Parameter Supremacy: The Man Who Seizes a Harem Through Sheer Effort. - Chapter 56.

Episode 56: Isshiki Moe – Pajama Conference.

Isshiki Moe’s POV.

From the day Ryuuji-kun was discharged, he began staying at our house.

The night he was rushed to the hospital, I pleaded with Mom to let me stay over at his place to take care of him. Hearing about his home situation, I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving him alone.

I feel responsible for the injury he suffered. He kept telling me not to worry about it, but for me, that sense of responsibility was something I couldn’t compromise on.

Because if we were just friends, without that “responsibility,” I wouldn’t have any legitimate reason to stay by his side. Maybe that’s not entirely true… but having responsibility gave me the excuse I needed to be near him, even without any grand justification.

I might be a little broken. Maybe it’s extreme thinking. But when you fall in love with someone, you can’t help it, right? To each their own. My love just happened to carry that particular shade.

In the end, my request to stay at his place was rejected. But when I heard—through the conversations between Mom and Sagara Wakako-san—that Ryuuji-kun would be recuperating at our house instead, I felt immense relief… and my heart raced at the thought of spending weeks under the same roof.

***

I decided I had to tell Shii-chan how I really felt, properly. I spent a long time thinking about how to say it, but since she’s one of my closest friends, I wanted to look her in the eye when I did. That was the bare minimum courtesy I owed her—the one who fell for Ryuuji-kun first.

I’ll never forget the complicated look on Shii-chan’s face when I confessed. Of course she felt that way. The person she loved was also loved by her best friend. No one’s heart could stay calm in that situation.

Even so, Shii-chan accepted that I liked Ryuuji-kun too. She even said we should both become his girlfriends. I was overjoyed. The idea of becoming Ryuuji-kun’s girlfriends together with my beloved Shii-chan felt like every sweetness in the world had been poured into one perfect proposal.

That’s why I have to be more proactive from now on. I have to make sure my feelings reach him. Ever since then, I’ve spent as much time with Ryuuji-kun as I possibly could.

***

After turning off all the lights downstairs, Shii-chan and I headed up to my room on the second floor. Just like when Matsuri-chan stays over, when a close girlfriend sleeps here, we lay out the guest futon in my room and sleep side by side. Chatting in pajamas while lying next to your best friend is so much fun—I always end up staying up way too late.

Though… don’t get the wrong idea about “pajamas.” Both Shii-chan and I were just wearing simple T-shirts and short shorts.

“Ryuuji looked like he was doing okay today. I’m glad.”

Shii-chan spoke with visible relief as she reflected on how he’d been earlier. Her way of calling him had shifted to first-name basis after today’s events. A tiny pang of envy stirred in me—but maybe “Ryuuji” without honorifics doesn’t suit me anyway.

“He still looks a bit sore, though. But Mom secretly told me he was studying the whole morning today.”

I kept my voice low so Ryuuji-kun wouldn’t overhear, sharing the details of his day with Shii-chan.

“As dedicated to self-improvement as ever, huh.”

Shii-chan gave a wry, slightly exasperated smile.

“Self-improvement?”

I tilted my head, genuinely curious.

“Right. You didn’t know yet, Moe.”

“Ryuuji’s honestly incredible. Morning practice is just one part of it—he puts insane effort into club activities, studies, exercise, even skincare and grooming.”

“I saw his schedule once. Aside from sleep, every single slot was filled.”

I’d always vaguely sensed that Ryuuji-kun was amazing, but I hadn’t realized just how far it went. For a second, I felt a flicker of jealousy at how much longer the two of them had known each other.

“He’s that intense, huh… I knew he was smart because he tutored me once, but still.”

When I said that, Shiina puffed up proudly—like she was the one being complimented.

“You know his final exam results? Twentieth in the whole grade. That’s a 150-point jump from midterms.”

“Woooow… that’s amazing.”

“Right? Ryuuji really is incredible.”

She beamed as if she’d received the praise herself. Hearing about his hardworking side made me suddenly anxious. I’m only average at studies and sports. Not bad, but nothing special. My effort is… normal.

“Can someone like me really stay by the side of someone that driven…?”

The worry slipped out before I could stop it.

“But look—you joined the kendo club, right? There are tons of things you can work hard at too. …You really went for it, huh.”

Shii-chan looked mildly stunned.

“Yeah. I wanted more time together. And I’ve always cheered for your kendo since middle school. When you got runner-up, I was so happy… Being able to support you up close felt like a good chance.”

Of course, part of me felt guilty—wanting to be near Ryuuji-kun was definitely a big motivator. But wanting to cheer for Shii-chan was just as real.

“You’re saying the nicest things. I’m counting on you.”

Shii-chan gave me a gentle smile. Then, as if remembering something,

“Oh, right—Moe, about the training camp.”

“Hm? What about it?”

“While you were in the bath earlier… I kind of told Ryuuji I wanted a proper answer to my confession…”

She gave a sheepish, apologetic laugh. I was surprised for a second, but my mind stayed surprisingly calm.

“I see. And what did he say?”

“Yeah… He asked if he could have a little time during the camp’s recreation night.”

“Ohhh.”

No surge of jealousy rose in my chest. Yeah. I’m okay.

“Are you really fine with that, Moe?”

“Hm? Why?”

“I mean… doesn’t it feel like I’m jumping the line?”

So that’s what she was worried about. I tried to answer as kindly and reassuringly as possible.

“Not at all. You’ve liked Ryuuji-kun the longest out of anyone, Shii-chan. I want your feelings to come true first.”

Yes—this was my honest heart. Right now, I wanted Ryuuji-kun to look at Shii-chan more than anyone.

“Thank you… Today, watching the two of you, I got anxious again. What if Ryuuji ends up only liking Moe? Stuff like that kept running through my head. I even felt jealous seeing you two getting along… Really… I’m sorry.”

Anyone who’s seen the usual Ryuuji-kun and Shii-chan together would know that’s impossible. But yeah—I get it. Anxiety is natural. Still, since she was finally getting an answer, it would be tactless for me to make a fuss.

“You’ll be fine, Shii-chan. To me, the two of you already look like the perfect couple—I’m the one who gets jealous watching you.”

Just a tiny push on her back… even God wouldn’t get mad at that much, right?

“Yeah… It’s supposed to be a kendo training camp, but here I am getting excited about something else. So impure of me.”

Shii-chan laughed wryly. I couldn’t help laughing too. But then—

“Everyone knows how seriously you take kendo, Shii-chan. So just this once… yeah. I think they’ll forgive you for wanting to hear his answer.”

“Thanks, Moe.”

She smiled softly at me.

***

The night wore on. I turned off the lights in the room.

Staring up at the dark ceiling, wondering if I should sleep, Shii-chan spoke in a whisper.

“Moe… what are you going to do?”

“Huh?”

I didn’t understand at first.

“Your confession. Aren’t you going to do it?”

Confession… I wonder. My feelings for Ryuuji-kun are still so new. The seed might have been planted long ago, but the sprout only just broke through the surface recently.

“Hmm… I don’t know yet.”

“I’m planning to keep approaching him starting tomorrow, but I might not confess just yet.”

“Why not?”

Shii-chan asked quietly.

“Because… I don’t know if Ryuuji-kun is even open to being in a relationship with multiple people.”

That’s right. In this world, having multiple lovers isn’t ethically taboo—it’s common knowledge. But there are also people who reject that kind of relationship entirely. If Ryuuji-kun is one of them, then the possibility of both of us becoming his girlfriends vanishes from the start. That’s why…

“Once you become his girlfriend, Shii-chan… and if he says it’s okay for me to date him too… then yeah, I think I’ll confess.”

“I see.”

“Is that okay with you, Moe?”

I felt the light in my own eyes dim just a little.

“Yeah. I’m fine just waiting. Someday… eventually… if I can be with him, that’s enough.”

Ufufu. For the rest of my life, only Ryuuji-kun.

Shii-chan seemed to dimly grasp the depth of what I meant. A thin sheen of cold sweat appeared as she let out a nervous “Ahaha…”