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

Kota stood near the door, frozen in place, his wide eyes darting nervously around the room.

Confidence had fled him entirely, leaving him exposed and trembling under the weight of the gang members' stares.

He couldn't shake the feeling that he was standing in a wolf's den.

Beside him, Haruto was the complete opposite. He leaned lazily against the doorframe, his expression calm, almost amused.

A smirk danced on his lips as he watched Kota struggle to compose himself, savoring the contrast.

"So," Daiki's voice broke the silence, muffled slightly by the lollipop he rolled between his teeth.

He didn't bother to look up from the comic sprawled across his lap.

"Where's this new member you wanted to introduce?"

Haruto inclined his head toward Kota with a casual gesture. "Right here, beside me."

A snort of disdain came from Ren, who flicked the remnants of his cigarette to the floor and crushed it beneath his heel.

Rising from his seat, he strode toward Haruto, his glare sharp enough to cut. "You're joking, right? This loser?"

Ren's irritation spilled over as he turned to Daiki. "Why the hell do you even keep him around? He's not one of us—he's from a different group!"

Daiki's lollipop paused mid-roll, his sharp eyes finally lifting to meet Ren's. "And? Last I checked, our territories overlap. Keeping things cool with the Murder of Crow benefits us both."

Another voice, low and measured, chimed in. "Ren, the gang's relationship with the Murder of Crow was solid until you started stirring up trouble."

Haruto's gaze shifted to the speaker, and his stomach twisted with unease. The man seated next to Daiki exuded a quiet intensity, and he recognized him instantly:

Azuma Endo.

Azuma was younger—a first-year—but his presence was anything but meek.

Known for his devastating strength, he had once left Haruto hospitalized with a single punch.

Haruto's memories of him were fragmented and conflicted.

Azuma had never participated in Haruka's suffering, but he had provided information about her whereabouts.

Whether that act was fueled by malice or pity, Haruto still didn't know. So his feelings toward the man with brown hair and dark eyes were complicated.

'I need to tread carefully,'

he thought, his muscles unconsciously tensing.

'He's stronger than Daiki.'

Daiki broke the silence again, his tone laced with irritation. "Azuma's right. While you've been busy making messes, I've been the one cleaning them up."

He punctuated the statement by tossing his comic at Ren's head. The book smacked his cheek before falling to the floor.

Ren flinched but said nothing, his face pale as Daiki's cold gaze bored into him.

"This time, shut your mouth. One day, it'll get you killed."

Ren stumbled back, eager to retreat, but Haruto stepped into his path, blocking him with a wicked grin.

"Hold on. Didn't I promise you something worthwhile? Something that'd make you very happy?"

Haruto gestured for Kota to step forward. With shaky hands, he handed his phone to Ren, who snatched it roughly.

Still fuming, Ren unlocked the device and opened the video.

His scowl softened as his eyes scanned the footage. His brows lifted in interest, his lips curling into a grin.

"Not bad," he admitted grudgingly, though he frowned at the blurred faces on the screen. "But come on, this isn't clear enough. You really think anyone's gonna pay for something like this?"

Haruto shrugged, his smirk widening. "You'll never know unless you try. But hey, Ren—didn't it make you hard?" His tone was playful, taunting.

Ren's face flushed as he instinctively covered his crotch. "Tch. Whatever," he muttered, rolling his eyes before passing the phone to Daiki.

He took the phone without a word, his expression unreadable as he watched the video. When it ended, he leaned back, tossing the phone onto the table with a clatter.

"The guy in the video—that's you, isn't it?"

The words hit Haruto like a shockwave. He stiffened, his smirk faltering for the first time. He had been meticulous, altering his voice and editing out his tattoos.

Yet Daiki had seen through it effortlessly.

Haruto's mind raced, but outwardly he forced his smirk to return.

'This guy's smarter than I thought.'

.

The air in the room grew heavier as all eyes locked onto him. Even Kota, who had been trembling moments ago, was now glaring at him with barely contained anger.

Suspicion churned in his mind, piecing together fragments of memory like a dark puzzle he couldn't unsee.

He remembered vividly the day he had found Haruto's shoes in his house but couldn't find him himself.

He had searched every corner, even the attic, but the one room he didn't dare to enter was his mother's bedroom.

And that day, she had acted... off.

Yet, by morning, Haruto's shoes were gone, as if they'd never been there. His mother swore she hadn't seen him at all, but his father had mentioned it in passing.

'Why is she lying?'

Kota thought.

The inconsistencies itched at his mind like a splinter. Now, with the video on display and Haruto's casual attitude, the pieces began to click into place.

The realization made his blood boil. His glare bore into Haruto, demanding an explanation, but he only smirked wider.

Haruto's internal amusement bubbled to the surface. Watching Kota wrestle with his suspicions was deliciously entertaining.

'Suffer in your own imagination, Kota,'

he thought, resisting the urge to burst out laughing.

"Yes, it is indeed me," Haruto said finally, his voice dripping with nonchalance.

The room erupted. Ren let out a raucous laugh, doubling over as if the admission was the funniest thing he'd ever heard.

Daiki's eyes never left his, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Gutsy move, Haruto."

"Hah! Are you so desperate for him to join that you'd go this far?" Ren mocked, sneering at Haruto.

He shrugged, leaning lazily against the wall as if unfazed by the ridicule. "What can I say? I've slept with many women. Sharing one of them isn't a big deal." His smirk widened, a deliberate provocation.

"Besides, Kota's my best friend. What kind of friend would I be if I didn't give him what he needed to become a man?"

Ren rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath, but Daiki raised a hand to silence him. "If that's your reasoning, I don't care. Let him join. But make sure he's not a crybaby who begs for mercy the second things get tough."

Before Haruto could respond, Kota's voice cut through the room like a blade.

"Yes! I'll do my best as a member of Red Fang!" he declared, his tone surprisingly firm.

Then, with a pointed glare at Haruto, he added, "But I don't want to be connected to him. I'm my own person."

Haruto raised an eyebrow, his grin growing wider.

'So, you want to step out of my shadow? Nice.'

In truth, he found Kota's declaration amusing. If Kota managed to impress the gang, he'd bask in his own glory.

But if he failed—and Haruto was certain he would—it wouldn't reflect on him at all. Kota's determination to separate himself only played into his hands.

'Perfect,

' He thought.

'You'll dig your own grave, and I'll be there to watch.'

"Whatever you say," Haruto said smoothly, waving a hand.

"But don't forget to send videos like that weekly, newbie," Ren said.

Daiki stood up, stretching lazily before cracking his neck. "Now, let's welcome our new member properly."

The gang members exchanged knowing grins, their smiles sharp and predatory. One by one, they cracked their knuckles and rolled their shoulders, their movements deliberate.

Kota's confidence faltered as he realized what was about to happen. Sweat beaded on his brow, and he instinctively took a step back.

Haruto leaned in close, whispering just loud enough for Kota to hear, "Good luck, buddy. This is only the beginning."