Make Them Love Me Or They'll End The World-Chapter 133: The Morning After

"What's… going on…" Tenka muttered groggily, the remnants of slumber still thick in her mind as she turned onto her back. Her crimson eyes fluttered open, half-lidded and struggling to focus on the blurred shapes looming in the soft morning light that poured through the window.

As the haze began to lift, the first thing she discerned was Kentaro. He was positioned nearby, his silhouette nearly indistinguishable against the light-colored walls of the room. The way he was standing, arm outstretched towards something just out of view, sent an unexpected thrill through her. Before she could fully grasp her surroundings, her heart lurched, jumping into her throat, dense with urgency.

"Ngh!" The sound escaped her before she could contain it, and without a second thought, panic surged through her, propelling her to roll away.

In her desperate bid for space, she hadn't registered that her fingers were still wrapped around his arm, a lifeline in her chaotic moment. Her sudden pivot yanked Kentaro along with her, and all too abruptly, the balance of everything shifted.

"WAIT MY AR-" Kentaro's startled shout pierced the air as he stumbled forward, his momentum carrying him along with her. In a blink, he toppled over, the weight of his body pressing down onto her side. The futon shifted beneath them, enveloping them in a tangle of limbs, tangled sheets, and unexpected intimacy.

Tenka froze. Her wide eyes bore into Kentaro's face, inches from her own, shock coursing through her like a current. She could feel the warmth of his breath grazing her cheek, and her mind raced, suddenly hyper-aware of every detail, his tousled hair, the flutter of his long eyelashes, the way his eyes widened in realization.

Time seemed to suspend, stretching the moment into eternity. Kentaro's body stiffened as if caught in an electric shock, both of them locked in a tableau of surprise and vulnerability.

"S-SORRY!" Kentaro blurted out, his voice cracking under the weight of embarrassment. With a frantic surge of energy, he practically launched himself upright, cheeks flaring a deep crimson, as if he had just stepped into the searing April sun. He scrambled backward, hands raised as though he were signaling surrender, an apologetic figure whose regret filled the room to its brim.

The tension coiled around them, thick and heavy in the air, making it nearly impossible to breathe. In that charged silence, the pulse of the morning beyond the window continued on, oblivious to the moment unfolding within these walls.

Eventually, Kentaro fumbled to his feet, his movements awkward as he mumbled a string of apologies that faded into the background. He retreated into his room, leaving Tenka alone with her racing thoughts.

Still sprawled on the futon, she remained where she was, staring up at the ceiling. It felt as if the world had crumbled to dust around her, leaving only the thrumming of her heart battering against her ribs like a drummer signaling the start of a storm. Her cheeks burned with lingering heat, memories from the night before swirling in her mind like leaves caught in a whirlwind.

The impulsive confession, raw and unfiltered, echoed in her ears—the desperate plea for him to run away with her, his steady refusal, the warmth of his arms encircling her. And then, that kiss; the electric brush of his lips against hers, a moment that lingered like sweet poison on her tongue.

The day beckoned, the inevitability of school and the approaching play hanging over her, yet all Tenka could do was lie there, suspended in the memory of what had just unfolded between them, the pulse of their intertwined destinies still fresh in the cool morning air.

She covered her face with both hands, muffling a groan. "Why did I do that…? Idiot… Stupid, stupid…"

"Of course, he said no." Her thoughts lashed at her. "Why would he abandon everything just for me? I sounded like a child throwing a tantrum."

And then she remembered.

"I love you."

The words she had whispered. The words he had whispered back.

Tenka's blush flared hotter. She slapped both cheeks with her palms, trying to snap herself out of it. "COME ON, TENKA! You're acting like a schoolgirl!"

With a huff, she sat up. Kentaro's bedroom door was still ajar, proof that he was inside changing. She folded her arms, scowling at herself. "It's just the word love. What's so bad about that?"

"What's bad about love?"

The voice drifted softly from the doorway.

"NGH!" Tenka's face twisted in horror.

Aria stood there, her head tilted, her expression calm but curious. Her soft eyes locked onto Tenka's, and though her tone was gentle, the weight of her words landed sharply.

"What did you just say, Tenka?"

Tenka's mouth flapped, desperate for an excuse. "I-I-I-umm-it's nothing! I was, uh… Watching this show! About humans… Loving animals!" She nodded vigorously, as though selling the worst lie of the century.

Aria blinked, pausing. She wasn't used to seeing Tenka like this, flustered, stuttering, even blushing. The commander of Halcyon, usually composed and sharp as a blade, now squirmed like a teenager caught in a love drama.

Aria stepped closer, her gaze never leaving Tenka's face. Her footsteps were light but deliberate.

Tenka's eyes snapped shut, her breath quickening. She peeked one eye open when the footsteps stopped just in front of her futon. "H-Hey! What are you-"

"You love Kentaro, don't you?"

The words cut through her defences like a knife.

Tenka froze, her eyes wide, her breath caught in her throat. "N-NO! Of course not! He's my friend! Just my friend!" Her voice pitched too high, her protest too desperate.

Aria's eyes narrowed slightly. Silence hung for a beat. Then she leaned back, her lips curving into a mischievous smirk.

"I know you're lying." She tapped her finger against her lip, like a child holding onto a delicious secret. "But for your sake, I won't tell the others. Unless… Maybe I should?"

"NO! PLEASE DON'T!" Tenka cried, panic surging through her. The moment the words left her lips, she realised her mistake. She had admitted it. Out loud.

Her face drained, then flushed scarlet. "Shit…" She muttered under her breath.

Aria's smirk widened, her eyes gleaming. "Okay. For your sake, and because you and Halcyon saved me, I'll keep it a secret. But…" She tilted her head, looking down at the futons scattered on the floor. "Why not tell Serica and Yura? It can't be that bad. Can it?"

Tenka's lips parted, but no words came. She struggled for an answer, then blurted, "Ah! It's because, of course, if they knew I loved Kentaro, then it would cause them distress! Because… Because Kentaro loves me the most! Yes, that's why!" She nodded, trying to convince herself of her own lie.

Aria giggled softly, covering her lips with her hand. "Hehehe. You're funny, Tenka. We all know he loves me the best."

Tenka's eyebrow twitched. Her blush deepened, but now it was tinted with fury. "HUH?! What do you mean?! Don't be ridiculous, you're dreaming! Get your head out of the clouds!"

Aria's brow twitched in return. "Dreaming? Please. This isn't a dream."

Their faces inched closer, sparks practically crackling between them.

"Hey girls, aren't you ready y-"

Kentaro stepped into the living room, adjusting his collar. He froze mid-sentence.

Before him was a warzone in miniature: Tenka and Aria locked in a heated standoff, their foreheads nearly touching.

"HE LOVES ME MORE!" Tenka shouted.

"NO, HE LOVES ME MORE!" Aria shot back.

"TSCH! Don't be silly! Have you told him you loved him? NO! I HAVE!" Aria declared proudly.

"YES, I HAVE! I TOLD HIM! AND HE TOLD ME HE LOVES M-ah-" Tenka's rant screeched to a halt. Her eyes darted upward.

Standing right above them, his jaw slack and his expression awkward as a scarecrow, was Kentaro.

Aria followed Tenka's gaze. Her lips curled into a sly grin as she turned toward him. She practically skipped over, latching onto his arm with practised ease.

"Kentaro~" she cooed, her tone dripping with sweetness. "Tell me. Who do you love the most?"

Kentaro's face turned pale. His mouth opened, but no sound came. He was cornered. No answer could save him.

So he blurted the safest, most diplomatic response.

"Heheh, I love all of you!"

Aria pouted, her cheeks tinged pink. "No! That doesn't count!" She tugged his arm tighter.

Kentaro scratched the back of his head nervously. "W-well, I'm not sure… if I had to choose…" His eyes flicked nervously to Tenka, then back to Aria. "It would be..."

"KENTARO! Where are you?"

The voice came from behind.

It was Yura, stepping out of his bedroom.

Everyone's heads snapped toward her.

Her cheeks flushed pink as her eyes landed on Kentaro. She twiddled her thumbs, her voice soft and shy. "Um… listen, about last night. I know I was rough. I probably caused you some pain…"

"….WHAT DID YOU DO?!" Tenka shrieked, her voice cracking.

"NO! WAIT, IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!" Kentaro shouted in defence.

Yura kept her gaze down, fidgeting. "Just… Maybe a bit gentler next time. My… My breasts hurt a little. From… Well… Your hand."

"KENTAROOOOOOO!!!" Tenka and Aria roared in unison, their voices shaking the walls.

"NOOOOOOO! IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!" Kentaro screamed, waving his arms like a man drowning.

* 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Eventually, after surviving a hurricane of accusations, Kentaro managed to herd the group toward the door.

He locked his apartment with a heavy sigh. "Why do the last couple of days feel like one big chapter in a novel…" He muttered under his breath.

When he turned, all the girls were waiting for him. They smiled warmly, even Tenka, though she avoided his eyes, her face pink.

Kentaro smiled faintly back. This… This is why I'm fighting.

"Ken," Serica chimed as she walked beside him, "what were you doing last night? I heard groaning… And, um, stiff noises?"

"Hahaha! No, no, it was just me talking in my sleep!" Kentaro laughed nervously, scratching his cheek.

"Ohh. I didn't know you talked in your sleep." Serica tilted her head innocently.

"Heheh. Yeah… Just one of those things."

Serica's smile softened as she slipped her arm through his. Kentaro didn't resist. He was too tired, and her quiet warmth felt nice in the cool morning air.

Little did they know that what awaited them at college would change everything.