---
The days at the ruined castle were starting to feel… almost normal.
Which should've been my first warning.
Mikako still meditated at dawn, Kaida cracked stone with her bare hands by lunch, and Yurei kept whispering death threats into my ear like it was pillow talk. I survived each day with dignity, barely, and a towel permanently slung over my shoulder—because at any moment, someone could flash, stab, or smirk.
And yet, the real chaos hadn't even started.
---
THE SYSTEM'S NEXT MOVE
> [System Update: Bride Bond Progress 2/5] [Directive: Deepen connection with current bonded brides before seeking more.] [Warning: Future Brides will require stronger emotional triggers to initiate bonds.]
Translation: I had to start catching real feelings, or the next three girls would eat me alive. Possibly literally.
No pressure.
---
NIGHTFALL & FLIRTING FATE
We set up camp near the northern cliffs—the moon casting silver light over old war ruins and whispering trees. Mikako stood at the edge of the clearing, her robes fluttering in the breeze, glowing faintly with celestial runes.
"You're staring again," she said, without turning.
"I'm admiring your… spiritual stability."
"And?"
"Your legs."
She sighed. "Your honesty is disarming."
"Good. Because I have no armor."
Her lips twitched. Almost a smile.
---
THEN IT HAPPENED.
Screams shattered the peace.
Bandits. Or monsters. Maybe both. The air ripped apart with sound, and Yurei was already vanishing into the trees. Kaida let out a low growl and cracked her knuckles.
Mikako turned calmly. "Protect the prince."
---
I ran. Not out of fear. Strategy.
I dove behind a rock to catch my breath. The girls were handling the fight, but something dark moved toward me from the treeline—too fast, too quiet.
A shadow lunged.
And then Mikako was there.
Light flared. The thing evaporated into ash.
"Are you hurt?" she asked.
"No. Just impressed. And maybe slightly turned on."
She ignored that.
A second shadow flew at us.
Mikako pushed me down—literally tackled me—and rolled us to the ground.
She landed on top of me. Warm. Glowing. Breathing hard.
And then—
My hand went somewhere.
Very.
Very.
Soft.
> [Accidental Grope Detected] [Divine Aura Flare Suppressed: 61%] [Bond Progress: +1 Lust / +2 Embarrassment / -1 Dignity]
She gasped. Her entire body locked up. Her eyes burned.
"Prince Riku..."
"T-totally an accident."
She stared.
"You grabbed my chest."
"Technically, I was falling."
She slowly sat up, her expression unreadable. Her robes were glowing faintly pink now. I didn't know if that was shame, fury, or divine static.
Then she stood.
"You have until sunrise to forget that happened."
> [Affection: +1]
She walked away.
I laid back down.
And then Yurei landed beside me with a smirk. "That looked fun. Want to grope me next?"
"Please just stab me."
"Tempting."
---
The rest of the ambush ended quickly. Kaida roasted the last attacker with a lazy breath of fire. Mikako returned without speaking.
But that night, as I closed my eyes, I heard the system whisper:
> [You're bonding. Slowly. Dangerously. But bonding nonetheless.] [Harem Level: Chaotic.]
I didn't know what was coming next. But it was only going to get hotter.
---
THE NEXT MORNING: BACK TO THE CASTLE
The walk back was quiet. Too quiet.
Kaida led the way, humming something tribal and savage. Yurei skipped behind her, occasionally throwing pebbles at birds just to keep herself entertained.
Mikako walked beside me. But not with me.
A full two steps of awkward space separated us. She didn't speak. Didn't glance. Just floated in her robe like a serene, judgmental cloud of holy silence.
> [Tension Level: High] [System Suggestion: Apologize. Maybe.]
I cleared my throat. "Mikako, about last night—"
"No need."
"Still, I didn't mean to—"
"You already said it was an accident."
"It really was."
She paused. "...Then we don't speak of it again."
"Okay."
Pause.
"…But just for the record," she added softly, "you're not very good at falling."
I blinked. She walked ahead.
Kaida glanced back, smirking. Yurei just made an ooh face.
And me?
I pretended I didn't just blush harder than the sunrise.
> [Affection: +1]
---
Still blushing, I caught up to Mikako, trying not to overthink every step.
"Hey," I said casually, "can I just say—your robes looked very… celestial last night."
She raised an eyebrow. "Celestial."
"Yes. Like the kind of divine beauty that makes a guy rethink his entire religion."
She didn't stop walking. "Are you complimenting my aura or my chest?"
"Definitely your aura. And your timing. And your hair. And… your everything."
She didn't answer. But her cheeks turned ever so slightly pink.
> [System Note: Flirting Attempt – Surprisingly Effective]
Kaida glanced over her shoulder. "Should we give you two some alone time?"
Yurei spun around and walked backwards beside us. "I vote we lock them in a room until the awkward tension burns out."
Mikako sighed. "You two are unbearable."
"But he's cute when he panics," Yurei whispered.
I groaned. "Can we just get back to the castle before someone else walks in on something awkward again?"
> [System Response: Unlikely.]