Chapter 14: The Rules of the Game
The dining room was bathed in the warm, amber glow of the afternoon sun, the air thick with the savory, comforting aroma of home-cooked food. The table was a feast of colors and scents—steaming bowls of rice, grilled fish, and a variety of side dishes that looked as though they belonged in a five-star restaurant.
Jun sat at the head of the table, the centerpiece of the room. Sora sat to his right, her expression a mixture of nervous anticipation and pride. Akane stood slightly behind her, her posture formal, though her eyes were fixed on the spread of food with genuine curiosity.
“Sit down, Akane,” Jun said, gesturing to the empty chair beside him. “Join us for dinner.”
Akane blinked, her eyes widening in surprise. She looked at Sora, seeking permission. Sora gave a small, encouraging nod, her expression soft.
“Thank you, Jun-sama,” Akane replied, sliding into the chair. She felt a flutter of excitement in her chest; being invited to dine at the same table as a Prime Candidate was a privilege few maids ever experienced.
As Jun began to eat, he didn’t hide his appreciation. “This is incredible, Sora,” he remarked, his voice warm. “I didn’t know you were such a talented cook.”
Sora beamed, her cheeks flushing a soft pink. “I… I enjoy it,” she murmured, her voice barely audible.
“She worked very hard on this, Jun-sama,” Akane added, a playful glint in her eye. “Sora-sama was practically obsessing over the seasoning for the last hour.”
Jun chuckled. As he continued to eat, his chopsticks landed on a small, slightly charred piece of fish. Without thinking, Sora reached out, her hand hovering over the plate.
“Oh! I’m sorry, Jun-sama,” she exclaimed, her voice laced with worry. “That piece is a bit burnt. Let me remove it for you—”
Before she could touch it, Jun picked up the burnt piece and popped it into his mouth. He chewed slowly, then looked at her with a small, reassuring smile.
“It’s good,” he said simply. “A little char just adds to the flavor.”
Sora froze, her heart skipping a beat. It was a small gesture, but to her, it felt like a profound acceptance. He didn’t just tolerate her efforts; he embraced her imperfections. She felt a surge of warmth wash over her, a feeling of belonging that was far more intoxicating than any luxury the Academy could provide.
As the meal wound down, the atmosphere shifted into a relaxed, post-dinner lull. Sora poured three cups of steaming tea, the aroma of jasmine filling the air. As they sipped their drinks, the conversation naturally drifted back to the topic of the day.
“About the girl selection,” Sora began, her voice regaining its poise. “I wanted to explain how the process actually works, so you aren’t surprised by the requirements.”
Jun leaned back in his chair, his gaze attentive. “I’m listening.”
“As a Prime Candidate,” Sora explained, “you are required to select at least one girl from each of the collaborating countries—Japan, Korea, and China. This ensures a diverse genetic pool and maintains the political alliances between the regions.”
Jun nodded. “So, three girls as a baseline.”
“Exactly,” Sora continued. “However, my position is unique. As a second-year and your assigned guide, I am not counted toward that quota. Similarly, overseas students and merit-scholarship talent students do not count toward the regional requirements.”
Jun did the math in his head. “So, including you, that’s one. If I pick one from each region, that’s at least four girls in this house.”
Sora nodded, her expression turning a bit more serious. “There is no hard limit on the number of girls you can invite into your circle. You can pick as many as you like, provided you can manage them. However,” she added, her voice dipping slightly, “it is not a guaranteed selection. The girls have the right to reject your invitation if they feel you aren’t a suitable match, or if they’ve already accepted an offer from another candidate.”
Jun caught the implication immediately. He smiled, a predatory, confident glint entering his eyes. He leaned in closer to Sora, his voice dropping to a low, suggestive whisper.
“So, it’s a competition,” he murmured. “I can’t just pick them; I have to… convince them. Is that right?”
He paused, his gaze lingering on her lips, his tone hanging with an unspoken promise. Sora felt her breath hitch. She knew exactly where this was going. She looked away, her face flushing a deep crimson, and let out a small, awkward cough to hide her embarrassment.
“It… it is a process of mutual attraction,” Sora stammered, her voice trembling. “But there is one more thing you should know. The Academy believes in… transparency… for the sake of education.”
Jun raised an eyebrow. “Transparency?”
Sora closed her eyes for a moment, her voice becoming a barely audible whisper. “The first time a Prime Candidate and his selected partner… engage… the act is recorded. A highlight reel of the first sex and the first video is shared with the students who are interested in that candidate. It’s meant to… showcase the chemistry and the virility of the Prime.”
Sora’s face was now a vivid scarlet. The thought of her most intimate moment with Jun being watched by other students made her want to hide in her robe, yet the thought of Jun seeing her in that light—and the world knowing she was his—sent a thrill of excitement through her.
Jun let out a soft, genuine laugh. The idea of being a spectacle didn’t bother him; in fact, it appealed to his “Pro” nature. He loved the idea of setting a standard.
“That sounds like a lot of pressure for you, Sora,” he teased, his voice warm.
Sora looked at him, her eyes shimmering with a mixture of shyness and desire. “I… I just hope I can do my best for you, Jun-sama.”
Jun smiled, his gaze softening. “Don’t worry about the audience. I prefer quality over quantity anyway. As long as you’re the one I’m with, the rest is just noise.”
Sora felt as though her heart had just melted. The validation, the confidence, and the sheer smoothness of his words left her completely undone.
At that moment, Akane returned to the table, carrying the leather booklet she had retrieved from the study. She set it down in front of Jun with a quiet click.
“The catalog, Jun-sama,” Akane said, her voice steady, though she couldn’t help but notice the electric tension between Jun and Sora.
Jun picked up the booklet, his eyes meeting Sora’s. The game was officially in motion. He had the map, he had the rules, and he had the most devoted woman in the Academy by his side.