Aika. Alice. Shia.

 

“Do you like any of the three?”

 

In fact, the reporter hadn’t expected much when he threw out the question.

 

That young man wasn’t an ordinary youth.

 

He was on a first-name basis with Bojji Kkong and even called the Japanese Prime Minister his brother. His eloquence was on par with Seol Ha-yeon’s.

 

He thought the question would be brushed off as a joke—

 

‘Well, there’s no way he’ll answer….’

 

“Well, that, um….”

 

“…?”

 

However, just as a thoughtlessly thrown stone can kill a frog, the reporter’s question flustered the man with hypnotic powers.

 

His golden eyes lost focus and wavered.

 

‘Sure, I love all three….’

 

Do I love my wives?

 

Of course, I do. All three of them.

 

…But there was no way I could say that.

 

Yu-jin was still just an A-rank Awakener.

 

He was nowhere near strong enough to withstand the storm of declaring a harem.

 

Moreover, saying it would be akin to a confession.

 

A confession not made directly to the three, but done arbitrarily in a public setting.

 

It was the kind of confession that could land in the Guinness World Records for the worst confession ever.

 

An honest answer was difficult.

 

‘It’s even harder to lie and deny it….’

 

But lying wasn’t an option either.

 

Denying my love for my wives?

 

Ha. It would be like making an elf sign a document that says the World Tree is just a big tree.

 

I’d rather die.

 

Yu-jin was quietly stubborn in his way.

 

‘What should I do? Just brush it off….’

 

-Hesitating.

 

A few seconds of awkward silence ensued.

 

The young man, who always seemed perfect, was visibly flustered.

 

The wolves in front of him exchanged glances.

 

‘This reaction… it’s quite delicious, isn’t it?’

 

‘So, women are his weak point? I thought someone who looks like him would be immune, but he’s surprisingly pure.’

 

Even if you suddenly gave him a microphone, he could deliver a perfect speech.

 

But talking about women? He was as bashful as a clumsy novice, too shy to speak.

 

Seriously, has he never had a girlfriend?

 

He must like one of the three, hence the stuttering.

 

It was so innocent and cute that it almost made me laugh…

 

But business is business.

 

Gotta get those views.

 

‘Hey, Reporter Park. You used to work in the entertainment section, right? Why don’t you step in?’

 

‘This is my specialty. Leave it to me, Chief.’

 

-Click.

 

“Mr. Seo Yu-jin, you do have a human side. You seemed too perfect to be relatable.”

 

The reporter’s sweet, indirect attack smelled like a romance show.

 

He subtly treated Yu-jin’s hesitation as an affirmation.

 

Yu-jin hastily tried to dodge the question.

 

Like a character in a martial arts novel rolling on the ground to escape, abandoning dignity for survival.

 

“Ah, no! That’s not it!”

 

“Oh, so you don’t like any of the three?”

 

“Well, as friends or mentors, yes, but….”

 

“Come on~ we know that’s not what we mean. Do you have someone you love? You do, right?”

 

However, the reporter, who had climbed from the entertainment to the Awakener section, was not to be underestimated.

 

Her tongue chased after Yu-jin’s retreating steps, tenaciously seeking the truth.

 

“Why should I answer that? There’s no need to discuss my private life.”

 

“You don’t have to answer, but that itself is an answer, isn’t it?”

 

“…….”

 

Unrelenting attacks that were impossible to guard against.

 

Yu-jin was gradually cornered.

 

A smile crept onto the reporter’s face.

 

A smile that would suit a green alien with sunglasses.

 

“If you don’t answer… I’ll write this article: Awakener Seo Yu-jin, Innocent Love. Asked if he loves Ninomiya, he blushed and avoided answering. It was spring.”

 

“…….”

 

“It’s already blown up; why not just be open about it? We’re not asking you to specifically confess to someone. Right?”

 

An attack that couldn’t be avoided or blocked.

 

It was a checkmate for a married man.

 

Cornered, Yu-jin…

 

“…? Ah.”

 

-Nod.

 

“Yes. I do have someone I love.”

 

He coolly admitted it.

 

So easily that it was hard to understand why he had been flustered before.

 

* * *

 

I was flustered by the reporter’s checkmate.

 

However,

 

“You’re not asking me to specifically confess….”

 

-Stop.

 

‘Wait, they don’t know I love all three?’

 

An escape route suddenly became visible.

 

I hadn’t thought of it right away because of the memories of being harassed by the media in my first life…

 

But it’s different now that I’ve returned.

 

The media is friendly. My romantic relationships aren’t even known yet, let alone started.

 

The fact that I’m dreaming of a harem is something even the reporters wouldn’t suspect.

 

‘If I admit to having someone I love, won’t people just assume I like one of the three?’

 

That’s the usual case, after all.

 

My three wives would likely think the same.

 

Wait, he likes one of us?

 

No way. What happened between us?

 

It was clear who among the two others they liked.

 

Just like that.

 

The defenselessness coming from this difference in perception was an opening for my male friend, Seo Yu-jin, to exploit.

 

From the blind spot, I could slowly gain the favor of my wives.

 

And, when the time came after such a buildup.

 

What if I confessed, “Actually, back then, it was you guys I was talking about”?

 

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry, I’m such a trash….”

 

“Yu, Yu-jin?! It’s okay, don’t cry, okay? Even without the hypnosis or whatever, I was surely….”

 

“Do you think we liked you because of that? Fool. Real fool.”

 

‘It’s a million times better than the first confession, isn’t it?’

 

It was more than not bad; it was actually good.

 

Shia had said it. If you’re going to declare that you’re two-timing, then do it confidently. Women are attracted to bad boys.

 

Already building up the bad boy strategy. Nice.

 

‘I’d probably get slapped and dumped most of the time, but I had to try.’

 

The difficulty of confessing would significantly rise, but it couldn’t be helped.

 

From the beginning, there was no meaning in living without the three of them.

 

I had to somehow make it happen, even if I had to save the world.

 

Therefore, I steeled myself and confessed.

 

“Yes. I have someone I love.”

 

‘Three people I love the most in the world. They’re hundreds of times more important than my life.’

 

The first genuine words I uttered since returning.

 

Though it might not reach anyone right now, I hoped someone would understand someday.

 

The reporter’s eyes widened.

 

“Oh my. Really? Who….”

 

“Telling you who would be a bit much.”

 

“Well, yes, that would be a real public confession.”

 

Even so, the reporter didn’t press further.

 

I showed a look of refusal to answer more…

 

And from the reporter’s perspective, it would be better this way.

 

A vague hint about who I liked would get far more views.

 

‘The three might be a bit confused… but it should be fine.’

 

The fallout for the wives from the media?

 

It didn’t matter.

 

Shia was a second-generation conglomerate who knew how to cleverly use media attention. She’d use it well for clan promotion or whatever.

 

Alice just enjoyed the attention. She’d probably speak ambiguously on purpose to make it even more exciting, playfully.

 

As for the teacher… was there any point in worrying? If anyone asked, she’d tell them to stop talking nonsense and dismiss it.

 

In other words, there was zero risk in this operation.

 

As long as no one found out that I liked all three, it was a perfect plan.

 

-Whisper whisper.

 

“Dad, dad. Is it Whitey? Pinky? Flatty?”

 

“It’s a secret~.”

 

“If it’s Flatty, tell me. Haru will help the baby.”

 

“……? What does that mean.”

 

-Buzz.

 

“Oh. It’s already time.”

 

Right on time, my phone alarm rang.

 

It signaled the end of the interview.

 

“I have to go for treatment now. Do you have any more questions?”

 

“Of course not. Thank you for your cooperation, Awakened Seo Yu-jin.”

 

“Yes. Come on, Haru. Let’s go.”

 

I turned my back to the reporter and headed to the hospital.

 

At the last moment. Her face was full of a smile, satisfied with the outcome.

 

-Murmur murmur.

 

“Reporter Park, nice! From Seo Yu-jin….”

 

“Boss. Jackpot. My romantic cells are fully activated right now. Wow. Delicious. Really delicious.”

 

“…Reporter Park?”

 

“There’s a one-third chance that Seo Yu-jin has feelings for me. It’s getting more intriguing, the women might start fighting each other, trying to figure out Yu-jin’s feelings… Ha. I could write articles on this for the next six months. Tasty.”

 

“Why do you use your good abilities for such things…?”

 

The noise behind me…

 

They were probably excited, thinking they finally got a scoop on me.

 

Not knowing it would actually help me, help us.

 

‘Go ahead, write as many articles and make a fuss. For us.’

 

-Smile.

 

I too smiled broadly.

 

Today’s me was a bit of a bad boy.

 

* * *

 

The treatment itself was finished quickly.

 

Without the need for rounds, just sitting in the consultation room and applying hypnosis as prescribed was enough.

 

It took less than 20 minutes to treat 30 people, so that was that.

 

-Chew chew.

 

“Dad. This red gum is delicious. Dad, you try it too.”

 

“…….”

 

‘You’ve already eaten ten of them?’

 

It was enough time for Haru to ruthlessly devour the ten pieces of candy prepared for the kids. Anyway.

 

With that, my official schedule for the day was over.

 

What remained was…

 

“Then Haru, shall we go to the amusement park?”

 

“……!!! Yes!!!”

 

Keeping the promise made on the first day of admission, even if belatedly.

 

We headed straight to the amusement park.

 

For Haru, it was a time to relieve a lifelong regret.

 

For me, it was time to relieve the fatigue of running nonstop for four weeks.

 

-Screech.

 

“We have arrived, Seo Yu-jin.”

 

“Dad, hurry. Hurry.”

 

“Say thank you to the lady who drove us?”

 

“Thank youuu.”

 

“Hoho. Have fun.”

 

Thanks to the dedicated vehicle sent by Cheonhwa, we arrived at the amusement park in no time.

 

After that, I intended to spend a peaceful time with Haru…

 

“With the young lady.”

 

“…Yes?”

 

-Creak.

 

“———Yu-jin, what was that interview about?”

 

“……!!!!!?”

 

I intended to spend a peaceful time, but unexpectedly, a wild Shia appeared.

 

“Th-that. Um. Are you mad….”

 

“Just come out. We can talk slowly while having fun.”

 

-Slip. Grip.

 

Shia used her ability to pull me out of the car.

 

“Oh, is Flatty playing too?”

 

“Who’s Flatty… Ahem. Haru. Actually, this amusement park, my clan owns a considerable share? It’s almost half mine.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Of course. If you play with me, you can ride all the rides for free. No waiting.”

 

“Flatty is an amazing person. Very impressive.”

 

Haru’s eyes sparkled at Shia.

 

Finally,

 

“So….”

 

-Squish.

 

“Let’s listen to your sister well today, Haru.”

 

“……!!!!!?”

 

Suddenly, she linked arms with me.

 

“……!!? S-S-Shia!!?”

 

“Be quiet. Haru, don’t you mind?”

 

“Temporary mom approved. I’ll leave today in your care, Flatty.”

 

“Alright. Let’s go, Yu-jin.”

 

“Uh, um, but we’re touching….”

 

“I said be quiet.”

 

“Eek.”

 

Thus began an amusement park date far from healing.