Haruto took a step closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "Mother, between me and him, who do you like more?"
The words left his mouth before he could stop them. His eyes widened in shock, realizing what he'd just said.
His hand flew to his mouth as if trying to erase the slip-up, while his heart pounded in his chest. He didn't know why he asked something so absurd.
Chiyo froze as well, her blue eyes searching his, clearly as startled as he was.
Her expression wavered, and she opened her mouth to respond, but Haruto cut her off quickly, flustered.
"You know what? Forget it. We're done talking."
He spun around, his heart racing. Chiyo was supposed to be nothing more than a test, a means to understand how the system worked.
His goals were clear: revenge and nothing more. He couldn't afford to let his emotions get tangled up with someone else.
Love wasn't part of the equation.
'I need to focus on revenge. I can't afford distractions,' he told himself.
His enemies were dangerous, and any attachment would only be used against him.
But just as he turned to leave, a gentle hand caught his wrist, stopping him in his tracks.
"I... I like you more," Chiyo's voice was barely audible, almost a whisper, but it was enough to reach him.
The warmth of her words hit him like a wave. For a brief moment, everything he had been telling himself melted away.
Slowly, Haruto turned to face her, his heart thudding in his chest. Her face was flushed, and she couldn't meet his eyes, looking down as if she had just made the most embarrassing confession.
Haruto felt an unexpected warmth fill his chest. His expression softened, a small smile tugging at his lips before he could stop it.
He moved closer, his large hand gently cupping her face. She stiffened under his touch, but he could feel her breath hitch, her nervousness obvious.
Without thinking, he leaned down, pressing his lips against hers in a tender kiss. It was gentle, sweet—far different from anything he had ever experienced. His first real kiss.
Chiyo was still stunned, her eyes fluttering open as if processing what had just happened. She closed them again, a faint smile playing on her lips as she let herself savor the moment.
Haruto's hand moved through Chiyo's hair, tugging it gently as their kiss deepened, turning into something more heated.
His tongue explored her mouth, eliciting soft moans from her as she pressed closer to him. The soft sounds she made only fueled him further.
His hand slipped down, squeezing her ass roughly, making her gasp and jolt in response.
When he finally pulled back, a thin string of saliva connected their lips for a moment before breaking.
Chiyo was breathless, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to catch her breath. Haruto gazed at her sharply, a smirk tugging at his lips as he licked them slowly.
"This was supposed to be romantic, but you can't resist, can you?"
His voice was low and teasing as he moved closer, his breath warm against her ear before he bit it lightly, making her shudder.
"Yes... I want more, please..."
Chiyo's voice was a needy whisper, her body betraying her desire as she pressed her thighs together, trying to ease the growing itch inside her.
Just as Haruto was about to take things further, his phone rang. He frowned, his hand freezing mid-motion as the distinct ringtone played—a special tone for someone important.
He glanced at the screen and saw Asuka's name flashing.
With a sigh, he pulled away from Chiyo and answered the call, turning his back to her for some privacy.
"Haruto, are you there?"
Asuka's soft, composed voice came through the line. It was a voice he had been waiting to hear for a while now with the worst timing ever.
"Yeah, what is it, Asuka?"
His tone was formal, almost awkward. Despite everything, it still felt strange calling her by name.
"Do you have time tonight? I'll send you the address. We need to meet."
Haruto hesitated. He glanced at Chiyo, who was still flushed from their heated moment and weighed his options.
Spending time with Asuka was crucial for his plan, but leaving Chiyo now…
"Are you still there?" Asuka's voice broke through his thoughts.
"Yeah… yeah, I'm here," he replied, his decision forming in his mind.
She rarely responded to his messages, so ignoring this chance would be a mistake.
"I'll be there. Just send the address," Haruto said, committing to his choice.
"Good. Until then," Asuka responded, and the call ended.
Haruto looked at his phone, sighing as a new message popped up. Asuka had already sent the details, along with a note:
{Don't forget to wear something nice.}
And another notification came through:
{Asuka Inoue sent you ¥340,000.}
'Damn, she's rich,' Haruto thought, his eyes widening at the generous amount she had just transferred.
But before he could dwell on it, Chiyo placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice soft but curious.
"Haruto… who was that?"
Startled for a moment, Haruto turned to face her. "Nothing important. I'm sorry, but I have to head out tonight."
Chiyo frowned slightly, disappointment flashing in her eyes, but she sighed and smiled at him.
She didn't ask further questions, knowing that Haruto's financial help was something she relied on too much to pry.
"Just be careful," she said with a soft smile, though the disappointment in her eyes was clear.
"I will," Haruto replied, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek that made her blush.
His mood lifted at the thought of progressing his relationship with Asuka, just as he had with Chiyo.
He glanced at the system notification that appeared:
[Ding!]
[Chiyo's Deprivation Matrix increased!]
[Obsession: 60/100]
[Emotional Bond: 65/100]
'So obsession is linked to emotional bonds, while corruption ties into lust,' Haruto mused, concluding his theory.
'And those are the hardest to increase.'
Shaking his head, he knew he had no time to dwell on it. Asuka was particular about appearances, so he needed to get ready for their date.
'I have to be the man of her dreams to get not just into her bed, but into her heart too,' he thought, heading to prepare for the night ahead.