I, Who Acquired the Ability to Read Memories, Am Being Swallowed by Darkness - While I Should Be Protecting Beautiful Girls, I Am Being Drawn into Darkness Each Time I Use My Power, Yet for Some Reason, My Harem of Beautiful Girls Keeps Growing - Chapter 48: In Misaki’s room.

Chapter 48: In Misaki’s room.

Misaki’s room was filled with its usual clean, fresh air.

Light pink curtains swayed in the summer breeze, and a single rose on the desk gave off a gentle fragrance.

This space, which would normally calm the heart, felt strangely heavy today.

“The bathroom, right? Isn’t she taking a bit long?”

Reiko muttered softly.

Holding a hardcover novel in front of the bookshelf, she glanced at me.

Her long black hair shimmered in the sunset, her figure as beautiful as a painting.

Normally, I’d want to hug her from behind in such a scene, but right now, I didn’t have the composure for that.

At the desk by the window, Ryoko was looking through Misaki’s textbooks.

Her toned body, befitting the ace of the volleyball team, traced a beautiful line even in her school uniform.

Sensing my presence, Ryoko turned around.

“What’s wrong? You look so serious.”

She spoke with a worried tone.

On the table, Misaki’s smartphone was glowing.

The sight I saw when I touched it earlier still weighed heavily on my chest.

Six months since the four of us started going out.

The days we spent caring for and supporting each other were now on the verge of being shaken.

“Both of you, I have something important to say.”

I spoke with determination.

“It’s about Yamashita, the guy who recently got close to Onizuka.”

Reiko put the book back on the shelf.

“Oh, that short kid, right? He’s changed so suddenly. I heard he’s calling Onizuka his best friend.”

Her reply carried a trace of wariness beneath her usual elegance.

“He has a special ability.”

My words made both of them freeze.

“The power to control people. And…”

I stared at Misaki’s smartphone.

“Misaki is being controlled by that power.”

“Misaki… is being controlled?”

Ryoko’s voice was tinged with disbelief.

Reiko stepped away from the bookshelf and sat beside me.

The mixed scent of their perfumes, which would normally calm me, now felt strangely poignant.

“When I touched her phone earlier, I saw it.”

I began explaining quietly.

“Yamashita came to Misaki’s house and gave her five commands. One of them was… to cut ties with me.”

Reiko gasped softly.

I could see Ryoko’s hands trembling.

I didn’t tell them about what happened between Yamashita and Misaki.

It was too much for me to process, let alone share with them.

Still, the fact that the precious bond we four had woven was being torn apart by an invisible force must have shocked them too.

“That’s why Misaki suddenly got cold with you, Ryuuji-kun.”

Reiko murmured.

“But she’s been normal with us…”

“Exactly.”

I nodded.

“Yamashita’s commands are detailed. She’s supposed to act as usual with everyone except me.”

The summer sunlight dyed the room red.

The passage of time felt oddly pronounced.

“The changes happening at school lately…”

Ryoko said, as if realizing something.

“The girls taking a week off, the ones whose personalities changed, all of it…”

“Yeah, most likely.”

I clenched my fists.

“Victims of Yamashita’s ability. We don’t know for sure until we investigate, but there must be a lot of them.”

“Are we safe?”

Reiko’s voice, unusually, carried a hint of anxiety.

I instinctively grabbed her hand.

Even in a moment like this, the comfort of touching her proved the bond between us was real.

“Both of you, absolutely don’t be alone with Yamashita.”

I looked at them with a serious gaze.

“Even making eye contact might be dangerous. You could end up controlled, like Misaki is now.”

Footsteps approached from the hallway, and Misaki returned to the room.

Sweat glistened on her forehead, her bangs sticking to it.

Her flushed face and ragged breathing.

The moment Misaki entered, an indescribable scent filled the air.

A mix of something savory and raw.

I couldn’t hold back anymore.

All my feelings burst out like a dam breaking.

“Misaki… I’m sorry.”

I stood up suddenly and knelt before her.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. I didn’t notice until it came to this.”

Tears streamed down my cheeks.

Reiko and Ryoko watched, holding their breath.

The twilight glow dyed this painful scene red.

“Nn, haa, haa, Satou-kun, what are you talking about, nn, ahh?”

Misaki’s voice was cold, like a blade of ice.

“Are you, nn, losing your mind or something? Ngh?”

Each word cut deeply into my heart.

The gentle voice that once called me “Ryūji-kun” was nowhere to be found.

Under Yamashita’s control, Misaki was like a different person.

“I’m starting to feel sick, nngh.”

Misaki continued coldly.

“Can you just leave, ugh?”

Reiko placed a hand on my shoulder.

Her hand was trembling, full of strength.

Ryoko and Reiko quietly approached, whispering, “Let’s go.”

Their warmth supported my crumbling heart.

As I stood, I looked at Misaki one last time.

The traces of the happy days we four had woven together were no longer there.

Misaki’s face stared blankly into space.

Her knees trembled slightly, convulsing.

“I’m sorry…”

Leaving one final apology, I left the room.

Tears wouldn’t stop as I descended the stairs.

Reiko and Ryoko supported me from both sides.

Without them, I probably couldn’t have stood.

As I put on my shoes at the entrance, I made a firm vow.

I will take Misaki back.

I will bring back her smile.

And I will protect our bond.

In the summer twilight, the three of us left the Sakurai house.

This isn’t the end.

The real battle begins now.

“Let’s investigate.”

I told them.

“We’ll find Yamashita’s weakness, no matter what.”

Reiko and Ryoko nodded firmly.

The resolve to fight this battle with the ones I love sprouted in my heart.