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Kazuki raised an eyebrow, smirking, “Baseball my ass? What’s with that cheesy line? And can’t you see we’re in the middle of-“

“BOSS!” One of the henchmen interrupted, eyes widening in recognition. “That’s him! He’s the guy who hospitalized four of our men when we targeted that Haruto kid! He might’ve grown his hair out, but it’s unmistakably him!” He pointed accusingly.

“So… He’s the backup that Haruto bitch called back then? I expected someone bigger…”

“I wouldn’t call myself backup. I’m a self-appointed shit-beater. Yours.” Yuuto retorted with a straight face.

“… Man, you suck at these one liners.” Kazuki added, “Well, I ain’t sure what you intended to do here, but even wit’ that bat o’ yours, you can’t deal with 20 people… Well, 19 at the same time. And most of these people brawled their whole lives.” Kazuki pointed at Yuuto who stood alone in the middle of their circle of 20.

Kazuki’s smirk deepened, his tone taking a darker turn. “… Or did you come for the ladies? Get a whiff of them, did you?”

‘Quick, say something cool!’

“… Why, you jealous? I always come for women.”

Silence~

~

~

“… You REALLY suck at these one liners, cosplayer…” Kazuki sighed, “Well, you hit our eunuch… It’s only fair you get your fair share of beating… Mitaka, take him to a hospital.” Kazuki uttered, signaling the group with a breeze of his hand.

Yuuto looked around, his grip on the baseball bat tightening as he saw the circle of 20 men beginning to close in on him. The eunuch was evacuated by another member outside of that place amidst the tension.

‘It’s 18 now. What an idiot, he miscalculated.’

“And you seem kinda young… Bet your mommy and daddy are waiting for you at home? After we’re done with you, we’ll pay them… especially your mommy, a special visit.” A malicious, lecherous grin spread across his face, prompting cautious yet mocking chuckles from the men surrounding Yuuto.

But Yuuto, being the character he is, had a reaction slightly different than what Kazuki expected. One that is true to his delusional nature…

‘Classic NTR Antagonist line. Man, experiencing this in real life gives me goosebumps… I’ve written hundreds of ANTI-NTR scenarios just for moments like these!’

“My mom’s really fat, so you’d better bring a harpoon if you’re planning on being a whale hunter.”

[YUUTO HURT HIMSELF IN HIS CONFUSION!]

Kazuki’s eyes narrowed, looking down as he placed two fingers against his upper nose.

With a sigh, he ordered “Just fuckin’ murder him already.” …. We sure Kazuki’s the villain?

‘Don’t even joke about it… He’s the worst, next to Kyoya.’

Yuuto stood firm, sizing up the mob that surrounded him. Eighteen menacing figures, each armed with a melee weapon, from crude wooden clubs to gleaming sharp knives, loomed ominously. The dim light of the barroom created eerie shadows that danced around them.

‘… And he’s gonna wish he was born male.’

With a grunt, Kazuki signaled his gang forward, and like a tidal wave, they surged toward Yuuto. The distinctive metallic clink of the baseball bat as Yuuto gripped it reverberated in the room.

However, the first attacker lunged, aiming a haymaker at Yuuto’s head. In a flash, the bat met the attacker’s ribcage, producing a sickening crunch. Yuuto moved with swift precision, striking down foes left and right. But the sheer number of assailants started to overwhelm him.

‘FUCK. There’s too much light in here… They’re all experienced and can see me. But it’s fine! I have my bat-‘

In the midst of the chaos, an enemy with a chain managed to wrap it around Yuuto’s bat, yanking it from his grasp.

‘Eh..?’

The loss of his baseball bat seemed to signal a turning point in the battle. Yuuto’s confidence waned for a moment, and the mob, sensing this vulnerability, pressed their advantage. Two large thugs charged him, driving their shoulders into his chest, and with a grunt, Yuuto went down hard, the wind knocked out of him.

The rough wooden floor scraped against his skin as they began to swarm him. It was a savage frenzy, with boots and fists reigning down upon him. Each thud, each jolt of pain, seemed to blur into the next. His vision swam, the bright flashes of pain rendering everything into a swirling haze of colors and shadows.

Amidst the onslaught, Kazuki, satisfied that Yuuto had been neutralized, turned away with a triumphant smirk. “That’ll teach you,” he sneered, turning around to go back to the big leather seat, where there waited him that girl

On the ground, Yuuto’s world had narrowed to a tunnel of agony. Every ounce of his being screamed at him to protect himself, to curl up, to surrender to the overwhelming force bearing down on him.

‘…This… Might be bad…!’

As another kick landed on his ribs, “Gaahh!!” Yuuto’s hand was cut against something sharp on the floor, something that didn’t fly or was swung at him. Glancing through swollen eyes, he saw it: a broken piece of plate, its jagged edge glinting menacingly in the looming darkness.

‘Right… There are other weapons… Besides a baseball bat!’ His eyes widened.

With a renewed burst of energy, Yuuto grasped the shard and lashed out, catching the nearest thug by surprise. The sharp edge cut deep into the man’s leg, causing him to cry out and stumble back. This created an opening, a brief moment of respite, and Yuuto seized it, propelling himself to his feet with the determination to turn the tide.

‘And.. I’ll use them…!!’

Quick as a cat, Yuuto scooped up an ashtray, hurling it with brutal force into one man’s face, momentarily blinding him. Darting between tables, he grabbed a half-eaten plate of food and threw it at another attacker, the ceramic plate broke on his face upon impact, shards penetrating his skin and eyes.

‘..-AND USE THEM…!!’

As two more thugs closed in, Yuuto smashed a bottle of alcohol on his head, then stabbed the leftover sharp bottle into the shoulder of the other, giving him time to snatch away the attacker’s knife as he headbutted him into the realm of the unconscious.

‘USE EVERY SINGLE THING!!’

A large guy rushed Yuuto, but with a swift and precise motion, Yuuto stabbed him in the thigh, incapacitating him. More attackers closed in, but Yuuto kept moving, using every bit of the environment to his advantage. Tables were flipped to create barriers, chairs were swung like clubs, and the shards of broken bottles became lethal tools in Yuuto’s hands.

Yet, for every enemy he took down, it seemed two more took their place. Blows began landing on Yuuto — a punch to the face, a club to the ribs, a knife grazing his arm. Blood stained his clothing, but his resolve only strengthened. Every attack, every ounce of pain, only further ignited the burning fire in his eyes.

‘UNTIL EVERY NTR ANTAGNOIST…!’

Finally, amidst the turmoil, Yuuto managed to reclaim his baseball bat,

‘-GET THEIR ASSES BASEBALLED..!!!’

Now wielding his trusty baseball bat in one hand and a knife in the other. With a warrior’s scream, he lunged at the remaining foes. The next few moments were a blur of adrenaline-fueled violence. By the time the dust settled, the floor was littered with groaning, incapacitated foes and blood that gradually grows to a pond.

Yuuto, battered but unbeaten, stood amidst the wreckage, chest heaving with exertion.

‘How’s that… For delusional…?’

Worse. A maniac with brute strength. Which is a known recipe for disaster.

‘There is… Just no pleasing you, huh?’

Yuuto chuckled weakly in between his panting, every breath he took stinging like a thousand wasps from his battered body as he stumbled into the dimly lit room, filled with bodies, remnants of blood mixed in with alcohol, giving a foul stench of iron and booze, spilled food and ashtrays. Each step he took was agony, but his sheer determination kept him moving forward. Shadows danced around the periphery of his vision, but his eyes quickly settled on the bastard sprawled on his leather seat.

Kazuki looked the picture of smug contentment, a glass of whiskey half-raised to his lips. Beside him, the same young girl from earlier, her eyes wide with terror, curled into the seat, trying her best to make herself disappear. Kazuki’s arm draped possessively around her.

Seeing Yuuto, a smirk curled on Kazuki’s lips, as he taunted, “You think this will be enough to-“

But he didn’t get to finish his sentence. Yuuto’s battered body was driven by pure, raw emotion, and with a speed that belied his injuries, he swung the baseball bat with all his remaining strength. There was a visceral thud as it connected with Kazuki’s head.

Kazuki’s eyes widened in surprise for just an instant before the sheer force of the blow sent him flying off the leather seat, the glass he was holding shattering upon impact with the floor. The room echoed with the sound, but for a moment, all was silent, save for Yuuto’s heavy breathing and the terrified whimpers of the girl.

With a weary yet determined voice, Yuuto declared, “Yes, I do.” He then approached the inert form of Kazuki, his hand automatically reaching for the man’s phone. Now, the fiery determination in Yuuto’s eyes had been replaced with a look of profound exhaustion.

As Yuuto scrutinized the phone, the gathered women watched him hesitantly, huddled together for comfort and safety.

“Hey,” Yuuto began, trying to get their attention. When they remained in their protective cocoon, he raised his voice, frustration evident, “LOOK AT ME!”

Startled, they all jerked their heads towards him. Holding up Kazuki’s phone, he explained, “He’s been using pictures to manipulate you all, hasn’t he?” Without waiting for their nods of confirmation, he proceeded to remove the SD card, making sure they witnessed the act.

“You’re free now, this goes to the police.” he announced, his voice firm as he inserted the SD card into his pocket, “Leave, and don’t look back. Or I’ll baseball your asses too.”

The heavy atmosphere of the room seemed to lift slightly as Yuuto’s declaration settled in. Hesitantly, the women began to move. Picking up discarded clothing and personal items, they navigated the maze of fallen men and broken furniture, each step taken with a mixture of trepidation and urgency. The grim tableau of the aftermath, a testament to the violence they had just witnessed, was hard to take in.

The last woman, the one who had been seated next to Kazuki earlier in the evening, paused at the exit. She looked over her shoulder, her gaze lingering on the unconscious form of Kazuki.

However, her moment of reflection was sharply interrupted by Yuuto’s commanding voice. “LEAVE!” he ordered.

Startled, she snapped her head forward again, her heels clicking hastily against the floor as she quickly made her exit.

After ensuring the women had left, the adrenaline that had fueled Yuuto began to ebb away. The toll of the brutal brawl, both physically and mentally, suddenly caught up to him.

His breath came out in short, ragged gasps, and his legs, shaky and unstable, faltered beneath him. Without the strength to hold himself upright, Yuuto collapsed to the floor, the cold, hard ground making stark contrast with his burning, aching body.

Every inhale was a labor, every exhale a sigh of exhaustion. His body sprawled amidst the chaos he had wrought, and the weight of the night’s events pressed heavily upon him. The dim light from the overhead fixtures painted his bloodied form in a harsh, unforgiving glow.

He laid there, panting, trying to collect himself amidst the stillness of the aftermath.

“Haaah… Haaah… I’m a mess… I’m like my shitty old man after a single kick to the rib…”

Yuuto’s hand trembled as he reached for a nearby phone, holding it close. Using an unconscious thug’s abdomen for support, he dialed the police.

“I’m a criminal… Been blackmailing, assaulting, raping… Got a whole operation going on 4th Blank Street, Tokyo. You might wanna check it out… I’m real prideful and all that.” His voice was barely above a whisper, each word punctuated by a labored breath.

Without waiting for the bewildered response from the other end, Yuuto hung up and tossed the phone carelessly to the side.

‘Need to split quickly… Before these assholes regain their senses or the police arrive. No back exit, so my best bet is to jam the front door shut.’

With every ounce of strength he had left, Yuuto shakily got to his feet. He grabbed a nearby bloodied baton, heading towards the exit. Once outside, he wedged the baton in the door handles, ensuring no one inside could follow him.

He saw the same girl who had been seated with Kazuki. She lingered outside, a mix of apprehension and determination in her eyes.

“Why’re you still here?” His voice held an edge of warning.

She hesitated for a moment, then whispered, “I was leaving, but… I just wanted to thank you. What’s your name?”

He shot her a tired, wary glance. “That’s not your concern. Go back to your precious boyfriend.”

She flinched at his response but persisted, “I’m Miki. Just wanted to know the name of my savior.”

“Then… Get used to being disappointed. NOW GO!” He brandished the baseball bat menacingly. She took a step back, clearly about to turn and leave, when he called out.

“Anti-NTR Man.”

She paused, confusion evident in her eyes. “What did you say?”

“My name. Anti-NTR Man.”

A soft chuckle escaped her lips, and with a final nod of gratitude, she said, “Thank you… Anti-NTR Man.” With that, Miki turned away and vanished into the night.

‘That does not sound good at all coming from other people.’

Yuuto thought, not realizing it doesn’t sound good even coming from him.

‘I’ll drop the SD card to the police as an anonymous tip later. Given these thugs’ code of silence, they won’t rat out Kyoya… They’ll try to cover for him, destroying any evidence they find in the little time they have. Fortunately, I’ve already backed up Kazuki’s message history to an email account. Paired with the SD card’s photos, it should be enough to put them behind bars for a very long time.’

‘… But not just yet.’

His grip tightened around the baseball bat, his heart pounding in his chest with a surge of fury – as sirens rang in the distance, closing in on his position,

“Didn’t I make myself clear, Kyoya Guuji? This is personal. Everything will go to the police…”

‘… After I baseballed your ass.’

Himiko knelt to Haruto’s level, her eyes soft with empathy, gently wiping away the trails of his tears. “It’s going to be okay,” she whispered.

The boy, with eyes red from crying, hesitantly looked up at the elegant, red-haired woman before him—almost ethereal in his childlike vision.

A tender smile graced her lips as she gently held his face between her hands. “I’m right here, always.”

His voice shaky, Haruto mumbled, “If you want to leave too… I’d get it, Miss Aikou. I really would.”

She leaned in, placing a comforting kiss on his forehead. “You’re so brave, Haruto, thinking of others even now.” She ruffled his hair affectionately. “But I’m staying right here.”

“Really? Even when Dad said he’s never coming back?” His eyes, wide with hope, searched hers.

She held his gaze firmly, her voice soft yet determined. “I’m staying. You won’t ever be alone again. That’s a promise. And,” she paused with a playful glint in her eyes, “how about you start calling me ‘Mommy’ from now on?”

A hint of cheerfulness returned to Haruto’s eyes, his lips curving into a hopeful smile. “Really? Mommy?”

She nodded, her smile stretching wider ever so slightly.

“Now, how about we go hiking tomorrow? Just you and me?”

“Sure, mommy!”

——-SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE HARUTO’S ASCENT——–

In a forlorn corner of the city, bathed in the dim light of a solitary streetlamp, a decrepit apartment stood. The windows were murky, almost hiding the scene of chaos within – bottles littered the floor, the air hung heavy with the stench of old booze, and the sagging furniture looked as defeated as the man it bore.

Suddenly, the relative quiet of the room was shattered by a creaking sound, followed by the silhouette of an intruder framed in the doorway. Dressed in a black hoodie, the hood obscuring his features, Yuuto entered with purpose. In his hand, he held a baseball bat, painted red in what looked like dried blood.

The man, stirred from his drunken stupor, squinted through bloodshot eyes at Yuuto. Confusion and fear evident on his disheveled face. “Who are you? What do you want?”

Without a word, Yuuto advanced, tapping the bat menacingly against his other hand, conveying a silent threat.

“W-WHO THE FUCK are you?!” The man’s voice was slurred, alcohol and confusion making his tone erratic.

Yuuto smirked, setting a small camera on a table, positioning it to face the man and turning it on, discreetly. The man being too intoxicated was unable to discern Yuuto’s actions in his blurred vision, “My name’s ain’t what’s important right now, Mr. Narukami. What is important is why you hired Kyoya to ruin your son’s life.”

A flicker of recognition flashed in the man’s eyes, but he quickly masked it with a defiant glare. “Why… W-*burp*would I know anything about what that little shit*hic* does with his life!? You his BUTT BUDDY or some shit?!”

Without breaking stride, Yuuto moved closer, the bat casting long, ominous shadows on the wall. Each tap against his palm seemed to reverberate throughout the room. “You’re not in a position to play games, the last person who tried to play one with me… He didn’t quite understand that I’ve long since transitioned to adulthood..”

I can understand how he’d have made that mistake.

‘SHUT. Just do your job.’

Yuuto turned his bat, making sure the alcoholic scum saw the reddish splatter on Yuuto’s metallic bat. He gulped as Yuuto drew near him.

“I’ve seen men like you, drowning in their self-pity, using others as scapegoats for their own failures.” Yuuto recites quotes he meticulously wrote in his countless scenario pages.

‘Hey, as long as it works,’

The older man shifted uneasily, his bravado visibly crumbling. “W-what’s the little shit got to do with you?! What the fuck you want?! Is it Money?!”

Yuuto leaned in, his voice low and dripping with menace. “Money?” He let out a chuckle, “Forget playing games, you’re one foot in a cardboard box outside.” He replied, lifting his back up again.

“w-WHAT DIDJA-!” He tilted forward, weariness and fatigue evident with his every movement as he swung an arm at Yuuto’s leg, landing a hit – although with the force of a flyball. Yuuto didn’t budge a bit as he looked down on the ruined man who tumbled at his feet.

‘Disgusting… So fucking weak, so pathetic… I can take the stench, I can take the shit stains on the floor… But this man… To think you were this fragile, this much of a shell. You couldn’t even do the NTR yourself… Well, it would fail horribly even if you tried. I bet you’d fail even when trying to kill yourself. What a pathetic excuse of a meatsuit… You’re not worth this baseball bat.’

The man shivered as Yuuto glared at him as he narrowed his eyes in disgust and anger.

“I roughly knew what kind of man I’d be dealing with, coming here… But I didn’t prepare myself to the possibility you wouldn’t even be human. Use your teeth. Come on. Bite my leg. That’s the only mark you’re ever going to leave on this world.” He hissed calmly.

“You… FUCKING kids… All you do is take… All you do is cry when things ain’t workin’ out to us adults… I WORKED HARD TOO!!! All for that… All for that…. That little shit… Who took everything away…!!!” The man cried as his eyes pointed at Yuuto’s shoes.

“…That ‘little shit’ has a future, a chance at happiness. Something you tried to rob him of, all because of some fantasy you’ve created for yourself.” His eyes were sturdy and firm as his gaze was affixed.

The man laughed bitterly, alcohol-laden spittle flying from his lips. “Happiness? There’s no such thing!!! SUCH A SHITMUNCH OF A CHILD DESERVES NOTHING!!! EVERY TIME HE SMILES IS A SIN TO THE WORLD!!! He killed my wife!!! He deserves every bit of suffering HE’S GONNA GET!!!” The man screamed at the top of his lungs, clumsily flinging an empty beer bottle to the side, almost immediately gauging Yuuto’s reaction – seeing no change in his demeanor.

Yuuto’s grip tightened around the bat. “Your wife’s death was tragic, sure. But Haruto was also a victim, just like her. He did, after all – came out of your stinkin’ ballsack.”

The man’s eyes grew wild, emotions and alcohol wreaking havoc on his coherence. “HE TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME!!! ME, HIRING THAT THIRD-RATE THUG??! THAT’S A CRIME COMPARED TO WHAT THAT SHIT-STAIN KID DID?! THAT BRAT KILLED MY WIFE!!!! HE KILLED HER… KILLED HER!!! HE TOOK HER AWAY…!! I hope that Kyoya gives him NOTHING to be happy for the rest of his life… Hahah… Serves him right… Now that’s… That’s money well spent,…!!”

‘Wow.’ Yuuto raised an eyebrow, glancing swiftly at the camera he placed on the table, double-checking that it is, in fact, recording. He relaxed himself a bit after hearing the man confessing. He remembered his original goal.

‘…Things achieved easily are just as easily taken away… I’m pretty sure I didn’t even need the ketchup on the baseball-bat to scare him… Hm… Well, maybe Sendo is smarter than he looks… I’ll admit.’

Does that make you dumber than you think?

“No,” Yuuto corrected coldly, “you ruined your own life, with your own hands. And now you’re trying to make your son pay for your own self-inflicted misery. But make no mistake,” He lowered his bat, while turning around, grabbing the camera and heading to the exit. “Your boy will live a looooooong happy life with your current ex-wife, as you rot in a jail cell full of ugly dudes.”

‘There’s enough here to put that heap of garbage in a prison cell for a good while, I’m done here.’

“I… I heard a little of what Kyoya did, haha…” The father adds as he struggles to stand up; burps between his words, a reek of alcohol leaving his mouth.

Yuuto stood still, a mere step before heading out.

“That… That failure of a kid… If he was so happy about his… His “NEW” mommy… “MY” New wife… Ha… Then… Then why’d he let that thug take her away like that…?! Haha, that’s because he’s just a failure. He’s… He’s even worse than I am right now. He’s not even a man…”

Yuuto looks down on, seeing his stained reflection on the baseball bat as it stared back at him.

“Maybe not yet,” He added, his tone relaxed.

“…But he’s trying to be.”

The man looked at Yuuto, unable to make a counterargument.

Yuuto raised his gaze from the stained baseball bat, turns around to the man, as the man struggles to keep his balance while standing.

“Well, have fun dying alone, old man. Honestly, I wanted to swing even once at you for what you did, but the booze and the ungodly amount of money you’ve spent on, well, nothing, seems to have beat me to it. If I do anything now, it’ll be just beating a dead horse. A DEAD-dead horse. Toodles.” Yuuto smirked at the man’s face before leaving, slamming the door shut – leaving him no chance to reply.

“Phew, well. We’re done with that… I’ll send the footage to the police. This is the cherry on top that I was looking for.” Yuuto walked outside of the building.

“But, before that… I gotta take care of another shitstain… Oh, I was waiting for this one for a long time, too.”

“Kyoya’s right-hand man… Kazuki Tanetsuke. I’m coming for you.”

———-

In a dimly lit corner of a hidden alleyway, an inconspicuous door stood, easily overlooked by the casual passerby. However, pressing an ear to its rough surface would reveal the cacophony behind it — the unmistakable sounds of revelry. 

This was their hideout, currently bursting with fervor as its occupants celebrated their recent victory: a seemingly trivial task involving a woman and her stepson. Yet, the client, driven by deranged motives, had emptied his life-savings to ensure its completion. The staggering amount not only funded a lavish feast filled with king-sized meals, premium alcohol, and assorted drugs but also promised them a ticket into legitimate businesses.

Presiding over the jubilation was Kazuki Tanetsuke, the chief lieutenant to Kyoya Guuji. The atmosphere was thick with the heady mix of whiskey, the aromatic trail of cigars, and the unmistakable musk of freshly counted money. Typically, Kyoya would dominate the gathering, lounging confidently at the head of the table, surrounded by loyalists. A cigar would smolder between his fingers, and a glass of top-shelf Scotch would accompany him, as his calculating eyes roved the room. He would relish the moment, savoring his triumph over his latest prize, Himiko. But that evening, Kyoya was absent, reveling in his own manner.

Kazuki, seizing the opportunity, had taken his place at the helm. His face was lit by a smug grin as he surveyed the wild festivities below.

“To the BOSS!” a voice yelled out, raising a glass.

The chant was infectious, and soon the room erupted in synchronized cheers. Sprays of alcohol punctuated the air, mingling with the rich aromas of the feast.

Once the room settled, Kazuki, raising his mug in a sly toast, declared, “Let’s also toast to the man responsible for this lavish spread: the ever-generous Mr. Narukami.”

Laughter echoed, cruel and mocking, as they toasted to the gullible father whose life savings they’d effortlessly pilfered for such a menial task.

“But wait!” Kazuki’s voice pitched with excitement. “I’ve prepared a special surprise for all of you.”

The room, filled with a mix of intrigue and anticipation, turned their collective gaze to Kazuki.

“In you go, ladies~…” He signals to the girls, who are standing naked in a line, their bodies on display for the pleasure of the men. These girls are the ones that Kazuki has blackmailed for sex, and he has decided to treat his men to a taste of these women.

The men of the gang roar with laughter and approval, their eyes feasting on the sight before them. They clink glasses and toast to their success, eager to indulge in the pleasures that Kazuki has provided. As the night wears on, the atmosphere becomes more charged with lust and desire. The men become increasingly brazen in their advances towards the women, their hands roaming freely over their naked bodies.

Amid the chaos, Kazuki remains firmly seated, a sly grin playing on his lips. Beside him, a bashful, naked girl, her cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson, attempts to modestly shield herself, yearning for just a shred of cover.

“Fuck yeah, baby!” one of the gang members shouts, leering at the women in front of him. The others join in, raining obscenities down on the helpless women. “Fondle your boobs, give us a show~!” The rest of the women shared the sentiment of the girl sitting in Kazuki’s behalf.

Embarrassed, and helpless.

She mustered the courage to speak, her voice quivering as she approached a seemingly amiable Kazuki. “I’ve… I’ve done as you asked,” she whispered, hesitantly. “I ended things with my boyfriend… came here without… Without a s-stitch on… Now, you need to uphold your end of the bargain.”

Kazuki regarded her with a sly smirk. “You’ve been quite the compliant little doll for me,” he commented. “And since I always pride myself on being a man of my word…” His hand slid into his jeans pocket, two fingers teasingly hooking the fabric. The girl’s eyes shimmered with a mixture of hope and anxiety,

Amidst the merriment…

“GET THE FUCK OUTTA MY WAY! I’m going in first!” One of the men at the entrance hollered, snapping Kazuki out of his moment.

Kazuki’s gaze sharply shifted, zoning in on the ruckus by the door where the procession of scantily clad women he’d brought as a treat for his group were. As they squabbled over their turn, the girl beside him sunk further into despair as his fingers left his pocket to wave.

“What’s all the fuss about?” Kazuki demanded from his position.

“Boss! I just got discharged from the hospital… I deserve the first go on this bitch! She’s the only one available, these fucks all hogged the rest!!”

“You nearly lost your jewels from when that hoodie-guy nearly popped them off! You’ve got no use for that dick anymore.” A fellow gang member who fought for the right snapped back.

“Hey, hey, calm down! We’re all brothers here. Let the semi-eunuch have her first… Bet he won’t even last a minute, so everyone gets their turn,” another joked.

“Phooo~ so reliable. Well, good thing you’ve figured it out like grown-ups. Just gangbang a bitch or something if all of ’em are taken.” Kazuki dismissed, looking uninterested as he relaxes once more.

“Now, where were we~”

Their laughter filled the room. The previously injured man, prideful, retorted, “You’ll see! I’m back in perfect form—” Yuuto stepped forward, twirling the bat nonchalantly. “-Perfect form for the hospital bed,” he quipped, alluding to his perfectly timed strike; the man choked on his words as a resounding thud interrupted him. Between his thighs lay a baseball bat, one that had just made a brutal connection with his vulnerable, freshly restitched nuts.

The entire room went deathly silent for a split second. The merriment and debauchery were replaced by a palpable tension. All eyes were fixed on the unexpected guest and the man writhing in pain on the floor.

Among the twenty or so faces, a mixture of shock, curiosity, and fear was evident. The women exchanged worried glances, sensing the change in atmosphere. Some moved discreetly, attempting to shield themselves from the potential conflict. The men, previously boasting and laughing, now looked on, hands twitching as if to reach for hidden melee weapons, gauging the threat before them.

Kazuki kept his face composed but his eyes held a deadly glint. He leaned forward slightly, fingers flexing against the arms of his chair. It was clear he was assessing the situation, calculating his next move.

In contrast to the chaos, Yuuto seemed eerily calm. With a deliberate slowness, he stepped over the downed man, pressing his boot on the man’s back to further immobilize him, accentuating his dominance. As he pushed the woman aside without sparing her a glance, the metallic twirl of the baseball bat echoed in the room, demanding everyone’s undivided attention.

The dim lighting of the room glinted off the metal of the bat, casting eerie reflections. The room had transformed from a den of vice and revelry to a potential battlefield. With Yuuto at its epicenter, the underlying message was clear: anyone who dared challenge him would meet the business end of that baseball bat.

Kazuki narrowed his eyes, demanding, “Who the fuck’re you?”

“The guy who’s gonna baseball your ass.” came the reply.

Yuuto’s Terms of Service:

9. Enhanced bonds after my service – Guaranteed!

10. If you genuinely feel my approach is off and decide to act against my advice, then #9’s term is voided for the duration of my services.

—————————————-

As the door to Himiko’s house closed behind them, the warm ambient lighting painted the room in a soft glow. Kyoya looked around, taking in the homely environment once more, contrasting starkly with the grimy alleys and seedy underworld he knew. 

‘Every time,’ he thought to himself in near awe, ‘Every time I walk into this place, I feel… Chill, calm. I wonder. Is it… Is it really this woman?’ He thought to himself as they walked hand in hand toward the darkened bathroom, cleaning themselves before walking together to the bedroom, bare for each other to see, in the darkness.

His eyes met Himiko’s as he lay on top of her, covering both of them in the warm sheets, and the weight of the evening’s events seemed to hang in the air. “Have you heard from little bro lately?” he finally asked, a hint of caution in his tone.

‘Frankly… The more time goes by, the more I stop giving a shit about that kid. I just know that he’s weak. Weak and pathetic. This woman needs a real man, not some make-believe man of the house. If it wasn’t me, someone else would’ve come and made his life miserable by making her fall for them. She’s a good woman. If it weren’t a job, I’d-‘

Himiko’s gaze dropped momentarily, a touch of sorrow evident. 

“Haruto… he’s never come to terms with our relationship. He feels so distant now. Lately, he doesn’t even call or respond to my messages. It’s as if he’s given up on me altogether…. Even… Even if he feels uncomfortable, I just don’t understand-… I just wanted to see him, but he… He’s just gone.”

Kyoya stepped closer, his fingers softly tilting her face upwards. “I’ll never give up on you,” he said, his voice dripping with faux sincerity. “I’ll always be here. He’ll also come around in time.”

‘But after all, this IS just a job. That hasn’t changed. And she just happened to be in the crosshairs of the man who hired me.’

Himiko sighed, eyes glistening. “Today… Today is a risky day, you know that? But… Stay tonight. I’ve chosen you, Kyoya. Whatever will be, will be… And it will be with us together.”

 
‘But man… She… She had some bad luck running into me. After this whole charade is over, I’ll have to toss her away and move on with my life… I’ll go legit. This one final job.’

“Hold on, just a second.” Kyoya stopped Himiko from kissing him.
“Kyoya…?” She opened her eyes, innocent confusion as she witnessed him lift from her body and getting out of the bedsheets, walking to a corner of the bookshelf in the room.

“The way these books are arranged disturbed me since a while now.” He uttered, discreetly turning off a hidden camera he had placed there. ‘There’s already enough footage to ruin both of their lives.’

“Jeez…” She pouted, playfulness shining from her eyes. As Kyoya finished his fumbling, went back to the bed and lay by her side, gazing deeply into her eyes – while she is getting lost in his.

‘But man… It would really be nice if I could make her my woman after all of this. She’s… She’s just too… Fucking hot. That’s… That’s all she is… Right..?’ As they frolick, he was masterfully touching all of her sensitive spots, making her squirm and lose herself in pleasure.
—-
The rain intensified.

Yuuto walked determinedly, Sendo’s words echoing in his mind. How Haruto should have just been done with it. How he should have just spoken about his feelings when he could. He stared into the mist ahead of him as he walked toward his house, the memory of its general direction guiding him automatically.

‘Simplicity, huh?’

Yuuto reached home. Opening the door with a sharp push, the familiar scent of his abode wafted toward him. The warmth within contrasting starkly with the cold, drenching world outside. He stepped in, leaving a trail of wet footprints on the wooden floor – he didn’t even bother taking off his shoes as he entered.

The muted glow from a solitary lamp in the living room caught his attention. There, sprawled on the couch, was Haruto, asleep. The rise and fall of his chest was steady.
Squeezing off the water from his long-sleeved T-shirt, Yuuto walked past Haruto, making his way to his room, all the way up top. He pulled out a chair and sat down.
Opening a drawer, he retrieved a small notebook, covered in dust and an old, stained pen – a pair of items that he didn’t touch for… Longer than he can remember.

He let his hand drift in all directions. Write in every scheme, however insignificant and stupid, into the sheet. In hopes something would stick.

Distracted, Yuuto glanced at his empty, blank computer screen. ‘I don’t even need a working computer to know what that scum is doing. I can see how he ensnares the mommy with his sweet-talks and empty promises. If I try hard enough, I can actually see the desire for Haruto leaving her eyes, I can see Kyoya replacing him in her heart.’

Yet, he smirked while looking at the screen.

‘Ohh, Kyoya. Kyoya, Kyoya, Kyoya… Enjoy your night with Himiko… Embrace her, fuck her brains out, make her eyes turn into hearts for all I care. For this be the last bit of warmth you’re ever going to get in your shithole of a life.’

Yuuto stared down at the page, filled with various strategies. ‘Feels like nothing’s gonna work…’
‘Feel… Huh..’

Scribbling down his earlier thought, he couldn’t help but smirk. ‘Simplicity,’ he thought again, recalling Shun and his cringeworthy confession to Riko. How it actually solved the barrier standing between them. 

‘Sendo… That simpleton.’ Yuuto thought, placing his palm on his face, tilting his head upwards in shame. ‘I’ve been overcomplicating everything… Like some normal guy.’ He folded the page Britishly, tossing it to the nearby trashcan in a Scottish kind of way.

‘…I’ll just be Anti-NTR Man.’

Yuuto walked over to the bathroom. Removing his wet wig and his glasses.

‘It grew out again. My hair… Shy below 1cm. Fine for now.’ He groomed himself, tossing his wig and glasses in the corner of the room after he finished.

‘Kyoya may be strong. But he sure as shit isn’t strong enough to pummel down 20 men. I can take him.’ He wore a dark hoodie and packed a backpack before heading out. The time was 9:55pm. The rain had stopped and the sky turned clear as he left the house.

‘Time to make a trip.’

— 6:30 HOURS LATER—-

Haruto inhaled deeply, the brisk morning air tingling as it mixed with the warm moisture rising from the pool. Every rhythmic pulse of his heart spoke of the transformation he had undergone. The exercises that once felt like insurmountable mountains were now challenges he eagerly conquered.

“In just an hour and a half,” he reflected, glancing at his watch, a sense of disbelief lacing his thoughts. “I never… I never believed I’d be progressing this quickly.”

A brief moment of pride welled up as he closed his eyes. His physique had become more chiseled, however little – as the most significant change was his stamina, which soared. 

He felt alive in ways he hadn’t before. The newfound discipline had turned into a self-imposed routine, waking up before dawn not out of obligation, but sheer zeal. He managed to juggle work, studies, and training, even if work was considered done just by completing training on Yuuto’s end, because he felt the intrinsic value of it. 

“I can’t keep relying on that guy to steer my life. To win Himiko’s heart, this is the least I can do,” he reasoned, remembering Yuuto’s remarks about Kyoya’s relentless work ethic. “In some way, I owe this to both Kyoya and my father. This training… it’s not just a phase. It’s become a part of who I am,” a wry smile formed on his lips.

The noticeable absence of Yuuto that morning left a void. That weird guy, always there with a quip, a piece of advice, or a challenge, was missing. A pang of concern momentarily clouded Haruto’s thoughts. ‘Trust in him,’ he internally reassured himself. However, uncertainty, ever persistent, threatened his newfound resolve.

A whisper escaped his lips, barely audible, “…Is this truly enough?” Memories of Himiko’s infectious laughter, the tender sensation of her touch, the irreplaceable warmth she brought to his life, threatened to flood his senses. A profound longing, so deep that it seemed to resonate in his very core, surged forth.

“….What… What if his way isn’t the right one?” Haruto murmured, his voice laden with vulnerability.

The desire to seek out Himiko, to pour out every concealed emotion, raged within him. It felt like a fierce storm, threatening to break the dam of his restraint. But Yuuto’s warning – Clause 10 – loomed like a dark cloud, chilling his intent.

Taking a shaky breath, he steadied himself. “I made it this far. I can’t waver now.”

Haruto was confused, torn between his heart’s desires and the path set by Yuuto. He knew he had to place his faith in Yuuto, trusting that, no matter how arduous the path seemed, it would reunite him with Himiko. But his heart, day by day, pummeled louder and louder. Every time he had to text Himiko to lie about being busy instead of answering her calls, his guilt grew.

With eyes shut, he whispered a solemn promise to the wind, “I’m committed to this path. For her… For us.” Yet, the specter of uncertainty lingered, refusing to be banished.

He left the pool.

Stealth wasn’t much of an issue given the early hour, but as he walked, he was caught off-guard by a familiar face departing the school gym.

“It’s you!” Haruto exclaimed, his surprise evident. His face brightened with a genuine smile.
“Oh, it’s yer mug! Haruto!” Sendo responded, securing the gym with a lock, his voice tinged with a roughness that belied his age.

“Yeah, long time no see!” Haruto started. “How’ve you been since… well, you know…”
Sendo scratched the back of his head, his blond strands ruffling slightly. 

“Been alright, ya know. Took a bit to get back on m’feet, but ain’t nothin’ gonna keep me down for long. Been hit harder in Kendo,” he said with a chuckle, but the glint in his eyes showed he was minimizing his ordeal. “What ya doin’ sneakin’ in so early?”

Haruto, a bit sheepish, replied, “Training. Your senpai’s got me on this crazy regimen. He showed me a way in here, said it’s the best pool in the area. Didn’t expect anyone else to be up so early.”

Sendo tilted his head, indicating his wooden sword. “Kendo. Gets the blood pumpin’. Teach gave me the key to the gym,” he smirked. “I could almost call Teach my buddy.”

Haruto laughed, “Hah, I’m jealous… By the way, thanks… for back then. I never got a proper chance to say it.”

Sendo waved him off, “Ain’t nothin’. Just did what felt right. But, speakin’ of right things… I’ve heard a bit ’bout your deal with Senpai. Seems complicated. Ya really think this ‘strategy’ thing is gonna win her over?”

Haruto sighed, a hint of doubt in his eyes. “It’s what he believes is best. I trust him. It’s just… tough.”

Sendo narrowed his eyes, his voice softer but still edged with his distinct accent, “Senpai’s weird, but he’s a man that I respect. Look, I ain’t gonna tell ya what ta do. I just think ye gotta go tell ‘er that ya love her, before she thinks ya hate ‘er. If she wasn’t into ya’ to begin with, then just accept it and move on.”

Haruto nodded, absorbing the words. “Thanks, Sendo. I’ll… I’ll think about it.”
Sendo winked, “Cool. Now, I’m off. Train hard, and if ya’ feel swimmin’ ain’t your thing, take a shot at Kendo.”

With a final wave, the two parted ways, each lost in his own thoughts under the dawning sky.
Haruto made his way towards Yuuto’s residence but felt an urge to wander a bit, telling himself it was merely to flex his muscles after the long training. Sendo’s voice played on loop in his mind, each word accentuating the beat of his heart.

Almost subconsciously, he found himself a mere 10 meters from the shared boundary of Himiko’s and his own house.

“How did I end up here?” he murmured, questioning his own steps. 

But his contemplation was cut short when he spotted the door beginning to open. Instinctively, he ducked out of sight.

From his concealed vantage point, he watched Himiko and Kyoya step out, their faces aglow with cheerfulness. It stung. He had not laid eyes on Himiko for weeks, and the joy of the reunion was promptly eclipsed by the sight of her snugly wrapped in Kyoya’s embrace.

They seemed to be setting off for a hike. Haruto’s heart sank; hiking was their thing. Watching them drift away, linked hand in hand, was like a dagger to his heart. 

‘I need to trust him,’ he reassured himself. 

But witnessing the intimate scene drained away the optimism that had steadily been growing over the past month, making him feel as lost as he had before Yuuto’s grand plan.

[BACKGROUNG MUSIC: Sandro Cavazza: Enemy]

As he stood at the threshold of Yuuto’s home, Sendo’s earnest advice clashed loudly with Yuuto’s stark warnings. He remembered Clause 9 and the consequences of defying Yuuto’s counsel. Yet, in that moment, Haruto’s heart held sway over reason. He pivoted sharply, determination in his stride, and dashed toward the mountains.

“There’s a trail we talked about exploring,” he gasped, the wind biting at his face. “If she’s not there, I’ll try every path until I find her! I’m… I’m stronger now!”

Haruto broke Clause 10.

His feet pounded the ground with resolute force, each step echoing his determination to bridge the chasm that had grown between Himiko and him. With the crisp mountain air filling his lungs and the world around him coming alive in the first light of dawn, there was an almost electric buzz to his journey. But underlying that excitement was a pervasive sense of trepidation. He was venturing off the charted course, going against the advice that was meant to lead him to success.

As he made his ascent, memories of moments with Himiko flooded his mind: their shared laughter, the silent glances exchanged, the warmth of her hand in his. Each memory was like a beacon guiding him forward. The rugged terrain tested his endurance, but every rock and hurdle only reinforced his determination 

‘I’m not gonna get tired so easily anymore!’ His heart raced, not just from the exertion, but also from the knowledge that he was chasing a future he desperately desired.

The walls of doubt that had been constructed brick by brick over the past month seemed to crumble with every step.

 ‘Is this the right path?’ his mind whispered. 

‘What if he was right, after all? What if this is a mistake?’ But even as these thoughts tried to deter him, the clarity of his purpose shone through. 

Himiko was worth every risk, every challenge. She was his anchor, the north to his compass.

As the sun began to rise, casting the world in a golden hue, Haruto’s emotions ran the gamut from anxiety to exhilaration. But overriding it all was a profound sense of conviction. He was following his heart. Every step was a testament to his belief in the power of love, of shared memories, and of forging ahead, even when the path is uncertain.

The shadows of the trees danced around him, and the gentle hum of nature accompanied his journey. The mountains, with their lofty peaks and winding trails, seemed to echo his sentiments: that no peak is too high, no journey too long, if it’s for her.

Haruto could feel the energy pulsing through him. He was no longer simply following a plan set out by someone else. He was charting his own path, fueled by his love for Himiko. And though the outcome was uncertain, he was certain of one thing: he won’t stop until he finds her.

‘Just 5 more days…’ Yuuto chanted joyfully in his mind.

Things were going… well.

That night, when Sendo went to talk to Himiko, Kyoya visited after his working hours were over. Just as Himiko was about to ask him about why he didn’t answer her phone calls and messages, and, of course; the truth she had just heard about Haruto, Kyoya seemed too angry about that inspector. She stopped herself from sharing.

The movie night continued as usual, ending with sweet love, as you’d expect. With Himiko deciding to keep today’s events and the truth Sendo brought to herself, her worries grew. Or at least, that was what Yuuto had seen through the hidden cameras he had installed in their house.

It seems that Kyoya hasn’t caught on that the ‘inspector’ always seems to choose the least comfortable time for him and Himiko. Never seems to get how the inspector always calls whenever he has a plan set with Himiko. He always brushed it off as coincidence, inconvenience, and the luck that the corporate world – a world he wasn’t used to, brings.

Everything seemed to flow in Yuuto’s direction… Almost too smooth, the flow of the universe, these past 25 days.

‘It’s all part of THE PLAN, man. Can’t you get it? This is what careful, careful planning achieves. And that cuck follows my routine regularly. You can actually see him getting stronger and more resilient. I get that questioning myself is important, but this is just how smart I am. Kyoya is too dumb to see that he’s being played. It’s like I always said; if we do it subtly and carefully, the climax is going to be fantastic…’

Yuuto thinks to himself, confusing ‘overly cliche’ with ‘climax’.

‘Oh, hush it, now. The weather is getting worse, as I predicted. I already bought the ferry tickets for 5 days later for them all. The plan is to reveal everything to Himiko, make her fall off the boat, during a rainstorm and have Haruto, the now-above average swimmer, save her from drowning while I deal with Kyoya and his men. It’s perfect.’ Yuuto thought. Already tasting the intoxicating flavor of triumph as he sat inside the empty internet cafe, glancing outside. ‘Smells like rain… Sounds of droplets. Just my style. No NTR antagonist can see me sneak up to them in the rain. Ahh..’ He sighed, stretching all of his limbs in comfort, wearing his usual attire and costume.

‘It’s so rainy outside, isn’t it?’

….

‘Isn’t it…?’

Yuuto thought to himself, waiting for an answer.

‘Oh, come on, don’t leave me hanging here.’ Yuuto thought, speaking to no one.

‘After everything that happened, you’re still not fun. Like, at all. Come on! For once, agree with me here. Made the effort, the guy is picking himself up from the rubble, he’s gonna get the girl in 5 days. Everything’s falling into place. I’m not worried. Because I did everything to a tee. I executed the PLAN, to a tee.’ Yuuto’s thoughts wrestled with some nonexistent ghost of his making, as the rain began intensifying outside.

Yuuto slid his palm down his face with a sigh.

‘Fine. Have it your way, as always…’ He spoke in his mind, looking outside; seeming almost hypnotized – as if trying to glimpse a single raindrop before it hits the ground.

“… As always,” He muttered. Adding yet another sigh.

‘I wonder if it’s raining in America. My big sister hates natural disasters so much, she just had to move away to a college abroad. Would be cool to visit once she finds a man to settle with. Heh, good luck with finding a guy who can beat Dad in an arm wrestle match; some big honcho American or not. Even *I* couldn’t beat dad in a match yet.’

Yuuto looked briefly at his sturdy palm, moving it around and clenching it a bit.

‘A marriage in America… I ain’t coming if that boyfriend of hers doesn’t pay for my flight ticket. Regarding the little shit-… Erm… My little sister… I bet she’s having the time of her life there, since she went to visit my older sister with our parents. Well, even when she’s here, she practically lives outside. Staying at some friends’ houses, or travelling with them. The nerve of that little shit, mocking me for staying a year twice even though *at least* ONCE wasn’t ENTIRELY my fault. So what if you’re already in college and I’m in high-school even though you’re two years younger than me? WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO QUESTION YOUR OLDER BROTHER?!’

Yuuto chuckled to himself.

‘…5 months, and I’ll graduate as well. I’ll have to, this time.’ He made a mental note, as he shifted his gaze to the downpour outside the cafe.

‘I doubt I’d be able to sustain myself by doing my righteous, kind, sophisticated calling all the time. I’ll have to actually join the corporate world…. Much like that scumbag, Kyoya – I’ll probably have trouble adjusting.’ Agreed. Although a job at the local McDwandles should be easy enough for Yuuto. Since it doesn’t require much brain-power from him.

‘Heh, spirited again, are we?’

‘Yep… The universe keeps moving. Time, flowing… I hate to admit, but I won’t be able to be around forever. I won’t be able to protect NTR victims for all eternity.’

‘I guess I’ll take in someone. Show them the ropes and teach them the value of Anti-NTR. I should write a bible or something. There truly is a need for that with all the NTR that reaches mainstream nowadays.’ No, please don’t. PLEASE DON’T RUIN THE YOUNGER GENERATION WITH YOUR DELUSION.

‘Sendo’s a good choice… Nah, he’s just a kid. He’s not too bright, either. And by the time we’re 40 or 50, we’re gonna be practically the same age. Gonna take a protégé once I’m much older, then-‘

Yuuto’s line of thought was cut. Something caught his eye.

“Hmmm…?” Yuuto had over 20 tabs of internet instances open as he sat down the internet cafe. 18 of the tabes were viewing footage of hidden cameras he had installed in discreet places, surrounding his own residence, Sendo’s – just in case he was somehow found, even though Yuuto hadn’t asked of him much afterward, Himiko’s, and Kyoya’s gym; which was also where Kyoya resided. Keeping tabs on all of his men was a chore that was beyond Yuuto’s budget, but he figured as long as he kept that Kazuki character and Kyoya in check, all was good.

9:10pm, the incident is set in motion.

“What the hell…? What are these pea-brains up to?” He muttered, seeing just over 20 people leaving the gym, following that Kazuki character, mischief and evil in their eyes. Seeing them all together didn’t quite fit. ‘Why are they suspicious…? Hmm… It ain’t the first time I’ve seen them together. But this time… Feels different. Intuition? Due to my vast experience?’ Fat chance. Considering his ‘vast experience’ comes from his own delusions.

‘Well, it couldn’t hurt to check… Ah, I didn’t bring my coat,’ Yuuto left the internet cafe after having closed all the tabs, and deleting the history. Wearing only his long-sleeved white shirt and his sweatpants, along with some sneakers.

‘What a lack of foresight…’ He thought, gradually getting wetter as he walked through the storm.

9:27pm.

Amid the labyrinthine alleyways and dimly lit corners of the city, a nefarious plan was unfolding; with Kazuki, having reached the end of his tether, at the center of it all.

“FELLAAAASSS~~~~!!! That bastard Kyoya isn’t himself anymore~!!” He declared to the crowd, venom and spite in his tone, with the crowd bellowing in agreement. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them all, Yuuto was hiding behind a nearby dumpster, listening in with a keen ear – attempting to make sense of Kazuki’s words. “Correct me!! IF I’M WRONG! But we have a plan in motion, a deal we struck, don’t we!!!?” The crowd roared. Yuuto had a fleeting thought at how the rain seems to muffle their loud shoutings. Wondering, for a brief moment, if they were waiting for this type of weather to rally. “AND WHAT KIND OF MEN WE’D BE… IF WE DON’T KEEP OUR END OF THE BARGAIN!!!? I’LL TELL YOU!!! WE WON’T BE MEN, AT ALL!!!” The mob’s screams intensified, despite the cold environment – the heat in their eyes burnt at Kazuki’s every word.

‘He sure knows how to incite people…’ Yuuto thought to himself as he gazed at the scene.

“That whore…” Kazuki continued, looking at the concrete ground with enthusiasm as he pointed to the sky.

‘…?’ Yuuto leaned in.

“..-KYOYA’S NEW WHORE…!!!”

‘..!!!’

“SHE TURNED HIM SOFT..!!! SHE MADE A SHEEP OUT OF A LION!!! Ever since meeting her, that guy actually believed… HE ACTUALLY BELIEVED THE LIKES OF US COULD GO LEGIT!!! US!!!” They all exploded with laughter “IN ESSENCE, SHE HAD KILLED OUR LEADER!!! SHE INTENSIFIED HIS DELUSION!!! A TARGET HAD KILLED OUR LEADER!!!” His voice nearly cracked as he raised his tone, screaming to the heavens as he pointed a fist at the heavy, dark rain clouds.

‘Don’t tell me this is what I think it is… Shit…!!’ Yuuto, despite not wearing any warm clothing, could separate the sweat rushing down his skin, his nervousness rushing it out of his glands, and the rainwater.

“AND WHAT GOOD SUBORDINATES DO WHEN THEIR LEADER IS DOWN FOR THE COUNT!!!? THEY FINISH THE JOB THEMSELVES!!! AND TAKE REVENGE!!! LET’S ENJOY THE NIGHT WITH THIS BITCH!!! YOU’VE ALL SEEN KYOYA’S VIDEOS~..!!!” He emphasized the end of the last word in the sentence, causing them all to scream and shout as if they were all soldiers, hyping each other before charging into war.

The plan was crude, tactless and forward. But sinister in its simplicity. Yuuto leaned, resting a keen ear as Kazuki elaborated: Abduct Himiko, drug her with something that intensifies her senses and raping her; essentially, creating the illusion of delight and joy… and send the footage to both Haruto and his father.

In short… NTR, in its purest form – as Yuuto would describe it. And they’re planning to do it now.

‘Fuck… Who woulda thought… Is it that drug again? Or something else? Just kidding. Of course, I calculated things could spiral out of control like that. No biggie. I’ll just turn around, go over to my house, grab my bat real quick and take them down before they could get to Himiko’s house. This time, they got a lot of numbers, but I gotta do what I gotta do… I’ll formulate a plan of attack as I walk-‘

Yuuto’s steps hesitated, a sense of déjà vu overcoming him as he treaded through the alley. It wasn’t just any alley. It was that alley, the one that Himiko always took on her way home from work. But why was he here? His thoughts were disrupted by the rain, making it hard to focus.

Then, realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. He pulled out his phone and glanced at the time.

9:35pm.

The very time when Himiko usually passed through this very alley after her overtime shifts. Panic rose like bile in his throat, and he instinctively turned back toward the mob, catching snippets of a distressing conversation.

“Ohh, missy~! Come have a little fun with us,” one jeered.

“You’ve got the wrong idea! Who are you?!” Himiko’s voice was unmistakable, quivering with fear yet defiant.

“Don’t you remember us? We’re all friends of Kyoya.” There was malice dripping from every word.

“Kyoya wouldn’t associate with…with monsters like you! Let me go!” Her pleas were met with rough laughter.

Yuuto’s heart raced, each beat echoing the horrifying comments made by the mob about Himiko’s appearance. Despair and anger bubbled within him, threatening to explode. He felt paralyzed, torn between wanting to save her and the sheer impossibility of facing down an entire mob alone.

His mind raced. ‘Call the police? Too late. Get my baseball bat? None nearby. Confront them head-on? Suicidal.’

Yet, as he wrestled with his inner turmoil, a singular thought pierced through: ‘I am Anti-NTR MAN! I have to act! Even if it’s the last thing I do… I… I… I MADE… I MADE A PROMISE…!’

Sweat mixed with rain as he clenched his fists, preparing to take the plunge, when another voice rang out, powerful and commanding. A voice Yuuto recognized all too well.

“What are you doing…with my girlfriend?!”

It was Kyoya Guuji, his tone icy and filled with suppressed rage.

The rain slashed down from the heavens, but its fury was nothing compared to the tension in the alley. The very moment Kyoya’s voice echoed, time seemed to slow down. The mob of 20 men instantly froze, their postures subtly shrinking. Kyoya’s imposing presence held them captive, making them momentarily forget the task they had started.

Himiko lay on the wet concrete, the downpour mercilessly soaking her clothes and matting her hair to her face. The cold raindrops mixing with her warm tears. The ropes that bound her were taut, and the gag in her mouth muffled her whimpering.

Without taking his eyes off the mob, Kyoya crouched beside her. He gently touched her cheek, wiping away a mix of rain and tears. “It’s going to be okay, Himiko,” he whispered, a reassuring softness in his voice that contrasted starkly with the situation. “I promise.”

Yuuto’s heart raced, each thundering beat echoing in his ears. The overpowering weight of the situation was almost too much to bear. His gaze fixated on Himiko, struggling against the mob’s grasp, and he felt the sheer magnitude of his helplessness crush him. But as Kyoya’s voice rang out, commanding and fierce, a flash of relief washed over Yuuto. For a fleeting moment, he felt a glimmer of hope – hearing the defiance, the disapproval of what was happening to the helpless Himiko, coming from Kyoya.

But as quickly as that relief appeared, it twisted into something darker. He caught his own reflection in a puddle — a distorted, wavering image staring back at him. The realization was like a slap across the face.

‘Am I… actually relieved to see HIM? ME?!’

A toxic cocktail of anger and self-loathing bubbled up inside him. How could he, of all people, feel grateful for Kyoya’s presence? The very man he swore to defeat?

As Yuuto clashed with himself, Kyoya was rising to his full height, after having comforting Himiko. He stepped towards the mob, fury evident in every line of his body. Amongst the huddled figures, Kazuki stepped forward. The old bond between the two of them was evident, but so was the rift that had grown.

“Kyoya, she’s… She’s just a bitch. You took this joke of a comfortable life a bit too far for our… For everyone’s taste, don’t you think?” Kazuki began with a sly smile, trying to appear casual and nonchalant. “You’ve changed, man. I bet.. I bet you don’t even give a shit about us anymore, huh? DID… DO WE MEAN LESS THAN THAT FUCKING WHORE TO YOU!!?”

But Kyoya wasn’t buying it. “Yes.” He added coldly. His gaze was cold and unwavering, filled with righteous anger. Without warning, he lunged forward, throwing the first punch. The impact was swift, sending Kazuki sprawling, all the way to the back of the mob. The other members hesitated for just a moment before joining the fray, but Kyoya was a force to be reckoned with.

Each move was calculated, experience was evident in all his moves, he was indeed – a professional boxer for sure. His anger controlled and channeled into every blow he delivered. Despite the mob’s numbers, Kyoya held his ground, using his superior skills to fend them off.

Kazuki, seeing the tide turning, tried to retreat, but Kyoya was on him in an instant. Their past, their trust, their camaraderie – all forgotten in this alley of retribution. With a swift strike, he was knocked to the concrete.

Amidst the chaos and turmoil, there was a quiet spot in the alleyway, shielded from view by a dumpster. Yuuto, his clothes drenched and his heart pounding, peeked from behind it, his gaze fixed on the unfolding scene.

Kyoya’s last punch sent Kazuki tumbling backward. It was clear that the battle was won, but Kyoya’s face didn’t show triumph. Instead, it displayed a raw vulnerability that Yuuto had never seen before. The formidable man turned to where Himiko lay, and his demeanor changed instantly. He knelt down, his fingers deftly working to untie the ropes that bound her.

Tears streamed down Himiko’s face, but as Kyoya removed the gag, it became clear they weren’t born of fear but of overwhelming relief and gratitude. She looked up at Kyoya, her eyes shimmering with a mixture of tears and raindrops. Without hesitation, she pulled him into a deep and passionate kiss, a stark contrast to the violent scene that had just transpired.

Pulling back, Kyoya cradled her face, “Himiko, I’m not a good man… These guys… We have history. After everything that’s happened, if you want me out of your life, I’d understand.”

Himiko smiled through her tears, shaking her head. “Kyoya… after tonight, after seeing what you’ve done… how can I ever leave? I want to be with you, forever… If you’re a bad man… I’ll tell you you’re a good one. So… Stay.”

Holding each other close, they began to walk away, their silhouettes fading into the rainy mist of the night. “I swear… I’ll tell you everything. In due time.”

As the scene unfolded, Yuuto’s grip on the cold, wet metal of the dumpster tightened. A torrent of emotions raged within him, mirroring the downpour around. ‘Maybe Kyoya truly did change,’ he thought. ‘Maybe he turned against his own, all for her.’

The burning fire of resolve that had ignited in Yuuto ever since the beginning of his eternal conquest began to waver. The line between enemy and ally was blurring. The very foundation of his beliefs was shaking. ‘If that’s the case, why am I still here? Why am I hiding like a coward? Am I… I’m… Am I…’

Lost in his turmoil, Yuuto remained hidden, the rain masking his presence as he grappled with his conflicted emotions. The unconscious bodies of the mob of 20 people.

“Am I really… Anti-NTR Man?”

Yuuto’s mind was a maelstrom, grappling with his shattered beliefs, when a soft groan brought him back to the present. It came from one of the ‘unconscious’ members of the mob. Yuuto’s eyes narrowed as he saw the man shift, rolling over and then sitting up casually, rubbing the back of his head.

“Damn, Kyoya really doesn’t hold back, does he?” the man complained, glancing at the departing couple, the contours of his smirk visible under the dim alleyway lights.

Kazuki, who Yuuto had believed was knocked out cold, chuckled, pushing himself off the ground. “He never did. But you guys know the plan. Make it look good. Make it look real. We just have to take a few hits, and that whore’s all over him.”

One by one, the rest of the mob began to rise, groaning and stretching as though they’d just completed a theatrical performance. “All this, just to make him look like a hero in front of that girl?” one of them muttered, sounding more annoyed than in pain. “And, why did we have to prepare like that and give that whole speech about the boss?” Another one of the fray questioned. “Idiot, did you forget? We needed to make sure no one followed us, and if someone does – Boss would still be able to complete the task, while we take the fall. If he stays up, we stay up as well.”

Kazuki, dusting off his clothes, nodded. “Exactly. And if this is what it takes, then so be it~… I still stand by saying that guy softened, but he’s still our Kyoya. Haaa… I could be a fucking movie director, but this life chose me~…”

The others laughed, sharing their own anecdotes of the ‘fight.’ “The way he ‘punched’ me, I thought I lost a tooth,” one joked. “But it’s all for the show.”

As the realization of the deceit settled in, Yuuto’s heart raced. The feelings of conflict and confusion he had felt earlier transformed into a mix of anger and disgust. This was not the redemption of a villain; it was a scheme, a plot to manipulate someone’s feelings. It was everything Yuuto despised.

And yet, he remained hidden, paralyzed not by fear but by a chilling understanding. They had manipulated the scene, manipulated Himiko, and in the process, they had manipulated him too. The realization was soul-crushing, and Yuuto’s mind raced as he grappled with the knowledge of the deception he had just witnessed.

***ANIMALITY -JVLA QUEUES***

As the laughter of the mob echoed through the rain-drenched alley, it seemed to pierce Yuuto’s very soul, each chuckle a mocking reminder of the elaborate deceit he had just witnessed. The cold rain that once seemed to cool his heated emotions was now overshadowed by a simmering anger building up inside him.

His teeth clenched so hard that it felt like they could shatter. Each breath he took was a silent battle cry. The storm inside him was more tempestuous than the one raging outside. It wasn’t just about Himiko anymore. It was about the games that people like Kyoya played with others’ lives and emotions…. But more than anyone… The game he played with Yuuto himself, without him even knowing.

“This…” Yuuto whispered to himself, voice trembling with rage, “is personal now.”

He peered from behind the dumpster, watching the mob saunter away, their laughter a stark contrast to the grim scene they had just enacted. His fingers dug into the cold, wet ground, siphoning the fury he felt into the very earth.

“Kyoya,” he hissed under his breath, “you’ve just dug your own grave.”

“You motherfucker.”

Once more, he found himself leaning back on his chair, and looking blankly at the ceiling. His face blank and absent of any sort of expression.

‘If Kyoya were a mere criminal schemer, I would’ve wrapped this up by now.’

‘I’d unearth his deception, involve the authorities, present Himiko with undeniable proof, and in the process, paint Haruto in the most favorable light.’

‘But Kyoya isn’t just any crook.’

‘He’s got connections, and the odds that he has allies capable of extricating him from prison walls make it risky to rely solely on our oh-so-reliable justice system. Taking into account what I know about his past, I’m convinced that Kyoya’s intellect surpasses the ordinary. He’s likely discerned Himiko’s vulnerabilities; he’s just chosen not to capitalize on them yet. Why? Heh, he just doesn’t feel like he needs to.’

‘He can just go on without doing anything too out of the ordinary, because those vulnerabilities of Himiko unlock an A+ grade technique that is especially effective on her: “Himiko… I did it for the wealth, yes. I’m the villain in this story. I can’t change the hurt I’ve caused you and Haruto… but being with you made me feel like perhaps there was something more than just money.” ‘

‘Essentially, he’s poised to cast himself as the wounded soul, the damaged man yearning for redemption. Given Himiko’s nurturing disposition, she’s likely to succumb to his manipulations, further ensnaring her in his web. She’s drawn to healing emotional scars, and he knows just how to present them.’

‘If he’d realized my intervention, he would have used that card already. That’s why our next steps must be measured, even though we have a plan in place.’

This very thought consumed Yuuto’s mind as he locked eyes with Sendo, who was emerging from the hospital, his injuries still evident.

“Your phone,” Yuuto began, extending the device to Sendo, its battery indicator blinking ominously. “But I need more from you, Sendo. It concerns Haruto.”

Sendo took a moment, perhaps processing Yuuto’s words, his gaze unwavering. Then, in the familiar casual tone, he responded, “Alright, I’m in.”

Yuuto raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with skepticism. “Just like that? Put up a fight. Challenge me. Anything acquired too effortlessly will be broken just as easily.”

Sendo shrugged, “Look, senpai, I ain’t too keen on what’s easy and hard. I just said yes. And I get dat ya care for dat dude.”

But Yuuto pressed on, “After our heated exchange at the hospital, this sudden compliance is out of character. I called you ‘stupid’, a term I know gets under your skin and we almost threw hands. And yet, here you are, so compliant. Are you aligned with Kyoya?”

Sendo pondered, skyward gaze thoughtful, before retorting, “I used ta fight with my brothers, shoutin’ words we didn’t mean. We were angry, for sure. Fought more dan once, too – got all physical and stuff. But we stayed friends cuz dat what we were.”

Yuuto clenched his jaw, “I meant every word. I view Haruto as weak, albeit with potential, and you as naïve and STUPID for shielding him from truths he needs to confront. Your retaliation back at the hospital makes it clear you ain’t too bright.”

Sendo countered, “It’s cuz of how ya said it dat made me angry, senpai. Ya even cussed at him for no reason and 100% seemed like you meant every word. It was like ya were punishin’ him for whatever that Kyoya did. It just didn’t seem like ya at all.”

Yuuto exhaled sharply, poised to respond when Sendo interjected.

“I don’t get yer animosity towards him. Maybe dere’s history, or he reminds ya of someone ya hate. But I’m with ya because I like yer guts. Name-calling won’t push me away. I want ta help.”

“So what, we’re ‘buddies’ now?” Yuuto questioned, his eyebrow raised slightly.

Sendo shot back, playful confidence in his voice, “Ya didn’t say we ain’t when I called us dat, so yeah.”

Yuuto muttered a begrudging, “Crafty kid.”

‘Apologizing for calling him stupid now would be redundant, especially after I called him that before, and apologized. Besides, it isn’t like he didn’t do his fair share of screaming. We’ll just move on from this. There’s no need to get stuck on this useless sentim-‘

“Sorry for lashing out at ya, senpai. And threatening ta beat ya up.”

“….”

“… Sorry for calling you stupid again,” Yuuto replied as his voice trailed off.

‘What am I? 4?’ Yuuto thought to himself in defeat.

Sendo smirked.

Yuuto examined Sendo’s blonde hair and earrings. ‘It just doesn’t match. He’s 100% an NTR looking antagonist… What a weirdo.’

“Jesus, can you act the way you look for once?” Yuuto uttered as he raised his eyebrows.

“…Huh? What’s dat supposed ta mean, senpai?”

“Tsk, like a shitty delin-… You know what? Nothing. Let’s walk. I’ll tell you what we need to do.”

———–BACK AT HIMIKO’S PLACE, A few days later, 6:02am———

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead, and Kyoya, feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin, smiled. “Himiko,” he began, the twinkle in his eyes contrasting the seriousness of his tone, “ready for that hike?”

But before he could delve further into their plans, the trill of his phone interrupted him.

[Mister Guuji, I expect to see you at your gym in exactly one hour. Don’t disappoint. We wouldn’t want any… complications with your establishment now, would we? Be there.] The line went dead.

The corners of Kyoya’s mouth tugged downward, a clear agitation shimmering in his eyes. “…It’s Haruto again. Always him,” he grumbled, the muscles in his hand flexing around his phone.

Himiko’s eyes narrowed, her posture tense. “The inspector Haruto?” Her voice was edged, a growl almost.

With a sly smirk, Kyoya replied, “What, did you think I meant your beloved stepson? That… individual,” he spat out, frustration evident. “He always manages to interrupt our plans. Sometimes, it feels like he’s got eyes on me.”

A flash of desperation in Himiko’s eyes, she clutched Kyoya’s shirt. “Then tell him no. Reschedule. I need this time with you, Kyoya. More than you might realize.”

He looked down, catching her earnest gaze, and placed a calming hand on her shoulder. “I know,” he sighed, “and we will have our time. But…”

Himiko softened, letting go of the tension she had held. “It’s about your gym, isn’t it? I understand. I can wait, if it’s for something you cherish.”

The genuine concern in her voice caught Kyoya off guard. He blinked, momentarily speechless. “You… You actually care?” He seemed almost bewildered.

She met his gaze with unwavering sincerity. “Of course. It’s vital to you, so it matters.”

Still processing, Kyoya nodded slowly. “Alright. Let’s compromise: Movie night?”

With a relieved smile, Himiko agreed. “Perfect. Movie night it is.”

Thus, he set off into the distance, with Himiko waving him off.

‘Why, it’s almost like that scum has a sixth sense. Me having eyes on him, who would think something so ridiculous… I suppose the years doing small jobs like this have made you duller, Kyoya.’ Yuuto thought to himself as he stared at him through the monitor while sitting at the internet cafe. ‘Now then… I better get going. I hope that guy knows what he has to do in a few hours… Oh well, I trust he’ll make due.’

—–A FEW HOURS LATER——-

The grand gate of the Narukami residence echoed softly with the repeated knock. But the vastness of the house’s yard swallowed up the sound, leaving it almost inaudible.

‘Wasn’t Senpai certain she’d be home?’ Sendo’s inner thoughts tangled with doubts. ‘In a house this big, how can one even hear a knock from the front? That’s just bad design.’

After what felt like an eternity, a door finally creaked open, revealing a woman with fiery red hair, her brows furrowed in mild confusion.

“You could’ve rung the doorbell,” she remarked with a hint of amusement in her eyes, gesturing toward a discreet button by the side of the entrance.

Flushing with embarrassment, Sendo’s gaze darted to the doorbell he’d missed. Trying to recover, he began, “Uh… da name’s Sendo. Pleasure ta meet ya’. I don’t go ta meet a lotta people so I missed dat.” Even as the words slipped out, he wondered why he went through so much trouble.

She gave him a once-over, her eyes lingering on his vibrant hair and piercings. “Hello, Sendo. How might you be acquainted with us? Are you here for someone?”

Gulping nervously, he responded, “Actually, ma’am, I’m a friend of Haruto’s. I was wonderin’ if he might’ve stopped by?”

The mention of Haruto seemed to spark a visible excitement in her. “Haruto? You mean, my Haruto? Haruto Narukami?” She stepped closer, almost breathless, placing her hands on his shoulders.

Slightly startled by her enthusiasm, he nodded. “Yeah, dat Haruto. He’s been stayin’ with me for a bit, and I’ve kinda lost track of him. Thought he mighta come back home.”

A perplexed frown danced on her face. “Your place? Not… not with his girlfriend?”

Sendo blinked, taken aback. “Girlfriend? No way. Haruto woulda told me if he was seeing some girl.”

Her face contorted in a blend of relief and confusion. “Oh! I just… assumed. It was a silly notion, I guess.” There was an undercurrent of something deeper in her voice, a fleeting shadow of a memory, linking to something that Kyoya had said.

Sendo couldn’t help but think, ‘She’s reacting exactly how Senpai predicted.’ he then added, “Last I knew, Haruto was only into swimmin’ and studyin’. And trust me, he’d definitely mention a girlfriend.”

She gave a weak smile, seemingly lost in her thoughts, “Thank you, Sendo. That’s… good to know.”

As the silence stretched, Sendo shifted on his feet. “I’ll get goin’ den. Haruto’s probably at a pool somewhere. Thanks for yer time, ma’am.”

She glanced up, “Would you like some tea before you go?”

His steps briefly halted. “No, thanks. If I sit down now, I might just doze off. Busy day ahead.”

A brief hesitation, then in a voice just above a whisper, she ventured, “Do you… know why Haruto left home?”

Sendo paused, looking back over his shoulder, a hint of surprise evident. ‘How did Senpai guess she’d ask?’

He hesitated, a sigh escaping him before he responded. “Well, It ain’t like he wanted to leave… He mentioned once that he might’ve felt like he was… getting in da way, y’know?”

Her voice, threaded with a pang of regret, softly queried, “… In-… In the way?”

“Ahhh… I hate doin’ shit like dis…” Sendo scratched his head while muttering loudly, “In da way of ya and yer new partner, ma’am. Guess he didn’t feel comfortable with ya’ anymore now dat ya got a partner to worry about.”

She blinked several times in quick succession, guilt weighing down on her like a ton of bricks. “O-oh… OH… Haha… I see… Haruto… Haruto didn’t feel comfortable now that I have-..” She murmured awkwardly, while forcing a chuckle after every sentence. Trying to hide away her turmoil.

“Ah, shit he told me not ta say dat… He jus’ didn’t wanna get in yer way-“

She signaled the youth to stop talking with her hand as she shook her head slowly. She then replied, her voice trembling. “Thank you… For… For telling me.”

‘Ait… I think I told her exactly what Senpai told me to say… I hate doing stuff like that.’

“… Sure.” Sendo replied before leaving.

“It’s…” She stopped him again, murmuring, “…Good to hear. That he has friends like you that worry about him so much. Thank you for taking him in.” She said calmly. Gratefulness evident in her tone as she bowed.

“Don’t mention it.”

Meanwhile, at the gym, Haruto Sakurai (Yuuto the fake inspector) stayed there for hours. Delaying the inspection on every detail, forcing Kyoya to follow him. A speck of dust, a grain of white chalk, or remnants of protein powder. Even the space above the acoustic ceiling panels wasn’t spared. Sometimes, he made things up… And just like that, with breaks, 7 hours went by.

Yuuto: “Well, everything here seems clean enough! I will come back again tomorrow!”

Kyoya: “When.”

Yuuto: “Hmmm?”

“I asked WHEN. Do you think that’s fair, making me dance to your tune? I have a personal life, plans and promises that I need to keep. Calling me an hour ahead of time ISN’T ENOUGH. I need to know NOW WHEN You’re going to be coming from now on so that I could properly arrange my schedule to meet.” Kyoya nearly bellowed, his chest puffed as if trying to intimidate Yuuto, disguised as the fat and bearded health inspector. “You speak of professionalism, but you NEVER ONCE gave even a 24-hour notice whenever you are coming for an inspection.”

“I thought we spoke of this, Mr. Guuji. We’re both busy men. And if I had informed you, you and your…” Yuuto took a moment to look at Kyoya’s gym assistants, eyeing Yuuto menacingly, “Lovely bunch here, would’ve had all the time in the world to hide indecencies and flaws. This has to be done organically in order to instill those habits into yo-“

Kyoya knocked over an equipment in fury, the clash of it against the ground rattled everyone, except Yuuto, who stared at him indifferently.

Kyoya looked at Yuuto. His fists are balled, and his muscles are all tensed.

“Is this a violation, Mr. Inspector…?” He questioned chillingly, while his face fumed.

Yuuto sighed and walked to his behalf, kneeling near the broken equipment, examining it solemnly. Un-alerted by Kyoya’s stance.

“Equipment breaks, accidents happen. It’s a shame, but you will have to store this one until you get it fixed. Not a violation.”

“….” Kyoya stood above the inspector. His trainers all readied themselves, facing the Inspector who seemed casual.

“Kyoya. You are not the only one to smash equipment in rage. Me being unreasonable? Interruptive and draining you of your personal life? Such is the corporate world, full of hidden nuances, tests, and surprise visits. If such things never existed, do you think an establishment could keep on its feet for years to come? It is all a part of a system. A system YOU, are also a part of.”

Kyoya’s muscles loosened, and he signaled his goons with his gaze to stand down.

“…And might I add,” Yuuto rose, placing a soft palm on his tall shoulder, “Doing a good job at being that part of the system. Do not ruin it for yourself, Mr. Guuji.”

“….I… I understand.”

“Good. And might I remind you, just 15 more days, and then – I’ll be out of your hair for good. Well, me, at least. Maybe someone else will come after a few years. But not me. Take care now.”

Yuuto left and went home again. Glancing at the fainted Haruto on his couch, smirking before going upwards to his room, undressing and redressing in casual clothes before heading out to meet Sendo. Sendo relayed the details of his encounter with Himiko to Yuuto. To which Yuuto simply nodded. However, Sendo’s doubt arose…

“Senpai, what’s da big idea? Even if she begins ta doubt Kyoya, won’t she eventually bring it up ta him? He’s good with words, ya said that. In a couple of hours, he could have her wrapped around his finger again.”

“You’re not seeing the bigger picture,” Yuuto replied, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “After an encounter like the one she just had, her immediate instinct might be to confide in Kyoya. But give her a few hours alone, allow her time to introspect, and it changes the game. That was why it was important to do it while he’s nowhere nearby for a very long time.”

“How?”

“People’s minds wander, especially after something unsettling. By evening, her thoughts about Haruto won’t be just about him leaving. She’ll start analyzing every detail, every instance where things might have gone wrong. The guilt, the ‘what ifs,’ the possibilities – it’ll all grow, taking on a life of its own. And the longer she’s left to stew in that, the more walls she’ll build to protect herself from any further seduction by Kyoya, using what you’ve fed her.”

“Uh… I see… I think. So, we make Kyoya da bad guy, right?”

“blablblablablablablablablablaaIt’s not about vilifying Kyoya, that would be too obvious and force him to use his trump card strategy.blablablablablablablabla No, what we’re doing is creating doubt in her mind. If we do it right, Kyoya won’t pick up on her emotional turmoil until it gets too late. That’s when she’ll start piecing things together on her own, asking herself ANDblablablablablablablablablabla answering the important questions… “Why does Haruto think he’s in the way?” “He doesn’t have a girlfriend and it sounds like he didn’t want to leave…” “Was Kyoya the reason I don’t have Haruto in my life?”. The more she asks herself these questions and the longer Kyoya is too tired and dull to notice, something I will personally see to, the space between them grows. And guess who fits perfectly into that space?”

“Uh…” Sendo mumbled, Yuuto’s words running wild in his head, unable to form together.

“Haruto.” Yuuto uttered.

“Uhh, yeah. Right.”

“…. You didn’t catch a single word of that, huh.”

“Sorry, Senpai… I ain’t dat bright.”

Yuuto sighed.

“tl;dr – you planted the seed of ‘care for Haruto’ in her, she will care more about Haruto when she alone a lot of hours. Clear?”

“Oh, sure. Ya shoulda said dat from da get-go.”

“Gr…”

“Wait, but she has a phone? She coulda called Kyoya and asked ‘im right away…”

“Nope… Somehow, I feel that we’re good on that end.” Yuuto sneered. His phone rings in his pocket. Dozens of calls were missed from a number not registered and texts. ‘Rerouting phone calls is so easy…’

—BACK AT THE GYM—-

Kyoya stared at his phone. It was silent, specifically set to that mode for the inspection. Not a single notification from Himiko. In contrast, Haruto’s father bombarded him with incessant calls and messages.

He let out a mild sigh, ‘She’s probably stewing over what happened today… I’ll pamper her a bit tonight. That should help.’

A slender silhouette slipped out from the shadows, its movements smooth and deliberate.

“Kyoya, need assistance handling that fatass? I could erase him, and all traces leading back to us…” Kazuki’s voice slithered into the conversation, moving toward Kyoya much like a serpent stalking its prey, moments after the inspector’s departure.

Kyoya shot him a glare. “No. We’re transitioning to legit business. Once this job’s over, it’s clean deals from there on. It’s just this corporate bullshit that the inspector does that I’m not used to. 15 more days, and he’s out of the picture.”

Kazuki tilted his head, a smirk forming. “Making any headway with the lady?”

Kyoya grunted, “That inspector is a nuisance, sure. But nothing I can’t outmaneuver, she is mine… Just need to be a bit creative with her, that’s all.”

Kazuki’s smirk deepened, “Being ‘creative’? That’s new for you. Has our tough Kyoya developed a soft spot for this woman?”

Kyoya’s tone grew icy. “Watch your mouth. I’m just being careful. She’s… perceptive. Can’t rush things with her.”

Kazuki chuckled, the sound dripping with mischief. “Never took you to notice or care about such subtleties. Why not just get it over with?”

Kyoya’s patience wore thin, “… Are you challenging my methods, Kazuki?”

Kazuki stepped back, raising his hands in mock surrender, “Oh, I’d never dare. Just wondering if you’re still the same Kyoya I knew.”

Kyoya exhaled slowly, his gaze unyielding. “I handle things my way. The end goal’s what matters. Stay in line, follow the plan, and we’ll be legitimate soon enough.”

——

“Now, all that’s left is Haruto’s battle. All hangs on him. Naturally, Himiko will want to call him.”

“Ain’t that a good thing if yer girl’s callin’?”

“Not in his case… Hearing his voice will reassure her and talking it out will allow her worries to flow out in a way. They gotta fester and grow in her mind, until, before she realizes, she can’t stop thinking about Haruto.”

——————-

Haruto was lounging on the couch, his muscles still sore from the swimming exercise which had grown increasingly difficult with every day when his phone buzzed to life. The name “Himiko” illuminated the screen, and Haruto’s heart skipped a beat. For a moment, the entire world seemed to halt; only the soft glow of the call notification and the rhythmic pulsation of his heart existed.

His eyes shone with anticipation, the glint of excitement clearly visible. It had been so long since he last heard from her. The distance and silence had been a challenge, but here it was – the call he had been secretly yearning for.

But as his hand moved to answer the call, Yuuto’s voice echoed in his mind, as clear as the day he had first heard those words: “Whatever you do, DON’T ANSWER. If you do, you two will talk, for sure – but all chances for falling in love or her getting back to you is zero.”

The gravity of those words held Haruto’s hand in mid-air, torn between longing and logic. His heart pounded loudly in his chest, each beat seeming to howl loudly: “Answer the one you love.” It was almost a physical pain, resisting the urge to reconnect, to fill the void that had grown between them.

But he remembered Yuuto’s reasoning – the need to let the emotions fester, to allow true feelings to surface, and to give them a chance at a deeper, more enduring relationship. The phone buzzed again, another call from Himiko. And then another. And another. And once more. Each call was a siren song, each one harder to resist than the last.

With every unanswered call, Haruto’s heart felt heavier, weighed down by guilt, longing, and doubt. The screen eventually dimmed, signaling the end of the call spree. Silence engulfed the room once more.

Haruto placed the phone face-down on the table, as if to shield himself from further temptation. Yet the doubts still gnawed at him, his inner turmoil palpable. ‘Is this… Really the right answer?’ His mind echoed, gazing out of the window, the twinkling city lights reflecting his inner confusion and hope.

——————

“Senpai.”

Yuuto barely glanced at Sendo, clearly irked. “What now?”

“Why can’t dey just… Talk it out? Why not reveal everything ta dat woman? Ain’t it fine for dat guy ta just tell her he’s got feelings for her?”

With a heavy sigh, Yuuto shot Sendo a sharp look. “You think life’s a fairytale? They spill their feelings, and they live happily ever after?”

Sendo shuffled a bit, unnerved by Yuuto’s cold demeanor. “I just think… if dey care ’bout each other, why not be open?”

Yuuto’s voice was icy, devoid of warmth. “Love isn’t a children’s storybook, Sendo. Genuine connections require more than juvenile confessions.”

“But Senpai,” Sendo protested, “lettin’ dat Kyoya guy mess around with her while Haruto does nothing, ain’t dat just pushing ’em away from each other?”

Yuuto’s patience seemed to thin. “Again, this isn’t child’s play. It’s strategy. Raw emotions, when thrown around recklessly, cause more harm than good. They need precision, calculation.”

Sendo’s brows furrowed, frustration evident. “Feels like yer makin’ it more complicated dan it should be.”

Yuuto’s response was curt, his tone final. “It’s how the world works, whether you accept it or not. Love, like all things, requires tactics.”

“Senpai, yer overthinkin’ it,” Sendo pushed, trying to penetrate the icy wall Yuuto had put up. “Love’s simple. Ya feel it, ya act on it.”

Yuuto’s laugh was short and humorless. “Simplicity is for the naive. You think wars are won by just charging in headfirst?”

“We ain’t at war here,” Sendo countered, getting heated. “It’s ’bout two people likin’ each other. Ain’t no strategy or game plan needed.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Yuuto snapped, eyes narrowing. “Love, is like a clash of minds during a chess game. You make the wrong move, and it’s game over.”

Sendo’s voice grew louder, frustration bubbling. “Chess? Ya can’t compare people’s feelings to a game! Haruto’s hurtin’, and yer sittin’ here plottin’ like it’s all some… some damn puzzle!”

“Because it is,” Yuuto responded, the chill in his tone undeniable. “Every move has consequences, every action a reaction. If you can’t see the bigger picture, you’re just setting up for failure.”

Sendo threw his hands up in exasperation. “Haruto just needs ta speak his heart out!! Ain’t nothin’ more ta it!”

Yuuto’s voice grew colder, more clipped. “And what happens when he does? Think it’ll be a simple ‘they lived happily ever after’? Life doesn’t work in straight lines, Sendo.”

For a moment, the two stared each other down, the weight of their differences palpable in the charged air.

“Look, Senpai. It’s yer thang. I won’t tell ya what ta do. It just feels wrong.” Sendo sighed, lessening his muscles.

“Good. Then let’s agree to disagree. You’ll eat your words soon enough when they’re together.”

“….”

“So, why can’t I just… come clean to her about all this?”

“Because of Clause 9 on our site: ‘Enhanced bonds after my service – Guaranteed!’” Yuuto quoted effortlessly.

“But how does that stop us from spilling the beans about Kyoya…”

Yuuto sighed, “Look, our goal isn’t just about outing the bad guys. It’s about the timing, doing it so that it seals the bond between you two. A hasty reveal might put an end to Kyoya’s schemes, but it could also push her away from you. We need to unveil the truth when it guarantees pulling her closer to you. But there’s a catch – the longer we wait, the deeper Kyoya’s influence might seep in. Hence, the need for Clause 10.”

“Clause… 10?”

“If you genuinely feel my approach is off and decide to act against my advice, then Clause 9’s guarantee? It’s voided. Permanently.”

Haruto took a deep breath, determination flashing in his eyes. “I’ve been passive for too long, taking her presence in my life for granted. What’s our move?”

Yuuto smirked approvingly, “First, we need her to feel your absence. But Kyoya’s craftily filling that void. When she begins to miss you, he’s right there to divert her attention. Classic seduction. Our challenge? To make you present in her thoughts without Kyoya’s shadow clouding them.”

“But you said Kyoya’s a pro. He’ll see through it, right…?”

“Nope. Since you won’t be near her at all.”

“…What?” Haruto’s eyes narrowed.

“We keep you as far away as possible from him and Himiko while also making Himiko yearn for you and not him.”

“But that’s impossible! And wouldn’t that make them even tighter? Keeping me away from her? Kyoya’s so successful and strong, she will fall for him in no time-“

Yuuto waved him off, “Himiko is drawn to the broken, the ones needing a savior. Like your scum dad, after your mom died, and like you when he left you alone. In short, she likes useless betas. That’s her core. If Kyoya was sharper, he’d present himself as more vulnerable than you. But his ego won’t let him to be that person, so we have field advantage, you could say.”

Haruto’s eyes sparkled with curiousity.

Yuuto raised a finger, “But, it has to be done with surgical percision. If we’re reckless, he’ll adapt. Even if he isn’t a perfect fit for Himiko, that ain’t the only way to seduce a woman.”

Haruto shifted uncomfortably on the couch, his eyes searching for answers. “So, how do we build my presence into her mind without me there?!”

Yuuto chuckled softly, his gaze fixed on a distant point as if contemplating a complex puzzle. “Kyoya’s used to success. Even if you were actively trying to win Himiko back, it’d be no issue for him. With you out of the scene, staying here with me, it’s uncharted territory for him. He has yet to talk about it himself, but I can tell – he wanted to keep you close after he sent his goons for you, so that he could keep you all nice and despaired. Too vulnerable to act. While Kyoya’s busy keeping an eye out for you, we introduce someone else into Himiko’s life who will slowly build that presence for us. A variable he hasn’t accounted for. That way, she will miss you more and more, while also distracting her from Kyoya’s distractions, making her focus on your absence..”

“A catalyst of some sort?” Haruto’s eyebrows shot up in realization.

“Exactly. I’ve got just the person in mind. He wouldn’t suspect him at all.”

Haruto frowned, the weight of their plan pressing down on him. “It’s a dangerous game.”

Yuuto leaned back, his face illuminated by the confidence shining in his eyes. “It’s all about risk and reward. The greater the risk, the sweeter the victory.”

With a hint of newfound hope, Haruto squared his shoulders. “This person you’re thinking of… can you truly trust him? What if he finds Himiko attractive and tries to make a move?”

Yuuto’s smile was playful, yet brimming with confidence. “Trust me, she’s not his type. The guy’s a clueless jock, a rebel, and frankly, Himiko’s a bit too old for his taste…”

He paused, a reluctant admittance in his eyes, ‘…And as much as it irks me to say it, he’s… Trustworthy, tsk.’

“If he steps out of line, though? Let’s just say I’ll give him a firsthand lesson in baseball.”

Haruto sighed, attempting to digest everything Yuuto had just explained. The weight of the situation, combined with the unfamiliar environment, began to take its toll on him. “I just wish there was some way to speed things up,” he murmured, almost to himself.

Yuuto glanced at him, an understanding look in his eyes. “Trust the process, Haruto. And while we’re at it, you should rest up. Your muscles are going to going to hurt.”

Haruto gave a skeptical chuckle, stretching his arms, “I feel perfectly fine. Besides, I already had some sleep earlier…” He stretched while on the couch.

Yuuto raised an eyebrow, his gaze unwavering. “…Trust me on this. Rest. You’ll thank me later.”

There was a quiet authority in Yuuto’s voice that Haruto found hard to dispute. With a reluctant nod, he agreed, “Alright, if you say so.” He relaxed his muscles while still within the couch’s embrace and attempting to relax, his thoughts still racing.

As Haruto began to drift into a light doze, Yuuto took a moment to glance at his wristwatch, his expression tightening. “Cshe… Only two hours left,” he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. “Damn it… Better start right now.”

—- APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS LATER —

As Haruto’s consciousness slowly edged its way back from the depths of sleep, he was immediately ensnared by a crippling wave of pain that seemed to radiate from every pore of his body.

‘What… What’s happening!?’ His groggy mind struggled to comprehend the sharp stabs and dull thuds resonating through him.

Lifting his head, a movement that once felt as effortless as breathing, now felt like moving a boulder. ‘Is this from the swimming exercises!!? I feel like I’m gonna die…!!’ he thought, the pain in his neck nearly blinding him.

His arms, those once-reliable limbs, felt heavy and unresponsive. He tried to flex his fingers, but the pain shot up through his forearm, and his mind reeled. ‘It’s just your fingers, come on!’ he chastised himself, yet the stinging persisted.

Breathing, something he had never paid mind to, now came with its own challenges. Each inhale felt like he was drawing in needles instead of air. “Why does my chest feel so tight? It’s just air, it’s not supposed to hurt!” His confusion and frustration compounded with each pained breath.

Attempting to sit up, his abdominal muscles fired back with a vengeance. ‘God, even my stomach muscles?!’ The spasms gripped him, and he winced, collapsing back in surrender. The sting of sweat on his forehead was a cruel reminder of his state.

His legs, which had always been his anchor, now felt like they had betrayed him. They felt distant, almost foreign. ‘I never… Felt like this… Grggghhh…!!’

Memories of yesterday’s intense swimming drills flooded back. The non-stop laps, the relentless pace Yuuto had set for him, it was unlike anything he had ever experienced. ‘Is this what pushing your limits feels like? Is this the price for becoming stronger?’

His body ached, but his spirit wavered between frustration and determination.

‘I’m so weak… How did I let myself get like this?! I bet Kyoya wouldn’t even flinch at something like that…’ Echoes of Kyoya’s muscular appearance showered down his mind. How Himiko seemed to trace his biceps as she clung to his toned body. ‘I… I can’t do it… He’s… He’s too strong…’ His mind raced, as he stared at his feeble arms, throbbing in agony – yet not a hint of any muscle on them whatsoever. ‘Kyoya did stuff like that for years… He’s a professional… If someone that determined set his mind on Himiko… He’s bound to get her. I’m no threat… I’m just…’

Just as he was about to sink deeper into his lament, a distant counting snapped him out of his misery.

“…168… 169(heh)… 170…”

Haruto turned to see Yuuto on the wooden floor, counting with every drop and rise of his body by his arms. The sheen of sweat on his bare skin emphasized the contours of his muscles. Despite the physical strain, his glasses sat perfectly on his face, a contrast to the intensity of the exercise.

Haruto’s eyes widened in awe. It was one thing to push oneself in the water, but this… this was raw, unbridled determination and strength.

Catching Haruto’s gaze, Yuuto paused briefly and looked at Haruto blankly, “Oh, you awake? You want food, there’s tuna and veggies in the fridge.” Without waiting for an answer, he resumed his pushups, each movement fluid and controlled.

Haruto gazed in awe at Yuuto’s relentless push-ups, the continuous rise and fall of his form becoming somewhat hypnotic. “Doesn’t that… hurt?” he finally broke the silence, pointing out the visible tension in Yuuto’s muscles.

Between Yuuto’s hundreds of reps, Yuuto responded with a determined grunt. “Yep. But pain is a sign of progress. That’s why, when the burn sets in, I push even harder.” His voice carried a nonchalance that belied the sweat beading on his brow.

Watching Yuuto’s unyielding spirit, a realization began to dawn on Haruto. ‘Pain… Is a testament to growth… Then maybe I can also grow…?’ Wrestling with the aches that gripped him, Haruto managed to lift himself from the couch, his muscles protesting with each movement… Himiko’s presence is visible in every grunt and every twitch of his muscles.

Sensing Haruto’s internal struggle, Yuuto’s eyes twinkled with a knowing smirk, though he didn’t miss a beat in his exercise.

Trying to mask his discomfort with casualness, Haruto proposed, “I think I’ll grab some tuna… That’s good for muscle recovery, right?”

Pausing briefly, Yuuto chuckled, “Yeah. Get that protein in you.”

‘Phew, that was that.’ He thought to himself as he huffed on his lonesome when exiting his room, after his long facade and impressions. He took out Sendo’s phone and looked at it blankly, while holding a certain CD in his other hand. The ads that kept popping on his phone stood out the most: Kendo championship in March next year, the current champion, Kendo leagues, can Kendo actually improve your lifespan… An avid Kendo practitioner through and through, that Sendo.

‘Speaking of which, I need to bring him back his phone. The longer I keep it, the more pain in the ass I’ll have to deal with. It’s a shame, but I’ll have to make do with these 500-minute flip phones for now and use the internet cafe for my website updates until I get my computer fixed. What a hassle…’ Just before Yuuto placed Sendo’s phone back into his pocket, he briefly glanced at the inbox and call history.

Not a single call from anybody, not even a text just asking for Sendo’s wellbeing, considering he was quite the social flower. Maybe he wasn’t the type to share his phone number?

‘Well, it’s not like I care. After all, he’s just some brainless kid… I don’t want to have to deal with his reasonless outbursts again, so I’ll just give him his phone back. Besides, it’s about to run out of charge and I don’t have a fitting charger… Damn, why doesn’t he use Samchong like the rest of the world?’

Yuuto strutted down the stairwell in his house, wearing his usual jet-black wig and his fake glasses, a white T-Shirt covering the rest of his torso and comfortable sweatpants. Residue of skin paler on his face with several silver hairs still attached to his neck from his previous costume.

‘Time to do some more work. Aren’t I the perfect example of the ideal Japanese salaryman with the overtime I do?’ He thought, proudly puffing up his chest while a satisfied grin stretched on his face as he looked at what laid beneath him. Almost as if he knew he’d find a passed-out Haruto lying on the floor of the living-room.

The physical effort visible in his body. His muscles twitched rhythmically, as if they were all sore. A towel clumsily dropped next to him.

‘Sheesh… If you don’t properly cover yourself up after a heavy workout, you could get cold… You can’t anti-ntr your girlfriend with a cold, you dumbass.’

‘Still, I can tell you completed your entire workout. For such dedication to the cause, how about I reward you…?’

—-A FEW HOURS LATER———

“Haruto… Haruto… Haruto…” A soft, feminine voice, echoed in Haruto’s mind. His eyes labored as they barely opened, revealing the blurred image of a mature, yet young-looking and beautiful woman nudging his body in an attempt to wake him up. It felt so real, that his nose brought to life the very fragrance of that shampoo she’d always use as he saw her image, with her smooth, dark hair tickling his nose as she moves his body. “5 more minutes… Himiko… I’ll be there with you soon…” He said, his voice barely rising above that of a whisper.

“Harucuuuck…. Harucuuuuck…. Now~… Wake up now~…. It can’t wait… You have to watch my sex tape with Kyoya~….”

Haruto’s popped wide open. Eye gunk spreading in all directions as his eyelids spread. The blurry image of Himiko immediately disappeared, instead – appeared Yuuto with a mocking grin before him. He was, understandably, shocked and disgusted.

“I hope you slept well, cuck. Good going, actually following my instructions and completing my training. Bet your muscles all hurt like a bitch, don’t they?” Yuuto added with his smug grin.

Haruto’s gaze wandered around himself; he was covered with a thick blanket and laying on the couch in Yuuto’s house. A sharp and loud noise of static emerging from the television of the living room which was positioned behind Yuuto. Yuuto then walked to the single couch at the side of the living room with a remote controller, after inserting a disc into the DVD player below the television.

Dreaded, Haruto recalled Yuuto’s words about a sextape. “What are we going to watch!?” Still in a state of questioning his reality, he asked with his voice shivering; his gaze following the reassured Yuuto as he clicked play on the remote control – revealing footage Haruto found jarring.

Himiko and Kyoya both standing at the door, with Kyoya speaking in his phone and Himiko listening to him talk.

“W-What… What… W-what… Are…?”

“-SHHH. The good part is about to start. Just trust me on this one…” He interrupted chillingly as the video played.

Haruto looked at the video. His body was near paralyzed from the workout. He felt conflicted. On one hand, he was covered in a warm blanket, but in the other hand, he was forced to watch Himiko and Kyoya… What should he feel or do, he wondered. Rather than willingly watching the video, his head just froze still, old feelings of helplessness resurfaced and his breaths were shorter and less efficient.

“While you were out playing in the pool, my friend was out there working. Our dear Kyoya was about to take Himiko to do some hiking. Essentially, replacing you entirely with himself. My friend there stopped him, and that is what is going to happen in this video. But, that isn’t why he took this video and told me to show it to you. Since Kyoya cares so much about his gym, he planted a dead rat in his establishment and pretended to be an inspector to stop their date. He called himself Haruto Sakurai.”

—

“WHAT!!? Haruto!!?” Kyoya in the video questioned loudly.

—

Haruto immediately glanced at Himiko. He let out a gasp as he saw her jump as she heard his name.

—

“Haruto!? Did something happen to him!? Is he alright…?”

—

Yuuto then paused the video, just as Himiko’s hopeful look peaked.

‘He doesn’t need to see the rest of the video.’ Yuuto thought as he laid the remote control by his side.

“What… What… I… She… She reacted this much… Just from hearing my name…?” Haruto felt as if his heart was starting to beat again. As if warmth was opening its arms invitingly. He could see a lighthouse in this ocean of mist and cold.

“According to my friend, taking this video and calling himself Haruto while spoiling Kyoya’s plans with his girlfriend had 3 major goals.” He spoke, a stern tone took over his voice as he stared at the image the video was paused at, closely examining it as he sat on the couch.

Haruto wanted to avert his attention to Yuuto, but he couldn’t stop staring at Himiko’s face. Even though it’s been just about two days since he last saw her, he didn’t realize how much he had missed her.

“First. To gauge Kyoya’s reaction to you. From what I can tell, he still sees you as an active threat, even though he doesn’t really say it. That means, he knows you still possess a considerable amount of power when it comes to Himiko.”

Haruto’s eyes sparkled as he closely examined her image in the TV, tracing the outline of her body with his gaze.

“Second. To gauge Himiko’s reaction to you. She misses you. Still. That means there’s still a lot of room for maneuver and that Kyoya’s control wasn’t completely established. In summary… Anti-NTR is… 100% doable.”

Haruto’s lips were beginning to stretch as tears welled up in his throat…

“Woah there, I’m not done, cuck.” Yuuto added while looking intensely at Haruto.

Haruto’s eyes were finally averted and turned to Yuuto.

“Didn’t you listen to me? Kyoya sees you as a threat. And that guy is a professional. A professional sees an inexperienced manchild as a threat, haven’t you got a clue what that means?”

Haruto looked down as his brows furrowed.

“It means… That if I didn’t have you or your friend… Wait… What do you mean, a professional? Even if you mean that he’s an experienced womanizer… Calling him a professional is a bit…”

Yuuto’s muscles loosened as he gazed at Haruto.

“Yeah… This brings me to the third goal. That is, to keep you motivated and strong enough to withstand the truth about Kyoya.” He got up from his couch, taking his time with every movement, and walked toward the TV with another, ominous CD in his hand. Haruto’s smile withered as his heart froze. What could be so bad that even Yuuto would behave this reserved?

“Shame… I wanted to just reward you for your first-day effort. But something like this can’t wait. You need to know now.” He inserted the disc into the DVD player and sat back down on the couch, pressing the play button on the remote control.

Haruto waited… And waited… Yet just static was shown on the television, yet the play button clearly indicated that the disc was playing…

And then, the sound of a phone call being picked up.

“Update me on our progress,” A voice Haruto found insanely familiar echoed through the TV, tinged with impatience. Haruto mimicked his tone with his body language as he roughly identified the tone, mixing it in his head with the context Yuuto provided about the truth.

Kyoya responded with a calm yet self-assured tone, “She’s nearly under my thumb, Mr. Narukami. It’s a delicate process, and I don’t want to mess it up. You’ll have your results.”

Narukami’s voice grew irate, “I’ve put good money into your gym and your operation. I didn’t do it so you could dally around!”

Kyoya countered, “Quick results aren’t always lasting results. You should know that.”

Narukami’s anger was palpable. “You don’t get it, do you? I want that boy to suffer! He took away my wife, my happiness! Now he thinks he can just move on with some beauty by his side? A woman who was meant for ME!”

Sighing, Kyoya replied, “I comprehend the depths of your pain, Narukami. I’ll make sure he pays for everything.”

With a venomous spit, Narukami hissed, “He’s no son of mine. That boy lost all rights to call himself my son the moment he took her from me. Fail me, and it won’t just be your gym that’s at stake. Remember, I can destroy your reputation with a snap of my fingers.”

Kyoya, undeterred, retorted, “Threats can go both ways, Mr. Narukami. You’d do well to remember that. Just ensure my funds are uninterrupted, and I’ll get the job done.”

There was a tense pause before the line clicked dead.

The room was deathly silent, with only the hum of the TV static filling the void. Haruto’s eyes were wide, the color drained from his face. His very foundation had been shaken, and the weight of the revelation bore down on him.

In one fell swoop, he had learned the truth: his father, the very one who left when he was merely a young boy, had orchestrated the very chaos in his life. He felt a vice grip around his heart, the pain nearly unbearable.

A rush of emotions cascaded through Haruto – anger, betrayal, confusion, but above all, an overwhelming nausea. He had always known there was a great rift between him and his father ever since he left, but to learn that it ran this deep was something else entirely. He could feel his stomach failing his guts as a nasty feeling of a wretch rose in his throat.

Yuuto watched Haruto closely, gauging his reaction. He knew the impact of the revelation would be significant, but he had underestimated just how profoundly it would affect Haruto.

With trembling hands, Haruto pointed at the TV, voice shaky, “Is… is that truly my father? Why…? Why would he do this?”

Yuuto sighed, “People have their reasons, Haruto. Some more twisted than others… Your father’s being your happiness and, the lack of his own, mostly. Blaming you for something you had no control over somehow fills the void in him. Just as spending time with Himiko fills yours.”

“The extra purpose in showing you this, is in a way – letting you know that no matter what or how you did things, Kyoya would have found his way to you eventually. Really, you just shortened the inevitable process. Not initiated it. So, in a way, the blame doesn’t fall entirely on you. It still would’ve been delayed for a very long time if you were just honest.”

The room felt cold and oppressive as Haruto tried to process the weight of it all. The path ahead seemed even more uncertain.

‘Well… Now I gotta think how to cheer him up again-‘ Yuuto mentally sighed.

“I’m… Okay,” Haruto broke the silence, his voice wavering but defiant.

“Oh?” Yuuto raised an eyebrow, looking over to him.

“…Because… you accepted my money, right?” Haruto said, trying to lighten the mood, referencing Yuuto’s words this morning.

Yuuto’s lips curled into a smirk. “Heh, you’re learning.”

“Haruto Sakurai” Had just left the gym. The clock hit 12 p.m. Hiking with Himiko would be highly unreasonable now. Kyoya scratched his head while looking down, annoyed as Yuuto took his time with his every step as if making sure every muscle was put to work while leaving the place.

A mysterious figure approached from behind Kyoya as Yuuto left. Blonde and tanned, with piercings. One could mistake him for the Kendo enthusiast youth – but couldn’t be more different than Sendo in his demeanor, with that triumphant, creeping smirk on his face as he walked out of the staff room.

“Kyoooooya~… That bastard stole all your time with your victim… Seems kind of suspicious… I’d look into him…” He uttered behind his ear. His every word stretched and suggestive, yet smooth and low… Almost snake-like.

Kyoya shifted, whipping his shoulder away from the person speaking behind him.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Kazuki. That would suggest Haruto put him up to this to get me away from Himiko or something. That kid’s too much of a pussy to do anything close to that.”

[DING!] The upbeat, yet nerve-wracking noise of a cellphone notification sprang from Kazuki’s pocket.

Kazuki’s lips curled into an unsettling grin as he gazed at his phone.

|Here is another picture… Shouldn’t we stop this already?| His messages read. Coming from a female contact.

“You’d be surprised…”

[DING!]

|Please… I’ve done what you asked. I deleted all my evidence… Now, leave her alone!| Another message from a different contact.

“… What desperation makes people do. It’s so hilarious, man~…”

Kazuki started to text on his phone after chuckling at it lightheartedly.

|Stop what? I’m not forcing you to do anything. But keeping my blabbermouth shut requires more than just pics… A kind-hearted girlfriend like you understands that, right?| He sent to the girl while leaving the other contact on “Read”.

Immediately, the female replied.

|I… I’ll come to the usual location… This is the last time, right? I just… Hate doing this to him…|

|lol, what an upright girlfriend… Even when he deleted allllll the evidence that could get you out of this… Besides, I don’t force you. It is you who keep coming for more, after all.|

|He… He didn’t! He wouldn’t. You’re lying!|

Kazuki then sends her a screenshot of the other contact writing just that.

“Leave me out of your fantasies, Kazuki. I’ve seen the kid’s behavior throughout these months. That suicide attempt and filming it was surprising and unpredictable for sure, but hiring… Heh, maybe that could be it… You know what they say about apples.”

He let out a chuckle at Kazuki who was almost burying his eyes in his phone, with his smirk only expanding more and more across his face.

“Heh, you’re as nasty as I am, boss~….”

They both heartily giggled.

“Well, that bloated fart left his card. I’ll dial in soon and double-check where he came from.”

————-MEANWHILE, Yuuto———————-

‘Run, run, run, run, runnnn… Gotta go fast, gotta go fast…!’ He was sprinting after frantically looking around himself – making sure no one was following.

He bolted straight through the unlocked door of his house, sprinting upstairs, still wearing his ridiculous costume.

He unloaded his backpack – clashes of old flip-flop phones smacked against the padded bed of his. He evenly spread all of his phones, making sure they were all charged and open. Then, he sat in his chair, making sure all of his phones were in his sight.

And thus, he waited.

Stillness.

A clock’s ticks.

Not a single muscle is moved as Yuuto focuses his gaze on the middle of the bed, where he laid 14 500min use phones.

10 minutes.

30 minutes. His (Sendo’s phone) began to ring. He immediately whipped his body and arms, not even taking the time to look at the caller – and turning it off, setting it aside, and continuing his bizarre meditation.

1 hour.

2.

3.5 hours of complete stillness as he sat with his back straightened up, looking down at the flip-flop phones, not wavering in the slightest. Still wearing his costume from earlier.

‘He must’ve returned to his make-believe wife to make up for lost time… Well, the main reason for today’s interception wasn’t to separate them entirely, no. That would be in-elegant, too obvious, and would end up playing in Kyoya’s favor, considering his past methods.’

Somehow, Yuuto speaks about elegance in his OWN methods. As if such a thing ever existed.

‘No, the main point in today’s facade was to stop them from hiking. Hiking was Pussy’s and Himiko’s personal time. Had I allowed him to replace his presence there, the void in her heart would slowly, but surely begin to fill with Kyoya Guuji’s presence. Her mind would allow thoughts about Kyoya instead of her stepson, who is still present there. I mustn’t allow Kyoya’s presence to overwhelm Haruto’s in her mind during this month while he trains. Allowing such a thing to happen, even once, would be a catastrophe. People like Kyoya Guuji thrive on the tiniest of insecurities and vulnerabilities….’

Yuuto clicked his tongue.

‘This is a professional, after all. I know I have a plan in mind, but I must never forget that. He isn’t like those two losers from school… He is organized, backed up by his piece of shit client and his posse, and slyer than a fox.’

‘I wonder how will it feel…’

[RING RING RING!] A phone from the pile started to ring. Yuuto reached for it and picked it up. Waiting a few seconds before answering.

‘…To baseball his ass…!’ A wicked, manic smile stretched across Yuuto’s face as the phone’s ringing echoed in the room along his inner monologue.

He picked up.

“Hai hai, this is Itsuki Yoru, how may I help you?” He answered, shifting his tone up a notch as he answered enthusiastically, yet taking his time with every word.

Kyoya was the one who called. He inquired ‘Itsuki’ about the new inspector and his reasons.

He gave Kyoya a detailed explanation, playing as the inspector’s secretary. Kyoya asked for a referral to another one who had to get inspected. ‘Itsuki’ gave him a phone number and hung up, placing the phone exactly and neatly where he picked it up – gazing at a different phone all the while.

[RING!]

He picked it up.

“H-Hello, this is Kazuya Tanetsuke of the Akulift gym! How can I help you?” He answered in a shy, more timid tone – with his voice quaking at every syllable. This time, he pretended to be the towel boy of the gym. A timid, somewhat cowardly helper, while the trainer is gone. At the end of the call, after several questions, Kazuya referred him to the association that sent the inspector.

He hung up, waiting before another phone rang.

“This is Konro Hibiki. Who’s this?” This time… As the boss of the organization that sent the inspector. With a deep, yet swift vocal tone – that assured Kyoya of every concern and worry. Like a dance, he enchanted him with his vocabulary and immediate responses to all his concerns…

What a vast imagination he has. I truly wonder where he thought up all these odd names…

Haruto clung to the edge of the deep pool, gasping for breath as if he had just escaped a bear. His face was a tomato-red, and his eyes sought solace in the water that enveloped him, his sweat mingling with the chlorinated pool.

“Haaah… Haaah… Just… 27 more times… Haaah… And that’s just day one… What… Haaah… This is too extreme…” He panted, gripping the pool’s edge as if it were his lifeline, his body shivering under the cold winter breeze while a cloud obscured the rising sun.

“How is this going to help me… Even if I get fit, it’s not like she’ll like me more than him… Maybe I should take it easy—” His thoughts were interrupted by the memory of Himiko and Kyoya together, her breathing rough, her smile wide.

A spark of determination flickered in Haruto’s eyes as his grip on the ceramic edge tightened. His eyebrows drew together, and his lips twitched in resolve as he stared across the pool.

With gritted teeth, he released the edge and propelled himself forward, swimming towards the other side, driven by the vision of the results his training could bring, awaiting him at the end of this grueling period.

——————————————

Kyoya burst into the gym, panting and dripping with sweat, clad in his sports gear. At two years older than Himiko, he possessed an excellent physique and stood tall, his presence marking him as both a catch and a source of envy among his peers—a veritable deity of his era.

However, the confident, handsome façade of Kyoya faltered as he laid eyes on the figure that had just entered his gym.

An average-height man with a protruding belly, clad in a white button-down shirt and jeans, stood before him. His face was framed by an excessively white beard and matching hair on the sides of a balding head, and perched on his nose were what appeared to be reading glasses.

Yet, it wasn’t the man’s appearance that caught Kyoya off guard—it was the object he held in his hands.

Haruto Sakurai announced himself with an almost theatrical air, his back arching slightly. “Aaaaah, based on the portraits adorning the walls of this… ehh… ‘fair’ establishment, you, dear sire, must be Mr. Guuji!” He knew everything—Kyoya’s face, possibly even his social security number.

This was a character straight from one of Yuuto Sakurai’s dramatic scripts, ready to play out his ridiculous hero game.

“Do you seeee what I’m holding…? Mr. Guuuuuuuji?” Haruto’s voice boomed, resonating throughout the gym.

Kyoya started, “A… Ra-“

“A dead rat, yes. A dead gym? Possibly. While I MIGHT understand that pests come and go, why is there one just as I decided to arrive and inspect this place?”

Kyoya stammered, “Y-you came without notice, Mr. Sakurai! If you had scheduled a meeting then—”

“IN OTHER WORDS, if I hadn’t, you would’ve let this rat fester and cause sickness among your gym members who pay handsomely for a membership!?”

Kyoya protested, “N-no, sir! That’s not what I mean!” His voice was desperate to correct the misunderstanding, but the accusation had already set the tone for a difficult confrontation.

“IT SOUNDS EXACTLY like what you mean, Mr. Guuji. You are losing points rapidly, I might say… Tsk, tsk, tsk…”

Kyoya sighed, his eyes scanning the room desperately for some sort of justification.

“Look. Yesterday was rough for me and my team. Half of them are in the hospital and couldn’t come to work today! The timing of that rat dying here just as you showed up is purely bad luck!”

“There’s just one thing I missed—You said your workers got…?”

“Beat up, man—they were brutalized by two maniacs in costumes during a huge brawl in Tokyo, and they’re all hospitalized for at least a week!”

“Oh, they got beat up? I missed the part where that’s my problem.”

Yuuto then gestured towards Kyoya with the dead rat still in his hand.

“You are the instructor. The gym is under your leadership and your responsibility to oversee. I understand that you and your… ‘boys’ encountered an inconvenience—”

“-An inconvenience!? They were—”

“-IF YOU cannot prepare for such days, I’m afraid your gym might be…”

“Now, just wait a goddamn—”

“Hm… What are these trophies?” Yuuto interrupted, walking past Kyoya to examine a wooden plank on the wall filled with golden trophies.

“The results of our blood, sweat, and tears,” Kyoya declared, puffing out his chest, though his expression remained tense from their earlier exchange, as he stood beside Yuuto.

“I see… You seem to be quite an accomplished character. I haven’t had the chance to thoroughly delve into this place. You’re new to this city, aren’t you?” Yuuto observed.

Kyoya’s shoulders relaxed slightly as Yuuto appeared to take a more interested stance.

“… Yeah. Four months now.”

“Interesting. And you’ve gathered so many members already… Perhaps I may have judged this gym too hastily,” Yuuto conceded.

Kyoya’s eyes lit up, a glint of hope flickering within them.

“Then…!”

“However, it remains a fact that a dead rat was found decomposing in a space where people train, sweat, and rest. Therefore, I’ll give you a chance,” Yuuto continued, lifting his finger, which drew Kyoya’s gaze with curiosity. “Just for this month, I will be visiting in short notices, making sure you comply. For general health check-ups. I will require your presence here to ensure everything is under control. Unfortunately, I can only inform you of the exact times I’ll be visiting a day in advance. And I might come here in weekends, as well.”

Kyoya exclaimed, “Weekends!? Is that really necessary?”

“My, the weekends are when the gym is most inactive and a pest could sneak in. Imagine if another inspector came the day after and closed your gym without giving you a chance. These visits will also allow us to implement and discuss new rules.” Yuuto explained with a cautionary tone.

Kyoya exhaled a deep sigh of frustration. Yuuto then patted his shoulder lightly after slipping the rat into his breast pocket.

“Worry not, my boy. It is just for this month, starting today, and then I will be out of your hair.”

Kyoya’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Today too…? It is my day off, Inspector Sakurai. I had plans.”

“Are your plans more important than the wellbeing of your gym?”

Kyoya clenched his fists. “Today, they are,” he responded firmly.

Yuuto remained unmoved. “Then you care not if the gym closes, I see. Well then, I’m afraid I’ll have to pause your business for the entire month. I’ll inform my superiors that the reason was you taking a day off.”

Yuuto thought to himself, ‘Weakness 2! Japanese people’s work ethics are off the charts! Especially true for this guy.’

He then pulled out his phone (Sendo’s phone) and began dialing random numbers.

Kyoya interrupted, “WAIT…”

Yuuto paused his pretense of dialing random numbers.

“Hmm?”

Kyoya asked, “Just this month, right?”

Yuuto’s grin widened, a wicked gleam in his eyes hidden from the frustrated Kyoya.

“Just this month, and I’ll get out of your hair. Like I promised.”

Kyoya sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment to gather himself.

“Fine. Can I just make a phone call real quick before we start?”

“We are tight on schedule… But I’ll allow it, seeing as you’re being so cooperative,” Yuuto conceded, thinking to himself, ‘Especially when it wouldn’t matter much.’

In a rush, Kyoya pulled out his phone and dialed Himiko. She answered almost immediately.

[Kyoya…? Is everything alright..?]

“Yeah… Just wanted to let you know we ran into some unplanned scenarios. We’re gonna have to… Delay the trip for a bit,” Kyoya explained, his voice trailing off.

[Oh… That’s okay… Then, tomorrow, maybe?]

Kyoya clenched his teeth. “Maybe… I need to see when we’re going to have inspections. Don’t get your hopes up… This inspector I mentioned? He found a dead rat in our gym, so it looks like the whole month will be like this.”

[That’s horrible…! But since it’s you, I know you’ll pull through! And don’t worry about it… Who knows, maybe by the time this is over… Haruto… might also come with us…] Her voice was weak and timid, causing Kyoya’s fist to tighten as Haruto’s name slipped from her lips.

“Haha, yeah. But a man like Haruto wouldn’t want to upset his girlfriend… We’ll still invite him, though. But don’t be disappointed if he doesn’t show up… Like I said, it’s not like he doesn’t love you or anything. He just has a girl in his life now. I’d understand…”

Yuuto’s eye twitched slightly at the conversation.

[I-I… I suppose… I still want him to come though… Hehe, I guess I’m still not ready for him growing up on me… I’m such a needy mom, aren’t I…?] She chuckled nervously, her voice shaky.

“It’s only natural since you’re his mom and all. God knows my mom was the same… Heh. I miss her…”

Yuuto watched with a critical eye, his thoughts sharp. ‘Look at this guy… The “You are his mom with normal mom feelings for her son, just like my mom, but now I have a partner that is not my mom because that would be unnatural” technique. A-technique… Rare to see it employed so deftly. Perfect for when a man wants to distance a potentially romantic figure by emphasizing familial bonds. It subtly suggests her feelings should be purely maternal, nudging her to relinquish any romantic thoughts as inappropriate. Kyoya’s handling it like a pro.’

[I… I see… So just let me know whenever we can go out… I… I want to spend time with you, Kyoya.]

Kyoya’s expression relaxed, and a triumphant smirk spread across his face.

“Me too, Miko… Don’t worry, we’ll get this sorted out and continue on with our lives. I’ll catch you later.”

[Yeah… See you, Kyoya.] She hung up.

Kyoya turned to face Yuuto, maintaining his smug grin.

“Well then, Haruto—if you don’t mind me calling you that. Ready to get this started?” he said, standing tall and looking down at Yuuto from his imposing height.

“Of course.” Yuuto replied calmly, smiling blankly.

‘Oh, it’s on… Manipulate all you want, motherfucker (Pun intended). Even with all your resources and the man backing you up, you STILL won’t get what you want.’

The sun had barely started to rise.

“It feels like late evening,” Haruto commented as they walked down the deserted streets, observing the grayish-blue sky and the still-faint sun in the east. He hunched slightly, rubbing his shoulders to ward off the chill, his eyes scanning his surroundings. He was dressed simply in a loose T-shirt, running shorts, and slippers.

“Never been up this early, huh? Your situation’s worse than I thought,” Yuuto remarked, dressed similarly but standing tall, his backpack bulging with unknown contents. He glanced back at Haruto with a quick tilt of his head.

“If I were, I’d just stay home. It’s more accurate to say I’ve never been active at this hour,” Haruto replied.

Yuuto sighed and turned his head forward again. “Let me tell you what’s actually accurate. Kyoya Guuji always wakes up this early and trains. Thanks to his disciplined regimen, he’s bursting with energy all day—energy enough to fill the emotional and physical void in your mom’s life. His vibrant presence keeps her coming back for more of his attention, her days brightened by the dopamine and oxytocin he helps generate. If we don’t step in, she’ll find herself completely dependent on him, unable to function without his presence. That’s his plan, and it’s exactly what we need to counter.”

Haruto’s stomach tightened, and he swallowed hard.

“She’ll eventually be unable to live without him?” he asked, his voice tinged with fear.

Yuuto’s voice took on a light, almost sing-song tone: “If nothing is done soon? Yep. At that point, reversing your situation would be more or less impossible.” He watched Haruto, whose heartbeat pounded loudly in his ears as his pace began to falter.

“Do you… want to make me more miserable or something?” Haruto asked, his hands trembling slightly.

“It’s your current situation, whether you like it or not. Do you want me to sugarcoat my words while pretending everything will be okay, no matter what?” Yuuto replied evenly, his voice devoid of pretense.

Haruto looked into the distance, his eyebrows furrowing as he struggled for words, a sniffle breaking through.

“It’s… why I’m in this situation, I suppose,” he said, his shoulders drooping with each word. “I need to start accepting that I might never have her with me again, don’t I?” His voice shook, cracking with emotion.

Yuuto leaned in slightly, trying to grasp the gravity of Haruto’s despair.

“What are you even talking about, idiot?” he responded lightly, turning to face him with the rising sun backlighting his figure.

“She’s going to get back to you, no matter how much you think you’ve screwed up.”

His gaze fixed intently on Haruto, his words carried a clear, unwavering sincerity.

Haruto’s voice trembled, tears glistening in his eyes. “W…What…? How can you be so sure…? E…Even when you said my situation is… bad…”

“I accepted your payment. That’s why. What more proof do you need?” Yuuto’s words flowed with an effortless confidence, erasing any doubt from Haruto’s mind.

A laugh mingled with tears broke from Haruto as he scanned Yuuto’s face for any sign of uncertainty, finding none.

“W-well… Haha… Maybe a success story would motivat—”

“Confidential,” Yuuto cut him off sharply.

“Of course it is…”

“Until I get more of ’em, that is,” Yuuto muttered under his breath.

They arrived at their destination as the clock struck 5:47 a.m.

This was Yuuto’s high school swimming pool. They had snuck in, making Haruto an unwitting accomplice to their trespass.

“A… high school swimming pool…?” Haruto’s voice wavered, a nervous smile twitching on his lips as he took in the sight of the pool.

“Yep. You’re gonna train here every day. We start at 5:30 AM and you’re out by 8 AM, before any students or teachers show up. I’ve planned a set of exercises for you,” Yuuto explained as they stood at the pool’s edge, having slipped in unnoticed. “Don’t worry, the swimming club is barely active; we’ll have the place to ourselves.”

“W-why swimming of all things!? Couldn’t we do some road work or literally anywhere outside of restricted areas?” Haruto’s voice climbed with each word, his anxiety palpable as he began to sweat.

“Swimming is the healthiest, least risky—aside from drowning—and one of the most rewarding sports for the human body. If you swim daily and follow my friend’s manual diligently, you’ll get stronger and build greater stamina,” Yuuto explained.

“But… It’s starting to get really cold nowadays!”

“Yep. And it’s only going to get colder. There might even be a storm at the end of the month.”

Haruto sighed heavily, meeting Yuuto’s steady gaze.

“We just gotta swim daily, right?”

“Two and a half hours, according to the plan I’ll send you. Yes—just you. I’ve got a life,” Yuuto said matter-of-factly.

Haruto looked at him, mouth agape.

“Hey, so do I—”

“…”

“…”

“…Fine.”

“That’s what I like to hear. I’ll send you the plan through your phone. Give me your number.”

Haruto and Yuuto exchanged phone numbers, solidifying their arrangement. As Haruto braced himself to jump into the pool, Yuuto slipped away as quietly as he had arrived, then sprinted off, checking the time on his phone.

5:55 AM.

‘Insanely behind schedule! Damn it! I’ll have to make haste!’ Yuuto thought as he disappeared into the early morning.

—–A bit later, at Haruto and Himiko’s house—-

“Are you ready to go?” Kyoya asked, his voice upbeat as he secured his backpack. He glanced over at Himiko, who had just slipped into her sports bra and short, black tights.

Himiko nodded and walked over to where Kyoya stood by the door, his face lit up with a wide smile.

She blushed, shifting from one foot to the other, her unease subtle yet noticeable as she finally joined Kyoya at the door.

“I still feel like I could have at least told him we’re going out… It was like our special bonding time, you know?” she said, a flicker of regret crossing her eyes.

Kyoya let out a relaxed breath, his shoulders relaxing as he turned to face her. “I understand… So let’s really get to know this trail so we can bring him along next time. I bet he’ll be excited to see you leading the way. I sure am…” His voice trailed off, a mischievous smile curling the corner of his mouth.

Himiko looked down, a warm flush spreading across her neck and collarbone. Her lips slowly curled into a genuine smile.

From Kyoya’s direction, a hand stretched out, palm open and inviting. Himiko, still looking downward, lifted her eyes to see his large, toned hand. She met his gaze, searching his eyes.

“Come on… Let’s have some fun,” he said, his words soft and melodious, drawing her in.

———–ELSEWHERE———————–

*BACKGROUND MUSIC: Maga – ANIMALITY*

Yuuto thought to himself, ‘Divide and conquer, the strategy you used against Haruto to take control of Himiko’s mind… How typical for a scumbag like you. Lucky for me, I made it just in time.’

————————————————

As Himiko reached out with a wider smile and deeply blushing cheeks…

———————–

Yuuto continued his mental tirade, ‘It’s a clever strategy, I’ll give you that. You’ve meticulously noted Haruto and Himiko’s strengths and weaknesses, exploiting almost every one… You deserve a slow clap, you bastard. But what would you say…’

———————–

…her fingers just missed touching his, as Kyoya’s phone began to ring.

——————–

Yuuto mused, ‘If someone turned the tables on YOU, Kyoya Guuji?’

——————–

*RING* *RING* *RING* *RING*

Kyoya halted before opening the door, the sudden ringing pulling his attention away. He glanced apologetically at Himiko as he fished his phone from his pocket.

“Damn, I told them it’s my day off… Just a sec, Miko?” His tone was soft, carrying a hint of frustration as he tapped the ‘Answer’ button.

A gentle smile lingered on Himiko’s lips, her head tilting in understanding as Kyoya pressed the phone to his ear.

—————

Yuuto’s thoughts darkened, ‘Kyoya Guuji’s Numerous Weaknesses. Number 1…’

—————

[Mr. Guuji! I’m afraid it can’t wait! There’s an inspector here! He found a dead rat in the gym!]

Kyoya’s expression shifted to disbelief, his hand rising to rub his temple as he processed the information.

“WHAT!?” His voice erupted in shock, startling Himiko who immediately sensed his distress.

“Is… everything alright, Kyoya?” Her smile faded, the light in her eyes dimming to unease.

“Y-yeah, Himiko, just give me a sec—” He briefly turned to reassure her before his attention snapped back to the door, his forehead resting against the phone.

Kyoya’s heartbeat quickened.

“Just… Just handle it yourselves! I’m off today!” he blurted out, his voice tinged with panic.

[What… What!? Mr. Guuji, I’m afraid it can’t wait! He just asked specifically for YOU to come and resolve this or he will close our gym!]

“You can’t be serious…” Kyoya muttered, stealing a glance at the increasingly worried Himiko before refocusing on the call.

—————————

Yuuto thought, ‘You care about your gym. Just as much… Probably even more than Haruto cares about his mommy.’

—————————

“I’ll be there! Just keep him busy!”

[He also told me to mention his name, just in case there’s a need for that… Haruto.]

Kyoya stiffened.

“Haruto!?” His voice boomed, echoing across the space.

Himiko’s eyes widened, her hands clapped together as she leaned toward Kyoya’s phone as if trying to see Haruto’s face in the device.

“Haruto…?! Did something happen to him!?” Her concern spiked, her voice sharp with worry.

[…What..? Haruto Sakurai, he says.]

Kyoya exhaled a sigh of relief, turning back to face Himiko directly.

“Hang on a sec— Not your Haruto… It’s an inspector or something.” He tried to explain calmly, though his words rushed out.

Himiko’s expression and tone fell as quickly as they had brightened. “Oh…”

Kyoya hesitated, his voice carrying a tremor of urgency. “I gotta go… There’s trouble at my gym, and I can’t just leave them to deal with it alone… Sorry, Himiko.” His hand subtly covered the phone’s microphone, muffling his words.

“It’s alright. It’s the gym you love the most, isn’t it?” Himiko responded, her smile warm and empathetic, offering silent reassurance that she understood.

Kyoya gently held her hand, giving her fingers a reassuring squeeze before he opened the door and hurried out.

“Alright, I’m on my way,” he said into the phone as he hung up, leaving Himiko alone in the quiet of the doorway.