Parameter Supremacy: The Man Who Seizes a Harem Through Sheer Effort. - Chapter 85.

Three Fingers.

Moe sat in formal seiza, quietly waiting for my words.

***

We had met up in front of the station before noon.

Moe was wearing a soft, pale lavender frilled top paired with slightly wide-leg faded denim pants. On her feet were comfortable sneakers that prioritized ease of movement.

It was a casual outfit that still felt feminine and unpretentious. Looking back, Moe was as stylish and adorable as ever.

After that, we immediately went into a family restaurant for lunch. We each ordered different pastas, shared them on small plates, and nibbled on the pizza we’d ordered as a side. The conversation naturally flowed as we talked about the original novel the movie was based on.

The afternoon sunlight was still intense. We rode the train while it swayed gently, heading toward a movie theater in the neighboring town.

We had plenty of time.

At the theater, we spun the gacha machines together, won some incomprehensible character goods that made no sense, and burst out laughing as we looked at each other.

We ordered the couple’s popcorn and drinks, grabbed a blanket, and headed into the screening room.

During the movie, I stole several glances at Moe. She smiled faintly at times, teared up a little at others, and at the end let out a satisfied “Haa~” with a big sigh. I still remember it clearly.

We stayed until the very end of the credits, then I accompanied her while she bought a pamphlet. Since we had just finished watching, topics kept bubbling up one after another, and our conversation never ran dry.

Before we knew it, it was already nearing evening, though the sun was still relatively high.

We stepped into a stylish café and ordered iced coffee with light snacks. Even though we continued talking about the movie, both of us were slightly conscious of what was coming next. I could sense a faint tension creeping into our voices.

By the time we left the café, it was fully evening.

We returned to our local station, stopped by the supermarket, and shopped together for tonight’s dinner ingredients. The whole experience felt strangely like we were a cohabiting couple. When I glanced at Moe, she smiled back with a slightly embarrassed expression.

By the way, I’ll honestly admit now that I was almost completely useless in the supermarket.

***

We arrived at my house, and I invited Moe inside. She had come as far as the entrance before, but this was the first time she had stepped into my actual room.

I felt a little nervous, as expected.

It was a small room. I had worried she might be put off, but that concern proved unnecessary.

…No, not unnecessary. Maybe I should just say it was my own familiar territory.

She smoothly went to wash her hands, then efficiently put the ingredients away in the refrigerator.

I wondered if Midori-san had told her about the layout after her one visit.

When I muttered that I felt like drinking coffee, she poured drip coffee into a mug without me even telling her where anything was.

How did she know exactly where everything was stored!?

At this point, the suspicion of hidden cameras and wiretapping was starting to feel dangerously real.

I remembered the unnatural flood of messages on the night Shiina had stayed over.

That said, I had searched the place myself and hadn’t found any obvious devices. What was going on?

Well, catching her red-handed was probably impossible… For now, I’d at least throw out a jab.

“You sure knew exactly where the coffee was. It’s almost like you’ve been here before…”

“Th-that was just a coincidence~”

I glanced at her. She averted her eyes slightly, but I didn’t miss it—the amount of cold sweat she was breaking.

I couldn’t help letting out a sigh.

“Haa… I’ll let it slide for now. Make sure you remove everything by the end of today.”

I said it in a joking tone, then headed to the toilet.

I could hear frantic footsteps scurrying around outside the door, but we had an agreement. I’d pretend I didn’t hear anything.

I stayed in the toilet for a solid ten minutes before returning to the room.

Moe was still preparing dinner in the kitchen, but I knew her forehead was drenched in sweat and she was breathing heavily in small gasps.

For now… I’d give her a suspended sentence.

Dinner was cabbage rolls.

Whether it was illegal entry, hidden cameras, or wiretapping, the exact charge wasn’t clear yet, but somehow she had chosen a menu that showed perfect knowledge of my kitchen utensils.

A single guy living alone didn’t have anything fancy, after all.

Well, it was water under the bridge. I’d let it slide.

As for her cooking skills, they were nothing short of impressive. Midori-san was a good cook too, so perhaps this was her direct teaching. I thought to myself that Moe would make a wonderful wife someday. Even if she did have a slight criminal vibe.

“Moe, this is seriously delicious.”

I placed a cabbage roll on white rice, cut it in half, and took a big bite. The meat juices that spilled out soaked into the rice, making it even more flavorful.

She really did make bentos every day. It was easy to imagine how she had captured Satou’s stomach as well.

Yeah… knowing I was the one eating this now felt like excellent revenge.

I nodded to myself in satisfaction.

“I’m glad you like it~”

Moe watched me devour the food with a bright, happy smile, chewing her own rice in small, adorable bites.

It had been a while since I last shared a meal with Moe like this. I couldn’t deny feeling a little sentimental.

After we finished eating, I started clearing the dishes. Moe offered to do it, but I felt bad about letting her handle everything. I more or less forcibly claimed the right to wash up.

“Moe, you can go take a shower first if you want?”

I said it casually. It might have been a habit from spending time with Shiina. At the very least, it felt natural to me now that I was spending more time with girls.

“Huh? Shower?”

Our eyes met as Moe looked slightly flustered. I immediately thought, Crap.

Of course she would react that way. At the very least, I had experience with women, and this room was my main battlefield.

As for Moe’s experience with men… I hadn’t asked, but she didn’t seem used to this at all. I might have given her the wrong idea.

“No, sorry. I didn’t mean it in a weird way.”

“Weird way?”

“Yeah, I’m not saying I’m going to devour you or anything. It just slipped out naturally…”

“Naturally… I see~ So, if it was Shi-chan, would you take a shower together after this?”

It wasn’t a scary expression. She simply looked curious.

“Huh? Well, yeah. Taking a shower together does happen sometimes.”

“I see, I see. Then… maybe I’ll borrow the shower too~”

“Huh?”

“Hey, Ryuuji-kun… Um… How about we… take a shower… together?”

***

And so we returned to the beginning.

I quickly finished washing the dishes, dried my hands, and had Moe sit properly on the tatami floor.

It wasn’t that I was angry about Moe’s sense of chastity. I simply judged that the two of us had not yet reached that stage of our relationship.

I had been gauging the right moment all day to say what I needed to say. We had nearly jumped straight into the “shower together” event, but I had managed to keep things in the proper order at the last second.

I sat down as well, straightened my back, and faced Moe directly.

“Sorry about that big scene I made in the classroom the other day. I made you go along with the lie that we were already lovers.”

Moe shook her head vigorously.

“No, it made me really happy. Even if it was a lie, you called me your girlfriend. And that the whole class and everyone in club accepted it… All of it made me incredibly happy.”

“…”

She smiled gently, gazing at me with eyes full of affection. Damn. I couldn’t hold back anymore.

“That really was an impulsive lie at the time. But even then, I had already reached my answer.”

“Your answer?”

“Yeah.”

I had thought long and hard about what kind of confession to make.

When I confessed to Shiina, I remembered rambling on and on about my circumstances and feelings.

Looking back now, that confession had been indecisive and pathetic.

But back then, those were the best words I could manage.

I was no longer the same person I had been then.

Life at the Isshiki house, memories from summer break, time spent with Shiina.

After experiencing so many things, my heart had grown as well.

Right now, I was seriously in love with Shiina.

It was unmistakable romantic affection, with no room for doubt.

Romantic affection. I was capable of feeling it.

That was exactly why I didn’t need complicated words.

I looked straight into Moe’s eyes and felt a fire ignite within my own emotions.

Yes… I had known for quite some time.

I felt this way about her.

So much it was overwhelming.

“I like you.”

“Ah…”

A tiny sound, almost like a breath, slipped from Moe’s lips.

“I… I like you too, Ryuuji-kun…”

Tears overflowed as if a dam had broken. She crouched down, covering her face with both hands.

I waited quietly until her tears began to subside.

***

After a while, Moe lifted her face, eyes still glistening.

Seeing her expression, I felt a small wave of relief. It looked like it would be okay to continue.

I straightened my posture once more and looked at her. Just one more line.

“Moe, will you become my girlfriend?”

The tears that had started to settle spilled over again just a little, but Moe seemed to be desperately holding them back.

She placed three fingers on the floor in a formal bow and said,

“Please take care of me.”

Then she raised her head. Her face was still teary, but a faint smile had formed on her lips.

Silence.

Having properly expressed our feelings, we both felt a little embarrassed.

“Alright then… shall we take that shower together?”

I tried to lighten the mood, saying it in a slightly playful tone so she would know it was a joke.

“Yes. I’ll be in your care for that as well.”

She bowed with three fingers on the floor once again.

“Huh?”

“Fufufu, Ryuuji-kun. Then… shall we take a shower together~?”

It was a slightly rare, impish little-devil expression from Moe. As if she had me completely wrapped around her finger.

And so, before our first night together, it was decided that Moe and I would take a shower together.