"Iori! Where are you?"
"Here, I'm coming right away!"
An hour later, after blushing like crazy from seeing his cousin in a swimsuit, freshman Kitahara Iori of Izu University stood at the entrance of Grand Blue, thinking, What kind of encounter awaits me here? Foolish hopes filled his head.
He opened the door—immediately, the same black-and-red hellish aura poured out, though now the revelry of the demons was mixed with pained screams.
"Come on, come on! Didn't you say you could drink? One more cup and I'll give you that senior girl's contact info!"
"Uwaa! Nooo! Save me! Somebody save me, I'm about to be devoured by demons!"
A cup was forced against his lips. Miyazawa Yuu resisted desperately against the merciless toasting of his seniors.
But six or seven beefy men, faces covered in wild Araki-style shading, pinned his arms, legs, and even his head firmly in place. They were one finger short of prying his mouth open.
And so, with Gotouda Toshio (the shopkeeper) casually ignoring the situation, Yuu pinned all his hopes of survival on the door that suddenly opened.
Alas, the guy who entered—about his age—was too smart for his own good. After standing frozen for two seconds, he simply closed the door again and fled like lightning.
Well, of course. Who would be dumb enough to walk into this hellhole like him?
Father! Mother! Your son has been defiled!
Tears slid down Yuu's cheeks as he gave up resisting, ready to resign himself to his seniors' rough handling.
But then, miraculously, the door opened once again.
The sharp-looking youth had returned, though this time he was on his knees, looking as if he were attending Yuu's funeral.
"Damn it! You bastard who wouldn't save me! Hey, Ryuujirou-senpai, look over there! Another freshman!"
"Nani! Manager, who's this?"
The scapegoat plan worked far too well. Yuu had only wanted to drag someone down with him—but these seniors were so addicted to recruiting freshmen that half of them immediately swarmed the newcomer.
"Ah, that's my nephew, Kitahara Iori. He'll be attending Izu University. Please take care of him."
Without a shred of familial affection, Gotouda Toshio kept polishing his glass, selling out his nephew without hesitation.
Hearing this, Kotobuki Ryuujirou and Tokita Shinjirou exchanged glances, then leaned in with eerily knowing smiles.
Meanwhile, still mourning the future he hadn't even started, Iori looked up with teary eyes.
Please, let it all have been my imagination. Let them all be wearing clothes when I raise my head…
Instead, two nearly naked muscleheads advanced on him with sinister smiles.
What would any sane man do?
"Sorry! I'm going back home! Goodbye!"
His pupils quaked. Without hesitation, Iori bolted, abandoning the other boy who was still pinned down.
As the saying goes—better you than me!
No way! That bastard ran on his own! I have to save myself!
Veins bulging, Yuu finally realized: rely on mountains, they'll crumble; rely on people, they'll abandon you. If he wanted to build his harem, he had to rely on his own strength!
There! An opening—fleeting but real!
With his seniors distracted by Iori's escape, Yuu wrenched free and sprinted toward freedom.
My harem! Wait for me! I will survive this!
"Uwah, homesick already? Kids these days are so fragile—"
Gotouda Toshio watched the two figures vanish in a cloud of dust, scratching his head in confusion.
Everything in his shop was warm and cozy, the customers were always honest and open—what exactly were they dissatisfied about? Truly a mystery.
"Huuh… huuuh… Why were there perverts in that store?"
Out on the street, Iori finally stopped to catch his breath, convinced he'd escaped. No way those nearly naked freaks would chase them outside in broad daylight…
"Whooosh—"
A blur rushed past him—it was Yuu!
And behind him—
"Uwaaaaah! Stop, freshman!"
"Only an idiot would stop! Anyone who doesn't run now isn't even human!"
Yuu didn't even look back. He had poured every ounce of strength into his sprint, yet the tremors behind him were getting closer and closer.
If I remember right, the last time I saw half-naked guys chasing someone in broad daylight was in Attack on Titan… and these beasts aren't much different from Titans. If they catch us, we'll be devoured!
"Uwaaaah! Help me! What is happening!"
"Haah! How are you keeping up with me? Damn it, legs, run faster!"
Much to Yuu's disbelief, Iori was somehow keeping pace with him. Impossible! Even with his strength "sealed," Yuu's stamina should've been top-class among college students. How was this random guy matching him stride for stride?
"Hey! We're in the same boat here, what the hell do you mean!"
"What do I mean? Isn't it obvious? Whoever falls behind gets caught and becomes their toy!"
This wasn't about camaraderie. Yuu knew perfectly well—they were rivals. He didn't have to outrun Ryuujirou; he just had to outrun Kitahara Iori.
Once Iori got caught, the pursuers would abandon Yuu to focus on restraining him. Then he'd be free!
Morality? In life-and-death situations, morality didn't exist!
"You bastard!"
Iori instantly understood Yuu's plan. That pitying look said it all—he was treating him like a sacrificial lamb!
But he couldn't let himself be caught. Whatever those beefcakes wanted, it wouldn't end well!
What do I do? My legs are already burning, I can't keep this up much longer…
"Wait, freshman! Why are you running? Just accept your seniors' warm welcome!"
"Haah! Of course I'm running! You guys should be the ones putting your clothes back on!"
"Clothes don't matter! Are you just a shy, bashful boy?"
"Do you even realize what you look like!"
Glancing back, Iori nearly screamed—the two half-naked giants were only a step away, arms outstretched like zombies.
"That doesn't matter! Listen, we're really gentle with freshmen!"
"I don't want to hear it!"
How could he listen to that? He screamed at the sky.
And then, staring at Yuu's back pulling further and further ahead, a dark thought took root.
If I can't live… then neither can you. Let's die together!
"Hey! If I stop running, can you catch that guy up ahead?"
"Of course! Alone is enough!"
"Then fine! I'm stopping!"
Iori's face twisted into a crazed grin. He raised his arms and slammed on the brakes.
In the next instant, Ryuujirou grabbed him tightly from behind.
"Gotcha, freshman!"
"Heh… hehahaha! Hey, you random bastard! Good luck! Don't let them catch you!"
With the firm chest pressing against his back, Iori didn't despair. He didn't struggle. He just laughed, his expression gradually unhinged.
Yes, this was the optimal solution. He would die, sure—but Yuu would die too.
"You bastard! Don't you have a shred of sacrificial spirit?!"
"Hell no! Why should I sacrifice myself for you? And hey! You're the one who ratted me out at the door, weren't you?!"
"Th-that was just… a necessary sacrifice on my path to becoming the Harem King!"
Grinding his teeth, Yuu tried to force more speed, but it was useless. A giant hand seized his shoulder, hoisting him into the air. Running no longer mattered.
It's over.
Eyes wide with terror, Yuu thrashed in vain as Tokita's other massive hand reached for him, grinning all the while.
And so, in the end, two unlucky souls, supposedly bound by shared fate, were caught together beneath the setting sun—blaming each other to the bitter end as they were happily dragged away.
Game Over.