Kaguya glanced one by one at Ryuju Momo, Shijo Maki, Kashiwagi Nagisa, Tsubame Koyasu, Shirogane Kei, and Fujiwara Moeha.
Finally, her gaze landed on Takashi, who was being protected by the group of girls, and she sneered, "I underestimated you."
In their social circle, it wasn't unusual for married couples to have cold relationships, each doing their own thing, and rich women keeping pretty boys as lovers was nothing new.
But to be living off five different women at the same time—Kaguya had never seen a gigolo as successful as Takashi.
In some ways, it was harder than getting into the University of Tokyo.
What puzzled her was: what on earth did they all see in Takashi?
Aside from being good-looking, having good grades, and knowing how to charm girls, what else did he have?
Kaguya was genuinely curious—what kind of bewitching potion had Takashi given these rich girls to make them act like they'd lost their minds?
"Thanks for the compliment—ow, ow, ow!"
Just as Takashi was about to act modest, Momo grabbed his ear and yanked. "How come you're involved with Senpai Koyasu too?"
She already knew about Maki and Nagisa's relationship with him.
But when did this pervert start cozying up to Koyasu-senpai as well?
Before Takashi could explain, Tsubame quickly said, "Momo, don't misunderstand! This is the first time I've met Kitahara-kun."
If Takashi told them what happened yesterday, Tsubame didn't even want to imagine how the other girls would react.
"First time meeting?"
Momo looked at Takashi with a cold smile and pulled harder.
Nagisa smiled sweetly. "Miss Ryuju, don't be so rough. Everyone's watching."
But as she said that, she had already reached around and pinched Takashi's side hard.
"Hiss—!"
Takashi sucked in a breath.
"Kei, it looks like your senpai is very popular~"
Moehahad just been defending Takashi, and now she was fanning the flames.
Kei walked up to him with a blank expression. "Senpai, your tie's crooked."
She gently, slowly, began to tighten his tie.
"Ack, Kei, can you loosen it a little? I'm dying here."
Takashi's brain was soon deprived of oxygen. He struggled to breathe but inhaled mostly the blended fragrances of several girls around him instead of air.
Right now, his ear was being yanked, his side was being pinched, and his neck was being strangled.
Just moments ago, this alliance was united against outsiders. Now, they were united against him.
'Why are all the girls who like me so weird?'
Takashi figured if this kept up, even if he wasn't into it, he'd be trained into an M.
And where were all those people saying Japanese girls were gentle?
Apologize to him right now!
"Hey, you!"
Maki crossed her arms and arrogantly lifted her snow-white chin in front of Takashi.
"If you dare lead Watanabe astray, I won't let you off."
Same name, but what a difference—one's a flirt, the other loyal and serious. Maki couldn't understand how Watanabe Takashi and Kitahara Takashi were even friends.
She really hoped he wouldn't corrupt Watanabe.
Maki made up her mind—once they got back, she would make Watanabe Takashi cut ties with Takashi.
…
"Tsubasa, I feel like your girlfriend likes Kitahara more than you."
A slightly tan boy whispered to Tanuma Tsubasa.
"Don't be ridiculous. She and Kitahara are just friends."
Watching his girlfriend flirt and bicker with another guy, while he—her actual boyfriend—had to make excuses for her, Tsubasa felt pathetic.
After dating Nagisa for a while, he'd started to realize she didn't actually like him.
If he were an adult, he might've broken up already upon noticing that.
But Tsubasa was still young and inexperienced. Nagisa was his first love, and he wouldn't quit unless he got seriously hurt first.
…
"Takashi!"
Just as Takashi was enduring all this torment, Hitomi walked up with her arms crossed, her presence calm but commanding.
Time seemed to freeze. Everyone around fell silent.
Hitomi didn't seem to acknowledge the people around her at all as she walked straight up to Takashi and locked eyes with him.
'Big Sis Hitomi, save me!'
That was exactly what Takashi was thinking.
"What are you doing here? Aoba is over that way."
Hitomi raised her hand—smack!—and slapped Nagisa's arm off like she was swatting a mosquito.
Nagisa was still smiling, but her smile didn't reach her eyes. Just seeing her legs made Takashi shiver.
Anyone familiar with her knew—this time, she was really mad.
Hitomi gave Kei a glance—the girl who had been trying to strangle Takashi with his tie—then turned her gaze to Momo.
She didn't say a word. Just one look. That was all it took for Kei to back off, as if frightened by her aura.
If this were Naruto, Hitomi would've just soloed both of them.
Only Momo was still holding on.
"Let him go," Hitomi said calmly.
"Are you ordering me?"
Momo's grip on his ear tightened, her tone icy.
"You can take it that way."
The sea breeze from Tokyo Bay blew gently, tossing the girl's silver hair.
She stood tall, composed, her presence overwhelming.
Takashi genuinely felt envious—he really wished he could be as cool as Hitomi someday.
"Then try and take him from me."
Momo narrowed her eyes dangerously.
Her type was: if you ask nicely, maybe she'll listen. But if you challenge her—then you're on.
Their eyes clashed—like planets colliding.
Worried the situation would escalate, Takashi quickly whispered beside her, "Momo, maybe just let me off the hook for today?"
"You're siding with her?"
She turned her cold stare to him.
"I just don't want you to get into a fight."
Smart move.
He didn't say who he was siding with—just that he was worried for her.
"Sounds nice, but you're still helping her."
Her tone was still cold, but if you listened carefully, it wasn't as hard as before.
"I don't care about anyone else, but you—I don't want you getting hurt."
Takashi said it seriously.
He meant it.
If it had been Kaguya, he wouldn't have cared at all.
But because it was Momo, he did care.
She looked up, quietly staring into his eyes.
His black pupils were clear as glass, more sincere than any words.
Hitomi saw the exchange—and her eyes suddenly turned cold.
At that moment, she had a sudden urge to gouge Takashi's eyes out.
"Get lost."
After a long silence, Momo let go, turned her head away from Takashi, and waved dismissively.
"Momo, I lo—cough, cough—Hitomi, slow down, slow down."
Face cold, Hitomi dragged Takashi by the tie like she was walking a dog, heading toward Aoba.
"Are you embarrassed now?"
The direction Momo turned happened to face Kaguya.
Others might not have seen it, but Kaguya could clearly spot Momo's ears turning beet red like she'd been dunked in hot oil.
Hand on her dainty chin, Kaguya's mouth curled into a smug smile. "How cute~"
She had been quite annoyed earlier, but now that she'd gotten a good show—especially seeing that fear-nothing mafia heiress blushing—Kaguya thought Takashi was turning out to be far more interesting than she expected.
"Shut up. If you say a word, I'll kill you."
Momo glared at Kaguya, then angrily sat in her seat, tugging her cap down.
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