Getting the master up to speed

“Levi! Baby! It's so good to see you!” Azure squealed as she jumped off the stage towards him. Moments later, she grabbed the confused boy and pulled him into a deep hug. “I’m so excited to finally meet you!”

“Um… what… uh” Levi stammered, his confusion rising, while also blushing as he felt her chest against him. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I know you.”

“Oh how rude of me” she said, releasing him “My name's Azure. And she’s my assistant, Alison”

Azure pointed to the maid with the blue hair, who exited the bus behind Levi. Azure giggled “I hope you don’t confuse us, since she’s the one with the blue hair and my name means cyan. But what can I say, red just fits me.”

“Uh… ok” Levi said, as Alison moved to stand behind Azure, never changing her expression as she did. Meanwhile, the bus took off without a driver, which didn’t even seem weird to Levi after everything that had happened so far.

He cleared his throat awkwardly. “I think there’s some kind of misunderstanding. See, I was just trying to take the bus from school and I have no idea how I got here.”

“There's no understanding silly” Azure said and gave him a playful boop on the nose. “You’ve been chosen to be the star of the popular reality show, Harem Hotel!”

“Reality show?” Levi repeated.

“That’s right. Specifically of the dating variety. I understand they’ve been getting very popular in your decade.”

“Yeah… I suppose… I never really watched any… wait what do you mean by ‘decade?’” Levi asked.

“And you’re not just a normal contestant” Azure continued, ignoring his question. “You have the most important role of all! You’re the lucky master who will have seven beautiful women competing for your affection!”

“Wait, what? No, that can’t be right. You must have the wrong…” Levi began, his face going even redder. However, Azure continued.

“But instead of having a single winner marry you in the end, they’ll _all _be inducted into your personal harem, dedicating the rest of their lives to pleasing you. The winners will get preferred positions. The losers… less so.”

“But… I… this can’t be. I don’t want…” Levi stammered, backing away slightly. Despite the absurdity of it all, Levi somehow believed everything this red headed woman was saying, which proceeded to further fuel his anxiety.

Azure, noticing this, simply doubled down. “It’s understandable that you’re nervous. I’m sure a virgin like you must be overwhelmed by the thought of seven hot babes all fighting for time with that D. But once the shock wears off I’m certain you’ll be a natural.”

Levi was breathing very fast now. Though Azure's magic was supposed to induce a calming effect, this was still too much for Levi to handle. “But I can’t have women fighting over me! I mean, no one would ever want me. I’m a wimp, and ugly, and stupid, and a coward, and…”

“Oh my sweet poor baby” Azure cut in with an exaggerated look of sympathy. “You only think this because of all the pain you’ve been through”.

A large screen on the stage began showing dozens of clips of Levi's life. From him crying as a child, to his terrible encounters earlier that day. “Everyone in your life has been so mean. Classmates, teachers, strangers, even babysitters. That’s why we are taking some of the hot women from that group and bringing them here. Isn't it only fair they compensate you for their torment, by giving you the love you deserve?”

“I… I didn’t ask to be compensated. And plenty of other people have worse lives. And besides, all my problems are my own fault anyway… and…”

Azure felt a pang of irritation, but managed to hide it. “Come on Levi, cut yourself some slack. You’re a sweet boy… man… that deserves happiness. Yet no one gives you any kindness. You haven’t even had a real friend since middle school, and even they abandoned you like your dad”

“That’s…” Levi started, tearing up.

Azure realized she may have gone a bit far, and hoping that moving on would prevent the water works, said “Speaking of people who hurt you, let's introduce our first contestant!”

A girl appeared on the large screen. It was…