A simple phone call

You step out of the shower and dress. It’s been a productive day, and you have made progress on twisting spells. It still hurts like hell, but by the end of the day you’re able to twist the fire and water in your mind before casting. You chuckle at being proud of making steam, like a five year old who helped their parents cook.

Still, progress is progress. New spells tomorrow, maybe you’ll try twisting your sword spell. A fire sword would actually be useful.

Now though, you get to call Rachel. For once, it’s not to cause her trouble! Until the last few days, you hadn’t thought of her as a potential partner. You definitely checked out her body, she’s incredibly sexy! But as a council member for the AWIO, and a confident, older woman, she honestly intimidated you a little. To see her so flustered around you was oddly attractive, she always seemed so composed.

Additionally, a woman without a tragic backstory would be an interesting change.

In the back of your mind, too, was Yura’s vision. Eleven girls. With Yura, you have seven around you. All unique and wonderful, and Anna aside, all with impressive powers of their own. Also, Anna was the only human in your family right now.

You chuckle at your refusal to call it a harem, even in your own mind. Even the girls called it a harem, and even enjoyed calling it that. You avoided it mostly because you felt it demeaning to them, as if they were property. They were equals, family. And you loved all of them, and they loved you.

You shake your head. You keep sidetracking yourself.

You head down to the kitchen for some privacy, and call Rachel.

She picks up immediately. “Josh! Is everything ok?”

You cringe internally. Even she assumes that you only call if there’s a problem. “No, no, nothing like that! I wanted to talk about...what happened today. When you visited.”

There’s a pause, then she speaks quickly. “I apologize, Josh. It was very unprofessional of me, I shouldn’t...”

You interrupt her, “Would you like to go out sometime? Just us?”

There’s silence again, then in a very quiet voice she says, “W-what? Did you just...”

“Would you like to go on a date, Rachel?”

The answer is instant. “Yes! Of course! Umm...I mean...if you want to...”

You chuckle. “Rachel, we’re not exactly strangers. You’re a very attractive woman, but I’m clueless, and didn’t notice your...interest, until Maya pointed it out. And Sadie. And Lynn. And Yura. Remember, you’re talking to the guy who lived with Anna for years and didn’t notice her interest. Sometimes you need to hit me with a sledgehammer.”

Rachel laughs, and you can hear relief and excitement in her voice. “Josh, I don’t know how you do it...when is good for you?”

“Anytime you’re free! I’m just an idle rich kid being seduced by an older woman...”

Rachel laughs again. “How about Saturday? That gives me a couple days to get ready.”

You laugh. “Rachel, I’m not a fancy guy, we don’t need anything crazy.”

“No, no, I want to do this right! Wow, honestly, I feel like a schoolgirl on her first date!”

“Yeah, Sadie already did that one.”

“Wha...oh. Oh! What a naughty...sorry, let’s have the date before I delve into that kind of talk..”

You laugh again. “I don’t mind, Rachel. I’m glad to see this side of you!”

There’s a pause, and you’re sure you hear a muffled ‘Yay!’ before she speaks again. “Ok! Ok. So...see you Saturday?”

You chuckle. “It’s a date!”

Authors note; Holy shit, 150K views, 3k likes, you guys are crazy! Regardless, here’s another “favorite girl”poll. I’ll probably leave my opinion on the girls in the comments, just in case anyone cares. https://strawpoll.com/8j8fqv1uy