My Eccentric Harem

The next morning, Aoyama woke up to the sound of soft humming. Groggily, he pushed himself off the futon and rubbed his eyes. Mantis was perched by the window, her antennae twitching slightly as she gazed outside. A faint golden light surrounded her, casting a serene glow on the room.

"Good morning, Aoyama," she said without turning. "The sunlight here feels… peaceful."

Aoyama blinked, still trying to process the scene. "Uh, good morning. You're up early."

"I couldn't sleep," Mantis admitted, her voice soft. "I kept thinking about this… harem. It's a new concept for me, but I think I understand now."

"Do you?" Aoyama asked cautiously, sitting down at the table.

Mantis turned to face him, her wide eyes full of sincerity. "It's about connection, isn't it? Building bonds with people who are important to you."

"Uh… yeah, something like that," Aoyama said, scratching the back of his head. "It's definitely been… interesting."

Mantis smiled, a warm and calming expression that made Aoyama's chest tighten. "I would like to strengthen my connection with you, Aoyama. If that's okay."

Aoyama felt his cheeks heat up. "Y-Yeah, of course. I mean, that's the whole point of the system, right?"

"Wonderful," Mantis said, clapping her hands together. "Then let's start today!"

Mantis's enthusiasm to bond with Aoyama led to a series of unexpected but oddly heartwarming events. They began with a simple walk through the local park, where Mantis's awe at the simplest things—like the fluttering of butterflies or the way the breeze rustled the leaves—made Aoyama see the world in a new light.

"You notice everything," Aoyama said as they sat on a bench near the pond.

"I try to," Mantis replied. "Every moment is precious, and I want to understand it all. Like you, Aoyama."

"Me?" Aoyama blinked. "What's there to understand about me?"

"You're kind," Mantis said, tilting her head. "But you hide your sadness behind jokes and frustration. I feel it."

Aoyama stiffened. "You don't need to worry about that. I'm fine."

Mantis placed a gentle hand on his arm, her antennae glowing faintly. "It's okay to feel sad sometimes. But you don't have to carry it alone."

Her words struck a chord deep within him. He felt a warmth spreading through his chest, a sensation he hadn't experienced in a long time. "Thanks, Mantis," he said softly. "I guess I didn't realize how much I needed to hear that."

Mantis smiled again, her touch lingering for a moment before she pulled away. "That's what friends are for, right?"

"Yeah," Aoyama said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Friends."

---

Harem System Update

That evening, the glowing interface reappeared as Aoyama sat alone in his room, reflecting on the day. Curious, he opened Mantis's profile.

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Name: Mantis

Role: Empath

Skills: Emotional Healing, Intuition, Connection

Harem Affection Level: 20/100

---

"Twenty already?" Aoyama murmured, surprised. "That's faster than I expected."

He closed the interface, feeling a strange mix of pride and gratitude. Mantis's ability to connect so deeply and genuinely was something he hadn't anticipated, but he was beginning to see how valuable her presence could be.

The next day, Mantis decided to repay Aoyama for his kindness. She spent hours in the apartment kitchen, following a recipe she'd found in a cookbook Aqua had left lying around. The result was a beautifully arranged plate of cookies, slightly burnt on the edges but made with obvious care.

"I made these for you," Mantis said, presenting the plate to Aoyama with a shy smile.

Aoyama stared at the cookies, his heart swelling. "You didn't have to do this, Mantis."

"I wanted to," she said earnestly. "You've done so much for me already, and I wanted to make you happy."

Aoyama took a bite of one of the cookies, his face lighting up despite the slightly crunchy texture. "They're great. Thank you, Mantis."

Her antennae twitched with delight, and her smile grew brighter. "I'm glad you like them."

Aqua, who had been watching from the corner, smirked. "Wow, Aoyama. She's putting in more effort than you deserve."

"Quiet, Aqua," Aoyama muttered, though he couldn't hide his grin.

---

Another Update

That night, Aoyama checked the system again.

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Name: Mantis

Harem Affection Level: 40/100

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"Forty?" Aoyama said, his eyebrows shooting up. "At this rate, she'll catch up to Aqua and Albedo in no time."

From across the room, Mantis gave him a gentle wave. "Good night, Aoyama."

"Good night, Mantis," he replied, feeling a warmth in his chest that lingered long after she'd gone to bed.

---

To Be Continued...