Chapter 9: We’re Handcuffed Together and I’m About to Explode (Emotionally)

I never thought I'd say this but…I miss being single.Not romantically.Just… un-cuffed.

I was currently walking through the school halls handcuffed to Riko.

One wrist hers. One wrist mine. One chain.And a hallway full of stares.

Before Class

"Walk faster," Riko muttered, face redder than ever.

"I'm trying, but you keep zig-zagging like a crab!"

"I'm zig-zagging because you walk like a drunk giraffe!"

Meanwhile, every student we passed whispered like we were celebrities in a scandal.

"Are they dating?""I thought he was with the glasses girl.""Didn't he sleep with the hoodie girl?""Bro's playing the whole cast."

I wanted to die.

Classroom

We finally sat down—awkwardly—as the chain clanked between our desks.

Yuna grinned. "So~ how was your night together?"

"WE WERE IN THE NURSE'S OFFICE."

Airi sipped tea from a thermos she 100% didn't buy legally. "How romantic."

Reina entered.Everyone went silent.

She walked up to the front with a whiteboard and slammed down a sign that read:

"HAREM COMPATIBILITY TEST: Period 3 – Mandatory"

I blinked. "Sorry. The what now?!"

The Test

The board now had everyone's names written in three columns:

Kaito – CenterRiko | Airi | Yuna – Candidates

Reina adjusted her glasses. "This test measures which girl is best suited to coexist in Tenma Kaito's... unfortunately spiraling life."

"I object," I said.

"Overruled."

First question:

"Who knows his favorite food?"

Riko: "Spicy miso ramen."Yuna: "He eats whatever's free."Airi: "Grilled salmon with butter and lemon, preferably around 6:47 p.m. on Thursdays."

Everyone turned to look at her.

"…That's oddly specific," Yuna said.

Riko blinked. "How do you even know that?"

Airi smiled. "I have notes."

"Next: Who would kiss him first in an emergency situation?"

Riko froze.

Yuna smirked. "Emergency like—CPR? Or emotional trauma? 'Cause I'm good at both."

Airi calmly raised her hand. "I've simulated it in a dream. I'm prepared."

I choked on my soul.

Reina looked unfazed. "Final round: Physical demonstration. First one to touch Kaito's lips wins bonus points."

"WAIT WHAT?!"

Suddenly, all three girls leaned forward.

I panicked.

I ducked.

And kissed the desk.

The girls collided heads like a live-action anime skit.

Reina wrote in her notes:

"Subject is more compatible with furniture."

After Class – The Hallway

Still handcuffed to Riko, I limped down the hall.

She didn't say anything for a while.

Then quietly, she mumbled, "...If they weren't watching, I might've actually tried it."

I stopped walking.

She didn't look at me.

And that was the moment I realized—

I might not survive this school year.