“This sucks big time. I can’t believe I’ve only just figured this out.”
The words True End appeared on the television screen, indicating I’d at least reached the game’s canonical conclusion: an illustration of the protagonist surrounded by all five of her love interests. It was a reverse harem ending, with the heroine marrying every single one of her romantic partners.
How can a reverse harem ending be considered canon? I thought bitterly. As a man, drowning in sausages only ruined the mood. Did women feel the same way about harem endings for guys?
Well, whatever the case, that was when the aforementioned epiphany struck.
My little sister had gone overseas, see, but she lived at home with our parents and didn’t have a job. No way did she have the money to travel like that. I racked my brain, trying to remember anything my parents had said or done recently that might hint as to where she’d obtained the funds. That’s when I remembered that they’d given her a couple grand to take driving lessons and get her license. That had to be it. I could clearly recall my mom worriedly saying, “I just hope she manages to pass on the first try.”
My sister was no fool. She wouldn’t have used the entire amount for this little overseas adventure. But there was a good chance she’d used a portion for her trip. After all, if she’d had even a yen to her name, she wouldn’t have begged my dad for spending money before she left.
“If I’d just demanded to know how she was funding her little getaway, then I wouldn’t have had to waste my entire vacation on this stupid game.”
By the time I hit upon this realization, it was my last day off. I’d spent the whole damn time wooing handsome 2D men.
The adventure portion of the game was a little fun, admittedly—though I did feel kind of guilty about selling off any and all presents that the love interests gave me for extra cash. On the other hand, pawning off those accessories netted me the funds I needed to get better equipment ASAP. There was no room for sentimentality here. I was on a mission.
I went to the menu to select the section that recorded the percentage of movies and CGs I’d collected. The number on screen read: 100% Completed.
“Phew, at least that’s done. But I haven’t had my revenge, now have I?”
I had passed out countless times while playing, and I still hadn’t gotten a good night’s sleep. I was very possibly running on pure adrenaline, which had left me feeling pumped.
“If I tell Mom that she went on a vacation on their dime, she’ll be in for a world of hurt when she gets home. I can’t wait.”
She’d get a real earful from our parents. If I was lucky, maybe I could film it to torment her with later.
I typed out a message to my mom and attached the images my sister had sent. After sending that along, I lifted myself out of my chair and stretched.
“All right. I’d say that’s more than a day’s work. I guess I’ll cheer myself up with a little trip of my own to a family diner—heck, I’ll even order the most expensive stuff on the menu!”
There was a good joint close by. I could go there to blow off some steam and fill my stomach. With that, I strolled out of my apartment and started down the staircase…only for my vision to start spinning.
“H-huh?”
Everything blurred. Unable to keep upright, I stretched my hand toward the railing, but my fingers failed to find purchase and closed around empty air. My surroundings swam and spun ever more rapidly. Before I knew it, my body had tumbled down the staircase, slamming into the concrete landing below.
“It’d be too…pathetic…to die like…this…”
Was my life really going to end here? No, it couldn’t! I tried desperately to pull myself up, but my limbs refused to heed me. All too soon, I slipped out of consciousness, and everything went black.
It was all over.
Or rather, it was supposed to be, but as it turned out, this was only the beginning.