Parameter Supremacy: The Man Who Seizes a Harem Through Sheer Effort. - Chapter 62.

Episode 62: Yukata and the Summer Festival.

A few days had passed since the training camp ended.

In just a few more, Shiina’s Inter-High main tournament would begin.

One afternoon, my new girlfriend Shiina invited me to the local summer festival—an annual event held at the neighborhood shrine.

We hadn’t been dating long, and we still hadn’t done anything particularly “couple-like.” I’d been thinking it would be nice to spend some time alone with her. The invitation felt like perfect timing. I agreed without hesitation.

When the day came, though, it turned out I wouldn’t be alone with Shiina after all—Moe and Matsuri-chan were coming too. Honestly, I felt a twinge of disappointment, but I’d already promised Matsuri-chan we’d hang out before summer break ended, and if this could serve as a breather for Shiina before her big tournament, then it wasn’t so bad.

Shiina and Moe were planning to wear yukata.

While I wondered what I should do, Midori-san—seemingly reading my mind without a word—offered to lend me Masaya-san’s yukata.

***

I slipped into the indigo yukata. It was a touch small, but wearable. A glance in the mirror showed nothing obviously off.

After a simple tying job, I sat on the sofa. The fabric breathed better than regular clothes, leaving me faintly restless. Before long, Milk—the white cat who had completely warmed up to me over the past few days—leapt onto my lap and began kneading enthusiastically, making biscuits.

The living-room clock ticked steadily—kachi, kachi. I pretended to scroll on my phone, but really I was straining to hear the laughter and voices drifting from down the hallway.

“Hey, Moe, hold your chest properly—don’t move.”

“Ah… O-Okay… Um, Shii-chan, isn’t it tight for you?”

“It’s fine. Midori-san is really good at this… Ah… Nn…”

Midori-san’s calm instructions. Moe and Shiina’s soft, troubled gasps. My worldly thoughts were steadily accumulating…

Eventually, the pat-pat of bare feet approached from the hallway.

“Wow, Ryuuji—you look cool!”

Shiina was the first to peek out. Pale aqua yukata with a white obi. Goldfish patterns floated gently across the fabric. Combined with her usual mature air, she looked every bit the classic Yamato nadeshiko straight out of a painting.

Behind her came Moe, a little shy.

“Seriously… the yukata suits you so well~”

Navy ground with morning glory motifs. Her fluffy chestnut hair was swept up, exposing the nape of her neck—an uncommon, special sight that made my pulse skip.

““…How do we look?””

They asked in perfect unison, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. I was momentarily speechless.

“…They suit you. Both of you—you’re really cute.”

That was all I could manage. Midori-san folded her arms and nodded with quiet satisfaction.

“Hehe. There really is something different about young girls in yukata.”

Shiina and Moe exchanged glances and laughed shyly. Standing side by side, they gave a little twirl. Hemlines fluttered softly; goldfish and morning glories swayed. Both were perfectly summery—impossible to rank one above the other.

“Hey, Ryuuji—which yukata do you prefer?”

Shiina asked with a mischievous grin.

“That’s way too hard a question…”

Both of them blushed deeper and stared at me intently. Their gazes were so earnest it didn’t feel like a joke anymore.

For a second I looked away. Moe had an adorable, protective charm. Shiina carried a mature sensuality. Two completely different appeals—impossible to compare.

“…Honestly, I can’t decide.”

“Ehh~ Why not~!”

Shiina puffed out her cheeks. Moe gave a small laugh and shrugged. “That’s so like you, Ryuuji-kun~” The tension finally eased out of me.

***

Stepping outside, the sky was dyed madder red, and the faint thump of taiko drums carried from afar.

“Wow… it’s already started~”

Moe said excitedly. Her white geta clacked crisply against the asphalt. Shiina walked a little more quietly, one hand occasionally steadying her obi against the breeze.

Still adjusting to the slightly small geta, I followed a step behind the two of them. Their yukata silhouettes glowed in the setting sun; tiny bells on their obi jingled with each step. Wind chimes tinkled along the roadside, noren curtains swayed gently in front of small diners in the evening air.

As we drew closer to the festival grounds, the murmur of the crowd grew louder. Lanterns in every color lit up the summer night.

***

By the time the shrine’s torii gate came into view, night had fully settled. Rows of glowing lanterns, the calls of stall vendors, the savory smell of yakisoba drifting everywhere.

Moe checked her phone.

“Matsuri-chan says she’s already here—by the vending machines just before the torii.”

We quickened our pace. Ahead, near the machines, several men stood chatting. In the middle of them stood a striking figure in yukata.

It was Matsuri-chan.

White ground with pale pink floral patterns. The gentle curve from shoulder to waist, a subdued light-purple obi. Her hair was pinned up with golden kanzashi that caught the light; pale wisteria geta peeked from beneath the hem. She looked like a living painting.

But her expression was slightly clouded.

“Just for a little while! Come on~”

“We’ll treat you at the stalls.”

The men spoke in light, casual tones, crowding around her. I frowned.

“…Hey.”

Before I realized it, my feet had moved. I stepped between them and Matsuri-chan protectively.

“She’s with me. Sorry, but find someone else.”

The air shifted for a moment. The men glanced at my face, clicked their tongues—“What, her boyfriend?”—and wandered off.

“…You okay?”

When I turned back, Matsuri-chan gave a small smile and nodded.

“Thanks, Sagara-cchi. I was startled, but… you really saved me!”

Up close, her cheeks were faintly flushed.

“Sorry I made you wait.”

“No no, I just got here too!”

At that moment Moe and Shiina hurried over.

“Matsuri-chan, are you all right?”

Moe asked with concern.

“Yeah! Sagara-cchi rescued me~!”

Matsuri-chan laughed a little bashfully. Shiina and Moe exchanged wry smiles.

“Matsuri-chan, your yukata… it looks amazing!”

“Really beautiful…”

At their words, Matsuri-chan smiled shyly.

***

The approach to the shrine was packed with people. Fragrant smells—savory and sweet—wafted from the stalls. Distant taiko beats mixed with vendors’ calls. The festival atmosphere soaked into every inch of my skin.

What should we eat first…? I was thinking when—

“Let’s do target shooting!”

Matsuri-chan, fully recovered from the earlier shock, bounded over to the shooting gallery. Shiina and Moe looked mildly surprised—clearly they’d been prioritizing food.

Matsuri-chan accepted the toy gun with a serious expression, aimed at a plushie…

Bang!

She missed. Her shoulders drooped as she gave a rueful laugh. I spoke up lightly.

“Matsuri-chan, keep your elbow in, lean forward a bit more when you aim. And go for lighter prizes.”

She nodded and readied the gun again. Her stance wobbled, arms trembling. I gently steadied her elbow with my hand…

Bang!

The shot hit a box of cocoa sugar cigarettes perfectly; it dropped with a soft thud.

“Yay~! Thanks, Sagara-cchi~!”

Matsuri-chan grabbed my hand and bounced up and down in delight. After a few jumps she seemed to realize we were still holding hands—her face went scarlet. Glancing at Shiina and Moe, she let go awkwardly. For a split second as our fingers parted, she looked faintly lonely.

After shooting, Moe wanted a turn, so we moved to the cookie-cutter stall. She took one of the intricate molds and began carefully carving with the needle.

Shiina, Matsuri-chan, and I crouched at the simple plywood-on-beer-crate table alongside kids. With my left hand I painstakingly scraped away…

Crack…

Mine broke first. Cookie-cutting had become something of a rarity these days, but it turned out to be surprisingly fun. Beside me, Shiina and Matsuri-chan were carving with intense focus.

Crack…

Both of theirs broke almost simultaneously. Failure.

Matsuri-chan clutched her head with an “Aww~!” while Shiina murmured “Too baaad~” and leaned against me. The old-fashioned scent of the yukata mingled with Shiina’s sweet fragrance, stirring something strange inside me.

On my other side, Moe was still meticulously working. She’d always excelled at arcade games too—this kind of delicate task suited her surprisingly well. The grooves were deepening nicely. Just when I thought she might actually succeed—

Crack…

Moe’s broke too. She furrowed her brows in frustration, wiping sweat from her forehead with the tenugui Midori-san had lent her. Startled, she touched her own forehead at the same moment—Moe’s fingertip brushed mine. She quickly looked away, cheeks pink. Beside me, Shiina leaned closer and let out a soft, amused “fufu.”

***

“Okay, I’m seriously starving now.”

I pressed my stomach and grumbled at the three of them, who were still sparkling-eyed and debating what to do next. Matsuri-chan aside, Shiina and Moe had originally come for food—yet somehow they’d gotten completely swept up in the games.

“Whoops! Sagara-cchi~ Sorryyy~”

Matsuri-chan clapped her hands together in front of her face with a bright grin. Shiina and Moe’s guilty expressions were unexpectedly adorable.

“Hey—yakisoba! I want some~”

Shiina’s voice lifted with excitement as her eyes lit up at the stall line. The savory aroma drifted over; noodles sizzled loudly on the griddle. Sweet sauce fragrance tickled my nose—I swallowed reflexively.

“All right, let’s line up.”

At my words, Matsuri-chan bounced into place. Shiina slipped her arm through my left one; Moe gently pinched the sleeve of my yukata on the right, staying close like she was guarding that bandaged arm. All three of them gazed at the grilling yakisoba with shining eyes.

We inched forward. Cabbage, meat, and noodles danced vividly on the iron plate. The vendor flipped them with practiced skill; steam and fragrance billowed up each time. I felt Shiina’s body heat against my left arm while watching the cooking. Moe whispered softly beside me, “Wow, looks delicious…” Matsuri-chan stared with a beaming smile.

When our turn came, I ordered four. The vendor stir-fried the noodles, coated them in sauce, and wrapped them up. Steam warmed my face; my stomach growled audibly at the smell.

Carrying the packs, we moved to the quieter area behind the shrine grounds. No chairs—so we crouched down and opened them. The smell was incredible. Matsuri-chan chirped “Itadakimasu!” and dug in happily. We followed suit. Cheap festival yakisoba, yet somehow deeply satisfying. I finished mine in no time.

***

After tossing the empty containers, Matsuri-chan declared she wanted something sweet. We wandered the approach again. Shiina held the back of my yukata gently from behind; Moe rested her hand lightly on the bandage of my right arm.

I suddenly realized I had accepted Moe’s contact as natural, swept up in the festival mood. When I glanced at Shiina in a mild panic, she watched Moe’s actions with a gentle smile.

Normally one might expect jealousy, but today she seemed unusually at peace. No—not just today. Ever since we returned from camp, Moe had been just as physically affectionate and attentive as ever.

Yet whenever I got flustered by it, Shiina never showed jealousy—instead, it almost felt like she was quietly cheering Moe on…

“If—if, hypothetically—Moe said she wanted to date you… what would you do?”

I remembered Shiina’s words on the walk home after my confession. No way… I shook my head and stopped thinking about it.

***

“Next—candy apples! Let’s get some!”

Matsuri-chan said energetically. I bought them for everyone and handed out the bright-red treats. Moe let out a soft “Wow~” and brought hers to her lips. Our hands brushed at close range—my heart jumped. No, no. I’m Shiina’s boyfriend…

While walking and eating, Shiina whispered quietly.

“Can we… hold hands?”

I offered my left hand. She wrapped her right one around it gently. Warmth spread slowly. We’d started holding hands more naturally lately, but my pulse still quickened. Moe kept stealing glances, clearly aware of the distance. Matsuri-chan watched us intently from a slight remove.

“Hey, Shiina-cchi. Sagara-cchi. Wait… are you two…?”

Before she could finish, I lifted our joined hands.

“Yeah. Shiina and I are dating.”

“EHHHHHHH?!?!”

Matsuri-chan’s voice cut through the festival noise in sheer shock.

“Eh? Eh?! Since when??”

“Um… since the last day of camp…”

Shiina answered with an embarrassed face. Adorable.

“Wooow… seriously?! But Shiina-cchi—congratulations!!”

Matsuri-chan’s stunned expression melted into a huge, genuine smile.

***

At the cotton candy stall, Shiina brought the fluffy pink cloud to her mouth; I couldn’t help smiling. A little farther away, Moe and Matsuri-chan watched us.

“Shiina-cchi, I’m so happy for you~”

“Yeah.”

“Moe-cchi… are you okay?”

“Yeah~ I’m in the middle of doing my best right now~”

Moe answered with a light, airy smile.

“That’s such a nice smile. Love really is amazing, huh~”

Matsuri-chan’s expression was admiring… and just a little lonely.

“What about you, Matsuri-chan?”

“Eh?”

“Don’t you like Ryuuji-kun?”

The sudden question caught her off guard.

“Hmm~ Sagara-cchi’s a great guy, for sure. But I think I’ll pass on romance for a while~”

Her face clouded slightly—perhaps thinking of Satou Minato.

“I see…”

Once, Moe and Matsuri-chan had liked the same person. Both of those feelings had ended. Their childhood-friend bond would slowly change from here. Knowing that made their gazes toward Shiina and me faintly bittersweet.