Today was the day everything would come crashing down for Kota.
Haruto's plan had worked flawlessly—he'd stolen Mari right out from under him and even taken his mother for himself.
With a bright, almost innocent smile plastered across his face, Haruto walked side by side with Kota.
His so-called "friend" was a pitiful sight—his face battered with bruises, his thin, frail body trembling as if it might collapse at any moment.
"You alright?" Haruto asked casually, his tone as if he was concerned about him.
"Aren't you excited? Today's the big day—giving Ren the videos and all."
"You usually get excited, right?"
Kota's fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tightening so hard it looked like it might shatter.
"Shut up," Kota snapped, his voice colder than ice.
"Don't act so damn friendly with me."
Haruto chuckled, his hand snaking around Kota's neck in a mockingly affectionate gesture.
"What are you talking about? Without me, you'd be nothing—a loser. You wouldn't even have a place to crawl to."
His expression darkened, a menacing glint flashing in his emerald eyes. "So don't get too cocky, you bastard."
Kota stopped in his tracks, his frown deepening as he shrugged Haruto's hand off.
He quickened his pace, putting as much distance as he could between them without outright running.
Haruto smirked, watching Kota's retreating form. "What a boring man," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.
"I just wanted to have a little fun before I gave him the heart attack of his life."
With a leisurely pace, Haruto followed behind, his grin widening with every step as he relished the thought of what was to come.
As they arrived at the hideout, Haruto noticed the place had undergone a surprising transformation.
The room that usually sported nothing more than shabby sofas and a dingy mattress now featured a video game console and a decent-sized TV setup for gaming.
Ren and Daiki were already engrossed in a game.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
Daiki looked like he was having the time of his life, grinning and leaning into the action, while Ren's face was drawn with intense concentration, as though losing might cost him his life.
When the round ended, Daiki threw his controller down with a loud groan.
"Ah, you're terrible at this, Ren! It's boring playing with you."
He sighed dramatically, tossing the controller at Ren's face.
Ren flinched but forced an awkward laugh.
"Yeah, you're just too good at this, boss," he replied, though the sweat beading on his temple betrayed him.
In truth, Daiki was awful at the game, but Ren knew better than to outshine him.
Winning against Daiki would only lead to punishment—humiliation if he was lucky.
Ren's eyes darted from the TV to the door as it slid open. Seeing Haruto and Kota step inside, his demeanor shifted instantly.
Standing up, he crossed his arms with a smug expression. "You're late, dumbass."
"Oh, Haruto's here!" Daiki said, ignoring Ren.
He smirked and picked up a controller, tossing another to Haruto.
Still, the unease lingered, clawing at him. 'No way... She wouldn't. She couldn't.'
His relationship with his mother was strained at best, distant and cold. Yet deep down, he clung to the belief that she'd never betray him like that.
Ren chuckled darkly, clearly relishing Haruto's disbelief. "You think I'm lying? Watch this." He popped the memory card into the console, his expression gleeful.
"This Aka Rui was a legend, man. You'll see for yourself."
Haruto set his controller down as Daiki, now curious, leaned in to watch.
The video began to play, and the unmistakable sound of a woman's moans filled the room.
Kota's face paled as he got closer to Haruto, wanting to see if what he was always scared of what on his mind was right.
The camera panned to the woman's face. Her silky brown hair clung to her cheeks, her emerald eyes glistening with raw emotion.
She looked utterly lost in the moment, her mouth working eagerly in the most compromising position imaginable.
A chill ran down Kota's spine. That face—that voice. He knew them.
"No..." he whispered, his lips trembling.
Haruto turned to Kota, his smirk sharper than a blade. "Ah, yeah. It's her." He gestured toward the screen casually, as if discussing the weather.
Then, locking eyes with Kota, he delivered the final blow.
"It's your mother."
The room froze.
The lewd sounds from the video continued to echo, but nobody moved. Nobody spoke.
The realization rippled through the group like a shockwave, leaving everyone stunned.
Daiki was the first to break the silence. A laugh burst from his lips, loud and mocking, as he doubled over, clutching his stomach.
"Oh man, this just keeps getting better!" he wheezed, wiping tears from his eyes.
Ren's expression morphed from confusion to cruel amusement.
"Wait, this gorgeous woman is your mom? And she fucked Haruto?"
He burst into laughter, his voice dripping with mockery.
Kota stood paralyzed, his trembling body refusing to obey his mind's commands.
The humiliation was unbearable, searing into his very soul as the room erupted in cruel laughter.
But amid the shame, something darker stirred—a seething hatred aimed squarely at Haruto.
With a guttural roar, Kota lunged at him, his fists swinging wildly as he vaulted over the sofa.
Haruto, anticipating the outburst, sidestepped effortlessly, leaving Kota to crash into the cushions.
Laughter erupted anew, louder this time, filling the room with a cacophony of derision.
Kota sprawled across the sofa, his face burning with shame and rage, his clenched fists digging into the fabric.
"You see that? A walking punchline!" Daiki howled, slapping his knee.
Kota's humiliation boiled over into blind fury. He pushed himself to his feet, his face beet red, his voice cracking as he screamed, "DON'T YOU DARE RUN, YOU BASTARD!"
Haruto stood his ground, his smirk never faltering.
"Oh, I won't."
His voice was calm, laced with a chilling confidence that only added fuel to Kota's rage