The handcuffs were still on.
That was already bad.
But sleeping next to Riko?
In the same futon?
With no space to move?
That was death.
1:17 AM – Kaito's Room
"I swear I'm not breathing on purpose," I whispered.
"You're breathing weird," Riko hissed.
"I'm breathing like a human!!"
"Then stop being human!"
Our legs were tangled. Her hand was stuck under my back. The chain made it impossible to shift without accidentally hugging her.
I looked up at the ceiling.
This was it.
I was gonna die from heart failure.
Then Riko whispered:
"…You're warm."
I blinked.
"What?"
She didn't repeat it.
Instead, she slowly moved closer—just a little.
The warmth hit. Our foreheads nearly touched.
"I-It's just cold," she mumbled.
My brain fried.
And then—
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
Yuna's voice came through the door.
"Hey~ I brought pajamas! And snacks! And Airi!"
Riko's eyes widened.
I whisper-screamed, "WHY IS THIS A THING NOW?!"
1:32 AM – Now All Four of Us Are Here
Yuna kicked the door open like it owed her rent.
Airi walked in calmly, holding a box of cookies and… two more pairs of handcuffs.
"I thought these might be useful," she said, smiling.
"WHY WOULD THEY BE USEFUL?!"
Yuna plopped beside me. "Let's have a sleepover!"
Riko pulled the blanket tighter. "This isn't a slumber party!!"
Airi held up a notebook. "According to my projections, the girl who spends the most cumulative hours within 3 feet of Kaito has a 72% higher chance of becoming his primary romantic partner."
"YOU CALCULATED THAT?!"
Reina entered without knocking—because of course she did.
Everyone froze.
She was holding… a golden envelope.
The Announcement
She stood at the foot of the futon and cleared her throat.
"I hereby declare the first annual Harem Olympics."
Silence.
Yuna blinked. "Harem what-now?"
Reina tossed the envelope onto my blanket.
Inside:
"A 3-day competition to determine which girl is most compatible with Tenma Kaito. Events include:– Housekeeping Duel– Lunchbox Battle– Skinship Bingo– 'Accidental' Confession Speedrun– Jealousy Resistance Round– Final Boss: Kiss Tag"
I screamed into the pillow.
Reina smiled faintly. "All events will be monitored. Judged. And recorded for posterity."
Airi clapped. "Excellent. I've been preparing."
Yuna cracked her knuckles. "Let's goooo."
Riko's eye twitched. "I'M NOT PARTICIPATING IN SOMETHING THIS STUPID."
"…Unless I lose."