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Yuuto’s Terms of Service:

4. In the occurrence of events related to the case happening after work my work is done, I will apply my immediate attention with no additional payments.

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The teen looked at the man attentively, unthreatened by his hostile presence.

“I’m sorry. But I only had one bottle of water with me, and I already drank it all. Da other one, filled with drugs, I handed over ta da conductor who gave it ta da police. Go cry ta them,” he said, turning around and continuing to walk casually.

“DON’T MESS WITH ME, YOU BRAT! YOU KIDS THESE DAYS ALWAYS UNDERESTIMATE US WORKING ADULTS!!! YOU SHOULD JUST DIE!!” The man, driven by desperation, lunged at him under the dim streetlight, the night dark around them, pulling out a small pocket knife.

Sendo clicked his tongue and sighed.

“If yer a working adult…!” he began, his tone rising slightly, annoyed as the assailant came dangerously close with his knife.

“Then…!” Sendo continued, swiftly extending his leg to trip the man. He caught the hand holding the knife and masterfully pinned it behind the man’s back as they both fell to the ground, with Sendo on top.

“Go back ta yer damn office already, ya old fool!” Sendo shouted as he slammed the man’s body against the ground, pinning him with his own weight.

Sendo then covered his nose with his palm, a foul smell assaulting his senses.

“Did ya just soil yourself, old man… Jeez, ya really are a mess, aren’t ya? Ya need to see a doctor for dat, and for yer mental issues!” he scolded, disgusted yet forceful in his handling of the situation.

Sendo warned, “Now just stay still… Ya shouldn’t move so recklessly at yer age—”

Suddenly, the man began laughing triumphantly and wickedly. Sendo, bewildered, raised an eyebrow in confusion as he heard laughter from several voices around them. They were not alone.

“Such a precious bottle… You think after your little display of strength in the train cart, I would come alone? Like I said, you kids underestimate us working adults,” the rugged old man cackled, his voice joining those of a ragged, thirsty pack of adults. They were armed with old batons, knives, and brass knuckles, encircling Sendo.

“Yer all insane… All of dis just because a teenage girl got doped publicly by a bunch of rapists? Are ya seriously dat pathetic!?” Sendo bellowed, assessing his surroundings. He counted his enemies—seven in total, eight including the man he had neutralized. It was too much, even for the towering high schooler.

“Oh, don’t worry about the girl,” the old man sneered, his laughter echoed by the group.

“What d’ya mean..!?” Sendo demanded, tightening his grip on the man, making him cough.

“WHAT D’YA MEAN!!?” he screamed, his voice filled with urgency and fear.

“Hehehe… I mean… Don’t worry… We have guys following them… They’re going to bring her here… So we could… Further… Test that magic bottle… Using that cute girl…” the rugged man revealed between coughs.

“Ya sick… FUCKS!!” Sendo exclaimed, his teeth clenched in anger and frustration.

“Hahaha… We sent even more guys after her… Who knows… Maybe they’ll soften her up by the time we’re done with you here…” the old man said, licking his lips with a vile satisfaction akin to cleaning sauce after a meal.

As Sendo processed the gravity of the situation, any hesitation about the battle ahead vanished. He realized that revealing the absence of the bottle might prompt these thugs to head to Riko’s house, joining others with sinister intentions.

“In other words…” Sendo said as he stood up, swiftly stomping on the rugged man’s head to knock him out. He then pulled a wooden sword from his backpack, facing the hostile group of seven.

“I just hafta destroy all ya’ll and get ta her before da time limit, den!?” Sendo challenged them with palpable hostility.

“Don’t try to be a hero, kid. Just hand over the bottle and go home. It ain’t worth your mommy and daddy crying over your corpse,” one of the group taunted casually while lighting a cigarette.

“Mommy and Daddy? Da fuck’s dat, some kinda Kendo technique I haven’t heard of!?” Sendo shot back with disdain.

“Come on, kid. I’ll even let you join the fun if you just give it up already. If that ain’t your style, and you wanna be a hero, then I’ll let you watch or film it. That way you can send it to the police and get us bad men arrested. Extra points if you also send it to that boyfriend of hers,” another chimed in with a calm tone, his face contorted into a tired smirk, which was quickly followed by loud laughter from the group.

Sendo felt a surge of fear. This could be where he would die, he thought.

“Nah… What ain’t my style is looking at ya’ll creepy old freaks still laughing and talking instead a sleeping on da asphalt,” he retorted, tightening his grip on his wooden sword.

The group laughed once more, their eyes now fixated on him with increased intensity and malice, readying their weapons and adjusting their stances. The man with the cigarette raised an eyebrow, taking a closer look at the defiant boy.

“Why go this far, kid? Did you get a crush on that girl or something? So much so, that you would die for her? Even though she’s got someone else? It must be nice being young…” He looked at Sendo with a mix of curiosity and weariness.

Sendo snickered as he squared off against them.

“Even if I had a crush, going after taken girls ain’t my style… Besides…” Sendo flashed a grin, his teeth clenched, sweat beading on his forehead as he assumed a basic kendo stance, pointing his wooden sword at the man.

“…If I back down here, neither her boyfriend nor she would want ta join my kendo club! And I want new members!” he declared, his voice ringing with pride and determination, a fiery glint in his eyes.

The man clicked his tongue in annoyance, glancing downward.

“Dat’s why I got no time to waste on ya idiots if I want ta get ta dem in time!! Come at me!!” Sendo shouted.

The man exhaled deeply, watching the cigarette in his fingers burn down before finally dropping it to the ground and crushing it under his boot.

“Even though it’s probably too late as it is, and they would’ve already got to her… I’d say you got… 15-20 minutes to take us out before the other group gets here. Well, more like 50 minutes since they’d probably want to rough her up good first. But you’re gonna lay here, choking on your blood in just 2, so it doesn’t really matter,” the man said, his tone low and casual as he scuffed his foot on the ground.

“Get him,” he ordered.

As the attackers converged like rabid dogs, Sendo noticed one was closer than the others, right behind him. With nimble footwork, he quickly turned and landed a solid hit to the back of the man’s head, knocking him out cold. However, before he could regain his stance, a sharp pain erupted from his side—a small knife had sliced into his ribs, and simultaneously, a baton struck his stomach from the other direction.

Despite the pain, Sendo’s toned muscles absorbed some of the blow, preventing him from going down. Reacting swiftly, he seized the wrist of the man with the knife, twisting it violently to dislocate his shoulder, then hurled him into the assailant with the baton. As both men crumpled to the ground, he delivered a forceful strike to their heads with his wooden sword.

‘Dis… might… be a problem…!’ Sendo thought, panting heavily as he pressed a hand against the bleeding wound on his ribs, the other hand tightly gripping his sword while he stood over four incapacitated foes.

“Ready to give up yet?” one of the remaining attackers called out with a grim smile.

“Dis open area… Is a real problem! If I stay here, dey’ll take me out in no time!” Sendo realized, assessing his vulnerable position.

“Damn it, ya old fools! Ya’ll taking orders from him? Yer basically just his lackeys, huh!? He’s probably gonna enjoy da girl without sharing anything with ya!” Sendo taunted, hoping to provoke them, but their expressions remained steely and resolute.

The first four might have underestimated the abilities of a first-year high schooler, but the remaining four were on high alert, their bodies tensing in preparation for the next move. Sendo’s element of surprise was exhausted, his initial advantage evaporated.

Glancing at his backpack, an idea sparked as adrenaline surged through his veins. Sendo’s mind steadied, ready for whatever came next.

Sendo challenged them defiantly, “Ya want dis bag?!” His voice startled the remaining assailants as they braced themselves for his next move.

“Come and get it den, ya senile pricks!” he shouted, then started running in the opposite direction of Riko’s house, drawing them away.

“So in the end, it’s like that, eh? Chase him, kill him if you have to, and bring that bag to me,” the leader ordered casually to the other four. Mysteriously enough, they obeyed without hesitation.

“Seichiro, you gonna stay here?” one of the men called out.

“I’mma follow, but I won’t run with ya’; the kid seems to be in shape. I’m gonna have to walk while you run to catch him. My body ain’t what it used to be,” Seichiro responded, looking up at the stars and lighting another cigarette as Sendo and the four others commenced their pursuit.

“It really is a beautiful evening, isn’t it…” Seichiro mused, about to add more when his cell phone rang. He casually reached into his pocket, answered the call without checking the caller ID.

“Seichiro here… What’s your status?” he inquired in a quiet, weary tone.

“We’re in front of that girl’s house, about to break her main gate and then the main door. We almost got her…”

“Sure sure… I got it,” Seichiro replied impatiently, yet calmly.

“… One more thing,” the caller added, a pause hanging in the air, heavy with expectation.

Seichiro inhaled deeply, the cigarette dangling from his lips.

“… Do what you want with the girl. None of my business as long as you get her here intact before midnight. You got 58 minutes,” he rasped, exhaling smoke into the night air.

“We just wanted to make sure it was the right girl, Seichiro-san… We’re just doing our jobs to the best of our ability… With all of that clothing in the way—”

Seichiro clicked his tongue in irritation.

Seichiro responded with a brisk, “Of course you are. Just make sure you get here on time afterward,” before abruptly ending the call.

He took a deep breath, letting the smoke from his cigarette drift into the night air, then began to walk in the direction Sendo and his pursuers had taken.

“Something about this feels out of place, doesn’t it? Hikari?” he mused aloud to no one in particular.

Silence was his only reply, punctuated by the distant chirping of crickets and the hum of a dim, cold yellow streetlight.

“I thought so too. Later, then,” Seichiro murmured, his form gradually merging with the shadows as he walked towards the unfolding chase.

Yuuto’s Terms of Service:

3. I will always see a case through after the transaction is made, no exceptions!

——————————————-

Shun’s gaze shifted upwards. As despair threatened to engulf him entirely, a glimmer of hope appeared in the form of a familiar face: Yuuto Sakurai. Every eye in the train car was drawn to Yuuto, including those of Yato and Tatsu, as he approached with resolute determination. Each step he took resonated with a weighty purpose, akin to the echoing beat of a war drum.

Tatsu, sensing the change in atmosphere, ceased his advance and met Yuuto’s stern gaze.

Tatsu: “Well, if it isn’t Senpai! Didn’t notice you there.” He feigned innocence, swiftly spitting the water back into its container.

Yuuto opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by an even more commanding voice.
???: “Shaddap, ya’ fuckin’ rapist!” The voice originated from a figure rapidly advancing from behind Yuuto.

Swiftly bypassing Yuuto, the stranger gave a brief, acknowledging pat on Yuuto’s shoulder.
???: “I like yer guts, senpai! Lemme handle this bitch.” He whispered, eyes locked onto the group ahead.

The newcomer was an imposing figure, standing tall at 1.8 meters, sun-kissed skin contrasting with unruly blonde spikes. Multiple piercings adorned his ears and lower lip. Over-ear headphones nestled around his neck, connected to a device concealed within his pocket, presumably a phone. His school uniform matched Yuuto’s, yet what truly grabbed attention was the conspicuously wrapped object, resembling a wooden sword, attached to his bag.

Recognition flashed in Yuuto’s eyes.

Yuuto halted, choosing to assess the developing situation. A pang of regret hit him as he pondered on his impulsively damaged phone.

Riko, confused and intrigued, questioned, “Sendo-kun? Why… Call him a rapist?” The train’s occupants stared intently, wondering about the next move of this unexpected arrival.
Yato, not one to be easily intimidated, discerned the threat in Sendo’s demeanor. Releasing Shun, he strategically placed himself as a barrier, preventing Sendo from nearing the group.
Yato interjected, “Hold on a second, you can’t just-” Before he could finish, the towering Sendo forcefully pushed him aside with a palm strike to his arm, causing Yato to lose balance and crash his head onto an iron rail. A chorus of gasps echoed in the train car, and phones were promptly extracted to capture the scene.

Yuuto mused internally, ‘Sendo Mahito. Alright then, Kendo club captain. Show me what you got.’

Sendo turned his attention to Riko, demanding, “Point it out.”

Confused, Riko stammered, “W-what… What exactly do you want me to point out..?”
With a swift gesture, Sendo indicated the train route map’s schedule etched into the side of the carriage.

Sendo replied with icy disdain, “When did I ask what’cha thinkin’, woman.”
Tatsu, witnessing the increasing tension, rose from his seat and confronted Sendo, “Hold on! Respect your seniors, you can’t just-“

Before Tatsu could complete his sentence, Sendo gripped his shirt collar, lifting him effortlessly, and pressed him against the train’s wall. The sudden aggression caused a stir among the passengers, many of whom wore faces of concern.

Tatsu struggled to breathe and stammered, “You… cough… think this is smart? In a crowd like this? There could be police around-“

Sendo cut him off with cold intensity, “Shut up! If there was, a sleaze-bag like ye’ would be the first to sniff ’em ’round.”

Tatsu’s face blanched at the realization of his vulnerable position.

Sendo continued, his tone dripping with sarcasm, ” Besides, I ain’t ‘ere to fight. From what I saw, ye got some water on ya’ ain’t it right? I’m thirsty since I do a lot of kendo. Gimme a sip o’ dat.”
Tatsu replied indignantly, “After the way you treated me? Why would I offer you anything?”
Murmurs of agreement echoed throughout the carriage. To the onlookers, Tatsu seemed like a mere teenager standing up against an oppressive figure.

Sendo’s expression hardened. “Well, fine.”

Without another word, he released Tatsu and snatched the water bottle from his grip, sending him sprawling to the side with a swift shove.

“I was never one to give a rat’s ass ’bout a rapist’s word anyway,” Sendo retorted coldly.

Tatsu, unnerved by the sudden shift in power, scrambled to his feet. “Wait! DON’T DRINK THAT!”

Sendo halted, his gaze locking with Tatsu’s. “Too bad, this is mine now.”

Voices from the passengers rose in protest. “Hey, return it!” They cried in unison.

Tatsu’s lips curled into a smirk, buoyed by the crowd’s support.

Undeterred, Sendo’s eyes swept the crowd, a palpable tension emanating from him. “If all ya’ll got a problem with what I do, come at me. I’ll take any one o’ ya’ll, any time!” His challenge hung in the air, the weight of it silencing the onlookers.

With no response, he added mockingly, “No takers? Ye’ I thought so. Now, ya’ll just keep lookin’ as ya always have.” Without further ado, he tipped the contents of the bottle into his mouth.

“STOP!” Tatsu lunged at him in a frantic attempt to prevent him from swallowing.

But Sendo was ready. With impeccable timing, he sidestepped and tripped Tatsu using his leg, sending him crashing to the ground.

Yuuto’s eyes narrowed, impressed. ‘His footwork is impeccable. Rumors about his prowess don’t do him justice.’

With the liquid still in his mouth, Sendo approached Shun and spat it all over him. The sudden deluge startled Shun, leaving him drenched and bewildered. Sendo, not skipping a beat, bent down to retrieve the bottle cap near Tatsu and sealed the bottle.

Raising an eyebrow, Sendo remarked, “This ain’t water! And believe me, I’d know. I drink lots!” He stared at Tatsu, demanding an explanation.

Tatsu’s complexion drained of color.

Sendo’s eyes narrowed, “Ya’ seem awfully concerned. What’cha got in this bottle? Something ya’ shouldn’t have?”

The men in the train car exchanged wary glances, their suspicions mounting as Riko’s tearful reaction to Shun’s predicament became the evident piece of the puzzle.

Riko, voice breaking, whispered, “Shun… I didn’t know what… I… I’m so sorry…”

Shun’s gaze was downward, filled with a mixture of despair and resignation. She felt responsible, guilty that he had to endure yet another horrifying ordeal, and this time because of her. She wished she could embrace him, provide some solace, but she found herself paralyzed, disbelief marring her features.

Sendo raised the bottle high, addressing the crowd. “Look at here, folks! She looks different after her boyfriend was drenched with this. It’s a drug!” Many people, already recording the scene, aimed their devices towards Tatsu.

Sendo then crouched beside Tatsu. “Yer now on camera, rapist. Any girl ya’ gon’ see today? Well, she’s got ‘er warnin’.”

He then gestured towards Shun. “And if anyone close to him suffers any manipulation or worse like now, remember this rapist,” he sneered, pointing to Tatsu, “Tatsuya Asa’s the name.”
Taking a deep breath, Sendo announced, “I’ll get dis to the train guy. But before I leave – if ya want to stand up to the bad guys like me ‘ere, join a kendo club! Kendo’s good for ya!” He then started walking into the crowd, he searched the crowd for Yuuto, but he was nowhere to be found.

At the following stop, law enforcement boarded the train. While Yuuto had already vanished, the officers detained Yato and Tatsu, transferring the suspicious bottle to their custody.
Following detailed testimonies from Sendo, Riko, and Shun, they were all released after a rigorous round of questions and inspections, particularly given their status as minors and the absence of any incriminating substances on them. By the time they reached their intended station, night had fully descended.

Throughout their journey back, neither Shun nor Riko spoke, the weight of the day’s events palpable between them. Sendo, keeping a respectful distance, walked silently beside them.
Upon reaching the junction where their paths would diverge, Shun chose to accompany Riko the rest of the way to her home. The streets echoed their silence as they moved.
Before the entrance to Riko’s home, she halted, her voice faltering. “Shun… I-“
Shun, without missing a beat, wrapped her in a comforting embrace, nestling her head against his chest.

“Just… don’t,” he whispered gently into her ear. “It’s okay. None of this is on you.”
Feeling his warm, reassuring presence, a surge of emotions overwhelmed Riko. Tears welled up, and her legs gave out beneath her. As they both sank to their knees, Shun held her close, offering solace amidst the storm of emotions.

Riko, her voice choked with sobs, whispered, “Why…? *sob*Why don’t you despise me!? Why don’t you curse… Or *sob* hit me…!!? I’ve *sob* done something so unforgivable… I said cruel things *sob* to you… And I really felt like I was going to throw you away for that SCUM… I deserve to be hated…”

Tears streamed down, dampening his shirt where her face pressed against it.
Shun murmured, “It must’ve been terrifying for you.”

Riko’s sobs momentarily ceased, her breath catching in a gasp.

“It’s not your fault.” he assured her.

In a fit of shock, Riko blurted out yet another gasp, as if she’s been hit in the gut.
Their embrace tightened beneath the gentle glow of the streetlight.

“…I’m not a fool, anymore. At least, I don’t want to be. You’re not a bad person, nor someone I want to throw away,” Shun responded simply.

Riko’s eyes, still misted with tears, carried a mixture of pain and bewilderment.
Shun, with a tender smile, gently brushed her hair, its strands shimmering in the blueish hue of the light.

“Remember our fallout? Not long after, I met someone. Someone different. I vented, thinking I was the sole victim, waiting for an apology,” he began, pausing as he caught Riko’s curious gaze. “But after our conversations, I realized something.”

Riko’s teary eyes fixed on him, waiting for his next words.

Shun whispered, “I realized that I got the most incredible, beautiful girlfriend in the entire world. And I… I want to grow into a man who deserves her.”

Riko’s arms tightened around him, her emotions clear in her embrace.

He continued softly, “…It dawned on me just how deeply I love this girl before me…”
Riko’s breathing was heavy, punctuated by her sobs.

“…And she, in all her pain, loves me just as much,” Shun murmured.
Riko’s eyes widened in surprise.

“That’s why she’s feeling sad right now. Why she’s torturing herself with guilt, believing she is guily of something,” he added.

Tears streamed down Riko’s face, the weight of her emotions causing her features to crumple.
Shun gently cupped her tear-streaked face, ensuring their eyes met. “That’s why it’s alright. I promise, Riko, I will grow stronger. Strong enough to protect you,” he vowed.

Drawing her close, his gaze unwavering, he whispered, “Because I truly love you.”

Their world seemed to pause as they found solace in each other’s gaze.

With a voice barely above a whisper, she murmured, “Oh, Shun…”

Tenderly cradling his face with her hands, she drew him close, their lips meeting in a gentle embrace.

As they pulled apart, a soft blush painted Riko’s cheeks, her heart fluttering rapidly.

Riko gazed up at him, her voice soft yet inviting, “No one’s home tonight… Stay with me?”

With a hint of playful reverence, she added, “My prince.”

She searched Shun’s eyes, finding warmth and determination mirrored back at her. He responded with a gentle nod and a reassuring smile.

Teasingly, Riko quipped, “Won’t your parents be concerned? They’re pretty strict about you staying out, aren’t they?”

Shun paused for a moment, then promptly switched off his phone.
“They’ll understand,” he assured her with a wry grin.

Her giggles echoed softly in the evening air, the previous tension dissipating as the warm breeze danced around them.

Riko, with a playful smirk, whispered, “Such a rebellious move… I might have to discipline you on their behalf.”

Shun gently intertwined his fingers with hers, his smile genuine and fond.
Riko led Shun into her house, guiding him upstairs to her bedroom.

It was a late evening of pleasure. They experimented, laughed, embarrassed, and played with each other throughout the whole night. They decided to not go to school the day later, and spend even more time together.

…But… Several suspicious men appeared in front of Riko’s house… Slowly closing in and breaching her house’s main gate with a sinister snicker on their faces.

————-AROUND THE SAME TIME, THAT EVENING———————-

Sendo strolled home alone after parting ways with his upperclassmen, Shun and Riko.

As he walked, the subtle but unmistakable feeling of being watched prickled his senses. There was a predatory undertone in the air, someone shadowing him from a distance.

“Ye can come out,” Sendo remarked confidently, casting a brief glance over his shoulder.

A hoarse, menacing voice responded, “Give it to me…”

Turning to squarely face the threat, Sendo confronted a disheveled adult. “If yer after my sword, it ain’t happenin’ — not even over my dead body,” he declared.

The man, donning frayed office attire, possibly a destitute individual or an overly harrowed salaryman, said, “I can’t believe you handed it over to the conductor. Just give me that bottle, kid, and nobody needs to get hurt.”

His unkempt beard, jittery demeanor, and wide, unfocused eyes conveyed desperation as he approached Sendo with a shaky limp.

Yuuto’s Terms of Service:
2. Major 75% discount for returning customers.

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AUTHOR HERE: Read all the way through here. Trust me 🙂

———————————————–

Over the past two weeks since the incident, Yuuto had adhered to a peculiar routine. Part of his unique service involved vigilantly watching over his clients to ensure their safety. Whether this stemmed from genuine concern or merely fed into his detective fetish was a matter for debate.
Following school, Riko and Shun routinely boarded the train. Male1 and Male2, since two weeks ago, were conspicuously absent, having skipped school since the event. During this period, the bond between Shun and Riko had noticeably strengthened. On days when Riko was preoccupied with student council duties, Shun shared his lunch break with Yuuto. Yuuto was always careful to remain out of sight.

Their happiness was palpable. Their conversations flowed naturally, punctuated by genuine smiles and blushes on Riko’s face.

From his covert position, Yuuto observed them with a slight grin.
Yuuto: “Good going…” He muttered to himself, donning his headphones and diverting his attention to his phone.

Yet, deep down, Yuuto sensed a looming disturbance and had mentally prepped for it.
The train halted at a station, and while many passengers embarked, two particular individuals caught Yuuto’s attention. They wore sly, self-satisfied grins, and it seemed every woman they passed was immediately entranced, their eyes shimmering with fascination.

These two brushed past Yuuto, hardly acknowledging him.
Yuuto’s grip on his phone intensified, his expression darkening.

Yuuto: “…”

His usually quick wit deserted him. A deep-seated anger welled up as they passed, though the exact reason remained an enigma.

Yato and Tatsu, the two males in question, made their way towards Riko and Shun, who were happily seated together. While the girls’ heads swiveled in their direction, prompting the guys to do the same, there was something puzzling about the duo’s allure.

Neither Yato nor Tatsu fit the mold of top-tier models. Nor did they have the kind of magnetism or looks that made them stand out among the average man.

Yuuto sighed, a realization dawning on him. “It’s come to this after all. For now, I can’t intervene. Sorry, cuck. You’ll have to handle this one,” he thought regretfully. “Acting now would ruin the plan. Can’t draw attention here.” He found himself wrestling with a mix of frustration and self-contempt, quite a fall from the pedestal he’d placed himself on as the Anti-Netorare Man.

Yato and Tatsu paused near the seated couple, causing visible distress to Shun.

Shun, attempting to muster courage, demanded, “What do you guys want?”

Tatsu replied with feigned nonchalance, “Relax, dude! Just a friendly hello.”

“I’m not buying it,” Shun retorted.

Unperturbed, Yato interjected, “Doesn’t matter if you do. We’re free to greet whoever we please, including your girl. Hey, Riko.”

Having had enough, Shun snapped, “You’ve said hi. Now leave.”

Yuuto, observing from a distance, tried to distract himself with his phone, but his frustration was evident in his ragged breaths.

“We’re just tired and looking for a seat on this packed train,” Tatsu reasoned. “Mind if we sit next to you? At least until we get to Shibuya?”

Yuuto internally grimaced, ‘Shibuya’s much further than the station Shun and Riko intend to alight at.’

But before Shun could protest, Riko interjected with an oddly enchanted tone, her eyes fixated on Tatsu with an unusual pinkish hue. “Shun, stop being so impolite. What’s gotten into you?”
Taken aback, Shun, his anxiety escalating, tried to coax, “Riko, let’s just move.”

But Riko, now uncharacteristically confrontational, shot back, “Why are you being so rude to them?”

Shun’s world seemed to spin, his heart racing as he teetered on the edge of panic.

Riko extended a warm, inviting smile towards Tatsu, completely sidelining Shun. “Of course, you can sit,” she remarked with unexpected ease, patting the seat next to her.

“Thanks,” Tatsu responded, winking at a visibly ruffled Shun as he took the offered seat. Yato, choosing to stand, positioned himself next to Shun.

Suppressing a surge of anger, Yuuto thought, ‘I’ll handle this oddity later. Can’t draw attention now.’ His fingers clenched tightly around his phone.

“Riko! What’s happening?” Shun’s voice edged with panic, his stomach churning in distress, a sensation all too familiar to him recently.

Yato gave Shun a dismissive pat. “She’s simply not as controlling as you are.”

With her gaze lowered and cheeks flushed, Riko tried to defend Shun, albeit feebly. “I allowed you to sit, so be kinder to Shun.” Tatsu’s every word stirred a mix of guilt and unaccountable attraction within her. ‘Would it be so wrong if I preferred Tatsu’s company now?’ she wondered, a heat rising within her.

Yuuto’s grip on his phone tightened further. ‘This isn’t my fight. And Shun’s unaware of my presence. But I expected them here, and I’m prepared.’

Tatsu leaned in closer to Riko, intensifying her blush. Every fleeting moment made it harder for her to avert her gaze. He seemed in no hurry, enjoying her reaction.

“We’re not antagonizing anyone,” Tatsu whispered. “It’s just a slight misunderstanding on your boyfriend’s part.”

Her heart racing, Riko managed a timid response, “That might be true, but still…” Her voice trailed off, the weight of Tatsu’s presence seemingly blurring her rational thoughts. The world around her was fading, replaced by a whirlwind of inexplicable emotions and impulses.

To Shun, the scenario felt nightmarish. Looking for an anchor in his disorienting surroundings, he noticed every female passenger’s unwavering attention on the two newcomers.

In a frantic attempt to pull away from the situation, Shun said, “Riko, we need to leave! Something’s not right!” He tightly gripped her arm, urging her to rise with him.

However, before they could make their move, Yato intervened, forcefully pushing Shun back by his shoulder.

“Shun! You’re hurting me!” Riko exclaimed, her voice tinged with exasperation. She felt a magnetic pull towards Tatsu, his allure overwhelming her senses, making Shun’s presence seem insignificant in comparison.

With a mixture of amusement and condescension, Yato commented, “Looks like you’ve overstepped now.”

Shun’s eyes darted between his tight hold on Riko and her anguished expression, a whirlwind of confusion and anxiety consuming him.

As the tension escalated, Yuuto’s grip on his phone became unrelenting. The device shattered, shards of glass digging into his flesh, but he held on, as if trying to anchor himself from tumbling into madness.

With a fierce intensity, Riko retorted, “I knew you were scared, but this? If you want to leave, go! Leave me here!” The affection and warmth that once defined their relationship had now been replaced by a stark coldness, an inexplicable obsession with Tatsu taking over.

Amidst the charged atmosphere, Tatsu nonchalantly retrieved a small bottle, presumably water, from his bag.

The bonds that Shun and Riko had fostered over time seemed to evaporate, leaving behind an echoing void. The palpable connection they once shared felt distant and hazy, like memories slipping away from the grasp of someone suffering from Alzheimer’s. The gravity of the current situation overshadowed even the distress of the last two months.

Riko’s words resonated in Shun’s mind, an unshakeable testament to what he had long feared. Each syllable affirmed his insecurities, painting a vivid picture that she never truly believed in him. Rather, she had stayed out of mere convenience. As the reality of his fears solidified, Shun felt the energy seep from his grasp, his world fragmenting before him.

Without missing a beat, Tatsu tenderly cradled Riko’s face, guiding her gaze towards his own.
Attempting to bridge the widening chasm between them, Shun reached out, a voice choked with desperation: “Riko…!” But Yato effortlessly held him back, further emphasizing the imbalance of power.

Leaning in, Yato whispered chillingly into Shun’s ear, “Careful now. You wouldn’t want the same fate for your dear mother, would you? Stand down, ex-boyfriend.”

In that moment, Shun’s world dimmed, his hope extinguished. The bystanders interpreted the situation through a skewed lens, deeming Shun the unreasonable one. To them, his desperation painted him as a possessive, delusional suitor; perhaps someone who had been in the friend zone and had simply lucked out for a brief moment. Their judgments weighed heavily on him.
Looking at Riko, now seemingly spellbound by Tatsu, a realization crystallized in Shun’s mind: ‘I am powerless.’

Resignation set in, and he ceased resisting Yato’s hold.

With a sly grin, Tatsu teased, “Don’t be too hard on him. He’s just protective. But then again, someone as captivating as you would attract such attention.”

Stammering, a hint of her old self peeking through, Riko responded, “T-that’s no excuse…” However, her moment of clarity was fleeting, and she quickly succumbed to Tatsu’s enigmatic allure.

Tatsu unscrewed the cap of the bottle he held.

Tatsu: “I’m parched. But perhaps you’re thirstier.” Taking a sip, he held the water in his mouth, moving his face inches from Riko’s.

Riko: “S-stop… Shun will notice…” A desperate plea, the last remnants of her defenses wavered at the thought of Shun.

With a widening smirk, Yato remarked, “How thoughtful of you. Despite the scene Shun created and your rebuke, Tatsu just wants to help you unwind. It’s merely water. Surely, your boyfriend wouldn’t object, would he?”

As Shun, a shadow of his former self, struggled to voice a response, Yato leaned in, whispering maliciously, “Isn’t that so?”

Mumbling, Shun admitted, “I… don’t object…” His gaze downcast, fixated on the floor.

Yuuto mentally chanted, ‘Maintain composure…’ However, as blood dripped steadily from his hand, the pressure on his sanity intensified.

Tatsu inched even closer to Riko, the water still held captive in his mouth.

Tilting her head slightly, Riko whispered, “If Shun agrees… I am quite… thirsty…” The atmosphere thickened with tension, and all eyes aboard the train were riveted to the scene unfolding.

Before their lips met, a voice cracked the silence.

Shun, his voice hollow, murmured, “You were wrong… About everything… Zimbabwe…” Desolation clouded his gaze.

A sigh escaped Yuuto’s lips, and he released the shattered remnants of his phone.
Yuuto: ‘How could I forget?’

Abruptly removing his headphones, he cast them aside, swiftly rising to his feet, and thundered,
Yuuto: “HEY! MALE2!!”

‘I’m supposed to protect them.’

TO BE CONTINUED…

Yuuto’s Terms of Service:

1. For 10,000 yen! I will make sure your relationship is saved according to your needs!

———————————————–

As Riko and Shun strolled toward Riko’s home, an awkward silence enveloped them. Both seemed willing to speak, yet neither found the courage to break the quiet. Sensing the night might end without a word, Riko sighed and was about to speak when Shun preempted her.

“Sorry.”

“…What now…? Do you have something else to apologize for?” Riko asked, her tone tinged with annoyance.

“Yeah.”

“About the past…? Your behavior over the past couple of months? I’m pretty sure you already covered all that,” she said, her eyes rolling slightly.

“Sorry for ruining your evening. You came out to have some fun, but you ended up going home early because of my… meltdown.”

Riko chuckled, looking at him with a hint of surprise. “Does that mean you’ve calmed down a bit?”

“Who’s calm now? I’m still shaking all over… It all still feels like a fever dream, really. I said some embarrassing stuff, you know?” Shun confessed, crossing his arms and shivering despite the lack of cold.

“Although… I do feel somewhat better, I guess. I’m just sorry it was at your expense.”

Riko bit her lip, a mix of frustration and amusement on her face. “Heavens, STOP apologizing all the time. It’s unattractive, regardless of what you’ve done, at least to me. Besides, thanks to you – this night was anything but boring. I especially liked that foreigner; he was so goofy. Oddly familiar… How did you end up paying him though?”

Shun took a deep breath, gazing up at the sky as he contemplated how to explain their bizarre connection. “He kind of convinced me into it, I guess. While I was wrestling with myself about whether to go into the mixer or not, I spilled my troubles to him, and he said he had a plan to make things right with you. So, I just kind of jumped on the opportunity. He was very weird and disorienting. I seriously thought my life was over the moment he started his so-called plan, and that I’d put myself in big trouble. But in hindsight, it’s almost as if… He shouldn’t have been there.”

“Oh? What do you mean?” Riko’s curiosity piqued as she raised an eyebrow.
“Ehhh, like… He didn’t fit. It feels like the universe should have gone in a certain direction, but he kind of… Interfered? I guess?”

“OOooookaaaayy… Weird, but I’ll take it,” Riko responded, her voice laced with a mix of amusement and acceptance.

“Yeah. Ignore that last statement; my brain was hacked…” Shun said, chuckling awkwardly.
“Even in my so-called moment of bravery, I needed help from a stranger.”

“Well, you still chose to take that risk… Doesn’t that mean anything?” Riko pointed out.
Shun smirked lightly as he looked at her, and Riko chuckled in response. They both fell silent again as they continued walking, each lost in their thoughts about the night’s strange yet revealing events.

As Riko and Shun stood outside her house under the starry night sky, the neighborhood lights casting a warm glow, Riko posed a question. “Well then, according to what you said… We aren’t a couple?”

“…Yeah,” Shun replied somberly.

“Then… I guess it means you could finally ask me out. See if I’ll agree,” Riko suggested, a playful tone in her voice.

“Do you want to be my girlfriend?” Shun asked without hesitation, his expression earnest.
Riko smiled teasingly and blushed, giggling as she replied, “No.” She then turned away with a smile and playfully walked into her house.

Shun chuckled. “Well, I guess that’s that…?” he said as he walked away toward his own home.
Yuuto also headed home after wrapping things up at the mixer, sleeping soundly until the morning light. The sun felt unusually warm, and the morning seemed more inviting than usual—it was, after all, the last day before the weekend.

Yuuto woke up early to wash his wig and take a shower, removing the previous day’s stench and stains. He even used the washing machine, usually operated by his mother, washing all the clothes in the house—perhaps as a surprise for his mother, who typically handled laundry alone.
This occasional diligence perhaps marked a single redeemable quality he possessed.

On his way to school, Yuuto mumbled to himself, “Oh, finally opening up, aren’t we?” He often spoke to no one, his eccentricities well-known.

“That’s why we can’t have nice things… I mean, except me, of course,” he proclaimed to the empty air with a sigh.

Arriving at school, Yuuto took his seat. Shun and Riko were both absent initially.
It was only during the lunch break that Shun arrived, walking into the classroom with a bright, confident demeanor, chest puffed out and smiling at everyone. He even captured some of the girls’ attention, appearing like an entirely different person from just a day ago.

Yuuto watched, a mocking smirk forming on his face. As Shun took his seat, Yuuto couldn’t resist commenting, “You seem so happy. Did you jerk off to those two guys drilling your girlfriend, cuck?”

“Hey.” But Shun wasn’t about to take it quietly anymore.

He stopped himself from taking a seat and walked right in front of Yuuto, who sat casually looking at him.

“I’d appreciate it if you could just fuck off.”

“Oh my? I was just concerned. Concerned you’d never get the chance to do that—”
“You seem to be very interested in what’s happening with me lately, considering you were listening to every conversation I’ve had in class with Riko and these two these past few months, without walking away. Are you obsessed with my life or something? I wouldn’t be surprised if you stalked me, too.”

Yes, yes, and yes.

As Shun made those claims, students from around the classroom who chose to stay in class during break began whispering amongst themselves, nodding in agreement.
“Well don’t talk right next to me, it’s your problem. I just happened to hear it, I won’t move from my seat for anyone. Besides…’Fraid I have no more drama to follow, considering yesterday they both rammed her relentlessly. Did she break up with you yet?” Yuuto uttered casually, his eyes wide with feigned innocence.

“You..!!”

“Oh, wait! She didn’t because she doesn’t want to hurt your sorry ass with a break-up, so she’s gonna wait until they destroy her—”

Shun slammed his hands on Yuuto’s table powerfully and looked him deep in the eyes, startling the entire class with the force of his action while Yuuto remained unmoved, casually meeting his gaze.

“You talk about her like that, one more time… I’ll beat the living shit out of you,” Shun said quietly, his voice thick with warning.

Yuuto smirked. “Grew some balls, haven’t we?”

“It’s none of your business. Leave me and her alone. I warn you.” Shun’s voice was stern as he turned around and sat in his chair in front of Yuuto.

Yuuto couldn’t resist teasing, his shameless pride swelling. “Seriously now. Something good must’ve happened since yesterday. You seem uncharacteristically high-spirited,” he commented with a tiny smirk.

“What is it to you?” Shun retorted, irritation clear in his voice.

“A drama show unfolded before my eyes for a while. The least you could do is share some details. I might want to use some of it as fapping material for my website,” Yuuto uttered shamelessly, disrespecting the actual owner of the website.

“You won’t be able to use anything. Riko and I made up, and I managed to stop them,” Shun stated firmly.

“Lies. YOU, stopped them all by yourself? You’re not fooling anybody,” Yuuto replied, raising an eyebrow triumphantly.

“You followed me? How would you know?” Shun challenged.

“I have a brain that works properly. I’ve been here for the past couple of months. It was really entertaining, witnessing all this pathetic drama unfold in front of me. Matter of fact, everyone here probably feels the same,” Yuuto said, as some people who overheard slightly nodded in agreement.

“There is absolutely no way someone like you gained courage out of nowhere and became a big guy instantly. Real life isn’t that convenient,” he claimed while casually gesturing at Shun.

“You know nothing. She was about to be stolen from me, but I took her back! I SAVED her,” Shun asserted, his voice filled with a desperate conviction.

Yuuto looked at him solemnly, his thoughts racing. ‘Does he think he’s some kind of Netorare hero? Look at this guy, trying so hard to justify his existence in this miserable world… He’s still the same wimp, just now holding a paper shield. He puts up this front whenever someone strikes his weak spot…’

‘I guess he’s human after all. He didn’t learn everything I wanted him to from that experience. People learn best from pain… Should I have let those guys have their way with her in front of him just so he could understand?’ Yuuto frowned slightly behind his glasses.

‘…No. That is not the way I chose.’

“Well, it doesn’t really matter who helped you back then.”

“NOBODY DID!! I DID EVERYTHING! I TOOK A RISK, AND SAVED HER ALL BY MYSELF! ONLY I COULD SAVE HER!” Shun exclaimed, his voice just loud enough for Yuuto to hear but not loud enough for others.

Yuuto pondered silently, ‘He was so lucid that night. What happened for him to be like this? Oh…’

‘He’s still… Afraid, probably. Since there wasn’t really pain to learn from, he didn’t absorb the lesson. He probably thinks he has to keep up this tough guy facade from now on, to protect himself and the people he cares about.’

Yuuto sighed, imparting a bit of unsolicited wisdom. “Let me tell you a secret, most depressed people don’t have the strength to realize something important on their own.”

Shun looked puzzled. “?”

“Remember how I have a doujin website that sells doujins for 500 yen each? They even get delivered to you in paperback if you order—” Yuuto started to explain.

“I don’t want to hear your shitty website advertisement…” Shun interrupted, clearly annoyed.
“Just hear me out… A lot of those doujins feature Netorare themes. If you don’t know what it is, it’s basically cuckoldry—mostly about how a girl gets swayed by someone who’s good in bed rather than sticking with her long-loving partner,” Yuuto continued.

Shun’s face contorted in anger as he clenched his fists.

“And you’re telling me this… why? Let me guess, I’m the guy who gets cucked, and Riko’s the one who gets swayed? That it represents relationships in real life or something? That sex is all that matters—” Shun speculated bitterly.

“Listen all the way…” Yuuto urged.

Shun paused, giving him a questioning look. “?”

Yuuto elaborated, “Sex matters, sure. And if that happens to a girl in real life, she might get swayed… But wouldn’t you, if a cute, sexually experienced girl made blunt moves on you and was actually good at said moves?”

“That’s..! I WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO LIVE WITH MYSELF IF I WENT ON WITH IT!” Shun exclaimed, his voice laced with distress.

“Precisely. You might feel good momentarily. If that cuckold-maker ever goes through with it while she’s in a relationship, whether with you or someone else, she might also feel good temporarily. But think about it for a second, what’s next for them? For those who get swayed? Do you really think she would live a happy life with someone who sees emotional-based relationships as nothing more than a hindrance to their next orgasm? Do you really think she, or anyone else that’s sane, would want to be with a person like that, joyful for the rest of their life, just because the person is good at sex?”

“…!!! But… But… Why’d she… Or would anyone else go with it, to begin with!?” Shun asked, grappling with the unsettling concept.

Yuuto delved deeper into the harsh realities of manipulation. “There’s a reason players are called players. They play the game of seduction like a sport they’ve trained for, using real people as their training dummies. They exploit your vulnerabilities, whether through coercion or persuasion, targeting your body and mind’s weak points due to their experience. Eventually, your body reaches a limit and breaks, quite literally. You enter a trance-like state, similar to the heavy eyelids before sleep, but it’s more intense, and you’re forced to enjoy it. This happens because humans are wired to mate—it’s a powerful survival instinct. So yes, in one way or another, Netorare is very real, and anyone can be swayed if their defenses are down. Anyone, that is, except me.”

Shun frowned, looking down in defeat. “Then… What’s the use in trying… If all it takes is some jerk with experience to break it all?”

“Then be a jerk with even more experience,” Yuuto replied.

“Seriously now…”

Yuuto chuckled. “What do you want me to say? Sex is important. It’s why there are dozens of best-selling books on the subject. If you’re surrounded by people targeting your girlfriend, be better—not just in bed, but overall. There’s even a saying: ‘If you can’t score, go to a whore.’ You know, to get some experience.” Yuuto smirked, having just made up the saying.

He sighed. “The act itself will feel like heaven… But mark my words, the repercussions may not emerge the next day, or even a month later, but they will come. When they reflect on what they did or what was done to them, the guilt, the remorse, the sadness, and the self-hatred from enjoying the physical company of someone other than the one they truly love will hit hard. They’ll spiral into despair and depression, becoming a shell of who they were because of all the self-loathing. Eventually, these people often end up choosing other flawed partners if they leave their first exploiter, not because of the sex, but because they believe they don’t deserve better. It takes a strong person to forgive themselves for betraying their innermost feelings for fleeting pleasure.”

Yuuto made his point with a touch of cynicism. “Of course, any of this only matters when your partner actually cares about you and loves you truly. I mean, look at Gonny Djep’s ex-wife.”
Shun looked pensive. “… It sounds… like the cheaters or those who get swayed have it a lot worse than those who get cheated on.”

“Mostly, yeah. Although it may never seem that way at a glance. Or to the side getting netorare’d,” Yuuto responded, offering a different perspective.

Shun fell silent, absorbing the information.

Yuuto continued, “… And the fact that cuckold-maker was with you for a year—means that you did something right. You did some type of stuff people write books about… Focus on that while you look for your courage.”

“That way… you won’t feel so threatened by everyone and be forced to put up unnecessary fronts to defend yourself or the people you love.”

Shun’s eyes widened in realization. “Damn, do selling doujins make you a genius or something?”
“I just know that I can think, unlike you, retard,” Yuuto quipped.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh…. Okay,” Shun sighed, a laugh escaping him despite the situation.
“Say, uh…” Shun began again.

“…?” Yuuto looked at him curiously.

“You always sit alone during breaks and eat by yourself,” Shun observed.

“What of it? Are you mocking me, perhaps?” Yuuto’s tone was defensive.

“Look… I just want to—” Shun tried to continue.

“Let me guess. You want to introduce me to an online class about socializing, such a lame attempt, I guess that’s to be expected from—” Yuuto interrupted, ready to dismiss whatever Shun was suggesting.

“For the love of..! Let’s just eat lunch at the same time!” Shun blurted out, cutting through the tension and offering an olive branch.

Yuuto sighed, “I cannot. I won’t eat at the same pace as you. I have my own pace of eating and I can’t bear to just exert my efforts to match it to somebody else, even if requested from a charity case.”

“For… Are you—… I’m going to open my lunch and eat, whenever you eat,” Shun responded determinedly.

“Not gonna lie, that’s kind of suspicious, cuck. I completely understand why you’d want to stalk the likes of me. Kind of surprised nobody’s done it sooner. But I’d ask you to stop before you commit the crime. Since you definitely cannot do the time,” Yuuto shot back.

Shun’s thoughts wandered to a strange comparison. ‘This weirdo motherfucker reminds me of that asylum escapist from Zimbabwe, who I’m pretty sure is Japanese.’ His blood boiled with the memory, but he also recognized a strange calmness that followed their interactions. ‘Well… They’re both similar in that… I feel calmer somehow after talking to them. And if it’s about terms like being an outcast or a weirdo… Am I any better?’ He reflected on his own behavior and the bold claims he made in front of Yuuto.

“Sakurai, can I eat lunch together with you?” Shun asked bluntly and calmly, cutting through the usual classroom noise with a question so straightforward that not even Yuuto could misunderstand.

For once, Yuuto looked at someone, at a loss for words, his usual blank expression wavering as the sun rays reflected off his fake glasses. This time, however, the sun wasn’t blinding; he could see clearly.

“…. Oh. Uh… I… uh… Uhm… Well… I… don’t exactly have the authority to prevent you from sitting at your desk and eating when I do, I suppose.”

“….” Shun waited for any further objection.

“…” Yuuto remained silent.

“… Alright then. Don’t mind if I do,” Shun said casually as he quietly turned his desk to face Yuuto’s, calmly unpacking his bento onto the desk, sitting down, and starting to eat after thanking for his meal.

Yuuto began to do the same, starting to eat shortly after without thanking for his meal, his expression unchanged.

“So.. Do you make a lot of money selling those doujins?” Shun inquired casually.
“Yes. A lot. Probably more than you’ll make in a lifetime of your worthless life,” Yuuto replied casually, fully aware that all the money made goes to the creator of the doujins anyway.
“Ugh.. Harsh, but wow. And is it true that—….”

The lunch break stretched on, becoming the longest one Yuuto had ever experienced. Shun engaged him in conversation as one might with any other human—asking questions, responding, and making innocuous comments about his favorite manga and anime. Yuuto, on the other hand, responded only with a barrage of cynical and negative remarks. Yet, Shun persisted in the conversation, seemingly unbothered by Yuuto’s harsh demeanor, which Yuuto found peculiar given how fiercely Shun had defended his pride just moments before.
Yuuto hadn’t considered that his own words might have struck a deeper chord in Shun than any bravado rooted in fear could have.

“You know… She could be getting drilled right now, despite everything you did for her,” Yuuto remarked, testing Shun’s reaction.

“…Are you trying to make people hate you or something?” Shun replied, his smile awkward yet maintaining a calm demeanor, piquing the curious scoundrel’s interest in his response.

“I know. But it doesn’t matter anymore… No, more like it shouldn’t… I still care about her, and it bothers me a lot that she isn’t with me, which makes me very sad. But what she does and who she’s going to be with from now on is up to her. I need to accept that what I did that night wasn’t to get her back to me. It was to make it right with her… Of course, I’m going to try and be her friend… But if it doesn’t work out, I need to accept it and grow up instead of embarrassing myself again,” Shun explained, his grip tightening on the chopsticks.

“I have to if I want to move on from this,” he added, a note of resolve in his voice.
Yuuto’s eyebrows rose slightly in surprise.

‘…Can some humans learn without excruciating pain after all, then?’ he pondered silently.
“I see,” Yuuto said, allowing a slight smirk to cross his face.

‘Then those 2,500 yen weren’t tossed into the trash after all,’ he mused, acknowledging Shun’s growth.

As Yuuto lay on his bed at home, his father’s recent question echoed in his mind: “Have you made any friends in school?”

“Friends… Huh?” Yuuto pondered, perplexed. “Now, why would that guy sit and eat with me, despite my clear disdain and relentless insults? It can’t be something unrelated to pleasure, right?”

The concept of “friendship,” “camaraderie,” and “kinship” flitted through his mind as he considered the unusual behavior. Yuuto clapped his hands twice, arriving at a sudden conclusion. “Alright, I have my answer,” he declared to the empty room.

“It’s because he’s a masochist! So obvious… Why didn’t I think of it sooner? So dumb…”
Indeed, the words had traversed his mind, crossing safely from one ear to the other without any impediment.

Male2 jumped back, startled by the sudden intrusion.

“W..What the-..? Boyfriend!? The hell, man?”
He found his footing and quickly regained his composure, smirking as he looked at the boyfriend, who was trying to catch his breath, his heart pounding too hard for words.

“What the fuck, dude? What are you even doing here? Did you follow us?” Male2 taunted, putting on an act of fear as he clung to Riko. “Oh my god, I think Mr. Boyfriend followed us, Riko~.”

Riko, caught off guard, stuttered in response, “… W-..What…? Are you for real!?” Her surprise was evident, and under the pressure of the moment and Male2’s theatrical display, she inadvertently played along with his narrative.

Yuuto watched the scene unfold with a mix of admiration and urgency. ‘Dear God, this guy is a top-tier player! Without a word from the ex-boyfriend, Male2 has already tipped the odds in his favor, using the momentum to manipulate the situation for Riko. By putting words in her mouth, he’s turned a minor intrusion into a major spectacle, further antagonizing the ex-boyfriend. Well, the boyfriend paid the cash. If I don’t act fast, words aren’t the only thing Male2 will be putting in her mouth tonight…’

Yuuto chuckled quietly to himself and mumbled, “Good one, me. Gotta write that down.”

The Guy stammered, “Ah…~ I… I…!”
Yuuto’s thoughts raced, ‘Ah, here we go again, just like back in the classroom! About to back down before stepping up! I need to intervene… Oh, this is it!!! Why have I written thousands of NTR redemption fanfictions!?’

Because you’re a sick fuck?

‘No time for self-reflection, this was all to prepare me for this moment!!! All of my training! All of my effort!!! It all comes down to this. Time for Anti-Netorare Man to SHINE!!’
Meanwhile, Riko confronted the boyfriend, her voice laced with irritation, “Oh my god, you seriously followed us!? What’s wrong with you!?” Male2 remained coolly attached to her, smirking and giving the Guy a challenging look.
The Guy fumbled for words, “Oh… I just… I…”

Seizing the moment, Yuuto whispered urgently through the door.
“I followed YOU here, Riko.”

Hearing the prompt, the Guy repeated instinctively, grappling for anything to say, “I followed YOU here, Riko.”
Inside his head, he screamed in frustration,

‘ZIMBABWWWWWWEEEEE!!!!’ mortified by his own parroted response.

He braced himself, expecting Riko to call the police. But instead, something unexpected happened. Instead of disgust or fear, there was something else in her eyes—a glimmer he thought was long gone. Hope.

Yuuto watched the unfolding drama with a sense of vindication. ‘I fucking knew it,’ he thought, a smug smirk crossing his face.

—FLASHBACK—
Riko: “The air is too thick in here.”
—END FLASHBACK—

Yuuto reflected, ‘All this time, she was waiting. Waiting for you to be bold. Even if it means making a fool out of yourself. Because the truth is, any girl would be swayed if her stalker was Tom Hardy. And in her eyes, YOU are her Tom Hardy. Well, if he was a massive coward.’

Male2 casually threw in his comment, further stirring the pot. “Bro, following a girl at night? That’s just creepy. You’re like a stalker.”
Yuuto thought quickly, ‘He strikes back; he’s desperate. I won’t let my client be swayed!!!’ He prompted the guy to defend his actions, “Riko, I was scared to lose you.”
Hearing Riko’s name re-centered the guy’s resolve.

“I was so scared of losing you, Riko. I just had to do it.”

Male2 chuckled, tightening his grip around her casually. “Scared? Dude, I INVITED you! It was you who didn’t want to go with your girlfriend…” He said, his hand still around her neck.
Yuuto internally cheered, ‘You put up a fair fight, Male2. But this match is mine!!!’

“I just couldn’t help myself anymore, Rei—”
The Guy cut in sharply, correcting himself as reality settled in, “… She isn’t my girlfriend anymore, just so you know.” He then took a determined step away from the door, away from Yuuto, and toward the pair.

“What?” Male2 responded, clearly taken aback.

“….What…?” Riko echoed, her voice tinged with surprise and confusion.
Yuuto couldn’t help but let out an intrigued, “Oooh?” as he observed the reactions, curious about how the situation would unfold next.

The Guy’s gaze fixated on Male2’s arm casually draped around Riko.
‘What am I even doing anymore… Oh right…’ he thought, reflecting on his inaction.
‘…I was doing nothing all this time… Nothing for you.’

“You see, if Riko was still my girlfriend—she’d knock that hand of yours right off. She wouldn’t allow someone else’s arm,” he stated firmly.
Male2 smirked. “Oh? Sounds like you think you can read her mind or something. Hey, Riko, did he read your mind a lot before?”
Yuuto sensed the tension escalating. ‘This is getting worrisome, maybe I should interve—’

“I can’t read her mind. But I’ve known her since we were kids. If she knew how much I… If she knew how much someone loved her, she wouldn’t openly hurt them like that,” the Guy countered, his voice tinged with emotion.

Male2 laughed mockingly. “Oh haha, wow. So now he says you would purposely let me hug you to hurt him, because you know he loves you. Seriously, can’t friends hug?”
“That’s the thing. You’ve realized it too, right, Riko? I never let you experience how much I cared. It’s practically the same as not caring at all… That’s why you let yourself go this far with him… And… I get it,” the Guy confessed, a look of understanding crossing his face.
“So, now you say it was YOU who didn’t give a fuck—” Male2 started to retort.

At that moment, Riko slowly placed her palm on Male2’s hand. There was a brief pause before she gently, but firmly, removed his arm from around her.
“Can you give us a minute?” she asked Male2 calmly.

“Wow, okay… Stalker Boy… Just sayin’…” Male2 said with a taunting grin as he stood up and walked away, leaving the two alone but not without a parting shot to the Guy, “Managed to delay the inevitable… Boyfriend.”
“No, you stay in this room too!! I’m not done!” the Guy exclaimed, his voice a mix of anger and anxiety.

“The lady asked me to leave, what can I do…” Male2 shrugged as he exited.
Yuuto watched in exasperation. ‘Ohhh MY GOD, WHAT IS THIS DUMBASS DOING!!!? DON’T FALL FOR HIS TAUNTING!!!!’

The Guy clenched his teeth and tightened his fists, his frustration boiling over.

“IF I CARED ABOUT RIKO AS MUCH AS I THOUGHT I DID, I WOULD’VE STOOD UP TO YOU TWO ASSHOLES!!! I WOULDN’T BE SO AFRAID!!!” he yelled, his voice echoing through the room.

Riko looked at him, her expression filled with concern.

Male2 halted his steps just short of the door, turning around with a smirk.
“Now, calling us assholes for offering her our company is going a bit far, don’t you think? I expect an apology from you after you two are done here,” Male2 demanded with a cocky tilt of his head.

“NOOO!!!” The Guy screamed, stomping his foot, his whole body shaking with emotion.

“You guys are scum… are pieces of shit… All you did was drive a wedge between Riko and me, using friendship as your excuse… But I’m WORSE… I let…” He trailed off, his gaze falling to the floor, his voice cracking as he bowed his head before Male2.

“I let garbage like YOU get close to us…” he said, lifting his eyes to meet Male2’s, his stare intense and unwavering.

Male2’s face shifted to an expression of shock.

“Okay, you know what? I’m not going to let you insult me and my friend!” Male2 snapped, his temper flaring as he started advancing toward The Guy, who recoiled slightly. Riko tensed, preparing to intervene.

“I’m gonna teach you a les—” Male2 began, but was suddenly interrupted by a muscular arm grabbing him from the freshly opened door.

NotYuuto, with his distinct accent and peculiar grammar, interjected, “We in IRELAND can sense danger long before it happens, yiss. Me, take care this criminal. You two, use alone time, fix issues, yis?” He then powerfully pulled Male2 outside the room in a swift motion and shut the door with a flourish.

“Was that the mixer attendant…” Riko murmured, puzzled.
“Y-yeah… No… He’s just some guy I paid to help me get to you,” The Guy admitted awkwardly.

“Oh… OH… I see. Well, he said we’ve got to fix our issues… I don’t know, from what you’ve said, do we really have problems that need fixing? It seems you already have everything figured out,” she said, crossing her arms and looking at him critically.
“No… We don’t. None of this would have been a problem if I’d just told you about it the first day it started,” The Guy responded, his voice softening as he acknowledged his own shortcomings.

Riko’s question was simple but heavy. “The first day… What started?”
“When they first approached us. I wanted to die, really…” Shun confessed, his voice strained with the weight of his past inaction.
Riko remained silent, feeling that nothing needed to be added.
“Riko… I… When I followed you here, I was trying to make a miracle happen. To get you back,” Shun said, his voice faltering.

“Oh? Why, was I ever away from you?” Riko asked, her tone gentle yet probing.

“You were. Riko, I’m going to be straight with you… I think… We should end this. This relationship,” Shun declared, his words cutting through the air.

“…Are you wussing out again?” Riko asked, her lips pressed tightly together.

“You can’t wuss out of something you weren’t committed to in the first place,” Shun replied dryly.
Riko fell silent again.

“See? You think so too,” he added, trying to lighten the mood with a chuckle that carried a mix of playfulness and sorrow.

“The funny thing is… I know I don’t care enough about you. But… I just can’t get these images out of my head!!! I can’t stop them from hurting me…” Shun confessed, clutching his chest as if to quell his heart’s ache.
“Images of you with other guys, enjoying yourself… Images of you falling for someone else… Images of someone else being your first… I know it’s crude to say, and over the top… I’m sorry, I’ve said some unnecessary things,” he stammered, his voice trailing off.

“Shun…?” Riko murmured, her voice laced with concern.

“And you are so beautiful, kind, and strong. Before they ever came along, I was too caught up in how others looked at you as we walked hand in hand. Eventually, I became more afraid of losing our connection than I was enjoying my time with you… And when my fears materialized, I was paralyzed,” Shun continued, a single tear escaping his control.

“In truth? If they hadn’t done it, I would’ve inevitably let someone else. Eventually,” he admitted, looking away.

“I don’t deserve you, Riko… How can I be your boyfriend when I can’t even protect myself? When I’m too scared to show you and everyone how much I care… How much I love you…” His voice was earnest as he wiped his tears, struggling to maintain his composure.

“I know there’s no chance for an ‘us’ anymore. I just hope you can forgive me for failing you like this…” he finished quietly, his gaze downturned as he fought back more tears.
Riko stood from the couch and walked over to Shun.

Shun looked up at her, and she wrapped him in a tight hug.

“You finally got the first part down, haven’t you…” she whispered into his ear, her voice warm with a light giggle.

“H..huh..?” Shun responded, puzzled.
“Nothing… It’s alright…” Riko reassured him.

——- 10 years ago ——

Riko: “Woah, are you okay!!?”

Shun: “sob it hurts…!”

Riko: “Someone come help us!!!”

“Why did you do it if you were going to cry so much, you baby!!? That kid was a fourth grader, almost three years bigger than you!”

“Because… sob It hurt me—here—watching him bully you, Riko…” He wept as he pointed to his tiny chest.

“Shun… You idiot… sob It hurts me too, watching you get hurt… Don’t do it ever again..!!”

“Riko… Let’s marry when we get older…”

“Only when you win a fight and stop crying, then I’ll think about it.”
—————————-

Meanwhile, on the other side of the door…

Yuuto stood with a satisfied smirk, scribbling in his notebook as he observed the subdued Male2 and Male1, alongside the flustered mixer manager. He couldn’t help but reflect, ‘Huh… I actually did it… sort of. Your “confession” was kinda cringe, a bit all over the place with some unnecessary details… Pretty much what I’d expect from an inexperienced novice in relationships, but hey – you actually got her to listen. I hereby declare: Love – 1, Netorare – 0.’

NotYuuto turned to the group with feigned indignation, “Yiss, I tell you, these ruffians. Do you boys have ANY idea how much trouble you are in!? Don’t you have any sympathy for good ol’ me doing a routine check in every bar and pub around here to ensure everyone is safe!? AND YOU, mista’ manager, yiss? HOW COULD YOU LET SUCH A THING HAPPEN? TWO YOUNG MEN WITH A DEFENSELESS SMALL GIRL IN A MIXER ALONE!? Have you no shame or a shred of caution!? Especially when there’s a psycho running around undressing people and ‘messing with them’?”

The Mixer Manager, bewildered and defensive, stuttered, “Me-… Messing with them? Wha-what are you saying!?”

NotYuuto persisted, “Yiss, do you need me to spell it out for you… Without… Sparing… Any… Detail?”

“N-…No, your message is clear,” the Mixer Manager hastily conceded.
Male1, trying to defend their innocence, interjected, “Yo, Officer, do we look like criminals!? We’re in HIGH-SCHOOL!! We came here to HANG OUT!”

“Criminals can be of any age, yiss. When 5-year-olds commit murder in my homeland, in IRELAND, we drop-kick them down a raging waterfall. It’s a long tradition, yiss,” NotYuuto replied, his face dead serious.

Male2, skeptical, started, “Hold up, I got a friend from Ireland and—”
“YOU ARE THE WORST OF ALL, YOU DON’T GET TO TALK, PRE-SEX-OFFENDER!!!” NotYuuto exploded, cutting him off. “DO NOT FORGET WHAT I SAW IN THERE, YOU ARE THE MOST SUSPICIOUS OF EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM!”

Words by Yuuto, a Pre-Asylum-Room-Defender.

Male2 started to object, “But I—”
NotYuuto cut him off, his voice booming, “HAD I COME TWO SECONDS EARLIER, I WOULD HAVE FILED AN ASSAULT REPORT AND HAD TO TAKE YOU TO THE STATION!”
Male2 attempted to interject, “I—”

Yuuto closed the gap suddenly, his face inches from Male2’s, his gaze piercing through his sunglasses. “AM I WRONG!?” he bellowed.

“But just—” Male2 tried again.
“AM I WRONG!!?” NotYuuto shouted louder, moving his head even closer, his tone that of a parent scolding a child.

Male2 fell silent.

“I THOUGHT SO. Now, you two, GIVE ME THE PHONE NUMBERS OF YOUR PARENTS (even though I have them from my investigations)—”

“It’s alright… Officer,” Riko interrupted calmly as she opened the door behind Yuuto, followed by Shun.
“…Are you four acquainted?” NotYuuto inquired, looking slightly taken aback.

“We are. We’re all schoolmates. Nobody tried to force anything on anyone here,” Riko clarified.

“Nobody tried to do anything here, except this STALKER HERE. Now that I think about it, he ADMITTED to stalking her here, why aren’t you arresting him!?” Male2 accused.

“Tatsu… Be quiet. You know nothing about him,” Riko rebuked boldly.
Tatsu (Male2) chuckled, his gaze shifting between the bold Riko and the dejected Shun. “She is wasted on you.”

“She was wasted on me. She deserves better,” Shun conceded solemnly.
“But you assholes… Aren’t better in my eyes. And if by some hand of fate, she sees you as worthy of her love, I’ll stand down, for her,” Shun declared, his tone a mixture of resignation and resolve.

“Oh please, a wimp like you will always stand down regardless. She deserves a real man,” Tatsu scoffed dismissively.

“She does. So at least… Let me say this: Officer, handcuff me. Because that’s the only way I won’t escort Riko to her home tonight. Without you assholes,” Shun retorted, his voice firm.

Riko let out a small chuckle, then addressed her other companions, “Sorry, Tatsu. I’m gonna go early this time. Bye, Yato (Male1).”

As Riko walked out with Shun, Yuuto, Male1, Male2, and the Mixer Manager collectively wondered, ‘What in the actual fuck does she see in this loser?’
Despite their confusion, the four men shared a moment of odd camaraderie, watching in bafflement as Riko left the mixer with Shun.

It was nighttime. Riko had been told by Male1 and Male2, that their friend Miku was waiting for them inside the mixer room. Without hesitation, she entered with them.

Yet, they were not alone.

Outside the building, someone lurked, shadowing their every move. He remained there for over an hour, rooted to the spot, besieged by a tormenting thought.

“Why won’t my legs move…? Riko…! Why are you with them!?” The boyfriend murmured, his voice barely a whisper as he wobbled on his feet.

“I… I love you!! Has the year we spent together meant nothing to you?” His voice cracked under the weight of his emotion.

From his vantage point, he could almost see it—the image of her laughing, her joy mingling freely with theirs. Tormented by thoughts of what might be occurring inside, his imagination veered into dark territories.

__________BOYFRIEND PRODUCTIONS______

Inside, the atmosphere teetered on the edge of propriety.
Male2 teased, “Come on, just a kiss wouldn’t hurt…”

Riko hesitated, then relented, “O-okay… Just because this is a game…”

Her boyfriend imagined her kissing them with a passion she had never shown him, her tongue intertwined with theirs, surrendering to their desires as much as they did to hers.
Male1 chuckled,

“Wait, I think you have a boyfriend… He he.”

Riko stammered, “I-I’m sure he wouldn’t mind…”
__________

Outside, the boyfriend’s knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, weeping. In the solitude of the dark, the memory of her smile—once a source of comfort—now haunted him, slipping further away with each passing moment.

Just then, the building door slammed open, striking him in the face. His nose erupted in pain as blood trickled down, his heart racing with shock. He tumbled backward, landing hard on the ground, as the world around him spun wildly out of control.

??? : “Gaahhh, who’s been out here yakking up a storm!? Can’t a hard-worker have a smoke in peace?” A rough voice with a thick, nearly unrecognizable accent broke through as the door to the building swung open.

??? : “The hell are you doing out here looking all suspicious?” The man demanded as he turned to face the boyfriend.

He could see the bags under the boyfriend’s eyes from weeping.
The boyfriend quickly got to his feet and apologized.

“S-sorry… I’ll be on my way now…”
Just as the boyfriend turned to leave, the man firmly gripped his shoulder.

??? : “Now hold on, you bastard. Being the responsible adult here, I can’t let a young man wander off alone in the dark crying like that.”

“I… With all due respect, it’s none of your business—” He began to protest but was almost immediately cut off.

??? : “Let me guess now – Your girlfriend is inside with another man, isn’t she? Or in her case, two more.”

The boyfriend stopped resisting and turned around, thunderstruck.
Before him stood a man clad in the uniform typically worn by mixer attendants. His head was shaved, and he wore sunglasses, which added to his intimidating demeanor.

The uniform clung tightly to his muscular frame, clearly several sizes too small.

He seemed vaguely familiar, yet the boyfriend couldn’t place where he’d seen him before. As far as he could remember, a different mixer attendant had always been working here. Perhaps this person was his replacement…?

“Name’s NotYuuto.”
The boyfriend hesitated, his eyes widening slightly. “F-..Foreigner?”
“Yis. I’m from Africa. Moved here a few years ago because I heard the weather’s nice,” NotYuuto replied, his accent thick.

“B… But you.. Aren’t…?” the boyfriend stammered, confusion evident in his tone.

“Hu’? Yu’ tryin’ to say somethin’ racist, you stupid short man?” NotYuuto snapped, his gaze sharp.
“Uh.. N.. no.. Anyway, how did you know…” The boyfriend trailed off, bowing his head.

“… About my… Girlfriend? If you can even still call her that…”

“I’ve seen that look before—on countless young men back in my village. The look of a man who is afraid to lose the woman he loves,” NotYuuto said, his voice softening slightly.

Yuuto also had spied on them while posing as a fake mixer attendant, but that was beside the point he was trying to make.

“I am not scared to be with her!! SHE IS THE ONE WHO… WHO WOULD GO FOR ANYONE WHO WOULD TELL HER SOME PRETTY WORDS OVER HER OWN BOYFRIEND!!! SHE IS AT FAULT!!! SHE CHOSE TO BE WITH THEM… And not with me..!!! Even though we’ve been through so much together this year…” The boyfriend’s voice broke as he spoke, tears streaming down his face.
NotYuuto tossed his fake candy cigarette aside.

“Then why have you come here? Because you wanted to stare? If she is truly the type of woman to leave her man just because some other short man complimented her – why have you come? Surely, this woman isn’t worth your time one bit to begin with—” NotYuuto’s words cut through the night air, blunt and unforgiving.

“Shut up, JUST SHUT UP!!! You don’t know her and you don’t know me!!!” the boyfriend exploded. “She isn’t just some girl I can meet anywhere! She’s my precious childhood friend, and I care about her, I love her, and I KNOW she loves me too! There’s no logical reason why she’d go with these PIECES OF HUMAN SHIT…! I know! I KNOW! She must be forced to—”

“I know good enough to say that she wasn’t forced,” NotYuuto interjected coolly. “When I saw her walk in this place with those two (after I knocked out the original attendant, stole his outfit, and locked him in his locker) she had the face of someone who came here willingly, to have fun.”

Also, in his surveillance, he found no evidence of them using force or any other form of manipulation on Riko. But again, that was beside the point here.

“How in the hell would you know!?” the boyfriend demanded, his voice raw with emotion.
NotYuuto leaned back against the door and gazed at the stars for a few moments.

“Back in my homeland, in Zimbabwe, I’ve witnessed countless crimes against humanity: drug use, manipulation, lying, stealing, blackmailing, rape, and even kidnapping right before my eyes… I’ve experienced some myself. In all of those, the woman looked like she did something unwillingly.”

He didn’t mention his extensive consumption of countless fanfictions and movies on these topics. BUT THAT’S BESIDES THE POINT, RIGHT?

“The girl tonight… looked excited, not horrified. She dressed nicely and smelled good, clearly caring about what those two think of her, especially the shorter man,” NotYuuto continued, his voice calm yet cutting. “Which is why I ask… Why are you here, if there’s no threat to save her from? If she is already safe? If no one is forcing her… If she is the type of girl to go with two men instead of staying with her boyfriend?”
The boyfriend leaned against the wall, slowly sliding down until he was sitting on the dirty ground.

“I just… don’t know. But I don’t want to just leave right now…” he murmured, his voice heavy with uncertainty.

“What funny things you say. With half-assed resolve, you can’t get anything done,” NotYuuto commented sharply.

Yuuto observed the scene with growing impatience. ‘Wasn’t he about to leave when I arrived? What’s with this guy? His resolve weakens with every word he utters.’

“I know, I know! What are you, my dad!? I DO want to do something… But I don’t know what,” the boyfriend exclaimed, frustration lacing his tone.

“You do know what to do. It’s your fear that’s blinding you,” NotYuuto said, his words catching the boyfriend’s attention.

“It’s alright to be scared. Fear shows you where you’re vulnerable, and it’s mostly there to keep you from dying,” he added, trying to instill some courage.

“D-dying!? W-wait, this just—” the boyfriend stammered, taken aback.
“Yes. On the battlefield, you must fight. You must destroy your enemies to live. If you can’t, at least rip off their balls before you die,” NotYuuto said bluntly,

“Uh… Uhhuh…” the boyfriend muttered, clearly overwhelmed.
NotYuuto sighed deeply and mumbled to himself, “What am I even trying to do here? This was a complete waste of my talents…”

Yuuto watched the boyfriend with a mix of contempt and frustration. ‘So weak. So pathetic. After all this, she’s still inside waiting for him, and he can’t even see it. Despite his display of wimpiness, she still cares. I really, REALLY want to knock some sense into him. People like this…should die virgins.’ he thought angrily.

Yuuto clenched his fists, his heartbeat rising and his eyes, hidden behind his sunglasses, burning with primal rage as he watched the boyfriend.

Yes…

Yuuto was angry.

‘But… These are also the kind of people I swore to help,’ he reminded himself, taking a slow, calming breath.

NotYuuto addressed the boyfriend abruptly: “Hey short man. I think you should shut the fuck up and walk away.”

“H-huh… I wasn’t talking?” the boyfriend responded, clearly dumbfounded.

“Are you fucking serious? Do you seriously think she is obliged to do anything for a wimp like you?” NotYuuto challenged, his tone sharp.
The boyfriend looked at the man, a mix of confusion and anxiety in his expression.

“So you’ve been together for a year. So what? You were in a relationship,”

NotYuuto stated matter-of-factly.
“How did you..-W…We ar-” the boyfriend started.

“Stop being delusional!!” NotYuuto yelled, cutting him off with a punch to the face.

“Do you think just because you spent time together, her feelings are predetermined? Just because you officially became a couple, she can’t decide she’s had enough of you?” NotYuuto asked, his laughter growing almost hysterical.

“If the world worked like that, there wouldn’t be breakups, divorces, or infidelities. A beaten wife wouldn’t report her abusive husband, ever.”
NotYuuto’s voice was sharp, cutting through the air.

“Time and time again, you KEEP showing her you don’t care about her by not standing up for her. You basically yell, every time you get too scared to say you want to be with her, that she isn’t worth your courage. And yet… You expect her to still stick up for you? Even after failing her faith, time and time again!!? DON’T FUCK WITH ME!”

The boyfriend’s eyes widened, as he felt the weight of NotYuuto’s words hitting harder than the physical punch he had received.

It was as if a hammer was shattering the glass-made illusions around him, breaking down the barriers that prevented him from understanding why, no matter how hard he reached, he couldn’t seem to grasp Riko’s reality. Behind the shattered glass, he envisioned her walking away, leaving him stranded in the shadows.

‘… She must have felt so lonely. Having to stay with a blind guy like me for so long. She endured so much because she truly believed that someday I’ll see her and grab hold of her hand in this dark place. But this is a scary place, how could I protect you, Riko, when I couldn’t even see how hurt you’ve been getting? Honestly, it was a miracle she lasted as long as she did… Someone who cares about me… I’m such a loser…’ he thought to himself as the image of her slowly faded.

‘Yet… I want to hold you again…!! I want to make you feel safe being with me, at least once before you leave!’ His thoughts gathered a new resolve as he sensed a speck of light emerging from within himself.

“I want… To fix it. I want to make it right with her… I want to, once again… Be with her,” he murmured, a newfound determination in his voice as he reached out towards the flickering hope before him.

NotYuuto’s tone was icy as he delivered a hard truth. “Don’t be naive… It’s too late to amend your romantic relationship. Let her go.”
“…That so…” the boyfriend murmured, feeling the strength drain from the hand that was reaching out for her.

“But… If you want to MAKE IT RIGHT with her, then…” NotYuuto paused, watching closely.

At that moment, the boyfriend felt a firm grip on his weakening hand, pulling it from the darkness.

“…Perhaps I can help,” NotYuuto offered, his voice hinting at a solution.
The boyfriend looked up at Yuuto, his eyes lighting up with a spark of hope and a wave of relief washing over him.

“For the price of…” NotYuuto began.
Yuuto internally scoffed, ‘Hm… I stand by this being a waste of my time. This is hardly worthy of a glorious 10,000 yen case…’
“2,500 yen, I’ll separate the male from the girl right now and give you a chance… A chance to be the man you believe she deserves,” NotYuuto proposed.

The boyfriend was taken aback.
“So this entire time, you just wanted my…!!!” he began, incredulous.
“-If I wanted to rob you, I would’ve done it without talking to you or asked for a higher price,” NotYuuto cut in sharply.

“Bullshit… How can I trust someone who asks for money for something like this?” the boyfriend retorted, his trust fraying at the edges.

NYuuto delivered his ultimatum with disdain. “Worst case scenario, you lose 2,500 yen. You’re lucky I’m even offering my services for something as insignificant and pathetic as this case. You don’t want my help? Fine, either get lost or try to handle it yourself.”
The boyfriend stood up hastily and walked past him to the door, resting his palm on the doorknob but hesitating to turn it.

‘Why… Why am I not opening the door? I’m scared… What if she really doesn’t like me, what if I look like an idiot and those two attack me later… Wow… I really am pathetic. They scare me… Those two being with Riko right now scare me. What if they laugh at me in front of her? What if they bully me for this or threaten me later? What if Riko thinks I’m weak…’

Memories of Riko’s smile directed at those guys flashed through his mind, along with the realization that at first, she was uncomfortable with them. He vividly remembered the times she looked at him with eyes seeking help and warmth, yet all he did was fake a smile and endure it.

Both of them knew the reason those guys came over wasn’t to be friends; it was because they wanted to get closer to Riko. Unlike him, they weren’t afraid to show their intentions. Because he did nothing, she had to adapt, finding joy and the good things in them, as she piqued their interest.

Leaning his forehead against the door, he muttered to himself, “I got it all wrong… Riko already thinks I’m weak, which is why she goes with them, people who aren’t afraid to show their feelings… And she’s not wrong… Riko…!!! I’m not strong enough to stand up for us or you. I… Don’t deserve to be your boyfriend.”

NYuuto interjected sharply, his voice cutting through the silence. “Wrong again, dumbass. Do I really have to spell it out for you? She doesn’t think you’re weak. She thinks she isn’t worth your courage, because you keep being a coward when you don’t stand up for her to those two. So she opts for people who are openly confident about her.”

Stunned, the guy could only muster, “What…?”

“In other words, she believes you don’t care enough about her to be a man and stand up to them.”
Struggling to process the harsh truth, he stammered, “I… I…!!”

“Is she wrong to think so?”
He paused, the reality settling in. “… I guess not. Wait, how do you know so mu—”

“ZIMBABWE MAGIC, THAT’S HOW! Anyway, like I said – your romantic connection is doomed no matter what you do. What you’re about to do will determine whether or not you make it RIGHT with her.”

As he glanced at NYuuto, the young boy couldn’t help but feel a shift. Perhaps it was the powerful slap that jolted him back to reality, or maybe it was the commanding presence and the way NYuuto spoke—it was as if he instinctively knew, despite having met him for only a short while.
He realized something about himself; he still saw himself as weak despite the foreigner’s words.

I’m weak… But this guy…

…Is strong.

He sniffled and wiped away his tears with his arm as he turned back to NYuuto.

“Remind me again… What’s the worst-case scenario…?”

NYuuto’s response came with a wide, almost sinister smile.

“…2,500 yen go to the trash…”
“I’ve already lost one of the most important people in my life… What’s 2,500 yen more!?” He declared with a slight, manic laugh, pulling out his wallet.

“Hmm… I’ll make it worth your while…”

‘YATAAAAAAAAAA A CLIENT!!!!!!!’ NYuuto thought triumphantly, unable to hide his delight, even though he recognized the modesty of the stakes. A worthless client, but oh well – beggars can’t be choosers.’

“Now then… Let’s get to it, shall we?”
“What happened to your accent?”
“Money happened.” Yuuto replied casually.

Yuuto and the skeptical boyfriend approached the building and stopped right in front of the door to Riko’s mixer room.

Yuuto mulled over his thoughts, ‘If my hunch is correct, Riko isn’t the type to get intimate with two guys, at least not right now. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she still hopes that her boyfriend will burst through the door. As if everything she’s done with those two so far was just to provoke that limp bastard of a boyfriend into action. Now, likely, only one of the two guys is the main interest while the other plays wingman. And if I had to guess who, it would be…’

——–flashback——————————————————–

Male2: “Although sometimes, it’s kinda hard to tell the difference from something like that to real life… I guess.”

—————————

Yuuto thought, ‘And because of that, only one of them is in there with her, while the other has gone to check on their female friend who’s unusually late. The music is loud enough; they shouldn’t notice me peeking inside…’
He gently and quietly nudged the mixer room door open.

As he suspected, only Male2 was inside with Riko, sitting rather close to each other—closer than what would be typical for a girl in an “official relationship.”

“Now then, before we begin… Let me get this straight,” Yuuto announced as he set down a black briefcase he was carrying, opening it to reveal a police uniform and a fake badge.

“Those guys didn’t resort to scummy tactics. They haven’t used dirty tricks, force, or lies to disrupt your relationship. They’re as clean as one can be… And most, if not all, of this could have been avoided if you had stood up to them when they first interfered. Being excessively scared is your undoing, and it’s something you should be ashamed of, as it makes you no more than a coward in my eyes.”
The guy hung his head in defeat.
Yuuto’s voice rose with conviction,

“…But anyone who would dare step between a man and a woman as they’re just learning what love is, trying to tear them apart for their own selfish desires… is humanity’s greatest scum, nonetheless, and deserves to have their asses baseball’d!”

The boyfriend looked up at him, a mix of admiration and awe in his gaze, and for a moment, it seemed as though a great light surrounded Yuuto as he donned a police uniform.

…At least, that’s how Yuuto imagined he was seen.

The guy couldn’t help but think, ‘This buff foreigner just stripped and put on police clothes right in front of me… And I’m pretty sure he isn’t really a mixer attendant… Am I going to end up in juvenile detention because this lunatic wanted to play hero?’

Yuuto chuckled internally, ‘Whoops, forgot to turn off the tactical flashlight… Might look too much like a beacon of hope to this young guy.’
“Well… Are we going in?” the guy asked hesitantly.

“Technically.”

“What does that mea—”

Before he could finish, Yuuto swiftly opened the door and nudged the guy into the room with a firm push.
‘It’s not my fight yet… This move is yours,’ Yuuto thought, stepping back to let the guy confront his own battle.

NOTES:

” – speaking out loud

‘ – thoughts.

————–NOTES END—————-

They say the greatest attributes of the human race are willpower and love. People are driven by the motivation created by those feelings and forces.

But if you were to ask this story’s protagonist about his opinion on the matter, he would tell you something you might find disheartening and bizarre…

This young man isn’t your average person by any means. He also isn’t extraordinary in any way. One day, he woke up and he decided that he would help people… Help them with a very specific topic, to be precise.
________________

N.T.R!! Netorare!

A genre creeping its way into the mainstream, thriving on the miseries and vulnerabilities within relationships. It celebrates deception, manipulation, and the overpowering of the charismatic, physically superior men and women. But amidst this rising tide stands a beacon of hope.

The Beacon of Absolute Justice!

The nightmare of evildoers and the hope for victims. He is the avenger who exposes deceit and brings the truth to light. The hero who liberates the victims of manipulation, intimidation, and drugs. 

To many, he is a savior, a miracle!

That is… Anti-NTR Man!!!

‘If only I had clients to vouch for that,’ he groaned. ‘All my savings, all the training, all the courses, and not a single client?! Come on, you fucking pussies main characters, does NOBODY want to have those blonde haired gyaru boys get their asses baseballed!!? Ooohh, I get it – You all have NTR fetish!! You WANT the blonde haired douchebag, the ugly fat middle-aged man, the sadistic shouta or the buff foreigner to steal your girls (or guys, I don’t discriminate)!! It’s in your BLOOD to wanna get cucked… ESPECIALLY WHEN MY SERVICES are only 10,000 yen per case, no police involved!!! It’s practically a public service I’m doing here!!!’

Meet Yuuto Sakurai. A good-for-nothing 19-year-old high school student, repeating his final year, twice. He’s poured his twisted heart, wretched soul, and savings that have dwindled to near non-existence into one grand mission: Eradicate all NTR and its followers from the world!

Truly… The most retarded and delusional quest to have ever existed!

‘NO ONE ASKED!!’

In his frustration, Yuuto smashes his computer desk. His precious baseball bat clatters to the floor.

‘Six long months ever since I built this website… I used so much money for the advertising, but no ever clicks the link! I even shaved my head, so that people would see how badass I am… But no one even LOOKS at my website!! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I SACRIFICED?!” He cries, his screen’s glow accentuating his bald head.

Being a high schooler has its advantages. His parents’ house is close, and he’s financially supported, allowing him to indulge himself in his sick delusion. His wig and glasses are his cover at school, alongside his long-sleeved outfit he always wears – concealing his bulky and sturdy build he had worked on specifically for this, ensuring his secret identity remains safe…. Not that it matters, since he will never get any clients!

“SHUT YOUR TRAP!!!” He bellowed, pitching the mouse against the wall nearby the door to his dark room; the mouse, now in countless fragments laying on the carpet near the door, as if it was ordered from Ikea, served as a testament to Yuuto’s ire. He paused, regret instantly filling him. ‘Damn it! Too loud!!’

A concerned voice permeated the paper-thin walls, “Honey!!? Is everything alright!?”
Panic gripping him, Yuuto mustered a response, making sure his voice was juuuust loud enough for his mother to hear “Y-YES MOM, I’M FINE THANK YOU!!”

His brief moment of relief was interrupted by a familiar, gruff voice, a storm in its own right. “DONT GO AND BREAK MY STUFF, GOOD FOR NOTHING DUMBASS SON!!!”

Rolling his eyes, Yuuto retorted, each word dripping with venom, “SHUT YOUR TRAP-HOLE YOU DEADBEAT OLD MAN, I HOPE YOU FALL OFF A CLIFF AND DIE!!!” The entire neighborhood might have heard that one.

The subsequent crash, his door giving way, sent his heart into overdrive. A behemoth of a figure, his father, filled the doorway, fury evident in his every feature. “INSOLENT SHUT-IN TRASH!!!! HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO YOUR DAD LIKE THIS!!!”

Before he could react, Yuuto was airborne, his dad’s powerful punch sending him into the wall, the exact spot his poor mouse had met its fate.

His dad smirked, the satisfaction evident, “Now you know how that mouse feels li-blrgh!!” His triumphant declaration was cut short, a harsh cough seizing him.

Yuuto smirked internally. ‘Managed to land a good kick before flying across the room… Damn, the old man got stronger again!’

Taking a shaky breath, Yuuto’s father mustered a genuine smile, “Hoho… You’ve gotten better, good-for-nothing son of mine…”

Yuuto used the wall to prop himself up, chuckling, despite the taste of iron in his mouth. “Not too shabby yourself… DEADBEAT OLD MAN!!! Imma Baseball your ass!!”

His father, eyes widened in surprise, shot back, “YOUR MOM JUST CLEANED THE RUG YOU SULLIED WITH YOUR ROTTEN BLOOD!!!” Lunging forward, the next round began.

The muffled sounds of combat served as a distant background for Yuuto’s mom, who was in the kitchen. “Every day with these two… My my… Finding every little excuse to fight.” The sentiment was shared by every neighbor.

The Sakurai household had become a paradox in the community; concern when they heard the fighting, but deeper worry when silence prevailed. The police had practically put the household on their daily route.

Yuuto’s Mom’s voice sliced through the tension, “Dinner is ready… When you’re done bleeding to death, come to eat, you two!” It was eerie how normal this felt.

From the floor, Yuuto managed, “Yes Mom…”

His father, sporting a similar palette of bruises, mumbled, “But of course, my beautiful wife…!”
The soft click of the door and the gentle hum of the light revealed the aftermath. Both fighters, now victims of their own tempers, lay sprawled, nursing their wounds.

“You’re a mess, old man… Years getting the better of you, eh?” Yuuto teased.
His father’s response was punctuated by a wince, “Speak for yourself!!”

Yuuto grimaced, as his father seems to rise up to a standing position before him, “Are there reinforced metals in your rotten body or something, deadbeat old man!?”

Before his father could gloat, Yuuto’s foot connected with his leg, sending him crashing onto the bed.

“Like I said… You’re a mess, old man…”

A momentary pause, filled with the weight of their rivalry, was broken by his father’s subdued voice. “So…?”

Yuuto, still catching his breath, glanced quizzically.

“Have you… Made any friends at school yet?” The concern was clear.

But Yuuto wouldn’t let that facade down. Not now.

Yuuto, with a dramatic roll of his eyes, declared, “Friends are for weaklings, old man. And last time I did a self-check, I didn’t have a pussy’s tail on my ass. Sharing my heartache with someone dear? Spare me the drama. I don’t have time for this shit.” There was an unyielding certainty in his voice, leaving no room for doubt about his stance.

His dad countered, trying to inject some perspective, “You might feel that way now, but friendship isn’t always so profound. For most, friends offer simple joy. Like an eternal water slide, offering unexpected thrills at every twist.”

“You mean a fleeting pleasure, right?” Yuuto cut in, ice dripping from every word. “A transient bonding that fills them with a temporary euphoria, only to go back to their mundane existence once the high is gone?”

His father nodded thoughtfully, “In a way, yes. Friendship can be exhilarating, but it’s not just a fleeting thrill. It’s not some cheap fix or-“
Yuuto, impatient, waved him off, “Yeah, yeah, spare me the lecture, old man.” Slowly, he rose from the debris on the floor, brushing himself off. “It’s all about warm fuzzies, heart flutters, and cliched anime power-ups. Count me out. When I need life advice or some ‘fix,’ I know where to find you.” With that, he started for the door.

His father’s voice softened, tinged with concern, “Just… let people in once in a while, you idiot.” He remained still, eyes fixed on the ceiling, lost in thought.

Inside, Yuuto had a moment of introspection, ‘This is my path. I must bear this burden of being the enigmatic anime protagonist. It’s both my curse and destiny.’ The melodramatic teenager with a textbook case of “chuunibyou” (eighth-grader syndrome) mused, leaving his father behind in the dimness of the room.

On the days Yuuto manages not to come across as the universe’s most cringe-worthy spectacle, he assumes the role of a high school senior. Always in disguise, he dons a wig, glasses, and long-sleeved shirts to appear less broad. This is his way of ensuring no one connects his shaven-headed online persona from his niche website to his real life. It’s akin to a hero with a double life, maneuvering between worlds…

Or so he deludes himself into believing! IN REALITY, NO ONE GIVES OR WOULD EVER GIVE A SHIT ABOUT THAT OBSCURE WEBSITE!

Yuuto, without any prompting, mutters, “shutthehellup, immabaseballyourass”
His sudden outburst causes the teacher to fix a stern gaze on him.

“Care to repeat that, Mister Sakurai?” The teacher called, raising his eyebrow as he looked at the youth.

Yuuto, feigning nonchalance, responds, “Ah, my apologies, teacher. I was speaking to someone over my earphone.”

The teacher’s eyebrow shoots up, disbelief evident in his voice. “What are you talking about!?”
Curious, the students glance over, searching for any trace of the alleged earphones.
A collective thought sweeps the classroom: ‘There are no earphones in sight!’
Trying to navigate his way out of the blunder, Yuuto quickly says, “I misspoke. I meant to say I sneezed.”

A wave of incredulous looks engulfs the room, students thinking in unison, ‘Seriously? How do you mix up sneezing with talking to someone on earphones?’

With a tired sigh, the teacher warns, “Keep your outbursts to yourself, Mister Sakurai, or you won’t pass this exam.” It wasn’t the teacher’s first rodeo with Yuuto’s antics. This was the same uncouth, unpredictable student he’d been putting up with since the semester began.
Adjusting his glasses with an air of indifference, Yuuto replies, “Understood, teacher.”

Yuuto’s peculiar demeanor often masked his potential, a potential that could pave the way for groundbreaking strides, maybe even preventing a future crisis. Still, the room’s atmosphere shifted drastically when the teacher brandished a sheet of paper, voice dripping with shock. 

“WHAT ON EARTH IS THIS ABSURDITY, MISTER SAKURAI?”

Yuuto, pausing before his exit, took a moment to review the paper in his hand. A realization dawned. ‘Oh, mixed up the script with the test.’ Swiftly, with an almost practiced ease, he reclaimed the sensitive script from the teacher, swapping it for the actual exam.

His steps were brisk and measured, aiming for the door. But he was halted by the steely grasp of the teacher. “I demand an explanation for the monstrosity written on this, or else authorities will be notified and this test will be an automatic fail,” the teacher threatened, eyes aflame.

Yuuto’s face betrayed a moment of apprehension as he faced his teacher.

The teacher’s mind raced. ‘Is this the proof? Can I finally unveil the darkness lurking behind this enigmatic student since the day he first stepped foot in my class?’

Yuuto’s body tensed, his voice hesitant. “I… hadn’t intended for everyone to know, but…”
The class leaned in, eyes wide with anticipation. What twisted secret did the peculiar Sakurai hold? Was he truly someone to be feared?

Clearing his throat, Yuuto began, “The document I inadvertently gave you…”
The teacher’s thoughts jumped to the worst possible conclusion. ‘…Is it evidence of an impending act? A plan for a sexual assault you will commit on some poor, innocent girl?!’

Yuuto continued, “… A scenario page I work on in my free time for my adult-doujin artist friend, he gets it and makes an adult-doujin based on it.”

He may not be a criminal, but his reputation was undeniably tarnished.
The classroom was a mix of astonishment and revulsion.

Teacher, befuddled: “What?”

Everyone, echoing in disbelief: “What?”

Yuuto took a deep breath.
“Your threat of involving law enforcement isn’t something I can take lightly, Teacher. This isn’t just a hobby; it’s how I sustain myself…”

Yuuto coolly remarked, pulling out his phone.
“See this? It’s our official website. Those doujins? They’re our bread and butter. And if you need more verification, here’s my staff access…” But Yuuto’s defense was cut short.

“Hold on a second,” The teacher interjected. “Setting aside the questionable choice to work on that… piece during an exam, care to explain why you’ve got a phone on you to begin with?”
His anger palpable, a vein threatening to pop on his temple.

Yuuto blinked in surprise.

“It’s the digital age, Sir. Everyone has phones. But given your reaction, it’s almost like you’ve got some vendetta against me or something…”

Yuuto’s gaze landed on the teacher’s desk, where a container for confiscated phones lay.
“Ah, students surrender their devices during…”

Yuuto’s face contorted in realization, “…An exam. Right.”

“Well, looks like I’ll be seeing more of you next semester, Professor!” With a grin, he sped out of the classroom.

Teacher, shouting after him: “GET BACK HERE, YOU DELINQUENT! THIS ISN’T OVER!”
What Yuuto said, was in fact, a complete lie as you’d expect from the scum that he is. That page was 1 incomplete scenario page out of hundreds of others that he’d write in his ‘free time’. Those are hundreds of different, sickening scenarios where the main character gets his beloved persuaded, manipulated, drugged or raped by other guys and she begins to like it, while the main character is too scared to do anything about it.

In those scenarios, he writes himself in as the hero who saves the girl by exposing the rapists and beating the shit out of them with his baseball bat and saving the main character’s relationship with his girlfriend.
Yes… In those stories, he calls himself Anti-NTR Man – The NTR antagonist’s greatest threat and the savior of humanity.

It is this ridiculous delusion, that someday he will become that hero for someone, which makes him get out of his bed and do what he does best: Nothing useful at all!

‘Tis a good thing I pay for that artist in exchange for admin permissions to the website. I knew it would be useful someday…’ He thought.

Despite being a useless outcast, he would study when he could – and a lot. Yuuto always had to get good grades. It was only this way that he would not be expelled because the teachers had a hate fetish for him, understandably.

Despite being a senior, he didn’t join any clubs or make any friends – by choice. His argument is that it would just be a waste of time to his waste of time of a hobby. He wasn’t one who liked to rely on people, either – or have someone rely on him when that someone didn’t pay for it through his vile website.

Apparently, having a club president who waits for him to show and show results while having expectations from him fits well into that category.

Yes, Yuuto Sakurai was a complete loner. He would also purposely offend people if it meant they would stay away from him. It is a good thing for everyone around him. Such a personality would only worsen and hurt the people around him.

Lunchtime came. Yuuto came back to the classroom after the teacher left, most likely in pursuit of Yuuto himself. He sat on his seat and opened his lunchbox, starting to eat his neatly made lunch.

In front of him sat a student. That student, every day without fail, went outside to have lunch with his loving, beautiful girlfriend whom he had been dating for over a year. They all share the same classroom.

Recently, however, two male students from a different classroom came over here every break and began small talk with the two, primarily with the beautiful girlfriend, preventing them from spending some time alone.

It seemed that one was being the wingman of the other. Yuuto had even caught a glimpse of those two starting to walk home with them. The boyfriend didn’t tell them to leave them alone, maybe out of discomfort or not wanting to be rude – which did not help at all.

At first, the girl was hesitant and was clearly uncomfortable with sitting and spending time with those strangers instead of being alone with her boyfriend. Yet, seeing as her boyfriend wasn’t telling them off, and a clear, growing lack of communication between her and her mate, she had grown used to the situation – as a result, day by day, you could see how the boyfriend becomes less active in the conversation and eventually becomes somewhat of a fourth-wheel while the girl seems to enjoy talking to the confident two as the boyfriend’s anxiety seems to rise.

Yuuto could see it clearly on the guy’s uncomfortable face.

Today, however, this took a step forward… Right in front of Yuuto who was minding his own business, eating his lunch… Right…

“By the way, we’re going to Karaoke tonight with Miku from our class. We’re kinda short on girls, we don’t want to make her uncomfortable being the only girl. How about you tag along?”

The first male student confidently said with a smile, as the boyfriend clenched his fists in silence, while his girlfriend smiled casually.

“I-I guess it wouldn’t be too ba-..” The girl stammered, before the second male student interjected.

“Hey, don’t be rude, man! Mr. Boyfriend – could you pleeeeease lend us Riko for tonight?”

Male1 and Girlfriend all turned their eyes to Boyfriend.

‘Ho ho… A ‘If you refuse my innocent offer, it means you think of her as your object and not a person with feelings.’ technique, a classic C-grade technique. If a person is well-educated and well-mannered – but is a bit lacking in confidence and relationships, or social interactions, he will not be able to refuse – as he wants to respect his ‘significant’ other. One could only wonder how these two last a whole year as a couple with him being wussy like that… Either way, well played, ‘Male2’… It’s probably too late for the two lovers even if he is going to transcend himself right now.’

“I… I…!” The boyfriend stuttered, as if struggling to let his words out.

As the Boyfriend seemed hesitant about his answer, his girlfriend’s eyes glistened for a second.

‘She’s hopeful?’ Yuuto noticed.

“I guess… If Riko is f-fine with it, there’s no reason for me to o-over-think it…” He said, his eyes looking down in defeat

‘…What did I expect…’ Yuuto thought as he facepalmed discreetly.

“Aw great bro! Thanks, we’re gonna have some fun!” The first male (male1) added, as Riko, the girlfriend, quickly rolled her eyes in frustration.

‘And just like that, the fire burnt out from her eyes. Nice one, Boyfriend.’ Yuuto thought with a small sigh.

“Hell yeah, it’s gonna be awesome! We’re going to eat with Miku right now, wanna join, Riko?” Male2 said, excitement evident on his face.

“…. Yeah. This classroom’s a bit boring. Air is too thick here.” She answered with a forced smile as she got up from her chair.

“Oh, right – Hey man, don’t you want to join us?” Male2 2 said, his eyebrows flying upwards as if he had just remembered something and turned around to face the boyfriend.

‘This male2 guy is good. The ‘We are not the bad guys here, look we even remembered YOU, HER BOYFRIEND. It is you who is the problem and doesn’t want to be with your girlfriend’ technique. He seems to be experienced with this… He notices the flow of the conversation and the people involved… It’s been a while ever since I’ve seen it with my own eyes… A B+ grade technique!!! Who is this guy!?’ Yuuto thought as he pressed his finger against his glasses unnecessarily dramatically while looking at Male2.

“N…no…. I’m not hungry…” He uttered as he looked down dejectedly on his table.

“Aw, that’s too bad. Maybe next time…” Male1 muttered, sneaking a leering smile to male2.

“…After we fucked your Riko senseless…”
Yuuto mumbled loud enough so that the boyfriend could hear.

But all he did was show he was slightly startled as he kept staring at his desk shamefully.

“Eh, did you say something?” Male2 asked boyfriend.
“N..No-“

“I sneezed. Sorry if I interrupted anything interesting.” Their attention turned to Yuuto as he casually spoke.

“Who’re you? Never seen you before.” Male1 said as he furrowed his brow.

‘Never noticed is more accurate.’

“He is a transfer student… I think his name was… Sakurai…-senpai?, was it?”
Riko asked in curiosity.

“Senpai? But you’re in the same class?” Male 1 asked, baffled at the weirdo with the fake glasses and why would anyone call that scum a senior.

“Well, it’s out there already, so I don’t mind sharing. I’ve repeated my senior year twice. This is my third time so I’m 19 years old, in a way, I’m your senior.” The classless mess of a human being uttered proudly.

“Oh, you’re a useless punk!” Riko said innocently, followed by chuckles from the two and a small snicker from the boyfriend – contrary to Yuuto, as his expression became more curious.

‘Oh? So she had that kind of spunk in her? Curious… Perhaps due to all of them being near her, she feels confident and safe…? Doesn’t seem that way, it came across as something natural for her. She didn’t even look to see their reaction, so it most likely isn’t that…’ Yuuto thought as he scrutinized her.

“My, aren’t you rude? Why shouldn’t I report your insult to the teacher, to have you punished properly?” He shamelessly replied, startling the three… Except Riko.

“Because the worst punishment I’d get from insulting YOU, would be a pat on the back.” The clever girl retaliated with a snicker.

The good-for-nothing knew that he was hated by the teaching staff, much more so after the doujin incident. This was, in fact, a clever burn, one which Yuuto was unable to process – as the two placed their palms on their mouths while squinting their eyes and smiling.

“OOooohhh…!” Male1 and 2 let out as Yuuto sat with his mouth wide open.

“…Ah… I…. A-… A pat on the b-back c-c-can be considered sexual assault, s-so you’re s-saying you would rather g-g-get rap-ed…” Yuuto mumbled.

‘THIS SHITTY BRAT!!! I KNOW, I’LL JUST KILL HER, THEN SHE’LL BE UNABLE TO CHEAT ON HER BOYFRIEND, RIGHT!?’ The dumbass thought, as his smile twitched from anger as he closed his eyes in shame.

“Haha, what the hell was that pathetic attempt? You know what, I allow you to write it as a script for your doujin artist friend, I’m actually really interested in seeing a girl moaning from getting a pat on the back.” She added while laughing menacingly.

Yuuto’s expression suddenly turned serious and every shred of shame disappeared.

“Wouldn’t be the weirdest thing people get off to, really. Might actually sell well…” Yuuto solemnly replied.

“EH..?” She uttered in dread while looking at male1&2, who both sorrowfully nodded to her in agreement with Yuuto’s statement.

Male2 shook his head.

“Wait, so the rumors about you were true?” Male2 inquired.

“Rumors?” Male1 and Yuuto asked.

“Well, no offense, but you’re well known as the Weirdo of Class 1 because of the doujin incident and… Is it true you believe your anime body pillow has a real soul inside of it?” Male2 aske as he intently looked at Yuuto.

“What the hell, you a freak or something?” Male1 chimed in as Riko looked at Yuuto with her brow raised.

“Heh… You’re well informed considering you’re students from another class.” Yuuto uttered seriously as he raised his fake glasses with his fingers.

‘You literally advertised it in front of the entire class, in the middle of a test, how is the rest of the school NOT gonna know before the end of the lunch break!? Wait, body pillow with a soul?’ Boyfriend thought to himself.

“Since you so curiously asked, may I interest you guys in some high-quality doujins? Only 500 yen a piece…” Yuuto offered, forcing a slick tone.

“Senior… Yeah, you don’t deserve that title.” Riko concluded.

The two looked at each other and snickered.
“So not worth it man…”
“True, true… I prefer real life instead of a painting that is purposely made to be perfect and appeal to everyone…”

Male2’s gaze turned to Riko.

“Although sometimes, it’s kinda hard to tell the difference from something like that to real life… I guess.”
He said as he closely, yet swiftly, examined her with an innocent smile.

“PSH, knock it off, you idiot!” She said playfully while gently pushing male2’s face away from her as she blushed.
“wat wat did I say lol” He innocently let out.

“Ah, knock it off you two… Anyway, Sakurai-san. What do you think about this school so far?” Male1 asked.

Yuuto’s expression was hidden away beneath his fake glasses that were being hit with blinding sunlight rays that invaded the classroom from the wide window.

“You could say…”

“…That I think that I got a clear image of what’s going on around here.”
He said as he examined their almost childlike innocence, completely blinding everyone away from the clearly distressed Boyfriend.

“Ookay.. If you say so. Well then, ’till next time!” Male1 replied casually.
Male2: “Later.”

‘Is what I said, but what the hell is up with the sun today!? Couldn’t see a damn thing!! Am I gonna go blind!? The fake glasses magnified the intensity of the rays too!!’ Yuuto momentarily panicked as he rubbed his eyes.

For the unbiased eye, Boyfriend here had always hidden away in the shadow of Riko. She was a successful and smart student – alongside being one of the most beautiful girls in their school.

When she was not a student-council president and a class president – she was helping other clubs and other school activities, somehow making it work as she dated her boyfriend.

She was active and was hit on more than she let up – but guys at that age are restless and impatient. They would always “confess” and she would always refuse. Usually, after a single turn-down – the guys would quit and never bother her again as she hangs out with that wimpy boyfriend of hers that she loved so much.

Apparently, they knew each other more than anyone in the school. Childhood sweethearts, if you may. You don’t see that a lot…

Many people, including Yuuto, were confused about her reasons for choosing that guy. He wasn’t a looker, nor buff or smart in particular – if you account for all of his qualities, he would come up short and even less than average.

But that stunning girl, for all that time – was with him, which almost fascinated people. It was a hot topic in the school… Until recently, of course.

Yuuto waited until they left the classroom before packing his bento and putting it in his backpack. The Boyfriend buried his head in his arms on the table, not uttering a word.

After a few seconds of silence, Yuuto got up from his seat and left the classroom.

There is a man who, despite his faults – knows when to intervene, to investigate, and to be a hero. He isn’t a creep who would spy on a high-school student’s love life for no reason or solid evidence for a crime. A man who is truly passionate about his odd ambition to be an Anti-NTR Hero.

A man who knows to identify with a quick glance when a girl is being forced to do something she doesn’t want to or is being lied to and manipulated. And that man could see that this is not the case here and that this does not require any form of intervention whatsoever. That man knew that it is what it is… A girl who grew tired of her wimpy boyfriend and wants to hang out and meet new people. That… Is a man who knew that he should stay out of this.

BUT YUUTO SAKURAI IS NOT THAT MAN!
HE IS A HUMAN SCUM LIVING IN DELUSION WHO’D STOP AT NOTHING TO GET WHAT HE WANTS!!!

He left the girl’s bathroom.

‘This is the 56th piss sample of Riko Takashima that I’ve collected ever since she started seeing those two guys 2 months ago, on the 3rd of January, 10:37 AM – Class 3-1 – Time and place of initial contact. After sending each sample to over 8 labs across the country anonymously, I still see no signs or indication of drug involvement. KNOWN drugs, that is. Just to make sure, I’ve broken into both of the guys’ houses and looked in every corner, nook, and cranny for something suspicious. Besides some used condoms which didn’t yet include Riko’s DNA signature, I haven’t spotted anything worth mentioning. Not even in their browser’s history. But of course, there’s the possibility of private browsing, so I installed hidden cameras all over their houses while they were asleep, just to make sure, still nothing worth mentioning. But then of course, if you’re a smart criminal, you’d hide your stash anywhere but your own house. So I placed a GPS tracker in both of their shoes, just to be safe. But over the last two months, they haven’t gone anywhere suspicious besides some arcades, a mixer, and an adult video store. So far, no notable criminal activity.’

Besides Yuuto’s own notable criminal activity….

‘I thought I could find some more clues if I looked into Riko’s house… But nothing suspicious… However, I did come across a… WORN vegetable in her drawer and a very pornographically unclean browser history dating since January 6th. Just about 2 months ago. She didn’t think to use private browsing or delete her history probably because she became frustrated and looked these kinds of things up recently… Meaning she is new to this. She was probably sexually frustrated but didn’t do anything beyond making out with her boyfriend. My guess? She grew tired of him not standing up for both of them and acting like a man should act in a relationship… She must have felt… Yeah. It has to be it.’

Yuuto clapped twice.

“Alright, I have my conclusion… And a possible fix…” Yuuto uttered as a wicked smile stretched across his face.