Everything Begins With a Debt in the Hentai World

Unbeknownst to the undercurrents swirling between the two women, Itō Yoshito approached the sofa. 

"Ayato, Ayato…" 

Gently shaking Haruno Ayato, Haruno Kasumi felt a surge of worry. Ever since he had drunk that beverage, he had fallen into a deep sleep. 

'He must have been drugged by those bad guys… I hope there won't be any side effects…' 

After a moment of contemplation, Haruno Kasumi rummaged through the bags the delinquents had brought and eventually found an instruction manual. 

"…One drop is enough to render a person unconscious for two hours, while also enhancing body sensitivity, causing the body to react accordingly even in sleep…" 

"This drug has no significant side effects, except for a temporary feeling of weakness afterward. Rest for 3 to 4 hours, and one will recover fully." 

"Phew—" 

"As long as there are no major side effects…" 

Patting her soft, curvy figure, Haruno Kasumi exhaled deeply, her anxious heart finally calming. 

Just then, Itō Yoshito, standing behind Haruno Kasumi, inadvertently witnessed quite a tumultuous scene, prompting him to compare her figure with Kurashiki Reina's and Shinomiya Natsuha's. 

'Indeed, Natsuha has the strongest attributes…' 

Sensing a shadow behind her, Haruno Kasumi turned around. A tall, imposing figure stood before her, the light seemingly swallowed by him, casting a shadow across his ruggedly handsome face. Yet, this presence wrapped Haruno Kasumi in a sense of security akin to being encircled by walls of bronze and iron. 

"Itō-kun…" 

Upon hearing her, Itō Yoshito cleared his throat and reluctantly let his gaze slip away. He reached out to pat Haruno Kasumi's shoulder. 

Noticing Itō Yoshito's gaze, Haruno Kasumi's fair cheeks turned crimson. Regardless of what emotions surged within her, she stifled her embarrassment, covering her face and proudly puffing out her chest. 

"Haruno-senpai, is he alright?" 

Answering Itō Yoshito's inquiry brought Haruno Kasumi back to reality. She patted her own soft cheeks and responded. 

"Itō-kun, Ayato is fine. He just drank a drugged drink and fell asleep." 

Itō Yoshito wanted to ask more, but an increasing number of people began to crowd into the chaotic booth, and he could also see Haruno Kasumi's flustered face with her eyes blushing. 

"Haruno-senpai, let's get out of here." 

… 

With Ayato, who was as delicate and lightweight as a girl, on his back, Itō Yoshito called over Shinomiya Natsuha, who was next to Kurashiki Reina. 

"Natsuha, let's go." 

With Natsuha and Haruno Kasumi by his side, Itō Yoshito carried Ayato and, with the help of the girls, they exited the booth. 

… 

The sunset was as brilliant as molten gold, casting an orange-red glow into the sky, weaving together the blue expanse into a tapestry of fiery clouds. The sun hung low on the horizon, its soft, warm afterglow penetrating the thin veil of clouds. 

The telephone poles lining the streets, under the lingering light of the sunset, painted a series of flowing shadowy pictures in the eyes of Itō Yoshito and his companions as they proceeded forward. 

Carrying Haruno Ayato on his back, Itō Yoshito turned to Haruno Kasumi and Shinomiya Natsuha on either side, asking, "Haruno-senpai, Natsuha, what are you two doing at the karaoke and without friends? Don't you know this is dangerous?" 

"I'm sorry, Itō-kun, it was all my fault…" 

Haruno Kasumi felt a bit ashamed, lowering her head into her chest. 

"In fact, I was practically forced to attend this gathering…" 

"At the convenience store where I work, Anjō Aki is also my coworker and a senior at school. A few days ago, he invited me to this gathering after finishing work." 

"I initially planned to refuse, but the store manager is his uncle, so…" 

"So you agreed?" Itō Yoshito shot her a stern look. 

"Yeah…" 

"Idiot!" 

"Mmm… after Ayato learned about it, he insisted on joining me." Haruno Kasumi let out a cute little whine as she continued. 

"Then why was Haruno-kun also affected?" 

"Because one of those guys is a pervert!" 

Shinomiya Natsuha interjected, her face etched with disdain for the delinquents. 

"Natsuha, are you saying… someone among them had their sights set on Haruno-kun?" 

"Exactly! Those disgusting bastards, just because Haruno looks so fair and delicate, they actually—wait…!" 

Shivering, Natsuha recalled the loathsome expression of the yellow-haired ruffian who had been called to guard the door. 

It was precisely because that yellow-haired guy had set his sights on Haruno Ayato that he was called to watch the door, and since Haruno Ayato had already been rendered unconscious, he wasn't in a hurry. 

"Fortunately, Haruno-kun had already drunk those drinks first; otherwise…" 

Patting Natsuha's shoulder, Itō Yoshito offered a soothing tone, "It's alright, Natsuha. I've asked Reina to handle this matter." 

"Hmph~ Reina~ so close and intimate…" 

"Ahahaha…" 

"Um…" 

"Itō-kun, Shinomiya-senpai." Suddenly, Haruno Kasumi quickened her pace, standing earnestly before Itō Yoshito and looking at them seriously. 

"Thank you both! I'm really grateful! If it weren't for you two… I don't know what would've happened! But it certainly wouldn't have ended well!" 

With her waist bending gracefully like a soft snake, Haruno Kasumi deeply bowed, waves of gratitude rippling through her gesture. 

Shinomiya Natsuha shot a glance at Itō Yoshito and noted that he was indeed gazing at Haruno Kasumi with a certain intensity. With a hint of dissatisfaction, she scoffed, moving closer to help Haruno Kasumi up. 

"Enough already! Haruno-senpai, since everything has been resolved here, let's hurry back." 

"Yeah, thank you! Can I call you Natsuha?" Haruno Kasumi nodded. 

"Of course! Then I'll call you Orange-senpai, alright?" 

"Sure!" 

'Friendship among girls builds so quickly!' Itō Yoshito thought, glancing at Haruno Kasumi. 

"Haruno-senpai, if something like this happens again, you must remember to ask for my help! It's really dangerous for a girl to be alone out here!" 

As the sun dipped lower, looking at Itō Yoshito's concerned expression, Haruno Kasumi felt an overwhelming surge of emotions wash over her. 

"Um… Itō-kun, just call me Kasumi…" 

Itō Yoshito froze for a moment and then smiled even brighter. "Then Kasumi, you can call me by my name too! If you encounter difficulties, be sure to seek my help!" 

Gazing at his smiling face felt like witnessing a sunflower gently swaying in the evening breeze, capturing the sunset's afterglow while absorbing the day's light, which blossomed at the corners of his lips. 

Haruno Kasumi's eyes gradually became misty, her soft cheeks flushing with a light blush. 

"I got it, Yoshito… Yoshito-kun~" 

Watching the shy Haruno Kasumi beside him, Natsuha's eyes twitched slightly. Though it was precisely this charming aspect of Itō Yoshito that drew her to him, 

Yet… quietly inching closer to Itō Yoshito, she gave his waist a playful pinch. 

'Yoshito-kun, honestly! You're flirting with another girl again… Being a flirt isn't good!' 

... 

"Goodbye, Yoshito-kun, Natsuha." 

"Goodbye, Kasumi." 

"Goodbye, Haruno-senpai." 

Supporting the still unconscious Haruno Ayato, Haruno Kasumi bid farewell to Itō Yoshito and Shinomiya Natsuha at her front door. 

Since Haruno Ayato was quite petite, Haruno Kasumi managed to handle him on her own. 

———— 

Dusk; the Japanese refer to this time as the "Hour of Demons." They firmly believe it to be a cursed moment when all evil spirits and phantoms appear in the sky. 

At this mysterious junction between day and night, the sunset's afterglow stained the sky a blood-red hue, truly exuding a sense of "demonic" charm. 

"Koyoshi-kun." 

"What's up, Natsuha?" 

Turning his head, Itō Yoshito noticed that Shinomiya Natsuha was intimately linking her arm with his. It seemed that after their experience at the karaoke place, Natsuha had put aside her previous shyness and, like Tsushima Rina or Kurashiki Reina, boldly showed her charm to Itō Yoshito. 

Her pupils twinkled with a subtle shimmer, akin to ripples gently stirring on a lake's surface. Locking eyes with Itō Yoshito, her face involuntarily blossomed with a faint blush. 

"Yoshito-kun, didn't I mention a few days ago? I want to visit your home and taste the dish I've been eagerly anticipating—your cooking." 

Scratching his head awkwardly, Itō Yoshito felt slightly troubled. "Natsuha, could we schedule it for another time? I need to go study with Sensei tonight." 

If possible, Tsukishima Kyouko would want to immerse herself daily in the joy of helping Itō Yoshito "study." 

However, under such intense training, it wasn't just a matter of whether her body could endure it; more importantly, such actions would undoubtedly negatively impact Itō Yoshito's grades. Tsukishima Kyouko would never allow that possibility to materialize. 

Yet, having tasted the thrill, how could Tsukishima Kyouko possibly miss this opportunity to be with Itō Yoshito? 

Even if she wished to hold back, her strict husband, who demanded "self-discipline," wouldn't tolerate such an occurrence. 

Hence, every Saturday evening, Tsukishima Kyouko enforced a strict regimen for Itō Yoshito to attend her rigorous "study sessions" within a fixed time frame. 

This process was not only about imparting knowledge but also a challenge and sharpening experience, allowing Itō Yoshito to grow under pressure. 

"Study?" 

"Yeah, since Tsukishima Kyouko saw that I missed school last month and fell behind on many subjects, she plans to help me catch up." 

"I see… What about tomorrow? Can I come to your home?" 

"I have to work part-time tomorrow…" 

Itō Yoshito chuckled awkwardly, realizing he genuinely had little time these days. 

"Tch." 

Shinomiya Natsuha gnawed her teeth in frustration, 'No time even on the weekends… The most abundant period, where I can do whatever…' 

"Then you must be free on Monday, right?" 

Shinomiya Natsuha grinned widely, her cherry lips slightly parted, revealing her adorable little canines that sparkled menacingly, as if hinting that If Itō Yoshito were unavailable, he would be in trouble. 

Seeing Natsuha's cute demeanor, akin to a little hamster, Itō Yoshito couldn't help but chuckle, saying warmly. 

"Sure, as long as you don't mind my place being small." 

"Hehe, I won't mind!" 

"By the way, how is the sound insulation at your place?" 

"Why do you ask that?" 

"Just curious~" 

... 

As night fell, darkness silently enveloped the earth, with lanterns gradually lighting up every household, illuminating the vast expanse of night. In a bright room of the Haruno household, a slender, pale boy lay on a soft blue bed. Upon closer inspection, it appeared he was caught in a nightmare, murmuring restlessly. 

"No, no! Let her go! Kasumi… Kasumi!" 

Haruno Ayato suddenly woke up, his forehead already damp with sweat. He fearfully looked around, his eyes betraying deep terror. 

"…" 

"Is this… home? Where's Kasumi? Kasumi!" 

"Ayato." 

The door to the room suddenly swung open as Haruno Kasumi rushed in, having heard his calls. 

"Kasumi! Kasumi, are you okay?" Haruno Ayato anxiously sat up, trying to reach for Haruno Kasumi, but found himself too weak and fell back onto the floor. 

"Ayato!" Haruno Kasumi shouted in worry and hurried to his side to help him up. 

"Ayato, you just woke up. You need to rest for a moment. You drank drinks that had drugs in them. Waking up with weakness is a common aftereffect; just rest for a few hours, and you'll recover completely." 

"Kasumi, what about those bad guys?" Disregarding the pain from falling, Haruno Ayato grasped Haruno Kasumi's hand and looked at her with concern. 

"Kasumi, are you… are you alright…" 

His voice trembled slightly, as if fearing the worst had come true. 

"Thanks to Yoshito-kun taking out those bad guys, I escaped their clutches! No, I need to sincerely thank him another day. I must think about what kind of gift would be appropriate…" Today's thank you felt too insincere." 

Recalling Itō Yoshito, Haruno Kasumi's mind conjured up his bold appearance at the karaoke, causing her cheeks to flush warmly, a faint blush spreading across her face. 

"Phew—" 

"As long as you're okay, Kasumi." Haruno Ayato let out a long sigh, his worried heart finally relaxing from its tense state. Then remembering Itō Yoshito's name, he curiously asked, 

"Was it Yoshito who saved us? Is Yoshito the same as Itō-kun?" 

"Yup! Hehe, thank goodness Yoshito was there. Ayato, we need to properly express our gratitude. We must thank him when we return to school on Monday." Haruno Kasumi smiled as she spoke. 

"Yeah, sure!" 

Haruno Ayato nodded, his heart filled with gratitude toward Itō Yoshito. 

Thinking of Itō Yoshito made Haruno Ayato's gaze dim a little. He couldn't help but envy the tall, sturdy figure of his savior. 

'If only… I could become as strong, then I could protect Kasumi on my own…' 

"Um… Ayato, can we invite Yoshito to lunch on Monday during break? I plan to make him a bento to thank him." 

"Sure, I'll talk to Itō-kun about it." 

"Great! Great! Then, Ayato, I won't disturb you any longer. Make sure to rest well!" 

Gently patting Haruno Ayato's head, Haruno Kasumi hummed a cheerful tune as she skipped out of his room, as if today's events had left no shadows in her mind. 

'Kasumi just now acted like a little child… I've never seen that side of her before… Is it because of Itō-kun?' 

The thought of the person he admired possibly becoming fond of someone else made Haruno Ayato's heart twitch. 

Yet reflecting on what had transpired today, if it hadn't been for Itō Yoshito, their fate would be unimaginable, thus he understood he didn't have the ability to protect Kasumi. 

"Kasumi…" 

Softly murmuring her name, Haruno Ayato silently closed his eyes, letting tears of acceptance roll down his face. 

"If this is Kasumi's choice, I will help her secure her happiness!" 

Thinking of the several girls flirting with Itō Yoshito, Haruno Ayato quietly resolved to take action. 

Although allowing the one he loved to slip away was looked down upon, 

I can do nothing! I can't protect Kasumi!

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