Chapter 24: Jealousy Critical…

Akira shot up in bed, his heart racing from more than just the afterglow of sex. His mind raced through possibilities, and none of them were good.

Aoi Saito, the cautious, studious class representative, was standing outside his door while Mia was literally dripping with evidence of what they’d just done.

This was a disaster waiting to happen.

Mia was already yanking on her thong aggressively. “Don’t you dare open that door,” she whispered fiercely, but Akira held up a hand.

“Relax. I’ll handle it.” He pulled on his joggers quickly, ignoring the sticky mess between his legs and the obvious bulge that hadn’t fully subsided. He grabbed a shirt but didn’t bother putting it on yet.

“Akira, I swear to…”

“Trust me,” he said firmly, meeting her eyes.

The Yandere Lock pulsed between them, and she reluctantly backed down, even though her expression promised murder.

Akira cracked the door just enough to see Aoi Saito standing there, looking exactly as he’d expected: worried, earnest, and completely out of place in this situation.

The careful class representative held a pile of notebooks and handouts tightly against her chest, as if they were a shield.

Her uniform was neat as always, blouse perfectly tucked in, skirt hitting just below her knees, hair pulled back with clips.

Her cheeks turned pink as soon as she saw him without a shirt, his hair messy and clearly looking dishevelled.

“Akira-kun? Are you okay?” Her voice was soft, concerned. “You missed the whole day. Sensei asked about you during third period, and when no one knew where you were, I thought… well, I thought I’d drop these off.”

She held out the books, her eyes darting past him into the dim room. “Is everything alright? You look… flushed. And it smells strange in there.”

Behind him, just out of sight, Mia let out a low, territorial growl; it was barely audible, but Akira heard it clearly. He forced a smile, stepping halfway into the hallway to block Aoi’s view.

“Yeah, just… not feeling great. Stomach bug or something.” The lie came easily. “Thanks for the notes, Aoi. That’s really sweet of you to think of me.”

She bit her lip, hesitating.

She looked innocently concerned. “If you need help catching up, I could… stay? We have that group project due soon for Literature class. The one on modern symbolism? I know you probably haven’t even started planning your section yet.”

The system pinged softly in his head.

[CHOICE AVAILABLE]

[OPTION A: SEND HER AWAY – Safe approach, +5 Affinity (Aoi), but Mia’s jealousy spikes dangerously high. Reward: 15 PP]

[OPTION B: INVITE HER IN – Risky approach, potential route unlock, triggers immediate harem drama. Reward: 50 PP, AOI ROUTE UNLOCKED]

Akira’s mind raced.

Every one of his instincts screamed to take Option A: send Aoi away, deal with Mia’s lingering jealousy, and avoid the explosive confrontation. It was the safe play.

But Aoi Saito was a crucial route.

The shy, studious Class Rep would give him academic benefits, social credibility, and access to a completely different kind of conquest. She represented everything pure and innocent that his current path was corrupting.

The contrast alone made her valuable.

Plus, 50 PP versus 15 PP, and the route unlock.

The risk was large. Mia was literally one wrong word away from violence. But when had playing it safe ever gotten him anywhere?

“I need those notes badly,” Akira said, making his decision.

He widened the door slightly, enough for Aoi to step in, but not enough to reveal the rumpled bed immediately.

“You’re right about the project. I can’t afford to fall behind, stomach bug or not. Do you mind coming in for just five minutes to explain the literature assignment? I promise it won’t take long.”

Aoi’s eyes widened slightly, and she glanced nervously back down the hall. “O-okay. Just for a minute. I don’t want to bother you if you’re not feeling well.”

“You’re not bothering me at all.”

She walked in quietly, and the mood in the room changed right away. While Mia was full of fire and aggression, Aoi was calm with a nervous energy.

She smelled faintly of lavender mixed with the smell of old books, so innocent and completely out of place.

She barely took two steps before she froze.

Her eyes landed on the ’evidence’ scattered across the floor: Mia’s abandoned black lace bra, the messy bedsheet piled on the floor instead of on the bed, and the unmistakable scent in the air: sweat and sex.

Aoi’s face drained of colour as the innocent realisation dawned on her. “Oh. Oh no. I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

Mia stepped out from where she had been leaning against the wall. She was fully dressed now, but her eyes were filled with intense jealousy.

She walked silently like a predator until she stood right beside the trembling class rep.

“You heard the Creep King, didn’t you, Class Rep?” Her low voice made Aoi flinch. “He said five minutes. The only assignment you’re helping him with now is finding the exit. So why don’t you hand over those notes and get the fuck out?”

Aoi squeaked, clutching the notes even tighter to her chest. Her attention split between the furious Mia and Akira, seeking some kind of rescue.

Akira moved in between them, feeling his new Aura of Power buzzing under his skin. He let it spread out around him, calm but strong, like a pressure exerting control over the tense situation.

“Mia. Stop,” he ordered, his voice overriding her rage with pure authority.

Mia’s entire body trembled under the command.

The Yandere Lock and his Aura of Power combined to create something she couldn’t resist or defy, even as every instinct screamed at her to tear Aoi apart.

She took an involuntary step back, but her furious eyes remained locked on him.

“But Akira…”

“I said stop.”

She fell silent, seething.

Akira turned to Aoi, softening his voice slightly. “I’m really grateful for the notes, Aoi. Seriously. But Mia is right, I have a fever, and I can’t think straight right now. Can we meet up tomorrow afternoon to go over the project? Just the two of us, somewhere quiet where I can actually focus?”

Aoi looked at him, her eyes wide with shock and something else… a hint of darkness creeping into her usually innocent expression.

The danger of the situation, the angry Mia, the messy aftermath in the room, and the strong control in Akira’s voice had stirred something inside her cautious nature.

It wasn’t fear; it was fascination.

“Y-yes, Akira-kun,” she stammered, nodding quickly. “Tomorrow. After school. The library?” Her voice trembled. “I-I have to go now. I’m sorry to interrupt. I didn’t know you were… I mean, I didn’t realise…”

“It’s fine,” Akira assured her. “You didn’t know. Tomorrow, okay?”

“Tomorrow,” she repeated, practically bolting toward the door.

As she rushed past, her hand accidentally brushed Mia’s shoulder.

“Don’t. Touch. Me,” Mia hissed under her breath, her eyes following Aoi down the hallway like a predator sizing up its next kill. “Ever.”

The door closed, and Akira leaned against it with a heavy sigh.

[CHOICE B EXECUTED]

[REWARD: +50 PERV-POINTS]

[AOI SAITO ROUTE UNLOCKED: “THE MISUNDERSTOOD SOUL”]

[CURRENT PP: 485 → 535]

[WARNING: HAREM INSTABILITY INCREASED]

[MIA TAKAHASHI JEALOUSY: CRITICAL]

Mia spun around, and for a moment, Akira thought she might actually attack him. Her eyes were wild, her breathing ragged.

“You invited her in,” she said slowly, dangerously. “You let that quiet little bitch see our room. See what we did. You were protecting her, weren’t you? Making sure I didn’t hurt her precious feelings?”

“I was protecting the situation…”

“Bullshit!” Mia’s voice cracked. “I told you I don’t share! You think she only wants to study? She wants to know what your cock feels like! She wants what’s MINE!”

Akira walked toward her, standing his ground against her intense anger. He cupped her face gently, forcing her to look at him.

“She’s a potential ally, Mia,” he said clearly, his Aura of Power reinforcing every word. “And you will treat my allies with respect. Do you understand me?”

Mia’s eyes softened immediately, the yandere rage transforming into feverish adoration under his touch and command. “Yes, Akira,” she whispered, leaning into his hand like it was the only thing anchoring her to reality. “I understand. But if she touches you… if she tries anything…”

“Then I’ll handle it,” Akira promised. “Not you. Me. You trust me, don’t you?”

“I do.”

“Then trust me with this.”

He pulled her close and kissed her passionately, pouring all his feelings into that something they both understood: raw desire and dominance.

Mia felt herself relax against him, letting the anger turn into something softer and more submissive.

When they finally broke apart, she was smiling again—that dangerous, obsessed smile.

“Fine,” she breathed. “But I’m coming to that library meeting tomorrow. Hidden. Watching. Just in case.”

“Mia…”

“Non-negotiable, Akira. You’re mine. And I protect what’s mine.”

Before he could argue, his phone buzzed on the nightstand. A text from an unknown number.

“Akira-kun, this is Ayaka. We need to talk. Another Gate opened across town, Grade Gamma this time. Three casualties reported.”

Akira stared at the message, then at Mia’s possessive grip on his arm, then at the door where Aoi had fled moments ago.

His empire was growing, but so were the threats.

And somewhere in the back of his mind, Ai laughed. “Welcome to the next level, darling. Hope you’re ready for what comes next.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep