Momo had thought Takashi somehow accidentally offended those rich girls, but after digging into it, she discovered he was the one who initiated things.
It was like a girlfriend crying to her boyfriend saying she'd been assaulted, the boyfriend calls the cops in outrage—only to later find out the girlfriend was a sex worker and the whole thing was a transaction.
Illegal, sure, but still a deal.
No wonder Momo had no kindness left for Takashi.
She had even been about to ask her parents for help, afraid he'd be retaliated against.
"Takashi, you've got guts."
Momo reached out and twisted Takashi's ear.
"Ow ow ow! Lady Ryuju, go easy!"
Takashi knew he was in the wrong now and didn't dare resist.
Not only did he not resist, he even felt guilty.
Sometimes he really felt like he wasn't human anymore.
"Shut up."
Momo shot him a glare.
Takashi shut up immediately, just grimacing in pain.
Sometimes he really couldn't understand—how come other male leads get girls who are all soft and gentle, and even when they get mad, they just lightly punch your chest with little fists?
How come with him, all the girls were threatening him, choking him, twisting his ears, stomping on him, making him kneel and lick their feet?
Wasn't he supposed to be the protagonist?
He was a transmigrator! He had a system!
Even though his transmigration didn't bring any benefits, and the system was weak and barely had any presence—still, by all accounts, he should've had protagonist privileges, right?
So here's the question—why the hell was he living like some henpecked husband?
A harem!
Takashi wanted a harem!
He wanted to throw silver parties!
He wanted long poolside queues of girls!
"Hiss!"
Takashi was deep in fantasy when the pain in his ear intensified, and he genuinely winced.
Seeing his current expression, Momo almost laughed—but she resisted. If she gave him a kind face now, who knew how many girls he'd end up provoking again?
She held back her laugh, though the upward curl of her lips betrayed her.
'Opportunity.'
Not far off, Kaguya saw the scene. She knew it was her moment to step in.
She calmly stood up and walked over, smiling politely. "Ryuju-san, this is quite improper behavior."
"If others see, they'll laugh at our Shuchiin Academy."
If she stepped in now, surely Takashi would fall in love with her?
Come now, foolish commoner!
Let this lady wring out every last bit of value from you.
If this were a manga, Kaguya would probably be glowing by now.
"Mind your own damn business."
Momo glanced sidelong at Shinomiya Kaguya, her eyes full of menace.
Only—it wasn't Momo who said that.
It was Takashi.
Kaguya stared at him in shock. "?"
Wait, bro, I was speaking up for you?
And you sided with her to snap at me?
No one had ever dared speak to her like that before. Her first reaction wasn't anger—it was disbelief.
"I just like it when Momo treats me this way!"
Kaguya: "You like it???"
You like getting your ear twisted?
This man must be a masochist.
Or was he being threatened?
If you're being threatened, blink.
Given that this commoner still had some use, she didn't mind lending a hand.
"You don't understand. To me, this is a blessing."
Of course Takashi knew he was spouting nonsense.
But what could he do?
Nothing.
His top priority now was to calm Momo down.
As for Shinomiya Kaguya, he'd already decided to give up trying to pursue her.
"I advise you to mind your own business."
Momo didn't say another word. She let go of Takashi's ear, folded her arms, and smiled mockingly at Kaguya.
"So that's why there's no Joker in poker—turns out it's right here."
Trying to be the peacemaker only to get mocked—Kaguya's expression turned frosty like a harsh winter's frost, the kind that chills just by looking.
'So vicious!'
Hearing Momo's jab, Takashi really wanted to pass out.
When he had said something himself, it was at least somewhat tactful. Kaguya might've just seen it as him being ungrateful.
But Momo's mockery? That was straight-up making an enemy for him.
Wait, isn't this how villain characters get treated in novels?
Is it still too late to kneel down and beg for mercy?
Kaguya and Momo stared each other down like Mars crashing into Earth—the air thick with tension and sparks.
But Momo showed no fear.
Sure, your dad's powerful. But if her dad gets pissed off, he might just treat you to some Mozambique drill. Believe it.
"You're good."
Kaguya didn't stare long. She turned her gaze straight to Takashi, speaking each word with weight.
Honestly, she had no way of dealing with Momo.
No matter how fierce their argument got, it was still just a spat between juniors.
The Shinomiya and Ryuju groups had complex ties. Her father and brother wouldn't turn against the Ryujus over something this small.
She couldn't deal with Momo—but Takashi? Fair game.
'You think you're untouchable, huh?'
Takashi wanted to curse.
Picking on him—was that all she could do? If she had the guts, she should go after Momo.
"He's under my protection."
Momo, of course, noticed Kaguya's gaze. She pointed at Takashi, but stared down Kaguya instead. "Touch him, and see what happens."
'Momo-sama, you're incredible!'
Takashi shouted in his heart.
When you meet a kind person, you build a home.
When you meet a powerful one, you build a legacy.
When you meet a rich woman—you build both!
At this moment, Takashi honestly wanted to marry Momo.
"Kaguya-san, Momo-san, we're all students of the same school—no need to get this hostile."
Nagisa stepped in too, seemingly trying to separate the two girls, but actually shielding Takashi behind her.
This surprised Takashi and touched him a little.
He really hadn't expected Nagisa to stand up for him.
He always thought she just saw him as a toy.
Kaguya glanced at Nagisa but said nothing.
"Auntie, don't give Nagisa a hard time!"
Maki didn't want to step in for Takashi either—but since Nagisa was involved, she had no choice.
Kaguya: "..."
"Everyone, please don't fight. Let's talk this out."
Tsubame stepped forward, trying to calm things down.
But she stood on Shinomiya Kaguya's opposing side.
"You—" "Sit down."
Kei had just started to stand when Shirogane Miyuki pulled her back down.
"Don't cause trouble. This isn't something we can get involved in right now."
Don't even mention Miyuki anymore—over 99% of Shuchiin's students aren't even qualified to get involved in this.
This wasn't a personal grudge anymore.
If things went badly, this could escalate into a full-blown conflict.
Miyuki remained calm, but Kei was anything but rational.
She forcefully shook off Miyuki's arm and ran toward Takashi.
But because the front row was full, she had no choice but to stand behind him.
"Kei!"
Moeha had a bit of a headache but still walked over.
Chika, who originally planned to stand with Kaguya, saw this and looked deeply conflicted.
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Sighh, these past few chapters are so hard to read…
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