My Eccentric Harem

The atmosphere at the breakfast table was unusually charged. Aqua was devouring her pancakes with gusto, Mantis was delicately arranging fruit slices on her plate, and Albedo was sipping her tea with her usual composed demeanor.

Aoyama followed shortly after, his nervous energy painfully obvious.

"Well, good morning," Aqua said, smirking. "You're looking... relaxed, Aoyama. Something happen last night?"

Aoyama choked on his coffee, coughing furiously as Mantis looked up with wide, innocent eyes. "Are you okay, Aoyama?" she asked, her antennae glowing faintly with concern.

Albedo, ever observant, set her teacup down and narrowed her golden eyes. "Your behavior is suspicious, Aoyama. And Mantis seems... unusually at ease this morning."

Mantis's cheeks turned pink, and her antennae glowed brightly. "Oh! Um... I just had a wonderful night."

Aqua's jaw dropped as realization hit her. "Wait, wait, wait. Are you telling me you—" She pointed dramatically between Aoyama and Mantis. "You gave your first time to the alien-girl?!"

Aoyama's face turned beet red. "It's not like that! I mean, it is, but... it's complicated!"

Albedo's expression darkened, her voice dangerously calm. "You gave your first time to Mantis? Before me?"

Mantis, still trying to process, frowned slightly. "Oh... that's important, isn't it?"

Albedo's wings twitched as she fixed Aoyama with a piercing gaze. "This is a betrayal of priority, Aoyama. I have expressed my feelings for you multiple times. To be overlooked in such a manner is... unacceptable."

"It's not about who came first," Aoyama said quickly, trying to placate her. "Mantis and I connected in a different way. It doesn't change how I feel about you, Albedo."

Albedo's golden eyes softened slightly, though her lips pressed into a thin line. "We will discuss this later."

Clearing the Air

After breakfast, Aoyama gathered the group in the living room. He stood before them, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "Look, I know this is... a lot. But I care about all of you equally. Mantis and I shared a moment that was important for her growth, but it doesn't change how I feel about any of you."

Albedo crossed her arms, her golden eyes narrowing. "And how do you propose to address this imbalance, Aoyama?"

"I'll make time for each of you," Aoyama said firmly. "This isn't about ranking or favoritism. It's about making sure everyone feels valued."

Aqua rolled her eyes but smirked. "Fine, fine. But don't think you're getting off easy, lover boy. You owe me a that special moment."

Mantis clapped her hands together. "I'd like that too! A special day with just you."

Albedo's wings twitched again, but she nodded curtly. "Very well. I will hold you to your promise, Aoyama."

Aoyama exhaled, relieved. "Thank you, all of you. I'll do my best."

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To Be Continued..