Chapter 72: The Power of Pride (Part 1)

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Translator: Soafp

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It seemed that Nodoka intended to head straight to a love hotel like this.

Kokoa's sudden appearance had thrown things off, and she was probably pretty irritated about it inside.

“But, um… the things we prepared, I left them at home. We'll have to go back first.”

“If that's the case, don't worry, Ren.”

With that, Airi held out the bag she was carrying to Nodoka.

“I brought them with me. Everything's in here.”

“…”

So she wasn't even trying to hide anymore that she had opened the package addressed to me.

Maybe Airi had already checked everything in my room.

She seemed like the type who wanted to know everything about the person she liked.

“What are you going to do, senpai? I-I don't mind if you come with us…”

“Oh? Is it really okay if I go too? That would mean your first deep kiss would be shared between the three of us.”

“Eh? Th-that's…”

Wait, how did this turn into a three-person deep kiss?

…Well, going to a love hotel with two girls was already strange enough.

“At first, it can just be the two of you. But later, the three of us will do it.”

“O-Okay…”

They settled it between themselves far too easily.

Even though I was supposed to be involved, my opinion didn't matter at all.

It reminded me of something I once heard—how in a lion pride, it's not just one dominant male, but multiple females who hold control.

“Ren, I'll head back to the house first. But make sure you properly want me later too, okay?”

“Y-yeah…”

“Nodoka, just like we talked about before, alright? Your role is the most important here.”

“Ugh… this feels like a lot of responsibility…”

“Like we talked about before”… what had they been discussing behind my back?

What were they planning at the love hotel?

What exactly was going to happen to me?

Maybe this is what it felt like to be prey being devoured by beasts.

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[Airi Side]

After seeing Ren and Nodoka off as they walked toward the love hotel arm in arm, Airi turned toward Ren's house.

(Nodoka is the key.)

Airi was aware that she herself lacked that final push.

It was the same with kissing.

Up until now, she had only tried to tempt Ren, never taking the step herself.

It wasn't just that she respected his wishes.

She was afraid of being disliked by him. Afraid of being abandoned. Afraid of being rejected.

(…In the end, it's just an excuse.)

Nodoka, on the other hand, was different.

Of course, Airi had influenced her a lot.

But even so, Nodoka gathered her courage and tried to kiss him herself.

And she had become much more honest.

She had changed—in a good way.

(Maybe as the “main wife,” Nodoka really does suit Ren better.)

She was cheerful and domestic, and she only had eyes for him.

Her care and devotion toward Ren were remarkable.

More importantly, the way she had fallen for him was different from Airi.

Even if that wasn't the case anymore, Airi's initial reason for getting close to Ren had been his money.

But Nodoka, from the very beginning, had only seen him for who he was.

(Well, it's not like I'm fixated on being the main wife anyway.)

What mattered was that Ren accepted both her and Nodoka.

Unlike before, Airi now dreamed of a happy future.

Nodoka would handle the housework in Ren's home. Ren would work as an investment specialist, and Airi would support him as his secretary.

If possible, she wanted him to avoid a typical company job—maybe freelance, or even start his own company.

Because she wanted a life where they weren't bound by time, where they could raise children together.

(Still, little by little, it seems like Ren is starting to accept us.)

Before the second semester started, no matter the form, she might officially become his woman.

If things went well, they might even go all the way before summer vacation ended.

With an unconscious smile on her face, Airi arrived in front of Ren's house.

That's when—

“Sugawara-Senpai.”

A voice called out from the side.

Airi immediately turned toward it.

“Ara, Ren's ex-girlfriend. What do you want?”

“…I have a name, you know. Yuzuki Kitayama.”

“Ah, right. Sorry, Kitayama-san. I already forgot the name of someone who only hurt Ren.”

“Ugh…”

Airi carefully observed Yuzuki's reaction.

If she lashed out here, it would mean she hadn't reflected at all.

Yuzuki stayed silent, head lowered.

After a while, she spoke in a small voice.

“…I guess I deserve that. I really was a terrible ex-girlfriend.”

“Hm… so what do you want? Did you come to see Ren?”

“No, actually… I came to talk to you, senpai.”

“To me?”

Airi couldn't figure out what Yuzuki was aiming for.

She felt different from before.

The old Yuzuki would have openly shown hostility, accusing Airi and Nodoka of stealing Ren.

“Well, I don't mind. Want to go to Starbucks?”

“…Okay.”

Airi turned and began walking back toward the station.

Yuzuki followed a step behind, head lowered.

Like a prisoner being escorted by a guard.

When they reached the Starbucks near the station, they lined up.

Yuzuki took out her wallet.

“I was the one who showed up suddenly, so I'll pay.”

“That's not necessary. Ren told me—saving money is important, but you also need to know how to use it.”

Airi smirked as she continued.

“If it's Ren's words, I'll always follow them. Besides, this is the allowance he gave me.”

“Ugh…”

After ordering their drinks, they sat down.

Silence hung between them for a while.

Then Airi spoke first.

“Kitayama-san, do you know why I'm alone right now?”

“…No.”

“Want to guess where Ren and Nodoka went?”

Yuzuki bit her lip slightly before answering.

“…On a date?”

“You could call it that. The answer is a love hotel.”

“Ugh…!”

Yuzuki's body trembled.

So she still hadn't fully given up on Ren.

And she still wanted to have him all to herself.

“So they've already gone that far… Does that mean Ren chose Nodoka?”

“Not officially, no.”

“Going to a love hotel without even dating… And more importantly, how can you stay so calm? Don't you like him too, senpai?”

“Of course I do. I love him. No— I'm in love with him.”

It was Airi's honest, unadorned truth.

“My life completely changed after meeting Ren. I know he's an amazing guy—far too good for me. Unlike you, who couldn't see his value even after being with him for so long.”

“Do you always have to talk like that? We really don't get along at all.”

“Agreed.”

That's why Airi couldn't understand why Yuzuki approached her now.

She didn't seem like someone skilled enough to manipulate or bluff against a romantic rival.

“To answer your earlier question, Nodoka and I joined forces.”

“Joined forces…?”

“We decided that both of us will become Ren's women.”

“…!”

Yuzuki's eyes widened.

“So… that means Ren has a harem?”

“You catch on quickly. If he had to choose just one of us, there'd still be a chance of rejection. This way, we reduce that chance to almost zero.”

“…Don't you feel jealous of Nodoka?”

“Ren tries to treat us fairly. And more than jealousy… I'm far more afraid of being abandoned by him.”

In contrast to Airi's calm demeanor, Yuzuki's fingers trembled slightly.

Airi finally began to understand why she had approached her.

She was probably trying to figure out Ren's situation—and whether there was still a way for her to slip back in.

“I-I don't want to be abandoned by Ren either.”

“Oh? Even though you were the one who abandoned him?”

“Ugh…! Th-that was me, but not me!”

“The future version of you, right?”

“That's not it!!”

Yuzuki shook her head strongly.

“I won't fall for a terrible guy like that again! I've already avoided that future Ren saw…!”

“Hm… so? What are you planning to do by telling me that?”

“Well…”

Yuzuki bowed her head deeply toward Airi.

“Please. Let me join Ren's harem too.”