The early brunch had ended. Yuuto and Chiyoko's mother cleaned up while everyone, including Sato, headed out.
Just as Sato was about to leave, Yuuto stopped him. Leaning against the door frame, he watched Sato walk away from the house.
"So, just to clarify," Yuuto called out, his tone flat, "all that stuff about watering people 'till they bloom was just bullshit, right?" He recalled Sato's words last night:
======================
"That's why I won't go to her house in the middle of the night to fuck her like some cheap whore. Not like some trashed-up punk from this godforsaken school. I won't take your advice, Sakurai,"
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And how it contrasted to what he said back on the school roof:
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"I think... if I can just offer enough kindness, like water to a parched flower, even the most withdrawn people can open up, show compassion. People are like flowers in that sense; given the right care, they can bloom beautifully. That's what I believe. It's the same principle Shiyon-san applied as part of the Disciplinary Committee. He never gave up on anyone, showering them with kindness and acceptance... Although he was tough, when needed. And, over time, even the toughest cases softened."
======================
Sato turned halfway down the sidewalk, flashing a cheerful smile. "I'm flattered you listened to me so closely, Sakurai-senpai!" he replied with mock enthusiasm. "I hope we can stay close!" With that, he turned back and walked off.
"... Back to customer service mode, huh?" Yuuto muttered, narrowing his eyes.
'Doesn't matter. I know he's just a manipulator anyway,' Yuuto thought, sighing as he turned his attention to the one person still inside.
"Now..." Yuuto murmured, closing the door, leaving them in darkness, just a few steps away from the light spilling in from the porch.
"Let's talk, Organ Harvester..." he said, stepping closer to Shiyon, who stood a head taller. "I bet, like that blood I saw on you, you've seen something that riled you up." Yuuto remembered Shiyon's eager grin when they'd first entered the house, a sinister glint in his eyes when Yuuto suggested they talk.
"... Masks off," Yuuto added firmly. Shiyon's expression remained unreadable for a moment.
"Nah, not today <3," Shiyon replied, his aloof smile returning as he casually walked past Yuuto.
Yuuto raised an eyebrow, slightly confused. "What's the matter? You scared?"
"Yeah, Sakurai-chun," Shiyon's voice softened as he rested his hand on the door knob. "I'm scared," he said, turning back with a somber look, offering a weak smile. "Especially after today... There's just no reason for that kind of talk yet. School's around the corner, and I've got my own stuff to work out."
"So please..."
"Not today, okay~?" Shiyon finished, opening the door and letting the outside light flood in as he left.
'He did fight that night. He's probably not one of them…' Yuuto thought, a slight grimace crossing his lips as he watched Shiyon leave the house. 'But I don't rely on "probably" and bullshit like that.'
'That's why I planted a GPS tracker on you, you fruity bastard,' Yuuto smirked, striding over to his computer and powering it on. 'Nah, you really thought I'd be like, "B-b-b-baka! It's not like I see you as my friend or anything!" or some crap like, "We fought together... Now we're brothers by blood!" Yeah right. If there's one thing an NTR antagonist knows best, it's how to make people drop their guard. But that's something I never do. My guard's always up. You think I'll fall for your act—drenched in blood, playing the mysterious anime character with a dark past fighting for us? Nah, that blood's just one more reason to keep an eye on you, you suspicious bastard.'
"Hmph." Yuuto adjusted his fake glasses with a knowing grin. "I see through you—just like I see through everyone." He recalled how Shiyon helped Sato pull him onto the roof yesterday. 'That was textbook—The 'Become Your Best Friend, So You'll Never Suspect I'm Screwing Everyone Behind Your Back' technique. A-Class manipulation. Only the most dangerous, degenerate NTR antagonists use it. But I (unsurprisingly) see through you. So, don't hate me (or do, I don't care) for planting that GPS tracker on you…!!" Yuuto muttered, a manic smile spreading across his face as he frantically worked to connect to the GPS signal.
"Huh…? It's not connecting… Did I not turn it on? No way, I definitely planted it on him," Yuuto scratched his head, frustrated.
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"… Haah… I guess we can't be friends that easily, huh, Sakurai-chun…?" Shiyon muttered under his breath, a resigned smile tugging at his lips as he walked away from a nearby trashcan. Inside the bin rested the discarded GPS tracking device.
"And if we're being honest..." Shiyon murmured, his face darkening, his expression becoming hollow as a memory surfaced—
He remembered the way Yuuto kicked that guy, Ichiji, off the roof… killing him.
'… Maybe it's better we don't fully trust each other yet,' Shiyon thought, clenching his fists as his breath quickened, almost distressed. 'It actually took a lot of effort not to let you fall that day… or push you myself.'
'… Considering you... Know that move…' Shiyon's chest tightened, his shoulders tensing as he recalled standing at the edge of the fire escape, watching Yuuto kick Ichiji and save Chiyoko.
But then he felt the tension drain from his body as he watched Chiyoko hold Yuuto and thought about how he treated Chiyoko's mother earlier that day.
'… My, what a handful you are,' he sighed deeply, continuing his walk.
'Now then…' he stretched, his expression darkening. 'We also need to talk, Yuuno-chan…' he thought as he disappeared into the horizon.
He went and talked to Yuuno.
The details of their conversation will be revealed at a later time.
Yuuto spent the rest of the day at home, writing more scenarios. But this time, his enthusiasm seemed to wane for some reason. He only wrote 5 pages, and never completed it as he would normally do.
Meanwhile, Chiyoko buried her face in her pillow and screamed, unable to stop replaying her visit to Yuuto's house in her mind. She could hardly wait to see him again on Monday.
Sendo, on the other hand, physically fought the hospital staff, determined to leave so he could practice the kendo moves he observed from Minoru. The staff insisted he stay until Monday at the very least. After causing a scene for over five hours, he finally calmed down when Hina came to visit, soothing him and convincing him to remain still.
Sakura remained in her room the entire weekend, refusing to come out. Minoru, stationed outside her door, barely moved either. Every hour or so, he let out a heavy sigh, sinking deeper into self-pity.
He then recalled the strange figure—Yuuto—climbing up to Sakura's window. Minoru had watched as Yuuto stood there, silently observing her for about five minutes after Minoru had brought her home from the mixer… before quietly leaving.
Minoru had chosen not to pursue him.
Elsewhere...
"So...? Any results with the boyfriends?" a man asked, his voice low.
"Nothing. We drugged their parents, siblings, anyone we could find to pressure them. They really didn't know anything about who this 'Anti-NTR Man' is. Maybe she was just spouting nonsense because she needed the stuff," he said, referring to the takedown of Kazuki and Kyoya's gang.
"Haaah... What a bother," the man muttered, rubbing his temples, just as another figure barged into the room, dragging someone behind him and tossing him to the wooden floor before the two men.
"Haah...!!" The newcomer grunted as he hit the ground, bracing his fall.
"Who's this?" one of the men asked, eyeing the newcomer.
"Oh, he's one of Kyoya's groupies. He and some eunuch friend of his survived the massacre. You might want to hear what he's got to say. Could be a lead." He glanced down at the disheveled man. "Tell him what you told me. Now."
The man gulped, his eyes darting nervously between the others.
"I-I don't know who 'Anti-NTR Man' is..." he stammered, his voice trembling. "But... I do know there was this strange dude who took us all down. He showed up right before Aniki (Kyoya) finished his latest project... The project being..."
"... Haruto Narukami. And his step-mother, Himiko. Aniki tried to seduce her to get money from some drunk old man who hated his son living with her and—"
"Shh," one of the men knelt down, locking eyes with him. "I don't care about that. You said... Haruto Narukami, right? He might know who this 'Anti-NTR Man' is?" he asked, his gaze cold and unyielding.
'Fuck... It's like talking to a robot...!' The groupie shivered, spine tingling.
"Y-yeah... I think so. It was only after Kyoya really got involved with her that this weird dude showed up at our place. I don't know if he's the guy you're looking for, but... he tortured my buddy on Tokyo Tower and was real interested in Haruto, Himiko, and Aniki. I'm sure it's the same guy who messed us up—no doubt...! H-he also had someone working with him. I think my buddy said his name was... Sendo-Man or something...?"
"... Alright."
"Let's find this Haruto and his mommy. And hopefully..."
"We'll find this Anti-NTR Man."
And thus...
...a new week begins.
[Sorry for short chapter, mega tired : ) ]