A boring lecture droned on in the background, chalk scratching against the board while I leaned back in my chair. My classmates scribbled notes with fake focus, but my mind was far away.
After last night and this morning, everything finally clicked. The pieces of the puzzle had fallen into place, and I could see the whole picture of my future. My harem.
Kotoha's timid steps closer to me this morning gave me the last clue I needed. She wasn't resisting. She wanted to be closer. She wanted to be mine. That meant I didn't need to rush.
A confession now would be a mistake. If I said the words—or if she did—I'd lose control. We'd fall into an official relationship, bound by expectations. That would trap me when Hiyori transfers in after summer.
The truth is simple: I don't need Kotoha's confession. We already love each other. That's why I can start training her now. Her body, her heart, her mind. She won't resist my touch. She'll accept it because she trusts me, because I'm Souta, her childhood friend. I'll use that bond, stretch it, bend it, until her natural submissiveness blossoms fully.
At the same time, I must keep her from confessing too soon. Delay it. Distract her. Keep us in that sweet ambiguous space where I can do anything I want while she waits for me to move.
Hiyori is a different story. When she transfers in, we'll start as strangers. The plan is clean: I'll date her normally. Step by step until she falls for me. If I was already dating Kotoha, Hiyori would become difficult, maybe impossible. But if Kotoha is "just" my childhood friend, nothing will get in the way.
Hikari is simpler. If something happens between us, she'll want to keep it secret. A widow. A mother. She can't afford to be exposed. That works perfectly in my favor. I can pursue her quietly while keeping Kotoha and Hiyori in the open.
The order is clear.
First, train Kotoha into a proper meat toilet. Develop her submissive nature until she breaks and rebuilds around me.
Second, start a hidden relationship with Hikari, taking everything she hides beneath her modest mask.
Third, date Hiyori officially, drawing her in like a moth to flame.
By the time I'm finished, all three will belong to me.
By the time the bell rang, I was already thinking about the rooftop. Our spot. For some reason, not many people went up to the rooftop. A place hidden from everyone else, just for me and Kotoha. A place where I could slowly shape her into what I wanted.
When I opened the door, the sunlight poured over her. She was already waiting, legs tucked neatly beneath her, the pale blue cloth bento sitting in her lap.
A outside was nice and cool from springtime.
"Sorry. Did you wait long?"
"No, I just got here. Hurry up, Souta-kun! Sit!"
She patted the space next to her, eyes bright.
"Yes, yes. I'm coming."
The moment I sat down, she set the box between us. Her fingers fidgeted with the knot on the wrapping.
"So before I open it… this is my first time making one… okay?"
"Even if you feed me dog poop, I'd still eat it."
"That's nasty!"
Her laugh was soft, relieved, and she unwrapped the cloth. Inside, there was rice, rolled eggs, little sausages cut into octopus shapes. A bit clumsy in places, but neatly arranged. Her care showed in every detail.
"Looks amazing."
"Really?"
"The best thing I've ever seen."
It was just a bento, but it felt like a gift meant only for me.
"Aren't you going to try it?"
"Kotoha-chan. Feed me."
Step one. Obedience. Start small. Make her used to following my words.
"Are you a kid?" She sighed, but her hands obeyed, picking up an egg with her chopsticks.
"Say ahh~."
"Ahh~."
The taste was simple, plain even, but I nearly teared up. Not from flavor, but from how much I missed it. As I chewed, I slid my hand onto her thigh. Soft. Warm. She stiffened for half a heartbeat, then relaxed.
"Tastes amazing."
"Really?"
"Would I lie about that?"
"Then I'll keep feeding you!"
"Please."
One by one, she lifted food to my mouth, her face lighting every time I nodded in approval. My hand never left her thigh. She didn't push it away once.
When both portions were gone, I brushed my palm up to her cheek, turning her face toward me.
"Did you stay up late? You've got little circles under your eyes."
"I-I woke up too early… to make the bento."
Her cheeks burned under my touch, her lips parted slightly. She didn't move away.
"That's not good."
"It's not good? Should I stop..?"
"No. Please keep making lunch for me."
"Selfish."
"You don't mind, right?"
"…I'll keep making bento for you forever, Souta-kun."
Her voice was small, trembling, but her words made my chest tighten. She was so easy to bend.
"How about I give you a lap pillow? Take a nap."
"Lap pillow..?" Her blush spread down her neck. I could imagine exactly what kind of thoughts filled her head.
"Or would you like to lean on my shoulder?"
She hesitated, then tilted toward me, resting her head lightly against my shoulder. Her hair smelled faintly of shampoo, a sweet, clean scent that made me want to bury my face in it.
I smiled, sliding my hand onto her head, stroking gently.
"Sleep."
She closed her eyes obediently, her body softening against me. When I pulled her closer, she sighed, a little purr of contentment slipping past her lips.
We stayed that way, pressed together under the sun, until the end of lunch break.