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

Haruka often found solace at the temple. It had become a routine for her—a place where she could pour her hopes into prayers, especially about her grades.

Her goal was simple: to excel academically so she could attend her brother's high school.

Her brother, Haruto, had always told her she couldn't follow him there, insisting it was for her own good.

But for Haruka, being by his side was the most important thing.

She convinced herself it would be fine to tell a few white lies if it meant staying close to him.

'He'd forgive me if I lied. He always does,'

she thought, a light hum escaping her lips as she descended the stone steps toward the temple.

Unlike other shrines, this one came alive at night. Rituals and prayers dedicated to their God drew a lively crowd under the moonlight.

As Haruka entered, she was greeted warmly by the priest and several familiar congregants, who offered respectful bows and kind words.

Standing before the grand statue, Haruka clasped her hands together in prayer. The faint scent of incense swirled around her, adding to the sacred atmosphere.

But just as she closed her eyes, a familiar voice whispered beside her, shattering her focus.

"How are you doing, Haruka? School going well?"

Haruka's brow furrowed in irritation. That voice—it was unmistakable.

Without opening her eyes, she replied curtly, "Yoshida, I'm praying."

Ayaka Yoshida chuckled, leaning closer. "Don't be so formal. We've known each other for years, haven't we?"

Opening her eyes, Haruka turned her head slightly, her annoyance clear as she hissed, "What do you want?"

Ayaka smirked, her sharp gaze gleaming with mischief. "Why are you hiding things from your brother?"

The question made Haruka stiffen, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. She squared her shoulders, forcing herself to remain composed.

"Let's talk somewhere private," she said firmly, her voice low. "This isn't a conversation to have in front of the Lord."

"Why not?" Ayaka teased, her tone mockingly pious. "The Lord hears everything, doesn't He? Besides, Haruto is one of His children too."

"Don't you dare speak his name!"

Haruka snapped, her voice a venomous whisper as her glare bore into Ayaka.

Ayaka tilted her head, her smirk widening as though she were savoring Haruka's reaction.

"Oh, you don't know?" she drawled, her tone dripping with mock sympathy.

"Your precious brother is trying to be my prince."

Haruka's breath caught in her throat. Ayaka's words struck a nerve, sending alarm bells ringing in her mind.

She knew all too well about Ayaka's bizarre behavior and her so-called 'Cinderella complex.'

Being called someone's prince was Ayaka's twisted way of claiming them as her destined soulmate.

Clenching her fists, Haruka shot back, "My brother would never want to be with a bitch like you."

Ayaka raised an eyebrow, then burst into laughter. "My, my," she said, crossing her arms as she leaned back.

"I didn't expect the sweet little princess to have such a sharp tongue."

Haruka's eyes blazed with fury, but Ayaka continued undeterred. "You're wrong, though," she said, her smirk turning sly.

"He's the one who begged to be with me."

Haruka's jaw tightened, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to keep her composure.

"Why would he want to be with a clingy little sister like you?" Ayaka taunted, her grin widening.

She hugged herself dramatically, as though savoring a romantic memory.

"Even when he didn't remember me, he still begged me to be his princess. Isn't that sweet?"

"Huh, you're delusional, Yoshida. My brother has plenty of women wrapped around his finger."

"You're just one of many he uses to pass the time," she snapped, her tone sharp as a blade.

Ayaka raised an eyebrow, her smile unwavering.

"He'll get bored of you," Haruka continued, her confidence burning bright.

"He always does. And when he does, he'll leave you behind like everyone else. The only woman who's ever truly in his heart is me. You'll never win against me!"

But Ayaka didn't flinch. Instead, her smile grew wider, more knowing. She leaned closer to Haruka, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"But who is the person he made a promise to?"

The question landed like a strike. Haruka's breath caught as her eyes widened, a memory from childhood rushed in her head like a storm that she always wanted to forget.

She staggered back, her composure faltering for the first time.

But Haruka forced herself to remain calm. Attacking someone as delusional and manipulative as Ayaka would only waste her energy

Attacking someone as delusional as her would be a waste of time and energy, she told herself.

Instead, she turned on her heel and stormed off, her emotions boiling beneath the surface.

The moment she was out of sight, she broke into a run, her heart pounding as conflicting thoughts swirled in her mind.

'She's lying!'

Haruka told herself, the words ringing in her ears like a mantra.

Her legs carried her faster as she neared home, her chest tight with fear and anger.

Haruka's paranoia gnawed at her—what if Ayaka wasn't lying? What if Haruto was changing, drifting further away from her?

'I know he has other women... but I'm still his number one! I have to be!'

Bursting through the door, Haruka dashed to her brother's room, her breathing ragged as she banged on the door. Find more to read at empire

"Brother!" she called, her voice cracking with desperation.

When the door opened, her emotions, already bubbling to the surface, erupted like a storm.

The sight before her sent a pang of dread through her chest.

Haruto's expression was calm but distant, his demeanor somehow... different.

'Why does he seem so changed?'

she thought, panic creeping in.

'It scares me. What if... what if he leaves me behind? What if he abandoned me?'

Her paranoia consumed her, drowning out rational thought. In the grip of her fear, she blurted out the words that had been clawing at her heart.

"Kiss me! Kiss me if you love me!"

Haruka's voice cracked as she screamed, the raw emotion pouring from her like a flood she could no longer contain.

Her words echoed in the silence, shocking even herself.

Realizing what she had just blurted out, Haruka's eyes widened in horror.

She slapped a trembling hand over her mouth and averted her gaze, unable to meet Haruto's stunned expression.

Her face burned with shame as she lowered her head.

"I… I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice shaking.

"I didn't mean it."

She turned abruptly, ready to flee to the safety of her room, her legs unsteady as tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

But before she could escape, Haruto's hand caught her wrist. The warmth of his touch stopped her in her tracks.

"Haruka," he said softly, his tone steady yet uncertain. She froze, her back still turned to him.

"I don't know what my feelings are," he admitted. "I don't know if I like you only as my sister… or something more."

Haruka's breath hitched. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest, waiting for he to continue his words feel like hell.

"But…" he continued, his voice gentle yet firm, "just wait for me. Give me time to figure it out. I don't want to lose what we have, and I don't want to hurt you."

The sincerity in his voice made Haruka's shoulders tremble. Slowly, she turned to face him.

His gaze was steady, though conflicted, as if he were grappling with emotions he didn't fully understand.

"So wait for me," he repeated, his hand still holding hers.

"Wait until the time comes when we can have our happy ending—whatever that may be."

Haruka stared at him, stunned. Despite the changes in him—the other women, the growing distance—this part of Haruto, his gentle patience, remained the same. It was this side of him that made her heart ache.

But their bond, once simple and innocent, now felt fragile and complicated. She couldn't go back to seeing him as just her brother, not anymore.

Steeling herself, Haruka stepped closer, her face lifting toward his. Standing on her tiptoes, she brushed her lips against his in a tentative kiss.

Haruto's eyes widened, his body stiffening at the unexpected contact.

Her lips were soft, trembling slightly against his as she poured all her conflicted feelings into that fleeting moment.

When she pulled back, Haruka's eyes met his, brimming with emotion. "Brother…" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Promise me you'll stay away from Ayaka Yoshida. If you get close to her, I'll never forgive you."

Before he could respond, she turned and hurried out of the room, leaving him standing there, stunned and speechless.

Haruto brought a hand to his lips, his mind reeling from what had just happened.

He could still feel the warmth of her kiss lingering there, stirring emotions he couldn't fully comprehend.

"Her lips…" he muttered to himself, his voice dazed. "They were so soft."

His hand drifted to his chest, where his heart raced uncontrollably. He leaned against the doorframe, staring blankly into the hallway where Haruka had disappeared.

"What do I do now?" he whispered, his voice laced with confusion and guilt. "I can't just be her brother anymore."