My Eccentric Harem

Morning arrived, and Aoyama was met with an unusual sight: Mantis was busy preparing breakfast. The kitchen, though slightly messy, carried a warm aroma of freshly made pancakes. Aqua and Albedo sat at the table, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

"You're cooking?" Aqua asked, leaning forward. "Is this safe?"

"I wanted to contribute," Mantis said, her smile serene. "Aoyama has done so much for us, and I thought this might make him happy."

"Interesting," Albedo muttered. "If this turns out edible, I'll be impressed."

"Hey, cut her some slack," Aoyama said, stepping into the room. "I'm sure it'll be great."

Mantis turned to him, her antennae twitching with excitement. "I hope you like it!"

When she finally served the pancakes, their uneven shapes and slightly burnt edges were met with stifled laughter from Aqua. Aoyama, however, dug in without hesitation, offering her an encouraging smile.

"Not bad," he said after a bite. "Actually, it's pretty good!"

Mantis's face lit up. "Really? I'm so glad!"

Aqua leaned in, grinning. "Wow, Aoyama. You're really easy to please, huh?"

"Quiet, Aqua," Aoyama muttered, though his cheeks reddened.

Later that day, Aoyama decided to take Mantis out for another walk, hoping to help her grow more comfortable with their world. This time, they visited the local park, a quiet space filled with cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Mantis marveled at the pink petals drifting through the air. "This is beautiful," she whispered. "It feels so peaceful."

"It is," Aoyama agreed, watching her with a soft smile. "Sometimes, it's good to just slow down and enjoy the moment."

Mantis turned to him, her large eyes filled with warmth. "You always seem so busy, Aoyama. Do you ever take time for yourself?"

"Not really," he admitted with a shrug. "There's always something to do."

Mantis placed a gentle hand on his arm, her touch sending a calming sensation through him. "You should. You deserve to feel at peace too."

Aoyama felt his chest tighten, her sincerity catching him off guard. "Thanks, Mantis. I'll… try to work on that."

They spent the rest of the afternoon walking and talking, Mantis asking endless questions about the world and Aoyama answering with as much patience as he could muster. By the time they returned home, he felt surprisingly lighter, as if her presence had eased some invisible weight on his shoulders.

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Harem System Update

That evening, as Aoyama prepared for bed, the system appeared again. He opened Mantis's profile, curious to see the changes.

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Name: Mantis

Harem Affection Level: 90/100

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"Ninety?" Aoyama whispered, his eyes widening. "That's… fast."

Aqua peered over his shoulder, smirking. "Wow, she's catching up to me. Better step up your game, Aoyama."

"It's not a competition," Aoyama muttered, though he couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride.

The next day brought an unexpected challenge. While the group was relaxing at home, the Harem System interface suddenly appeared, displaying a new message.

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Event Triggered: Emotional Conflict Detected. Resolve Mantis's Internal Struggle.

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Aoyama frowned, reading the text aloud. "Emotional conflict? What does that mean?"

Mantis's serene expression faltered, and her antennae drooped slightly. "I think it's about me," she said softly. "I've been feeling… conflicted."

Aqua leaned forward, her smirk replaced with concern. "What's wrong, Mantis?"

Mantis hesitated, her gaze dropping to her hands. "I've always been surrounded by others, helping them feel better. But… I've never had someone care about me the way Aoyama does. It's… overwhelming."

Aoyama's heart sank. "Mantis, I'm sorry if I've—"

"No," she interrupted, looking up at him. "It's not your fault. It's just… new. And I don't know how to handle it."

Albedo stepped closer, her voice unusually gentle. "You're allowed to feel unsure, Mantis. It's part of being… human."

Mantis's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Thank you. I just… don't want to be a burden."

"You're not," Aoyama said firmly, stepping forward. "You've done so much for us already. It's okay to let us help you too."

Mantis looked at him, her antennae glowing faintly. "You really mean that?"

"Of course," Aoyama said, his voice soft. "You're part of this… weird little family now."

A small smile broke through Mantis's uncertainty, and she nodded. "Thank you, Aoyama. That means more than I can say."

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Harem System Update

As the glow of the system returned, Aoyama checked Mantis's profile one last time.

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Name: Mantis

Harem Affection Level: 100/100

Decision Required: Stay or Return

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"Mantis," Aoyama said, turning to her. "It's time to decide. Do you want to stay here with us, or… go back to where you came from?"

Mantis closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. When she opened them, her gaze was steady. "I want to stay. This is where I feel… most at peace."

The system responded instantly, the glowing message appearing before them:

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Decision: Stay.

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Aoyama felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Welcome home, Mantis."

Mantis smiled, her expression radiating warmth. "Thank you. I'm glad to be here."

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To Be Continued...