Now Haruto understood why the quest from the system wasn't marked complete despite him passing what he thought was the critical stage. It turned out the true test hadn't even begun yet.
This was it—the moment where words could either unite or shatter everything he had built. He took a deep breath, steadying the pounding in his chest, and spoke, his tone resolute and firm.
"There's something I need to tell both of you."
Mari paused mid-bite, her chopsticks hovering in the air. The look on his face was far too serious for this to be about something trivial.
Placing her chopsticks down, she gave him her full attention, her brow furrowing in concern.
Haruto turned his gaze to Asuka first, his voice unwavering. "Asuka, the other woman I brought here... isn't Chiyo. It's Mari."
Asuka's eyes widened, the shock evident on her face. She had expected him to evade the truth, to dance around the topic like he always did. But this—this was unexpected.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
Mari's confusion only deepened, her eyes darting between Haruto and Asuka. The way he addressed Asuka by first name, the weight of his tone, and the tension between the two of them—it all felt ominous.
"What... What are you two talking about?" she asked, her voice hesitant, trembling with the foreboding realization that whatever this was, it wouldn't end well.
Haruto shifted his gaze to Mari, guilt and determination warring in his emerald eyes. He knew his next words would hurt her, but hiding the truth would only make things worse.
"You were right about everything, Mari," he admitted, his voice steady but heavy. "I do have another relationship—with Asuka and the other."
Mari's world felt like it tilted on its axis. Her chest tightened, and her stomach churned with nausea as she processed his words.
Haruto continued, his voice earnest. "I didn't know how to tell either of you, and I've made mistakes in handling this. But I won't apologize for being in a harem." He met both their gazes, his tone firm yet sincere.
"What I will apologize for is lying to both of you. I should have been honest from the beginning—about what kind of man I am and what I want. I can't be with just one woman."
Mari's lips parted, but no sound came out. Her hands trembled, and she gripped the edge of the table as if anchoring herself against the whirlwind of emotions threatening to consume her.
His words echoed in her mind, piercing her like sharp shards of glass.
The pain was almost unbearable. Not only had Haruto admitted to loving another woman, but that woman was Asuka—the picture of perfection in every way.
Mari's chest heaved as she fought to suppress the tears welling in her eyes, heartbreak swirling within her.
Meanwhile, Asuka closed her eyes briefly, processing his words. When she finally opened them, she nodded, her expression unreadable but calm.
"I like your honesty," she said at last, her voice composed.
"I've told you before—I don't mind sharing, as long as you're fair to everyone involved."
Haruto blinked, momentarily stunned by her response.
Asuka leaned back slightly in her chair, her lips curling into a smirk. "And I'll admit, I'm impressed. You're finally acting like a man—owning up to your choices instead of running away. That's a good look on you."
She didn't let him touch her, her hands trembling as she wiped away the tears streaming down her cheeks.
Mari, for her part, was lost in a storm of emotions. She loved Haruto far too much to let him go, even if his words had hurt her deeply.
Life without him seemed unimaginable, and Asuka's words echoed in her mind—Haruto was flawed, but to Mari, those flaws only made him human.
In her eyes, he was still perfect. Except for the part where he had multiple women.
"Fine," she said at last, her voice shaky but firm. "I'll accept it!"
She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, trying to muster her strength. But her lips pursed into a pout, betraying her lingering frustration.
"But don't you dare get all lovey-dovey with your other women when I'm around! Also, I want to put a GPS tracker on your phone! And another thing—"
Mari launched into a five-minute tirade, listing a series of demands that ranged from petty to outright exaggerated.
Most of her words came from a place of hurt, but buried beneath them was the genuine concern of someone who loved him deeply and wanted to feel secure.
Haruto couldn't help but smile. Her words, her pout, the way she was trying to act tough despite her vulnerability—it all warmed his heart.
He leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a gentle hug.
"Thank you, Mari," he whispered, his voice filled with gratitude.
Mari's pouting continued as she half-heartedly protested. "I'm not done talking yet!" she grumbled, though her voice softened, her heart gradually calming down.
Deep down, she trusted Haruto. She believed that he would treat her right, even if he was frustratingly flawed.
Asuka, who had been observing quietly, smiled faintly.
This time, she chose to act maturely, refraining from teasing and instead allowing the two of them to mend their relationship. She had played her part, after all.
Suddenly, a notification appeared in Haruto's vision, its bright display causing his eyes to widen in surprise.
[Congratulations!]
[You have successfully completed the quest: Hell or Heaven? It's Your Choice]
[Rewards are now available in your storage.]
[Asuka Status Update]
[Obsession: 55/100]
[Emotional Bond: 65/100]