Arc 1 – Episode 19: “My Girlfriend’s Unstoppable Darkness”

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Two weeks have passed since that awful threesome.

It’s now the middle of summer vacation.

Since then, I’ve been having sex with Aria-san while Ichigo joined in, or vice versa, I’ve been with Ichigo with Aria-san’s approval, while Ichigo made sure to flaunt it in front of Aria-san.

Once, Aria-san tried to have sex with me without Ichigo’s involvement, making me drink all sorts of things to force me to get hard, but when it came down to it, I couldn’t stay erect.

Even I find my chastity instincts frightening at this point.

I even tried using this as a reason to break up with Aria-san.

“No! Now that we’ve come this far, there’s no way I’ll break up with you, Kyoichi-san! You’ll have to take responsibility, okay?”

She refused.

The dark expression in Aria-san’s eyes at that moment—something I had never seen before—left quite an impression on me.

It might be the sunk cost fallacy, but it seems I’ll have to stay with Aria-san until she wakes up from this.

Unwilling to let me go, Aria-san reluctantly agreed to let Ichigo participate, using her like some kind of Viagra whenever she wanted to be with me.

From Aria-san’s perspective, she was lending me, her boyfriend, to Ichigo as part of a deal, but in reality, it was more like Ichigo and I were tricking Aria-san into a bizarre form of mutual consent for this double relationship.

At first, I felt like I was being toyed with by both Ichigo and Aria-san, but after feeling good and letting go, I eventually stopped caring. Now, I’ve resigned myself to it.

Though, I worried that Ichigo might be hurt by me being with another girl.

“Of course, it hurts when Kyo-kun is with another girl. But I trust that Kyo-kun thinks of me as his number one, and knowing that, I can endure it. The pain and jealousy have even become a turn-on for me.”

…That’s what she said.

In other words, as long as I prioritize Ichigo, everything will be okay.

Obviously, Ichigo is my number one. She would never abandon me completely.

There’s no way I could betray Ichigo after everything she’s done for me.

As long as I remember that, Ichigo will be okay, and I can endure this.

“I want Aria-chan to understand the thrill of almost losing someone she loves.”

However, Ichigo made sure to record us while we were doing it and sent the video to Aria-san, who was away on a family vacation, while saying such things with enthusiasm. It honestly gave me chills.

When Aria-san returned from her trip, she was so overwhelmed with jealousy that she demanded me nonstop—it was terrifying.

Not long after Aria-san came back from her family vacation, I was summoned by the school principal through her.

Apparently, Aria-san had told her family about me during the trip.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kuzuha Kyoichi.”

“Indeed. I am Hideyoshi Kakyoin, as you know, the principal of this high school, and Aria’s grandfather.”

In the principal’s office at Yusho High School, Principal Kakyoin, a middle-aged man in a suit, returned my greeting while sitting behind his desk.

Aria-san… did you really tell him I was more than just a friend…

“I assume you understand why I called you here today. I wanted to determine whether you’re a suitable partner for my granddaughter.”

Of course.

Well, do whatever you want as long as I don’t die.

I’ve done enough to deserve it.

“Kuzuha Kyoichi, born to an average family, both parents alive. No siblings. Good looks, good grades, good athletic ability, and generally well-liked. However, there are unsavory rumors about your relationships with women.”

The principal recited my profile fluently.

He sure did his homework.

Well, it’s only natural, considering I’m the bug attached to his precious granddaughter.

“Let me ask you plainly—what are your intentions regarding Aria in the end?”

The principal fixed me with an intensity that seemed unbefitting of his age.

It would be better to come clean, given my circumstances.

“I plan to eventually end my relationship with Aria-san.”

“I see. So she’s just a fling?”

The intensity of his gaze grew stronger.

“…To put it bluntly, yes.”

“Why? With your looks and abilities, you could become a part of our family if we accepted you as Aria’s husband.”

Marrying into wealth, huh?

Ordinarily, that would be the goal, but I’ve got my reasons…

“Actually, there’s someone else I’ve been seeing, even before Aria-san.”

“That would be your childhood friend, Yorifuji Ichigo, correct?”

To say outright that Ichigo is my childhood friend—he’s done his research.

“Yes.”

The fact that I was originally with Ichigo is something I kept hidden from Aria-san, and revealing it would only make me seem deceitful.

However, the principal knowing about Ichigo while Aria-san remained unaware meant that he wasn’t disclosing everything he knew to her.

Is it because he wants to spare her feelings?

Whatever the reason, it’s a relief that she hasn’t found out.

“Then why did you start dating Aria as well?”

“Due to certain dynamics among the students, it was difficult to openly reveal my relationship with Yorifuji. I decided to act as if I started dating someone anew in high school, and Aria-san agreed to vouch for me, but things became complicated.”

I can’t exactly admit that Ichigo tried to get me to sleep with Aria-san.

That’s just beyond embarrassing.

“Even so, did it have to lead to you dating Aria?”

I agree wholeheartedly.

“Well… Aria-san threatened me. She said if I didn’t date her, she’d ensure Yorifuji got expelled.”

“She would do such a thing…”

The principal held his head with one hand.

He must have been shocked that Aria-san would use the family’s authority for her own gain.

My condolences.

I used to think she wouldn’t do such a thing either…

“So after consulting with Yorifuji, we decided that the most peaceful way to resolve things was for me to keep dating Aria-san until she was satisfied and then break up.”

“I see…”

The principal tapped his desk thoughtfully with his index finger.

“…Very well. I will approve your relationships with both Aria and Yorifuji Ichigo.”

Wait, did he just approve it?

“However, there are conditions.”

“What are they?”

“First, do not break up with Aria before graduation. Next, clear your reputation by the time you become a second-year student, and then publicly announce your relationship with Aria. Finally, if Aria shows interest in another man, report it to me.”

“…So I’m a deterrent?”

“Exactly. You can do that, can’t you?”

Basically, he’s telling me to keep doing what I’ve been doing so far, and it’s not like I have any say in the matter.

“Understood.”

“That will be all. Take care of Aria.”

The principal waved me off dismissively.

I bowed once and left the principal’s office.

“Haa… things just aren’t going my way.”

I sighed as I walked down the hallway.

Honestly, I was expecting something like, “I can’t trust a womanizer like you with my granddaughter! If you break up with her now, I’ll let you off!” and I’d happily agree…

Instead, I’ve ended up having to continue dating Aria-san with her grandfather’s approval.

This is troublesome. Very troublesome.

While Aria-san was away on her trip, I somehow ended up with a stepsister.

I’m sure Ichigo was pulling the strings behind the scenes, and the reason for that… though I don’t want to think about it, it’s probably what I fear.

In other words… Ichigo’s evilness knows no bounds.