that came new problems — problems that weren't easy to solve. Haruka's feelings were very delicate and she was very confused. This matter couldn't be treated lightly as she usually did.
"Haruka… what if we talk to Momo?" Ami suggested.
Haruka lifted her gaze. A tear had already fallen down her beautiful, somewhat confused face.
"What does Momo have to do with this?" Haruka asked, not understanding.
"A lot. Yesterday I asked Momo why she didn't mind Akira having more women. I asked her if they got jealous," Ami said.
The reason she had asked those questions was because Momo not only didn't object to her words but seemed unusually excited about adding her to her boyfriend's harem — something she found strange, so she asked.
"And what did she say?" Haruka asked curiously.
"She said that a man like Akira couldn't settle for just a few women, so she herself was actively recruiting beautiful girls for Akira's harem. According to her, she had succeeded many times so far and all of them were successful. In fact, she told me that romantic feelings even developed between them. I found it hard to believe, but that loli, Kari, confirmed her words. She said she was one of her targets along with her friend and apparently it worked out perfectly. So if Momo is looking for more members for Akira's harem… what if we ask her for advice? Unfortunately I can't give you any proper advice, but maybe Momo can. Do you want to try?" Ami suggested.
Haruka hesitated for a moment.
"Fine… let's do it," Haruka nodded.
After all, she was already lost, not knowing what to do and with nothing to lose. Trying what Ami suggested wasn't a bad idea. Maybe Momo really did have the solution to all her problems. Maybe the solution had literally been right next to her and she just hadn't seen it.