AUTHOR'S NOTE: Welcome back, Youjin fans!
It's time for Youjin dealing with Shirase Outaka here in this chapter.
Will he accept her feelings for him? Find out by READING THIS CHAPTER, READERS!
-----
Youjin Kinoshita's POV
Outaka-san and I faced each other in the middle of the night, specifically it was three o'clock in the morning when she finally finished explaining how she knew everything about me.
We sipped our tea in awkward silence.
"Let me get this straight, Outaka-san." I said, breaking the tension.
I had to confirm what she had told me earlier.
"You have drones too, right?" I began.
Honestly, I was still shocked by that confession from Outaka-san herself. The fact that she used drones to investigate me made it even more unsettling.
"That's right, Youjin-sama." She replied proudly. "But unlike you, I don't monitor myself with them. My drones are more advanced. They can fly several kilometers away from me."
"I see." I nodded slowly. "And your drones have super-zoom feature that is enough to watch me from a distance."
"Fufu! Correct, Youjin-sama." She giggled. "That's how I've been observing you. I never followed you in person, but only through my drones, just in case you left your apartment."
Then she added something that caught me off guard.
"Oh, and, I actually stalked you once when you left school during Parent's Day and followed you going to the convenience store to have ice cream on your own. And I saw you feeling someone watching you, and that was me."
Wow! I couldn't believe what she had told me. That was… disturbing. Even if she said it so casually. But there were more explanations that I had to confirm after she had told me everything. Still, that crept me out.
"Outaka-san, you watched all the videos on my private account, the ones where I record myself daily using my drones. Is that correct?"
"Yes, Youjin-sama."
That really bothered me more than I wanted to admit.
"But how did you access that account? It's private! Those videos are basically my diary. I never shared them with anyone, you know!"
"Ara ara! Calm down, Youjin-sama." She smiled sweetly, raising her arms defensively. "Please don't be upset, but I hired a hacker to access it."
Wait, what?! Hack?!
I never received any notification about suspicious activity on my drone account. So that explained how she knew about my past.
"And that's how I learned about the false accusations from Nonaka-san, Susami-san and your step sisters." She continued softly, sipping her tea. "I felt sorry for you. I wanted to teach them a lesson for hurting you. I truly apologize for hacking your account without permission. Please forgive me, Youjin-sama."
She bowed her head deeply.
I should have been furious. She violated my privacy without consent. She crossed a line.
But at the same time, I was impressed about her knowing the truth about what happened to me in the past.
All of my drones were linked to one single account. But I never imagined it could be breached so easily. I definitely needed to change my password to something much stronger.
To make more sense about her knowing everything, she must have also seen the live recording of me yesterday, when I received her package and ate the chocolate she sent. That explained how she called at the exact moment I was eating it. I had thought she was some kind of psychic, not to mention watching me writing my web novel, but I was sure she didn't mind the spoilers before publishing every chapter on the online book platform.
"It's fine." I finally said. "I forgive you, Outaka-san. I honestly thought my account would be deleted after being hacked. But it wasn't. Well, anyway…"
I took a sip of tea and changed the topic.
"There's something else."
I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow.
"Are you really Shizuka Suki?"
She had already told me on the phone that she was my biggest supporter on the online book platform. But I wanted confirmation face to face with her.
"Huh? I thought you already asked me that." Outaka-san replied, pouting slightly. "Of course, I am."
I nodded.
"Prove it. Show me your profile, Outaka-san."
Without hesitation, she grabbed her phone and tapped the screen few times.
"Here."
She handed it to me.
I checked her profile on the online book platform. Then I scrolled through the transaction history. The support payments, large ones, that matched exactly what I remembered receiving from her.
"I see." I smiled faintly. "I believe you, Outaka-san. You really are Shizuka Suki. And I appreciate your support. Truly."
I handed her phone back.
"But honestly, it's too much. You're my only fan who supports me this heavily. The others donate small amounts, which I still appreciate. But yours are on another level."
She giggled at me.
"Fufu! I'm glad you believe me, Youjin-sama!"
Then she suddenly stood up and approached me.
Before I could react, she wrapped her arms around me tightly. My face was abruptly buried between her breasts that I flailed my hands in panic.
"Mmmmm… uuutuukuusuun!" I muffled, struggling to breathe.
"Aaaah, Youjin-sama! I love you so much!"
She finally released me, only to grab my face with both hands.
"Ara ara! You're blushing so hard, Youjin-sama!"
She covered her mouth playfully while giggling.
But she was right. My face felt like it was on fire.
"Outaka-san, don't do that! You almost suffocated me, you know!"
I looked away in embarrassment.
Then I steadied myself.
"Outaka-san, I need to ask you something. A very important question."
She leaned closer, her face inches from mine.
"Go ahead, Youjin-sama!" She grinned at me.
I hesitated for a few seconds.
"Outaka-san, do you really love me?"
Her expression shifted. She cupped her cheeks, smiling in a way that felt both affectionate and slightly unhinged, like a Yandere.
"Of course, I do! I love you more than anything, not just as an author, but as a man, Youjin-sama!"
Her hands moved to my cheeks, gently holding my face. Then she licked her upper lip.
"I fell in love with you when you saved me from those guys who were harassing me because I refused to go out with them. After that, I searched for you using my drones, even you tried to hide your identity when you had gone outside."
Before I could respond, she leaned forward and kissed me.
My heart pounded violently in my chest.
"I know you're afraid of having another girlfriend." She whispered. "Because of the wh*res who betrayed you. But trust me, I'm not like them. I would rather die than cheat on or betray you. So please… see me as a woman, not just as your fan, Youjin-sama!"
Her voice was intense, but sincere.
But wait, did she really see the live footage of me writing the contract earlier? If so, then she already knew I was considering accepting her confession.
This might be my chance.
Another person I could try to trust.
Just like the landlady Hayashi-san.
"Outaka-san. Wait, no… Shirase."
I grabbed her hands as I finally called her by her first name for the very first time.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Ara ara! You called my first name. I'm so happy, Youjin-sama!"
"Shirase…" I repeated softly. "I believe in you. And… I like you too."
For the first time in months since Susami-san betrayed me, I smiled genuinely at a girl like Outaka-san. I mean, Shirase.
"It's not because you're beautiful… and look scary, but because I believe everything about you. And… I don't see you as the girls who destroyed me." I added.
I let go of her hands and Shirase covered her mouth while blushing deeply.
"Really? Thank you, Youjin-sama!"
She opened her arms, ready to hug me again.
"Wait!"
I raised my hand to stop her.
"I'll accept you… only if you sign the contract, Shirase."
I showed the handwritten document to her.
"Huh? A contract?" Shirase tilted her head in confusion.
So she didn't really watch the live recording of me drafting the contract earlier.
"That's right." I nodded and handed it to her. "This contrast is for both of us, but you must sign it only if you agree with all the terms and conditions, Shirase."
She stared at it silently, then glanced up at me.
"Before you sign it, please read it aloud." I added calmly.
She inhaled slowly and nodded, her expression turning serious.
"The 'Relationship' Contract between Youjin Kinoshita and Shirase Outaka." Shirase began reading. "I, Shirase Outaka, promise to be a loyal and devoted girlfriend for Youjin Kinoshita. I will take care of him, love him, support him, stay by his side and protect him from those who wish to harm or betray him."
Shirase looked at me with a gentle smile.
"That's right, Shirase." I said, crossing my arms. "I'm tired of being surrounded by people who believed lies about me. Even my stepmother, that old hag… and Shinohara-sensei since they believed the false accusations. Continue."
She nodded and resumed reading.
"I promise not to become irrationally jealous if Youjin Kinoshita speaks to other women for necessary reasons, such as employees or clerks during purchases. As long as he is not engaging in casual or intimate conversation with them, I will not accuse him of cheating."
Shirase paused and gave me a questioning look.
"To be honest, Shirase." I said with a sigh. "You give off a slightly… intense vibe, like a Yandere. The kind of girl who might misunderstand simple situations."
I shook my head lightly.
"If I ask a store employee about a product for ten seconds or less, that doesn't mean I'm cheating. I don't want a relationship built on suspicion. I've never been a player. I was the one who got cheated on… by Nonaka-san."
I paused briefly.
"Even when I talk to Hayashi-san, I see her as a landlady, almost like a mother. Nothing more, Shirase."
Her expression softened in understanding.
"Oh, I understand, Youjin-sama." I said, continuing to read.
"And finally, I promise not to kill anyone, especially women who interact with Youjin Kinoshita."
Shirase glanced at me again.
"I'm serious about that, Shirase." I said firmly. "No violence. Even against my mortal enemies. I don't want blood on your hands. If someone causes trouble on me, handle it intelligently, not recklessly. That's why… I prefer you to scare or threaten them rather than kill, Shirase."
She nodded obediently.
"I acknowledge that Youjin Kinoshita is cautious and constantly monitors himself for safety. I will support him emotionally, especially in his work as a web novel author."
That made me smile faintly.
"You already know everything about me, Shirase." I told her. "And honestly, financial support like you do is too much. But emotional support is enough. But Hayashi-san doesn't know that I publish a web novel, so I don't ask her support for me, anyway."
She smiled softly and read the final line.
"By signing this contract, I agree to all stated conditions. And more importantly, I, Shirase Outaka, seriously vow, rather than promise, never to betray Youjin Kinoshita. If I do, I accept that I will lose him forever."
The silence filled the room and I handed her a pen.
"Shirase Outaka, do agree to everything written there?" I ask her formally.
She looked at me with shining eyes and accepted my pen.
"Yes, Youjin-sama!" She replied excitedly. "I promise, no, I vow!"
Without hesitation, she signed her name.
Then I placed the duplicate copies of the contract in front of her.
"Sign these as well. They're identical."
She eagerly signed them all.
"All done, Youjin-sama!" She said brightly and finished her tea.
I exhaled in relief.
"You're officially my girlfriend now, Shirase." I said with a small smile. "And as your boyfriend, I promise I'll protect you."
Then I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
"And you can drop 'sama'. Just call me 'Youjin' without any honorific, Shirase. It's embarrassing."
A slow grin spread across her face.
"Youjin!"
She suddenly leaped toward me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders.
"Youjin! Thank you, thank you, Youjin! I love you so much, boyfriend! Mwah! Mwah! Mwah!"
She peppered my cheeks with quick kisses, and I couldn't help laughing.
"Hey, hey! Calm down, girlfriend!" I said teasingly.
"Haah, haah!" She huffed. "Sorry! I can't help it, Youjin!"
After a while, exhaustion hit me. I yawned.
"I'm going to sleep, Shirase. It's almost dawn. You can use my bed and I'll sleep on the floor."
I reached for the spare futon, but she grabbed my wrist.
"Youjin, no! We're a couple now, you know! We'll sleep together on the same bed."
She pouted slightly, and I felt my face heat up.
"Fine." I shrugged. "But I'm getting you an extra pillow."
"Yay!" Shirase clapped her hands.
When I returned, she was already laying on my bed, using my usual pillow. I didn't argue.
I placed the extra pillow beside her and turned off the lights. Then I finally laid down next to her.
"Youjin?" Shirase whispered.
"Yes?" I turned on my side to face her.
"Thank you for accepting my feelings." She smiled at me. "I promise I won't hurt you."
"I know." I replied softly. "I trust you, Shirase. I really do. I hope this turns out differently from my past. I love you, Shirase!"
Then I leaned forward and kissed her lips.
"Aww, Youjin!" She kissed me back. "I love you too!"
I smiled at her and glanced at my smartwatch. It was four in the morning.
"Hey, Shirase. Don't mind if we oversleep today?"
She giggled quietly.
"Of course, Youjin. It's Sunday, after all. But I hope I didn't interrupt your usual alone time."
"It's fine. I just hope Hayashi-san is safe during her vacation."
Shirase nodded quietly.
After a moment of hesitation, I spoke again.
"Say, can we… cuddle, Shirase? Like you did to me last night?"
She smiled warmly.
"Sure, anything for you, my darling."
Calling me darling made me blush deeply.
I carefully pulled her closer. She wrapped her arms around me in return. The warmth of her body against mine made my heart race, but I stay calm.
"Good night, Shirase Outaka. I love you… and sweet dreams." I whispered to her, closing my eyes.
She giggled softly for calling me her full name formally.
"Fufu! Good night, Youjin Kinoshita. I love you too… and sweet dreams."
I felt her lips brush gently against my forehead.
And strangely, I felt at peace.
Just hours ago, I thought I was destined to be alone forever.
But maybe Hayashi-san was right.
If I had taken revenge immediately after the false accusations, I would have never saved Shirase that day. And she might have suffered because of it.
Everything happened for a reason.
From now on, Shirase Outaka was officially my girlfriend, my second chance at love.
For the first time in a long while, I felt hopeful. And today, thanks to her, was the best day I'd ever had, especially for believing another love.
-----
AUTHOR'S NOTE: And so, Youjin and Shirase are OFFICIALLY a couple!
It was planned by myself for a long time to make Youjin have someone, instead of staying single forever. That is, Youjin is the MC... and Shirase is the (potential) FMC. And making a 'relationship' contract may be the only way to fix the Yandere's behavior.
If you want to support me, you can go to my Ko-fi and Patreon on those links below:
https://ko-fi.com/ganimanovel
https://patreon.com/ganimanovel
PLEASE follow me on Discord Server for more details about Youjin, The Cautious and Other Otaku Stuff: https://discord.gg/k2bV9MmgmB