[Status — Host: Lucien Cross (aka "The Reluctant Ruiner of Lives")]
Strength: 30 (+15)"Can bench-press your regrets (or a small car). Side effect: Accidentally crushing your girlfriend's hand during PDA is now a real concern."
Speed: 23 (+9)"You could outrun your conscience, but let's be real, you're not even trying anymore."
Charm: 114 (+15) (Broken)"Your smile is legally considered a weapon in three districts. (System Note: 'We did not see this coming. We regret everything.')"
Endurance: 24 (+11)"You have the stamina of a man who's used to marathon apologizing. Also other marathons."
Resolve: 6 (+5)"You can resist the system's demands for a whole 10 seconds before caving. Progress!"
Mana Perception (Upgraded):"See lies, auras, and the exact moment someone realizes you've ruined their life. Great for parties!"
Affinities:
Yoshida Saki (100% — Bound, "Pure Love (TM)")"Still believes you're a 'good person.' Bless her heart. (System Warning: 'This is not sustainable.')"
Tsukimi Chifuyu (230% — Bound, "Yandere Mode: Activated")"Would fight a bear for you. The bear would win, but she'd die happy. (System Note: 'We recommend not testing this.')"
Inventory (Why Do You Even Have These?):
Anchor Token x1: "The 'Get Out of Jail Free' card you refuse to use because drama is your real lover."
Silken Thread x1: "Emotional duct tape! Now with 100% more 'I will literally die without you' energy!"
Whisper Key x1: "Plant a thought in someone's head! (Disclaimer: May cause existential crises. Use at your own risk.)"
Blood Blossom Charm x1: "Wear this and watch as emotionally unstable people throw themselves at you! (Batteries not included. Regret sold separately.)"
Titles (Because the System Has a Sense of Humor):
"Pure Lover": "Awarded for 'only' ruining one life at a time. (Participation trophy.)"
"Corruptor of Innocence": "You took a sweet girl and turned her into a knife-wielding, love-obsessed gremlin. Congrats!"
"Heartbreaker (Literal)": "You didn't just break hearts—you set them on fire and danced in the ashes. (We're proud?)"
...
The sun rose over the city like a bad omen, casting golden light through the hotel curtains. I groaned, rolling over to find Tsukimi curled against me, her arm draped possessively over my chest. Her breathing was steady, but her grip? Not so much.
"Mmm… mine…" she mumbled in her sleep, squeezing tighter.
I winced as her fingers dug into my ribs.
[Affinity: Tsukimi Chifuyu — 230% (Yandere: "Do Not Test Her")]
[New Alert: "She put a tracking app on your phone. You didn't notice. (We're disappointed.)"]
Great.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand. A message from Saki:
"Good morning! Café at 8? I made your favorite bento! ❤️"
I froze.
Tsukimi's eyes snapped open. She blinked up at me, sleepy but sharp. "Who's that?"
I swallowed. "No one."
Her grip tightened. "Liar."
[Warning: Yandere Detection Skills — Active. Suggestion: "Maybe don't have two girlfriends? Just a thought."]
I sighed. "It's Saki. She wants to meet for breakfast."
Tsukimi sat up, her expression unreadable. "You're meeting her?"
"It's just breakfast," I said, trying to sound casual.
Her smile was sweet. Too sweet. "Okay! I'll come too!"
[DANGER. DANGER. DANGER.]
[Yandere Proximity Alert: "She's packing a knife. (Not a joke.)"]
At the Café, Saki was already at our usual table, her smile bright and oblivious to the storm brewing beside me. Tsukimi clung to my arm like a possessive shadow, her eyes locked onto Saki like a predator sizing up prey.
"Morning, Lucien!" Saki chirped, pushing the bento toward me. "And… friend!"
Tsukimi's smile didn't waver. "Girlfriend."
Saki's smile faltered. "Oh! I… didn't know."
[Affinity: Yoshida Saki — 100% (Jealousy: "This is fine.")]
I forced a laugh. "Saki, this is Tsukimi. Tsukimi, this is Saki."
Saki's fingers fidgeted with her napkin. "Nice to meet you?"
Tsukimi leaned in, her voice saccharine. "You're so cute! But Lucien's mine, okay?"
Saki's cheeks flushed. "Uh… okay?"
[New Quest: "Survive the Café"]
[Objective: Keep both girls from murdering each other (or you).]
[Reward: Not dying.]
I took a bite of the bento. "Delicious."
Saki beamed. "Really? I..."
"You're so talented," Tsukimi cooed, patting Saki's hand. "But Lucien loves my cooking more."
Saki's smile wavered. "Oh. I… didn't know he'd tried it."
"He has," Tsukimi purred, her fingers tracing circles on my arm. "Many times."
[Yandere Threat Level: "She's imagining stabbing you. (With a spoon.)"]
I swallowed hard. "So… how's school?"
Saki's smile was strained. "It's… fine."
Tsukimi's grip on my arm tightened. "You're so sweet, Saki. But you should know… Lucien and I are together now."
Saki's eyes widened. "What?"
I met Saki's gaze, my heart pounding. "Saki… I need to tell you something."
Tsukimi's eyes narrowed. "Lucien-"
I ignored her. "I… I have feelings for Tsukimi too. She's my second girlfriend."
Saki's breath hitched. "Second…?"
Tsukimi's grip turned painful. "Lucien, what are you-"
I continued, my voice steady. "But you'll always be my number one. I love you, Saki. More than anything."
Saki's eyes filled with tears. "But… why?"
I reached for her hand. "Because 'it' won't let me stop. But I'll always love you first."
Saki's fingers trembled. "I… I don't understand."
Tsukimi's voice was sharp. "You're hurting her."
I shook my head. "No. I'm being honest. For once."
Saki's voice was soft. "You… you love me?"
I nodded. "More than anything."
She took a shaky breath. "Then… I'll accept it. Because I love you too."
The system chimed:
[Affinity: Yoshida Saki — 100% (Unwavering Love)]
Tsukimi's grip loosened slightly. "You're… okay with this?"
Saki nodded. "If it means I get to keep you… then yes."
[Quest Complete: "Survive the Café". Reward: Not dying. (For now.)]
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Thank you, Saki."
Saki's smile was sad but genuine. "Just… don't forget about me."
I squeezed her hand. "Never."
Saki dabbed at her eyes with her sleeve, her hand still trembling in mine.
She forced a shaky laugh. "Honestly… maybe it's better this way."
Tsukimi tilted her head, "Better?"
Saki's cheeks reddened. She avoided Tsukimi's gaze and looked only at me. "Lucien… you're… too much for me. I already knew that after… our first night."
Her voice dipped, barely above a whisper. "I... I fainted more than once, remember? I thought maybe if I tried harder, I could keep up with you. But I can't. Not alone."
[New Emotional Flag Detected: "Self-Sacrifice"]
[Analysis: "She would rather share you than lose you. (Warning: This is not healthy.)"]
Saki's lips trembled into a small smile. "If she loves you too… maybe… maybe she can give you what I can't. Maybe she can carry the part of you I'll never reach."
Tsukimi blinked. For once, she seemed caught off guard.
I swallowed hard. "Saki…"
She squeezed my hand tighter. "Just… promise me one thing, Lucien. No matter what happens, don't let me be forgotten. I want to stay by your side, even if it's not only mine anymore."
[Affinity: Yoshida Saki — 100% (Bound Beyond Reason)]
[Title Earned: "The Selfless Beloved" - She'll let you break her heart as long as you hold the pieces.]
Tsukimi leaned into me, eyes sharp and burning. "Fine. You can stay. But don't ever think you'll be first."
Saki's smile was soft, resigned, but unshaken. "As long as I'm not last."
...
Chifuyu Tsukimi sat alone at the desk, pen scratching against the transfer paperwork. Each character she wrote felt like she was engraving it into fate itself.
His school… The thought looped endlessly. Her cheeks warmed, a small, secret smile tugging at her lips. If I'm there, I'll be closer. No more secrets. No more distance.
Her phone buzzed on the table. A text from Lucien. Just a simple line: "Be careful. I'll see you soon."
Her fingers lingered on the screen like it was a caress. The paperwork blurred in her vision for a moment as her heart squeezed with possessive joy.
"Tsukimi-san?"
The voice startled her. She looked up to see a tall figure leaning in the doorway of the office, Kirishima Kaito, third-year, vice-captain of the soccer team. Popular, always surrounded by people. He rarely spoke to her, but now his eyes were fixed, hesitant, serious.
She closed her notebook carefully, pushing her bangs behind her ear, masking the sudden rush of adrenaline. "Kirishima-senpai? What is it?"
He shifted awkwardly, glancing at the empty hallway before stepping inside. "I… need to talk to you."
Tsukimi's breath caught. The edges of her smile curled upward, faint, almost imperceptible. She'd read this scenario before. A senior pulling her aside, the nervous tone, the pretext of privacy.
A confession.
Her chest tightened, not with anticipation, but with irritation. Another one? Always, always, they look at me, but none of them understand. None of them know I already belong to him.
Still, she lowered her lashes and feigned innocence, her voice soft. "About what?"
Kirishima rubbed the back of his neck, eyes sliding away. "It's… complicated. I don't want to talk here. Could you… meet me after practice? By the gym?"
The smile on her lips sharpened, almost invisible, but laced with venom.
Another obstacle.
She folded the paperwork, tucking it neatly into her folder. "Of course, senpai. I'll come."
Her tone was light, almost sweet, but her thoughts were already elsewhere: I'll tell Lucien about this. I'll prove to him I don't need anyone else. And if this idiot actually tries to confess…
The system's phantom echo seemed to whisper through her mind, though it wasn't visible:
[Flag Raised: "Rival Approaches". Warning: "Tsukimi's choices may escalate into violence. (You can't control her forever.)"]
She stood, smoothing her skirt, smiling softly at Kirishima as if nothing were wrong. Inside, her heart was already writing a script of knives and fire.
The storage room smelled like sweat and regret.
Kirishima leaned against the mats, trying to look casual.
Tsukimi stood in the doorway, smiling.
"So, senpai. What did you want to talk about?"
Kirishima cleared his throat, pulling out his phone.
"Are you and Takagi dating?"
Tsukimi's smile didn't waver.
"No, senpai. Why?"
He smirked, flipping his screen toward her.
A photo: Tsukimi and Takagi, lips locked, three days ago.
"This looks pretty dating to me."
Tsukimi's fingers twitched.
The system, visible only to Lucien, cackled:
[System Alert: "Ohhh, this is gonna be good.". Yandere Rage: "ACTIVATING"]
Kirishima leaned in.
"The school's real strict about dating. Takagi's already on probation. One more strike, and he's expelled."
He grinned.
"Unless… you help me out."
Tsukimi's voice was sweet.
"Help you… how?"
His hand brushed her wrist.
"You're cute, Tsukimi-san. Real cute. And I hate snitches."
He lowered his voice.
"So how about… you and me, right now? Keep this our little secret?"
Tsukimi giggled.
"Senpai… you're funny."
Her knee snapped upward.
A sound like a rotten fruit dropping from a height.
Kirishima collapsed, hands cupping his groin, face twisting in agony.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
Tsukimi stepped on his wrist, CRUNCH, and picked up his phone.
"Nope! All gone~" she said, deleting the photo.)
She crouched, gripping his collar.
"You shouldn't lie, senpai. Lucien hates liars."
Kirishima gasped, tears streaming.
"I- I'M SORRY-"
Tsukimi tilted her head.
"But you touched me." she stomps harder. Something pops. "And you threatened me." Another stomp. "And worst of all… you made me doubt."
Kirishima vomited.
Tsukimi stood, smoothing her skirt.
"Lucien will never see this."
She turned, skipping toward the door, then paused.
"Oh! And senpai?" Kirishima flinched. "If you ever talk to me again…" Mimed slicing her throat. "I'll tell everyone you liked it."
The door clicked shut.
Distant footsteps, teachers, maybe.
Tsukimi hums, texting Lucien:
"I took care of a problem for you ♡ . No need to worry!"
The system, gleeful, updates:
[Quest Complete: "Protect the Harem"]
[Reward: " Silk Fiber x1 (Now extra sticky!)" - Target's self-worth becomes tied to your approval. (Warning: May result in them abandoning friends, family, and basic hygiene in favor of your smile. Great for when you want someone to voluntarily ruin their life for you. The system is NOT liable for any cults, hostage situations, or sudden career shifts into 'full-time emotional parasite)]
[Warning: "She's evolving. (Hide the scissors.)"]