After school let out, Shiraishi Shin, Shiina Mahiru, and Chitoge Kirisaki headed to the animal-care area together. They split the chores—cleaning, feeding, general upkeep. Naturally, the dirty work of scooping poop fell to Shiraishi Shin; you couldn't ask the girls to do that.
The jobs were simple and well-assigned; within half an hour everything was done.
'All finished. Monitor, I've got something to take care of—mind if I head off?'
Chitoge stretched and said it lightly; in truth her family was setting her up to meet someone.
Shiraishi Shin nodded. 'You should've said so earlier. You could've left right after class.'
Chitoge scratched her cheek with a finger, flashing her bright smile. 'It's no big deal. I figured I'd finish here first—only a few minutes. Since you're okay with it, I'll be off.'
'Sure, go ahead.'
'Bye-bye! See you tomorrow, Monitor, Mahiru!'
'See you tomorrow, Chitoge.'
Mahiru returned the farewell, and Chitoge picked up her bag and left.
With the 'light-bulb' gone, Shiraishi Shin stepped up to Mahiru. Noticing the fine sweat on her forehead, he dabbed it away with his sleeve. 'Mahiru, tired?'
Feeling his gentle touch, Mahiru smiled. 'Not at all, Shin-nii. I'm a girl, but I've got stamina.'
Shiraishi Shin chuckled. 'My little Mahiru excels in class, dominates at sports—volleyball, tennis, ping-pong you name it—and her cooking has my stomach completely hooked. Prettiest, cutest all-round super-girl.'
The praise made Mahiru squirm, especially the words my little Mahiru; joy bubbled inside her.
'So adorable.'
Watching her blush, he slipped a hand beneath her chin and tilted her face up.
'Sh..Shin-nii…'
Flustered by his touch and teasing tone, Mahiru met his eyes, cheeks scarlet.
Seeing her flushed face and misty, shy gaze, Shiraishi Shin lost all restraint. He bent down, sealed her soft, rosy lips with his own, and pulled her slender frame tight against him.
Mahiru's mind went blank; her heart hammered faster than when he'd merely kissed her cheek last night. Eyes fluttering shut, she savored it—deliriously happy to be kissed by the man she'd cherished for eleven years.
A minute later Shiraishi Shin released her; her breathing had turned ragged—first kisses are clumsy.
'Mahiru, be my girlfriend. I'll love and protect you all my life. Walk the rest of the road with me?'
Cheesy lines were essential; innocent girls melted at them—and he meant every word.
Tears sparkling, Mahiru nodded without hesitation. 'Yes, I will.'
With her answer Shiraishi Shin swept her into his arms; from that instant he was officially off the singles market.
A girlfriend, however, wouldn't stop him from charming others. Fortunately this parallel world wasn't as strict as his last—no one-wife rule. If you could win a woman's heart, three thousand in a harem broke no law.
Girls raised here accepted that reality. Whether you could keep multiple boats afloat without capsizing depended on your skill.
Every guy dreamed of sailing many boats, but life was harsh—no talent, no cash, no looks, no spine. Over ninety-nine percent were thrilled to land one wife; plenty ended hen-pecked.
Shiraishi Shin happened to belong to the elite one percent—yet he wasn't about to sabotage his fresh start with Mahiru.
After several minutes of cuddling they moved to a nearby bench. As they sat Mahiru spotted a phone lying on it.
'It's Chitoge's. She must've left it while we were working.'
Shiraishi Shin took it. 'I'll run it to her—otherwise she'll be searching all over.'
Mahiru agreed. 'Good idea; she can't have gone far yet.'
'Then I'm off—but before I go…'
With a mischievous grin he kissed her again, five full seconds, then jogged away laughing.
'Honestly, Shin-nii!'
Mahiru stamped a playful foot, feigning annoyance while secretly over the moon.
She whispered, 'Am I really dating Shin-nii? It feels like a dream. Parted when we were small, reunited after eleven years—fate. But he's so wonderful; plenty of girls will like him—Kujou-san for one—and he doesn't seem to mind.'
Though she was his first girlfriend, Mahiru knew she wouldn't be the last.
So what? It only proved her man's excellence; the remarkable attracted admirers—and ambitions. Marrying the one she loved beat her parents' arrangement: a profit-driven union that left them loathing each other, tormenting themselves and everyone around…
'No idea who Dad wants me to meet, so mysterious. An old friend of his? But why drag me along? Never mind, I'll find out soon enough.'
Outside the gates Chitoge walked a tree-lined path, open and empty save for her.
To keep her background hidden she never let the family chauffer pick her up—who would chat with a yakuza princess?
What she didn't know was that a 185 cm, gloomy-looking man now shadowed her.
The man worked for a certain underworld outfit.
He moved soundlessly, pulling a photo from his coat: shimmering blond hair, red ribbon—Chitoge Kirisaki.