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

Episode 59: Day Two of the Training Camp.

The morning of the second day of camp.

I woke up before my phone alarm could go off. The clock read 5:30. Through the narrow gap in the curtains, light was already spilling in, telling me the sun had risen.

After a quick trip to the bathroom alone, I returned to the room to find several club members already stirring. Breakfast started at 6:30. I hurriedly folded my futon, changed into my tracksuit, and—ignoring the guys pulling pranks on the still-sleeping members—began some light training that doubled as stretching and rehab. Seeing my movements, the others gradually followed suit.

By 6:20, everyone was ready, and we headed to the dining hall. The girls were already seated, chatting lively. When my eyes met Shiina’s, she gave a slightly embarrassed look.

Today, I would give Shiina my answer to her confession.

Doing something like that during camp might get me labeled as “love-struck,” but I was prepared to accept it. More than a month had passed since her confession, and right now I was even staying at Moe’s house. Thinking of Shiina’s feelings, I knew I should answer her soon. I didn’t want it affecting the Inter-High main tournament either.

Shiina, Moe, and the other girls all had their makeup and hair perfectly done. In contrast, us guys showed up with bedhead, eye crust, and even traces of drool. …Girls really are incredible, no matter the setting. As someone consciously raising his “appearance” parameter, all I could do was take notes.

This morning’s breakfast: grilled salmon with white rice. Sides included miso soup with tofu and wakame, onsen tamago, and blanched spinach. It filled the stomach just right, with perfect nutritional balance.

After finishing and brushing my teeth, the clock showed 7:30. Morning practice was about to begin. We gathered in the martial arts hall. While the advisor explained the day’s menu, Moe and I started preparations.

We finished mopping, then made ice water. Since it was a summer camp, we’d brought two water jugs. Moe handled the fairly heavy ones with practiced ease, carrying them diligently by herself. If I returned to competing, she’d more than manage without me.

Back in the hall, practice had already started.

Basic swinging and footwork drills. I used spare moments to check my own footwork. Moe was organizing equipment beside the advisor.

After basics came shiai-geiko in match format. It doubled as adjustment training for Shiina ahead of the Inter-High main event, but not a single member complained. That alone showed how high everyone’s expectations were for her.

Shiina’s striking sounds echoed through the floor—men, dou, kote. Each fluid connection drew every eye in the room. Even I found myself holding my breath.

“Next, please!”

At Shiina’s bright call, Moe and I readied our stopwatches. Sweat beaded in the steamy hall, but there was no time to mind it.

***

Before I knew it, it was 11:30. Morning practice ended.

After stretching, the members raced to the shower room, eager to rinse off hours of movement in the muggy heat with cold water. Moe and I tidied equipment, then followed them.

At lunch, everyone split by gender to sit. The menu: teriyaki chicken donburi, komatsuna and corn salad, minestrone-style soup, and one boiled egg. Consistent with last night, the camp meals emphasized protein.

I glanced at Shiina—she was eating while receiving kendo advice from a senpai. After morning practice, she seemed fully switched into competition mode.

My eyes met Moe’s beside her. As fellow managers supporting the club together, a strange sense of camaraderie had formed; I couldn’t help smiling back. Moe gave a small, happy wave.

The guys watching started tossing teasing jabs laced with envy. I gave a wry smile and brushed them off casually.

As lunch wound down, the advisor murmured,

“The weather’s nice today. Fuji looks beautiful.”

Thinking it auspicious, I decided to go see it during the post-lunch break.

***

After leaving the dining hall and changing shoes in the lobby, a voice called from behind.

“Hey, Ryuuji, where’re you going?”

Turning, I saw Shiina and Moe buying drinks from the vending machine.

“Figured I’d take the chance to go see Fuji.”

“Eh? Can we come too? Moe, you in?”

“Yeah, I wanna gooo.”

“Sure, let’s all go.”

The three of us headed out to view Fuji in light clothes—T-shirts and shorts. We passed the parked bus in the lot, walked the private road toward the lake, then took a side path down to it after reaching the public road.

The summer sun scorched our skin. After a short walk, we reached the lake’s pier. Tourists, anglers, and local kids were enjoying themselves in their own ways; the place buzzed with life.

And beyond it—Mount Fuji. Under a cloudless blue sky, the sharp ridgeline stood out vividly.

“…Amazing…”

The word slipped out in awe. Shiina and Moe both breathed soft “Whoa”s, entranced. The lake’s water, tinted deep blue from basalt volcanic influence, was strikingly clear. Its mystical beauty only amplified Fuji’s grandeur.

“Hey, let’s take a photo?”

At Shiina’s suggestion, I nodded eagerly. Seeing me, Moe giggled.

“Ryuuji-kun, you’re like a little kid.”

Shiina set her phone on the pier’s stand and set the timer. Moe and I positioned ourselves with Fuji in the background.

“Here we go—!”

At her call, Shiina dashed over to my side. With me in the middle, she and Moe flanked me, each looping an arm through mine. The unexpected closeness and softness froze me in place as the shutter clicked.

“Hehe. We look like a couple of three, don’t we?”

Shiina showed the fresh photo with a mischievous grin. On screen, my face was bright red, caught in startled surprise.

“I demand a retake.”

“Nope~ It’s a great shot.”

“Yeah, Ryuuji-kun. You look super cuteee.”

“Besides, someone’s already waiting next.”

My protest was swiftly denied. Well, fine. It was a good memory anyway. I laughed in half-exasperation, yet somehow not entirely displeased as I looked at the two of them.

***

By 14:30, afternoon practice began.

Moe and I finished preparations while the members dove into striking drills and applied practice. We stood beside the advisor, watching over them. The members’ energy peaked; the hall’s heat reached a fever pitch. Combined with the summer swelter, it felt like a sauna.

Glancing sideways, I noticed Moe’s face paling slightly, her body swaying. It looked like dizziness.

“Moe, you okay?”

“Huh? Ah… I got a little dizzy maybeyy…”

I quickly told the advisor, then led Moe to the air-conditioned lobby. The cool air made her shoulders drop in relief.

“Moe, loosen your clothes a bit. Tight stuff makes the dizziness worse.”

“O-Okay…”

She pulled her T-shirt hem out of her pants and slipped off her track pants. The sweet, distinctly feminine scent that wafted out made my head spin more than hers, but I kept calm and guided her to the sofa.

“Lie down. Rest a little and it’ll pass.”

“U-Un.”

Moe looked up at me with flushed cheeks, giving a limp smile.

“Thanks…”

“It’s no big deal. Just close your eyes for now.”

I went to the vending machine for mineral water and returned.

“Drink this and wait. I’ll cool a towel.”

I hurried back with my towel soaked in water. Moe had sat up slightly to sip the water.

“You good? Here.”

When I pressed the cold towel to her neck, she let out a small gasp.

“Hya…”

Her complexion looked better already.

“Under the arms or inner thighs helps too if you cool those.”

I couldn’t exactly do those spots myself, so I handed her the towel. But her face, which had improved, now looked hesitant.

“I’m still dizzy… Could you maybe…?”

She returned the towel, raised her right arm, rolled up her sleeve, and exposed her underarm. I let out a quiet “…Eh?” but realized heatstroke might make self-cooling difficult, so I gently applied the wet towel.

“Ah… Nn…”

Moe let out a soft, troubled moan. Between concern for her and the rising heat inside me, I desperately held my emotions in check.

I looked after her for about an hour.

“Yeah… I’m okay now. Thanks…”

Confirming she was better, I told her to rest more, then returned to the hall with my heart pounding.

***

Past 16:00, the kendo club began mock matches. I watched the intense, tournament-like keiko alongside a recovered Moe.

After the members’ bouts finished, it was finally Shiina’s turn. Her opponent: Saeki-senpai, a third-year with calm, formidable spirit—the second-strongest among the girls after Shiina.

“Begin!”

At the command, both stepped in. Shiina took the lead with a speedy men strike, but Saeki-senpai didn’t flinch. She parried at the shortest distance and instantly reversed her body.

“Men-ari!”

The advisor’s call. First point to Saeki-senpai. A murmur rose from the watching members. Shiina exhaled, narrowing her eyes behind the men. A faint spark of defiance gleamed.

“It’s not over yet.”

She took stance again. This time she didn’t rush—slowly closing distance. The moment Saeki-senpai stepped back, Shiina advanced.

“Kote!”

The shinai flashed low with a crisp crack.

“Kote-ari!”

She took one back. Beside me, Moe unconsciously clenched her fist.

The match came down to the final point. Neither yielded in attack or defense. After a tsubazeriai broke, Saeki-senpai lunged sharply for men. Shiina had read it. From a slightly delayed stance, she stepped in with a single flash.

“Hiki-men!”

The shinai sliced the air, perfectly timing Saeki-senpai’s men.

“Men! Ippon-ari! Shoubu-ari!”

With the advisor’s call, the members exhaled as one. For a moment, Shiina stood frozen, shinai still raised. When Saeki-senpai quietly removed her men and smiled,

“…That was a good men, Shiina.”

“Thank you very much!”

Wiping sweat, Shiina bowed deeply. The tension snapped like a cut string, and a soft smile returned to her face.

And so, day two of camp practice came to a close.

***

After cleanup and a shower, all that remained was dinner and waiting for recreation time. Yet my heart felt strangely restless.

On the way to the dining hall, I ran into Shiina around a corner in the hallway.

“Hey.”

“Ah, Ryuuji…”

She seemed a little distant today. Her cheeks were faintly flushed.

“That last hiki-men against Saeki-senpai—the timing was incredible.”

At my words, Shiina blinked in surprise, then relaxed into a small smile.