Parameter Supremacy: The Man Who Seizes a Harem Through Sheer Effort. - Chapter 50.

Episode 50: Hospital Life.

In the end, my hospital stay lasted four days.

The head injury turned out to be nothing serious. The worst of it was still the stab wound on my right arm—full recovery estimated at four weeks. For the foreseeable future, I’d be living with my arm heavily bandaged, rendering my dominant hand essentially useless. It was inconvenient, no question, but I figured I could manage somehow.

That was the plan, at least. In reality, the limitations hit harder than I’d anticipated. Four weeks like this… I found myself quietly pondering how I’d spend the rest of the summer. Even in this condition, I was determined to enjoy as much of it as possible.

I also needed to rethink how I’d raise my parameters going forward. The biggest blow was that I couldn’t focus on physical training until I had full medical clearance. Club activities were obviously out, but the recent attack had driven home just how critical physical stats really were—if my numbers hadn’t been as high as they were, things could have ended far worse. The fact that the wound on my arm hadn’t cut deeper owed a lot to my muscle mass and conditioning. Physical strength wasn’t just useful; it was vital. With roughly four weeks until full recovery, a faint sense of urgency began to settle in my chest.

Day 1 of hospitalization – Sunday

Even in the middle of his busy schedule, Director Sagara found time to visit. Wakako-san, his secretary, hovered nearby, checking his schedule and taking calls with practiced efficiency.

“Ryuuji. How are you feeling?”

His voice was gentle, full of concern.

“Thanks to everyone, the pain has eased up quite a bit.”

“Good… good. Listen, Ryuuji—once you’re discharged, what are your plans? If you’d like, you’re welcome to recuperate at the house.”

He made the offer casually. Wakako-san, still on the phone, gave a small nod of agreement from the side.

“No, I couldn’t possibly impose like that. Besides—”

I lifted my bandaged right hand and gave it a little wave.

“It still moves. I’ll manage.”

I smiled, trying to show there was no problem.

“But it’ll be inconvenient in all sorts of ways. Don’t worry about troubling us—just come home.”

Wakako-san hung up and spoke with evident worry. The director nodded.

“It’s no trouble. I may not be much, but I’m still supposed to be a parent figure to you.”

“Thank you. Really. But I’ll be fine.”

I declined politely. The director reluctantly accepted my decision.

“…All right. But if anything comes up—anything at all—contact us immediately.”

“Understood.”

I answered with a smile, and the conversation ended there. Both of them gave me slightly sad smiles. I felt guilty. If I’d just said yes, everything would have wrapped up neatly. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

***

Later, one of the director’s other wives also came to visit.

Sagara Hanako—white-haired, the director’s first wife. She and the director were close in age and had shared the longest stretch of life together. Fully devoted to the home, she was an excellent cook and carried herself with a serene, gentle warmth.

Then there was Sagara Atsuko—the youngest of the wives by quite a margin, with long black hair and an air of refined maturity. She served as an executive in the director’s company. Quiet almost to a fault, yet kinder than anyone, always offering silent, steady support.

Both of them treated me with genuine care, and I could only feel gratitude. Hanako-san told me, “Come over for a meal again sometime,” while Atsuko-san gently stroked my head.

The affection and kindness from the Sagara family… receiving it only deepened the guilt I felt toward myself for being unable to fully accept it.

***

Day 2 – Monday

First thing in the morning, the police arrived for a formal interview. I recounted everything that happened the day Isshiki was attacked. The perpetrator was still at large. The investigation was now linking this incident to the recent string of assaults on women. I had the hospital prepare a medical certificate, and I formally filed a victim report. Isshiki had done the same.

The culprit remained uncaptured, but the police promised increased patrols around Isshiki’s home and her commuting routes. Midori-san had also offered to help with pickups and drop-offs whenever Isshiki went out alone. With that, the incident—at least on the surface—reached a temporary close, even if it remained unresolved.

Come to think of it, I heard Satou Minato had also given a statement and filed his own report. I hadn’t seen him since that night. I hoped he was all right.

***

My homeroom teacher, Doi-sensei, showed up with an armload of summer homework. “Sagara, that must’ve been rough,” he said in his big, bear-like voice, full of sympathy.

Discharge was only two days before summer break began—and one of those days was the closing ceremony. Doi-sensei told me to just take it easy and roll straight into vacation. So in the end, I’d be starting summer break ahead of Shiina, Isshiki, and the others.

A little later, the club advisor stopped by as well. I explained that kendo was out of the question for a while. Still, I intended to participate in the training camp. I couldn’t grip a shinai with my right hand, but since our club had no manager, I could at least support Shiina as she prepared for the Inter-High tournament. The advisor looked mildly exasperated but gave his approval. That settled it—I’d be joining the camp after all.

Morning practice would be the same. No real training for me, but I could still be there to help Shiina however her schedule allowed. I decided I’d stick with her for as long as she’d have me.

When I told Shiina later, she gave me a complicated look—part disappointed, part quietly pleased—and murmured, “Thank you.”

***

After school, Matsuri-chan came to visit.

The moment she walked in—

“Sagara-cchi~! Thank you so much for saving Moe-cchi~!”

—she thanked me brightly. Apparently Shiina and Isshiki had filled her in on most of what happened. She said she was incredibly grateful.

She’d brought an enormous assortment of fancy fruit jellies. There was no way I could finish them alone, so Shiina and Isshiki joined us, and the four of us ended up eating jellies together. The wry smiles on the two girls’ faces were unforgettable.

The incident had been mentioned briefly in the news and had become a small topic at school. With suspiciously perfect timing, my leave of absence overlapped with the event, and rumors were already circulating that I was one of the victims. They weren’t wrong—but Shiina and Isshiki seemed to be gently deflecting the speculation.

***

Day 3 – Tuesday

Wakako-san brought fresh changes of clothes. She’d been taking care of practically everything during my stay—arranging luggage, contacting the school, picking things up from my apartment, handling admission paperwork. She’d handled it all like it was the most natural thing in the world. Almost like a real mother. Could I ever truly accept her as one? I still didn’t have the confidence to say yes.

Even so, I was deeply grateful. I silently resolved that I would never let anything make this woman unhappy.

While Wakako-san was there, Midori-san arrived as well, arms full of fruit. She carefully peeled each piece and offered it to me. We’d barely known each other a few days ago, yet now conversation flowed easily. She took the lead with a friendly big-sister energy. Watching her chat and laugh together with Wakako-san stirred something complicated inside me.

At one point the two of them exchanged secretive glances, whispering about something. I couldn’t help wondering what they were discussing.

Shiina and Isshiki visited every single day.

Shiina even skipped her precious after-school club time to come. When I asked if that was really okay with Inter-High approaching, she told me straight, “You’re more important than Inter-High right now.” I couldn’t help blushing. She said she’d already cleared it with the advisor.

Shiina stayed her usual bright self—telling me about school, helping with little things around the room.

Isshiki smiled just as much.

But something felt… different from before the incident. The distance between us had closed. Not dramatically, but noticeably—maybe two steps closer than it used to be.

With that smaller gap came more accidental touches. Every time our bodies brushed, she’d turn bright red and apologize. I told her it was fine, and each time she looked quietly happy about it.

Whenever that happened, Shiina would shoot me a flat, half-lidded stare. I knew exactly what that look meant.

I politely but firmly declined any help with changing clothes or personal care.

Day 4 – Wednesday.

And just like that, my hospital life came to an end. Today was discharge day.