David's day had already been strange, but nothing prepared him for the weight of two hands gripping his. One small and firm. The other slightly trembling but warm. Reika on his right. Seika on his left. Both clinging to him like he was the last cookie in a vending machine.
His brain short-circuited.
"Why do you both look so—happy?" he asked.
Reika smiled like she'd won a prize. "Because we are."
Seika's blush was so intense, he was starting to worry she'd spontaneously combust.
Sora, standing nearby, looked like a dad watching his daughter marry the family dog.
"…Tch," he muttered, folding his arms. "Unbelievable. I trained you, David."
"I didn't ask for lessons," David said, eyes still flicking between the girls' hands.
"And I didn't ask to be betrayed."
System pinged.
Main Quest: Complete
Route: Reika Saionji
Reward: 1,000,000 Yen (banked)
Item Unlocked: Cheat Glasses (See others' stats, when worn)
Sub-Route: Complete
Route: Seika Saionji
Reward: Height +2 inches
New Height: 5'9"
…Your pants feel shorter.
David glanced down. "Wait—what the—"
"Did you just grow?" Reika squinted at him.
"Maybe… puberty round two?"
"Lucky," Seika mumbled. "I wanted that."
David choked. He almost told her, but stopped. Neither of them could see the translucent system window floating beside his vision. Only Airi could.
Only she would understand this cursed dating-game-meets-parallel-world nonsense.
The system pinged again.
Main Quest Update
New Route Available:
Route C – Yukari Himemizu (Heir to Himemizu Conglomerate)
Objective: Build a company that gets scouted by the Himemizu Group.
Bonus: Make Yukari fall for you.
Parallel World Slot C: UNLOCKED
Slots:
A – Airi Route
B – Sibling Route (Active)
C – New Route (Locked until entered)
You may switch worlds at any time. Proceed?
David didn't press anything. Not yet. His hands were full. Literally.
Reika nudged him with her shoulder. "So what now?"
"I… don't know," he admitted.
Seika's voice came out soft. "You don't have to choose right now."
Reika's smile flickered at that. "Wait. You mean… you knew?"
"I always knew," Seika said. Her eyes were a little sad, but brave. "Even before I liked him. I saw how you looked at David. How he made you laugh."
Reika looked stunned. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"Because I wanted to be sure my feelings weren't just… leftover admiration," Seika said. "But now I know. I love him too."
David blinked. "I… wow. That's… a lot."
"You're not getting away from this," Reika said, poking his chest. "We're not letting you ghost us after a happy ending."
"I wasn't planning to!" he defended. "I just need time to think."
Sora coughed. "You know what? I hate this. But I'll support you. Because Seika's happy. And Reika's too happy. And you… you're tolerable."
"Aw," David said, deadpan. "I'm moved."
"You should be," Sora grunted, then walked off like a disgruntled anime rival who'd just given a tsundere blessing.
Seika giggled. "He'll come around."
David's hands were sweaty. Not from nerves. From sheer how did this become my life exhaustion. He'd been a loner just months ago. Now he was getting dual-wielded by emotional chaos.
He pulled both sisters close and exhaled. "Okay. Let's walk."
They strolled down the path behind the school, trees casting long shadows in the late afternoon. Wind blew cherry blossom petals around them like a scene from a romance anime. Great. Even nature was shipping them.
Reika broke the silence. "So, if you had to describe us in one word each…"
"Oh no," David said.
Reika grinned. "Come on. Fun game."
He looked at her first. "You? Dangerous."
She laughed. "I'll take it."
He turned to Seika. "You? Honest."
Seika looked like he'd given her a love letter.
"You're both amazing," he added quickly. "And I'm… I'm just trying to keep up."
System pinged again.
New Trait Unlocked: Harem Instincts
Passive Bonus: +2 Wisdom when surrounded by multiple love interests
Warning: Emotional Damage Potential: HIGH
"Great," David muttered.
Reika leaned in. "Did you say something?"
"Nope. Just fighting off insanity."
They reached the small bridge near the edge of town where the water glowed orange under the setting sun. The perfect spot for quiet confessions.
David looked out over the water. "You both know I'm not normal, right?"
Reika smiled. "Duh."
Seika nodded. "We're not asking for perfect."
"…Just you," Reika added softly.
He turned back to them.
"Then I'll do my best. With both of you."
Reika blinked. "Wait. That means…"
"I'm not choosing one," David said. "I care about both of you. And if you're okay with that… then I want to keep going. Together."
Seika clutched his arm. "I am."
Reika huffed. "Guess I'll allow it. For now."
System pinged.
Sibling Route – Poly Path Confirmed
You madman.
New Passive Perk: Balanced Heart
Effect: Increased Affection Gain from Both Reika and Seika
World Save Point Created.
David felt the shift. Like something important had locked into place. He'd chosen this world, for now. And no matter how many flashy routes waited beyond—Airi, Yukari, or others—he was going to enjoy what he had here.
The wind picked up again. Cherry blossoms danced around them.
And David, for once, didn't feel like a player caught in a rigged game.
He felt like he was winning.