My Eccentric Harem

The days after Albedo's quiet "thank you" were marked by a subtle yet noticeable change in her demeanor. She wasn't cold anymore—reserved, yes, but not hostile. She lingered in conversations with Aoyama longer, often joining him and Aqua at the dinner table instead of eating alone. And though she still maintained her pride, there were moments when she let her guard down.

But Aoyama sensed that something was still unresolved in her heart. Her loyalty to Ainz, her growing connection to him, and her complicated feelings about her own identity continued to weigh heavily on her.

---

One evening, Aqua was away at an art exhibition, leaving Aoyama and Albedo alone in the apartment. Aoyama was in the kitchen preparing tea when Albedo stepped in, her golden eyes soft but unreadable.

"You're unusually quiet today," Aoyama said, handing her a cup. "Something on your mind?"

Albedo took the tea, her fingers brushing his briefly. "I've been... thinking," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"About what?" Aoyama asked, leaning against the counter.

Albedo hesitated, her gaze dropping to her cup. "About... loyalty. And... trust."

Aoyama's chest tightened. "You mean Ainz."

"Yes," she admitted, her voice wavering slightly. "Everything I was, everything I believed in... it was built on him. But now, I'm starting to wonder if... if I've been wrong all along."

Aoyama swallowed hard. "You're not wrong for feeling the way you do. Ainz meant a lot to you. But... that doesn't mean you can't find meaning here, too."

Albedo looked up at him, her golden eyes shimmering with an emotion he couldn't quite place. "You make it sound so simple."

"It's not," Aoyama said softly. "But that doesn't mean it's impossible."

For a moment, the room was silent. Then, to Aoyama's surprise, Albedo stepped closer, her wings brushing lightly against his arm.

"You're a strange human, Aoyama," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "But... perhaps that's what I needed."

Aoyama felt his breath hitch. "Albedo, I—"

Before he could finish, she stepped back, her expression unreadable once more. "Thank you," she said quietly, then turned and left the kitchen.

---

Later that night, the system updated.

---

Name: Albedo

Affection Level: 90/100

---

"Ninety," Aoyama whispered, staring at the screen. "We're almost there."

Aqua peeked over his shoulder, her grin mischievous. "Looks like someone's making progress."

"Don't start," Aoyama muttered, closing the interface.

"Relax," Aqua said, waving him off. "But don't forget—she's still figuring things out. Don't rush her."

Aoyama nodded, though his heart felt heavier than before. He didn't want to rush her, but he couldn't deny that his feelings for Albedo were growing stronger every day.

---

The next day, Aoyama decided to take a leap. After school, he invited Albedo to join him for a walk in the park. To his surprise, she agreed without hesitation.

The park was quiet, the evening air cool and crisp. They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the sound of their footsteps mingling with the rustling leaves.

"Why did you ask me to come here?" Albedo asked finally, her golden eyes glancing at him.

Aoyama hesitated, then took a deep breath. "Because I wanted to spend time with you. Just the two of us."

Albedo blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Why?"

"Because I care about you," Aoyama said simply, his chest tightening. "And I think... maybe you care about me, too."

Albedo stopped walking, her wings trembling slightly. "Aoyama, I..."

"You don't have to say anything," Aoyama said quickly, stepping closer. "I know this is complicated. But I just wanted you to know how I feel."

Albedo stared at him, her golden eyes wide and vulnerable. For a moment, she seemed on the verge of saying something, but then she looked away, her composure slipping.

"You're insufferable," she said softly, though there was no malice in her tone. "But... thank you."

Aoyama smiled. "You're welcome."

---

That night, Albedo sat by the window, her gaze fixed on the stars. She felt a strange warmth in her chest, a feeling she hadn't allowed herself to acknowledge until now.

For so long, her devotion to Ainz had been her identity, her purpose. But now, she was beginning to realize that she could be more than that. That she could feel something new. Something real.

---

The system updated again.

---

Name: Albedo

Affection Level: 95/100

---

Aoyama stared at the screen, his heart pounding. "Ninety-five."

Aqua grinned from her spot on the couch. "Almost there, huh?"

"Yeah," Aoyama murmured, his thoughts racing. "Almost."

To Be Continued...