Two knocks on the heart

"Huh... Wait, what time is..."

I opened my eyes, unable to see the clock. Instead, a cute face covered by purple hair. I kept watching the spectacle for some seconds before feeling a light touch on my back, which makes me turn towards another girl, with blond hair and a cute smile. A smile I can't help but share.

"...Okay, time to wake up, girls."

Slowly but surely, I slipped out of the bed, then out of the room I shared with the two girls since some days. "Part of the Happiness Therapy", they said, but I can't help my mind wandering left and right, as sleeping every night between such cute girls is having weird consequences. Especially when they are near battling each other for the right to have me turn towards her during the night.

"Guess Gear won last night."

Leaving aside such thoughts, I began preparing the morning drinks. Two coffees and a green tea, plus the usual cookies. Small noises erupting from the room gives the clear indication that they are awake too. Small noises slowly coming on my direction.

"Hi Vert."
"Hi dear, got some sleep ?"
"Yeah, thanks for asking."
"It's not like we weren't responsible for your lack of sleep, is it ?"
"You got a point. Any man would go mad sharing a bed with cute girls."
"You heard, Gear ? Cain said you're cute !"

A big noise erupted from the stairs before Gear joined us, one hand on her head.

"H-H-Hi Cain. How are you ?"
"I'm fine, unlike your head. You hurt yourself ?"
"A bit, but I'll be fine."
"Here's your drinks."
"Thanks."
"Oh, thanks."
"So, what are today's plans ?"
"Knights of the Round session."
"Okay."

Since Gear joined us, the share of work went way faster, due to her diligence and organisation. That, and the fact the Believers dissolved themselves on the day following the Spring Festival. Some of them even asked to work on the Student Council, not to stalk either Gear or Vert, but to amend for their mistakes as Believers. And even though each of them was refused, they still help, which is fine on its own.

"Another usual day for the luckiest vice president of Gamindustri."
"Stop calling me like that."
"You have to understand how lucky you are, or else you won't be able to reflect on it."
"I'm already glad of the actual situation."
"Really ?"
"Really."
"Then keep remembering how lucky we are."

One after the other, Vert and Gear planted a kiss on my lips, which made me ashamed of playing with their feelings.

"Sorry for still not accepting it that way."
"It's fine. You have all the time you'll need for that, even should that take years."
"I honestly don't want it to take years."
"Let me guess... "I feel like I'm playing with your feelings", right ?"
"My thoughts exactly."
"Then get rid of these thoughts. We chose it that way, and we're really happy with that. Right, Gear ?"
"Of course ! Don't worry about that, Cain, please."

I took a sip of my coffee.

"I can't help but doing so."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Feelings still not sorted, and our usual attitude doesn't help since we're putting you over our own love."
"But for both of us, you're more important than anything, and your happiness is our happiness. And again, we are happy that way. Aren't you ?"
"I am, too. But I can't shake these feelings of using both of you to feel better, be it conscious or not. Plus, I have other problems."
"I can understand that. Your actual situation isn't the best, after all."

I couldn't have said it better. Due to me being linked to both Planeptune and Leanbox, political discussions have been flaming up these last days. And while neither Vert or Gear will try to get a forced answer from me, I can still feel the pressure from the rest of the citizens. And to add the icing on the cake, Vert and I are approaching the third year exams, with the needs of choosing an orientation from that on, and I still don't know what I will do of myself.

However, a ringing pulls us out of the discussions.

"Okay, time to finish our meals, girls !"
"Yes, mama !"
"Very funny."

Going to school with a cute girl on each arm has its problems, if you want to know. First, you're watched like you're either a pervert hellbent on raising a harem, or a menace for all men, which means girls flee from you and guys watch with murderous intents. Second, you're never free from a little teasing from either or both of the girls who accompany you, which only furthers the first problem. And third, you feel like a constant center of attraction, which, if you're like me, is a problem. However, this time, we went to school without problems, only separating ourselves to go to our respective classes.

"Oh, look who is coming, isn't that our lovely student council vice-president ?"
"Yeah, yeah it is him ! Hello, Mr Vice-President, how are things ?"
"Leave me alone."
"Ooooh, what do I hear, Mr Vice-President wants to be alone ? Guys, can you do that for him ?"
"Yes, Sally !"

Under the demand of the one named Sally, two guys grab the bench assigned to me and put it outside, on the little balcony reserved for safe exits.

"..."
"Now, what are you gonna do, Mr Vice-President ? Like, shout at us like you did at Believers ?"
"Shut up. And bring that bench back."
"Guys, Mr Vice-President wants his bench back, can you do it !"
"Yes, Sally !"

The same two guys grab the bench and bring it back in. Right before throwing it in my direction, breaking it in the process. Good thing I don't leave anything anymore in it, after the time the whole contents were inked and the three weeks it took me to grab a copy of the works outside of the classroom.

"Hey, teacher's coming !"

In an instant, everyone's at his place, except for me, who has no bench. The teacher arrives in.

"Welcome, everyo- Cain, what happened to your bench ?"
"I-"
"He fell on it as he arrived, but he wanted to take again the blame on Sally, sir !"
"Yeah, do not listen to that liar again !"

Not giving me the time to talk, the two who actually broke my bench pile the accusations on me, while Sally feigns crying.

"Hmmm. Cain, go to detention room right now. We'll talk later."
"Fine. Guess I have no rights to give my opinion due to peer pressure again, right, sir ?"
"How dare you be so insolent !"
"Because I'm tired of all that, that's why. And I hope that, during the later talk you just promise, you'll listen my point of view for once."

Without even listening the complaint of the teacher, who always favors Sally due to her father being a good friend of his, I went off the room and to the detention room. A silent one with the strict minimum - One person to keep an eye on the students, and several chairs and benches pressed together.

"Well, if it isn't Cain. What happened this time ?"
"Sally's goons broke my bench and accused me of falling on it."
"And once again, your teacher didn't want to listen through it, right ?"
"Right."
"I see. Go to any free place."
"Okay."

I sit at an empty place and begin working on my only remaining long-term assignment. "Describe the future you're wanting for you and the important person around, in at least two pages." is ironic as a long-term assignment to receive in my situation, especially since all I want is to have a change of class, change that is constantly refused by the teacher due to him "wanting to keep an eye on delinquents like me", and my actual romantic situation.

Drip, drip, drip.

The noise is surprisingly near and consistent, yet I didn't notice it. As I watch the source, I see a thing on my hand. A large enough scar to let me bled, with only some traces of blood going from half the room to my place. I try to raise my other hand to alert the person watching us, but instead feel like I'm falling in a deep abyss, with nothing to catch on despite being surrounded by benches, chairs and other people, and with my eyes closing.



When I managed to open my eyes, I was in a totally different place.

"The infirmary. What hap-"
"Cain ! He's awake, Vert !"
"Hi, sleeping prince. How are you ?"

Obviously, should I have reached the infirmary, I guess the student council is averted, especially if it's one of its members that is in. I check my hand, which is clothed by some awkward bandage.

"Better, I guess. What happened ?"
"You fell unconscious due to blood loss and we have been called to deal with it. I bandaged you while Gear took care of the information."
"The inform-"
"We've been informed that you entered into conflict with that Sally and her friends after having fell on your bench, that you made her cry because of said conflict and that you were, "as usual", insulting and outrageous against your teacher."
"So that's the official story ?"
"It is. So tell us, what happened ?"
"Sally antagonized me at the very moment I entered the room. I said I want her to leave me alone, so she ordered her goons to let me do so, and they carried the bench on the safety exit, outside. I asked them to bring it back, and they did it, right before throwing it at me. I guess the splinter is coming from here."
"I guess so. And there's an interesting thing in that, for once, the student council has been charged on the case by the director. You can't work on it, of course, so you'll have more of your standard duties, but it'll allow us to take this to our advantage."
"I see. Guess I'm once again in your debt."
"And that's why we're here."
"Huh ?"
"You left your assignment on the table while falling unconscious, we saw the title."
"Ah. And ?"
"You will focus on writing it in your free time. And we will read it before you give it back."
"...I see. So you're both pushing a decision for me now ?"
"Huh ? N-No, that's not the case, we just..."
"I see."

I felt betrayed on that one. I didn't knew why, but I just did. Like they wanted to get rid of me. Like they wanted to force an answer from me, even though I just couldn't give one. Without a word, I stood up, took my belongings and left the infirmary, despite the looks and pleas of the girls. Not stopping at once, I reached the school gate.

"Hooo, surprising to see you once without the girls. You're fine, man ?"

The ex-leader of the Believers, Billy. He changed school, but he still pays us visits, in order to check on his younger friends, as well as to have some talk with either me or Vert, as Gear is a little uneasy on him.

"I've seen better days."
"Let me treat you a drink, I wanted to talk a little."
"Fine."

We start walking, with him grabbing two cans of coffee before throwing me one I catch with both hands, showing my bandage.

"Guess you got hurt. Still your classroom ?"
"Still them, and especially Sally."
"She just can't accept the fact she's not the most popular, isn't it ?"
"Probably, but I'm tired of the result."
"I can understand that. It doesn't tell me why you're not with the girls this day."
"I can say I ran away."
"You... Ran away ? You're, like, gay or what ?"
"No, no, not at all. But I still don't know."
"I can understand that. They're both gorgeous and nice, any man would want them."
"It's not really that."
"So it's what, man ?"
"I... I guess I'm fine with the life we're living now. Waking up, going to school together, spending the day as members of the student council, going home and spending some time together as a couple made of three persons, then going to sleep."
"Truly the good man's life."
"Yet I know it can't last. School won't last as we only have three years together remaining, and they ask me for impossible things."
"Impossible things ?"
"Yeah. They want me to appreciate myself and to accept the fact I'm someone who can be appreciated and loved."
"I can understand that, y'know."
"I guess, as the Believers' leader ?"
"No, you got it wrong."

He dunked his empty can in a bin before turning to me.

"You think you can't be loved, even though they love you without reserve. That means that, as long as you believe that, every proof of their love they send to you is basically considered by you as a lie. Which is, like, insulting them or treating them like shit every time they say they love you."
"..."
"You're fine with that, man ?"
"...I see. You stand a point. Guess I'll show you something."

...

"Woah, man, what did happen ?"
"That's the part of my life that makes me hesitant to love someone again."
"Who did that to you ?"
"My mom."
"Oh, shit. Tell me what happened."
"I just can't. It's too hard to. But it happened as I was about to be taken to the Planeptune orphanage."
"I see. I understand why you're scared now."
"Yeah. It's probably childish or something like that, but it's something I can't get rid of. Not for now."

We walked along a little, until he took a glance at his portable.

"Oh, shit, time's up, need to go. But a little advice before that, man."
"Huh ?"
"Neither Vert or Nepgear are your mom. They're people like you, and they are probably more confused than you on the whole situation. Talk to them when you'll be able to."
"I see. Good night."
"G'night, man !"

And there I was, alone again. Without anything else to do, I began walking home while collecting my thoughts.



Without a knock, I opened the door and closed it behind me. However, I couldn't do much more, as two people were waiting for me.

"Where were you ?"
"I met Billy on the way out, we went for a walk."
"And why did you ran away, Cain ?"
"You both know why."
"It doesn't explain the reasons you ran away."
"It does when I'm pushed along the wall."
"..."
"Now let me pass, I'm tired."
"Fine, let's go sleeping."

Without a word, the three of us went to the room, each of us putting pyjamas before reaching the bed. However, and unlike the precedent days, the situation turned otherwise, as both girls turned their backs on me. I chose to stay silent and to close my eyes, leaving the sleep catch on me.

However, things didn't go as planned. As I woke up to a dream of Gear unwillingly killing me during the act, I noticed at the time. 2 AM, a little too short for school. And without a noise, I went off the room, to reach the living. I sat myself on a sofa and began collecting my thoughts.

"What am I doing... ?"
"That's what we've been wondering."
"Ah, I woke you up, sorry."

Both Vert and Gear were on the entrance of the door, with a worried look.

"Don't worry about that. Let us just stay with you."

They went on the room, each sitting on a side of me.

"Let us hear what is hurting you."
"...I am hurt, indeed."

I looked the floor.

"I don't even understand myself these times. Sure, the life with both of you is enjoyable, and every day is merrier than the last, especially since you both went it with me, but I can't stop seeing the bigger picture behind it."
"The bigger picture ?"
"Yeah. Like the actual situation between Leanbox and Planeptune, or the situation at school with other students, or my own feelings and problems hurting me each passing day."
"We know about the situation too, you know. And we're doing our side of things to take care about it. For example, you remember the meeting with Planeptune and Leanbox' Oracles last week ?"
"Yeah."
"It didn't brought bad things, as our relation pushed some citizens of both nations to work together, which in turn increased our Shares of about 10 % per nation."
"Seriously ? That is big news !"
"And it happened thanks to your presence."
"It happened because, as you were both with the same person, people have been forced to worked together."
"Don't give that a bad spin, please."
"I just can't do otherwise. That's the kind of person I am."
"...Stop using excuses..."
"Sorry ?"
"STOP USING EXCUSES, CAIN !"

Nepgear exploded, while slapping me with tremendous force.

"What do you think, that we came here because we pity you ? Because we only care about you thinking at you as the nice guy you truly are ? No, it's not. It's only because we both love you and because we truly want to be with the guy we love, that's why."

Accompanying her words by a demonstration of her love, she went on me and started kissing me right after those words. Her kiss was much more passionnate than precedent ones, though, and it clearly was like Vert didn't exist at that moment, for her. The intent was made clear when her hands went under my shirt, before pulling it out in one go, and while I should have stopped her, I didn't expected it. I should have, as the sight of my bare body stopped Gear on her tracks.

"...What the hell is that ?"

A big scar, going alongside my whole body. Obviously an old one, as the body did take the time to recover from it, but the mark is still there. And a really ugly one, to boot.

"A remnant of my past."
"I want to know about it. All of it."
"...Guess I'm busted. Let me prepare myself before telling it to you, though."
"I'll go grab the drinks and the cookies. Can you comfort him, Vert ?"
"Sure, go ahead."

Gear left off.

"...Just one question, Cain."
"Go ahead."
"What did you mean by "busted" ?"
"I've talked about it with Billy. He answered me I'd have to talk about it with both of you. Guess the time has come."
"I see... You know, I've always wondered about that scar, especially since the last time I've seen it."
"The last time ?"
"When I was about to go all out on you."
"Oh. And you never asked me about it ?"
"I felt it was hard for anyone to talk about something like that, especially since there's trauma behind it. In addition, in the games I've played, there's also a case like that, with a girl not wanting to be pitied because of huge scars covering half her body and face."
"And ?"
"And that gave me more insight about it."
"Okay. I expected another answer though."
"Like what ?"

I didn't had time to answer, as Gear came back with three mugs, two thermos and a bowl of cookies. I took my mug and drank a little sip.

"...So, where to begin..."
"Take your time to recollect yourself, Cain."
"Don't worry. I actually feel like I can talk through it."

Truly my worst lie. But I knew there was no turning back, so I can at least push me forward, right ?

"Vert, Gear, you both know I'm actually raised by school fundings, right ?"
"Right."
"Before that, I was on Planeptune's orphanage, and before that, I was with my parents. They were both loving, but my mother was... How to nail it... She was the kind of person who couldn't accept losing something she considers as hers. And that included her family members."

Another sip.

"One day, my father disappeared. I didn't see him leaving at all, so I searched around for him. And when I saw him... He was... His head was... Far from the rest... I shouted and cried, of course, but when I told it to my mother... She acted strange."
"What did she do ?"
"She watched at me in the eyes, with that creepy smile, and all she told me was..."He wanted to run away from you, boy. But don't worry, he won't run away anymore. And you mustn't tell anyone, that is our little secret, right ?"..."
"Goodness..."
"You were too young to know about it, Gear, but I ended up breaking at school, the very next day. And the event made such noise that the previous goddess went to take care of it personally. She went to my mother to confront her, and told her in certain terms she lost her rights to take care of me, basically losing her mother status. I was outside and heard her shouting a big one. But no one expected what was about to happen."

A third sip. A longer one, too.

"As I was about to move away, my mother rushed outside, claiming I forgot one of my toys... The toy was wrapped, and she... She quickly uncovered it to show... A big knife from her kitchen... A big knife she used on me..."

Tears began to flow, but I continued, even though I was shaking.

"The last words I've heard from her were "If I can't even trust the one I love, no one will have the rights to love him in my place !"... She was quickly stopped before she could hit a second time, and Lady Purple managed to heal me quickly, but not quick enough for the scar to disappear, nor quick enough for the mental pain to go away..."

Both girls were watching me silently, clearly in pain due to the memories.

"And even now, I'm scared as hell. I know it's silly, I know it's usually not the case, I know no sane one could do such a thing to the one he or she loves, yet I'm scared... And while I know none of you will act this way, I can understand the pain that might accompany my choice, and I don't want to hurt any of us, since you're both very important to me."
"Cain..."
"As I said it, every passing day is better for me, as I can finally let that shaking feeling off. But I can't force my ill thoughts on you or force myself to make a choice when I actually can't. And last day's insistence pushed these ill thoughts on the front scene, I'm sorry for that..."

I bowed to them, and was greeted by two pairs of arms hugging me, as well as a shower of tears. Out of other options, all I could do was hug them back. It took some time for them to calm down, and even then, their eyes were teary.

"I'm sorry for making you believe we were pushing you through a choice, Cain."
"No worries. You wanted to do it for my own good, right ?"
"Exactly. And I can see it worked."
"How ?"
"You're smiling. Crying, but smiling."

Surprised, I looked at a mirror. Exactly what Vert told me.

"How can I smile through that ?"
"Because you needed it off your chest. Now's our turn, okay ?"
"Go ahead."
"I don't know about Gear's feelings, but I didn't want to push you through a choice. It's true that the actual situation is unconfirmed, but I'm as happy as you with the current situation, and I wouldn't mind if that stays like this."
"Thanks."
"That being said, if I wanted you to let us know about the result of that assignment, it's because I made a decision, a decision that Gear shared with me."
"Which one ?"
"Even though you reject one of us, we want to stay together with you until the end."
"...The end ?"
"You know you're a human, while we are goddesses, and this status grants us an expanded life expectancy. It varies from one to another, but we will probably both outgrow you."
"I expected that. But is that what you really think as the end ?"
"Yes."
"I let Vert tell it to you, but keep in mind I share the decision. I don't want to leave you at all, Cain. Not now, not in a year, not in ten years, not until the end. And who knows, we might even find a way to share our life expectancy with you."
"And I was worrying about ending this kind of life with both of you, when you were in fact trying to solve that very problem."
"That being said, another problem arises."

Oooh boy, Vert is serious on that one.

"...Which one ?"
"How are we gonna make it for sleep turns now ?"
"We'll find a way. Speaking of which, we should go back to bed if we don't want to bring back new rumors at school, if you see what I mean."

Both stood up, before helping me to do the same by taking each a hand... Before beginning to drag me to the room.

"What if they aren't rumors anymore ?"



"Huh... Wait, what time is..."

I opened my eyes, unable to see the clock. Instead, a cute face covered by purple hair. I kept watching the spectacle for some seconds before feeling a light touch on my back, which makes me turn towards another girl, with blond hair and a cute smile. A smile I can't help but share.

"...Okay, time to wake up, girls."
"What if we're already awake ?"

Vert opened her eyes and smiled to me.

"So, how are you ?"
"Fine, I guess."
"Still scared ?"
"Not anymore. At that point, no one could, I guess."
"Good thing."
"Mmmhhh... Oh, hi Cain, hi Vert..."
"Hi Gear. You're okay ?"
"A little tired..."
"I'll go warm some coffee, try waking up."
"Before that..."

Before that, Gear caught my neck with her arms before kissing me deeply, reminding me of all the things we did during the night and making me blush.

"Hey, leave some to me !"

Gear quickly left her place to Vert, which did the same.

"Look, look, Cain's as red as a tomato !"
"He's cuter that way, don't you think ?"
"Truly !"
"I-I-I gotta go !"

I rushed to the door and opened it.

"Oh, by the way... Gear, Vert, I love you."
"I love you too, Cain."
"Me too. Now go and calm down, tomato man !"
"Very funny."

The usual morning. The usual travel to school. Both girls seem a little more clingy than usual, yet you don't complain for once. Weird, but not annoying. However, your hand still hurts.

"We're going to our classrooms, good luck for today !"
"Yeah, you too."

Reaching the classroom, something seems... odd. Everyone's watching me like I'm a complete stranger.

"What are you doing there ?"
"Did I miss something ?"
"Yesterday's message wasn't clear enough that we didn't want you here ?"
"Stop that nonsense."
"Since when were you thinking this was nonsense ?"

Sally stood up, visibly angered.

"You. Do. NOT. Belong. Here. Understood ?"
"You have no rights to say that, and you know it."
"Aaaah, maybe I do. But I'm not the only one in that opinion, right boys ?"

In an instant, Sally's two goons are on me, forcing me against the wall, while Sally herself goes to her room, picking something in a bag.

"You see, I know a little secret of yours, Mr Vice-President."
"A... Little secret ?"
"Yeah, a little secret. You see, thanks to my beloved father, I met a huge number of children. And one in particular told me of this little guy who refused any and all approaches."

She went to me, with the thing she picked in her hand, envelopped in a white cloth.

"And when I asked about that one, he explained me his story..."
"...Stop it..."
"...The story, I was saying, of a little guy traumatized by a simple item offered to her by his mother, and of a single phrase... What was it, already ?"
"Stop it !"
"Aaaah, I remember ! "No one has the rights to love him in my place !", isn't it ?"

I snapped.

"I ASKED YOU TO STOP IT, YOU WHINY LITTLE BITCH, DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS TO BE SCARRED BY YOUR OWN MOTHER ?"
"Excellent answer, Cain !"

The door opened at this very moment on a series of flashes, while a shadow around that disarmed a shaken Sally of the toy knife she had hidden under her cloth. The suddenness of the thing instantly calmed down, and should that haven't happened, the faces of the three people appearing should.

"...Vert ? Gear ? Director ?"
"These girls were sure yesterday's conflict was about to repeat, so they were ready to prepare some pictures to show it to me. I didn't expect that kind of acts inside our school, though."

The director approached me and put a hand on my shoulder.

"You went through a hard time, didn't you ?"
"I... I would lie if I'd say it wasn't the case, sir."
"Don't worry, your troubles are finished. You are dismissed for the day. Miss Vert, Miss Nepgear, be sure to bring him back home and to tend to his needs for the day. The three of you will come to my office next day, and we'll talk about it."

i tried a step forward, and ended up about to fall. Good thing the director caught me.

"Yeah, you definitely went through a hard time."
"We'll carry it first to the infirmary, sir."
"Good idea, miss Nepgear. Miss Vert, accompany them."
"As you wish, sir."

Half unconscious and half shaken, I couldn't do anything but being carried outside of the noise, so I closed my eyes. When I opened them, I was back at home, surrounded by both Gear and Vert. Guess some time passed if they needed to bring me back here.

"Hi."
"Guess all I do is sleeping and worrying, these days."
"Then you can at least stop worrying, we have news."
"The director called one hour ago. Due to the events, the teacher supporting the troubles brought out by Sally has been fired, and you have been transferred to another class."
"Which one ?"
"You went from 3E to 3B."
"3B ? You mean..."
"Yeah, my classroom. There shouldn't be any problems there, since you're fairly popular as my faithful assistant."
"That won't mean the Student Council will move to the classroom, right ?"
"Indeed."

I try to raise a bit, but two naked bodies and a slight dizziness stops me.

"How are you outside of that, Cain ?"
"I feel dizzy, but fine. Guess my explosion against Sally helped in the big run."
"At least you saw your reaction through it. She tried to claim it was a toy for her younger brother, but the photos and the director confirmed it was a fake, brought out especially to draw a reaction out of you."
"And the result ?"
"Three weeks of detention at home."
"The last step before the expulsion. She's in for a ride."
"Indeed, but don't worry about that."
"Yeah, maybe should I worry about the lack of our clothes ?"
"Haha, you noticed ?"
"How couldn't I ?"
"More seriously, you started to sweat a lot when we brought you home, so we unclothed you to get rid of the rising temperature."
"And for you ?"
"After the rising temperature came a drop, so we made ourselves sure to keep you warm enough."
"Isn't that rather a plead for a second round ?"
"Maybe."
"I wouldn't be against that either."
"I get it. You girls are perverts."
"Nope, just two girls in love. Nothing more."

And that's how I officially ended up in a couple with two girls. Two girls who decided to share part of their long lives with the same guy, no matter the cost or the past. Let's just hope we'll be all right.