Parameter Supremacy: The Man Who Seizes a Harem Through Sheer Effort. - Chapter 71.

Episode 71: The Night of the Sleepover and Moe’s Strange Behavior.

“Excuse me~♪”

“Yeah, come on in.”

It was just a few minutes before 6 PM. Shiina arrived at my room carrying a large plastic bag stuffed full of ingredients.

“That’s a lot. Are you planning to cook something?”

“Yeah. Curry rice. It’s pretty much the only thing I can make properly.”

Shiina gave a wry smile as she admitted her lack of cooking skills.

“Don’t worry about that. Just being able to eat something you made with your own hands makes me happy.”

She set the bag of ingredients down in the kitchen and began pulling everything out with her usual practiced movements. The plain, single-person kitchen somehow looked brighter and more lively today.

I took out my wallet from the desk, pulled out 2,000 yen, and handed it to her. I didn’t know the exact cost, but it shouldn’t be too little for one person’s share.

“Eh, you don’t have to…”

“It’s my way of showing appreciation, so please take it.”

“Haah, fine then. I’ll gratefully accept it~!”

She took the money in a playful manner and tucked it into her own wallet.

“Should we start dinner right away?”

To be honest, I had been thinking we might go out to eat once she arrived, but it was still a little early for our usual dinner time. Even so, watching Shiina happily prepare to cook while wearing the apron she had brought made me feel bad about putting it off.

“Yeah, let’s eat soon. Want me to help with anything?”

“Okay. Then could you handle the rice?”

“Got it.”

Working together might finish things faster than usual, and the whole situation felt pleasantly couple-like. I opened the rice cooker, added the measured rice, and began preparing it.

Glancing sideways at Shiina, I saw her starting to peel the vegetables. She had claimed she wasn’t good at cooking, but her hands were surprisingly skilled as she neatly peeled the skins with the kitchen knife.

“Once the rice is ready, you can leave the rest to me. You can watch TV and wait, Ryuuji.”

They say a man should stay out of the kitchen. Watching Shiina cook in the living area, I couldn’t help but think she looked far more picturesque than I ever would.

“Hmm~ hmm~♪”

Shiina hummed cheerfully while cooking. The apron really suited her. I had turned on the TV to fill the silence, but my eyes kept drifting back to her instead of the screen. A famous comedian was making exaggerated reactions, yet it barely registered. Shiina noticed my gaze and turned around.

“Hm? What’s up?”

She really did look beautiful. She seemed more maternal than usual, and for a moment I even saw a faint resemblance to my mother. Come to think of it, the last memory I had of a woman cooking in this shabby kitchen was indeed my mom.

“No, I was just remembering my mother a little. I don’t really remember her face though.”

“…I see. Is that a positive memory for you, Ryuuji?”

“Yeah, it’s not a bad feeling.”

“Good. Then I’m glad.”

Shiina looked at me with eyes full of gentle affection and gave a soft, warm smile.

“Ufufu, it’ll be ready soon, so just wait a bit longer~”

“Hmm~ hmm~♪”

Still in a great mood, Shiina resumed humming and returned to cooking.

***

“Thanks for the meal.”

I scooped up a spoonful of the curry rice in front of me and took a bite.

The slightly rustic chunks of potato melted softly in my mouth. It was a simple curry made with standard roux and common ingredients. Compared to restaurant curry, it might have felt lacking, but this was exactly what “home cooking” should taste like. And above all, the secret ingredient—“made by my girlfriend”—turned this simple curry into the best dinner imaginable.

“It’s delicious.”

I told her with a natural smile.

“Really?”

Even as she asked, Shiina looked quite pleased.

“Yeah, really. I’m not used to home-cooked meals, so this kind of cooking actually makes me the happiest.”

When I spoke from the heart, Shiina smiled with clear relief.

“I see, I see. Then what should I make next time? Omurice? Or maybe nikujaga?”

Shiina wasn’t particularly skilled at cooking. Even so, the fact that she was willing to make something for me filled me with joy.

“Any of those sound great. Maybe I’ll cook something too next time.”

“Ah, then let’s cook together! We can invite Moe too and have a little party♪”

“That sounds fun. Now, what should we make…”

We brainstormed ideas together. These small future plans felt like a soothing drug, reassuring me that my relationship with Shiina would continue.

***

After finishing dinner and cleaning up the dishes, I thought about how the rest of the night should go.

The most normal option would probably be to take a shower. But that reminded me of the last time Shiina had showered here. My place was small. Changing clothes with someone of the opposite sex in the same room required consideration.

Maybe we should step outside while the other changed… Such thoughts crossed my mind.

“Ryuuji? What should we do about the shower?”

My thoughts were interrupted as I turned to Shiina.

“Right. I’ll wait outside the door, so you can go first.”

To be honest, our relationship had progressed since last time, and part of me felt a slight expectation. Still, showering together with a girl I had only kissed so far felt inappropriate. I was simply trying to act like a gentleman. I wasn’t being a coward. Definitely not.

“Aww, and here I was thinking we could take one together♪”

That mischievous comment made things difficult for me.

“Alright then, let’s shower together.”

I wasn’t against playing along with the joke.

“Eh…? You’re serious?”

She had probably meant it as her usual light teasing. Shiina’s face turned bright red as she stared at me.

“Just kidding. Go on, hurry up and get in.”

With that, I stepped out of the room. —Ah, but I had a feeling that if I had pushed a little, it might have worked. What a waste.

***

Just how far should we go tonight?

We had both finished showering and were now in our sleepwear, watching television. Shiina was using my lap as a pillow, giggling away at some variety show. A mug of coffee sat on the low table, but if it spilled in this position, it would be disastrous for Shiina’s face. I stared at the slowly cooling mug while thinking such things.

It had been about half a month since we started dating. For a couple that had already reached kissing, how far should we advance? The situation was “sleeping over together.” No parents or friends would interfere.

This was just a hypothesis, but when a girl in a relationship—especially one who came alone at night to a guy’s solo apartment—didn’t that count as a form of consent for “that kind of thing”? We had already showered and there was only one futon. Was this a guaranteed win?

The question was how to advance smoothly. How could I make it happen naturally? Right now, the target was giggling on my lap. The time was just past 10 PM. Should I change this mood-killing variety show first? No… Shiina seemed to be enjoying it. Maybe I should wait a little longer.

What was even the appropriate time for such acts anyway? Damn it, as someone with no experience, I couldn’t come up with a proper plan. Wait, should I even be planning this at all? What about Shiina’s feelings? There was a good chance she only came over because she simply wanted to be together. It might still be too early.

For a while, I gently stroked Shiina’s hair as we watched television in a strangely peaceful atmosphere. When the program ended, I glanced at the top left of the screen and saw that it was past 10 PM.

Shiina let out a small yawn while looking comfortable under my hand. She stared straight ahead for about five minutes before letting out a sigh.

“Alright!”

With sudden determination, Shiina looked up at me from my lap with upturned eyes. Then, naturally:

“Ryuuji, let’s have sex.”

“…”

She said it so casually that all my earlier agonizing felt ridiculous. Her face was bright red as she spoke those words. How pathetic. I had made her say it again.

“I-Is that okay?”

“Yeah. It’s okay. I want to have sex with Ryuuji.”

“Is this your first time?”

“Yeah. First time. What about you, Ryuuji?”

“Eh? Ah, yeah… I don’t have any experience either.”

“I see. That’s good.”

She smiled with visible relief.

“For the first time… it hurts, right?”

“Hmm. I don’t have experience, but I heard it depends on the person.”

“I see… Ah, but sorry. I don’t have any condoms.”

I realized too late that I didn’t even have the bare minimum equipment.

“Fufufu.”

Shiina suddenly burst into laughter.

“Let me show you why they call me talented and beautiful!”

With those words, she got up and knee-walked over to her bag, rummaging through it noisily. The line didn’t quite match the clumsy action.

“Ta-da!”

With a dramatic flourish, she held up a box of condoms.

“You really are an excellent girlfriend.”

I was already half-laughing. Well, with everything prepared this perfectly, I had no choice but to steel myself. I glanced at Shiina. Despite her bright attitude, she was trembling slightly. I decided to act as reliably as possible.

“Should we brush our teeth first?”

With that, Shiina and I headed to the washroom.

***

We turned off the lights and sat facing each other on the futon. I sat cross-legged while Shiina sat properly on her knees. In the dim light, neither of us could hide our nervousness.

“Please take care of me…”

“Eh, ah… yeah, same here.”

We awkwardly bowed to each other, then couldn’t help but laugh. Like slow, lazy magnets, we gradually drew closer—until.

Our lips met in a deep, intertwining kiss. A mixture of love and desire sent a tingling sensation through my mind.

“Haa… haa…”

Even a kendo couple who could run five kilometers without issue found themselves breathless.

At that moment—

Ping

The smartphone beside the pillow rang. Because it happened right in the middle of the kiss, I reflexively glanced at the screen.

MOE: Good evening. Ryuuji-kun, what are you doing?

It was Moe. What terrible timing… A wry smile slipped out.

“Who is it?”

Noticing my expression, Shiina tilted her head.

“Looks like it’s from Moe. Seriously, the timing is insane.”

I placed the phone back by the pillow. Replying now felt wrong. It could wait.

I gently touched Shiina’s cheek and leaned in for another kiss.

Ping

It rang again.

I apologized to Shiina and reluctantly opened the message.

MOE: Was Shii-chan’s curry delicious?

“…Eh?”

Right after that, a flood of notifications poured in.

Ping, ping, ping, ping…

Pingpingpingpingpingping…

The rapid messages wouldn’t stop. The electronic sounds pierced through the quiet room one after another.

“Eep.”

Even Shiina flinched with a startled expression.

“Moe somehow knows we ate curry tonight. Shiina, did you tell her?”

I held onto the hopeful thought that Shiina might have mentioned the menu in advance.

“No… I didn’t tell her…”

The unexpected answer made me scan the room.

Hidden camera? Wiretap? No, I had never even invited Moe into my room before. Even so, there was no explanation for this.

What now? I had already read the messages, but Shiina was here with me right now. My priority was obviously her.

I opened my phone and sent a short reply.

Sagara Ryuuji: How do you know what we ate tonight?

MOE: I guessed right. Woman’s intuition♡

Sagara Ryuuji: Seriously? That’s impressive.

Woman’s intuition? Was that really it? And was it also intuition that made her message right when we were about to be intimate?

For now, I searched “hidden camera” and “wiretap” on my phone. Even after looking around the room and checking the belongings I had taken to Moe’s house, nothing suspicious stood out.

Shiina and I looked at each other.

“…Should we stop for tonight?”

“…Yeah. It’s a shame, but I feel a little uneasy…”

I didn’t want to suspect Moe, but her intuition was far too sharp. I had told her it was fine to message moderately, but this was honestly scary.

“Haah…”

Having come this far only to stop, Shiina’s shoulders slumped as she looked down dejectedly.

“Want to just sleep then?”

“Yeah, can’t be helped. Ah, but I still want to kiss.”

We slipped into the futon together and shared occasional kisses whenever the mood struck. And so, the night we failed to become adults passed by.