abcnovels
Chapter 83: A Weird Girl
Chapter 83: A Weird Girl
However, as if struck by a sudden realization, Haruto's eyes widened, and without wasting a second, he sprinted after Yoshida. Ren's earlier words echoed in his mind:
"She's my woman."
'Yoshida must be his girlfriend,'
Haruto thought bitterly, his pace quickening as anger simmered within him.
'That sick bastard, sharing his girlfriend like that!'
The night air was cold, biting against his skin as he ran.
The faint sound of Yoshida's footsteps on the uneven pavement reached his ears, and he finally caught sight of her slim figure ahead, her dark hair swaying lightly in the breeze.
He slowed his pace and called out, "Yoshida."
She halted, startled, and turned to face him. "Ah… what are you doing?" she asked softly.
Haruto closed the distance between them, his hands sliding into his pockets. "It's dangerous for you to walk around alone dressed like that," he said, his tone calm but edged with concern.
Her eyes widened, and as if suddenly self-conscious, she wrapped her arms around herself. The slight tremble in her hands didn't escape Haruto's notice.
"Ugh… I'm so sorry."
"Huh?" Haruto frowned, puzzled by her response.
"Why are you apologizing? You didn't do anything wrong."
"I… I'm sorry you had to see my dirty body," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, her gaze falling to the cracked pavement beneath their feet.
Haruto clenched his jaw, a wave of frustration coursing through him—not at her, but at the twisted situation that had led her to feel this way.
"Stop saying things like that," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the quiet. "You're not dirty."
Yoshida blinked, her emerald eyes glinting faintly in the dim light. For a moment, her lips curved into a faint, fleeting smile.
"My house isn't far from here. You don't have to worry about me."
Her words only made Haruto more resolute. "That makes me worry even more," he said, his tone softening slightly.
"Mine isn't far either, so let's walk together."
She hesitated, her hands clutching the hem of her tattered shirt. "B-but… Ren will beat you up," she said, her voice trembling as much as her hands.
Haruto's brow furrowed, and his hands tightened into fists inside his pockets. The memory of Ren's smirk flashed in his mind, fueling his anger.
"You don't have to worry about that bastard, I'm stronger than he'll ever be."
The two of them walked side by side in silence. The occasional rustle of leaves and distant hum of streetlights filled the air, creating an oddly serene backdrop to their shared quiet.
"Ah," Haruto finally broke the silence, glancing at her.
"I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Haruto Hayase. You can call me by my first name or surname, whichever you prefer."
Yoshida tilted her head slightly, her hair falling over her shoulder as she gave him a faint, almost teasing smile.
"I already know your name."
"Oh yeah, how do you know me?"
Her gaze softened as she looked ahead, her steps slowing slightly. "Our mothers used to visit the same temple every week. That's where we first met."
Haruto tried to recall anything about visiting a temple with his mother, but his memories remained frustratingly blank. His brows furrowed as a thought crossed his mind.
'Could it be…?'
'Do I have some kind of trauma that made me forget parts of my past?'
Before he could press further, Yoshida suddenly stopped walking.
"Hayase," she began, her voice hesitant and quiet, "I know you care about me, but… please, let this be the last time we talk."
Haruto stopped as well, his eyes widening in surprise. "Why? Don't you want to get away from Ren? He's terrible to you—"
But Yoshida cut him off, her voice soft but unwavering. "No, I don't want to. I love Ren, and… I know you see this as cruelty, but it's proof that he loves me."
Her lips curved into a smile, but it wasn't warm or kind—it was hollow and unsettling, sending a chill down Haruto's spine.
That smile unnerved him, but more than that, it stoked the fire of his determination.
'This girl… she's sick in the head. Ren's completely warped her.'
But he quickly shook off the thought.
'No. I can't give up on her. Not when I have the system.'
He stepped closer, his hand brushing hers briefly before she instinctively pulled back. His voice was steady, unwavering.
"No, I won't accept that. I'll save you. That's my promise to you."
Yoshida stared at him, her expression unreadable. For a moment, he thought he'd gotten through to her, but then she smiled again—that same haunting, broken smile.
"Whatever you do, you can't separate us. We're true love," she said with an eerie certainty.
She slipped off his blazer and handed it back to him. "I hope this is the last time we talk, Hayase. You're marked now, you know?"
Her cryptic words sent a shiver down his spine, but before he could ask what she meant, Yoshida turned and walked away, her figure fading into the night.
He stood there, clutching the blazer.
"Marked?" he murmured, the word lingering ominously in his mind.
But he shook his head, forcing the thought aside for now.
"Let's save it for our next conversation," he muttered to himself, as he ordered the system to add her as a target.
[Ding! Target Acquired.]
[Target Information:]
[Name: Ayaka Yoshida]
[Age: 18 years old]
[Status: Non-Virgin]
[Libido Percentage: 5%]
However, a thought nagged at Haruto's mind. If Haruka was familiar with the psychiatrist, it was likely she also knew Yoshida.
Haruto rubbed the back of his neck, his steps slowing as he mulled over the connection. He tucked his hands into his pockets, a habit when thinking deeply.
'I should talk to her about this... When I met her. Haruka is busy nowadays.'
he thought.
A sudden vibration in his pocket caught his attention. Pulling out his phone, he glanced at the screen. The name "Asuka" lit up, along with a message he had been waiting for.
"Tomorrow, huh?" he read under his breath, his lips curling into a smirk.
He tucked the phone away with a flick of his wrist.
'I can't wait.'
His pace quickened slightly as he continued home. His posture was more relaxed now, his mind less burdened.
Though his thoughts briefly flickered to what lay ahead, for once, he allowed himself to savor the lightness of his good mood.