Surrounded by Heroines

Akimoto Yoichi was very cautious.

To prevent any accidents or potential trouble, he took several layers of precautions.

Verbal threats and physical restraint were not enough; Akimoto Yoichi had to produce something tangible that could cause real harm.

"These photos are quite nice, aren't they? They're part of my private collection. And it's not just these; I have even more provocative ones hidden away."

"If you want to see more, I can send you some next time."

"Natsuki-chan, why don't you think about what would happen to your beloved Mama Mari if I posted these photos online?"

"I hear she's a very famous novelist and screenwriter? But if these photos were exposed, she would definitely lose her job, and might even get a divorce. By then, with her reputation ruined and no income, she would surely end up in a miserable state."

"And Ayano would be deeply devastated as well. If that were to happen, do you think she might end up suffering from some even worse psychological illness? Like depression or something? Suicide wouldn't be out of the question, either."

"You wouldn't want to see that happen, would you, Natsuki-chan? But if you dare to tell anyone my secret, I will make these things a reality, and it will all be your fault."

In truth, these photos were all taken by Nishida Yuki, and Akimoto Yoichi had only saved them for the sake of appreciation.

He hadn't expected them to come in so handy at a time like this.

He really had that guy Nishida Yuki to thank for this.

"You, you Blondie, you're too, too despicable!" Watching Akimoto Yoichi flaunt these "trophies," Fukayama Natsuki's mental defenses completely collapsed.

Every word Akimoto Yoichi spoke struck at her weakest points.

Without a doubt, Natsuki absolutely did not want those things to happen, and at this moment, the small spark of resistance and reason in her heart was extinguished.

"That's right, I am just that kind of despicable person. I enjoy your expression and the look in your eyes the most; it really excites me."

Ignoring Fukayama Natsuki's reaction, Akimoto Yoichi took her phone and added himself as a contact.

However, just as he had done with Nishida Yuki, he browsed through her phone. He did see some selfies, but like Nishida Yuki's, they were all within acceptable limits.

What was important was the hundreds of gigabytes of doujinshi resources Fukayama Natsuki had, which left Akimoto Yoichi deeply shocked.

But there was nothing to be surprised about; after all, Natsuki's character profile included the tag "precocious brat."

Fukayama Natsuki also realized that she was essentially stripped bare, and other than blushing furiously, there was nothing she could do but let Akimoto Yoichi play until he was satisfied and returned her phone.

For a precocious brat like Natsuki, this was the simplest and most effective method.

Don't bother with logic; simply demonstrating your power is much easier.

"To prevent the phone from being lost or the data from being stolen, I've even uploaded them to a cloud drive and my chat app. So don't even think about trying to steal my phone or anything like that."

"If you make me satisfied, Natsuki-chan, and be a good girl, try to please me while I'm still interested in you."

"Then I won't do anything to Ayano or Mrs. Suzuran. I don't have any interest in them, but if you don't listen, then it's hard to say what will happen to the lives of Mrs. Suzuran and Ayano."

Putting his phone away, Akimoto Yoichi watched with great satisfaction as "total submission" appeared in Fukayama Natsuki's eyes.

When it came down to it, Fukayama Natsuki was just a middle schooler.

If she hadn't been so smart, hadn't guessed the truth about Akimoto Yoichi and Mrs. Suzuran, and hadn't tried to trick him into recording a confession for evidence, she could have lived in peace with him. Akimoto Yoichi had already given up on trying to ride Natsuki's coattails.

As it turned out, Natsuki had delivered herself to him on a silver platter.

This was also related to the fact that Akimoto Yoichi had always maintained a gentle attitude even when Natsuki was targeting him.

Even if you have the power, if you always maintain a reasonable attitude, others will think you are easy to bully.

Natsuki felt that in the Suzuran household, in front of Ayano and the others, Akimoto Yoichi wouldn't dare do anything to her. This mistaken belief caused Natsuki to let her guard down, and as a result, she was caught by the Blondie.

"Th-then, what do you want to do to me from now on? I-if you go too far, Ayano-nee and Mama Mari will find out, and others will easily notice too, right? You'll be in trouble then as well."

Finally accepting reality, Natsuki looked at the Akimoto Yoichi before her with some unease.

She was smart enough to try and use public scrutiny to protect herself.

If the plot followed those little books she had read, the Blondie in front of her would probably do some terrible things to her next.

But Natsuki had never had such experiences, so she said things that would make Akimoto Yoichi hesitate, trying to protect her innocence.

But in reality, she was overthinking it.

"I haven't decided yet. It depends on my mood."

Akimoto Yoichi let go of Fukayama Natsuki, whom he had been holding in his arms.

"...I, I understand." Natsuki looked at the Blondie in front of her with unease, repeatedly emphasizing.

"Then you can't lay a hand on Ayano-nee and Mama Mari!"

"As long as I listen to you, you won't do anything to them, right?"

Akimoto Yoichi had never intended to do anything to Ayano in the first place. As for Suzuran Mari, if she were to throw herself at him, there would be nothing he could do about it.

"Of course. Actually, I prefer your type—the petite kind. As long as you listen, I won't lay a hand on Ayano or Mrs. Suzuran." Akimoto Yoichi licked his lips and tugged at the ahoge on top of Natsuki's head.

The way he stared at Fukayama Natsuki's flat chest, along with his expressions and gestures, was a perfect performance.

After all, Akimoto Yoichi was, indeed, a Blondie.

Only by acting this way would Fukayama Natsuki feel at ease.

"W-w-w-waaah, I, I understand." Although she didn't know what she was about to experience, Fukayama Natsuki already felt the humiliation of the heroines in those thin books.

Even though she figured she would eventually fall into the hands of the Blondie before her sooner or later.

But Natsuki would try her best to ensure she wouldn't be "educated" by this Blondie so quickly; no matter what, she had to keep her sanity!

With a heart full of trepidation, Natsuki followed behind Akimoto Yoichi as he walked out of the yard.

The moment the two returned to the living room, the voices of Suzuran Ayano and the others drifted in from outside.

Carrying a large bag of snacks and drinks, the three girls had just returned home to find Akimoto Yoichi and Fukayama Natsuki sitting by the table.

"Natsuki-chan, where did you go? Why didn't we see you earlier?" Ayano asked curiously.

I was in the yard the whole time, held in Blondie's arms with my tongue pinched so I couldn't speak!

Although Natsuki desperately wanted to say that, she snuck a glance at Akimoto Yoichi.

Meeting Akimoto Yoichi's gaze, the little middle schooler swallowed hard.

She lied, saying, "Oh, oh, I just ran home for a bit, it's nothing."

"I see." Ayano didn't think much of it.

She looked at Fukayama Natsuki, then at Akimoto Yoichi beside her.

Recalling what they had said earlier about how Akimoto-kun hated it when people disturbed his studies.

Suzuran Ayano instructed Fukayama Natsuki, "Natsuki-chan, if you want to keep staying here, you aren't allowed to mess around, understand?"

"Right, right, I understand." Fukayama Natsuki felt bitter inside, but she couldn't speak of it.

She had sacrificed herself to the tiger, protecting Mama Mari and Ayano all by herself.

Yet Natsuki didn't regret it; as long as she could still see Ayano this happy, it was all worth it.

"Akimoto-kun, I hope you don't mind either; Natsuki-chan is a good kid." Ayano turned to say this to Akimoto Yoichi as well.

"It's fine, Natsuki and I have already made up; she has already apologized to me." Looking at the obedient Fukayama Natsuki, Akimoto Yoichi said with a smile.

"Come, Natsuki, sit next to me—no, sit here instead."

Akimoto Yoichi patted his own thigh, and at the sight, Fukayama Natsuki shuddered, feeling a bit afraid.

However, under Akimoto Yoichi's watchful gaze, she still obediently moved her feet.

Ayano watched this scene with great surprise, Maya didn't pay much attention, while Nishida Yuki wore a look of satisfied pleasure.

"Eh? Why? What happened while we were out?"

"It's a secret, isn't that right, Natsuki-chan?"

Akimoto Yoichi looked at Fukayama Natsuki sitting on his lap and leaned in close to her ear.

"Y-yes, Blond... Akimoto-kun."

"Hmm? Didn't you call me Yoichi-onii-chan earlier, Natsuki? What's wrong, are you shy in front of everyone?"

"R-right, Yoichi-onii-chan."

Ayano watched the two of them, feeling a bit suspicious but not pressing the matter further.

"It's truly a cause for celebration that you and Akimoto-kun can get along so well, Natsuki-chan."

Natsuki had been quite excessive in her behavior before, no matter how you looked at it.

Although it seemed like Natsuki-chan was being bullied now, this could be considered a lesson for her.

Ayano also believed that Akimoto Yoichi wouldn't actually do anything to Natsuki; having her sit on his lap and call him onii-chan wasn't that big of a deal.

"Alright, let's start studying."

Looking at Fukayama Natsuki on his lap, Suzuran Ayano on his right, and Nishida Yuki on his left.

Akimoto Yoichi felt incredibly satisfied at this moment.

He had now stacked the buffs of the heroines all over his body; no one could stop him from studying.