How to Handle a Yandere Harem - Chapter 19

The sprawling metropolis of Tokyo was a dazzling tapestry of light and shadow, where ancient traditions wove seamlessly with the futuristic hustle of modern life. Neon signs blazed from every corner, casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the bustling streets below. 

The constant hum of the city, punctuated by the occasional blare of a horn or the distant murmur of conversation, created an electric atmosphere that pulsed with life. Amidst this organized chaos, Elizabeth moved with purpose, her eyes sharp and focused.

She had arrived in Tokyo in less than a minute, pushing her abilities to the limit. The city welcomed her with open arms, its streets and alleys promising both the answers she sought and the dangers she needed to avoid. Tokyo, with its labyrinth of narrow lanes and hidden corners, was the perfect setting for her mission.

Elizabeth’s first priority was to blend in, to become just another face in the crowd. She couldn’t afford to stand out — not here, where every second glance could mean exposure. She ducked into a nearby clothing shop, its modest entrance hidden between a bustling ramen stall and a towering apartment complex.

Inside, the air was thick with the scent of fresh cotton and the soft rustle of fabric being handled by careful fingers. The shopkeeper, an elderly woman with keen eyes, barely acknowledged Elizabeth’s presence as she stepped inside. This was precisely what she needed — no questions, no attention.

Elizabeth quickly scanned the racks, her fingers brushing over the soft fabrics. She selected a plain white blouse and a pair of faded jeans, simple yet effective. She needed something that would allow her to disappear into the sea of pedestrians, something that wouldn’t draw a second glance. A quick change in the store’s fitting room later, and she was ready.

Emerging from the shop, Elizabeth joined the flow of the crowd, her new attire helping her merge seamlessly with the locals. She walked through the narrow streets, the towering buildings looming above her like silent sentinels. 

The morning sun was beginning to rise, casting long shadows that stretched across the pavement, and the city was slowly coming to life as the day began to unfold.

Elizabeth kept her pace steady, her senses alert. She couldn’t afford any mistakes. Every person she passed could be an informant, every shadow could conceal an enemy. She had to be cautious, calculating her every move with precision.

Her destination was clear: a quiet, unassuming café nestled deep within one of the city’s many winding alleys. 

It was a place known for its discretion, where deals were made and secrets were whispered over cups of steaming tea. If there was any information on Akuma’s ex-girlfriend to be found, it would be here.

As she approached the café, Elizabeth slowed, taking in the scene around her. The entrance was marked by a simple wooden sign, its characters elegantly painted in traditional kanji. The door creaked softly as she pushed it open, the scent of jasmine tea greeting her as she stepped inside.

The dimly lit interior, with just a few patrons scattered across the small space. Elizabeth moved to a corner table, her back to the wall, where she could observe the entire room. She ordered a cup of tea from the silent waitress, her eyes scanning the faces of those around her.

Elizabeth knew she had to be patient. The information she needed wouldn’t come to her directly, she had to coax it out, piece by piece. While waiting for her tea, she pulled out a small notepad and pen, pretending to jot down notes while keeping an ear open for any useful conversation.

The minutes ticked by, the quiet hum of conversation filling the air. Elizabeth remained still, her mind racing as she planned her next move. She couldn’t afford to leave Tokyo empty-handed. Akuma’s ex-girlfriend was her only lead, and she would do whatever it took to find her.

(Wait a little, Elizabeth, you have to be careful. Don’t attract any attention.)

Elizabeth reminded herself as she settled into her seat, her senses attuned to the low murmurs and soft exchanges happening around her. She needed information, and if she could find the right informant, she might get the location of Akuma’s ex-girlfriend sooner than she’d planned.

She sipped her tea, letting the warm liquid calm her nerves as she strained to catch snippets of conversation. The café was a hub of quiet chatter, each word a potential clue, each voice a thread she might need to follow.

“Do you hear about how the local mafia is agitated nowadays? They’re so wild,” one man whispered to his companion at a nearby table.

(I don’t care about those comments.)

Elizabeth dismissed the topic as irrelevant, her focus unwavering as she continued to listen.

But despite her patience, nothing useful seemed to come her way. All she could hear were more rumors about the local mafia, their activities, their rising tensions. It was as if the entire city was preoccupied with the underworld dealings, a shadowy network that had nothing to do with her target.

(That’s not what I need. Focus, Elizabeth. Akuma’s ex-girlfriend is your only concern.)

She ignored the mafia talk, tuning it out as best she could. Time was slipping away, and she needed a lead — something, anything that could point her in the right direction. But so far, the café’s patrons offered nothing but idle gossip and pointless speculation.

Elizabeth’s frustration began to build, but she knew she couldn’t afford to lose her composure. This was a game of patience, and she had to play it carefully. One wrong move, one sign of impatience, and she could blow her cover.

She took another sip of her tea, her eyes scanning the room once more. The night was still young, and she wasn’t leaving without something concrete. She just had to wait for the right moment, the right words, and then she would strike.

(I will find her. It’s only a matter of time.)

◆　◇　◆

One hour before Elizabeth arrives in Tokyo…

As soon as she hung up the phone, the 【Demon Queen】 set her plan in motion. In her humble home in Paris, which was conveniently hidden beneath the Seine River, she paced back and forth, her mind racing. The calm surroundings did little to settle her nerves.

(That job came at just the right time.)

The 【Demon Queen】 had a problem: she was broke. To be more precise, she had a serious spending addiction. Despite her reputation as a fearsome rent hunter, her love for luxury was her downfall. When Emma called about a job, she couldn’t hide her excitement.

Emma was known as an SSS Rank, filthy rich and always willing to pay top dollar. The job? Simply delay Elizabeth. The 【Demon Queen】 could handle that — anything more serious would have been out of the question. 

Even for infinite riches, she wouldn’t dare confront Elizabeth, Emma, or Seda. These three were the new generation of monsters, and she knew better than to mess with them, especially the ruthless Elizabeth and Emma.

Knowing Elizabeth’s speed, she had to prepare quickly. Elizabeth would arrive in Tokyo in less than a minute. There was no time to waste. First, she decided to spread a little disinformation among the gangs in Tokyo. 

A smirk played on her lips as she crafted a digital masterpiece, spreading false rumors that would create chaos. She carefully orchestrated this from her underground hideout, using a mix of magic and technology to make sure the rumors reached all the right ears.

As a result, the local chatter would be flooded with these fake stories, drowning out any mention of Elizabeth’s true target.

Now, onto the second part of her plan. She needed to get to Tokyo as fast as possible, but the usual 16-hour flight wasn’t an option. 

Sixteen hours was more than enough time for Elizabeth to finish her mission and return home victorious.

Flying commercially was out of the question, so she opted for a more dangerous, informal route — a magic trip. 

It was risky, but it would get her to Tokyo in just one hour, a fraction of the time. It would cost her a small fortune, but considering the pay Emma was offering, it was worth every penny.

(All right, time to make some magic happen.)