Netori: I Shall Steal All Of My Enemies' Women For Revenge!

The classroom buzzed with the usual hum of chatter and shuffling papers, but Mari's attention was fixed entirely on the glowing screen of her phone.

Her breath hitched when she saw Haruto's name pop up, the message displayed like a beacon of hope.

Haruto: "Are you alright, Mari? You must feel terrible right now. Kota is indeed a pathetic pervert. Why don't we meet up for the first recess in the backyard?"

Her heart skipped a beat, and a brilliant smile tugged at her lips. She could barely contain her excitement, her fingers itching to jump from her chair and run to him immediately.

However, she managed to reel herself in, glancing around to ensure her composure remained intact.

'So, my plan is working,'

she thought, a small smirk forming as she leaned back in her seat.

Yet, guilt seeped into her thoughts as she reflected on the lengths she had gone to.

'But… Did I do too much?'

she wondered, her fingers tapping absently against the phone screen.

She bit her lip, replaying the moments she'd orchestrated, her conscience briefly pricking at her resolve.

Mari shook her head firmly.

'No. All my friends agreed Kota deserved it. They were worried and angry on my behalf when I told them everything.'

Her mind replayed their concerned faces, bolstering her conviction.

Her eyes returned to the message, skimming through it again.

Haruto: "Kota will be there too. Let's end this once and for all. If you feel uncomfortable, you can ask your friends to watch. Kota's emotions aren't stable, especially after everything that's happened."

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Haruto: "He is also one of the Red Fangs, so we need to be careful."

Her smile faltered slightly. Mari understood Haruto's reasoning—having witnesses would be prudent if Kota decided to act out.

The memory of the CCTV footage from her house's gate surfaced in her mind, where she had seen the two boys fighting.

Kota had even pulled out a folding knife, an act that still made her stomach churn.

'But Haruto's strong,'

she mused, tapping her nails lightly on the desk.

'And didn't the students say he was called by the gang leader recently? Why would he need so many witnesses for this?'

The thought gnawed at her. Mari wasn't naïve; she knew Haruto had his secrets.

Gossip about him being involved with a gang was rife, and she couldn't ignore the murmurs about him and Ayaka Yoshida spending time alone together in the library.

Her jaw tightened at the thought of Ayaka. That woman had a reputation far less favorable than her own, and Mari was certain Haruto would choose her over someone like that.

Still, jealousy simmered just beneath the surface. This was the reason why she changed her approach to get Haruto back to her.

'This rumor is the final nail in Kota's coffin,'

she thought, her determination hardening.

'Once Kota's completely out of the picture, Haruto and I can finally be together again.'

Impatience swelled within her as she tucked her phone into the drawer, her fingers brushing against the smooth wood. She stole a glance at the clock.

'I can't wait until recess,'

she thought, her heart pounding in anticipation.

A soft smile lingered on her lips as she folded her hands neatly on the desk, trying to focus on the teacher's lecture, though her mind was already racing ahead to what awaited her.

***

Mari's steps slowed as the scene came into full view. Haruto stood beneath the weathered tree, its branches adorned with autumn's reddish-brown leaves, a stark yet beautiful contrast against his broad frame.

His presence alone made her heart race, every bit as captivating as she remembered.

For a moment, her thoughts were consumed by him—the man who seemed to embody everything she had ever wanted.

But then her gaze shifted to the figure beside him, and her stomach twisted. Kota.

Her feet faltered, and a frown creased her brow. The excitement that had lit her face moments ago dimmed, replaced by uncertainty.

"Haruto..." she called hesitantly, her voice soft but laced with unease.

Kota turned at the sound of her voice, his eyes widening as if he had been waiting for this moment. He took a step toward her, but she instinctively stepped back.

Her movement was small, yet deliberate, and it was enough to make the gathered students begin jeering.

"Bohoo! Get lost, creep!" one shouted.

"Leave Mari alone, you freak!" another added, fueling the growing crowd's mockery.

Kota froze mid-step, his face contorted with frustration and humiliation.

"All of this isn't right!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling. He looked at Mari with desperation in his eyes. "You would never do this to me, Mari, right? You—"

"What do you mean?" Mari cut him off sharply, her expression tightening.

"You're the one who did all of this to me!" Her voice wavered, her eyes shimmering with tears that quickly spilled over.

"I—I was so scared of you, Kota! You put hidden cameras in my room... even in my bathroom! You made all of my past relationships broken, you made me lonely, you isolated me!"

Her voice cracked as she covered her face with trembling hands, her sobs cutting through the tension like a knife.

Though partially an act, her fear wasn't entirely fabricated. The thought of her privacy being invaded, of being reduced to an object under his gaze, chilled her to her core.

The crowd erupted with disdainful shouts directed at Kota, their anger palpable.

"You're disgusting, Kota!" Experience new tales on empire

"How dare you do that to Mari?!"

Kota's face crumpled, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "No… that can't be true," he stammered, shaking his head as if trying to dispel her accusations.

"I love you, Mari! I've always loved you!" His voice rose, tinged with anguish and growing madness. "I was protecting you! Men like them didn't deserve you! Only me, that is for you!"

His steps grew hurried and erratic as he tried to close the distance between them, his wounded face twisted with desperation.

But before he could get close, Haruto's hand shot out, grabbing the back of Kota's shirt and yanking him back with a forceful pull.

Kota stumbled and fell to the ground with a thud, his mouth agape in shock.

"What the hell are you doing?" Haruto's voice was calm but cold as he loomed over Kota.

"Weren't you here to apologize to Mari and making her clarified that this was all a misunderstanding?"

Kota's shock quickly turned to rage as he scrambled to his feet, grabbing Haruto's collar with both hands.

"This is your fault!" he screamed, his voice cracking.

"You brainwashed Mari! She's never acted like this before! Never!"

Haruto's expression didn't waver, though his gaze sharpened, cold and piercing. "Your Mari?" he repeated, his voice dripping with disdain.

He scoffed and leaned in closer, "You must be joking. Mari is her own person—no one owns her. Not you, not me, no one."

Haruto shoved Kota's hands off his collar and straightened his shirt with a flick of his wrist, his voice steady.

"Now, do what you came here to do. Apologize to Mari. I know she'll forgive you."