NOVEL NEXT Chapter 204: Lab Rat
"I'm sorry, Hayazawa. Haruto was with me yesterday because he was worried. Please don't be angry with him. Be angry with me instead."
Mari's eyes widened, and she shook her head vehemently. "Oh, please! I can't be angry with you when you're like this!" she exclaimed, her voice rising slightly.
"This isn't your fault. It's his fault."
She shot a glare at Haruto, who stood a few steps away, his hands in his pockets and an awkward smile on his face.
Ayaka managed a small, bright smile, her tone gentle. "But Haruto's always talking about how smart and beautiful you are. He really cares about you."
Mari's cheeks flushed at the compliment, and she glanced at Haruto, her expression softening.
"Really? He does?" she asked, her voice tinged with surprise and a hint of shyness.
She walked over to Haruto, her fingers playing with the hem of her sleeve.
"So even when you're a jerk, you're still sweet, huh?"
Haruto chuckled nervously, his eyes flicking to Ayaka in silent gratitude. Ayaka simply shook her head, her smile warm but knowing.
"Of course I am," Haruto said, pulling Mari into a tight hug.
"You're one of the most important people in my life. I could never forget about you."
Mari hugged him back, but her voice dropped to a whisper, her tone sweet yet laced with a warning.
"Don't fool me like that. I know there are plenty of women in your heart, your head, and—" she paused, her smile turning mischievous, "—your cock."
Before Haruto could react, she delivered a swift kick to his groin, making him double over with a pained grunt.
"And if you hide something from me again," she continued, her voice still soft and sweet, "I'll cut your dragon in half so you can't sleep with anyone but me."
Ayaka watched the exchange, her lips twitching with suppressed laughter.
Haruto straightened up, wincing but still holding onto Mari. "Yes… I promise," he managed to say, his voice strained but sincere.
Mari smiled, her expression softening as she leaned into him. "Good. Don't make me regret trusting you."
As they stood there, Haruto's mind raced with a single, panicked thought: 'Damn, my proud brother, don't die on me, please.'
After the hug—and the not-so-subtle threat—Mari finally stepped back, her hands on her hips as she turned to face both Haruto and Ayaka.
Her expression was serious now, her sharp eyes narrowing as she got straight to the point.
"So," she began, her tone firm but curious, "why is Haruto suddenly involved with Ren and you?" Experience new tales on My Virtual Library Empire
Haruto and Ayaka exchanged a quick, tense glance, their minds racing. How much could they tell her?
This wasn't just about a personal grudge—it was about their mission to take down Ren and the Crown of Ito.
But Mari wasn't someone who could be easily brushed off.
Haruto cleared his throat, his mind scrambling for a believable explanation.
"Well, you know," he started, his voice casual but tinged with anger, "I ran into her on the street. She was in a bad state—tattered clothes, and a battered face. Ren's men had caught her."
Mari gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh my god, that's horrible! He's such trash!'
Haruto nodded. "Yeah. So I stepped in and saved her."
Mari's eyes widened, and she turned to Haruto, her expression a mix of pride and curiosity.
"You gave him a lesson, right? Please tell me you did."
Haruto smirked, a hint of pride creeping into his voice. "Yup. I broke his nose."
Mari's face lit up, and she clapped her hands together, her earlier seriousness replaced by sheer delight.
"Yes! I knew you'd do it! Justice served!"
Haruto chuckled, relieved that Mari seemed satisfied with his explanation—for now.
Ayaka, standing quietly beside him, gave a small, grateful smile, though her eyes still held a flicker of unease.
Mari crossed her arms, her tone shifting back to playful but with a hint of warning. "Just don't go getting yourself into too much trouble, okay? I don't want to have to bail you out—or worse, cut off your dragon."
Haruto raised his hands in mock surrender. "Don't worry, I'll be careful. No more broken noses without your permission."
Mari rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Good. Now, let's get out of here before someone sees us and starts spreading rumors."
As they walked away, Haruto glanced at Ayaka, his expression softening.
They both knew the truth was far more complicated, but for now, Mari's trust and support were enough to keep them moving forward.
***
In the dimly lit room, Daiki sat back, flipping through the pages of his favorite manga.
Across from him, Ren was unusually silent.
The man who never shut up was now sitting stiffly, palms damp with sweat.
His gaze was unfocused, his fingers twitching against his thigh.
Daiki smirked. He didn't need to ask—he already knew. Ren wasn't just mad at Haruto anymore.
That blind rage had faded.
Now, he was finally realizing what he had done. And more importantly, he was realizing just how out of his depth he was.
"Daiki…" Ren's voice was tight, barely above a whisper. "You have it, don't you?"
Daiki didn't bother looking up from his manga. "Have what?"
"That drug." Ren swallowed hard. "The one that makes you stop feeling pain."
Daiki absentmindedly turned a page. "No idea what you're talking about."
Ren's patience snapped. "It's on your brother!"
His voice was too loud, and Daiki shot him a sharp glare. Ren flinched, lowering his volume.
"I-I heard that your brother and Murder of the Crows developed a new kind of drug…"
His fingers dug into his knees. "Can you—can you use me as an experimental subject?"
Daiki scoffed, finally shutting his manga with a soft thud.
"You want to be a lab rat?" He leaned forward, looking Ren dead in the eyes. "You that scared of a little pain?"
Ren clenched his jaw, one hand pressing against the scar running down his face.
"You don't understand what pain is," he muttered. "I don't want to feel it anymore."
He exhaled shakily. "And that drug… it can make me stronger, right? I need to win this fight."
Daiki stared at him for a long moment before chuckling.
He placed a heavy hand on Ren's shoulder, squeezing just enough to make the man tense.
"Sure," he said. "I'll give it to you."
Ren's head snapped up. "Th-thank you—"
"But," Daiki interrupted, his smirk widening, "you know what I want in return."
Ren went rigid. His hands curled into fists.
"No."
Daiki's expression didn't change, but his fingers dug into Ren's shoulder.
"Well then, buddy," he said lightly, "guess you'll just be Haruto's punching bag."
Ren's breath hitched.
"You don't know what it's like," Daiki continued, his tone casual but his eyes gleaming with something cruel.
"You think Haruto's just some brat? You don't know how many stitches and broken bones that bastard's left me with."
He chuckled. "But you'll find out soon enough."
Ren's whole body was trembling now.
If Daiki—Daiki—was saying this, then how badly was he going to get beaten?
"Fine!" Ren finally snapped. "I'll give it to you!" His voice cracked with desperation. "Just—just give me the damn drug!"
Daiki grinned, leaning back in his chair. "That's more like it."
He stretched, yawning as if this entire conversation had been a mild inconvenience.
"I'll get it to you tomorrow. On the day of your fight." His smirk sharpened. "So make sure you win."
Ren only nodded, silent and stiff.
The room fell quiet again, thick with tension.
Daiki picked up his manga, flipping to the next page, completely unbothered.
Ren, on the other hand, was left drowning in the weight of his own fear.