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

Now Haruto understood why the quest from the system wasn't marked complete despite him passing what he thought was the critical stage. It turned out the true test hadn't even begun yet.

This was it—the moment where words could either unite or shatter everything he had built. He took a deep breath, steadying the pounding in his chest, and spoke, his tone resolute and firm.

"There's something I need to tell both of you."

Mari paused mid-bite, her chopsticks hovering in the air. The look on his face was far too serious for this to be about something trivial.

Placing her chopsticks down, she gave him her full attention, her brow furrowing in concern.

Haruto turned his gaze to Asuka first, his voice unwavering. "Asuka, the other woman I brought here… isn't Chiyo. It's Mari."

Asuka's eyes widened, the shock evident on her face. She had expected him to evade the truth, to dance around the topic like he always did. But this—this was unexpected.

Mari's confusion only deepened, her eyes darting between Haruto and Asuka. The way he addressed Asuka by first name, the weight of his tone, and the tension between the two of them—it all felt ominous.

"What... What are you two talking about?" she asked, her voice hesitant, trembling with the foreboding realization that whatever this was, it wouldn't end well.

Haruto shifted his gaze to Mari, guilt and determination warring in his emerald eyes. He knew his next words would hurt her, but hiding the truth would only make things worse.

"You were right about everything, Mari," he admitted, his voice steady but heavy. "I do have another relationship—with Asuka and the other."

Mari's world felt like it tilted on its axis. Her chest tightened, and her stomach churned with nausea as she processed his words.

Haruto continued, his voice earnest. "I didn't know how to tell either of you, and I've made mistakes in handling this. But I won't apologize for being in a harem." He met both their gazes, his tone firm yet sincere.

"What I will apologize for is lying to both of you. I should have been honest from the beginning—about what kind of man I am and what I want. I can't be with just one woman."

Mari's lips parted, but no sound came out. Her hands trembled, and she gripped the edge of the table as if anchoring herself against the whirlwind of emotions threatening to consume her.

His words echoed in her mind, piercing her like sharp shards of glass.

The pain was almost unbearable. Not only had Haruto admitted to loving another woman, but that woman was Asuka—the picture of perfection in every way.

Mari's chest heaved as she fought to suppress the tears welling in her eyes, heartbreak swirling within her.

Meanwhile, Asuka closed her eyes briefly, processing his words. When she finally opened them, she nodded, her expression unreadable but calm.

"I like your honesty," she said at last, her voice composed.

"I've told you before—I don't mind sharing, as long as you're fair to everyone involved."

Haruto blinked, momentarily stunned by her response.

Asuka leaned back slightly in her chair, her lips curling into a smirk. "And I'll admit, I'm impressed. You're finally acting like a man—owning up to your choices instead of running away. That's a good look on you."

"But next time you lie to me, I will make sure to put that cock ring on you." her smile made him shudder.

Her teasing tone lightened the tension in the air, if only a little. Haruto felt a faint wave of relief wash over him. But it was short-lived as his gaze shifted back to Mari.

Unlike Asuka, Mari hadn't spoken. She hadn't moved, either. Her hands trembled visibly, and her face betrayed the storm raging within her.

Haruto's heart clenched. He cared deeply for Mari, and seeing her like this hurt more than he expected.

She had done so much for him, given him so much of herself, even when he knew he had taken advantage of her kindness. He didn't want to lose her—he couldn't.

"Mari," he said softly, his tone pleading now. "I know this is a lot to take in, and I know it hurts. But... I care about you. I don't want to let you go. I just hope you can understand."

Mari's lips quivered, her voice finally breaking free in a choked whisper.

"Understand?"

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as they bore into him.

"You want me to understand that I'm not enough for you?"

Haruto flinched at her words, guilt washing over him like a tidal wave.

"I never meant it like that," he began, but Mari cut him off, her voice rising.

"Then how did you mean it, Haruto?" Her emotions spilled over, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"You brought me here, made me feel special, and now you expect me to just… accept that you love someone else, too?"

Asuka remained silent, watching the scene unfold. She understood Mari's pain, but she also knew this was something Haruto needed to handle himself.

Haruto reached out, his hand hovering hesitantly near Mari's. "I'm sorry, Mari. I know I've hurt you, and I'll do whatever it takes to make things right."

"That's just how it is, I am a jerk for lying, that's why I can't lie to you anymore."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Mari stared at his outstretched hand, her vision blurred with tears. She wanted to scream, to run, to escape from the pain clawing at her chest. But instead, she sat frozen, torn between love and betrayal.

Asuka finally spoke, her voice gentle but firm. "Mari, it's okay to feel hurt. But don't forget the man you fell for—he's flawed, yes, but he's also honest and cares deeply for you. Think about that before you make your decision."

Mari's breath hitched, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

She needed time—time to process, to think, to decide if her love for Haruto was strong enough to overcome the heartbreak he had caused.

For now, silence reigned at the table, the weight of their shared emotions settling over them like a heavy fog.

Waiting for Mari's answer felt like an eternity. Haruto sat there, his heart pounding in his chest, every second stretching out unbearably.

She didn't let him touch her, her hands trembling as she wiped away the tears streaming down her cheeks.

Mari, for her part, was lost in a storm of emotions. She loved Haruto far too much to let him go, even if his words had hurt her deeply.

Life without him seemed unimaginable, and Asuka's words echoed in her mind—Haruto was flawed, but to Mari, those flaws only made him human.

In her eyes, he was still perfect. Except for the part where he had multiple women.

"Fine," she said at last, her voice shaky but firm. "I'll accept it!"

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, trying to muster her strength. But her lips pursed into a pout, betraying her lingering frustration.

"But don't you dare get all lovey-dovey with your other women when I'm around! Also, I want to put a GPS tracker on your phone! And another thing—"

Mari launched into a five-minute tirade, listing a series of demands that ranged from petty to outright exaggerated.

Most of her words came from a place of hurt, but buried beneath them was the genuine concern of someone who loved him deeply and wanted to feel secure.

Haruto couldn't help but smile. Her words, her pout, the way she was trying to act tough despite her vulnerability—it all warmed his heart.

He leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a gentle hug.

"Thank you, Mari," he whispered, his voice filled with gratitude.

Mari's pouting continued as she half-heartedly protested. "I'm not done talking yet!" she grumbled, though her voice softened, her heart gradually calming down.

Deep down, she trusted Haruto. She believed that he would treat her right, even if he was frustratingly flawed.

Asuka, who had been observing quietly, smiled faintly.

This time, she chose to act maturely, refraining from teasing and instead allowing the two of them to mend their relationship. She had played her part, after all.

Suddenly, a notification appeared in Haruto's vision, its bright display causing his eyes to widen in surprise.

[Congratulations!]

[You have successfully completed the quest: Hell or Heaven? It's Your Choice]

[Rewards are now available in your storage.]

[Asuka Status Update]

[Obsession: 55/100]

[Emotional Bond: 65/100]