NOVEL NEXT Chapter 239: His Weakness
Haruto finally arrived at the cram school just as students began pouring out of the entrance. His eyes scanned the crowd, and soon, he spotted Haruka.
A small smile tugged at his lips. 'She's really working hard to get into her dream school…'
Though, between the two of them, Haruka had always been the smarter one.
Even without studying much, she consistently ranked in the top ten at school, while Haruto—who spent most of his time holed up in his room reading novels—struggled to even break into the top 100.
Just as he was about to call out to her, his gaze sharpened.
A figure was approaching Haruka—blond hair illuminated even under the dim night lights.
Haruto's stomach twisted in rage. 'That hair… That damn hair…'
"Daiki!" His hands gripped the steering wheel, his pulse hammering in his ears. "What the hell is he doing here?!"
Without a second thought, he flung the car door open.
His blood ran hot when he saw Daiki talking to Haruka. But when he reached out and touched her—Haruto snapped.
He had never moved this fast in his life. His legs propelled him forward, his body cutting through the crowd with an almost unnatural speed.
In the blink of an eye, he yanked Haruka's arm, pulling her behind him and shielding her from the human-shaped devil standing before them.
"Don't you dare touch her!"
Haruto's voice thundered, laced with a fury that made Haruka flinch behind him.
Daiki's eyes widened slightly. 'Fast…'
He hadn't even seen Haruto move. But then, a smirk curled his lips.
"Oh?" He tilted his head mockingly. "And what if I don't feel like listening?"
Haruto's fists clenched. "I'll fucking kill you, Daiki!"
His voice trembled—just slightly—but it wasn't from rage alone.
It was fear.
Fear that history would repeat itself. Fear that, once again, Haruka's life would be turned into hell because of this bastard.
Daiki let out a low chuckle. "Didn't expect you to lose your temper so quickly," he mused before stepping closer.
He casually placed a hand on Haruto's shoulder. "Come on, no need to be so hostile. Why don't you introduce me to your sister? We're friends, aren't we?"
Something inside Haruto snapped.
With a forceful shove, he sent Daiki stumbling back.
His teeth ground together as he spat, "I'd rather die."
His voice dropped into something dangerously low, firm with conviction. "Come near my sister again, and I will kill you, Daiki."
Without waiting for a response, Haruto turned to Haruka. She was shaking slightly, fear evident in her wide eyes.
"Let's go," he said, his voice softer now.
Haruka hesitated only for a moment before nodding. Together, they turned and walked away.
Daiki, still standing in place, watched them with an amused smirk. He dusted off his sleeve, chuckling under his breath.
"Not fun… But oh well." His lips curled into something more sinister.
"There will be plenty of chances to meet that girl again. And if there aren't… I'll make it happen."
"And I finally found his weakness, isn't this interesting?"
With that, he turned and drove his black sedan and disappeared into the night.
Haruto's breath was ragged, his hands trembling as he gripped the steering wheel.
His mind was in chaos, alarms ringing in his head. Something about this night felt wrong—like a terrible inevitability was creeping toward them, mirroring the past he had fought so hard to change.
'How? How the hell was he there?' His jaw clenched. 'Was Akane in that cram school? Is that why he was picking her up?'
No matter how he thought about it, it didn't make sense. Daiki had countless women at his beck and call—more beautiful, more alluring than Haruka.
So why her? Why again?
His grip on the wheel tightened. 'Is fate playing with me?'
The thought of sending Haruka away crossed his mind—far from the city, far from the country even.
As long as Daiki could never lay a finger on her again, he would do whatever it took.
Lost in his thoughts, he failed to notice Haruka calling his name, her voice growing more panicked with each repetition.
"Brother! Answer me!" she finally screamed, shaking his shoulder.
Haruto jolted back to reality, his wide eyes snapping toward her.
Haruka exhaled in relief. "You scared me!"
Ignoring her concern, he grasped her shoulders. "Do you know that man? What was he saying to you?!"
Haruka blinked in confusion. She had never seen her brother this unnerved before. "I... I don't know him. I only met him once before—during our trip to Kyoto."
Haruto's stomach dropped. He tightened his grip. "What do you mean?! When did that happen?! Why didn't you tell me sooner?!"
"Brother! You're scaring me!" she protested, shrinking slightly under his intense gaze.
Realizing he was shaking her, Haruto sucked in a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
He loosened his hold. "I'm sorry... It's just—he's dangerous, Haruka. If you ever see him again, you run. Do you hear me? You run."
Haruka hesitated before nodding. "I met him when you were off with that girl…"
She furrowed her brows, trying to recall. "I forgot her name."
Haruto rubbed his face. "This is my fault… I shouldn't have left you alone."
She pursed her lips. "Yeah, it is your fault."
Her voice softened. "But… you won't leave me again, right? Even if you have a family of your own?"
Haruto stilled, then gently leaned his forehead against hers, feeling her warmth.
"I won't. I love you the most, Haruka. I would never leave you."
She stared at him, eyes searching. "Then… Why won't you touch me? I'm not a child anymore."
Haruto sighed, a tired smile tugging at his lips. "You're still a child." He ruffled her hair, then leaned in, pressing a soft kiss against her lips.
Haruka's breath hitched. She melted into the kiss, tilting her head, her tongue flicking against his lips, seeking more.
Haruto didn't resist, parting his mouth as their tongues intertwined in a slow, heated dance.
Their breaths mingled, the warmth between them growing as they lost themselves in each other.
When they finally pulled away, Haruka's lips were glossy with their shared saliva, her eyes half-lidded.
"Brother… I want more."
Haruto chuckled, brushing his thumb against her cheek. "Alright, alright. But not here. Enji will kill me if I mess up his car."
With a small smile, he started the engine, steering toward the nearest hotel.