How to Handle a Yandere Harem - Chapter 36

The anticipation in the gymnasium reached a fever pitch as the next match approached. Adriel and Makoto stood at one end of the virtual battlefield, their avatars ready for the upcoming fight. Across from them, their next opponents appeared in the AR system, shrouded in shadows. The avatars were sharp, intimidating figures — gleaming armor and fierce, unblinking eyes. The team was known as “The Beast Hunters,” but their individual identities remained concealed behind their digital disguises.

Adriel adjusted his AR glasses, trying to steady his nerves. Makoto stood beside him, arms crossed, calm as usual. But even Makoto’s usual confidence seemed tested by the energy that radiated from the opposing team.

“You feel that?” Adriel muttered, glancing at his teammate. “It’s… different this time.”

Makoto nodded. “Yeah. These guys aren’t just here for the tournament.”

The opponents hadn’t said a word yet, but the way they stood — silent and menacing — spoke volumes. Then, out of the silence, one of them finally stepped forward, his voice crackling through the AR system.

“You two are a joke,” the figure sneered, his tone dripping with contempt. “How did you even make it this far?”

Adriel’s face scrunched up into a frown. “Uh, we fought… and won?”

The figure’s eyes narrowed. “That last match? A fluke. You’re just two weaklings playing at being warriors.”

Makoto, ever defensive of Adriel, stepped forward. “We didn’t come here to trash talk. Let’s settle this in the arena.”

Another member of the opposing team laughed, his voice harsh and mocking. 

“Makoto, always the loyal dog, huh? Following around that weakling Adriel like he’s worth anything. Pathetic.”

Makoto’s hands balled up into fists. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, don’t we?” The first figure stepped closer, his shadowy avatar looming large over them. “Adriel, the D-rank nobody, and Makoto, the guy who’s only here because his girlfriend is stronger than he’ll ever be.”

Adriel tensed. He wasn’t used to being called out like this. The jealousy and envy from earlier opponents had been easy enough to shrug off, but this? This felt personal. And it wasn’t about Emma or Alexia this time — it was about him. His skill. His worth.

Makoto, sensing Adriel’s discomfort, tried to diffuse the tension. “Say what you want, but we’re still standing here, and you’re still just talking.”

But the taunts didn’t stop. “Still standing? You’re barely holding on. We’ve been watching you, Adriel. Every match. You’re weak, and everyone knows it. You’re just hiding behind people stronger than you.”

Adriel took a step forward, his fists trembling. “You don’t know anything about me.”

Another chuckle came from the third member of their opponents, his voice low and menacing. “We know more than you think, Koiwai. You’re not special. You’re not even worth the rank they gave you. When this match is over, you’ll wish you never signed up.”

Makoto turned his head slightly toward Adriel, his expression concerned. “Adriel, don’t let them get to you. They’re just trying to psych us out.”

But Adriel couldn’t shake the sinking feeling in his chest. These guys didn’t just want to win — they wanted to crush him. And for the first time in the tournament, he felt the weight of real pressure, not from outside expectations, but from the doubt their words were stirring inside him.

“Why are they so fixated on us?” Adriel whispered under his breath.

Makoto didn’t respond, his focus now entirely on the match about to begin.

The Beast Hunters hadn’t stopped. “It’s going to be fun watching you struggle,” one of them said with a cruel smile on his face. “We’ll enjoy it. You’ll try so hard to prove yourself, and in the end, you’ll just fall short. Like always.”

Makoto finally had had enough. “Enough of this,” he snapped, stepping forward. “We’re not here to talk. You want a fight? Let’s get on with it.”

The leader of their opponents tilted his head slightly, amused by Makoto’s sudden aggression. “Oh, we’ll fight, Makoto. And when we’re done, everyone will know just how worthless you two really are.”

Makoto narrowed his eyes until they became slits. “You talk big, but it’s going to take more than words to beat us.”

Adriel, trying to keep calm, gave Makoto a slight nod. He appreciated Makoto’s attempts to defend him, but it didn’t change the knot tightening in his stomach. He glanced at their opponents again, shadows swirling around them, concealing their true identities. The way they spoke, the venom in their words — it was clear this wasn’t just another match for them.

(Who are these guys? And why do they hate me so much?) Adriel thought, his mind racing.

As the countdown to the match’s start echoed in their AR glasses, the atmosphere became heavier, thick with tension. The Beast Hunters stood ready, their avatars’ weapons gleaming under the virtual arena’s lights as if savoring the moment before they could strike.

Adriel took a deep breath, trying to push the doubts out of his mind. (I can do this. I’ve made it this far. I won’t let them win.)

Makoto, ever focused, raised his sword. “Adriel, stay sharp. Don’t let them mess with your head.”

Adriel nodded, gripping his staff tighter. “Right. Let’s show them what we’ve got.”

The arena’s virtual countdown continued, the numbers ticking away, each second bringing them closer to the inevitable clash. The crowd in the real world had gone quiet, sensing the tension in the air. They could feel that this match was different — that there was something personal here, something deeper than just a tournament.

As the final seconds of the countdown ticked away, the leader of the Beast Hunters smirked, his avatar’s sword glowing ominously. “Let’s see if you can even make it past the first strike.”

Adriel’s heart pounded in his chest as the final number blinked on the screen. The battle was about to begin.