While they were confused, Suzune and Kikyo did as they were told and turned on their phones. Meanwhile, Kiyotaka was already thinking of a hundred possible scenarios in which this could go, because this was definitely linked to that broken skill he possessed.
"I wonder what it's about," Suzune commented.
The three had received a video message sent to them by the school admin, which they played at the same time.
The video had opened with the school chairman standing in the middle of his office with a gentle smile on his face.
"Forgive me for this sudden interruption, dear students, but I forgot to mention this during the entrance ceremony earlier. This is very important, especially for this year's freshmen, so listen carefully. For the first time in the history of our school, the administration has decided to implement a co-ed dormitory arrangement for the students!"
Suzune's eyes widened in shock at the sudden announcement, as she wondered how exactly did the chairman forget such an important matter at the entrance ceremony. Kikyo was on the same boat, before a smile took over her features as she realized that she could now put her plan in motion. Kind of out of nowhere, but hey, it works in her favor.
Kiyotaka felt a mixture of both amazement and distress; amazement because he was seeing this particular skill manipulating reality itself like it was nothing, and distress because he knew that the reason this was happening is because one of 'heroines' was feeling sad, which was likely Kikyo. She was talking about being dorm neighbors earlier, after all!
"For those who are unfamiliar with the term, it simply means that both boys and girls will live in the same dorm building from now on. That being said, we expect all of you to follow basic rules even with this arrangement. That means that everyone will respect each other's boundaries, no matter what, for there will be severe punishment for those who choose to test our patience," the chairman warned, which was scarier than intended because of the eerie smile on his face.
"Well, would you look at that? Looks like it is possible for us to be neighbors, Ayanokouji-kun!" commented Kushida while sending a subtle smirk at the person whom she hated. Oh, she was now hoping that they would really end up as neighbors now, just so she could see the look on Horikita's face when she sees it.
"Indeed..." muttered Horikita.
"The system's going to make it so that the two of us are neighbors, isn't it?" the young man asked in his mind, looking at Kikyo. He could already see it happening from a mile away. "The skill's description says that it will manipulate reality for the sake of a heroine's happiness and if it will make Kushida happy, then the system will make us neighbors."
Seriously, he just wanted to rest! Why can't the system stop giving him headaches at every turn?! The worst part about this is that it was only his first day with this power, and there's THREE years of him being in this school. He had already 'unlocked' two heroine routes and if Chabashira herself wasn't enough of a warning that Horikita and Kushida won't be the only ones he'll be romancing, then his other classmates are the solid proof.
He could already tell that the system was just waiting for the right time to slap him in the face with another '(INSERT NAME) Route has been Unlocked!' notification.
And then there's also Nanase back home with Matsuo... who was planning to go here in a year's time... and she also happened to be a heroine as well.
"However, I regret to inform you that this change will only apply for this year's freshmen, so the second-years and third-years will have to stick to the same arrangement until they graduate. From this year going forward, a co-ed dormitory will be the living arrangements for our students, That is all. I thank you for taking the time to listen."
As the video message ended, the young man with a 'dating simulator' power fell to his knees, which is something that you would never see Ayanokouji Kiyotaka do in a lifetime, especially the words that would come out of his mouth next.
"I give up," Kiyotaka mumbled quietly, surrendering to his fate.
As both Suzune and Kikyo knelt down to his level with worried looks on their faces, Kiyotaka bore an expression that showed he was dead inside. Even if he was a highly dangerous and capable individual who survived the horrors of the White Room, there's only so much that a teenager like him can handle. Plus, he wasn't exactly facing off against a person or someone whom he can defeat with wit alone.
Perhaps he should just stop being annoyed and instead, embrace this messed-up superpower for what it is. Maybe the system might become merciful towards him if he does that...
Still, how embarrassing for the so-called 'masterpiece'. If his father could see him now, then he would be the one to commit suicide instead.
~XoX~
"Woooow... I still can't believe it! We're actually neighbors, Ayanokouji-kun!"
A big smile could be seen on Kikyo's face as she skipped through the hallway of the 4th floor, marveling at how clean and beautiful the place looked. Behind her were Kiyotaka and Suzune, who weren't affected much by the sudden change in living arrangements for the students, although the girl did feel a bit embarrassed about where exactly her dorm room was located.
In Kiyotaka's case, he wasn't surprised which unit he ended up in.
Upon reaching the dorm buildings and getting their keys from the registrar at the lobby, the three students realized that they would be living next to each other by simply looking at their room keys. By that, it's actually Kiyotaka's unit being in the middle of the two girls' dorm rooms.
Yep, he was officially living between two girls who were about to strangle each other earlier. If that's not a recipe for disaster, then he didn't know what is.
As the three reached their individual dorm units, Kushida walked up towards the young man with a cute smile on her face. "Come on, Ayanokouji-kun, aren't you excited about being neighbors with me?" she asked.
"Kushida-san, would you please stop bothering him already? Ayanokouji-kun has had a long day, and the reason why he wanted to head to the dorms early is because he wants to rest," Suzune said firmly, scolding the girl for continuing to act bubbly and energetic around Kiyotaka. Can't she see that he was looking tired?
"Thanks for that," he thanked Suzune for speaking up on his behalf, before turning to their other companion who looked troubled because she did something wrong. "Kushida, I don't mean any offense, but I just want to go inside my room and rest for maybe a few hours. I feel exhausted from everything that happened today."
"O-Oh, it's fine..." she replied, before looking apologetic. She didn't mean to put on an annoying act, she was only trying to be a good friend. "I'm sorry if it seems like I'm annoying you, Ayanokouji-kun..."
pαndα`noνɐ1--сoМ "You're not annoying me, so don't worry about it," he waved off her apology. It's not Kushida's fault that he felt exhausted, anyway. "Besides, you yourself said it earlier. Now that we are neighbors, we can walk to school together, right?"
Kiyotaka had no idea if he was saying the right thing, but based on the responses that he gave to this girl thus far, she can be easily swayed by kind words and according to her summary, she loves getting praised by other people as well.
[You gained 2 Affection Points with Kushida Kikyo!]
"Yeah! That'll be really fun! I'll wait for you tomorrow then!" Kikyo clapped her hands together and chuckled, before opening the door to her unit. She secretly sent a smug look towards Suzune. "This is going well... oh, I can't wait to see the look on her face when she realizes it!"
With Kikyo gone, the brown-haired teen towards his other companion, who was already
"See you tomorrow, Ayanokouji-kun." Suzune's words were quick and direct, as she opened the door to her unit and walked inside. She closed the door afterwards, but not before seeing Kiyotaka sending her a nod of acknowledgement. Now that she was alone, her mind was taking a different direction after listening to her two classmates. "I will make sure to wake up early tomorrow like them."
With Suzune gone as well, this left Kiyotaka as the only one left in the hallway. He quickly brought out his own key and unlocked the door to his unit. "Finally... I can lie down in bed and sleep for the rest of the day," he said in his mind, as an overwhelming wave of relief filled his entire being.
"Who would have thought that this would be the place where we'll finally meet?" a female voice spoke from behind him, making him stop.
"...or not."
