My Eccentric Harem

The days blended into weeks, and Aoyama found himself growing more accustomed to Aqua's presence. She was still loud, overconfident, and prone to ridiculous antics, but there were moments—fleeting, quiet moments—when she surprised him. Moments when the goddess of chaos felt... human.

One such moment came on a rainy afternoon.

---

The rain had started suddenly, pouring down in sheets and soaking them to the bone as they walked home from school. Aqua shrieked, holding her bag over her head in a futile attempt to stay dry.

"Ugh, why didn't you check the weather?!" Aqua complained, her hair plastered to her face.

"Why didn't you?" Aoyama shot back, though he handed her his umbrella anyway. He was already drenched, so it didn't make much of a difference.

Aqua blinked at the gesture, her usual retort dying on her lips. Instead, she accepted the umbrella with a quiet "Thanks."

By the time they reached the apartment, they were both shivering and miserable. Aqua immediately claimed the futon, wrapping herself in the only blanket like a burrito.

"You're impossible," Aoyama muttered, grabbing a towel from the closet. He tossed it at her before grabbing another for himself.

"Your fault," Aqua grumbled from her cocoon. "If I catch a cold, I'm blaming you."

"Sure, because it's always my fault," Aoyama said, rolling his eyes.

Despite her complaints, Aqua's lips curved into a faint smile as she dried her hair. Aoyama noticed but said nothing, busying himself with making tea.

When he handed her a steaming mug, she stared at it, then at him. "What's this?"

"Tea," he said, sitting down at the table. "It'll warm you up."

Aqua sniffed the drink suspiciously before taking a sip. Her eyes widened slightly. "It's good."

Aoyama smirked. "What, surprised I can do something right?"

"No," Aqua said, though her cheeks turned a faint pink. "I just didn't expect you to be... thoughtful."

"Don't get used to it," Aoyama said, looking away. "I'm only doing this because you'll complain otherwise."

Aqua laughed softly, the sound surprisingly warm. "Thanks, Aoyama. I mean it."

He glanced at her, caught off guard by the sincerity in her voice. "It's nothing," he muttered, taking a sip of his own tea.

For a while, they sat in companionable silence, listening to the rain patter against the windows.

---

Later that evening, Aqua insisted on cooking dinner as "repayment" for Aoyama's kindness. He was skeptical, especially after she nearly burned down the kitchen trying to boil water, but she eventually managed to produce a surprisingly decent meal.

"It's not bad," Aoyama admitted, chewing thoughtfully. "Where'd you learn to cook?"

"Goddess instinct," Aqua said with a wink.

"Right," Aoyama said, rolling his eyes. "Because 'goddess instinct' definitely taught you how to use a rice cooker."

"Hey, I'm trying here!" Aqua said, though she was grinning. "Admit it, you're impressed."

"Maybe a little," Aoyama said, smirking when she puffed up with pride. "Just don't expect me to let you cook every night."

"Deal," Aqua said, raising her glass of water like it was fine wine. "To my culinary debut!"

Aoyama chuckled despite himself, clinking his glass against hers. "To not burning down the apartment."

---

That night, as Aqua dozed on the futon, Aoyama checked the harem system once again. He wasn't expecting much, but when he saw the new number, his breath hitched.

---

Name: Aqua

Harem Affection Level: 50/100

---

"Fifty," he murmured, staring at the screen. "Halfway already?"

He glanced at Aqua, who was curled up under the blanket, her expression peaceful in sleep. She looked so different like this—soft, vulnerable, almost... endearing.

Aoyama shook his head, trying to push the thought away. But as he lay down on his own makeshift bed, he couldn't ignore the warmth spreading in his chest.

---

The next day, Aqua dragged him to the park again, this time armed with her art supplies and a determined expression.

"What are we doing here?" Aoyama asked as she set up her easel.

"You're going to be my model," Aqua declared, pointing at him with her paintbrush.

"Your what?"

"My model," Aqua repeated, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Sit down, look handsome, and don't move."

Aoyama groaned. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Come on, Aoyama!" Aqua pleaded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I need inspiration! And who better than my... roommate?"

The hesitation in her voice didn't escape him, but he decided not to call her out on it. Instead, he sighed and sat down on the bench, trying not to feel self-conscious under her intense gaze.

"Alright," Aqua said, her tone unusually serious. "Don't move."

As she worked, Aoyama found himself watching her instead of the scenery. The way her brows furrowed in concentration, the way she bit her lip when she hesitated—it was oddly captivating. He shook his head, looking away before she caught him staring.

After what felt like an eternity, Aqua finally stepped back with a satisfied grin. "Done!"

Aoyama stood and walked over to look at the painting. It wasn't perfect, but there was something raw and honest about it—something that made his chest tighten.

"What do you think?" Aqua asked, her voice quieter than usual.

"It's... good," Aoyama said, glancing at her. "Really good."

Aqua's cheeks turned pink, and she looked away, scratching the back of her neck. "Well, I had a good subject."

Aoyama felt his own face heat up, but he quickly masked it with a smirk. "Don't let it go to your head."

Aqua laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Too late."

---

That night, as Aoyama lay in bed, he found himself smiling. Aqua's painting still lingered in his mind, along with her rare moments of vulnerability.

For the first time, he wondered if this harem system wasn't just about summoning companions. Maybe it was about something more—something real.

---

To Be Continued...