Speculations and harem matters.

Reina finished her shopping rather quickly. New phone, same number. Not a top new model, but serviceable. Hopefully no unplanned trips to electronic-wrecking worlds any time soon.

Now, where was the restaurant Ruth worked at? Good thing she now had a phone to look that up, huh? Since it was the only restaurant of the franchise in the area, it was easy to find. She walked down the stairs into the basement where the dining area was, and was greeted by the smell of fried foods, spices, loud conversation, lots of customers, and waitresses in tight white t-shirts and orange hot-pants. Not many female customers, unsurprisingly, but a few.

Reina looked around, looking for her newest friend. Plenty of blonde waitresses around, some more voluptuous than others, but no sight of Ruth. Maybe she wasn’t working right now?

“What on earth are you doing here?” Her voice came from behind, and Reina turned around to look. Ruth was there, tray with dirty dishes in hand and wearing the uniform, of course. It only took a glance to know why William would take her home over any other girl here.

Reina whistled playfully. “You rock that outfit, you know?”

Ruth sighed. “I’ll take that to mean nothing bad happened.”

“I’m out for lunch, and I remembered you work close by. You were so insistent that the food was good the other day.”

“Well, you’re here just as I’m leaving for my own lunch break. Give me a minute and we’ll find someplace else to eat.”

“Why not here?”

“I need to leave the smell of fried food for a while. If I eat any fries, I’m gonna puke.”

Not what Reina planned, but a better outcome. Now she’d get to eat with Ruth. She waited outside for her friend, and after a few minutes she came out still in her uniform, but with a black jacket over her t-shirt.

“Not gonna change?”

“Too bothersome. I only have an hour before coming back. Any place you want to go to?”

“This was my plan, so if you have another one…”

“Italian it is. Come on.”

Ruth took Reina to a small restaurant named ‘La Piccola Trattoria’. If Reina’s extremely basic knowledge of Italian was correct, the place was called ‘The Small Restaurant’ or something close to that. Apt.

“I’m gonna treat you today,” Ruth said as they found a table for two.

“What? There’s no need.”

“But I want to. If you hadn’t been there with me in that other world, I dread to think what could’ve happened. Let me thank you.”

“Shut up, that’s my line. And besides, you wouldn’t have been there in the first place if I hadn’t invited you over to my place.”

“Like you knew it would happen,” Ruth shrugged. “I want to do it, so I’m going to. Besides, I was working for barely four hours and made more money in tips than I have… ever.”

Reina raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Don’t get me wrong, I know I look hot,” the blonde admitted, “and we have regulars who only go when I’m working. It’s about the same for every girl. We’re all someone’s favorite. But today… It was a little different.”

Reina leaned in with interest. “How so?”

“Everyone’s been telling me I look great today, from customers to coworkers. I also feel… good, but a little hot. Walking around in this outfit… Sorry, I’m rambling. It’s hard to explain.”

A waiter came over to take their orders, and the boy couldn’t help but oogle a little bit before he left. Both girls were attractive and they knew it, owned it, and were used to the looks. However…

“I think I get what you mean,” Reina said. “I had a photoshoot today, and throughout it I felt like I was in the zone. I haven’t seen the pictures yet, but I’d bet they’re some of my best if I don’t count the ones I take with Will. I felt like my body was getting hot, and I was… getting a little aroused from it all. Everyone said I did amazing, too.”

“...”

“...”

“Do you think he did anything on purpose?” Ruth asked.

“No. If his powers have anything to do with this, it’s a side effect he didn’t predict.”

“But you feel good, right? Not feeling sick or the like?”

Reina shook her head. “You?”

“The contrary. Today’s been hectic at the restaurant, but I don’t even feel tired.”

“I’ll ask him to check tonight. But if he hasn’t noticed already, maybe he can’t perceive it?”

“What about that Japanese girl? Nanami, right? Didn’t she say something about being able to sense things? Maybe she can help.”

Reina nodded. “I’ll ask Will. I’d call him now, but I don’t have his new number on my new phone.”

“Oh, you got a new one too.”

“You bought one as well?”

“Yeah. I need to stay in contact with too many people. I have a rehearsal later today, even.”

“Right, you’re studying musical theater. And here I was thinking of inviting you for drinks later tonight.”

Their appetizer –or antipasto– arrived while they talked. A plate of caprese salad with pesto sauce. The two were hungry and dug in immediately.

“Drinks? Are you going out with Will?”

“No, with Anna. Remember I told you about her? The secretary with the great ass, really into Will, too?”

“Ah. Right.”

“I want to bring her into this, like I said. You're okay with it, right?”

“I’m okay with her being sex friends with Will, but more I couldn’t say. I don’t know her. Being his girlfriend would mean she’d be around us, too. Not saying I’m not willing to give her a chance if you’re vouching for her. I’d be happy if she’s cool.”

“Extremely responsible and organized, but far from a stick in the mud. She parties and dances every other weekend. You’ll like her.”

Ruth nodded, already warming up to the idea. “And you say she’s hot?”

“Very. This morning I asked Will if he’d be okay with me… fooling around with her. You know, to convince her.”

“Are you sure you’re not simply awakening a hidden side of you and this isn’t just an excuse to have sex with other girls?”

“Hey!” Reina was offended for a moment, but Ruth kept her eyes firm and questioning. “Alright, alright. No, Ruth, it’s not an excuse. Yeah, I’m finding the idea of more girls in the bed more and more appealing, and what you and I have done with Will has been pretty amazing. But I’m not using this as an excuse to sleep with girls behind his back. I want to bring more girls to him. Happy?”

“Yes.” Ruth smiled. “Just needed to make sure. I saw the dream too, remember?”

Right. Will’s past. Reina wasn’t the only one who was shocked by it. “I do. Good to know we’re on the same page.”

“Almost on the same page. I’m against bringing Will any random girls, okay? If we’re gonna do this, we need to be selective. If he had his way, he’d probably end up with 30 or more girls waiting for his calls. Actually, I bet you’d let him.”

“...Would it be so bad?” Reina sighed, having been caught.

“Yes! More girls, less time for us. I’m all up for Will having a harem, but I refuse to let it grow to the point I can’t spend time with him.”

“Okay, I get you. He said the same thing, anyway. You two are pretty in sync, too.”

Ruth smiled at that, then groaned. “I miss him already, dammit. What’s he doing now?”

“Learning about magic with that busty lady. Aoi.”

“Ah, her.”

“...”

“...”

“Think he’ll want her?” Ruth asked.

“I would bet on it. If she ends up getting along with him, we’ll probably have a new member.”

“What about the younger girl? Nanami.”

“I like her. She’s cute.”

“She’s kind of scared of us.”

“We need to get her to warm up to us, then.”

“So… You, me, the landlady and your boss. We four are official.”

Reina nodded. “Though our boss is a little indisposed.”

“He’ll fix it,” Ruth shrugged, then continued, “You want to bring Anna into this, and then there’s Nanami and Aoi. Seven girls already.”

“The last two are still up in the air, but I think it’s highly likely. Nanami more so than Aoi.”

“They’re also busy with all this supernatural crap. I hope it all goes back to normal soon. Or as normal as it can be. We need to have a proper talk with everyone.”

“Agreed.”

Ruth let out a heavy sigh. “This is gonna be a handful.”

“Regretting it?” Reina teased.

“Not one bit. Good things are rarely easy. And you’re not the only one who’s looking forward to having more girls on the bed.”

Reina laughed. She knew it!