落とし穴１３７堀：今更ながらの話 (Part1)
**Pit 137: A Rather Belated Conversation**
**Side: Yuki**
It was a thought that struck me out of the blue. Or rather, no—that’s not quite right. It was something that had been weighing on my mind for a while, and I decided it was time to ask my wives about it.
"Sorry to bring this up right after dinner, but there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you all. Is that alright?"
As I spoke, my wives, who had been relaxing after the meal, all turned toward me in unison.
"My, what’s with the sudden formality?"
"Is something the matter, Husband?"
"Father, what’s wrong?"
"Papa?"
Seraria, Rurua, and the daughters all tilted their heads in confusion. It was only then that I realized how difficult this would be with the children present. I should have thought this through before blurting it out. Just as I was about to pivot to a different topic to cover my tracks, someone intervened.
"Now, Lady Sakura and everyone else, it’s time for dessert in your rooms."
"Eh? But Mother said eating in our rooms is forbidden..."
"Yeah, she said it’s bad because it makes the room dirty."
The girls were such good children, always trying to keep their promises. Shael, Kirue’s daughter, already spoke with such poise. Then there was Ratz’s daughter, Schans; she still had that undeniable charm of a small animal. Well, she was the only one among the older girls with rabbit ears, so she was naturally doted on.
"It’s perfectly fine for today. Isn't that right, my lady?"
"…Sasari is correct. Shael, starting today, we shall set aside opportunities for you to dine in your rooms. Learn to keep your quarters clean. As maids, you must also learn to assist everyone properly. Lady Schans is very meticulous, so she will be fine."
"Yes, Mother. Leave it to me."
"I’ll help Shael-chan, too."
"Thank you. Then, let’s go together."
"We’ll all prepare it!"
"Yay!!"
With that, the children scampered off. Sasari started to follow them, but then she paused.
"Well then, Husband. Please enjoy your conversation."
She left with a smile. Ah, I really made them go out of their way for me. My wives seemed to realize it, too.
"What is it? Is it something you couldn't say in front of the children?"
"Tori, Deryu, have there been any... bloody incidents lately?"
"Hmm, no murders."
"Nothing of that sort. So, did you find another torture chamber in the New Continent?"
Ah, well, I suppose that’s the standard assumption around here.
"No, no, it’s nothing that dramatic. It’s just... a rather belated question."
It was truly a trivial matter, but since it had the potential to be a landmine, I found myself hesitating. Still, if there were any underlying dissatisfactions, I had to address them before a small spark turned into a wildfire. But even so...
"What are you worrying about? If it’s a 'belated' matter, don't let it bother you. There’s no need for such reserve between you and us, your wives. Right, everyone?"
When Seraria said that, everyone nodded in agreement. Once they put it that way, I couldn't back down.
"I was just wondering... if you all have any complaints about me."
As soon as I asked that honestly, they all went silent, their eyes wide with shock. Seraria was the first to break the silence, as expected.
"That really is belated. Honestly, how could we have any complaints about you? If you were someone we could be dissatisfied with, then every other man in existence would be utterly hopeless."
Everyone nodded in rhythmic agreement.
"Ah, sorry. I don't mean in terms of my ability to provide or anything like that. It’s just... as the man who has taken so many wives, I know I have limited time to spend with each of you. And having so many women under one roof, well..."
As I trailed off, they all nodded as if they understood.
"Ah, I see, I see. You’re worried that we’re harboring dissatisfaction because we don’t get enough time with you, Brother."
"Ah, that’s what it is."
"Well, if you put it that way, I suppose it is a complaint. Honestly, I’d love to live a life of pure indulgence every day."
"Eris, your true feelings are leaking out. *Ahem.* But, if that’s what you mean, it’s true that I’d love to be lovey-dovey every single day."
At Ratz and the others' words, all the wives nodded. So, there was some dissatisfaction after all.
"That said, I’m fulfilled, so I do love this life."
"I love this life, too."
"…Honestly, if it were just me and Yuki, I feel like I’d turn into a total airhead who does nothing but 'that' all day."
"Ah, I get that. A wonderful life of doing it and sleeping every day. Though it sounds bad for the health. That’s why moderation is key."
Riel and the others agreed that they loved this life, too. I suppose it’s all about balance. But that wasn't exactly what I was trying to ask.
"Ah, I get it now. You’re worried about the fact that you’re with many women, not just one."
"Ah, that’s it, isn't it?"
Aslin hit the nail on the head. Yes, that was exactly what I was worried about. Even though they had all agreed to me adding more wives, I couldn't help but wonder if they secretly resented it.
"…That really is a belated question."
"It can’t be helped, Labyris. Yuki was born in Japan on Earth, where polygamy wasn't the norm."
"That’s right. I just wanted to know if you were all truly satisfied. Like Labyris said, it’s late to be asking, but I felt I had to."
Seraria looked at me with half-lidded eyes.
"Are you an idiot? We all imagine what it would be like to have you all to ourselves. And yes, there are times when I get a little irritated when I see you being intimate with the other wives."
The wives nodded at Seraria’s words. Right. Of course they’d get irritated. Now, how to resolve that...
"But," Seraria continued, "I—we—cherish the other wives, too. We are best friends, united by our love for you. It’s too late for me to ever think about driving the other women away."
"Yes. Seraria is right. We do feel jealousy, but it’s the cute, familial kind. Honestly, it would be a disaster if even one of us were missing."
Jessica and the others reacted strongly to Rurua’s words.
"Indeed. We would be lost if we lost our diplomats. Please, never even joke about divorcing Samantha or Cleena."
"Exactly. The same goes for you, Jessica. The If Continent would be a living hell if even one of us were missing."
"One country is already all I can handle. But more than that, not just Jessica and the others, but everyone here is necessary and precious family to us."
The sentiment resonated through the room. It was true; if we lost even one diplomat, things would fall apart. But beyond that, Cleena called everyone her precious family. I see. They had all come to terms with it in their own way.
"Yes. So, are you satisfied now, Husband?"
"Yeah. I’m relieved. I’m glad you’ve all talked it out among yourselves."
"Yes. The things you worry about were resolved ages ago. I wasn't sure at the beginning, but it’s nice to be able to do things like this, isn't it?"
Without missing a beat, Seraria reached out and squeezed Rurua’s chest.
"Kyaa!? Wait, Seraria!?"