Fortunately, Emily regained consciousness by the time daylight broke.

"...Thank you."

"No, I was warm too..."

Naturally, as she had fainted in the cold night, I had to hold her to maintain our body heat.

When she opened her eyes and found herself in my arms, Emily was startled but expressed her gratitude.

Afterward, with daylight allowing us to see our surroundings, Emily supported me as we made our way out of the forest.

"T-that's... Enzo..."

We relayed the sad news about Enzo to the female students who had returned from searching for him the previous day.

Some looked shocked, while others burst into tears.

Those must have been the ones who had been close to him.

Of course, I was the one who had to make his grave.

On the island, besides me, there were only women.

Tasks that required physical strength naturally fell to me.

Moreover, it wasn't ideal to have them see the body of a classmate who had been torn in two.

Anyway, since it wasn't that difficult for me, I handled it quickly.

"Good work, Ken."

After finishing the digging, setting up a suitable stele, I heard Emily's voice from behind me.

"Were you close with Enzo?"

"No way. Before the past changed, I only saw him briefly in our first year, and even after the past changed, all I remember is him being nosy."

Emily's memories had completely returned to her.

However, the difference between the memories from before and after the Past Alteration seemed to leave her a bit confused.

“That aside, I didn’t expect to change the past at the tower and lose our memories too.”

After completing the grave for Enzo, the two of us moved to a nearby beach.

We settled down in some shade and watched the crashing waves.

Naturally, we held each other's hands tightly.

"You know, Ken… that thing you said… was it true?”

Emily leaned gently against my shoulder, looking up at me.

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“You know, …what you said in the forest.”

“Ah, yes.”

Realizing what she meant by her shy words, I awkwardly nodded in response. Overwhelmed by emotions as my memories returned, I confessed to Emily suddenly.

But if asked now whether I would take it back, I would definitely say no.

“…Hehe.”

Seemingly satisfied with my answer, Emily blushed and laughed cutely. Then she wrapped her arm around mine tenderly.

“I like you too, Ken.”

“Yes, I heard that before.”

“I’m going to keep saying it because it’s what I want to say.”

Emily looked at me with a playful expression. It felt like a conversation between lovers, like lovers' gestures. I didn’t dislike it. But…

‘Is this really okay?’

There was something weighing on my mind. And it didn’t take long to recall what it was.

Raphne and Mary.

Their faces lingered in my thoughts.

Raphne also told me she likes me. And I feel the same way.

Mary told me she likes me too. Likewise, I have feelings for Mary.

‘Ugh, what a trashy guy.’

Thinking through the current situation carefully, I realized I was nothing short of a jerk.

Liking three women at the same time.

“Aren’t you struggling too much?”

“…Huh?”

“Right now, you’re thinking about those other two next to me. Mary and Raphne.”

“What? How did you…”

“Ken, your face reveals so much.”

Perhaps feeling a bit jealous, Emily put my arm around her shoulder and wrapped her hand around my waist.

As a result, Emily’s body pressed closer to mine.

“It’s okay, don’t worry.”

“How can I not worry?”

It wasn’t about worrying about something else; it was about how to tell Raphne and Mary about this mess of feelings I had.

Meeting all three without saying anything?

That would make me no different than a philanderer. I couldn’t accept that.

So, I need to let Mary and Raphne know about my current situation.

‘…Especially Raphne.’

I was extremely worried.

Raphne, with her strong possessiveness and attachment to me.

I couldn’t imagine what might happen.

“That’s why it’s okay.”

Noticing my continued anxiety, Emily tightened her grip on my hand resting on my chest.

“If something really serious happens… then I'll step back.”

“Emily…. What do you mean by that?”

“Well, if we're talking about qualifications, I'm the least qualified.”

Emily rested her head on my shoulder and lowered her gaze with a somber expression.

Yet, she tried to smile.

“Don’t say things like that.”

“…Huh?”

I held Emily’s hand firmly, showing my strong resolve.

“What I’m worried about is how to tell both of them the truth, not about choosing who to leave behind.”

“…….”

Hearing Emily’s words, I was certain of my feelings.

I want to be happy with all three of them.

I don't want to see anyone with a sad face.

Even if Raphne opposes, I’ll try my utmost to persuade her.

Mary... might dislike the idea, but she probably wouldn't be as fiercely against it as Raphne.

“Emily, don’t have any strange worries. I’ll take responsibility for my words.”

“Ken…”

Emily looked at me with teary eyes, touched by my words.

Blushing and with trembling eyes, she brought her face closer to mine with her eyes closed.

“…Mmm.”

And so, Emily and I shared a kiss.

It was our first kiss since the sixth loop we experienced together.

“S-sorry about suddenly…. I was just so happy that I couldn’t help myself.”

“Oh, no… I liked it too.”

After a brief kiss, an awkward silence lingered between us.

However, Emily didn't move away from my embrace and kept her head resting on my shoulder as time passed. I held her shoulder, gazing at the waves, and strengthened my resolve.

‘Somehow, I'll make it work.’

By some stroke of good fortune, this world allows for polygamy. So, if I can gain the agreement of all three, we can reach a happy ending.

One where no one is sad.

“Mmm…”

When I opened my eyes, I saw the familiar ceiling.

‘I'm back.’

It was just a night since the time before I ended up on the uninhabited island. In other words, no real-world time had passed after the island incident.

Of course, I knew this from the game, but facing it directly felt strange.

‘It was definitely a week on the island.’

After Enzo's death, Emily and I settled our feelings and survived on the island without further issues. Occasionally, we faced events like monster hordes or heavy rains.

Thanks to my crafting skills and unique abilities, we solved problems without much difficulty.

The real challenge starts now.

‘I have to tell the other two.’

Even if they might scold me for being a jerk, and I’m sure they will, I need to make my feelings clear to them.

I have to persuade them so I can be with all three.

With this in mind, I left the dormitory with a tense expression from the morning.

“Your swordplay is unusually sharp today, Ken.”

“Is it?”

“Yes, it's like that of a knight who has made a resolute decision.”

It seems that when a useless person gives it their all, their swordplay can resemble that of a determined knight.

Unaware of this fact, Siegfried looked at me proudly after our training was over.

After finishing my usual morning training, I headed to Raphne’s Tower, following my routine.

“Ke-e-e-en!”

As I opened the Tower's Door, Raphne, wearing an apron, embraced me.

‘As always, it’s a familiar, comforting scent.’

While the scents of Emily and Mary make my heart flutter, Raphne's fragrance not only makes my heart flutter but also warms my soul.

It feels like I've come to my sanctuary.

“Huh? You look unusually happy today.”

“Do I?”

Maybe so. After all, it's the first time in a week since I've seen Raphne.

“Is it because you really like me?”

“Let’s put it that way.”

“Hehe.”

I stroked Raphne’s head for a while as she held onto me, then had the breakfast she prepared before leaving the tower.

“Let go, Raphne…”

“Nooo! You said you liked me so much! Then it's okay to stay in the tower with me today!”

As usual, she teared up and clung to my clothes as I headed to the Academy, waving goodbye.

‘I need to persuade Mary first.’

Of course, I didn’t reveal my true feelings to Raphne.

Starting with a Boss Monster is too dangerous.

First, I intended to tell Mary, who could better handle the aftermath.

I also needed to respond to the confession she gave me.

“Mary.”

“Oh, Ken.”

Arriving at the Academy earlier than usual, I quickly left my things in the classroom and went to Mary’s class.

There, sitting at her desk, was Mary, who was always an early arrival at the Academy.

Calling her from the back door of the classroom, she, who was usually expressionless, smiled gently and stood up.

Then she hurriedly trotted over to me.

‘Adorable…’

Seeing her like that made my heart race.

Normally, I would suppress such an indecisive heart with force, but after accepting my true feelings, my affectionate emotions for her easily arose.

“What is it?”

Mary, looking both pleased and flustered, blushed as she stood in front of me.

“Mary, I have something I want to talk about. ...When would be a convenient time for you?”

“……”

Without beating around the bush, I got straight to the point.

However, if I were to talk about such things at the back door of the classroom, strange rumors would surely spread throughout the Academy.

First, I needed to arrange a separate time to tell her carefully when we could be alone.

And at my sudden suggestion to meet, Mary widened her eyes in surprise.

Avoiding my gaze slightly, she shyly answered.

“Uh, after the Academy... anytime after that is fine.”

“Okay, let's meet then. I really have something important to say today.”

“Yes, yes!”

When I looked at her with a determined gaze, Mary, uncharacteristically flustered, blushed.

It seems she has a rough idea of what I'm going to say.

Of course, it's a positive response to the confession.

The problem is that it will be followed by some shocking news.

But it can't be helped.

I am sincere.

I will confront it head-on.

After arranging the meeting time with Mary, I confidently returned to the classroom.

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