The Violence Witch’s Yuri Harem

Chapter 235 – The Things We’ve Lost

“Iroha, we have to talk.” Carol said.

Saying it like that made my heart jump. But whew… The topic wasn’t Katja.

Now that we were safe, we had a lot to go over. That’s what we have to talk about.

The living room in our hideout was actually quite big for an apartment. It was separated into two halves with two distinct functions. To the right of the entrance was a couch with a television across. To the left, a big dining table with the door to the kitchen beyond that. The apartment was intended for maybe a family of six to live there at most, and we were eleven now. It was crowded. Like a family dinner.

After the initial excitement when Katja and I showed up, Hecate took Katja to sit with them at the dining table, while I squeezed between Carol and Ririna on the couch. Ahh… It feels so good to squeeze in between them.

“So? Where do we start?” Hecate asked.

Where do we start with this mess… What a good question. On the dining table, we got Hecate, Katja, and Reia on one side. Bea, Flanne, and Sarasa on the other. Ririna and Carol next to me on the couch, then Narumi’s hoarding the armrest on Carol’s side, and Miyuki’s sitting on the other one. Hmm…

“Miyuki!” I choose you! “The hell are you doing here?”

“Ehh…? That’s so mean, Iroha? Why are you pointing at me like that? You make it sound like you don’t want me here.” She bent her body with pleading eyes.

“I was just messing around. You can be here, but I’m gonna need an explanation. How did this happen?”

“What can I say? It was time to come clean, so I did.” She shrugged. “And by the way. We’re dating now. You and I.”

How enigmatic… “Uhmm… Can I also get an explanation of how that happened? Again, not complaining, I’m just asking.”

“Geez… You’re such a tease, Iroha…” She pushed my shoulder with an overly cutesy voice. “We kissed before. I told you at the time that we couldn’t officially date until the time was right. You agreed to that, so when it was time, it just turned official.”

“You say that like it happened on its own…” Does make sense in a weird sort of way.

“To expand on what that cryptic girl said, she showed up at the House unannounced while we were discussing how to save you and offered to grant us her assistance.” Hecate said.

How straightforward of her… Miyuki puffed up her chest. “How? With her predictions?”

“She told us where you were being kept and the layout of that organization.” Bea said. “Then she and I guided the others from here during your rescue.”

“And when it mattered the most, she got it wrong… I was ready to choke her when you weren’t there…” Carol glared at Miyuki.

I didn’t expect that… Miyuki? Getting it wrong? That’s rare.

“You’re so mean… How was I supposed to know Iroha would break out on her own? Only my beloved’s spontaneity is outside my realm of predictions. How lovely! What else could a maiden ask for?”

She’s acting like a theater kid now. “Cut that off…” Carol said.

“Well, I guess I understand why you’re here now. I’m happy you’ve joined our… Whatever this is, but… Have you already told the others about the dating stuff? What did they say?” I have to humiliate myself cooking in a naked apron to add a girl to the harem. No way they accepted her with open arms…

“We accepted her.” Said Ririna before the light in her eyes dimmed. “Not like we had another choice.”

“Wh- what? What did she do to you?”

“She showed up with the information we needed the most. We had no choice but to put aside our suspicion.” Katja said.

So it wasn’t anything bad… I’m glad… Hmm… Was that the reason she wanted to wait before making our relationship official? She’s way too clever…

“Now, a question from us, Iroha.” Hecate’s tone grew a bit imposing. “What were you doing with Reia? Why did you bring her with you?”

“Ca- calm down, okay… We just talked a little when I was in jail and became friends… We’re just friends…”

“Really? Reia, did Iroha do anything to you? Hmm?”

Reia’s expression barely changed, but she shrunk a little from Hecate’s gaze. “Uhhh… I was tricked.”

“!?” Everyone went on high alert. Carol even grabbed my neck. Who tricked who? What’s that girl saying?!”

“Ehh… Iroha tricked you… How so?”

“She said she’d show me the other world… I didn’t know I had to join a harem first…”

“You don’t!” I broke free the moment Carol relaxed her grip a little. “You don’t have to be my girlfriend to be here. I didn’t trick anyone!”

“But you’re all dating, aren’t you?”

“N- n- no, we’re not!” Flanne slammed the table. She looked over at the princess, then to Sarasa. She didn’t need more looks of suspicion. “I’m only here because of the princess… Nothing else.”

“Yeah…” Narumi raised her hand. “I haven’t joined yet either.”

Ye- yet?! “Slip of tongue.” Carol elbowed my side. “Don’t get any ideas.”

“No- now you see. We don’t have to be dating for you to be here or anything.” I said. “You helped me out in the research facility, so I’m just repaying the favor. A- and maybe you can help us figure out something about the other world since you’re smart.” Ouch…

“Since you insist, I’ll let it slide.” Hecate said. “How are you feeling? Iroha? Katja? Still in pain?”

“I’m alright… I think…” Katja looked down. “What happened in the PSF is a blur for me, but I think I injured myself at some point. Then I woke up and there was nothing there. I don’t really get it.”

“It wasn’t a small injury either.” Hecate said. “You stabbed your own belly. You could have died if Iroha hadn’t healed you in the drive back.”

“Iroha healed me?”

“With a kiss!” Sarasa made Katja blush.

“Sorry for kissing you without asking. I was kinda desperate at the time…” Not that I think she minded it. “Apparently, it’s a new skill that I unlocked. I’m not really sure… But speaking of skills, I’m actually not doing too great.”

“Did you get hurt?” Hecate asked.

“It’s not that, but the thing I used to use magic is broken. I got injected with all a lot of weird stuff while I was there, and I think something messed it up. I won’t be able to fight at my best for a while.”

“Hmm…” Ririna looked into my eyes. “Can I take a look at you later? You’re unable to use your skills, huh? Probably an ailment… Maybe some kind of toxin… I might be able to make something to heal you.”

“No. I don’t think you can.” Miyuki shook her head. “But don’t worry, Iroha. I know a way for you to repair the VISS Driver.”

“Another prophecy? What is it?”

“Fufufufu… I’ll tell you later.” She finished with a little wink. Come on! Don’t leave me hanging…

“Fine fine… Be that way.” She probably has her reasons. “Then… Let me get one thing straight. We’re not going back to the House any time soon, are we?”

“No…” Carol rested her head on her hand. “Think about it for a second. You worked for the House and you were rescued by members of the House. After we all went missing, what do you think is the first place they’re going to look for us? And they’re probably going to leave people there permanently, so no way we’re going back any time soon.” She sighed. “Why do you ask? Did you leave something important there?”

“Not at the house, but… Ah! What about my apartment!?”

“They have access to the information any public agency normally has. They’ll turn the place upside down before next morning.” Katja said.

“Wait! No! That’s so embarrassing… I mean, screw shame. That’s heartbreaking! They’re gonna break all my stuff! Oh no… My precious collections! I’m gonna lose everything! I gotta stop them!”

Carol pinned me to the couch with Ririna’s help. “You’re not going anywhere. You idiot. We have far bigger worries than your silly collection.”

“It’s not silly!” It hurts… It hurts so much, but she’s right…

“We can rebuild together.” Reia said.

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

There was a gloomy cloud over her too. “I forgot about my things too until just now… If we pool our money together, we can get the essentials of our collections again.”

“Y- you’re a genius! You’re so right! We can just buy it again! Aahahahah! Why didn’t I think about that? I love you, Reia!” That was a very dumb thing to say considering who was holding me down. Carol’s hand immediately reached for my neck. “As friends! I love you as a friend! That’s what I meant!”

“*Sigh…* Your priorities are messed up.” Carol let me go.

“Too messed up. Money’s going to be tight for us. I’m not letting you waste on anything less than essential.” Hecate said.

“You gotta be joking! Reia’s idea was my one saving grace! You can’t tell me how to spend my money.”

“No means no, Iroha. Do I need to repeat myself?”

“No way…”

Extra Scene

“Before we go to bed, let’s make up for lost time! Who wants to kiss?”

“Me!” “Me!” “Me!”

“Woah! Woah! One at time. Line up first.”

So they did. Everyone lined up like the nice girls they were.

“Hm? What are you doing?” At the back of the line, Carol glared at Narumi and Reia. “Not you two.”