"What—what are you two doing?!"
"Tsubasa, I can't believe you'd sneak a taste behind our backs!"
Meguri Tomoe, Hanakai Momo, Kusaka Reya, and Nimura Ruruko stood frozen, mouths agape at the sight of Shuo and Yura entwined in the courtyard. Their shock quickly gave way to flustered outrage.
"Ah!"
Yura Tsubasa jolted upright, scrambling off Shuo's lap in a panic, her face burning red. "It's not what you think! I—I was just welcoming Shuo-kun on behalf of the Student Council! That's all, really!"
Meguri crossed her arms, eyes narrowed. "Oh? And since when does a welcome involve kissing? Who exactly needs that kind of greeting, huh?"
Hanakai Momo gave a dramatic sigh. "Tsubasa, you really expect us to buy that?"
Ruruko, ever the quiet one, added, "I saw everything. Even if you were welcoming him, isn't that a bit much? Or do you think we're all idiots?"
Yura's blush deepened, her head practically steaming with embarrassment. She looked ready to faint.
Shuo, seeing her flounder, stepped in with a gentle smile. "Actually, it's my fault. I confessed to Tsubasa, she said yes, and I… well, I asked for a kiss to seal the deal. She had nothing to do with it."
The four girls stared at him, stunned into silence.
"Confession?!"
The word hung in the air, and an awkward tension settled over the group. Reya's expression grew thoughtful, Momo's eyes darted away, Ruruko looked at Yura with pure envy, and Meguri opened her mouth as if to speak, but the words caught in her throat.
Shuo could read the room as easily as ever. He took a step forward, meeting each girl's gaze in turn. "Actually, it's not just Tsubasa. Meguri, Momo, Reya, Ruruko—I like all of you."
The effect was instantaneous. Four faces went crimson, and the courtyard filled with a chorus of flustered protests.
"Shuo-kun, you—you can't just joke about things like that!"
"Yeah, that's not funny!"
"…"
But Shuo's eyes were clear, his voice unwavering. "I'm not joking. I mean it. I like you—all of you. And I want to date you, if you'll have me."
For a moment, no one spoke. The girls exchanged glances, hearts pounding. They'd all felt something since meeting Shuo, but had hidden it behind shyness, or the excuse of rivalry with Rias and Sona. Now, with the chance right in front of them, their hesitation melted away—replaced by a fluttering hope.
Meguri was the first to break the silence, her voice barely above a whisper. "But… didn't you say you wanted a harem? That you'd win over President Sona and Rias too?"
Shuo grinned, unashamed. "Is that a problem? Honestly, I've wanted to win you over from the start. Who wouldn't want to date beautiful girls? But I won't ever treat one of you badly because of another. To me, each of you is unique."
The girls' hearts skipped a beat. Since meeting Shuo, they'd never spent much time alone. But sometimes, all it took was a single moment to fall. And now—now was their chance.
Ruruko glanced up, voice trembling. "If we say yes… you won't ignore us for someone else, right?"
Shuo's answer was gentle, sincere. "You're my family now. The most important people to me. And honestly, do you think Rias or Sona would ever let me play favorites?"
A wave of shy smiles and nods followed.
"Then… please take care of us, Shuo-kun."
"Let's get along from now on."
"Me too…"
Their voices overlapped, each girl blushing, but none turning away.
Shuo looked at the five girls, cheeks flushed, eyes shining with anticipation. He couldn't help but tease, "So, since we're officially together, shouldn't I get a kiss from each of you?"
The girls froze, glancing at Yura, then at each other. Embarrassment warred with anticipation on every face.
Finally, Meguri nudged Yura forward. "You go first. You started this, after all."
Yura shot them a look that could kill. "Oh, sure—throw me under the bus now? If it weren't for me, who knows how long you'd have waited for a confession! Fine, Shuo-kun, let's show them how it's done."
With a huff, she stepped into his arms, cherry-red lips parting in invitation. Shuo pulled her close, their eyes locking for a heartbeat before he leaned in. The kiss was long, slow, and left Yura breathless. She pulled away, gasping, eyes sparkling with mischief and complaint.
"Geez, Shuo, were you trying to suffocate me?"
He grinned. "You were pretty eager a minute ago. What happened?"
The other girls watched, faces aflame, thighs pressed together as their turn approached.
"Meguri, you're up," Shuo said, waving her over.
Meguri shuffled forward, cheeks blazing, and let Shuo sweep her into his arms. Their kiss was softer, more tentative, but no less electrifying. Next came Momo, then Reya, each one trembling with nerves and excitement. When it was Ruruko's turn—the youngest and shyest—she nearly forgot to breathe, clinging to Shuo until she was dizzy.
Shuo let out a satisfied sigh, his voice low and teasing. "Delicious. I could get used to this."
By mid-afternoon, Shuo and his five new girlfriends strolled the academy grounds, chatting and laughing as if nothing in the world could touch them.
Suddenly, he remembered something. "Hey, system—open my reward box."
System:
White Tier Gift Box opened. Congratulations, host! You have received [Bust-Enhancing Papaya Milk] and [Exquisite Magical Girl Outfit].
Shuo stared at the items, deadpan. "What am I supposed to do with these? Seduce Koneko?"
…Actually, that might work. Koneko always looks so hungry. Maybe I should give her the papaya milk—just don't tell her what it is, or she'll call me a pervert again.
As for the magical girl outfit… wasn't Sona's sister, Serafall Leviathan, obsessed with cosplay? Maybe I'll have a chance to win over a Maou someday.
"System, open the red gift box from Tsubaki."
System:
Red Tier Gift Box opened. Congratulations, host! You have obtained the Noble Phantasm—Chains of Heaven (Enhanced).
Shuo's eyes lit up. "Now that's more like it."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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