Mob Yandere
Chapter 173-3

[Part 3/4]

...This is the garden of a certain high-class noble's mansion. A dance party was held to show off their power. However, the attention of the noble young men wasn't on the magnificent food or the beautiful dance performances.

The princess and the lady, who were attending as their father's representatives, were still getting hot attention from the men even though they were hiding behind a screen. Their family name, wealth, and the glimpse of their beauty that they saw before hiding behind the screen had captivated the guests, and those who came later were charmed by the rumors spread by the earlier guests. Those who caught a glimpse of these 2 noblewomen's faces through the gaps were thrilled and boasted about it. And it only drew more attention.

"I know it's not my place to say, but isn't this rude to the host? This is getting out of hand."

Especially the young noble men were completely focused on this side, and their parents were worried about offending the mansion's owner. They would definitely get scolded later. It's ridiculous to think they're just enjoying the party literally.

"You're supposed to be hiding, but this is having the opposite effect, isn't it?"

It seems that hiding is what gets the men excited, or so it would seem. Anyway, it's a pointless thing to think about. And what about him? For a moment, Kayo thought about it. Personally, she thinks it's stylish to have her embarrassing outfit ripped apart and trampled on, but that's just her.

...By the way, neither their teasing nor their shallow conversation from earlier could be heard by the people outside the screen. That's because they had cast a soundproofing barrier. Even the mansion's security exorcists didn't notice it. If they did, they would probably just ignore it anyway.

"...Cough. So, what should we do about it?"

Kayo coughed, and then asked a serious question of his superior and his temporary wife, whom he respected. They were discussing how to handle that disgusting pr**titute. Once she get the order, Kayo will take care of it with money and make it happen.

This is to protect his name and position as the one who will be by his side and become his public wife. Kayo, who understands her position as a concubine, lover, and tool, doesn't mind buying shame and scorn for him in public. She's willing to play the role of his janitor, and that's her duty....

"How, huh?"

A drawn-out murmur escaped Aoi. She took a moment to think, and then smiled sadistically.

"Shouldn't you just let him do as he please?"

"Princess, that's..."

Kayo was taken aback by Aoi's words, which seemed to be teasing her. At the same time, she was puzzled. Why would she say something like that?

Kayo, as well as the princess in front of her, admired and praised his strong heart. They loved that aspect of him. Yet, at the same time, they also wanted to see him fall and wished for his downfall.

His gaze was harsh, his words were curt, but he undoubtedly had kindness, courage, and determination... That was his charm. And that's why they wanted to spoil him and make him fall.

Humans, men in particular, are essentially bundles of desires, no matter how much they may try to hide it. Even someone as exceptional as him couldn't be an exception. After peeling away the thick layer of reason that covered his true nature, Kayo wanted to expose the beastly desires that lay beneath.

A person who could think of others even in the midst of hell, but had no room to spare for pretenses, would desperately try to fulfill those desires... That was the greatest need. It was a valuable sight. It was the greatest service to him. The pleasure of unleashing one's full power, holding nothing back, was truly amazing. It was the highest form of satisfaction, providing the highest quality goods to meet people's desires.

And the princess in front of her was the same. She revered him, but in bed, she wanted to see him fall and become a beast. That's why the existence of a seductress who would steal away that fallen state of his was, originally, a nuisance...

"Is that okay? Would Tomobe-san really go that far with a woman like that?"

"No way. Do you think he would cross the line with a dirty woman like that?"

She covered her mouth with her sleeves and laughed with a ringing sound, like a bell. The woman who considered herself his rightful wife laughed with confidence.

"If it's with a woman like that, wouldn't it be fine to get involved with her casually? Humans are prone to falling. If they're tempted by someone who's not a problem... Do you think he wouldn't expose his inner desires?"

"That woman's charm isn't enough to make him fall....Hehehe, how many times do you think I've tempted him?"

It was a proud, bitter smile. For a moment, Kayo felt jealous. She felt jealous, and then rationally judged and accepted it.

Kayo objectively understands that her body is far superior to the average. However, at the same time... Yeah. It's frustrating, but as a woman, she can't help but acknowledge Aoi's body. It's overwhelming. Overwhelmingly, it's superior.

This woman's beauty is a given, her slender neck, her unstained white back, her legs as smooth as a swan's, her curvaceous and well-proportioned thighs, her maternal and alluring abdomen, her breasts that sway with every move, her peach-like buttocks, and even her private parts... She must have shown him all of that. She must have prepared a situation where even a rough him would lose his reason and go crazy. And yet, this woman remains pure and innocent. No, it's because...

"Is it because you trust him?"

"I'm his wife. It's only natural to trust one's husband, isn't it?"

Kayo is filled with a sense of defeat by her confident and self-assured words. She realizes she's lost again in her thoughts about him. Ah, no matter how far she goes, she's always the loser.

"...Geez. That's sly."

She wishes she could plant her own body in his mind, become a tool for his revenge, and be used by him. She wants to hear his orders, to be desired by him. The best parts are always taken by this princess. It's frustrating.

"Hehehe. You don't say that. I highly value you, you know?"

And so, Aoi appeased the head of the official concubines. That's why she recognizes the existence of the reception mansion. It's his insurance, a last resort in the worst-case scenario. A hideout...

"Yeah, yeah. What about the boundary."

"That's a given, a reliable one that doesn't spare any expense."

Cursing and killing through connections is a rare occurrence. One countermeasure is the boundary. A boundary that hides those inside. Kayo has hired several skilled boundary users to set up multiple layers of boundaries in the mansion. Cutting off the connections between inside and outside, confusing, and making it impossible for curses to reach... a countermeasure against the snake curse etched on his body. And protection against other curses. No, more than anything, it's a countermeasure against those who would capture him.

"The underground is also prepared. It has an even stronger boundary than the upper floors. It's a labyrinth, too. Our preparations are perfect."

When he first visited on this mansion, she set up her own little show. She used that as an excuse to wipe out the youkai underground. After wiping them out, she used the remaining scraps to build a castle. An underground castle. A secret shrine just for him.

That's right. It's not a palace. It's a shrine for worship. To hide and nurture the transformed him. The idol is him. A secret base for the eternal, crazy night festival, where offerings are gathered day and night... Kayo thought it was a pretty amazing sight, even if it was bad for him who couldn't become human again. He'd be happy to know he had insurance for his own life.

If the person himself found out, he'd definitely scream "Witch There's a witch!" and try to blow up the heretic temple with cannonballs. Unfortunately, that person outside didn't know anything. Not knowing is bliss.

"Excuse me, over here."

A voice called out from behind, interrupting the indecent conversation. When she turned around, it was the daughter of Kakitsugi Kayo had brought. She had a letter in her hand...

"Love song? How uncool?"

A sudden interruption into a pure and innocent love conversation between girls. And it was in someone else's mansion, no less. How rude. What a shallow guy. Trying to steal the spotlight, how shallow.

"Who is it addressed to, I wonder?"

"Ah, well. Either way, there's no need to read it."

If she looked at the contents, she'd know who it was addressed to. But what's the point of that? Just touching the letter would lead to misunderstandings. It's troublesome to form strange connections. So, she floated a sadistic smile and quietly erased the seal once. Then, she sang. A response song without reading.

"The insect's chirping in the afternoon sun is different, so I won't return."

The song resonated in harmony with the atmosphere, even amidst the performance and play. Her naturally beautiful voice, clear and refined, reached every guest, and also....

"Insect's chirping? Return?"

"No, impossible..."

The guys looked at each other. On the surface, it seemed like the sound of a cool, evening cricket, but in reality, it was a nuisance insect that would ruin the daytime party. However....

"Insect's chirping..."

That's a strange song. Crickets don't chirp during the day. And to think, she has never heard the sound of crickets in this seat before. More than anything, it's a refined and elegant song, but somehow, it feels incomplete, like Onitsuki's second-rate talent. And yet, it's a song with a certain depth to it.

"Is that so...?"

Kayo immediately understood the meaning behind those words. It was a sloppy song, and a bit harsh too. If someone knew her personality well, they'd feel a chill run down their spine.

It's not a cricket's chirp, but a bug's cry――a natural way to belittle someone. And to top it off, it's "kaesan (return)" (a term used to mock someone). Depending on who's listening, they might understand the malice hidden beneath the surface, a vicious poet wrapped in polite language, with no intention of returning, apologizing, or making amends...

"..."

"..."

And the young men didn't think that far ahead. They couldn't imagine the power of Aoi, who could kill a calamity youkai with a single bullet. They didn't see her true, brutal nature. So, she wasn't intimidated by the song. That was a concern for later. For now, they just exchanged glances, searching for the traitor in silence.

It was really quite ridiculous.

"Haha, it's just like a werewolf game, isn't it?"

"I don't know who it is, but it's up to the person themselves to deceive others. Well, let's just take it as a lesson, shall we?"

The conversation was laced with sarcasm, but it was better than having bloodshed. Whatever happened, it would be fine as long as the atmosphere wasn't ruined. He was the reason Aoi was being so refined.