Parameter Supremacy: The Man Who Seizes a Harem Through Sheer Effort. - Chapter 52.

Episode 52: Satou Minato – Gradually, Alone.

Satou Minato’s POV.

I woke up.

The scene from last night had followed me straight into my dreams, leaving me drenched in cold sweat.

Haa… haa… haa…

My breathing came ragged even though I hadn’t moved. I exhaled slowly, steadying myself, and scanned the room. This was definitely my bedroom. Relief washed over me as I climbed out of bed. I must have passed out in yesterday’s clothes—my stomach was growling fiercely.

Still dressed for the movie date, I left my room and descended the stairs. I entered the living room and sank into a chair. My gaze drifted to the sofa.

Yesterday… Moe had been sitting right there, waiting for me.

I wondered if she was safe. After Shiina ran off, my memories of what happened next were fragmented at best. I must have simply left the scene and come straight home. I hadn’t turned on the TV I’d wanted to watch, hadn’t changed, hadn’t even showered or turned on the lights—just collapsed into bed.

When I opened my phone, the missed calls and messages weren’t from Moe. They were from Shiina.

“I’ll give the police Minato-kun’s number. They’ll probably contact you later.”

Police contact… The events of yesterday flooded back whether I wanted them to or not. A shiver ran through me. The awkwardness kept me from replying to Shiina.

At that moment, my mother returned from taking out the trash.

“You had quite the ordeal yesterday, didn’t you? Are you okay?”

She must have run into Moe’s mother outside and talked. I asked the question that had been gnawing at me.

“Moe?”

“Moe-chan seems to be fine. She scraped her hands and knees and went to the hospital last night, though.”

“I see… That’s good.”

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.

“You didn’t know?”

I flinched. Right—I’d abandoned Moe and fled. After seeing Sagara and Shiina off, I’d just come home. To hide my shame, I silently turned on the television. The morning news was playing.

“～In the early hours of this morning, a male high school student was found collapsed on a street in the city and remains in critical condition, unconscious. He has been transported to a hospital; his life is not in immediate danger. Police are investigating a possible connection to the series of assaults on women that have occurred since last month.”

The incident was already being reported. My mother’s expression tightened as she watched.

“This boy… he’s one of Moe-chan’s friends, isn’t he?”

“…Yeah…”

“You know him too?”

“…Classmate…”

“I see… That must be worrying.”

After Shiina ran from me, had Sagara confronted that man? And as a result, he ended up unconscious and in critical condition. Not only had I lost Shiina—he’d shown me the vast difference between us as men. My mind sank deeper into darkness.

***

That afternoon, the police called. They wanted to hear my account of yesterday. I went to the station with my mother. On the way, I sent Moe yet another apology message. Her only reply was: “Don’t worry about it.”

During the interview, I explained what I’d seen that day, the suspect’s appearance, the moment I was struck—everything I could recall. They asked me to file a formal victim report as well, so I’d need to get a medical certificate from the hospital later and return.

***

Monday morning. A message arrived on my phone.

MOE: I’m going to school alone today. Also, I can’t prepare a bento. Sorry.

I stared at the notification, confused—why? But after what happened the other day, she probably wasn’t ready to face things yet. In the end, Moe didn’t come to pick me up. I walked to school alone, barely making it before the bell. I didn’t catch sight of her on the way.

When I arrived, Moe was already at her seat. Homeroom began immediately, and Doi-sensei addressed the class.

“Lately there have been numerous incidents of assault against women in this area. Summer vacation starts soon, but especially the girls—never go anywhere alone. Make sure you move in groups.”

The classroom stirred faintly. Many students already knew about the recent cases.

“And one more thing.”

Doi-sensei continued.

“Sagara has been hospitalized since yesterday. He’ll be absent for a while for treatment, so keep that in mind.”

The moment Sagara’s hospitalization was announced, the room grew even more restless. The morning news must have come back to them. I heard Matsuri whisper to Shiina, “What’s going on?” Moe glanced awkwardly at Shiina. I had no idea what happened after I left. My last clear memory was the sting of Shiina’s slap across my cheek. Just remembering it made my chest ache.

Had Shiina rejected me for good? She’d said she liked Sagara. But at the movie theater, he’d called her a “friend.” …Could I ask her again, just to be sure? The thought flickered through my mind.

***

Morning classes ended, and lunch break arrived. Wanting to confirm what happened that night, I called out to Moe.

“Moe!”

She turned at my voice.

“Minato-kun? What’s up~?”

“Um… I’m really sorry about the other day.”

“Ah, yeah. Don’t worry about it. I’m fine, and I’m glad you’re okay too~”

She gave me her usual gentle smile—warmer, somehow more feminine than before. My heart skipped despite myself.

“So… want to eat lunch together?”

Moe glanced briefly toward Shiina’s seat.

“Ah, sorry. I’ve got something to do today~”

“…Oh. Right.”

With that, she headed over to Shiina. The two of them spoke quietly for a moment before Matsuri joined from behind. But in the end, only Moe and Shiina left the classroom together.

—Was it about the other day?

It bothered me, but after being turned down, there was nothing I could do. Matsuri watched the door with visible disappointment. Our eyes met.

“Hey, Matsuri.”

“Eh? Ah, yeah~”

“Wanna eat together?”

“N-No, I’ll pass today~”

With an awkward laugh, she too left the classroom.

“What the hell…”

Muttering to myself, I ate lunch alone.

***

Tuesday.

In the morning, Moe’s mother visited our house. She spoke with my mother at the entrance. When the conversation ended, Mom handed me a thousand-yen note.

“Hm? What’s this?”

Pocket money? I asked with a flicker of hope.

“Bento money.”

“Huh?”

“Moe-chan said she can’t make bentos anymore starting today. She told us we don’t need to pay for them either.”

Mom sounded faintly regretful.

—Moe isn’t making bentos anymore? Why…?

I couldn’t make sense of it. All I could do was turn the question over and over in my head.