The atmosphere was not good. To be more precise, from the moment I arrived home and met SuA, the atmosphere had already been bad.
Even if the problems regarding me were not resolved through conversation, I felt that the atmosphere gradually became easier to talk about, but it was certainly not the case.
Through Yubin’s words, I realized that as soon as I arrived home and was with five people, everyone was engaged in an intricate game of eyes. Of course, the reason was me.
The reason it was an eyes game rather than a face-off was because even the shy Milky Way was not speaking, but she was still constantly observing others’ expressions.
While I occasionally watched the silent Milky Way, the rest were looking at each other, and I caught glimpses of such scenes, feeling that the atmosphere was tense. However, I did not have the firm belief that they were carefully sizing each other up.
But now, it was the moment of certainty. With sharp eyes, SuA stood up after hearing Yubin’s words, and the two of them glared at each other.
Right after expressing her thoughts, Yubin’s eyes were slightly red, but she did not show any signs of being overwhelmed by SuA.
SuA was about 10 cm taller than Yubin, so there was a height difference, yet Yubin did not appear intimidated at all, and SuA, needless to say, glared back at Yubin with a strong aura.
Instantly, the atmosphere cooled down, and Yura, Hayang, and Milky Way looked at the two of them. I, too, unable to say anything due to the suddenness of the situation, just looked up at the two of them.
“What are you talking about? Why are you getting so close to me in this situation?”
“You’ve been clinging to your older brother with an excuse. Didn’t you keep sticking to him unnecessarily? Who wouldn’t know that?”
“Then why didn’t you stick to him? Why are you taking out your frustration on a harsh person?”
“You shouldn’t have done something unnecessary in the first place.”
Neither of them showed any sign of backing down, and their sharp gazes made it seem like they would attack each other at any moment.
I needed to quickly think of a way to calm the two of them down.
However, I couldn’t suddenly insert myself between them and decide who was right or wrong. If I took sides with one, the other would surely feel hurt. Even if I tried to mediate without logic, it seemed difficult to calm the two of them down right now.
“Calm down, both of you.”
While I hesitated for about 0.5 seconds, Hayang stood up and inserted herself between the two. Although she was the shortest, her quiet words were enough to distract the two engaged in the standoff, making them create distance between themselves.
“This isn’t the time for us to fight among ourselves. First, we need to keep assessing the current situation, don’t we?”
After listening to Hayang, the two of them stopped glaring at each other momentarily. Yubin sat back down on the bed, and SuA sat down on the floor opposite me instead of behind me.
There was a collision, then a lull, and every moment was filled with tension.
If I had said it, it would have been completely unconvincing, but I was grateful for Hayang’s intervention to mediate the two of them at this moment.
And simultaneously, it was the moment for me to speak further about the current situation, but I couldn’t figure out what to say first.
The opinions were divided into those who thought polygamy was acceptable and those who didn’t. There were also people who hadn’t expressed their opinions yet.
In fact, when I first met them, I had nothing to say even if I died. So, I couldn’t boldly ask, “So, what do you all want to do with me?”
If someone gathered five people and asked, “Tell me your preferred choices,” even if it might be forgiven, it would no longer be forgivable.
In the universe, where various things happen frequently, polygamy issues are common, but it seems it’s not the case on Earth.
Since I haven’t fully grasped how strong the monogamous concept is among Earthlings, it made it even harder for me to speak.
Why haven’t I seen dramas I saw often in space here on Earth? Although dramas don’t encompass all cultures, they are based on culture, so watching them could serve as a reference…
Of course, even if I had seen dramas based on alien cultures, it wouldn’t change my values. Moreover, I had never had a romantic experience until I met Yubin.
“Let’s start by sharing our opinions.”
Thanks to Hayang, the situation could progress. Although I had nothing to say, as one of the parties involved, I would listen even while in a face-off.
“I’ll say it again, it doesn’t matter. As long as you only love me.”
Yura’s opinion remained unchanged. However, the phrase “as long as you only love me” felt off. Love is not expressed in degrees, so I couldn’t understand Yura’s standard of love.
There was no reason to argue about standards now. Everything was revealed.
From now on, instead of focusing affection on one person at a time, I had to act fairly towards everyone.
“There’s one thing I want to ask first.”
All eyes turned to SuA, and her gaze shifted to me, causing all eyes to focus on me.
It was a tense moment, and I swallowed hard, waiting for SuA to speak.
“Do you still not know what the problem is?”
Yes. I still wonder if meeting five people at once is such a big problem. I acknowledge it as a problem, but I don’t understand how significant it is.
I nodded without lying, but I was afraid to say it out loud. SuA sighed deeply.
“Honestly, I thought there would be a clear difference in values when I knew it was Spacystro. But I didn’t expect it to be this big.”
Seeing SuA talk about value differences with such clarity, it’s clear there is a problem.
“Why bring up values? Naturally, since I was the first to meet, it should be just me and you, right?”
Before SuA could respond, Yubin spoke sharply, and the silent SuA opened her eyes sharply and glared at Yubin.
“So you’re saying it doesn’t matter how the others fare in the future?”
“That…”
Yubin was speechless. If Yubin got together with one person, the others would no longer be in a relationship with me. This would mean that my original goal of “everyone being happy” would be lost.
Furthermore, the person who started dating me might face criticism from others for some time. While it might be an overreaction, it’s impossible to ignore the potential future scenarios.
“Let me explain how wrong your actions were.”
It was a welcome sound. No matter how many planets I explored or how long I traveled through space, there are things I don’t know. Just because I’ve had various experiences doesn’t mean I know everything.
“If anyone here stabbed you, people would clap.”
That is, from an Earth perspective, admitting to having relationships with five people at once is unacceptable.
“Actually, if we all scolded and beat you, it wouldn’t be right either.”
Hearing Yura’s voice from the side, I turned my head in surprise. Could it be that Yura, who supported polygamy, actually agreed to kill me?
“It’s just talking about the mistakes. That’s not what I meant.”
Yura, meeting my surprised eyes, waved her hand and smiled.
Although it wasn’t a detailed explanation, it was clear that meeting five people at once is considered outrageous on Earth, emphasizing the importance of monogamy.
“I’m sorry…”
I had nothing else to say. Despite Yura patting my shoulder, knowing I committed a grave offense against Earthlings within their cultural context, a hundred apologies wouldn’t be enough.
“Got it.”
To my surprise, SuA, who I expected to attack me, calmly accepted it. Of course, I don’t know what will happen later, but at least I avoided a severe beating.
“So, what do you want to do with Yellow?”
Hayang asked SuA’s opinion, and she stroked her chin and closed her eyes. It seemed she needed time to think.
Judging that SuA would take some time to conclude, Hayang turned her attention to Milky Way, who, upon realizing Hayang’s gaze, was startled.
“Huh?! Me?”
“Yes. What about Green?”
Milky Way couldn’t answer immediately. She looked at me, then Yubin, then Yura, and back at me, scanning everyone present before lowering her head.
“…I’m not sure yet.”
“Okay.”
I understood Milky Way’s opinion. I didn’t know how much discussion had occurred among the members, but she hadn’t fully sorted out her thoughts yet. It wouldn’t be easy to give an immediate response when asked what she wanted to do.
“Red’s opinion hasn’t changed, right?”
“Of course. What about Blue? Is it the same as before?”
Yubin didn’t want to give me to anyone else and asked about Hayang’s opinion. Hayang, who previously supported polygamy, fell silent and thought.
“Sorry. Let me think about it a bit more.”
Hayang’s opinion seemed to have changed. Perhaps she found it difficult to give a firm answer right away and was considering multiple perspectives.
Thus, the current situation was divided into one person supporting polygamy, one supporting exclusivity, and three undecided.
Suddenly, I wondered if even with clear opinions, decisions could be made immediately.
After much contemplation, SuA raised her head.
“My opinion is the same as Red’s.”
Now, two people supported exclusivity.
At this point, a major dilemma arose. If everyone agreed on polygamy, I would have to take full responsibility going forward.
While major issues like Spacystro and Hyper-human were important, personal relationships were more pressing.
If everyone couldn’t make a definitive decision, I would have more time to think, and during that period, I could meet each person individually and hear their opinions. But if everyone chose exclusivity?
If everyone chose exclusivity, it would be the most difficult scenario. From an Earth perspective, it wouldn’t be unusual, and it might even be considered normal if no one chose me.
If everyone declared exclusivity, I wouldn’t know what to do. Since arriving home and meeting them, I’ve had no sense of direction and faced one unknown situation after another.
When did I start thinking I understood women a little? Reflecting, I realize I truly know nothing about them.
“So, you kept sticking close to me and wouldn’t let go.”
SuA glared at her again. Yubin, showing no intention of giving in, glared back at SuA. The two, having declared exclusivity, started another face-off.
“You… Ah, never mind.”
SuA seemed to be about to say something but suddenly sighed and calmed down. For a moment, I thought SuA, being the elder sister, was trying to listen to Yubin’s thoughts.
“The kid who whined and dragged you to a motel is capable of thinking like that.”
“What?”
I forgot that SuA wasn’t as easy-going as she seemed in the past month.
I knew they talked about me in the HunterKiller group. They must have discussed the story of our first meeting or the first time we were together.
It’s true that Yubin cried when we first had a physical relationship in a motel. When I tried to leave her alone in the motel room, her crying stopped me in my tracks.
“Why? So, you don’t think anyone is clinging, but you think it’s clinging because you saw it?”
Yubin frowned, looking angry, but then she gave a cynical smile.
“Sorry. I thought it was okay to act awkward in front of others because I was the first to have sex with a girl.”
SuA’s first sexual experience was indeed with me. She almost tackled me, and—
How far did they discuss this?
Even though they seemed to share everything, it was surprising that they didn’t know I was the one they were seeing, and it was fortunate that everything didn’t come out at that time.
“When it happened, you were happy, but now that you know I was your boyfriend, your eyes are turning upside down?”
I don’t know what will happen now or how to proceed, but I am certain that there was no communication among the HunterKiller members in the past month.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t be engaging in such intense psychological battles. Even if there was communication, such intense battles indicate a problem.
In any case, it was impossible to continue watching the face-off between the two, so I decided to mediate the conflict.
“Let’s not fight. Okay? Yubin might not have wanted to see me and SuA together, and SuA might have felt annoyed by Yubin’s sudden comment. Let’s resolve this calmly through dialogue. Through dialogue.”
“Don’t call me too familiar. What’s with SuA? SuA?”
“Yeah, yeah?”
I never imagined they would object to me calling them by name. Calling Red or Yellow here would upset the parties involved.
“No, but it’s a name… You should call it properly.”
In a difficult situation, standing between the two, I couldn’t move. Then Milky Way slowly raised her hand.
“Ah! Milky Way. Why?”
To change the mood, I called out loudly and asked if she had something to say.
“Oh, that’s… I’m not sure yet, but I want to stay with my older brother.”
Although she hadn’t clearly decided on polygamy or exclusivity, Milky Way’s opinion was that she wasn’t ready to give me up yet.
Only Hayang’s opinion remained, and as I waited for her to speak, Yubin leaned closer to me.
“So, which one do you like?”
“Huh?”
Suddenly, I had to give my opinion. I knew this moment would come and that I couldn’t avoid it, but speaking in such a tense atmosphere felt like my heart would burst.
If I chose one person here, the atmosphere would instantly turn chaotic. Choosing between Yubin and SuA, who both supported exclusivity, was a problem. Choosing between Milky Way and Hayang, who were undecided, was also problematic.
Even if I chose Yura, who supported polygamy, would it solve everything? No. Even if it was polygamy, Yura, who spoke first, would likely have a high chance of priority. In the end, choosing Yura would mean choosing polygamy with Yura as the top priority.
It feels like the sky is telling me, “Endure with strength and determination, chosen by Hayang.” I felt like I wanted to curse at the sky, but yelling wouldn’t change anything now.
Choosing one person means someone else will get hurt. Actually, I initially thought polygamy was the default.
Just as I can’t change others’ values immediately, others can’t change mine instantly either. Changing one’s values isn’t easy, even if one decides to.
My answer is simple.
“……Can’t it be everyone?”
With great courage, I chose “everyone,” but I was still scared, so I ended with a question mark.
In the end, it wasn’t a decisive answer nor a question, and vague responses came from everywhere with sighs mixed in.
“Alright, let’s summarize first.”
Feeling defeated by the absurd response, Yubin took charge of the situation.
“Blue is still undecided, but wanting to stay with you, the older brother, hasn’t changed, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Others have slightly different opinions, but wanting to stay with you, the older brother, hasn’t changed, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Then……”
First, to clarify the current situation, Yubin, deep in thought, crossed her arms and closed her eyes.
As the conversation focused on one person at a time, I felt grateful and complex emotions for still being chosen, and I reaffirmed my determination to act quickly for everyone’s sake.
Closing her eyes in thought, Yubin seemed to reach a conclusion and opened her eyes, speaking firmly.
“Let’s split it five ways.”
……………………What?
