The morning light didn't feel like forgiveness. It felt like exposure. Every step I took toward the classroom was trailed by whispers, half-hidden glances, and a dozen pairs of eyes that refused to look away once they landed on me.
[Charm Effect Active: Passive Aura of Allure]
[Warning: Host cannot be ignored. Targets will orbit, willingly or not.]
I pushed the door open. Then came the rush.
A girl near the windows actually gasped. Another clutched her notebook to her chest like a shield, only to end up smiling at me anyway. I could feel it in the air, every heartbeat quickening, every thought bending in my direction.
And it wasn't just the girls.
Two boys in the back row glanced at me, flushed, muttering too fast to make sense. One of them covered his mouth with his hand like he'd just confessed something dangerous to himself.
[System Note: "Charm stat now bypasses sexuality settings. All targets valid. (Congrats, you're everyone's problem now!)"]
I gritted my teeth, forcing myself toward my desk.
That's when the door slid open again.
"Good morning, everyone. We have a transfer student joining us today."
The teacher's voice was background noise to the storm.
She stepped inside.
She walked in with perfect posture, her uniform crisp, her hair shining like she'd spent hours making herself flawless for this exact moment. Her eyes swept the room once, then locked on me.
Not a flicker of hesitation. She crossed to the empty desk beside mine, bowing politely, her lips curving faintly when she straightened.
"I'm Chifuyu Tsukimi. Please take care of me."
Her tone was formal. Her gaze wasn't. It was the look of someone who had already chosen where she belonged.
[Affinity — Tsukimi Chifuyu: 240%. Bound (Obsessive Harmony). System Note: "Her soul has been branded. She's not here to make friends. She's here to orbit you."]
The room exhaled in unison, like her presence was just another extension of mine. I could feel Saki stiffen in the seat behind me, her hand tightening around her pen.
The teacher, blissfully unaware, smiled. "Why don't you take the seat next to Cross-kun?"
A murmur rippled through the class.
Of course.
When Tsukimi sat, her chair a fraction closer than necessary, the room collectively sighed. Some jealous, some lovestruck, all captivated.
That was when the first move came.
A girl with braided hair leaned forward, cheeks red. "Cross-kun, do you… maybe want to study together sometime?"
Before I could answer, another voice cut in. "What? No, I already asked him to help with math after school!"
A boy coughed into his fist, too loud, his face pink. "He, uh, he can help me too. With sports. Or… whatever."
[System Note: "Host popularity increasing at exponential rate. (Warning: Spontaneous cult formation possible. ETA: 3 days.)"]
Tsukimi tilted her head, smiling faintly as if watching ants fight over crumbs. Her hand brushed my sleeve under the desk, a silent claim no one else noticed.
I raised my hand slightly, palm open, as though I could press the room itself into stillness.
"Thanks," I said, keeping my voice level, low. "But let's not fight about it. We'll have plenty of time. I'll help however I can, equally. Alright?"
It should've been enough. A neutral line. A peace offering.
But the moment the words left my mouth, the effect rippled outward. Faces flushed deeper, not calmer. The braided girl actually let out a tiny squeak, clutching her desk like I'd just whispered a confession in her ear. The boy who coughed earlier shut his eyes tight, biting his lip, as if he was trying to steady himself against a wave only he could feel.
I swallowed. "I just mean-"
The second attempt was worse. Their attention didn't scatter; it sharpened. Every syllable landed like a promise. They were leaning in now, half the class visibly, the other half straining against the pull but already lost.
"Lucien-kun is so considerate…" someone whispered, too loudly.
"Yeah. He makes everyone feel seen…" another answered.
It spread like fire in dry grass.
[System Note: "Congratulations. Attempted damage control has resulted in +27 Affection spread across room. Host charisma cannot pacify. It can only enthrall."]
My jaw tightened. This was wrong. This wasn't just attraction anymore, it was gravity. Every effort to push them back only drew them in tighter.
A soft laugh slipped past Tsukimi's lips beside me, barely audible, but sharp enough to cut through the tension. She didn't need to say it out loud. The look she gave me, chin tilted, eyes half-lidded, said it clearly: You can't undo this. And you shouldn't try.
Behind me, I heard Saki's pen snap in two.
The classroom air was thick with desperation and pheromones, like someone had sprayed lust cologne and cracked open a can of bad decisions. I could feel the system humming in my skull, smug as hell.
"Oh, this is fun, Watch them scramble."
Tsukimi's fingers brushed my sleeve again, her touch light, possessive, final. She leaned in just enough that her breath ghosted against my ear, her voice a soft, venomous whisper.
"They're all yours, aren't they?" Her lips curved. "But you're mine."
Before I could react, she stood up, her chair scraping back with a sound that silenced the room.
"Actually," she said, her voice sweet, clear, deadly, "I should clarify something."
The classroom held its breath.
Tsukimi smiled, slow and deliberate, her eyes locked onto mine like a predator sighting prey.
"Lucien and I are dating."
[Affinity Spike: Tsukimi Chifuyu — 250% (Yandere Overdrive: "Property Damage Imminent")]
[Room Reaction: "Collective Heart Attack in 3… 2…"]
[Warning: Host's Charm stat is now causing spontaneous combustion in weak-willed targets.]
"WHAT—?!" "Since WHEN?!" "No FAIR—!"
A girl in the front row clutched her chest like she'd been stabbed by betrayal. The boy who'd asked about sports turned green, his hands shaking like he'd just seen his entire life flash before his eyes. The braided girl looked like she'd been personally victimized by destiny.
"No, we're dating."
Saki.
She stood up, her chair toppling backward with a clatter that silenced the room. Her voice was steady, but her hands were fists, her knuckles white.
The classroom froze.
Tsukimi's smile didn't waver, but her eyes narrowed like a cat spotting a rival. Her fingers twitched against my arm, her nails digging in just enough to draw blood.
"How adorable." She turned to me, her eyes gleaming with challenge.
[Harem Conflict Detected: Saki (100% Pure Love) vs. Tsukimi (250% Obsessive Devotion)] Classroom Reaction: "Collective Meltdown Imminent". Warning: Host's Charm stat is now causing spontaneous combustion in weak-willed targets. (Popcorn recommended.)]
[Suggestion: "This is gold. Enjoy the show, Host."]
I opened my mouth... and the entire class leaned in, breathless.
"Well?" someone whispered.
"Which one is it?" another demanded.
"Can you share?" a third piped up, hopeful.
I closed my eyes for a second, pinching the bridge of my nose.
"This isn't-"
"Lucien." Saki's voice was firm, cutting through the chaos. She stepped closer, her eyes locked onto mine, pleading and proud all at once. "You don't have to choose. But you do have to be honest."
Tsukimi tilted her head, her smile sharp as broken glass.
"Oh, I love honesty." She leaned into me, her voice a purr. "So. Which one of us is first?"
The class held its breath.
I exhaled, my mind racing.
[Host Dilemma: Choose Now.]
[Option 1: "Tsukimi is my girlfriend."] Reward: +5 Charm, Tsukimi's loyalty maxed. (Saki's heart breaks. Literally. Maybe.)
[Option 2: "Saki is my girlfriend."] Reward: +5 Resolve, Saki's faith restored. (Tsukimi stabs someone. Probably you.)
[Option 3: "Both."] Reward: Chaos. (System's favorite. Also, spontaneous harem formation. You're welcome.)
[Option 4: "None of your damn business."] Reward: +10 Badass Points. (System's Response: "Cute. Now fix it.")
I stood up, my chair scraping back.
"Both."
The room exploded.
"WHAT...?!"
"NO WAY...!"
"THAT'S NOT HOW THIS WORKS...!"
Saki's face flushed, her eyes wide.
Tsukimi's smile widened, predatory and satisfied.
"Good answer," she purred, leaning into me like she'd won a prize.
Saki bit her lip, then nodded, her voice soft but determined.
"I can accept that."
The class lost its mind.
"NO FAIR...!"
"HOW IS THIS REAL...?!"
"I WANT IN TOO...!"
The teacher finally noticed the chaos, his face horrified.
"WHAT IS GOING ON IN MY CLASSROOM...?!"
I ignored him, my gaze locked onto Saki and Tsukimi.
["Congratulations! You've achieved the impossible: being both the most desired and the most despised person in the room!]
[New Title Unlocked: "The Unwilling Harem King." - A title awarded to hosts who accidentally (or reluctantly) accumulate a harem through a mix of charm, coercion, and sheer bad luck. Unlike traditional harem protagonists, you didn't ask for this. You don't want this. But here we are, and now you're stuck with it, like a bad tattoo or a lifetime subscription to drama. Warning: "This is not going to end well. (But it's so fun to watch.)"]
The bell rang, but no one moved.
Tsukimi grinned, leaning in to whisper in my ear.
"This is fun, isn't it?"
Saki sighed, shaking her head but smiling anyway.
"You're impossible, Lucien."
The class stared at us, a mix of awe, jealousy, and sheer confusion.
I rubbed my temples, already dreading the fallout.
The classroom was still buzzing with the aftershocks of my declaration when I noticed three familiar faces already seated among the chaos. They'd been there the whole time, quietly observing the spectacle unfold like spectators at a train wreck.
Chizuru Shiina sat in the back row, her purple hair tied in a strict braid, her pink eyes glaring at me with disdain. She clutched her notebook like it was a shield against the madness, her posture rigid, her expression unreadable. The only crack in her ice queen facade was the way her fingers twitched whenever Tsukino-sensei's name was mentioned.
[IMG - Chizuru Shiina (Chizuru-chan's Development Diary)]
Natsuha Shinomiya was already leaning over Saki's desk, her curves threatening to burst out of her uniform, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders. She grinned at me, her eyes sparkling with mischief, completely unfazed by the drama. "Lucien, you dog!" she laughed, elbowing Saki playfully. "Two girlfriends? Nice!"
[IMG - Natsuha Shinomiya (Bigleaf Hydrangea Leaf Falling Time)]
And then there was Ruki Kurogane, lounging in her seat like she owned the place, her long black hair pooled around her like liquid silk. She smirked at me, her gravure-level figure drawing every eye in the room. "Well, well," she purred, licking her lips. "Looks like things just got interesting."
[IMG - Ruki Kurogane (1 Week Of Desire Rather Than 10 Years Of Love)]
[New Variables Detected: The Triumvirate of Trouble]
[Chizuru Shiina: "The Ice Queen with a Secret Crush" — Affinity: 0%]
[Natsuha Shinomiya: "The Loyal but Very Handsy Friend" — Affinity: 30%]
[Ruki Kurogane: "The Gravure-Level Temptress" — Affinity: 50% (Warning: She's already plotting). System Note: "Host's life is now a reverse harem anime. (Enjoy your suffering.)"]
Chizuru stood abruptly, her chair scraping back with a sound that made the class flinch. She marched toward the front of the room, her gaze locked onto me like I was a stain on her perfect world.
"Cross," she snapped, her voice cold enough to freeze the sun. "A word. Now."
The entire class held its breath.
Tsukimi's smile vanished, replaced by a glare sharp enough to cut glass. Saki's face paled, her grip on her pen tightening. Natsuha grinned, rubbing her hands together like this was the best show ever. Ruki smirked, leaning back in her chair like she was watching her favorite drama.
Before I could move, Natsuha hopped up, skipping over to Chizuru with a grinning, "Chizuru-chan! Long time no see! You remember Lucien, right? He's way hotter now!"
Chizuru's eye twitched.
"Shinomiya," she hissed, "this is not the time."
Natsuha pouted, leaning in to whisper loudly, "But it's so fun! Two girlfriends! And you! This is like a harem anime!"
Chizuru's face turned red, her fists clenching.
"I am not part of this farce!"
Natsuha winked at me, mouthing "She's so into you."
Ruki sauntered up, her hips swaying like she was walking a runway. She leaned against my desk, her shirt riding up just enough to make half the class choke.
Chizuru stepped forward, her voice cutting through the noise like a blade.
"Cross. You will cease this ridiculous display immediately."
Tsukimi stood, her smile sharp as a knife.
"Or what, Ice Princess?"
Saki stood too, her voice trembling but firm.
"Lucien is mine- "
Natsuha clapped her hands, grinning. "Ooooh, fight!"
Ruki laughed, leaning in. "This is better than TV."
The entire class was silent, watching the show.
The system cackled.
[NEW QUEST: "Tame the Triumvirate."]
[Objective: Secure at least 80% Affinity with all three new targets.]
[Failure Condition: Death. (Yours. Slowly.)]
Chizuru grabbed my wrist, her grip like iron.
"You. Outside. Now."
The class gasped.
Tsukimi's fingers twitched toward her skirt pocket (where I knew she kept a knife). Saki's eyes widened in horror. Natsuha grinned, whispering, "Ooooh, scandalous!" Ruki smirked, muttering "This'll be good."
I sighed, rubbing my temples.
"I hate my life."
[System Note: "Oh, this is just the beginning, Host."]
The hallway smelled of disinfectant and betrayal. Chizuru's fingers were digging into my wrist like she wanted to carve her name into my skin, her pink eyes burning with the kind of rage usually reserved for people who'd just found out their favorite anime got canceled.
"You," she hissed, her voice trembling with barely contained fury, "are disgusting."
I sighed, rubbing my temples with my free hand. "Chizuru, I didn't ask for any of this."
"That doesn't excuse it!" She yanked me closer, her breath hot against my face. "You manipulate people! You corrupt them! You..."
The system chimed in, its voice dripping with amusement.
[New Quest: "Corrupt the Ice Queen"]
[Objective: Reduce Chizuru Shiina's moral integrity to 0%.]
[Reward: "The Heartbreaker (Elite)" Title & More.]
[Failure Condition: She reports you to the faculty. (Game Over.)]
[Suggested Methods:]
1. Exploit Her Crush (Weakness: Tsukino-sensei)
2. Frame Her as a Hypocrite (Weakness: Her rigid morality)
3. Isolate Her (Weakness: Her loneliness)
4. Break Her (Weakness: You)
[System Note: "She hates you. (Good. Hate is just love's first draft.)"]
Chizuru was still seething, her cheeks flushed with indignation.
"You think this is funny?! You think ruining people is some kind of game?!"
I leaned against the wall, keeping my voice calm. "No. But you know what is funny?"
She paused, eyes narrowing. "What?"
"You." I smirked. "You're so busy judging me, you don't even see what's right in front of you."
Her grip on my wrist tightened. "And what's that?"
I lowered my voice, letting it drop into a whisper. "You're jealous."
She flinched like I'd slapped her.
"W-What?!"
"You see me with Saki and Tsukimi, and it bothers you." I tilted my head, watching her reaction. "Why is that, Chizuru? Could it be... you're hiding something?"
Her face burned red, her lips parting in outrage.
"I... I am not... !"
"Then why do you care so much?" I pressed, stepping closer. "Why does it matter to you what I do?"
She swallowed, her gaze flickering toward the classroom door, where Tsukino-sensei had just walked past, his briefcase in hand.
Bingo.
[Affinity Update: Chizuru Shiina — 5% (Weakness Detected: "Tsukino-sensei")]
I let the silence stretch, watching her squirm.
"You know," I said, casually, "if you really cared about justice, you'd report me right now."
Her eyes snapped back to me, wide with shock. "W-What?"
"Report me." I shrugged. "I'm corrupting people, remember? You hate that. So do something about it."
She hesitated, her fingers twitching toward her notebook, where she kept incriminating notes on rule-breakers.
"You... you want me to?"
I smirked. "I'm giving you the chance to prove you're not a hypocrite."
Her breath hitched.
She knew I was manipulating her.
She knew this was a test.
And she hated that she couldn't just walk away.
[Moral Integrity: 90% → 85%]
[System Note: "She's cracking. (Keep going.)"]
I leaned in, lowering my voice.
"You know what's really unfair, Chizuru?"
She didn't answer, but her eyes flickered to mine.
"You're alone."
Her breath caught.
"You follow all the rules, you judge everyone else, and what do you get?" I shrugged. "No friends. No allies. Just... loneliness."
She looked away, her jaw tightening.
"That's not..."
"Isn't it?" I pressed. "Who do you talk to, Chizuru? Who understands you?"
Her hands clenched into fists.
"I don't need..."
"You don't need anyone?" I laughed softly. "Then why do you watch Tsukino-sensei like he's the only light in your world?"
She flinched, her face burning.
[Loneliness Detected: Critical]
I reached out, brushing a strand of her purple hair behind her ear.
She froze.
"You don't have to be alone," I murmured.
Her breath hitched.
"You could have... someone."
Her eyes flicked to mine, wide and vulnerable.
"W-What are you..."
I smiled, soft and poisonous.
"I'm offering."
[Affinity Spike: Chizuru Shiina — 30% (Weakness Exploited: "Desperation")]
[Moral Integrity: 85% → 60%]
Chizuru stared at me, her pink eyes wide with horror, not at me, but at herself.
"I... I... "
"Shh." I brushed my thumb over her cheek, my voice a whisper. "You don't have to say it."
She trembled.
[Quest Update: "Corrupt the Ice Queen" — 50% Complete]
[New Objective: "Make her beg."]
The door burst open.
Natsuha grinned, leaning out. "Lucien! Chizuru! You guys missed the best part! Ruki just..."
She paused, eyes widening as she took in Chizuru's flushed face, my hand still on her cheek.
"Ohhhh," she grinned, waggling her eyebrows. "Did I interrupt something~?"
Chizuru jerked away, her face burning.
"N-No! I was just... he was...!"
I smirked, stepping back.
"We were talking."
Natsuha laughed, dragging Chizuru back inside. "Uh-huh! Talking!"
The classroom erupted as we re-entered.
Tsukimi's smile was gone, replaced by a glare that could flay skin.
Saki looked confused, but hopeful.
Ruki smirked, whispering "Oh, this is good."
And Chizuru?
She sat down, her hands shaking, her gaze locked on the floor.