Harem Stealing System
Chapter 54: The Unknown feelings of Dally Mores

Chapter 54: Chapter 54: The Unknown feelings of Dally Mores

Eiden sized up the woman his dad had been leaning on. His eyes studied her carefully her short chestnut hair tied into a loose ponytail, her light denim jacket over a dark grey hoodie, and the neutral expression on her face. She looked calm and composed, but tired.

He was sure absolutely sure that he had never seen her before. Not in the streets, not in the supermarket, not near the college, not anywhere.

Not even once. His mind briefly flashed back to earlier that evening the arcade center, the flashing lights, the crowd and how he had seen his dad there, drunk and slouched, leaning on this very woman. A stranger. That image lingered for a second before Eiden let out a short breath and moved forward.

Without a word, he crouched beside his father. It took effort, but he managed to hoist Algir onto his back, adjusting the weight across his shoulders. His dad wasn’t exactly light, and the alcohol made his body limp and uncooperative. Still, Eiden carried him over to the couch and gently laid him down.

Meanwhile, his mom, Dally, had stepped away into the kutchi the small side kitchen. A few moments later, she returned with two cups of water in her hands. Without hesitation, she offered one to the woman who had brought Algir home, and with the other, she crouched by her husband, raising his head slightly to help him sip.

Algir groaned faintly, still half-unconscious. The water trickled down his throat as Dally held the cup with a steady hand.

Eiden watched silently, taking it all in. After a beat, he turned to the woman. With a small bow and a lowered head, he said quietly, "Thank you very much for bringing Dad home."

She gave a tired but warm smile. "It’s okay," she said gently. Eiden then straightened up, offering a polite smile of his own. "Sorry, you must be...?"

She chuckled softly, her tone light despite the fatigue in her eyes. "I’m Valora Vice my brother works with your dad. I work at an arcade center nearby. We’ve known each other for quite a while... your dad would often bring my brother home if he got too drunk. Tonight, though..." She shrugged lightly. "Both of them ended up drunk. So my brother couldn’t return the favor. I had to do it instead. Your dad kept giving me directions in bits, so I followed as best I could."

From behind them, Dally spoke, her voice calm but filled with sincerity. "Thank you so much." Valora turned and smiled again.

"I’m sure it wasn’t easy. He’s... not exactly small or light," Dally continued with a wry smile. "You must’ve really exerted yourself."

Valora waved it off, her tone modest. "It’s really not a big deal. Compared to Mr. Algir bringing my brother home sometimes literally on his back this is nothing. And it didn’t happen just once either. He’s done it many times. I still haven’t repaid even half."

Dally’s expression softened. "You’re too humble." A short pause lingered in the air before Dally added, "Oh, by the way... you must be sweating. Would you like to take a bath here?" Valora smiled politely, clearly touched by the gesture. "Thank you, but I’ll go. Please just take care of him. I need to check on my brother too."

She gave a slight bow. Dally mirrored her with one of her own. Valora made her way to the door, and without needing to be asked, Eiden followed her to see her off. The house was quiet, the late evening casting long shadows along the hallway. When they reached the front door, Valora paused. "Please thank your mom again," she said, smiling faintly. "She’s really warm."

"I will," Eiden replied. "And again, thanks for helping." She nodded once and stepped outside. Her figure slowly disappeared into the quiet neighborhood.nEiden stood at the door for a second longer, then closed it behind him and turned back inside.

When he returned, he saw his mother sitting on the couch by Algir’s side. She was gently brushing his disheveled hair with her fingers. Her expression was unreadable a mix of something fond, something tired, and something vaguely distant.

After a moment, they both lifted Algir once again, carefully moving him to the bedroom. It took effort, but they managed to lay him on the bed. Dally adjusted the sheets, tucking them around him and brushing his damp forehead.

"I’ll take care of it from here," she said with a small smile. Eiden nodded wordlessly and left the room. He headed toward the bathroom, preparing to take a bath.

The warm water ran down his skin as steam filled the room. The faint sound of water splashing was the only thing he could hear. As he stood under the showerhead, Eiden thought back to the events of the day Valora, his dad’s state, his mom’s quiet expressions.

He couldn’t piece everything together, but something about it made him uneasy. After finishing, he dried off, returned to his room, and changed into fresh clothes. The house was still quiet, save for the faint clattering of utensils in the kitchen.

Dally was preparing dinner. The smell of spices and simmering vegetables filled the air, comforting and nostalgic. He walked over to check, but she waved him off with a gentle look. "Still a bit more. Why don’t you take a walk? Get some air?"

He considered it for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I’ll be back soon." He stepped out once again. The night had fully settled in. The breeze was cool against his skin as he walked past houses and familiar turns. Streetlights flickered overhead, casting a pale yellow glow on the ground.

He didn’t go far. Just enough to clear his head. By the time he returned, the lights in the kitchen were bright, and the table had been set.

Dinner was ready. They ate together in silence. Dally placed a warm bowl in front of him, filled with soft rice, vegetables, and miso broth. He ate his fill slowly, letting the warmth settle in his stomach. Afterward, Eiden went back to his room. He opened his drawer and pulled out his class notes, flipping through the messy pages he’d scribbled on earlier. He slowly began rewriting them, organizing everything neatly.

After an hour passed, he checked his phone.

The group chat was filled with the usual chaos memes, voice notes, random selfies. Nothing important. He didn’t feel like replying. Not tonight.

He placed the phone face-down and leaned back on his bed. Staring at the ceiling, he let his thoughts wander.

His dad’s strange drunken state. Valora’s sudden appearance. His mother’s calmness. Her gratitude. And yet, behind all of it... something felt off. Something he couldn’t put into words. Eventually, his mind drifted into fog, and sleep overtook him.

In the other room, Dally finished her own bath, steam rising around her as she wiped the mirror and tied her hair. Her expression in the reflection was blank. Almost serene.

She returned to the bedroom. Algir was still sleeping, unmoving. She stood at the door for a while, just watching him. Then she walked over to the bed, sat beside him, and reached out.

Her fingers brushed his cheek. Soft. Familiar.

She traced his brow, his nose, his jawline memorizing it for what seemed like the thousandth time. Her lips parted, and a faint whisper escaped them.

"...I have already won. But..."