Cutting to the chase.
Akihiko quickly recalled the plot of this doujinshi.
First, Ryouka Yotsumoto and Ayumu Matsubara were childhood friends, with Ryouka being the ace of the karate club at Shiraoka High, possessing formidable skills. The conflict arose because, during a recent national tournament, Ryouka had humiliated the school of that blond-haired delinquent, prompting him to seek revenge.
And it was through this encounter that Ryouka would later start dating this bespectacled college student, Yamato Aihara.
...If you thought this was just a typical 'cuckold' story centered around Ayumu, you'd be sorely mistaken!
Not even close!
This Yamato Aihara was a complete scumbag!!
To be precise, he was in cahoots with those blond delinquents from the start! He orchestrated this entire 'hero saves the damsel' act just to get close to Ryouka, win her heart, and then utterly break her—body and soul.
Later, there'd even be a scene where Yamato made Ryouka wear a blindfold and 'serve' the blond delinquent without being able to see, while poor Ayumu was tied up and forced to watch the whole thing via live stream...
Damn it all!!
Akihiko's scalp prickled with horror. When he found himself standing on the wrong street at the wrong time, he'd vaguely suspected he might have 'transmigrated'—but he never imagined it'd be into such a messed-up world!!
...Shit!
He had to think of something.
Cold sweat poured down Akihiko's back, his pale skin breaking out in goosebumps.
This scene could be called the 'root of all evil.' If he could intervene here, he might sever Ryouka's connection with Yamato and save these poor childhood friends...
And one more thing.
Akihiko needed to emphasize this.
He was a Pure Love warrior! A die-hard Pure Love warrior!!
The only reason he knew this NTR doujinshi inside out was because he'd sacrificed himself to study the enemy's tactics—hell, he'd even watched it with a critical eye, filled with righteous fury!!
But no matter how much of a 'Pure Love' fanatic he was, he couldn't just step out now and yell at Ryouka, "Don't trust him! They're working together!"
In Ryouka Yotsumoto's eyes, Yamato Aihara, who had saved them once, was undoubtedly more trustworthy than the complete stranger Akihiko... Not only was he incapable of saving them, but he might even end up on the receiving end of a mixed-gender beating...
'Direct action' wouldn't work—she had to find an indirect way to save Ryouka...
"Well, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave..."
On the other side, Yamato Aihara was already bidding farewell to Ryouka: "...If you're still scared, I can walk you home."
"No need..." Ryouka replied while supporting Ayumu Matsubara, offering Yamato Aihara a sweet smile. "We wouldn't want to trouble you, Mr. Aihara... My place isn't far from here."
"Haha, alright." Yamato responded cheerfully. "But even though we just met, there's no need to be so formal—just call me by my name... Well, since I'm a few years older, you can call me 'Big Brother Yamato.'"
"Mmm..." Ryouka seemed slightly bashful, but out of respect for her savior, she parted her pink lips softly. "Yamato..."
Before she could finish with 'Big Brother'—
"Um..."
Another figure emerged from the other end of the street... or rather, a boy. Ryouka guessed he was around her age, definitely younger than Yamato Aihara by a few years. He was quite tall but slender, nowhere near as muscular as Yamato Aihara—more like Ayumu's build, though noticeably taller.
His face was pale, with faint dark circles under his listless eyes, but he was rather good-looking, with an 'idol' sort of charm. However, his expression was uneasy and nervous, likely from witnessing the earlier fight...
The boy hadn't stepped in to help, but Ryouka Yotsumoto didn't blame him. Moral coercion was pointless, she thought to herself. Besides, this boy looked frail—if he had intervened, he'd only have gotten beaten up, and they'd have another person to take care of... Thankfully, they'd encountered someone as capable as Mr. Aihara this time...
It was Akihiko.
"...Akihiko?" Ayumu Matsubara called out softly.
Akihiko didn't even hear Ayumu's whisper. He raised his hand like a student asking to speak.
"Hmm?" Yamato Aihara's eyebrow twitched.
This guy wasn't part of his meticulous plan.
"I called the police," Akihiko said.
"!?" Yamato's eyebrows twitched violently.
"I watched the whole 'fight,' but I was too weak and powerless to step in and help. Still, I called the police." Akihiko took a slow breath before continuing, "If it were just an ordinary brawl, it might not be a big deal, but these guys brought weapons—even knives. The police will probably treat this as a criminal case... Don't worry, though. These guys won't be able to bother you again for at least a couple of years."
"!?" Yamato's eyebrows twitched even harder.
Akihiko cautiously glanced at the unconscious delinquents lying on the ground. Despite being supposedly knocked out, some of them were already trembling at the shoulders.
"...But," Akihiko scratched his head sheepishly, "I might have to trouble you a bit. Since I called the police, you'll probably have to spend some time giving statements. It shouldn't take too long, though—just basic questions like your name, address, and maybe some details about your relationships. Heh, someone like you, Mr. Aihara, might even get a 'Good Citizen' commendation."
"That's not too troublesome..." Ryouka mused. She hadn't planned on involving the police, but now that someone had called them, it was for the best. She was worried about Ayumu getting cornered by these thugs again. If this could put an end to it once and for all, a little wasted time was nothing.
But Yamato couldn't afford it—especially the part about "investigating relationships." If they dug into that, wouldn't everything come to light?
This guy—
Yamato glared at Akihiko, who was awkwardly scratching his cheek, and wished he could knock him out with a single punch right then and there.
The delinquents were also getting restless. They didn't want to end up in jail without gaining anything. And besides—
"You bastard!"
The blond delinquent sprang up like a carp leaping out of water—his earlier collapse had been nothing but an act. He hadn't been knocked out at all. "You promised us all kinds of benefits afterward, even said you'd let me have Ryouka Yotsumoto! How come it's only you getting the perks!?"
"...You—!"
Yamato was at a loss for words.
If the blond had kept up the act a little longer, he might have been able to smooth things over. But now? It was obvious to everyone that something was off!
"Everyone, retreat! If we get caught, it's over!" the blond roared.
At their leader's command, the "unconscious" delinquents all miraculously "revived" on the spot...
Ryouka and Ayumu exchanged glances, utterly dumbfounded.