Ethan's obsession wasn't about being a "cuckold" (NTR) per se; it was about bringing the "waifus" he desired into his own harem. The result might look the same, but the intent was different.
Since he had identified his desires, he stopped running from them. However, unlike the "experience point fodder" he could easily take down, conquering the powerful and elegant Grayfia and Venelana would require a much more sophisticated strategy.
Without realizing it, Ethan found himself standing in front of a brand-new, detached Western-style house. On the gate, a nameplate read "Obata" in elegant calligraphy.
To make it easier for Yui Obata to attend school, her father—who earned a good salary but worked frequent overtime and business trips—had moved the family to this new home. It was close to the academy and not far from the bustling shopping district.
Ethan had mapped out the addresses of his targets beforehand. Compared to the Kurashiki high-rise, this typical Japanese "Ikko-date" was very easy to find.
He hadn't notified Yui. After two days of non-stop "battles," he had intended to rest. But with a breakthrough in his mental state and his second life-evolution so close at hand, he decided to push through.
He rang the doorbell. After a moment, he heard hurried footsteps.
"Hello? How can I help you?"
A woman with orange-red hair and a slender, well-proportioned figure opened the door halfway. Even her loose loungewear couldn't hide her sexy legs and massive breasts. She looked at the handsome youth with confusion.
Looking at the gentle, refined Natsumi Obata, Ethan felt a rare fluttering in his heart. Compared to the overtly aggressive sexuality of Tsubaki and Reika, he preferred the gentle nature of Natsumi and Tsukuki.
This calm, quiet aura made him feel comfortable. He decided to take things slowly—partially because he had already vented his most violent lusts on the Kurashiki mother and daughter.
"Auntie Natsumi, good morning. I'm Yui's boyfriend."
For the girl who had given him her "first time," Ethan was happy to use the title of boyfriend.
"Oh my! You're Yui's boyfriend?" Natsumi gasped, her hand covering her mouth. Her wedding ring sparkled in the morning sun. "I've heard Yui mention you, but I didn't think that girl could actually date such a handsome boy."
"You're too kind. My name is Ethan. Please, just call me Ethan."
As he introduced himself, Ethan studied the gentle MILF, gauging her personality. Women, especially beautiful ones, are sensitive to the gaze of the opposite sex. Being watched so intently by such a handsome young man made Natsumi feel instinctively shy.
However, remembering he was her daughter's boyfriend, she quickly suppressed any fleeting thoughts. "Are you here to walk Yui to school? She just left a few minutes ago."
"No, Yui and I go to different schools. I'm a student at Kuoh Academy."
Natsumi was surprised again. That school was famous; only the wealthy or the exceptionally gifted attended.
Hearing that Yui wasn't home gave Ethan a slight headache. This woman liked him, but as a housewife who spent a lot of time alone, she was naturally cautious. She hadn't even invited him inside yet.
It made sense. If she weren't this cautious, a thirsty MILF with an absent husband would have fallen prey to some predatory "ugly bastard" long ago.
Through his recent observations, Ethan realized that even without his intervention, these "hentai protagonists" (the "yellow-haired" thugs) would have eventually targeted these women. His presence simply accelerated the timeline. By claiming them first, he removed the opportunity for the thugs.
Natsumi was wary, and her daughter—who was already part of the secret world—had likely been subtly protecting her from supernatural interference.
Ethan had made a good first impression, but it was their first meeting. She was alone, and he was at her door when he should have been at school. Without Yui there, Natsumi wasn't going to blindly trust him.
They stood at the entrance in an awkward silence.
"Auntie Natsumi, why did Yui leave so early today?" Ethan asked, wondering if he should just call her back. He knew it was a school day, but most Japanese high schools didn't start until 8:00 AM. It was barely past 7:00.
"Yui said it was her week to water the class plants, so she had to leave thirty minutes early." Natsumi looked at him curiously. "Did she not tell you she'd be early this week?"
Usually, love-struck teenagers shared every tiny detail of their lives.
"No, she didn't," Ethan shrugged honestly. With so many women in his life, he couldn't keep track of every detail of their daily schedules. "But it doesn't matter. I'm not actually here for Yui. I'm here for you, Auntie Natsumi."
Ethan decided to go for the direct approach. If his deduction was right, she would cave. He wouldn't use threats with a gentle soul like Natsumi—she was the mother of his girlfriend, not a "toy" like Rena. He wanted to maintain a level of respect.
But mostly, he just didn't want to be cruel to such a graceful woman.
His original plan had been to "Dual Cultivate" with Yui while Natsumi watched or listened from the shadows. A neglected, lonely housewife wouldn't be able to resist watching, and even if she didn't join in, she'd end up pleasuring herself. Once caught in the act, with her daughter's approval, she would have surrendered to the handsome youth and his massive dragon.
But the plan had failed because Yui was gone. He couldn't even get in the house.
He could call Yui back, but that felt like cheating. Could he really not take down a lonely, sex-starved woman on his own?
Natsumi froze, nervously glancing around the neighborhood. They had been standing there for a while. While it was a quiet residential area, people were walking by, and some retirees were watching from a distance. A beautiful, lonely housewife talking intimately with a world-class handsome youth was a scene that invited gossip.