The card game continued.
Haru had a simple goal—just like he said earlier—he wanted to see two cute, chubby little penguins.
Wearing more clothes might not be as exciting or stimulating as taking them off, but the fun was no less intense.
From the start, he had been the most relaxed and most enthusiastic among the three.
No matter what kind of punishment was involved—he could accept it all.
And so, in the following rounds, he proved what he'd declared earlier: "Games hold far more allure than beauty for a man."
Focused entirely on the match, using his skill [Perception] to count cards and read the girls' every emotional tick, he only lost one out of twelve games.
Following their lead, he removed his socks during his lone loss.
As for the girls across from him, the amount of clothing they'd piled on was now causing sweat to bead on their foreheads.
"…I think it's time we changed the punishment system," Utaha finally couldn't hold it in.
Yukino didn't speak, but the pink flush on her face clearly showed she agreed.
Haru tilted his head lazily. "What kind of change are you thinking, Senpai?"
Utaha felt a little humiliated but kept her face as composed as possible.
"I'd like to request changing the punishment to removing clothes."
"I support it," Yukino chimed in this time.
Haru didn't really care, but he still played it cool.
"Isn't that unfair? We all agreed beforehand that the rule could only be changed before the game starts."
Utaha glared at him but didn't argue—just pointed to her chest.
Not to draw his eyes, of course, but to emphasize just how many layers she had on.
Under her bathrobe was one of Haru's oversized T-shirts. On top of that—a sweater, a jacket, and even a full coat.
Below, she'd layered pantyhose, black stockings, and a pair of brown long pants. The whole outfit was so mismatched it bordered on criminal.
Her earlier commitment to "style" had clearly gone up in flames.
Yukino wasn't any better—aside from her face, the rest of her outfit was a certified disaster.
"So… you two are going back on your word?" Haru asked with a sly tone.
Utaha didn't notice the trap, still arguing her case:
"If we don't switch, Yukino and I might overheat if we lose again…"
She even paused to raise both delicate hands.
"Our skin might get heat rash from the temperature. Do you really want that to happen?"
Yukino averted her gaze awkwardly. She had been planning to say the same thing but got scooped by Utaha. And now it felt like she was the one backing out first.
"You have a point," Haru nodded, then turned to Yukino, who was blushing hard."And you? Same opinion?"
Yukino narrowed her eyes, instantly sensing a scheme.
"Out with it. What's your condition?"
Utaha blinked, now realizing—"You were faking that reluctance?!"
"Of course not," Haru replied smoothly.
"Cut the act. What's the catch?" Utaha pressed, frowning.
He finally revealed his condition.
"If you want to change to a stripping penalty, fine. But we made our rules. I've followed them to the letter. So if you want a change… the punishment's doubled."
Yukino's face darkened.
"…I knew it."
Utaha snorted.
"That's all you're after?"
"What do you mean?" Haru played dumb.
Utaha scoffed, "A double penalty means you just want to strip us down faster."
There she goes again… Yukino's lips parted.
She wanted to scold her for being so shameless. But after losing so much herself, she kept her mouth shut.
"I mean… yeah," Haru shrugged. "I won't even pretend."
Utaha grabbed a tissue and wiped her forehead. She turned to Yukino. "What do you think?"
Yukino paused for a second, then replied coldly, "I'm fine with it."
Translation: I'm going to start winning.
Utaha felt the same way. And so the rules were changed, and the game resumed.
Because they were so hot, both girls intentionally threw the first few rounds, shedding layers to ease the discomfort.
Haru, unfazed, watched it all unfold.
Once they were down to only bathrobes and sleepwear, they re-entered the game with full focus.
Seeing their renewed drive, Haru was touched.
So, this time—he threw the match.
He wasn't the landlord this round. His teammate, Utaha, also lost.
Yukino exhaled softly, her expression glowing with a rare smile.
"I won."
"A bet's a bet."
With that, Haru calmly removed his sleep shirt, revealing his bare upper body.
Both girls flushed.
They'd seen it many times before. But somehow, in a match with real stakes—the mood was completely different.
It was charged. Tinged with a subtle thrill they weren't used to.
Utaha bit her lip, stood, and walked off the bed.
Haru blinked innocently. "Where are you going?"
She shot him a glare and said nothing.
The girl left the room in silence.
Even Yukino didn't speak. Her gaze wandered away.
Three minutes passed. Utaha returned, pressing down the hem of her bathrobe, her face flushed.
Haru couldn't help but chuckle. He glanced at the bit of cloth she was hiding behind her back."Oh? Bathroom break?"
"Don't ask."
Her eyes were filled with shame and frustration as she slowly walked back toward them.
The bathrobe itself was loose-fitting, but the way Utaha clutched it tightly now only served to accentuate her slim waist and the curves of her shapely thighs under the overhead light.
Haru thought to himself:If I were standing behind her right now, I'd be witnessing a scene so glorious, I'd be shouting "Holy crab!" on the spot.
Just as Utaha sat back down and stretched out those dangerously distracting legs, she immediately felt his gaze fixed on her.
Her face flushed with embarrassed irritation… and a hint of pride.
She pulled the blanket over her legs and announced, "I'm ready."
"I'm almost ready too," Haru replied instinctively.
Utaha & Yukino: "???"
"I mean—I'm ready to win," Haru clarified smoothly, completely unfazed.
The two girls exchanged doubtful glances. They suspected he was dropping innuendos, but lacked the evidence to nail him.
The match resumed—and all three of them were fired up.
Especially Haru.
At this point, he wasn't even bothering to pretend.
Q: What kind of post gets a horde of guys to instantly engage without complaints and with maximum enthusiasm?
A: A resource-sharing post.
Right now, Haru was that bold warrior, charging forward for the sake of "resources."
And in the next few rounds, he didn't lose a single game.
Whether he was the landlord or not, he kept his streak alive.
Which led to a very specific pattern: Utaha and Yukino would take turns leaving the room, only to return with flushed faces and embarrassed.
Another round.
Another win for Haru.
He looked at the two girls sitting across from him—one gripping her bathrobe like her life depended on it, the other awkwardly clutching her sleepwear with shame in her eyes.
Raising his hand, Haru made a grand gesture.
"No more extra clothes, right? Then please… accept your punishment."
Both girls hesitated.
Haru struck before they could backpedal.
"Let me remind you—you already changed the rules once. I won't allow it a second time."
"…I'm done," Utaha declared.
She tossed her cards aside, clearly frustrated by her repeated losses.
Yukino bit her lip and remained silent.
"Fine, let's end it here," Haru agreed, brushing invisible dust off his lap.
"But—don't forget—you both still owe me one punishment. Surely you're not planning to back out again?"
That smug tone of his made them both want to throw the card table at him.
Suddenly, Utaha looked up. Her eyes glinted with a strange light, her voice laced with mischief.
"If I put on those bunny ears right now, would that count as fulfilling the punishment?"
Before Haru could even respond, she turned to Yukino.
"I saw a pair of cat ears in the wardrobe earlier. Why don't you put those on too, Yukino?That way we both avoid the 'shame' of stripping."
Haru was stunned.
They're playing it like this?!
He remembered very clearly—Utaha had been holding onto this idea from the start!
So now, it was official—
New Operator Added: Catgirl Yukino.
~~~~~~~~~~
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