"I see you've figured out the bathroom. As expected from a girl of the Nara Clan… Are you hungry? Come, it's time for breakfast." Kenshin said, grabbing the girl by the hand and pulling her along.
"Pull away and slap him!" Kasumi mentally scolded herself, yet she did nothing and obediently followed this domineering guy. At that moment she was angry with herself and felt inner conflict. She didn't understand why she suddenly considered this guy a close friend and felt such warmth toward him when just yesterday he had brazenly kidnapped her and kept her locked up.
But her contradictory thoughts were interrupted by enormous curiosity about the place she had ended up in. Kasumi looked wide-eyed at the beautiful corridor, several doors, and perfectly laid parquet floor.
"Let me introduce you to my humble abode. This is my bedroom, and further down the corridor is the dining room. That's where we're going." Kenshin said, not letting go of the girl's petite hand.
Kasumi was very curious where she had ended up and where such an incredible house with its own water supply and marvelous finishing could be located. She tried to recall all the nearest places where such a house could theoretically exist, but her thoughts were interrupted by arriving at the dining room.
As soon as she entered, she immediately saw a magnificent long table at which sat sturdy-looking young men, most of whom she had encountered yesterday. They only gave her an indifferent glance and nodded to Kenshin.
Kasumi paid no attention to these guys and 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 and for several seconds bored into the newcomer with wary and unwelcoming looks.
The awkward situation was dispelled by Kenshin, who smiled and said: "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."
"Hi, 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 newcomer.
"Um, hi…" Kasumi muttered, completely shocked by this news.
"Wives?! He already has two wives?!" She exclaimed mentally and immediately felt an inexplicable bitterness.
After Kenshin took a bite of perfectly roasted boar meat, everyone else began breakfast. Kasumi was very hungry, so she also started eating, temporarily forgetting her worries.
After Kenshin's sons finished eating, they silently stood, thanked their mothers for the food—remembering their father's decree and not calling them "mom"—then stood 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 at least slightly ease the tense atmosphere 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 and, like everyone else, began clearing the table and carrying dirty plates to the kitchen.
She kept marveling at the futuristic nature of every room in this extraordinary home. And when she saw the incredible technological appliances, she completely forgot her bad mood and began asking Kenshin how this miracle machine called a "refrigerator" worked or that bulky thing that washed dishes by itself.
Kenshin gladly explained how everything worked, only omitting the formations that were the basis of these devices. The girl understood that this was secret information and didn't press. As a professional kunoichi, she knew the value of information better than anyone and knew how to keep secrets.
All this time she kept glancing at the large bellies of the two girls but was too shy to ask, and only when Kenshin seated everyone at the small kitchen table 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 him wonderful babies, right, Aya?" Natsumi said with a sly, fox-like smile, showing her small neat fangs.
Aya only giggled and cutely covered her mouth with her hand, agreeing with her friend.
Kasumi was in shock and stared at Kenshin, who only shrugged and explained: "I love my girls and want them to bear my children."
He stood over both girls, stroked their heads, and then kissed their eagerly offered cheeks.
Kasumi suddenly felt a slight stab of jealousy and wanted to give Kenshin a hard slap so he would 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 contradictory feelings and didn't immediately notice the wonderful taste of this drink.
"Mmm… What did you say this drink is called?" the black-haired kunoichi said, savoring the sweet, milky taste. Deep in her soul she was a vulnerable little girl who loved everything beautiful and sweet, but from childhood this part of her character had been heavily suppressed by self-discipline and militarized training.
"This is 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:
"Aren't your wives against you kidnapping and asking another girl to stay with you?"
"To be honest, if it were up to me, you wouldn't set foot in this house…" Natsumi began, but was interrupted by Kenshin's displeased shout:
"Natsumi! Stop!"
"I didn't finish." Natsumi said, looked her husband in the eyes, then turned back to Kasumi and continued. "But I respect any decision of my husband and will obey him no matter what he decides. I'll even become your best friend if he wants."
Kasumi was shocked. Barely containing her amazement, she nevertheless withstood Natsumi's stern gaze, only sighed, then turned her night-black eyes to Kenshin and asked:
"Maybe you'll finally explain why you kidnapped me? What do you want? Nara Clan knowledge? If so, you can kill me—you'll never get it." The girl blurted out in one breath. Since everyone was being so frank, she decided not to hold back.
"Hm, asking why I kidnapped you? Well, first, I didn't kidnap you—I saved you. And second—of course, so that you become my third wife and bear my children." Kenshin answered without embarrassment.
"WHAT?!" Kasumi exclaimed. "Never! I will never become your wife, and especially never bear your children!"
The black-haired kunoichi was in absolute shock and rage. Even her favorable attitude toward this guy couldn't extinguish the anger that flared in her incredibly strong-willed eyes.