Chapter 063: Kissing in Front of Karuizawa and Matsushita / What Do You Mean "Legal Harem"?!
In her groggy state, Karuizawa Kei felt someone gently patting her head.
"Kei!
Kei, time to get up. It's already 7:00 AM!"
She opened her eyes to see her boyfriend, Shimizu Akira, already changed into a tracksuit. He was sweating slightly, looking like he had just returned from a workout. He walked to her side and was calling her to wake up.
"Just a little longer!" Kei, exhausted, closed her eyes and acted spoiled. "Ten more minutes."
Among his eight girlfriends, Kei was the biggest bed-hog.
Akira squinted at her. "That's what you said when I went out at 6:00 AM. You ended up sleeping for another hour."
Kei finally opened her eyes with some reluctance. "Who told you to work so hard yesterday?"
Akira rubbed his forehead. He decided not to mention that last night, Kei was the one who came to his door, dragged him to a room, and tempted him with several packs of "umbrellas." Girls never like to admit that sort of thing.
"Get up. Did you forget? We agreed to eat with Chiaki at 7:30. You're the one who brought it up yesterday."
"Then... give me a morning kiss and I'll get up, okay?" Kei pouted.
Akira was certain she was awake now; otherwise, she wouldn't be able to say something like that. However, he still leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Since she was his girlfriend, he had to pamper her.
Kei giggled with satisfaction and began to slowly change her clothes. Her changing speed was much faster than her waking speed; in less than five minutes, she had swapped into a light blue blouse and tied her hair into a simple high ponytail. Even though it was summer, she still wrapped herself up tightly.
Akira knew she didn't want others to see the scar on her abdomen. Feeling a pang of sympathy, he took her hand, and the two walked out of the room toward the elevator.
"Akira-kun."
"Mhm."
"What time did you wake up this morning?"
"5:30."
"That early?" Kei's eyes widened. "Aren't you tired?"
"I'm okay. I'm used to it."
"As expected of Akira-kun." She leaned against his shoulder and yawned. "I couldn't do it. I can sleep until noon."
"I know."
"Do you think I'm lazy?"
"No."
"Liar, you're definitely judging me in your head."
Akira reached out and pinched her cheek. "I'm not judging you. I just think the way you look while sleeping is quite cute."
Kei's face slowly turned red. "Who compliments someone like that?"
"You don't like it?"
"Hmph, it's just okay."
The two stepped into the elevator, and the doors closed.
"By the way, did Suzune find you a few days ago? Did you two... do it?"
"We did."
"For real? That Suzune? Well, at least you two are finally together!"
"Yeah, though it's been a bit awkward these past few days. When I message her, she always leaves me on 'read'."
"Ah... what did you do?"
"Nothing much. I just wanted her to share her feelings in the moment while we were doing it—hoping she'd call my name more, that sort of thing."
Kei's face turned a deep shade of crimson.
Speaking of which, when she and Akira were intimate, she did those things instinctively without him teaching her. She always felt that sharing feelings in the moment was what couples should do, and it really did feel good.
Wait, saying that—didn't that make her "shameless," just like Suzune said?
The elevator reached the first floor, and the two walked out. Kei scanned the room and quickly spotted Matsushita Chiaki nearby.
"Chiaki!"
Kei waved and pulled Akira over.
Matsushita Chiaki looked up and smiled at them. "You're here. Kei, you're up quite early today."
"Of course!" Kei sat across from her. "I'm very punctual."
"What are you eating? I'll go get it," Akira asked.
"Sandwich and milk for me!" Kei raised her hand.
"Salad and bacon for me," Chiaki said.
Akira nodded and headed for the buffet area. Kei watched his back, giggling to herself again.
"Kei."
"Mhm?"
"You seem very happy every day now."
"Well, I am dating Akira-kun. Speaking of which, how are things progressing between you and him?"
"...Just at the kissing stage."
"Kissing? That's still a long way off." Although Kei had only "bonded" with Akira about ten days ago, she rareley took on the air of a senpai, puffing out her chest. "You need to keep working hard!"
Chiaki said amusedly, "Kei, why are you acting like a veteran in front of me? The reason you managed to land Akira so smoothly was because of the advice I gave you, wasn't it?"
Kei was momentarily speechless. "That... anyway, it's true that you need to work hard!"
"Alright, alright, I know." Chiaki took a sip of orange juice. "But these things can't be rushed. Akira and I have only been dating for a few days. Jumping to the final step all at once isn't realistic. We still have a year and a half left; let's take it slow."
"Chiaki, you actually have a bad habit: you handle other people's problems well, but you always procrastinate with your own. 'Lazy if you can get away with it'—that describes you perfectly."
"I am not like that at all."
Just then, Akira returned with the food trays. "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing!" the two said in unison.
Akira glanced at them. Assuming it was just girl talk, he placed the trays on the table and sat down to eat. The three ate quietly for a while.
Kei watched Chiaki eating silently and suddenly blurted out, "Akira-kun... Chiaki just said she wants to kiss you."
"Chiaki?"
Chiaki wished she could pull her best friend's hair out. Facing Akira's confused gaze, she could only explain awkwardly, "Don't listen to Kei's nonsense, I didn't say that!"
"Yes! You did!"
"Kei!"
"Alright, alright!" Akira rubbed his temples to stop his two girlfriends from brawling. "Kei, this is the cafeteria. It's a public place. How could Chiaki want to kiss here? I know her personality; she hates standing out. She prefers to avoid trouble whenever possible. Stop talking nonsense."
"But—!"
"Chiaki is usually so good to you, can you stop teasing her?"
"But I just wanted you two to get closer..."
"Okay, let's put our business aside for now. Eat first, or the food will get cold."
"Fine..."
The three continued eating. Chiaki felt relieved that her boyfriend understood her personality. But then again, what did "hates standing out, prefers to avoid trouble" mean? While she was happy he understood her, saying it so directly... didn't she need to save face?
He was definitely roasting her "isolationist" personality.
Chiaki instinctively glanced around. She had chosen a seat in the back corner against the wall. At 7:30 AM, most people were still asleep. Almost no one was eating nearby, and no one was paying attention to them.
Truth be told, this was a great spot to block people's vision and do something secret.
Thinking of this, she looked at Kei and cleared her throat. "In that case, Kei, come over here and block for me and Akira-kun."
"Eh? Why? I'm hungry, I'm eating!" Kei protested without thinking.
Chiaki's lip twitched. "Didn't you want to see us kiss? If that's the case, go over there and block other people's view for me. If you block it, I'll kiss him."
Kei froze, then asked excitedly, "Really?"
"Of course."
"Okay!"
Kei took her tray and moved to the opposite seat, her back to the main hall, using her body to block any potential line of sight. She even straightened her back, giving her slender frame the presence of a human shield, then looked back and waved at Chiaki.
"Chiaki, okay! I'm blocking! Kiss him quickly!"
Chiaki suddenly regretted what she had just said.
"Hurry up!" Kei urged. "Weren't you being serious?"
Chiaki took a deep breath and turned to look at Akira sitting next to her. Akira was sipping his miso soup. Seeing her gaze, he put the bowl down.
"...Akira-kun."
"Mhm."
"You... you heard that, right?"
"I heard it."
"Then can you..."
Chiaki bit her lip and didn't finish. Akira felt this breakfast was destined to be interrupted. He took one last lingering sip of soup. Seeing Chiaki's resentful eyes, he quickly reached out to pull her close and pressed his lips against hers.
They stayed like that for a second or two. Chiaki's heart was racing—partly from the physical reaction of the kiss, and partly because Kei was right there watching! This was too thrilling.
"Do it again! Do it again!" Kei spoke up once more.
"Why?!"
"Because you were just pressed together. Can you go a bit deeper? Act like a 'big sister' type."
Chiaki wanted to tear her mouth apart. What did she mean by "deeper"? Wasn't that just French kissing? Even a big sister couldn't be that shameless!
"No!"
"Why? I want to see you two look more intimate!"
"Kei, this is too weird. You're also dating Akira; doesn't it feel weird to watch?"
"Hmm... if it were Akira's other girlfriends, I'd definitely be jealous. But Chiaki is different. You promised to be my best friend for life. I'm happy to see you two take another step forward, so hurry up and continue," Kei said happily.
That's why you're weird!
But hearing Kei talk about being lifelong friends and seeing her genuine happiness, Chiaki felt she couldn't refuse. That expression and those words were too much.
Chiaki pursed her lips. "Akira-kun... can I ask this of you?"
"Okay."
Akira wanted to say "enough is enough, I'm hungry," but seeing her looking at him with those moist eyes, how could a man refuse? He reached out and gently cupped the back of Chiaki's head.
This time, Chiaki didn't close her eyes. Not because she didn't want to, but because her mind went blank and she forgot. She watched Akira's face enlarge before her, and then... his lips pressed against hers.
It wasn't a simple touch like before. Her lips were gently taken in, and a warm sensation spread from her petals. First the upper lip, then the lower, alternating repeatedly.
Kei sat opposite them, her chin resting on her hands, staring directly at the scene. She didn't feel jealousy or find it strange. Watching Chiaki and Akira kiss, a strange feeling welled up in her heart—like seeing her two favorite people finally come together. That sense of satisfaction was even stronger than when she was in a relationship herself.
"Chiaki's hands are shaking."
Akira pulled away slightly, creating a small gap between their lips. "Are you okay?"
Chiaki nodded gently.
"Continue?" Akira asked.
Chiaki bit her lip, then let go.
Kei almost screamed. She quickly covered her mouth, afraid her voice would interrupt the two.
Akira leaned down and kissed her again. This time was more forceful than before.
Chiaki didn't know what to do. She had no experience; she didn't know where to put her hands during a deep kiss, how to adjust her breathing, or how her lips should respond.
She just instinctively leaned on him, closed her eyes, and slightly parted her lips.
The moment Akira's tongue probed in, something seemed to explode in Chiaki's mind. It wasn't pain or discomfort, but an unprecedented, overwhelming tingling sensation that spread from her lips to the tip of her tongue, through her entire mouth, and down her nerves.
It felt incredible.
Akira stopped and pulled back slightly. "Does it hurt?"
Chiaki shook her head, her eyes slightly red—not from pain, but from another inexplicable feeling.
"Then... continue?"
Chiaki didn't answer but leaned in proactively. This time, she was the one kissing him.
"Tsk tsk, saying 'no' with your mouth but your body is being very honest!"
Chiaki heard Kei's voice but didn't stop. Her hands began to wrap around Akira's neck, her lips pressed against his. Akira didn't rush or dominate her; he just quietly let her kiss him, responding occasionally. After about ten seconds, Chiaki finally let go.
"Chiaki."
"Mhm."
"Why are you looking down?"
"Because... it's embarrassing."
Akira stroked her hair. "It's not embarrassing."
"Really?"
"Mhm."
Chiaki finally lifted her head slowly.
"..."
"Hmm?"
"You saw that, didn't you?"
"I saw it. I saw everything clearly," Kei said with a grin. "Chiaki, that was amazing! Did you feel it?"
"I want to hit you."
"You can't beat me. I'm learning boxing now."
Chiaki lifted her head from Akira's shoulder, picked up the orange juice on the table, and drank half a glass in one go. Only then did she feel the temperature of her face drop slightly.
"Akira-kun."
"Mhm."
"Next time... let's go somewhere where there are no people, okay?"
"Okay."
Akira glanced around. Although no one was nearby and kissing Chiaki was very comfortable, being intimate in the cafeteria was still a bit too thrilling. He and Chiaki adjusted their clothes slightly and sat back in their seats.
As he expected, the food was completely cold. Not doing proper business during a meal makes the food get cold—that's common sense.
Chiaki cleared her throat. "Kei, we have to head out after eating."
"Head out where? Wouldn't it be better for the three of us to go shopping?"
"Didn't we promise Kikyo? We're going to her dorm for a meeting. Discussing Akira's multiple girlfriends and the public announcement of his relationships. Besides, there's the Student Council treasure hunt this afternoon, and we both agreed to help."
"The public announcement..." Kei scratched her head. "Oh, right."
Akira knew Kushida Kikyo and the others planned to solve his harem situation, but he hadn't realized there was a treasure hunt today. Seriously, how was this group's intelligence more useful than his daily intel?
He immediately raised his hand. "Uh, can I really not join that group chat?"
"No!" Kei said with a laugh. "There are a lot of secrets in there that only us girls can talk about. You can't join."
"Chiaki?" Akira looked at her with pleading eyes.
To his surprise, Chiaki flipped her wavy hair and said with a "big sister" smile, "Mhm, I also think Akira-kun shouldn't join the group."
Just what kind of messages were they sending in that group normally?! They wouldn't even let him in!
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Lounge
Nagumo Miyabi took out his laptop alone and used his Student Council President authority to connect to the campus network.
As per routine, he scanned the camera locations and saw Shimizu Akira eating in the cafeteria. Today, the girl by his side wasn't just Karuizawa Kei; he also had a date with another beauty, Matsushita Chiaki.
Eating with two beauties was one thing, but after ten minutes, he actually had Karuizawa Kei keep watch while he did something secret with Matsushita Chiaki. It just so happened that the spot was a blind spot for the cameras. No matter how hard Nagumo stared, he couldn't see exactly what was happening.
But a few minutes later, both of them were blushing and adjusting their clothes. No words were needed.
"That guy Shimizu Akira is truly shameless! Getting handsy with girls in the cafeteria, in broad daylight." Nagumo's teeth ached with jealousy. Even he had never done that!
Damn it, getting handsy at breakfast? What would happen by nightfall?
He did a rough count. A few days ago, he was in the lounge with Kushida Kikyo, Hasebe Haruka, and Sakura Airi. Before that, he ate with Amasawa Ichika and was intimate with Nanase Tsubasa. The day before yesterday, he went to the pool with his own childhood friend, Asahina Nazuna. That's already seven or eight people!
Yesterday he called Nazuna to persuade her to stay away from Akira, only for her to say she "didn't care if Akira had multiple girlfriends" and told him to mind his own business.
He was the Student Council President. He was good-looking. His status in school was much higher than Akira's. Why could that second-year kouhai have a girl in each arm while he couldn't even handle one Asahina Nazuna?
No, it wasn't that he couldn't handle her. It was that Nazuna didn't see him as that kind of partner at all. They grew up together; he thought it was an advantage, but he realized later it was a fatal disadvantage. In Nazuna's eyes, he would probably always be "Miyabi-kun from next door," not a man she could date.
And Shimizu Akira? How long had that guy known Nazuna? A year or so? Why was Nazuna so close to him? Why did she say she didn't care if he had multiple girlfriends? Why?!
Nagumo picked up his phone and scrolled to Asahina Nazuna's contact info. He hesitated for a long time before finally exiting the interface. He wouldn't call. Calling would just be seeking humiliation.
He put down the phone and looked back at the screen. The cafeteria surveillance had returned to normal. Akira and the two girls had left, leaving behind empty chairs.
Nagumo stared at that blank space for a while, then closed the surveillance page and opened the school forum.
The top posts were still the same. The post about Kushida Kikyo and Shimizu Akira dating had over 800 replies. At some point, the bottom was filled with comments like "Congratulations," "A good match," and "Jealous." Occasional bitter comments were drowned in a sea of blessings.
He scrolled a few pages and saw another post—titled "Exactly how many girlfriends does Shimizu Akira have?". The poster had organized a list: Kushida Kikyo, Karuizawa Kei, Horikita Suzune, Ichinose Honami, Hasabe Haruka, Sakura Airi, Kamuro Masumi... plus several "to be confirmed," such as Asahina Nazuna and Amasawa Ichika.
Student A: Is this guy here for school or to start a harem?
Student B: He has the capability, why is it your business?
Student C: Exactly. If all your OAA data exceeded Class A and your comprehensive ability score reached about 95, you could start a harem too.
Nagumo's lip twitched as he read the replies. His OAA data was stronger than average, but it was only in the low 80s. He was a far cry from a score of 95.
He closed the forum and called his subordinate directly.
"What's going on? Why is almost no one calling him a scumbag on the forum? I gave you 500,000 points; is this how you post for me?"
"President, I can't help it. Shimizu Akira is a good fighter. Many people are wary of his strength and don't dare to curse him."
"I know some people don't dare to use their real names, but what does it mean when there isn't even a single anonymous person?"
"President, don't forget several of his girlfriends are in the Student Council, and the forum is managed by the Student Council..."
Nagumo slammed the table in anger. Bastard! Several of his girlfriends were in the Student Council. Those people were afraid of being tracked down and "doxxed" by Kushida Kikyo, Horikita Suzune, or Ichinose Honami, so they didn't dare talk behind his back. Is that it?
Should he just fire all three of them?
Nagumo quickly abandoned that naive thought. This wasn't Yagami Takuya. Those three were doing great in the Student Council and had accumulated a lot of contributions. Especially Kushida Kikyo and Ichinose Honami, who had amassed such high popularity throughout the school. If he fired them for no reason, the student body would probably tear him apart. Besides, Nazuna wouldn't forgive him.
Did it mean he could only hide in the shadows, secretly taking photos and gossiping?
Nagumo was still unwilling. He called Acting Chairman Tsukishiro directly.
"Acting Chairman Tsukishiro, Shimizu Akira has violated our school rules. He is engaged in a romance unbefitting a high school student. He has multiple girlfriends and is running a harem. I suggest the school punish him immediately!"
"Is there such a thing?"
"Yes. Not only Shimizu Akira, but Koenji-kun also disregards others' feelings, frequently entering the dorms of upper-year senpais. He has also violated the rules and should be punished!"
He had been monitoring Koenji Rokusuke these past few days. Because he only took second place in the Uninhabited Island Special Exam, he held a grudge against Koenji. He might as well have both of them punished.
Tsukishiro replied somewhat seriously, "There is indeed such a school rule. In principle, these two have engaged in romances that do not meet high school standards and should be punished."
Nagumo had only said it casually; he didn't expect a real chance. He started smiling. "Then..."
Unexpectedly, Tsukishiro suddenly chuckled. "However, as far as I know, President Nagumo has also been surrounded by girls these few days on the luxury cruise. According to the school rules, should I punish you as well?"
"This..." Nagumo didn't know what to say.
Tsukishiro continued as if he didn't care: "Setting aside that I am leaving this school soon... regarding the school romance aspect you're concerned about: just now, someone spent 8 million personal points to open a special channel for Shimizu Akira. The rules have been modified to... 'The school does not encourage but does not prohibit romances that do not conform to high school standards.' No matter what Shimizu Akira does, you can't control him anymore."
"What? A special channel?" Nagumo was completely stunned. Someone spent that many points to modify school rules just so Shimizu Akira could legally have a harem? "Who was it?"
"A member of your Student Council, Kushida Kikyo."
Dammit! He knew it was Kushida Kikyo!
That love-brain—was she bored? That was a full 8 million points!
"Wait! How could the school agree to this? What if something truly terrible happens? This means the school doesn't prohibit teacher-student romances anymore, does it?"
"The rule of this school is: Personal points can buy anything, even modifications to school rules. Since the matter proposed by Kushida Kikyo fully complies with the process, even I cannot find words to oppose it. Besides, the 'Special Object' is only Shimizu Akira. The board members, especially those on the Onijima side, admire him greatly, so it passed with a unanimous vote.
In truth, you understand that even with the original rules, such harem behavior couldn't be stopped. The so-called punishment would only be a verbal warning. Kushida Kikyo just brought the matter into the light."
Nagumo was completely speechless.
What could he say now? They had literally changed the rules.
Based on this, only Shimizu Akira could enjoy this privilege? Was it because of his forum posts that Kushida Kikyo was forced to do this?
In that case, from now on, even if Shimizu Akira hits on a teacher, it would be allowed?
F***!!!
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