Harem Master - RPG story

Hey, a new chapter of Harem Master, but before that a short mention, that I had decided to change Elara's skill Shared Satisfaction. The new full description shows up in the chapter, but shortly: instead of getting active bonuses from every girl in the harem at once, now Elara can only have one active bonus at a time. The skill now costs 2 points, and the bonuses are stronger.

--- Ava Black ---

Ava was lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling and thinking about everything that had happened in the last two days. She hadn't done anything after their team meeting, and it was strange for her to just waste time like that, but when she started to think about training or studying, she immediately lost all desire to do anything, and she couldn't push herself to get up from her bed.

Instead, she just lay there and did nothing. Asher had suggested that she should try to do something new. But nothing came to her mind.

Most of the things that her peers were doing seemed uninteresting to her. Other things required preparation or friends. She was turning on her bed, trying to come up with something that would make her feel good, as Asher had advised her.

Nothing came to Ava's mind--except having sex with him. That made her feel really amazing. And kissing him. In general, spending time with him, even just talking, wasn't so bad. Even if it was mostly him talking and asking questions. It seemed like he was... interested in her and later on remembered what she had said to him.

But there was the problem. Asher was on a date with Elara, so Ava couldn't spend time with him. She wondered when he would be back but realized it would be too late to meet. And she didn't have a good excuse either, as they had already reached the experience limit, and she had gotten a mana stack.

She focused, trying to come up with something available at the moment. But she didn't have any friends to spend time with. She wasn't playing any sports. And to start something new, she would need lessons and she couldn't begin that so late in the day.

Ava glanced at her phone. She had access to the internet, and there were unlimited possibilities there, yet... it all seemed pointless.

Her gaze shifted lower, to the book her phone was on--the present from Asher. If only he wasn't on his date, they could meet. Even if they had reached the experience limit, Ava believed that he would want to spend time with her. Or at least have sex with her. After all, he was in it for sex, not for experience points.

Ava rolled over and groaned into her pillow when she realized her thoughts had drifted to him again. It was becoming a habit lately--her mind kept circling back to him. She had just had sex with him a few times, and he had asked her a few stupid questions, and she couldn't get him out of her mind.

Also, he was the only person who gave her a present and wished her a happy birthday. And he was there for her, hugging, and trying to help when she was crying after the talk with her father. And he came to check if she was okay. It seemed like he cared about her.

She wondered if he did all of that just to have sex with her. But... he didn't need to. She would still sleep with him for her class boosts. And he had Elara. And Rachel. And Lucy seemed quite open too. Ava wasn't his only option.

She stared at the book from him, wondering what his motives were. Could he actually want something more than just sex? But what?

Ava groaned and grabbed the book from him. She wanted to toss it across her room, frustrated that it kept reminding her of him when she couldn't even spend time with him.

But she stopped before letting it go. She couldn't bring herself to actually do it. After staring at it for a moment, she sighed and opened it to a random page. She began to read, hoping to kill time and distract herself from her thoughts.

--- Naomi Tanaka ---

"Sam, what are you doing?" Naomi asked after getting out of their bathroom.

Sam was wearing different pants than just a moment ago and was quickly pulling a new shirt over her head but froze when Naomi returned to the room.

Sam sighed, pulling her shirt on and rolling her eyes. "What does it look like?" she murmured.

"You really tried to sneak out? Sam, what's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me?!" Sam snapped back. "What is wrong with you? I need to sneak out from my best friend because she's going to give me a lecture like my mother!"

"No!" Naomi stated. "We're going to a dungeon tomorrow. You can't go to a party!" Naomi stepped forward, getting closer to her redheaded friend.

"I'm not in the mood to discuss that with you today," Sam replied dryly, grabbing her phone, wallet, and keys to the room.

"Sam, please. You know how it will end. Don't you remember how you felt on Saturday?" Naomi asked, concern on her face.

Sam didn't answer. She didn't even look at Naomi. She just put her things in her pockets and left the room.

Naomi's shoulders slumped as she stood there staring at the door, feeling helpless. As always with Sam, nothing could stop her from doing whatever she wanted--even if it was harmful to herself.

Naomi sat down on her bed, wondering what she could do, but she had already thought about it hundreds of times--perhaps even thousands--and she still hadn't found an answer.

She picked up her phone with the intention of texting Sam but gave up on it, knowing that she would be ignored anyway. Naomi started to scroll through her phone mindlessly, trying to stop worrying about her friend, but was soon interrupted by someone knocking on her door.

The hope that appeared in her--that it was Sam--vanished before Naomi even managed to get up from her bed.

Lucy, with her pink hair and a bright smile, stood on the other side of the door.

"Hey!" she exclaimed, entering Naomi's room and walking past her. "Oh, Sam's not here?"

"Umm..." Naomi hesitated, closing the door, surprised by the sudden intrusion. "She's meeting with a friend," she lied.

"I brought gummy bears," Lucy said, lifting up a big pack of them in front of her with both hands, grinning at Naomi. "So we have something to snack on while we gossip a little. Or not so little," she added, jumping on Naomi's bed.

She lay down on her stomach, opened the pack of sweets, and then pushed it toward Naomi, shaking it slightly.

Naomi watched Lucy for a moment, wondering what was happening, but then she picked one gummy bear and put it in her mouth.

"I'm new to the city," Lucy said. "And I thought that you could tell me more about it. Some good places to visit, where we can have some fun. A good nightclub so we could go dancing. And about the Academy, the teachers, and students, you know? And the harem, of course. I want to know more about the other girls and Asher. It's so amazing, isn't it? Like straight from anime!" Lucy exclaimed before she started to giggle. She rolled onto her back, her head on the edge of the bed, her pink hair falling over the edge.

When Lucy's gaze focused on Naomi, who still stood in the middle of the room, she stopped laughing and sat up.

"Oh, am I bothering you? I know I can be a little bit forward, and I'm giddy with everything that is happening. So, if I bother you, now or ever in the future, just tell me. I promise that I won't be offended," Lucy offered.

Naomi hesitated. She had just been worrying about Sam, but she knew that it was pointless, and perhaps getting to know Lucy would be a good distraction. She stared at the girl in front of her and realized that there was no doubt that Lucy would be a complete distraction.

But perhaps that was what she needed. Naomi realized that she could get to know her new teammate and... the women who were with her in the harem. It was still weird to think about, and she couldn't even find a word to describe what connection existed between her and Lucy.

"It's okay," Naomi replied finally, smiling softly.

"Cool!" Lucy exclaimed, grinning. She grabbed Naomi's hand and pulled her onto her own bed.

Lucy grabbed a handful of gummy bears and tossed them into her mouth. She mumbled something while chewing them.

"What?" Naomi asked, chuckling.

"I was asking if you are from around here," Lucy said after she swallowed.

Lucy grabbed the pack and shook it toward Naomi, who told her about the city, shops, restaurants, and other places that were worth visiting, while answering a constant barrage of questions.

"And there's a skating rink," Naomi mentioned.

"Oh, I have never been to one. It must be so cool!" Lucy replied. "Can we go together? We can take Sam or someone else. Would you teach me how to skate?"

"Umm... I don't know," Naomi said, realizing that she shouldn't have mentioned it. "I was there not so long ago... like two days ago. On a date with Asher."

"Oh! My! God! You were on a date with him?!" Lucy asked, perking up and bouncing on the bed. "You must tell me everything! And I want a date too! Or we can even go together, the three of us. That would be so fun. And maybe even hot?" Lucy asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Maybe," Naomi replied. Her last date hadn't gone very well. It was great, but then they stumbled into Morgana, and everything went downhill after that.

"Start from the beginning," Lucy said. "Did he pick you up? Or wait, no, tell me what you wore first."

Naomi told her about the clothes, but after Lucy's insistence, she went to put them on to show how they looked on her.

"You look so hot," Lucy said. "He probably couldn't take his eyes off you."

"You really think so?" Naomi asked. "Like, you saw Elara and Ava."

"Yup!" Lucy nodded, looking Naomi over. "Sure, they're bombshells, but you're cute and hot. The perfect mix of both. They might look like models, but you're like the girl next door that every guy has a crush on."

"Really?"

"Of course! You're not even wearing makeup right now and look amazing. So hot and cute. I want to eat you up. Double meaning totally intended," Lucy added with a grin.

Naomi flushed, averting her eyes.

Lucy giggled. "Sorry. I'm a little forward. And knowing that we are both part of the harem makes it feel more natural," she explained.

Naomi nodded.

"Did you kiss him on the date?" Lucy asked.

"No... But the next day," Naomi replied, remembering her first kiss with Asher.

"He's good, isn't he? I hope he fucks as well as he kisses," Lucy said, lying down on the bed with her arms spread.

"Is he really that good?" Naomi asked.

"You kissed him, you should know," Lucy replied.

"Yeah... but he is... the only person I have ever kissed."

Lucy gasped, putting her hands on her chest. "You already forgot that we kissed?"

Naomi's cheeks reddened. "No, of course not. But... it was just a peck, so I can't really compare it," she explained, worried that she had hurt Lucy's feelings.

"Do you want to have something to compare to?" Lucy asked, sitting up.

"Agh... what?" Naomi gasped.

"Do you want to kiss again?" Lucy asked, shifting her gaze to Naomi's lips. "So you will have a comparison between him and me. And if not, it's completely cool, just say the word and I will back off. A little," Lucy added with a smile.

Naomi watched Lucy's face, shifting her gaze between her lips and eyes, wondering if she wanted to do it.

"W-What about Asher? Isn't it like... I don't know. I mean, it was just one date... but on the other hand, I joined his..." Naomi trailed off.

"Do you really think he would have something against it? I kissed Ava and Elara for much longer than just a peck. The only problem he might have is that he would be disappointed that he couldn't see it. So, the question is, are you interested? Because I certainly am."

Naomi's cheeks blushed even more as her breath quickened just thinking about it. "I have never..."

"Kissed a girl? Seriously? Am I that easy to forget?" Lucy asked, grinning.

Naomi smiled. "I don't think anyone can forget about you."

"That's sweet, thank you," Lucy replied.

Naomi's eyes flicked between Lucy's lips and eyes as she fell into silence--the longest pause since they'd met. The pink-haired girl began to lean in toward her. Naomi licked her lips, hardly able to believe what was happening.

She was going to kiss a girl. They had shared a peck before, but it was friendly, and this time, as Lucy was getting closer, it was clear it wasn't going to be just friendly.

Naomi was excited for this, her heart was beating fast, and her lips suddenly felt dry. She licked them again, trying to do something about it, but Lucy closed the last inches between them, and their lips brushed.

Naomi gasped softly, but Lucy pressed harder, connecting them in a long, lingering kiss. Naomi's heart raced, and the unfamiliar softness of kissing a girl sent a strange, thrilling shiver through her.

Lucy broke their lips apart, grinning. She leaned back, remaining close to Naomi's face.

"Can I kiss you again?" Lucy whispered.

Naomi nodded, leaning forward herself. They met in the middle, connecting their lips for even longer. Lucy brushed Naomi's mouth with her tongue gently, but mostly it was their lips teasing each other.

Lucy put a hand on Naomi's knee, and she tensed a little, worried that Lucy would push things too far, but when she held her hand in place, not moving it, Naomi relaxed and focused on trying to repeat things that Asher had done to her.

Finally, after a long moment, Lucy pulled back.

"Cool," she breathed. Then she picked up gummy bears and tossed them into her mouth. "So? Who kisses better? Asher or me?"

"Ugh," Naomi gasped. It was exciting to kiss Lucy, and she liked it, but with Asher it was... thrilling. It felt like something more. And in Naomi's opinion, Asher just kissed better, but she didn't want to say it out loud.

"Ah, so it's him!" Lucy exclaimed. "We're both lucky girls, but in my defense, I didn't show you everything. I left something for next time," she added, winking.

"So sure that there will be a next time?" Naomi asked, smiling, relieved that Lucy didn't seem to mind her preference for Asher's kisses.

Lucy giggled, tossing a gummy bear at Naomi. "With your memory problems, we might need to repeat this quite often."

Naomi let out a soft breath, feeling her cheeks blush even more as she shifted her gaze to Lucy's lips, imagining that.

"So, you didn't tell me what you think about a date with me and Asher together?" Lucy asked.

"Maybe?" Naomi replied, smiling.

She wasn't against it, but she was worried how it would go. Especially with Lucy joining them. She was very... attention-catching. Asher would probably focus on her and completely forget that Naomi was even there.

"Cool! I'll talk with Asher, and we'll set something up!" Lucy exclaimed.

They chatted about lectures, teachers, students, and many other things, slipping back into casual gossip like two friends after the short moment of intimacy between them.

It was late at night when Naomi's eyes started to close mid-conversation. Lucy finally hugged her goodbye and left. Naomi lay down in her bed, smiling softly, wondering where Lucy got all that energy--still so energetic and upbeat even at this hour.

But then she sighed as her gaze drifted to Sam's empty bed, realizing it would probably stay that way until the early hours of the morning.

--- Madelyn Hayes ---

Madelyn sat down in front of Rachel in her office.

"So, what brings you to me, Maddy?" Rachel asked.

"Umm... It's... Ugh... I caught Asher kissing... not with Elara, and..." Madelyn didn't finish and just looked at the teacher who was supposed to know about his class.

"And?" Rachel asked.

"I-I thought you knew about his class," Madelyn said.

Rachel nodded. "I know, but I wasn't sure if he told you about it."

"He did..."

"It's a really strange class," Rachel said. "I have never heard about a class like his before."

Madelyn nodded.

"I guess you have some doubts? Questions?" Rachel suggested.

"I don't know... it's... weird, and... do all the women on his team know about it?"

"Of course," Rachel replied.

"And they are okay with it?"

"It seems like it."

"Why?"

"Well, they have their reasons. Even if I know or suspect why, those reasons are too private to speak about behind their backs."

Madelyn realized that Rachel was right and nodded.

"Do-Do you think that he wants to... make me..." Madelyn didn't finish, looking at her teacher.

"I highly doubt it," Rachel replied. "He has five women on his hands right now, and he feels overwhelmed already."

"So... what does he want from me?" Madelyn asked.

"Most likely, just to be friends. Perhaps, exactly, a person who is not part of his harem. Someone with whom he can just spend time with, not worrying about all of that. It's putting a lot of stress on him, he just got this class a week ago, and they are still trying to learn how to live with it."

"He told me that we are just friends," Madelyn whispered.

Rachel nodded, watching the younger woman in front of her. "Do you want something more from him?"

"No," Madelyn replied immediately.

"Then everything seems to be okay, but there's something else bothering you," Rachel suggested.

Madelyn bit her lip, averting her eyes. "Can I really trust him? Like, believe that he... doesn't want something more, or that... I don't know..."

"Were you trusting him through the last week?"

"Umm... yeah."

"He already had his class, he is still the same person that you got to know. You didn't have a chance to meet him without it. And sure, learning new facts about someone can change whether we trust them or not. But between you two, I don't believe it will change anything from his side. Well, he might want to talk about it with you, but if you ask him not to bring up the topic, he will listen," Rachel said.

"And," she added, "if I'm completely wrong about him, and he bothers you or makes you uncomfortable, just come to me immediately, and I will set him straight."

Madelyn thought about it, biting her lip.

"Maddy, you want to be friends with him. If not, you wouldn't even consider all of this or have any doubts. You would just cut all contact with him. But you don't want to do that, do you?"

Madelyn realized that it was true--she didn't want to lose her only friend, right after she found him. She was tired of being alone after those last few months. She was tired of being scared to leave her room. She was tired of living like that. She wanted something to change, and... with Asher, it was somehow happening more easily.

Thinking about the previous week, she realized that a month ago, she would have had a panic attack and been terrified if she was one-on-one with a guy in a closed room. Yet, with Asher, she hadn't even thought about it, and only at this moment realized that she had spent a few hours with him like that, and fear, panic, and worries hadn't crossed her mind even once.

If she could just forget that she caught him kissing Lucy, everything would be fine. But of all people, she knew that things like that weren't possible, and she just couldn't forget what had happened. She could only hope that it really wouldn't change anything between them.

"Yeah," she whispered finally, answering Rachel's question as the teacher sat waiting patiently in silence.

"The choice is yours--if you want to be friends with him or not," Rachel said. "Perhaps, if you still have any doubts, you can just talk with him. And I'm always here to listen and help you," Rachel offered.

Madelyn nodded, biting her lip.

"Do you have any questions, doubts, or anything that you want to talk about?" Rachel asked.

"I don't think so. At least not right now," Madelyn replied.

Rachel then asked about Madelyn's classes, and they talked briefly about her progress at the Academy, her team, and how their dungeon runs went.

Soon after, Madelyn left the teacher's office and quickly returned to her room.