Chapter 15: Kiss Tag Begins. I’m the Prize. Help.

Final Event: Kiss Tag

Announced via loudspeaker.

Reina's voice echoed through the school.

> "One rule. One winner.

First girl to kiss Kaito Tenma on the lips… wins the Harem Olympics."

> "Good luck, and may emotional damage be permanent."

---

10 Minutes In – Hiding in the Art Room

I was crouched behind a desk, breathing like I just ran a marathon.

Footsteps echoed outside the door.

Yuna was hunting me.

"This is romantic," she called. "Come out, Kaito~ I brought mint gum."

I held my breath.

She slowly opened the door.

Peeked in.

Eyes scanned.

Then—

"THERE YOU ARE!"

I bolted. She chased me like a romcom Terminator.

---

15 Minutes In – Library Madness

I ran into the library.

Mistake.

Airi was waiting.

She calmly shut the door behind me.

"Statistically," she said, walking toward me, "you will eventually give in."

"Nope. Not happening."

"I've simulated thirty scenarios. Seventeen end with a kiss. Twelve involve you passing out. One… was a fluke."

I backed into a bookshelf.

She raised a finger.

"I can be gentle. Or efficient. Your choice."

I leapt out the window.

Landed in the bushes.

"I regret everything."

---

20 Minutes In – Rooftop Showdown

Riko was there.

Alone.

Wind blowing. Sun setting.

She didn't speak.

Just looked at me.

I walked over slowly.

"…Not gonna chase me too?"

"No point."

She turned toward the edge of the roof.

Then said, softly:

"I don't need to win."

I froze.

She looked over her shoulder, eyes a little sad.

"I just wanted you to notice me… without rules. Without points. Without Reina's scoreboard."

I opened my mouth—no idea what to say.

Then—

She leaned in.

My heart stopped.

Her lips were close. So close.

And just before they touched—

Yuna tackled me.

"NOT TODAY, LOVEBIRDS!"

All three of us crashed to the ground in a mess of limbs, tangled emotions, and pure insanity.

---

Reina's Reveal – 30 Minutes In

She stepped onto the intercom stage.

"Well then. Since no kiss occurred…"

The girls stared.

Kaito was lying on the grass, wheezing.

Reina smiled faintly.

"There's no winner."

"What?!" they shouted in unison.

"I never planned to crown one," she said. "This was all just… fun."

Yuna dropped to her knees. "YOU MADE US COMPETE FOR NOTHING?!"

Airi whispered, "...So the kiss simulations were pointless?"

Riko threw a rock at the scoreboard.

I just lay on the ground, staring at the sky.

"I hate everything."

---

Aftermath

Back in my room, I found a note on my desk.

Written by Reina.

> "Real feelings aren't games.

But watching them explode?

Worth every second."

Below that, another line.

> "Good luck, Kaito. You'll need it."

I looked around the room.

Yuna on my couch.

Airi by my window.

Riko curled up on my floor.

All pretending they weren't waiting for something more.

I sighed.

Then smiled.

"…This is my life now, huh?"