Miyako Perspective I woke to the gentle rhythm of Andie's breathing, his chest rising and falling beneath my cheek. The warmth of our entangled bodies created a cocoon of comfort that made me reluctant to open my eyes fully. The Golden Hearth's luxurious beds had a way of enveloping you in cloud-like softness that made waking up feel like a genuine crime.

As consciousness fully returned, I became aware of the other bodies in our shared bed. Ruri's platinum hair cascaded over the pillow next to Andie, her rabbit ears twitching slightly in sleep. Beyond her, Noel's more dignified form lay curled on her side, cream-coloured ears occasionally flicking as if responding to dream stimuli. We'd all simply fallen asleep together after talking late into the night, too exhausted from the day's preparations to do anything more intimate.

I propped myself up slightly, careful not to disturb Andie, and found myself studying my sleeping companions. The contrast between us was impossible to ignore. My H-cup chest had always been considered exceptionally large back on Earth, I'd been the subject of both envy and unwanted attention throughout high school. But here, next to Ruri's L-cup and Noel's K-cup proportions, I felt almost... modest.

It wasn't just their impressive busts either. Their height, their elongated ears, their otherworldly beauty, everything about them screamed "exotic fantasy creatures." Next to them, I was just... a human girl. A well-endowed human girl, sure, but still just human. Talk about your typical isekai insecurity moment.

A small, traitorous pulse of insecurity flickered through me before I mentally squashed it. Stop it, Miyako. He chose you first. You're his Player 2.

Andie's eyes fluttered open as if responding to my thoughts, and his sleepy smile sent a rush of warmth through me that instantly dissolved my moment of doubt.

"Morning," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.

"Morning, Player 1," I whispered back, using our private terminology that dated back to our gaming days.

Ruri stirred next, her ears perking up before her eyes even opened. "Mmm, morning already?" she purred, stretching languidly. "How about some breakfast before our last day of preparations?"

Noel's eyes opened next, taking in the scene with her customary grace. "I believe we're expected at breakfast soon. Sera mentioned wanting to see us off properly before we return to the sanctuary."

"Right," I said, forcing myself to sit up fully. "Today's our final test run for the vehicles. Tomorrow we leave for Takejin territory." I felt a flutter of nervous excitement at the thought. After weeks of preparation, we were finally setting out to find Naomi-san.

As we dressed in our Golden Hearth quarters, I found myself thinking about how quickly our overnight stay in Crossroads had come about. We'd all been so excited about the portal connection to the guild that we'd impulsively decided to have dinner here, which had turned into drinks, which had turned into Ember offering us rooms for the night.

"I've never understood why humans put so many individual pieces into their outfits," Ruri commented as she slipped into her clothing with the natural grace all Velunari seemed to possess. "Though I must admit, your Earth fashions are growing on me."

"Says the woman who wore practically nothing but lingerie when we first met you," I teased, adjusting my blouse.

"Strategic minimalism," she countered with a wink. "Less to damage in battle."

"You two are impossible in the morning," Noel sighed, though her smile betrayed her amusement.

Andie just watched us with that slightly bewildered, slightly awed expression he often wore when faced with our banter. Sometimes I wondered if he'd ever truly adjust to having three fiancées. Not that I was complaining, the arrangement had advantages I'd never anticipated.

Breakfast at the Golden Hearth was always a feast. Ember and her staff knew how to cater to travellers of all races, and our table groaned under the weight of fresh pastries, fruits, meats, and beverages.

"We should get moving soon," Hitomi said between bites of something that resembled a cinnamon roll but glowed faintly purple. "Final vehicle testing starts at mid-morning."

"We've got the portal," Kazuki pointed out. "We can literally step from here to the sanctuary in seconds."

"Still feels weird to think about," Sora added. "One moment you're here, the next you're kilometres away."

I nodded in agreement. Even after weeks of using the portal system we'd established, the concept still felt surreal, a physical manifestation of the fantasy RPGs we'd played back on Earth.

After breakfast, we gathered our things and made our way to the Adventurers Guild. The back room housed our permanent portal anchor, a complex arrangement of runes inscribed in a perfect circle on the floor. As our group of forty assembled, I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride at how far we'd come.

"Everyone ready?" Andie asked, standing at the portal's edge. When we all nodded, he activated the runes with a pulse of magical energy.

The world blurred around us, and the familiar disorienting sensation washed over me, like being gently pulled through honey while simultaneously falling upward. A heartbeat later, we emerged in the sanctuary's dedicated portal room.

"Still makes my ears buzz," Ruri complained, shaking her head as we stepped away from the circle.

"You get used to it," I replied, though in truth I wasn't entirely used to it myself. Each transit still left me feeling slightly off-balance for a few seconds afterward.

The sanctuary buzzed with activity as everyone dispersed to their assignments. Today was crucial, our final chance to ensure everything was perfect before setting out tomorrow. I could see the nervousness in some faces, the excitement in others. This journey represented our first major expedition since establishing ourselves in Voluptaria, and the stakes couldn't be higher.

By mid-morning, we'd gathered at the vehicle testing area outside the sanctuary. The three vehicles sat gleaming in the sunlight, their rune-etched bodies humming with magical energy.

Despite their different configurations, all three vehicles shared the same basic chassis and dimensions, a unified design that made maintenance and repairs simpler. Scout, the vanguard vehicle designed for speed and manoeuvrability, was configured for 10-15 passengers with a focus on jump capability and performance. Bus-kun, our main personnel carrier, featured comfortable seating for up to twenty-five people with a balance of comfort and performance. And finally, Truck-kun, designed for cargo and equipped with our portable portal anchor, was optimised for torque and included a bridge module.

"Alright, people!" Kurenai called out, clipboard in hand. "We need every potential driver to complete at least one test circuit today. Navigators, you'll be rotating as well."

I felt a flutter of excitement when my name was called for the first rotation on Scout. I'd been practising, but something about taking the wheel of these magical vehicles still gave me a thrill.

"Your navigator will be Airi," Kurenai announced, and I exchanged a grin with my best friend.

"Just like that time we teamed up for the Mountain of Despair raid," Airi said as we climbed into Scout.

"Let's hope this goes better than that did," I laughed, recalling our spectacular wipeout on the final boss.

The driver's seat adjusted automatically to my proportions, one of the thoughtful enchantments the engineering team had implemented. The dashboard glowed with rune-crystals that displayed speed, power output, and various other readings I was still learning to interpret.

"Systems check," I said, falling into the gaming-style communication pattern that felt natural.

"All green," Airi confirmed, checking the navigator's panel. "RCU set to Speed configuration."

I placed my hands on the wheel, feeling the vehicle respond to my touch. The V12 rune-powered engine hummed to life, its sound unlike any Earth vehicle, a melodic purr rather than a mechanical roar.

"Beginning test circuit," I announced, pushing gently on the acceleration.

Scout surged forward with startling responsiveness. The suspension system, enhanced with wind-rune dampers, made even the rough terrain feel smooth beneath us. I guided us through the marked course, taking each turn with increasing confidence.

"You're getting good at this," Airi commented as I executed a particularly tight curve.

"Thanks," I replied, focusing on the path ahead. "It's like learning a new raid boss pattern, once you get the timing down, it becomes instinctive."

We completed the circuit and returned to the starting point, where others waited for their turns. As we climbed out, I noticed Andie watching from the sidelines. While he hadn't been deeply involved in the vehicle construction, primarily serving in a supervisory role and occasionally helping when needed, he clearly took pride in what our group had accomplished.

"Nice driving," he said as I approached.

"Thanks," I replied, feeling a flush of pleasure at his praise. "It's getting easier each time."

Throughout the morning, I observed the others taking their turns. It was fascinating how driving styles revealed personalities. Hitomi drove with military precision, never deviating an inch from the optimal path. Airi drove like she gamed, full throttle, all the time. Yuna's analytical mind calculated each turn to mathematical perfection. Ruri drove with theatrical flair, while Noel maintained elegant efficiency.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

During a break, Airi pulled me aside, her expression unusually serious.

"Can I ask you something?" she said, glancing around to ensure we weren't overheard.

"Of course," I replied, curious about her sudden seriousness.

"Are you... happy? With everything? The arrangement with Ruri and Noel, I mean."

The question surprised me, though perhaps it shouldn't have. Airi had been my closest friend for years, she'd known about my feelings for Andie long before anyone else.

"I am," I answered honestly. "It's different from anything I could have imagined back on Earth, but... it works. Andie's happy, I'm happy, they're happy." I studied her face. "Why do you ask?"

She shrugged, trying for casual but not quite achieving it. "Just checking. You know, best friend duties and all."

I wondered if there was more to her question, if perhaps her own feelings for Andie were stronger than she let on, but before I could probe further, Kurenai called for the next driving rotation.

By early afternoon, we'd gathered in the sanctuary's meeting room to finalise our journey plans. Maps covered the table, marked with potential routes and waypoints. The atmosphere was charged with purpose as our leadership group assembled.

Mei, who had been calculating distances based on Noel's knowledge of the territory, looked up from her papers.

"The total distance to the Takejin border region is approximately 14,400 kilometres," she announced.

"That's like driving from Tokyo to Singapore and back," Andie commented absently, tracing the route with his finger.

I noticed the blank looks on several faces, most of our classmates hadn't travelled much outside Japan, and the Voluptarians naturally had no concept of Earth geography. But I understood the reference perfectly, and something about that small shared knowledge between us made my heart warm. It was these little moments that reminded me why I'd fallen for him in the first place.

"The question is," Kazuki said, bringing us back to the topic at hand, "should we all travel together as one large group?"

Ryota, ever the pragmatist, shook his head. "Maybe splitting into two groups would be safer? Less tiring for the drivers."

Uncertain murmurs spread around the table as people considered the options. I found myself drifting into memory, triggered by the strategic discussion.

Senior high, second year. A gaming weekend at Kazuki's house where his parents had left him alone for three days. We were playing Minds of Steel IV, an epic multiplayer grand strategy game that Andie had introduced us to.

Airi, Miyako, Hiroko, and Sakura versus Andie, Kazuki, Sora, and Yuto.

The boys went down one by one, first Yuto, then Sora, finally Kazuki. It seemed like an inevitable victory for us girls, four against one. But somehow, inexplicably, the tide turned. Andie alone, managing multiple fronts, began picking us apart systematically.

"How did you possibly win?" Airi had demanded, staring at the map in disbelief after our crushing defeat.

Andie's modest shrug. "Triple rotation strategy. While you were all focusing on advancing, I divided my forces into three groups: frontline engagement, reserve reinforcement, and recovery. When one group depleted supplies or morale and affected the organization, I'd cycle in fresh units while letting others recover."

"But you were outnumbered four-to-one!" Hiroko had protested.

"Numbers don't matter if they're exhausted," he'd explained. "My active forces were always at peak efficiency."

The memory crystallised into clarity, and I found myself speaking up unexpectedly.

"We should use three groups."

All eyes turned to me, conversations halting.

"Back on Earth, Andie once defeated four of us in Minds of Steel using a three-rotation strategy. One group engaging, one recovering, one preparing."

Airi nodded vigorously beside me. "I remember that crushing defeat."

I continued, warming to the idea. "We can apply the same principle: one group driving, one resting, one securing camp at night. Everyone stays fresh and alert throughout the journey."

Andie looked at me with surprise that melted into appreciation. "That is really my wife-to-be," he said, his voice warm with pride.

I felt heat rush to my cheeks at his unexpected comment. Even after everything we'd been through, he could still make me blush like a schoolgirl with simple words of praise.

"Oho, the fiancé supports his fiancée's brilliant strategy," Ruri teased, nudging me playfully.

"As he should," Noel added with dignified approval.

The leaders quickly agreed to the three-group rotation strategy. With Mei's calculations and Andie's logistical expertise, we determined the journey would take approximately 16 days at a pace of about 900 kilometres per day.

"So, we need to divide everyone into Groups A, B, and C," Hina said, pulling out roster sheets.

After some discussion, the groups were finalised:

Group A, led by Andie: Andie, myself, Airi, Ruri, Noel, Miyuki, Mochi, Emi, Yuna, Keiko-oneechan, Aoi, Haruka, and Rina.

Group B, led by Kazuki: Kazuki, Hiroko, Sakura, Sora, Yuto, Fryevia, Vinera, Hina, Ayumi, Nao, Riko, Mei, and Yui.

Group C, led by Ryota: Ryota, Ayaka, Miku, Asuka, Nana, Hitomi, Kurenai, Tatsuya, Kenta, Shohei, Masato, Naoki, Viktora, and Mediena.

As the assignments were announced, I couldn't help noticing a pattern: nearly all the women with known crushes on Andie were being placed in Group A, his primary rotation.

"Is it just me, or is Group A basically the 'Andie Appreciation Society'?" Airi whispered to me, her voice tinged with amusement.

"The harem group, you mean?" I whispered back, feeling a complex mix of emotions. On one hand, I knew most of these girls had genuine feelings for Andie. On the other hand, I'd secured my position as his "Player 2", his first and primary partner, and that knowledge gave me a confidence I might not have felt otherwise.

"I don't think it was intentional," Noel murmured diplomatically. "But it is rather... obvious."

The teasing soon spread across the table as others noticed the pattern.

"Group A should get special uniforms," Hitomi suggested with a grin. "Maybe with 'Team Andie' printed on the back?"

"I'm pretty sure some of them already have those made," Hiroko quipped, earning laughter from around the table.

I joined in the teasing, feeling secure enough in my relationship to find humour in the situation rather than threat. As I looked around at the women who shared affection for my fiancé, I made a mental catalogue: Airi (though I wasn't entirely sure how deep her feelings ran), Miyuki and Mochi (definitely in love with him, though holding back for now), Emi and Yuna (developing feelings since coming to Voluptaria), Aoi, Haruka, and Rina (obvious crushes from school days), and possibly even Keiko-oneechan, though that seemed unlikely.

In Japan, this situation would have been a nightmare of jealousy and social complications. Here in Voluptaria, it was just... life. Another adaptation we'd made to this strange new world. Honestly, I'm surprised there isn't a "How to Manage Your Isekai Harem" guidebook somewhere in this world.

Late afternoon found me taking a much-needed break from preparations. I spotted Miyuki and Mochi sitting by the river near the sanctuary, their heads bent together in quiet conversation. Something about their posture, a certain tension in their shoulders, perhaps, told me they were discussing something important.

We've been avoiding this for far too long, I thought, steeling myself as I approached them with determined steps.

"I think we're long overdue for a conversation that keeps getting postponed," I said as I reached them.

The sisters exchanged knowing glances before Mochi replied, "Actually, we were just talking about finding you today if you didn't approach us."

Her response surprised me. I'd been mentally rehearsing how to initiate this difficult conversation for days, and here they were, apparently having the same thought.

I settled beside them on the grassy bank, watching the ripples on the lake's surface. "It's almost unbelievable how the constant flow of crises has conveniently given us all an excuse to avoid this discussion," I reflected. "From preparing for this journey then the shadow attacks, then back to preparing for this journey, we've been swept along from one urgent matter to the next, leaving no space for what's truly important."

Miyuki took the initiative, her voice calm but direct. "We both love Andie. We have since we were children."

Mochi nodded in agreement. "Watching him grow from our playmate into the man he is now... our feelings grew alongside him. Even if we had to keep a distance from him... due to reasons..."

Her voice trailed off, and I didn't press. I knew enough about their past trauma to understand the complexity of their situation.

"I won't pretend I don't know how you feel," I said carefully. "And as his first fiancée, I should probably feel threatened, but..." I shrugged, finding it difficult to articulate the strange cultural shift we'd all undergone in this world.

"We're not jealous of your arrangement with Ruri and Noel," Miyuki said, surprising me again.

Mochi offered a small smile. "If you remember, back when before we all isekai, we already mentioned the concept of sharing."

The memory clicked into place, their declaration in the classroom about their mysterious rescuer, how they'd "share" him if they ever discovered his identity. At the time, it had seemed like an innocent joke. Now, knowing that rescuer had been Andie all along, the statement took on new significance.

Miyuki's expression became more serious. "But we've made a decision together."

"We won't consider formally joining any relationship until we find our mother," Mochi finished her sister's thought.

"Our hearts belong to our family first right now. And to the mission," Miyuki added.

I felt an unexpected wave of relief mixed with warmth. Their decision made perfect sense, and somehow, knowing they had a clear boundary and timeline made the whole situation feel more manageable.

"I respect that," I said sincerely. "Family comes first. And finding Naomi-san is our priority now."

"That doesn't mean we won't support each other," Miyuki clarified. "Or that we won't be there for Andie."

"Of course," I agreed. "We're all in this together, regardless of... relationship complications."

A contemplative silence fell over us before Miyuki asked, "So what exactly are we to each other now?"

I considered the question carefully. "Family, I think. Not by blood or marriage, at least not yet, but by choice. By shared experience and mutual care. Something beyond conventional definitions."

"Sisters-in-waiting, perhaps?" Mochi suggested with a playful smile that reminded me of her pre-trauma self.

The term felt right somehow, acknowledging both our current status and future possibilities. I found myself smiling back.

"I like that," I admitted.

Almost spontaneously, we found ourselves in a group hug that felt both awkward and right, like many things in our new reality.

As we prepared to return to the preparations, I felt lighter somehow. The conversation we'd been avoiding had turned out to be exactly what we needed, clarity, honesty, and mutual understanding.

Miyuki gently caught my arm as we rose to leave. "Wait. There's something else I need to discuss with you and Ruri."

The sudden seriousness in her expression caught me off guard. I nodded, noting the tension in her normally composed features.

"Of course. Should I find her now?"

"Please," Miyuki confirmed, her eyes briefly meeting Mochi's in what appeared to be a significant exchange.

I located Ruri near the vehicle bay and discreetly asked her to join us. Together, we headed to the portal room, one of the few places guaranteed to be empty during the busy preparation day.

Miyuki closed the door behind us, her posture uncharacteristically hesitant yet determined.

"Based on our previous conversation... you both can spell copy every 12 hours, correct?" she asked without preamble.

Ruri and I exchanged puzzled glances.

"Yes," Ruri confirmed, her rabbit ears perked in curiosity. "But it's been more than 12 hours since our last copy."

"Why do you ask?" I pressed, sensing something important beneath the surface of this strange question.

Miyuki's face became grave, her eyes holding a weight I hadn't seen before. "In the not-so-distant future, you will need this spell. I cannot reveal anything more."

A chill ran down my spine as realisation dawned. Could she have seen something? As a Chronosophist with time spells, and with her mnemonic job still intact...

Before I could voice my thoughts, Miyuki raised her hands, fingers moving in the intricate patterns of her mnemonic memory arrangement spell. A strange sensation washed over me, like information being directly downloaded into my brain. I could tell from Ruri's slight gasp that she felt it too.

"Why did you share with us?" Ruri demanded, her normally playful demeanour replaced by focused intensity.

"You will know when to use it… when you know it," Miyuki replied cryptically, then turned and left the room before we could question her further.

Ruri and I stood in stunned silence for several moments.

"What do you think that was about?" I finally asked, my mind racing with possibilities, none of them reassuring.

Ruri shook her head, her silver-patterned ears twitching nervously. "I don't know, but if a Chronosophist gives you a spell..."

"...you memorise it and ask questions later," I finished, the ominous implication hanging heavily between us.

Tomorrow we would set out on our journey to find Naomi-san. But somehow, I felt we were heading toward something far more significant than we could possibly imagine.

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