The sky was painted with the sunset, shining in a beautiful orange hue.

I like the bright blue sky when the sun is high, but I also have a fondness for the evening sunset sky.

Moreover, there's the sight of trees swaying in the refreshing breeze.

Finally, being in the arms of the woman I love would make for an indescribably happy moment.

“Waaaah—!!”

Except for the fact that I'm being kidnapped.

“Ra, Raphne! Stop! St—Mmmphf!”

Raphne, as if refusing to listen to me, pressed my face into her ample chest and spoke.

“No! I can’t lose Ken like this!”

Raphne looked at me with teary eyes and continued to run swiftly without stopping.

Of course, in my current state, I could break free by force, but that might lead to a fight.

So, for now, I decided to wait and see where Raphne was taking me.

Emily and Mary were nowhere in sight.

Using Innate Speed, Raphne's physical abilities were enhanced, enabling her to move at incredible speed.

If she solely focused on escaping, no one in the Academy, or even the entire Lillias Kingdom, could catch her.

“I absolutely refuse! Sob, I absolutely don't want to lose Ken!”

Even as she ran, Raphne looked at me with tearful eyes.

Her gaze was pleading with me not to abandon her. It was a familiar gaze.

Feeling her desperation, I silently closed my eyes and kept quiet until she took me wherever she intended.

After running for quite some time, we arrived at our destination.

We had left the Academy and even the city where we had been on our date, reaching the outskirts of the forest.

Raphne finally stopped after continuing to run deep into the forest.

It seemed she was too breathless to keep running any further.

"Ra-Raphne..."

I caught her as she staggered and quickly held her in my arms.

Then I settled her against a nearby tree, placing her head on my lap to let her rest.

"Ken... No... I absolutely can't..."

Despite her ragged breathing, Raphne clung to my collar and muttered those words.

'It's already getting dark...'

While Raphne was running, the sunset had faded, and the sky was lit by moonlight.

The forest at twilight was completely enveloped in darkness, making it difficult to distinguish our surroundings.

'We won't be able to make it back like this.'

Helplessly, it seemed we'd have to camp in the forest tonight.

Unlike the previous time on the uninhabited island, I thankfully had a Subspace Pocket with me now.

I had enough supplies for an emergency, including a tent and materials to start a fire.

Before it got any darker, I set up the tent and took out some firewood, using a Spirit Stone to ignite it.

The tent wasn't spacious enough for two people to sleep comfortably, but it would at least keep out the wind and dew.

I laid out bedding inside and placed Raphne there.

The Innate Speed skill provides incredible performance but consumes a significant amount of stamina.

That's its only drawback.

Although it's rarely used to a point that would lead to exhaustion in normal combat situations.

After running for so long, Raphne seemed completely worn out as if her stamina had been entirely depleted.

"I'm sorry… Raphne."

I held Raphne's hand as she lay there and apologized.

Perhaps I had brought up the topic too hastily.

If I had taken a bit more time to reveal the truth to her, maybe she wouldn't have run away like this.

I felt guilty.

"Ken…"

At that moment, Raphne came to her senses, gently opened her eyes, and grasped my hand.

It wasn't to feel my warmth but to hold onto me.

"…No, don't go…"

"I'm not going anywhere. I always say that."

"But… but you said you'll marry other women."

With tears brimming in her eyes, Raphne spoke those words.

Soon she rested her head on my leg and hugged my waist tightly.

She often hugged my waist when she didn't want to let me go, back when we were at the Tower.

"I said I liked you… Sobbing, I also like you, Ken. Why do you want others…"

"…I'm sorry."

All I could do was apologize.

It was certainly my fault for developing feelings for the other two while liking Raphne.

"I don't want it! Ken is mine! Please stay by my side forever!"

"I'm not going anywhere. I promise… I'll be by your side forever, Raphne."

While stroking Raphne's head as she clung to me, I couldn't help but feel guilty, yet it was something I had to say.

"So please give your blessing to the other two as well. Because they like me just as much as you do, Raphne..."

"......."

"I don't want to see those two sad like you."

Of course, the biggest reason is that I like the two of them. As a man, I don't want to give up the idea of marrying them and living together. However, I explained it slightly differently to persuade Raphne.

"What if, just hypothetically... what if there were three of you?"

This example might be absurd, but it was the closest analogy to help her understand my feelings at the moment.

"Would you be okay if one of the three ended up with me while you watched the other two of me being sad?"

"I don't know about that... Sobbing, there's only one Ken."

"But, to me, there are three precious people."

With the hope that she would understand, I held her tightly.

Raphne, responding to my embrace, lifted her head and buried her face against my neck.

"I'm sorry. Truly... It's all my fault. I really am a bad person."

"..."

"I'll spend my whole life making it up to you. I can't give up on you, Raphne, just like I can't give up on the other two."

"...No, sniff... I don't want to... Ken is, sobbing, Ken is mine..."

Raphne shook her head gently while nestled in my arms. It felt like she was resisting less than before, though.

If it were the Raphne from before, she would have never agreed to this.

But now, she has her memories back, including the good times with Emily and Mary.

And Raphne is kind.

If I started like trash, I'll continue as such—I will rely on her kindness.

"Then let's try thinking about it differently."

I released Raphne from my embrace and faced her tear-streaked face.

Moist eyes trembled anxiously as they met my gaze.

"I'm not Raphne's possession, but... Raphne is mine."

"...What does that mean?"

Raphne sniffled and pouted at my strange logic.

"Be mine forever, Raphne. I can never give you up. Even if it means kidnapping you, even if it means imprisonment, I will marry you."

It's strange logic.

It's a nonsensical, trashy statement.

Yet, I pleaded with her sincerely.

It's not that I divided 100% of my feelings for her into three parts and gave them to the other two.

I still hold 100% of my feelings for Raphne.

I just developed 100% of my feelings for the other two as well.

"In return, I'll be by your side forever. I will never neglect you."

"...Sob."

Did my genuine voice reach her?

Raphne burst into tears and clung to me.

"Sobbing, it's too much! You know I can never give up on you Ken! That's why you're being so insistently pushy!"

"Yes, that's right. I'm a bad guy. And I also know that Raphne likes the other two."

I haven't forgotten how the three of them got along so well at the academy.

Raphne certainly acknowledged the other two.

I was just taken aback by my own selfish desire to have all three of them.

If I had been a bit more patient, I probably would have been able to handle the situation more smoothly.

It was just my impatience at fault.

"...Then... you can never give up even one of us."

Raphne, clutching my collar and burying her face in my chest, murmured in a trembling voice.

"Yes. If you allow it, I can give you anything you want."

I was sincere.

I'm out of my mind right now.

Because if I hadn't lost my mind, I wouldn't be able to tell the woman I love that I want to be with three women.

Being this crazy allows me to give anything to Raphne.

So I resolved myself firmly.

Whatever she demands from now on.

I decided to accept it with a smile.

Even if she asks for my limbs, I'll cut them off with a smile.

"...No."

Raphne lifted her head.

As she raised her face from my chest, there it was—those familiar eyes staring at me.

Eyes so dark and hollow, you could get lost in them.

Those were the terrifying eyes Raphne had when she showed her possessiveness.

Seeing that gaze, I reflexively swallowed hard.

"I can never give up Ken's firsts."

"...Huh?"

I had resolved to accept anything with a smile.

"Mm?!"

Smooch.

I couldn't smile in response to Raphne's sudden kiss as she grabbed my shirt collar.

Taken aback by Raphne's unexpected kiss, her soft tongue invaded my mouth.

It was an assertive kiss, yet her tongue gently entwined with mine.

"Mm..., smooch. Haa..."

After indulging in my lips to her satisfaction, Raphne pulled away and looked at me.

Her eyes were still hollow, but her face flushed with excitement, she gazed at me anxiously.

"Do you really like me?"

Her trembling hand lightly traveled up my shirt collar, conveying her unease.

She was feeling insecure.

She wondered if my love for her was genuine after hearing I loved two other women.

Sensing her emotions, I swallowed my embarrassment, blushing as I faced her sincerely.

"I love you, truly, Raphne."

And then, I kissed her in return and gently laid her on the floor.

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