How to Handle a Yandere Harem - Chapter 34

The gymnasium was filled with the hum of excitement as students shuffled into their seats, eager for the start of the Augmented Reality Gladiators (ARG) tournament. Banners lined the walls, announcing the event, while screens displayed the avatars of various participants, each one customized with their chosen attributes. Adriel adjusted his AR glasses, the sleek, high-tech device resting comfortably on his face. His teammate, Makoto, stood next to him, both of them quiet and focused.

“You ready?” Makoto asked, his tone serious. His girlfriend, Alexia, was away on a mission, and though he appeared calm, Adriel could sense the tension lying underneath his skin.

“Yeah,” Adriel replied, forcing a smile. “Let’s just do our best.”

As they stood on the stage, preparing for the first round, the atmosphere in the gym shifted. Whispers spread among the crowd, mostly from the boys. Murmurs quickly turned into open resentment.

“Look at them,” one student sneered. “Adriel and Makoto… both dating Yandere girlfriends. It’s not fair.”

“How does a guy like Adriel get with someone like Emma? And Makoto with Alexia? What kind of luck is that?”

The whispers grew louder, turning into boos from the boys’ section of the audience. Adriel flinched slightly at the sound, but Makoto remained unaffected, his focus unwavering.

(Why are they always like this? It’s not like we asked for this attention…) Adriel thought, his chest tightening. He felt a wave of self-consciousness wash over him, the weight of their jealousy pressing down.

In contrast, Makoto’s expression didn’t change. His girlfriend wasn’t even at the tournament, and yet the boys still booed. 

(Alexia isn’t even here… does it bother them that much?)

Suddenly, a shift in the crowd’s energy occurred as the gym doors opened with a loud creak, and Issei stepped inside, a cocky grin plastered on his face. Instantly, the boos transformed into loud cheers. The boys erupted into applause, shouting his name as if he were a savior.

“Issei! Avenge us!” one boy shouted, his voice rising above the others.

“Yeah, show those guys what a real man can do!” another yelled, as Issei raised his hand to acknowledge the support, the grin never leaving his face.

Adriel couldn’t help but glance toward the stands, feeling the shift in the crowd’s favor toward Issei. 

(Of course, they love him. He’s their hero.) 

Adriel shook his head slightly, trying to ignore the nagging feeling of inadequacy creeping up on him.

Across the gym, Emma sat in her special seat, a smile on her lips as her eyes followed Adriel’s every move. 

(He’s perfect. They can boo all they want, but none of them can take him from me.) 

She waved cheerfully at Adriel when he looked her way, though there was an unmistakable glint of possessiveness in her gaze.

Meanwhile, Seda observed everything from her place at the front of the stands, her expression calm, as usual. Emma’s attempts to rile her up hadn’t gone unnoticed. Emma had taken care to glance her way at every opportunity, making small gestures toward Adriel, as if taunting her.

(Emma’s trying to make me jealous. How predictable.) Seda remained indifferent, her fingers resting lightly on the armrest of her chair. She had no reason to feel threatened. Jealousy wasn’t in her nature. She was here to watch over the tournament and make sure everything ran smoothly. Emma’s little games didn’t concern her.

Emma, on the other hand, was doing everything she could to stir the pot. She leaned forward, whispering to a nearby staff member to ensure Adriel was prominently displayed on the large screens around the gym, her eyes occasionally flicking toward Seda, watching for any reaction.

(She’s so calm… but I know it bothers her. No one can stay that calm and composed when Adriel is in danger of being stolen away.)

Despite Emma’s best efforts, Seda remained unmoved, her thoughts entirely practical. 

(Emma can play her games, but Adriel is smart enough not to get caught in them. I trust him. My focus is on ensuring this event continues without a hitch.)

The noise in the gym grew louder as the screen showed the participants for the first round. The names flashed in bright neon letters, and the crowd buzzed with excitement as they saw the matchups.

Adriel and Makoto’s team versus Issei’s. The battle would be a spectacle. Issei, with the support of the crowd behind him, grinned widely, his confidence unwavering as he prepared to take on Adriel’s team. The audience roared in approval, many of the boys cheering Issei on with chants of “Avenge us!”

Makoto adjusted his glasses, his expression stoic as always. “It looks like we’re up against Issei.”

Adriel nodded his head, trying to shake off the lingering nerves. “Yeah… let’s just focus on the fight. It’s just a game, after all.”

Makoto glanced at him briefly. “To them, it’s more than that. But we’ll be fine.”

As the match was set to begin, Emma leaned back in her chair, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. 

(Let the games begin. I’ll make sure Adriel shines today — just as planned.)

With the matchups determined, the tournament’s true battle was about to commence, and the stakes felt higher than anyone anticipated.