Chapter 13: Everyone Tried to Confess. Somehow, I Got Confused.

Event 3: Accidental Confession Speedrun

Announced at 9:00 a.m. sharp.

Posted on the school bulletin board.

Signed and stamped by Reina herself.

> RULES:

Girls must get Kaito to almost confess or accidentally confess to them

No direct "I love you"

Must be emotional, risky, or chaotic

Winner is chosen by heart rate data, secretly tracked by Reina's wrist device

> "Begin immediately. May love (and awkwardness) be with you."

I should've called in sick.

---

Round One: Yuna's Supply Closet Surprise

"Hey Kaito," Yuna said after class, "Help me carry some gym mats?"

I should've known.

SLAM.

The closet door shut behind me.

Lights off.

Space: Negative five square centimeters.

"…Yuna?"

She leaned close. I could feel her breath.

"Oops. I think it locked."

"You locked it."

She giggled. "You smell nice when you're panicking."

"That's called fear-sweat."

She pressed her forehead to mine, whispering:

"You know... if you confessed right now, no one would hear."

I gulped.

"…I like air. I'd like more air. Specifically, outside air."

She laughed. "Still cute."

Heart Rate Monitor: 126 bpm

---

Round Two: Airi's Scripted Seduction

In the library.

She handed me a neatly typed page titled:

> "Confession Attempt A – Subtext Route, Yandere Safe Mode"

I blinked. "What is this?"

"Read it," she said. "Out loud."

"…Airi, I've always admired you. Your intelligence… your precision… your ability to open my door without keys."

"You flatter me," she said, eyes locked on mine. "Keep going."

"…And when I close my eyes at night, I sometimes hear your voice saying 'goodnight' even though you weren't invited into my house."

"I only watched. Never entered."

"…Okay that makes it worse."

She handed me another script.

This one was labeled "Version B – Accidental Kiss Path."

I ran.

Heart Rate Monitor: 133 bpm

---

Round Three: Riko Doesn't Mean To

After school. On the rooftop.

Wind blowing. Sky golden.

Riko was quiet.

She had her lunchbox again. Two rice balls. Same as always.

"Here," she muttered. "You didn't eat much today."

I took one. Sat beside her.

"…You okay?" I asked.

She didn't answer right away.

Then softly:

"I don't get why they're all trying so hard."

I blinked. "What do you mean?"

She gripped her knees.

"You're already a mess. Loud. Dumb. Always apologizing."

"…Thanks?"

"But…"

She hesitated.

"…I kinda like that. Idiot."

Silence.

Her face turned red.

"I—WAIT—THAT DIDN'T COUNT—DON'T SAY ANYTHING—"

She stood up. Ran down the stairs at light speed.

I was frozen.

My rice ball dropped onto the floor.

Heart Rate Monitor: 142 bpm

---

Reina's Verdict

In her office, Reina sat calmly, watching the monitor.

She sipped tea.

Scribbled notes.

Then, on the official Harem Olympics scoreboard, she updated the ranking:

1. Riko Hanazawa – 3 pts

2. Airi Yukishiro – 2 pts

3. Yuna Hoshigawa – 2 pts

4. Kaito Tenma – Emotional wreck

She smiled faintly.

"This is getting interesting."