Zumi inhaled slowly, opening his eyes.
A quiet golden shimmer rolled across his vision—soft at first, then sharpening with perfect clarity.
"Celestia… Show Loyalty."
A pulse.
A chime.
And then—
Golden bars appeared above every girl's head.
The room froze.
Jasmine, Kasumi, Sakura, Ana, Kathy, Aurora, Hina, Bia, Serafina, Gia, Reina— all of them stared as Zumi's eyes moved from face to face, glowing faintly with system energy.
Gia blinked. "W–What did he just do…?"
Serafina smirked knowingly. "Oh… something new."
Hina whispered excitedly, "He activated a system perception ability!"
Bia wiggled proudly into his side. "My Zumi is upgrading again~"
Zumi focused.
One by one… the bars settled into view.
🌟 LOYALTY READINGS — ZUMI'S POV
Bia
Loyalty: 10/10 — 100/100 Respect: 10/10 Intimacy: 10/10 Status: Eternal Devotion | Loyalty Locked
Naturally.
Bia beamed, hugging his arm more tightly.
Serafina
Loyalty: 10/10 Respect: 10/10 Intimacy: 10/10 Status: Divine Submission | Loyalty Locked
Serafina winked at him. "Of course."
Gia
Loyalty: 10/10 Respect: 10/10 Intimacy: 10/10 Status: Second-in-Command: Absolute Devotion
Gia turned bright red and hid behind her hair.
Hina
Loyalty: 10/10 Respect: 10/10 Intimacy: 10/10 She just smiled shyly.
Ana, Kathy, Kasumi, Aurora
Every single one:
Loyalty: 10/10 Respect: 10/10 Intimacy: 10/10
Aurora wagged her tail. Jasmine pressed her hands to her mouth. Kathy blushed deeply. Kasumi's heart nearly burst.
They were all unquestionably devoted.
But then—
Zumi's eyes landed on Sakura, Reina, and Jasmine.
Three bars were different.
THE THREE OUTLIERS
Sakura
❌ Intimacy: 9/10 — All others 10/10
Reina
❌ Intimacy: 9/10 — All others 10/10
Jasmine
❌ Intimacy: 9/10 — All others 10/10
All three women froze the moment Zumi looked at them.
Sakura bowed her head, red as a tomato. Reina stared at the floor, jaw tight, heart racing. Jasmine covered her mouth, trembling slightly, her eyes wide with embarrassment.
Zumi raised an eyebrow.
"Celestia. Analyze Sakura, Reina… and Jasmine. Why are they at nine?"
A soft ripple of energy answered him.
CELESTIA'S EXPLANATION
"Host, loyalty and respect for these women have already reached maximum. However—"
She projected the full bar breakdown above their heads:
🌸 SAKURA
Loyalty: 10/10 Respect: 10/10 Intimacy: 9/10
"Sakura's last requirement—intimacy—is incomplete. Not because she does not desire you, but because she does not feel worthy of standing beside someone as great as you."
"She sees herself as too ordinary for a man who commands goddesses."
Sakura covered her face in embarrassment.
🔥 REINA
Loyalty: 10/10 Respect: 10/10 Intimacy: 9/10
"Reina's heart is burning for you, Host. But she spent her entire life surviving—she has never allowed herself to feel this deeply."
"She thinks she must earn the right to be with you."
Reina stiffened, cheeks bright red, trying not to shake.
💛 JASMINE
Loyalty: 10/10 Respect: 10/10 Intimacy: 9/10
Celestia's tone softened.
"Jasmine's intimacy is incomplete for a different reason."
The bar shimmered with gentle emotion.
"She believes you would never want her romantically. She sees herself as someone who is cared for… but not someone chosen."
"Her heart longs for you, but she is convinced she is unworthy of becoming one of your women."
Jasmine's breath caught, tears forming instantly.
She looked away, cheeks burning, hands trembling slightly.
"Once they overcome their self-doubt… their intimacy will naturally reach 10/10. At that moment— their loyalty will lock to 100/100 permanently."
The room went silent.
Every girl looked at Sakura, Reina, and Jasmine with soft, encouraging smiles.
Serafina smirked. "Aww… they're shy."
Hina giggled. "It's cute."
Gia whispered, "I knew Reina felt that way…"
Kathy hugged Jasmine gently. Jasmine wiped her eyes quickly.
Kasumi whispered to Sakura, "It's okay… we're with you." Aurora put a paw on Jasmine's knee. Ana smiled warmly at all three.
Bia leaned into Zumi with a smug grin. "My sisters are falling hard for our king~"
Sakura, Reina, and Jasmine all wanted to melt into the floor.
Zumi simply smiled—slow, warm, reassuring.
And the bars above their heads flickered with hope.
The loyalty bars still shimmered softly above Sakura, Reina, and Jasmine — three delicate 9/10 points glimmering like unspoken wounds.
Every girl in the suite watched Zumi.
They knew this moment mattered.
He exhaled… stood… and stepped toward the first.
Sakura stood rigid, head bowed, hands trembling at her sides. Her hood shadowed her eyes, but everyone could see the blush burning across her cheeks.
"Sakura," Zumi said gently, stepping closer, "look at me."
She hesitated… then slowly lifted her gaze. Her silver eyes were full of fear, admiration, and disbelief.
"Sakura," he continued, "you think you're ordinary… but you're not."
She gasped.
"You're one of the most naturally talented archers I've ever met. Your form, your control, your instinctive precision — they're remarkable."
Her jaw trembled.
"And you were recruited only a few days ago, yet your dedication is already stronger than people I've known for years."
Sakura blinked rapidly, breath shaking.
"And you admire me not because we fought together," Zumi said softly, "but because of your family."
She froze — cheeks burning hotter.
"Your brother Kaito respects me," Zumi continued, "and your big sister Hina has given me everything — and trusted me with her heart."
Sakura swallowed hard, eyes glistening.
"And I gave you a legendary bow," he said gently, "not because I expected anything… not because I wanted something back… …but because I believed you deserved it."
Her breath hitched violently.
"And Sakura," he whispered, stepping closer, "you are unbelievably attractive."
She froze completely.
"You hide under your hood… but every time you lift your gaze, you take the air out of the room."
Tears filled her eyes — small, fragile tears she never allowed herself to show.
"Z-Zumi…" she whispered.
He pulled her into a gentle, warm embrace. A long hug — her fists gripping his shirt, her forehead pressed to his chest.
When she finally looked up—
Zumi leaned in…
and kissed her softly on the lips.
Her knees nearly buckled.
Then he kissed her again, this time on the forehead.
A bright chime echoed.
SAKURA — INTIMACY 10/10 LOYALTY LOCKED SYSTEM CHARACTER AWAKENED
Her aura shimmered — shadows curling beautifully around her form.
Reina stood stiff as stone.
All her life she fought. All her life she survived. Never once did she allow herself softness.
And now softness walked right up to her.
Zumi cupped her chin gently.
"Reina… you think you have to earn the right to stand beside me."
She swallowed hard.
"But the truth is…" His thumb brushed her cheek. "…I had a crush on you back in the slums."
Reina's entire soul stopped.
"Every boy did," Zumi said with a soft laugh. "You were the most badass girl we had ever seen. Strong. Fearless. Untouchable."
He leaned closer.
"When you saved me that day… I was happy it was you. The girl I admired most."
Her eyes widened — glowing softly with disbelief and heat.
"And Reina… I still want you. Even now."
Her breath trembled violently.
"You don't have to earn me," Zumi whispered. "You already have me."
Reina broke.
Her hands flew to his chest, clutching him like a lifeline as she pressed her forehead to his, shaking.
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her for a long… steady… grounding hug.
When she finally lifted her head— He kissed her — deeply but gently.
Her aura erupted in a burst of black fire.
Then he kissed her forehead, slow and reverent.
A chime rang out.
REINA — INTIMACY 10/10 LOYALTY LOCKED SYSTEM CHARACTER AWAKENED
Her new goddess-like outline glowed faintly.
The room quieted as Jasmine shifted uncomfortably.
Her stoic expression… Her crossed arms… Her distance…
No one judged her.
But everyone knew:
Her heart needed something deeper.
"Jasmine," Zumi said softly, "come with me."
She hesitated — then followed him to the balcony where the city lights glowed below.
Only the two of them.
Her voice was low, guarded. "…You already know, don't you?"
"Yeah," Zumi said gently. "Celestia showed me."
Jasmine looked away, jaw tight.
"I have been cold," she admitted. "I didn't trust how fast Ana and Kathy fell for you… How Gia, loyal to the Dojima family, bowed to no one but suddenly bowed to you…"
Her voice trembled — the first crack in the wall.
"I thought something was wrong. Suspicious. Dangerous."
Then her shoulders slumped.
"And yet… when I needed help… when my dad was dying…"
Her voice broke completely.
"You came. No hesitation. No questions. You saved my father. My whole world."
She wiped her eyes angrily.
"I don't feel worthy of you, Zumi. Not after doubting you, not after holding back, not after—"
Zumi stepped forward.
"Jasmine."
She froze.
He lifted her chin — gently but firmly.
"You don't have to be perfect to stand beside me. You don't need to submit instantly like the others. You don't need to change who you are."
Her eyes widened.
"I want you as you are. Fierce. Loyal. Honest. You question things because you care. You protect your friends because you love them."
Her breath stuttered.
"And Jasmine…" His voice grew softer, deeper. "You're beautiful. Strong. And very, very worthy."
Her lips parted in shock.
No one had ever spoken to her like this.
Then—
He wrapped his arms around her.
Not a brief hug.
Not a polite hug.
A full, grounding, two-minute embrace where her walls finally shattered.
Jasmine melted against him, clutching his shirt, trembling as years of self-protection crumbled.
When she finally pulled back—
Zumi leaned down…
and kissed her softly on the lips.
Jasmine gasped — her eyes glistening with warmth she had never allowed herself to feel.
Then he kissed her forehead, slow and tender.
A chime rang out.
JASMINE — INTIMACY 10/10 LOYALTY LOCKED SYSTEM CHARACTER AWAKENED
Her aura flared — and her body shifted.
Her black hair streaked with violet.
Her eyes glowed amethyst.
Her outfit darkened into her new goddess-like form.
She stared at her reflection in disbelief.
"…I feel… free."
Zumi smiled.
"You look like who you were always meant to be."
She blushed fiercely — for the first time in her life.
The girls watched as Sakura, Reina, and Jasmine reentered the room — glowing with newfound confidence.
Serafina clapped.
Hina squealed.
Bia hugged all three.
Gia smiled warmly.
Aurora wagged her tail excitedly.
Ana and Kathy nearly cried with joy.
And Zumi?
He looked at the three women whose hearts had finally aligned with his.
Their loyalty locked. Their intimacy complete. Their destinies bound to him forever.
Celestia's voice chimed in his mind:
"Host — Three new System Characters integrated successfully."
The room felt brighter.
Stronger.
More united than ever.