I Confessed to the Three Beautiful Sisters at School and Got Rejected, but After I Became their Stepsister, They Started Doting On Me - Chapter 80 (FINALE)

After Saezuki-san’s friend’s live show ended, we stepped out of the gymnasium.

“Oh hey, Riko!”

“Ah—h-hello…”

Another friend of Saezuki-san’s spotted us and waved cheerfully.

Of course—her social circle was practically endless.

“Ugh…”

She muttered under her breath, just barely loud enough for me to hear, her smile faltering for a split second.

But almost immediately, she pasted on a bright grin.

“What’s up?”

“Well~ a certain upperclassman wants to see you. Just the two of you. Ehehe~”

Her friend smirked, nudging her teasingly.

Saezuki-san just rolled her eyes and sighed.

“Pass. I’m not interested.”

“Yeah, I know that. But it’s not like you can just ignore it, right?”

“…Ugh. Guess not.”

She slumped her shoulders, clearly annoyed.

“Sorry, I’ve got a little… social obligation to handle.”

She pressed her hands together, bowing slightly in apology.

“N-No, please, don’t worry about me.”

“Thanks.”

And with that, she turned to go.

“Terrible timing… He should’ve asked earlier.”

“Don’t complain to me, tell that to senpai.”

“Even that would be a waste of time.”

“Hahaha, wow, brutal. But seriously, what’s going on with you and Hanano? That’s a rare pairing.”

“Zip it. I’m not in the mood.”

“Popular girls sure have it tough, huh~”

“I’ll be back in five.”

“Poor senpai.”

The two of them continued their playful banter as they walked away.

“…Right. Of course.”

Left behind, I mumbled to myself.

Today was the school festival.

One of those days when love takes center stage.

Of course people would fall for someone like Saezuki-san—she’s charming, confident, and incredibly attractive.

The same goes for the Tsukimori sisters.
I’ve heard plenty of stories about all the confessions they’ve received in the past.

So for any of them to feel something for me…
It’s nothing short of a miracle.

They’re surrounded by people more amazing than I could ever be.

“So really… it doesn’t have to be me.”

Someone better than me—someone brighter, stronger, more confident—
would be able to make them much happier.

I’ve always known that.

That’s why I admired them from afar.
I idolized the Tsukimori sisters.
I envied Saezuki-san’s effortless glow.

There’s always been a distance between us.

Something resembling affection, yet too far to ever bridge.

So for someone like me to even think about choosing between them…
To try and answer their feelings…

That itself was a mistake.

The answer… was obvious from the beginning.

“Now all that’s left… is to decide when to say it.”

They’ve all been waiting.

So patient, so kind—even when I left them in limbo.

I can’t keep dragging this out any longer.

What I need now… is courage.

I pulled out my phone and started typing a message.

◇◇◇

As the sun set and night fell, the school entered the final act of the day: the after-festival celebration.

Everyone gathered in the gymnasium, excited and buzzing.

But I—stood alone in a dim classroom, far from the lights and music.

The empty classroom was dimly lit by the glow of streetlamps, the gymnasium, and the floodlights from the field.

In that soft, fading light, I waited.

Waited, quietly, clutching a complex tangle of emotions.

—Clatter.

The door slid open.

“Oh my. What a coincidence.”

Chiya-san’s calm voice echoed into the room.

“Really now. I didn’t think we’d all show up at exactly the same time.”

Hiyori-san’s voice was, as always, warm and cheerful.

“Whoa, is this that telepathy thing? Triple sister synch-up?”

Karin-san’s tone was lively, brimming with energy.

“Hey, I’m here too, so don’t call it sister telepathy. And why is no one telling me things?”

Saezuki-san made no effort to hide her irritation.

“S-Sorry… I was the one who called everyone here.”

My voice was barely more than a whisper, like it might dissolve into the darkness at any second.

“I see… Then, with the four of us here, that must mean…”

“Yup. Looks like it’s finally time.”

“Oh wow. This is it?”

“Hey. Could you maybe not talk like this is no big deal? Do you even realize what kind of situation this is?”

Despite their casual tone, everyone quietly entered the room and lined up before me.

They must’ve already had some idea of what this was about when I’d asked them to come here at this time.

“Um… I wanted to give you my answer.”

The air suddenly felt tight.
That wasn’t my imagination.

They’d waited for so long—for me.

“Your confessions… meant so much to me. I never imagined someone could ever fall for someone like me, so hearing those words… gave me confidence. It’s something I’ll always treasure.”

But I couldn’t accept anything more.

I was never meant to have that kind of love.

All of you… are far too good for me.

“I truly believe there are better people out there for all of you. People who could make you even happier than I ever could.”

That’s why I admired you from afar.

I was content to support you—as a fan, from a distance.

But to be the one chosen… to even imagine choosing between you…

That was never my role to begin with.

So my answer is—

“Well, that’s fine. But don’t worry—your confidence will only shine brighter once I help refine it.”

“Fufufu, what a funny thing to say. Akari-chan doesn’t need outdated self-improvement schemes. She just wants someone to let her lean on them, right?”

“Oh! Then that’s totally me! I’m great at self-care and understanding little sisters who need affection!”

“Okay, seriously—do any of you actually listen!? She’s clearly overwhelmed and trying to talk. Can we just let her finish for once!?”

Ah… right.

Of course.

When they’re all together, this always happens.

But maybe that’s exactly why… this strange, chaotic atmosphere feels kind of perfect.

If even one of them were missing… something essential would be lost.

I didn’t want to let go of this moment.

I didn’t want to lose this warmth.

“I used to admire Tsukimori Chiya-san, Hiyori-san, and Karin-san as my ‘favorites.’ I admired Saezuki-san as someone shining brightly from afar…”

But those labels… don’t fit anymore.

“Living with the Tsukimori sisters as your younger ‘sister,’ and getting closer to Saezuki-san… those relationships changed everything.”

Because relationships change with closeness.

We’d come too far.

We’d grown too close for words like “fan” or “admiration” to mean anything anymore.

Those labels couldn’t hold us back—not anymore.

And now that I’ve realized that…
I can’t pretend these feelings don’t exist.

“So… is it okay if I’m selfish?”

I can’t choose just one of you.

But I can’t be alone either.

You all changed me—pulled me out of my lonely little world.

I don’t want to lose the time we’ve shared together.

So I’ll say what I’ve been holding in, even if it means ending up all alone afterward.

If that’s the price for being honest, I’ll pay it.

“Would it be unforgivable for me to wish… that I could stay with all of you?”

If I could—
I’d choose that.

No other ending feels right.

It might be selfish, arrogant, maybe even foolish…

But it’s the most honest truth I’ve ever spoken from the bottom of my heart.

The room was silent for a long, long second.

“You’re greedier than I expected.”

“To think our sweet Akari-chan was such a clingy girl. I’m impressed~”

“Whoa… Akari, you’re seriously bold…”

“So basically, you’re saying you want to date all of us, right? That’s… kind of insane.”

A silence hung over them again—
Then they all fell quiet, just watching me.

Right… of course.

Of course they’d think that was ridiculous.

“I-I’m sorry. That was a stupid thing to say…”

It’s okay.
Even if they turn me down—
At least I said what I needed to say.

“No… I see no reason to reject the answer I waited for.”

“This is a modern world after all. Who are we to criticize non-traditional configurations~?”

“Wait… if we all go out with her, we don’t have to fight as sisters… this might actually work…”

“That’s not the point. The issue is what each of us wants… but if I’m being honest, I didn’t expect to win against Chiya anyway, so… I could be into this.”

Wait… what?

“Y-You’re okay with this?”

I asked, barely believing it.

“Well, I’ll be the last one standing anyway, so who cares?”

“If that’s what you want, Akari-chan, I don’t mind~ Of course, I am the one who has your heart through your stomach… heehee.”

“I’m just happy to be with you, Akari!”

“Better this than getting rejected… Besides, I just have to outmaneuver the Three Musketeers here.”

…Really?

They really meant it?

They were okay with this?

Even with someone like me?

“Still,” Chiya said, stepping forward. “There’s one thing we need to hear.”

“Mhm. It’s important, as a formal promise.”

“You gotta say it, Akari! Like, proper style!”

“Yeah. We all said it to you. It’s your turn now.”

They’d all waited patiently for this moment.

It was only right I speak my truth.

“R-Right!”

I took a deep breath—put every ounce of courage into my voice.

And I shouted:

“I love all of you! Please go out with me!”

No longer idols.
No longer just “the popular girls,” or “my favorites,” or “the ones I admired.”

Not even just sisters or friends.

They were the people I loved.
And who loved me in return.

“Gladly.”

“Fufu… I’m looking forward to our future together~”

“W-We’re really doing this… I’m dating Akari!”

“With pleasure.”

The story of us—of all of us— begins now.

〜The End〜

Support I Confessed to the Three Beautiful Sisters at School and Got Rejected, but After I Became their Stepsister, They Started Doting On Me