---
Somewhere between surviving accidental seduction and being handed bento-boxed feelings, I realized something devastating:
The girls weren't slowing down.
And neither was I.
---
The system had made it clear: Feel something back—or someone breaks.
That morning, I stared at myself in the mirror, brushing my teeth like a man condemned.
> "You have to reciprocate," I muttered. "But only enough not to die."
That's when the cursed phone buzzed on the sink.
> System Tip:
Emotional Exchange does not require confession.
Physical gestures, kindness, shared vulnerability, or sincere compliments will suffice.
Note: Intention matters.
"Great," I spat toothpaste. "So I have to mean it."
I sighed.
"…Crap."
---
Phase 1: Mei
She was already outside the gate.
Raincoat. Boots. Hair tied in a lazy braid. Waiting.
She smiled when she saw me.
"I dreamed about you again," she said softly. "But this time… we were just laughing. In a bookstore. You were reading the back of a terrible romance novel out loud."
I stared at her.
Then… I did something brave.
I reached up and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"You always dream the good stuff," I whispered.
Her eyes widened. Her breath caught.
> System: Emotional reciprocation detected. Mei's instability decreasing. Affection now balanced.
She blushed, hiding her face in her scarf.
"…Don't do that," she muttered.
"Do what?"
"Say nice things like that. My heart's already dumb enough."
---
Phase 2: Akane
Lunch under the tree.
Akane was grumbling about how the curry bread tasted like "burnt lies."
"I'll bring something better tomorrow," I said.
She blinked. "What, poisoned rice balls?"
"No. Your favorite. Yakisoba-pan, right? You said once your grandma used to pack it for you."
She stared at me.
"You… remembered that?"
I shrugged. "I remember stupid things. Like how your left eye twitches when you lie."
"It does not."
"Like now."
She snorted.
Then she leaned her head against my shoulder—briefly.
"...I hate that you're nice," she whispered.
> System: Akane's trust stabilizing. Affection no longer escalating uncontrollably.
For the first time, she didn't pull away.
---
Phase 3: Ayaka
After school. We walked home together.
She didn't say anything. Just walked beside me, matching steps.
I handed her the umbrella halfway.
"You'll get soaked," she muttered.
"Then share it with me."
A pause.
Then she did.
"I've always walked alone," she said quietly. "Even when people offered to walk me, I refused."
"Why?"
"Because if they leave... it hurts more."
We stopped.
The rain hit the umbrella softly.
"I'm not leaving," I said.
She looked at me. Her eyes shimmered—but she didn't cry.
She nodded once.
> System: Ayaka's loneliness acknowledged. Emotional connection achieved. Synchronization slowing.
She slid her hand into mine.
Didn't let go.
---
Phase 4: Elira
That night, she knocked on my door.
Fully clothed this time. Thankfully.
"I wanted to apologize," she said. "For earlier. I... confused desire with connection. That was unwise."
I invited her in. We sat across from each other, legs folded.
"You don't have to understand everything at once," I told her. "You're still learning how to be... here."
She tilted her head. "But when I'm near you, everything in me wants more."
I nodded.
"I feel that too," I admitted.
Her eyes widened. "You do?"
"I just don't know what 'more' means yet."
We sat in silence.
Then I offered her my hand.
She took it gently, running her thumb along my knuckles like it was a sacred ritual.
> System: Elira's emotional urgency balanced. Desire no longer peaking. Bond now stable.
"I'll wait," she whispered.
"For what?"
"For when you know what more means."
---
The Aftermath
That night, I didn't get a warning. I didn't get a countdown.
I got a new message:
> System Update:
Emotional reciprocation achieved. Soulbond thresholds stabilized.
You have bought time.
They are all now emotionally balanced, no longer making wild confessions or impulsive decisions. But a new phase has begun: they now want to impress you. Their attempts to win your heart... begins next.
> Next Event: Desire Conflict.
"Desire conflict?" I muttered.
The system didn't answer.
But a second message popped up.
> Someone is watching.
Not all bonds are yours.
And not every heart wants to share.
---
I looked out the window into the mist-covered woods surrounding the mansion.
A single figure stood far in the trees.
Too far to identify.
But watching.
Waiting.
---