Yandere? Menhera? Bring It On, If You're Confident That I'll love You For Who You Are - Chapter 5

The End of the Battle, and the Beginning

“Now what? Will you continue even in this state?”

The stun gun pressed against her neck was currently turned off, and she was fully conscious.

However, she knew better than anyone what further resistance would mean.

It might have been an evenly matched battle if not for this turn of events, but her caution and the introduction of a weapon ultimately led to her defeat.

“Unfortunately, it seems I have no choice but to surrender.”

“I appreciate your understanding.”

With that, I removed the stun gun from her neck, released her from restraint, and put some distance between us.

“(But who is this woman, really?)”

I was amazed at the physical abilities that her slender body hid, but what puzzled me more was the abnormal strength she had demonstrated.

That strength surely surpassed what any woman could normally possess.

Inherent grip and back strength are not typically superior in women compared to men, and even less so when the man in question is me.

I looked at Amano Mio once more. She showed no particular reaction, maintaining an ecstatic expression and the M-shaped leg spread even after her feet were freed.

This woman is blatantly provoking me…

“Alright, enough already. I’m going home.”

At any rate, thinking about it now would be futile. Leaving the lewd woman behind, I turned my back.

Indulging in my male instincts would have been easy, but doing so would surely lead to my sister waiting at home going on a rampage. Thus, I chose to gracefully ignore the adversity before me and continue living.

Besides, I had already touched Amano Mio’s body quite a bit during our scuffle, so it’s not like it mattered anymore.

“The beginning, eh…”

Her voice was different from before—calm and soft. I tilted my head without turning around.

“A love battle royale that stakes a young boy’s heart. Who will survive, and who will emerge victorious? Will she reclaim the love she once captured, having walked together since childhood? Will the one who broke the line of blood ties continue to seize his heart? Or perhaps—it’s someone who, like him, is broken yet still holds on to feelings. Fufu… Just thinking about the future excites me. Right, Kurogane-kun♩”

“That’s right. But unfortunately, I don’t think there will be any victor among them.”

Leaving Amano Mio with her ironic parting words and a beaming smile, I finally left the scene.

“(I need a shower when I get back.)”

Acknowledging the fact that I had gained yet another troublesome person in my life, I sighed for what felt like the umpteenth time.

◆

“(Hehe… He really is an interesting person.)”

I murmured as I watched his retreating back.

I had hoped for a chance, but it wasn’t going to be easy. He truly is experienced.

Even though the summer break had ended and it was past September, a slightly cold wind passed through, cutting through me like a blade. At the same time, my smartphone, tucked in my inner pocket, vibrated.

I took it out and tapped the call button.

“It’s me. Is it over yet?”

“Yes, mostly according to plan.”

“Glad to hear that. The effort was worth it.”

The voice belonged to an accomplice I had prepared to lure him out.

“You too played your part well, especially the part where you pretended to be scared and ran from him. It was almost like watching an actor.”

“…Are you picking a fight with me?”

“Hehe… Just a joke.”

Of course, the person on the other end of the call didn’t seem too pleased internally.

“So, how did it go? Any progress on your investigation?”

“Yeah, just as you suspected. The official police statement is that, due to work-related stress, the daughter attempted to kill her parents. The people involved were the assailant Kurogane Rio and Kurogane Minato, who actually did the killing.”

“And what about ‘her’?”

“Sadly, her name isn’t even mentioned. Who knows what happened to the considerable amount of money she left behind.”

“I see…”

Despite having anticipated this to some extent, I was still stunned.

On the day he was driven to kill his parents by his sister’s conspiracy, the police had already announced it as self-defense by his uncle and aunt, sparing him from blame.

Kurogane Rio was targeted by her adoptive uncle and aunt for insurance money and was saved by her brother, who happened to be there.

And in doing so, he burdened himself with a psychological wound that would never fully heal.

“(However…)”

That notion. The truth, the root of all evils, was something not even the police—or his sister, the victim—could know. The only one aware of the truth was him.

That’s why he chose to cover it up.

“(Is it pitiable? Or should it be admired, in a way? Twenty million. No ordinary person would think to hire a third party to kill his sister, even if those two despised the siblings. Right, Asagami-san of the Asagami Group?)”

Unconsciously, I could feel the smartphone trembling in my hand.

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

“Excuse me. Please inform me as soon as you have any further information. Of course, I will include your reward.”

“Ah… got it.”

After confirming the agreement of my accomplice, I forcefully ended the call and looked up at the sky.

I felt an uncontrollable excitement, a swelling in my chest, my heart dancing with anticipation.

Ever since that day, I’ve watched his every move, at times as a lesson in vengeance, at other times as a companion sharing the same pain, and at other times as an obstacle to be overcome. He has remained in my thoughts.

The last time we spoke directly was at the entrance ceremony. However, I know.

More than the sister who framed him, more than childhood friends or lovers, I know the existence that is him.

“Hehe… Ahaha, ahahaha!! Ahahahaha!!! Ahahahahahahahahahahaha!!”

Just thinking about him, I couldn’t stop my depraved fantasies.

Even as he saw through my plan, he showed no sign of disturbance.

I want him to look at me with those eyes brimming with absolute confidence.

I want him to devour me as if I were food being consumed by his mouth.

I want him to beg me for help, saying he has no one but me.

I want him to whisper that he loves me.

I want him to embrace me as long as he pleases for countless nights.

I want him to desire me.

No matter how shameful, I can accept anything if it’s what he desires.

Because that has always been my delicate wish.

“The beginning, eh…”

Just imagining the days ahead with him made me unable to stop laughing.

The love, anxiety, regret, despair, fear, resentment, sorrow, and murderous intent that had been dormant in him since that day.

The emotions he decided to face and then cast aside when he chose to confront them.

I am the one who will draw out all those emotions.

And I will not allow them to be directed at anyone else.

I will engrave them all as mine.

Then, he will fall.

—You’ll turn your eternal emotions toward me next time, won’t you?