Ryōka Sumikaze is the de facto leader of the girls in our class.

Beyond her striking beauty, she excels in both academics and athletics.

She is a stunning beauty blessed with every gift imaginable.

I wouldn't say I was abashed about it, but back when we were in the same class, I doubt I ever even registered in her mind.

Then again, phrasing it that way might make Ryōka sound bad.

In any case, she shouldn't have paid me the slightest bit of attention.

But after being transported to the unpopulated island in another world and acquiring the "Craft" ability, I became a key figure on the island.

That alone explains why she might want me around.

But only as an asset.

Just moments ago, she kissed me.

I recognized the light flickering in her eyes.

It had a similar shine to the one lovers give each other.

Unless I'm mistaken, it was love.

If that's even the right word for it, no one else witnessed the kiss from Ryōka except Seina.

"Well then, please discuss this matter with the other teammates. And be sure to include me in those discussions as well."

Specifically regarding the plan to send back any allies who couldn't be trusted.

And about the feelings Sehou holds toward me.

After watching me nod awkwardly, Sehou departed from the scene.

I kept my eyes on her for a while as she appeared to be issuing various instructions to her subordinates.

Upon receiving her orders, the girls moved without hesitation, like a single herd under unified command.

It might have been due to the power of her 'Charisma' stat, but her personal qualities undoubtedly played a significant role as well.

Just as I reached that conclusion, I noticed Seina beside me was unnaturally quiet.

She was usually cool and detached, but seeing her lover kissed by Sehou right in front of them should have elicited at least some reaction.

"Seina?"

"Hm... yeah. What's wrong, Sou-suke?"

"No, I just meant... you were surprised, right?"

I had initiated the conversation, yet I couldn't find the right words to continue.

"Was that about Sehou's objective? Or the kiss? Honestly, I wasn't surprised by either."

"Is that so?"

It was an unexpected answer.

It’s not hard to imagine Seirina harboring similar thoughts, but...

"Whether it's a movie, a drama, a manga, or a novel, fights among the survivors in this kind of situation are pretty standard fare. Honestly, I think we're being way too peaceful."

"Yeah, I suppose so."

"Sure, some kids had bad experiences, but nothing rose to the level of total societal collapse."

In works depicting situations like this, far more catastrophic events aren't exactly uncommon.

It might be strange to compare reality to fiction, but the fact that such tragic circumstances didn't occur here is something we can take comfort in.

Seirina continued with a "but."

"I think we just got lucky. First off, it was luck that Sousuke wasn't a scumbag. Luck that strong abilities didn't end up in the hands of weak-willed people. Luck that Sousuke and the others were able to handle things before the idiots could do anything stupid. That's how I see it."

I had Chiyu with me. Because we were able to support each other, I was probably less unstable than the other boys.

This definitely counts as good fortune.

After Soreko chipped in on the capabilities after Tama and I mentioned them in our first dream, she single-handedly spawned a "random capability" riffing session.

Since most of the guys just treated it as a joke and answered half-heartedly, the power users ended up being concentrated among the girls.

Apparently, Seirina counted this as another stroke of luck.

Besides, there was no doubt that someone like Tsutsui, who tried to clear the event by just blasting away with a handgun, was extremely dangerous at that point.

You could also say things didn't get serious because we were able to confiscate the weapons during the first event.

Our current situation is the result of continuously attracting the best outcomes from a myriad of possibilities.

A more brutal scenario, where men fought over women in a desperate scramble to possess them, was just as likely.

Sumou acknowledges that this potential remains a reality for the future, and thus intends to implement measures against it.

To ensure that, all the way to the end, we can look back and say "it was lucky."

"I'm in agreement with the sentiment that we've had a lot of luck on our side."

"Yeah. Of course, it wasn't just luck. Everything turned out well because Sōsuke tried his best. It wasn't 'lucky' at all that I was nearly killed. But it was because you saved me, Sōsuke, that I didn't end up dying."

As if recalling those moments, Seri's cheeks flushed with color.

"Even so, this current state isn't the work of my power alone."

"Hehe. It's true Sōsuke has been good at leveraging everyone's strengths. Though I suppose Chin'yu doing her thing with the girls certainly helped too."

Seri chuckled softly. Perhaps she was remembering the discussions held exclusively among the female group.

"In any case, it wasn't really a shocking idea."

"…Then what about the last one?"

Like Shōko, there had been no prior contact between them.

I found it a surprising move.

"I was stunned the moment it happened, of course. But knowing that he genuinely likes Sōsuke now makes me feel like I have no complaints."

It seemed that Seirei had also picked up on something from the glint in Sumifū's eyes.

"Though, even counting before the teleportation, we barely ever had direct conversations, you know."

"Time might be needed to deepen love, but falling in love is instant, isn't it? ...God, saying this makes me embarrassed. Let's pretend that never happened."

Blushing crimson and regretting the awkward phrase she'd chosen, Seirei looked absolutely adorable.

"Hey, hey, don't be so harsh. One-hit wonders happen all the time—people fall for actors and artists without spending any time with them. The amount of time you've spent together doesn't matter."

Not wanting to tease her any further, I decided to steer things in a supportive direction instead.

"T-That's right! That's exactly what I meant to say."

Seirei looked away, cupping her face with both hands as if trying to cool down the heat on her cheeks just a little faster. Even that gesture was charming.

"But... him? That Sumifū?"

It just didn't feel real.

"Like I said, I'm not surprised. Crafting is a huge part of Sōsuke's power, but it's not the sum total of his charm. The qualities that were hard to read in the classroom are simply becoming apparent to everyone here on this desert island."

If this were a story, I probably could have accepted that premise without hesitation...

It’s a thrill, no matter how many times you see it: a kid who never stood out in class gets thrown into a different environment, rises to become the center of attention, and becomes the focal point of the group. It’s a satisfying arc.

When I’m asked if I possess any of the charm that so many protagonists have, I find myself tilting my head in doubt.

“...Is that really true?”

Still, denying it here would feel like rejecting the feelings of the people who care about me, and I hesitated.

All I could manage was a vague smile.

"But there are two things that concern me."

Sera said in a small voice.

"Concern you?"

“If Sayou is going to join Sousuke’s harem, she’d definitely aim for number one, right?”

“...I see. Sounds like her competitive side is showing.”

I didn’t know what the future held, but assuming things went in that direction...

I could picture Sayou feeling competitive not just toward Meoko, but also toward Chiyu and the other girls.

“And another thing. This has nothing to do with Sayou...”

“What’s up?”

“We’re planning on keeping our memories, right? So, even if I go back to my normal life, I’ll still like Sousuke.”

“Will it really come to that?”

“Absolutely.”

Having affection expressed so directly still makes me shy.

“Ah, thank you...?”

Feeling a heat rise to my face, I managed to answer with that much.

“You’re welcome.”

For a few seconds, a pleasant yet awkward silence hung in the air.

Yorina was the one to break it.

"So... what do you plan on doing with girls who are head over heels for you, Sousuke?"

"..."

It’s something I eventually have to think about.

No, that’s not quite right.

I hadn’t said it out loud, but I’d been thinking about this for a while now.

"Well, I guess I’ll need to talk to Chiyu about it. She’s probably intentionally avoiding the topic, too. Maybe she’s still trying to figure things out herself."

This harem situation only exists because we’re stuck on this desert island.

The sheer difficulty of an ordinary high school boy successfully dating several classmates goes without saying.

I’ve been leaning heavily on the specific circumstances and Chiyu’s magnanimity.

"You're right, I do need to consult with Chiyu. But I don't want to pretend like what happened between all of us never occurred. Of course, I'll have to check in with each person individually to see where they stand."

I even wondered if that statement came from a sense of responsibility or not.

But it was the truth.

Until recently, I was just an ordinary guy who had a crush on his childhood friend since kindergarten but couldn’t bring himself to confess, even after becoming a high school student.

Now, even after returning to everyday life, I'm trying to continue the harem setup.

We haven't even been on this desert island for two weeks, yet things have changed quite a bit.

Seirina seemed satisfied with my answer, at least momentarily, and laughed.

"Mm. I'm looking forward to it. But if they say no..."

Then, Seirina moved her lips close to my ear, almost as if she was about to lick them, and whispered.

"I won't give up on Souseki. So please don't regret having been liked by someone like me."

It was a bewitching yet burning confession, one that slipped into the depths of my ear and melted all the way to my brain.

Happy New Year.

Thank you for your continued support this year as well.

In the coming year, while continuing to expand Souseki's harem,

I will do my best to ensure that the shadows of the existing heroines do not fade when viewed on a chapter-by-chapter basis.

I hope you will continue to support the work in web serialization and book formats.

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When it comes to Suzu Koh Ryouka, she's the class representative among the girls.

Not only is she beautiful, but she's also well-rounded in both academics and sports.

She's a beautiful girl who seems to have been blessed with everything.

I wasn't in her sights when we were in the same class, though I wasn't exactly humble.

No, saying it this way might make her sound bad.

Anyway, she never took any notice of me.

But, after being transferred to an desert island in another world and gaining the ability to craft, I became an important person on the island.

Just that alone makes it understandable why she wants me. But it's as a talent.

Just now, she kissed me.

I recognize the light in her eyes.

It's similar to the glow I get from my lovers. If I'm not mistaken, it's love.

Fortunately, or perhaps not, the only one who witnessed the kiss from Seika was Serina.

「Then, please discuss this matter with the other members as well. Of course, including me.」

About the plan to send back everyone except the trustworthy members.

And about the feelings that Seiko has toward me.

After watching me nod awkwardly, Seiko left the spot.

For a while, I watched her with my eyes and saw her giving orders to her own members.

Upon receiving her instructions, the girls moved without hesitation, like a well-coordinated group.

It's probably due to the power of her 'charisma,' but her own qualities must also be a significant factor.

As I thought that, I noticed that Seirina was unusually quiet.

She's usually cool, but seeing her boyfriend kissing Suzuou, she should be reacting more. "Seirina?"

「Ah... yeah. What’s wrong, Sousuke?」
「No, I mean, you were surprised, right?」

I was the one who approached her, but I couldn’t think of anything to say.

「Was it about Seiho’s goal? Or the kiss? Honestly, I wasn’t surprised by either.」
「Is that so?」
That was an unexpected answer.

If it were Seirina, it wouldn't be surprising if she had similar thoughts...

"In movies, dramas, manga, or novels, conflicts between survivors in such situations often occur. Honestly, I think we're too peaceful." "Maybe you're right."

"Of course, there are kids who had unpleasant experiences, but the order hasn't completely broken down."

In works depicting such situations, more horrific events are not uncommon.

It might be strange to compare fiction, but the fact that such tragic events didn't happen might be something to be happy about. Seirina continued with "but."

"I think this was fortunate. First, it was fortunate that Sousuke wasn't a scumbag. It was fortunate that a weak person didn't get a powerful ability. And it was fortunate that Sousuke and the others could handle things before the idiots did something stupid."

I had Chiyou, and because we could support each other, I didn't become as unstable as the other boys. This was indeed fortunate.

After Chiyou and I mentioned our abilities in our first dream, the ability improv show was started by Shouko.

Since most of the boys had answered just for fun, the ability holders were concentrated among the girls.

This also seems to be considered fortunate by Seirina.

Furthermore, indeed, someone like Tsukui, who tried to clear the event by firing a gun, was quite dangerous at that point.

Since we managed to take away the weapon during the first event, it didn't become a serious problem.

Our current situation has been made possible by continuously attracting the good options from among various possibilities.

It could have easily turned into a dangerous situation where boys fight over girls.

And Seiho believes that such a possibility could still happen in the future, so he wants to take precautions.

So that we can always think of it as a stroke of luck until the very end.

"I agree that we've had a lot of luck."

"Yeah, of course it's not just luck. Sousuke worked hard, and that's why things turned out well. Me almost dying wasn't luck or anything like that. But because Sousuke saved me, I didn't die."

She must have remembered something, because she blushed.

"Even so, this situation isn't just my doing."

"Heh. You're the one who's using everyone's power well. Well, Chiayu is good at getting the girls together too."

Shirina giggled. She must have remembered their private meeting with the girls.

"Anyway, it wasn't a surprising idea." "…Then what about the last one?"

She hadn't been in contact with Shouko before either.

That was a surprising move on his part.

I was stunned when it happened, but I figured out that I really do like Sousuke, so I have no complaints.

It seems that Sera also sensed something from Seiha's eyes.

But, I hardly ever had the chance to talk to Seiha directly, even before the transfer.

It might take time to deepen our love, but falling in love can happen in an instant. …I feel embarrassed now. Let's just forget I said that.

Sera is blushing furiously, and it looks really cute.

No, no, it's true that some people fall in love at first sight, or with actors and artists, so the time spent together doesn't matter.

I don't want to tease her, so I try to smooth things over.

Y-Yeah, that's what I wanted to say.

Sera looks away and covers her face with her hand, as if trying to cool her cheeks down faster. It's so cute. "But, that Seiha…" It's hard to believe it's real.

As I said before, I'm not surprised. Craft is a big part of Sousuke, but it's not everything. The charm that was hard to see in the classroom is now reaching everyone on this desert island.

If this were a story, I could accept it more easily…

It's always satisfying to see a boy who didn't stand out in class shine in a different environment and become the center of attention.

When asked if I have the same charm as the many protagonists, I can't help but tilt my head. "…Maybe."

Still, to deny it here would mean denying the feelings of those who like me, which made me hesitate. I could only manage a vague smile.

"But there are two things that bother me." Serina said in a small voice. "Two things that bother you?"

"If Seijou joins Sousuke's harem, she won't be satisfied with anything less than first place, right?"

"…Right. She does seem like the competitive type."

I don't know what the future holds, but if we end up in such a relationship.

I could imagine her having a competitive spirit against not only Shouko, but also Chiyo and the other girls.

"And also, this has nothing to do with Seijou… but…" "What's up?"

"We're going to bring back our memories, right? So even if I go back to my original life, I'll still love Sousuke." "…Maybe." "Absolutely."

I still feel embarrassed when my feelings are expressed so directly. "Ah, thank you…"

I felt my face heat up a little as I replied. "You're welcome."

A few seconds passed, and a comfortable yet awkward silence fell.

It was Sayumi who broke the silence.

"So, how do you plan to deal with all the girls who love you so much, Sousuke?" "――――"

It was something he had to think about eventually. No, that's not right.

He had been thinking about it all along, even if he hadn't said so.

"Well, I guess I should talk to Senyuu about it. But I think she's avoiding the topic on purpose. Maybe she's still thinking about it."

The harem situation was only possible because of the circumstances on this desert island.

It goes without saying that it would be incredibly difficult for an ordinary high school boy to date several classmates without any issues.

The situation and Senyuu's tolerance played a big role.

"I should definitely talk to Senyuu. But I don't want to pretend like none of this happened. Of course, I need to confirm everyone's feelings again."

He wasn't sure if he was being responsible or not, but he meant it.

Just a little while ago, he was a normal person who had been in love with a childhood friend since kindergarten but couldn't even say it in high school.

Now, even though I’m back to my daily routine, I’m still trying to maintain my harem.

It’s quite a change, even though I’ve only been on the island for two weeks.

Seina seemed satisfied with my response and smiled.

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it. But if it doesn’t work out…”

Then, Seina brought her lips close to my ear, almost licking it, and whispered.

“I won’t give up on you, Sousuke. I don’t want you to regret liking someone like me.”

It was a seductive and hot confession that melted my brain from the inside out.

Happy New Year.

I hope we can continue to support each other this year.

This year, I will continue to expand Souza’s harem,

and I will try my best to ensure that the existing heroines don’t become overshadowed when viewed on a chapter-by-chapter basis.

I hope you will continue to support the web serialization and the book version.

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