Vol 1 Chapter 12 – 60,000 Yanderes and the Bride Ranking System①

After that whole incident, I was finally able to enter the room where I would be living.

As I might have expected, the room opened into a magnificently luxurious space that was the very definition of extravagance.

The first thing that jumped out at me was the massive window covering one entire wall.

Beyond the glass, a beautiful cityscape stretched out before me.

Next, the lavish interior.

There was a big-screen TV, a high-end sofa, and the bed even had a canopy.

A fluffy carpet was laid out on the floor, and expensive-looking works of art were placed all around the room.

And finally, a single framed painting hanging on the wall.

It depicted a lone woman.

Translucent white skin, long black hair that reached her waist, sharp eyes, a straight nose, and thin lips.

The woman in the painting was breathtakingly beautiful and gave off a bewitching aura.

…Huh?

This woman… I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before… I searched my memories.

But I couldn’t recall.

Where on earth could I have met her…?

Oh well… I gave up thinking about it.

“Please, make yourself comfortable. This is your room, Yuuma-sama. If you require anything at all, simply say the name ‘Misa.’ I will come running at once.”

Misa bowed deeply.

“Got it, thank you. I’m counting on you.”

I replied with a smile.

Seeing me, Misa’s cheeks flushed red as she gazed at me, completely entranced.

“To say you’re ‘counting on me’… thank you for such undeserved words. Well then, I will prepare your bath at once. I will also arrange for a meal to be ready at any time. And, what would you like to drink?”

“Um… I’ll have some tea, please…”

“As you wish. I will bring it immediately.”

With that, Misa left the room.

I sat down on the luxurious sofa to rest for a bit.

Just then, Tachibana-san switched on the giant monitor in front of me.

“Yuuma-sama, my apologies for disturbing you while you’re tired, but may I have a moment to speak with you about your future?”

“Yeah, that’s fine, but…”

“Thank you very much. In that case, Yuuma-sama, could I have you watch this video first?”

As she spoke, Tachibana-san pointed at the monitor.

On the screen, an image of the entire building that would be my new home was displayed.

Before Tachibana-san could begin, Misa returned, carrying a tea set on a tray.

With graceful movements, she placed a cup on the table in front of me, then stepped back to wait.

As expected of a maid… Her every move is flawless, perfect, and beautiful… Her timing is impeccable, too…

I took a sip of tea and turned my attention to what Tachibana-san had to say.

“This is the tower mansion that will serve as your living space, Yuuma-sama. It is a skyscraper with 120 floors above ground and 10 floors below. The security is flawless, with surveillance cameras installed everywhere. Furthermore, guards are on patrol 24 hours a day, so please rest assured.”

“Whoa, that’s amazing… I never thought they’d prepare such a magnificent building for me.”

“Yes, to ensure you can live comfortably, Yuuma-sama, this is the finest location I personally selected. I am glad that it is to your liking.”

I looked again at the skyscraper on the monitor.

Man, something this huge is just overwhelming…

Feeling a little unsettled, I took another sip of tea to calm myself.

“Now, for an explanation of the building’s interior. When you take the elevator to the top floor, the entire floor is your room. It is, of course, a private space for you alone. Floors 60 through 120 are similar residential spaces. The basement levels are mainly for the servants’ quarters. And floors 1 through 59 are recreational facilities. There is a wide variety of amenities, including karaoke, a theater room, an arcade, a pool, a hot spring, a sports arena, a museum, an art studio, and a training gym.”

“Wow, that sounds like fun. But still, isn’t this a little too extravagant? I think it’s a waste to use everything from the 60th floor up as living space for just me… Am I really allowed to live in a place like this?”

No matter how you look at it, this feels way too big…

Living in a place like a luxury hotel like this, when I’m just a regular high school student… it feels so out of place, I don’t think I’ll be able to relax…

I said with a wry smile.

“Yes, there is no problem. In fact, as those who serve you, Yuuma-sama, we would be ashamed if your environment were anything less than this. Besides, a space of this size will allow all of us servants to live here with room to spare.”

“Oh, is that so… I thought I’d be living here all by myself.”

Well, it’s true there were a ton of servants, and if they all live here, I guess having more space is convenient… but she said the servants’ rooms were in the basement… It feels like some kind of class disparity, and I don’t like it…

“My apologies. Only a limited number of individuals are permitted to enter your private space, Yuuma-sama. Of course, those individuals are comprised solely of elite personnel whom I have carefully selected. Therefore, I promise they will never interfere with your daily life.”

“N-no… that’s not what I meant…”

“…? My apologies. Is there something else that concerns you?”

Tachibana-san tilted her head with a puzzled look.

It seemed we weren’t on the same page.

“Um… well… I was thinking that you and the others, Tachibana-san, could live in a better space. Like, on the floors below me… You know, having the 120th floor to myself is more than enough, and I thought it would be a waste to leave the other floors empty…”

I tried to string my words together to somehow convey my thoughts.

But upon hearing my words, Tachibana-san’s eyes widened in shock.

And for some reason, Misa’s cheeks turned red.

Did I say something weird?

Seeing Tachibana-san’s reaction made me anxious.

Then, Tachibana-san suddenly grabbed my hands.

She stared directly into my eyes and said…

“A-Are you truly certain!? That I may live on the 119th floor!!”

Tachibana-san was breathing heavily with excitement.

Feeling a little overwhelmed by her intensity, I answered…

“Uh… I don’t mind, but…”

“Kh! Kuuuhhh~!♡ Yuuma-sama! Thank you!! Ah, I have not a single regret in my life!!”

Tachibana-san exclaimed, weeping with joy.

I was just bewildered by the scene…

Then, looking flustered, Sakurai-san, who had been standing behind Tachibana-san, suddenly tried to stop her.

“T-Tachibana-san! Please calm down!”

“Let go of me, Sakurai! I can’t stop this joy!!”

Sakurai-san pinned the thrashing Tachibana-san’s arms, desperately trying to restrain her.

“I understand you’re happy, but we still haven’t explained that matter to Yuuma-sama! Therefore, I doubt he understands the meaning of allowing a woman to live on the 119th floor…!”

Sakurai-san tried desperately to persuade Tachibana-san to calm down.

Hearing those words, Tachibana-san’s body shuddered.

“…H-Huh!? Is that so?”

“Yes, so I believe we should explain it to him at once.”

Watching the two of them, a question popped into my head…

What is “that matter”? What on earth is the meaning of having a woman live on the 119th floor…?

I silently watched the exchange between Tachibana-san and Sakurai-san.

Facing me, Tachibana-san straightened her posture awkwardly and began to speak.

“Yuuma-sama… I am terribly sorry for losing my composure. Regarding what we were just discussing, there is, in fact, a certain meaning to having a woman reside on the 119th floor…”

Tachibana-san paused for a moment before continuing…

“The truth is, Yuuma-sama, you have a certain mission.”

“A mission… you say?”

I tilted my head at her words.

What kind of mission could I possibly have…

I waited for Tachibana-san’s next words.

Then, with a serious expression, she opened her mouth.

“Yes. The content of that mission is… to have a minimum of 60 brides.”

Tachibana-san stated it plainly.

“…Excuse me!?”

For a moment, my mind went blank, unable to process what I’d just been told…

Have 60 brides? Is that really the mission I’ve been given?

“No, no, no, no! That’s ridiculous, isn’t it?”

I desperately denied her words.

“No, this is the truth. From now on, Yuuma-sama, you must spend your life with at least 60 women and endeavor to make children with them. That is why all floors from 60 and above are residential spaces… for your brides to live in…”

Tachibana-san stared at me with a serious expression…

“No! No, no, no! There’s no way that’s possible! In the first place, I’m not even old enough to get married!!”

I protested desperately.

In response, Tachibana-san began to speak to me in a placating tone…

“Yuuma-sama, this has already been decided. The notice has already been issued by the Prime Minister. And all the women here have willingly accepted this mission… because it is for the sake of humanity’s survival. Besides, at your age, Yuuma-sama, you are already able to marry.”

“What!? But, I’m still in high school…”

“Yes. Which is why you can get married.”

Oh, right! The marriage age being 18 or older was a thing in my old world!

So under this world’s laws, I’m already old enough to get married…

But still, being told this so suddenly is a problem! But at least 60 brides!?

I mean, part of me is happy, but the anxiety is stronger!!

My head was spinning after hearing what Tachibana-san had to say.

“Yuuma-sama, my apologies for interrupting while you are confused, but may I continue?”

“Huh? Oh… okay… For now, I’ll save my questions until after you’ve explained everything.”

“Thank you… When you have 60 brides, the most difficult thing to manage is the jealousy between them. We anticipate that various conflicts will arise over you, Yuuma-sama. In addition to jealousy, there is a very real possibility of confrontations and even killing among the brides.”

Tachibana-san said with a grave expression…

“What!? Is… is that really going to happen?”

I grew anxious listening to her.

Seeing my state, Sakurai-san added a supplementary comment.

“Yuuma-sama, all of the brides are proactive about making children with you. Because of that, it is conceivable that one might even take the life of another bride rather than let your seed go to them.”

“Wha-!? That’s so dangerous…”

I shivered at Sakurai-san’s words.

Tachibana-san nodded in agreement with her.

Then, Tachibana-san began to speak again with a serious expression…

I held my breath at the look on her face…

“Yuuma-sama, a woman’s jealousy is a terrifying thing. The women gathered here, in particular, are a select group chosen for your sake, Yuuma-sama. Therefore, the possibility that they might murder other brides is quite high.”

“W-wait a minute. What do you mean, ‘gathered for my sake’?”

I questioned her words…

“‘Here’ refers to the grounds within an approximately four-kilometer radius of this tower mansion, which was built for you, Yuuma-sama. This area has been designated a Special Administrative District, and 60,000 women with superior genes have been gathered as your bride candidates.”

Tachibana-san explained in a monotone voice.

Hearing this explanation, I clutched my head…

“Huh? Superior genes? 60,000 bride candidates?”

Seeing my reaction, Sakurai-san added a clarification.

“Yes, Yuuma-sama. All the bride candidates here have an extremely high degree of affection for you, and furthermore, they are all geniuses who have achieved outstanding results in their respective fields. This special administrative district was created for the purpose of passing on those genius genes to the next generation in a natural way.”

“What!? So you’re telling me 60,000 women were really gathered here to make children with me?”

“Yes. That is correct! However… those gathered women, perhaps because they are geniuses… are all rather eccentric… They have a tendency for their affection toward you, Yuuma-sama, to become too strong…”

Sakurai-san told me with a troubled expression.

I tilted my head at her words…

Then Tachibana-san began to speak again.

“Um, in other words… I’m not sure if this is the right way to put it, but… all 60,000 women are yanderes!”

“…Huh?”

I stared blankly at Tachibana-san’s words.

Huh?

Yandere… she means that yandere, right?

The one that means they get sick from loving someone too much… that’s what she’s talking about, right…?

And I have to make at least 60 brides in a place full of yanderes like that?

No, I’m definitely going to get killed!

“Um, Tachibana-san… when you say yandere, you mean the thing where their love is so strong it makes them sick, right…?”

“Yes! That yandere! And because their affection for you is so high, their love is also very deep. ‘I want to have Yuuma-sama all to myself,’ ‘the other brides are in the way’… such thoughts will swirl within them!”

“Haha, I think I’m the one who’s going to get sick…”

All I could manage was a dry laugh at her words.

“Yes… but please rest assured! So that you do not fall ill, Yuuma-sama, we have desperately thought of a solution! And that is this tower mansion’s Bride Ranking System!”

“The Bride Ranking System…?”

“Yes, the Bride Ranking System is a system that clarifies a bride’s rank by where she lives! In other words, the closer a bride lives to your 120th floor, Yuuma-sama, the higher her rank as a bride!”

Tachibana-san said with a look of utter confidence.

“H-huh… so what does that mean?”

“Yes! It means you will have the woman you wish to make children with live on a higher floor. By clearly establishing superiority and inferiority this way, we can suppress conflict among the brides!”

“…So, by having them live on a higher floor, you suppress that bride’s jealousy, is that it?”

“Exactly! As expected of you, Yuuma-sama, you’re a quick study! And the purpose of this Bride Ranking System is to suppress the brides’ conflicts and allow you to focus on making children with each one, one by one! By the way, a bride cannot go down to the floors of other brides! Therefore, they are physically unable to interfere between you and the other brides.”

Tachibana-san said, puffing out her chest with pride.

I understood her explanation.

It’s true that might reduce conflict…

Okay, so the next highest floor after my 120th floor is the 119th…

And I asked Tachibana-san to live on that 119th floor!!

Remembering the words I had spoken, my face went pale…

“Um… Tachibana-san, I said I wanted you to live on the 119th floor, but… does that mean…”

I asked her timidly.

“Yes! The 119th floor is for the bride of brides! In other words, it’s the floor for the official wife! Kyaaaah!♡”

Tachibana-san jumped for joy.

All I could do was give her a wry smile…