"I can't stop you from unlocking that pillar, but I also can't stand the idea of not being by your side anymore. So instead… I want to be the first member of your harem."
For a moment, I don't reply.
The Harem Pillar; just thinking about it stirs a mix of curiosity and unease. I've been debating it in my mind ever since I discovered its existence.
The concept of harems made a return to modern society after other species began appearing as gate refugees. When their home worlds were destroyed, some fled into conquered gates, and when those gates manifested on Earth, they brought their cultures and customs with them.
Among those customs, harems, particularly among beastkin, were not uncommon. Their societal structures often centered around an "alpha" figure surrounded by multiple partners. On Earth, the majority of awakened individuals are women, which led to the rise of reverse harems, awakened women with multiple husbands.
Awakened men forming harems, though? That's rare. Only a handful of A-rank gate-runners have managed to do so, typically with unawakened women who couldn't truly grasp the life we lead.
So I've always wondered: if I did unlock the Harem Pillar, how would Hinata react? Technically, we're not in a committed romantic relationship, but it's far more than simple friendship. The depth of our bond made me hesitate to even consider it.
But now… she's answered that question for me.
Instead of pushing me away, she's accepted that this pillar is more than just a choice, it's part of the path I need to walk. And rather than resist it, she's decided to claim her place as the first.
"Are you sure about this?" I ask, my voice low. "I'll gladly accept you… But are you really okay with the idea of sharing me in the future?"
She adjusts her position, settling into my lap, her head still resting against my chest. After taking a sip of wine, she sets the glass down gently on the coffee table.
"I'm sure," she says, steady and calm. "But I do have a couple of conditions."
I listen closely.
"First, only awakened girls. I don't want to deal with someone who doesn't understand what we go through inside the gates. Ordinary people can't grasp the risks, the adrenaline, the pressure. It's a different world in there."
I nod. That makes sense.
"Second," she continues, "no one who's going to be outright hostile to the others. I'm not saying they all have to be best friends, but if someone comes in looking to pick fights or sabotage the rest of us, I won't tolerate it, and neither should you."
"I get it," I say, lifting her chin gently so our eyes meet. Then, I lean in and give her a soft kiss.
When we part, I look into her eyes and smile. "I can agree to that. A little competition, a little friendly tension, sure, that might be fun. But full-on hostility? That's a no-go. I won't let it slide."
She smirks, her cheeks flushed, but her eyes are confident. "Good. Because I plan to stay right by your side, no matter how strong you get or how many girls end up following you."
"Thanks for saying that, but for now, the only girl I need to concern myself with is you!"
I lean in for another kiss. Hinata's plump, delicious lips greet me with delight, her tongue darting out immediately and already forcing its way into my mouth.
Not wanting to give up the momentum, I force my tongue inside her mouth, entwining it with hers as the level of excitement between the two of us rises.
Without breaking the kiss, she begins to reposition herself so that instead of sitting sideways on my lap, she is straddling me, her legs on either side of mine.
My hands naturally wrap around the small of her back, pulling her closer to me, forcing our lower bodies to rub against each other while our tongues dance back and forth.
Hinata places one hand behind my head, while the other presses against my chest. She begins to rock her hips back and forth, rubbing her crotch against mine, all while fighting me for tongue supremacy.
"Unnnghhh." I cannot hold my groans back as her groin rubs against my crotch, sending waves of pleasure up my spine.
She breaks the kiss and stares at me for a moment. Her eyes, hazy with lust, show the depths of how far into heat she has fallen. I decide to capitalize on the moment and lean forward, biting her lightly on her neck.
"Awwwnnn! Xavier!" She likes being bitten so much it makes her moan in pleasure. My hands, unable to maintain their gentlemanly posture, begin grabbing and kneading her shapely behind.
Despite how athletic she is, she is plump in all the right places, and her backside and hips are always a delight to hold with my hands.
She pushes me back against the sofa, and when I look into her eyes, for a moment I swear I can see hearts in her pupils. She is panting for breath and rocking her hips back and forth, when one of her hands makes its way down to my lower region.
She scoots back slightly, exposing the zipper of my trousers, and begins to caress my large rod through the fabric. Her hands, despite being used every day to swing her sword, are very soft and dainty. Her nails, well-kept and feminine, scratch against my erection, making me feel great.
Lust surging through me, I grab her ass cheeks hard, forcing her to grip my member and let out a groan. "Awnnn. Xavier, I love you!"
"I love you too!" I kiss her hard, biting her lower lip as I fall deeper into my desires. With her hand still rubbing my cock above my trousers, I pull her close to me, pressing her adequate chest against mine.
Unable to remain calm, she unzips my trousers, reaching inside and grabbing my penis in her slender fingers.