Parameter Supremacy: The Man Who Seizes a Harem Through Sheer Effort.

Episode 38: Kayano Shiina – The Promise of a Movie Date.

Kayano Shiina’s POV.

I closed the three-person group chat.

A date with Ryuuji-kun.

We’d gone to the beach once after exams, but back then I hadn’t thought of it as a date at all—just inviting him along as a friend. Yet the moment the word “date” slipped from his mouth, genuine happiness had bloomed inside me.

We’ve run together during morning practice countless times. I’ve barged into his house more times than I can count. But a proper “date”—one that actually deserves the name—would only be the second time. Inviting him myself like this… a soft, spreading tension settles deep in my chest. I know we’re close as friends. I know he’ll probably be happy if I ask. My head understands that perfectly, yet the nerves still come naturally, uninvited.

It’s probably only natural.

This time, I’m inviting him as a girl—as someone who wants to be seen with favor by the boy she likes. Asking him on a date. Sure, the movie tickets practically fell into our laps like manna from heaven, but that doesn’t matter. To me, this feels like marching onto a battlefield.

The third time, the fourth time—if we keep going on more and more dates from here on out, I’ll probably feel this same flutter every single time I ask.

I quietly wished in my heart that such a relationship could continue forever.

Not the painful, suffocating kind of tension—this was warm, heart-pounding, strangely pleasant. With my phone still in hand, I gathered my courage and sent the message to Ryuuji-kun.

***

Shiina: Ryuuji-kun. Let’s go see a movie together.

Sagara Ryuuji: Movie? You mean the tickets we got from Tachibana today?

Shiina: Yeah. I did invite the others, but it looks like Matsuri has plans and can’t come.

Sagara Ryuuji: I see. That’s too bad.

Sagara Ryuuji: I don’t think the tickets had any fixed date on them, though.

Shiina: Mou, you saw right through it. Matsuri was being considerate.

Shiina: She told me, “I’m fine with it, so go with Ryuuji-kun instead,” and gave up her ticket.

Sagara Ryuuji: That’s… Now I feel bad for making Matsuri-chan worry about us. Sorry about that.

Shiina: Don’t worry about it. Besides, she seemed kind of happy. Like she’s genuinely cheering me on.

Sagara Ryuuji: Cheering you on?

Shiina: Seriously, you’re so dense.

Sagara Ryuuji: My bad. Right—cheering. Got it.

Sagara Ryuuji: But there were still two tickets left, weren’t there? What happened to them?

Shiina: Moe’s going with Minato-kun.

Sagara Ryuuji: I see. Glad they came in handy, then.

Shiina: Yeah. Moe said thank you too. And Matsuri did as well. Oh—and she said let’s hang out again properly soon!

Sagara Ryuuji: I’m always up for it. But please pass the thanks along to Tachibana.

Shiina: True. Next time I see her, I’ll thank her properly.

Sagara Ryuuji: Yeah. Let me know when that happens—I’ll come too.

Shiina: Ah, the important part! So… Ryuuji-kun, how about it? Will you go to the movie with me?

Sagara Ryuuji: If that’s the case, I’d love to. Going to the movies with you sounds fun.

Shiina: Great! I was a little worried it’d feel bad if we couldn’t use them all together as childhood friends.

Sagara Ryuuji: After acting all cool when I handed them over, I’d be pretty embarrassed if it didn’t work out.

Shiina: Ufufu. But you were really cool, you know?

Sagara Ryuuji: …Stop, that’s embarrassing. My face is heating up.

Shiina: Are you blushing?

Sagara Ryuuji: Just a little.

Shiina: I see. Good. Then let’s definitely go to the movie together.

Sagara Ryuuji: Yeah. Have you decided when?

Shiina: Not yet. Do you have a preference?

Sagara Ryuuji: Hmm… Nothing in particular, but we both have club activities, so maybe the weekend?

Shiina: Right. How about this Saturday?

Sagara Ryuuji: Saturday works. I’m free.

Shiina: Perfect. Then how about Saturday afternoon? We could eat first, right?

Sagara Ryuuji: Good idea. If we eat beforehand, we can go easy on the popcorn.

Shiina: Ufufu. How about the 13:30 showing?

I quickly screenshot the theater schedule and sent it to him.

Sagara Ryuuji: No problem. Let’s meet at 12:30 then.

Shiina: Okay! Looking forward to it already—from the meet-up onward.

Sagara Ryuuji: Me too. I’m starting to get nervous…

Shiina: Eh, nervous? You are?

Sagara Ryuuji: Yeah. This is a date, right? I’m trying to keep it casual, but I can’t help being a little conscious of it.

Shiina: Fufu. Same here. But… that actually makes me kind of happy.

***

“Fuu…”

I let out a long breath after securing the movie date with Ryuuji-kun.

Right now I was in the shower. While lathering my arms with body wash, I caught my own reflection in the mirror. Slightly upturned eyes that gave me a strong-willed look. I didn’t think my face was bad. My gaze drifted downward.

—My chest…

Images of Moe with her generous bust and Matsuri with her flawless figure floated into my mind. —Mmmph. A small growl escaped me. I set the body wash aside and placed my sudsy hands on my own chest. Squeeze. Yeah… not big. Not small either, I think. Nothing you’d call “stats.” But definitely not large. Squeeze, squeeze.

“Hmm…”

We’d promised to go to the beach over summer break—me, Ryuuji-kun, Moe, and Matsuri. All four of us. Moe and Matsuri in swimsuits, me in a swimsuit… Imagining the three of us lined up side by side made my head feel suddenly heavy.

But Ryuuji-kun might not even prefer big chests. And I have confidence in my own style too. I looked down at my slender frame—slightly toned from training, skin still taut and youthful, water beading and sliding off. Yeah. If I chose a swimsuit that really suited me, I could stand confidently in front of him. I convinced myself and shifted my thoughts. My eyes flicked toward the bathtub.

—Come to think of it, I borrowed his shower once, didn’t I…

My heart suddenly pounded harder. His bathroom had been so small—just barely enough room to stand in. There was space to wash, but nowhere to change without getting everything soaked. If I’d tried to change there, my clothes would’ve ended up drenched.

With my back turned to him, I’d stripped completely and stepped under the shower. Naked… My heart had felt like it would burst out of my chest that day. I barely remembered how I washed, stepped out, or put my uniform back on. Ever since then, embarrassment had kept me from going to his house again.

And afterward—his upper body reflected in the TV screen… Those abs. Toned, impressive, cool. I’d stared, entranced, until our eyes met through the reflection and mortification hit me like a truck.

—Wait… If I saw Ryuuji-kun half-naked… does that mean he saw me naked too?

The realization hit and my face instantly flamed crimson. My thoughts short-circuited. Was the steam from the bath or from me? I couldn’t tell. Panicked, I turned the shower to cold and dumped it over my head to calm my racing heart.

—Fuu. Okay. Settled.

—He might have seen me naked… But, well… if it’s Ryuuji-kun, it’s fine.

Surprisingly easily, I accepted it—just like that.