I Accidentally Built a Harem of Girls Who All Hate Each Other

The next morning, the walk to school was a formal war council. The air of novelty and panic had been replaced by a grim, focused determination. Yui—or rather, Campaign Manager Hamasaki—walked beside me, a small notebook in hand, outlining the new phase of our operation.

"The Warden knows about me," she began, her voice low and serious. "This is both a disadvantage and an opportunity. The disadvantage is that she will now analyze my every move. The opportunity is that we can now engage in misdirection. She will be looking for complex strategies, so we will counter with aggressive simplicity."

"Aggressive simplicity?" I repeated, my sleep-deprived brain struggling to keep up.

"Exactly," she said, her eyes glinting. "Phase One was 'The Professional Bureaucrat'. It was effective, but it's a defensive posture. Phase Two is 'The Overwhelmed but Sincere Assistant'. We are going to lean into your new role, but frame it in a way that generates sympathy and highlights The Warden's 'demanding' nature, all while maintaining a core of professional conduct."

I sighed. "So now I'm not just a boring rock, I'm a pitiful boring rock?"

"You are a dedicated public servant, bravely shouldering an immense burden for the good of the school," she corrected. "It's all about the narrative, Kaito. We are launching a PR campaign."

Our first test came as soon as we entered the school grounds. Reina was waiting for us, as promised. She stood by the gates, a regal figure, her crimson eyes sharp and alert. She was actively watching for our reaction.

"Good morning, President Kujou," Yui said, giving a polite, perfect bow. "I am delivering your assistant for his morning duties." She then turned to me, her expression shifting to one of public, friendly concern. "Don't work too hard today, Tanaka-kun. Remember to take a break for lunch."

It was a brilliant move. She was openly acknowledging Reina's authority over me while simultaneously planting the seed that Reina was an overbearing boss who might work her subordinates to exhaustion. She was framing her concern as simple friendship, a narrative that was impossible for Reina to publicly refute without looking petty.

Reina's eye twitched. "Your concern is noted, Hamasaki-san," she said, her voice tight. "Rest assured, my staff's welfare is of paramount importance."

The two of them exchanged a look—a sharp, understanding acknowledgment of the move that had just been played. It was a silent, high-level diplomatic exchange, and I was just standing between them, a walking, talking piece of contested land.

"Come, Assistant Tanaka," Reina said, turning her back on Yui. "Our day begins."

The morning passed in a blur of my new persona. When a teacher asked me a question in class, I answered politely but added, "...though I'm a bit distracted, I was up late preparing materials for a Student Council initiative." When I nearly dozed off in History, I apologized to the teacher afterward, saying, "My apologies, sensei, my duties as the President's assistant have been quite demanding on my sleep schedule."

I was playing the part of the overwhelmed but diligent worker to perfection. It was generating sympathy from my classmates and teachers, and it was making Reina look like a slave-driver, all without me ever lodging a single direct complaint. Yui's PR campaign was working.

The real test came at lunchtime. As per our new strategy, I had to follow through on my promise to Shiori. I had to attend the "study group."

I walked to the library, my stomach in knots. This was the most volatile part of the plan. I found Shiori in our designated high-traffic area, a large table near the front desk. She had already saved three spots, her face glowing with a quiet, nervous excitement.

"T-Tanaka-kun," she greeted me, her voice a happy whisper. "I'm so glad you could make it."

"Of course, Akiyama-san," I said, giving her a friendly but professional smile. I sat down, pointedly leaving the chair between us empty. "I am looking forward to our productive study session."

Before she could respond, Yui arrived, a stack of books in her arms. "Sorry I'm late!" she said, her voice bright and cheerful. "I had to grab some materials. Thanks for inviting me, Tanaka-kun! My classic literature grades really need the help."

She slid into the seat between me and Shiori, effectively creating a buffer. She was no longer just spying; she was an active participant, a friendly, non-threatening barrier. Shiori, though a little disappointed she wouldn't have me to herself, was too shy to object to another classmate joining.

"H-hello, Hamasaki-san," Shiori stammered.

"Hi, Akiyama-chan!" Yui said, using a cute, friendly honorific to immediately establish a non-rivalrous relationship. "I'm so glad you're here. You're like, the smartest person in our class. You have to help me understand all this stuff!"

Yui had just completely taken control of the situation. She had transformed my "date" with Shiori into a study session where Shiori was the expert and Yui was the needy student, flattering her and making her the center of attention. It was a masterful act of social judo.

We opened our books. Yui would ask Shiori a question, Shiori would shyly but happily explain the answer, and I would nod along, making intelligent-sounding but non-committal comments. The system was working. It was bland, it was public, and it was perfectly controlled.

And then the system broke.

"Well, what a diligent group of students we have here."

The voice was cool, intellectual, and sent a shiver down my spine. I looked up to see Ms. Hanae Kimura, the beautiful librarian, standing at the end of our table. She held a few books in her hand, her stylish glasses perched on her nose.

"Fujii-sensei was just telling me how hard you've been working, Tanaka-kun," she said, her gaze analytical and sharp. "It's impressive to see a student so dedicated to both his council duties and his academics." Her eyes flicked to the German poetry book on the table. "Especially such... sophisticated academics."

My blood ran cold. Ms. Fujii had been talking about me to the other teachers. The "Nurturing" campaign was spreading, creating a narrative about me that was now reaching other faculty members.

Yui's smile tightened. She hadn't accounted for inter-faculty communication. This was an unexpected move from a third-party candidate.

"We're just trying our best, Kimura-sensei," Yui said smoothly, stepping in to run interference.

But Ms. Kimura's focus was on me. "I was just reshelving this," she said, placing a book on the table. It was another volume of German philosophy. "It's a preliminary exploration of Heidegger's 'Being and Time'. Quite dense, but based on your interests, I thought you might find it... stimulating."

She had just publicly challenged me. She had heard I was a secret intellectual, and she was calling my bluff, but in a way that looked like a helpful, encouraging gesture. It was a brilliant, subtle power play, mirroring the tactics of every other girl in my life.

Shiori looked at the book with wide, reverent eyes. Yui looked at it like it was a pipe bomb.

I was trapped. If I accepted, I was validating this "genius" persona and drawing Ms. Kimura's attention further. If I refused her "kind" offer, I would look foolish and rude.

I looked at the book, then at Ms. Kimura's expectant, intelligent eyes. My campaign manager had given me a playbook, but this was a situation she had never anticipated.

I was off-script. And I had to make a choice.