The Case of Me, a Guy With Zero Dating Experience, Getting Mistaken for a Stalker by the Angel I Fell for at First Sight, Only to End Up Living Together With Her in a Harem Share House With a 1:9 Gender Ratio

Chapter 9: Stalker

Yuuki returned to the share house past 9 p.m.

In the lounge, the women were gathered, comforting a trembling, crying Sakura while listening to her story.

“Oh, Yuuki-kun, welcome back.”

Besides Sakura, the group included the manager, Asuna, the bubbly beauty Akane Mashiro, the weathercaster Reina Kanno, the sexy beauty Riona Hayami, the dependable office lady Mizuki Amano, the natural beauty Kotoha Kishitani, and the twin-tailed beauty Miku Yuuki—seven in total.

“What happened?”

“Sakura-chan was chased by a stalker again, and he grabbed her arm…”

Asuna briefly explained the situation to Yuuki.

On her way back from Hakurindai Station to the share house, Sakura noticed someone following her.

The stalker kept a fixed distance, trailing her along the same path.

Scared, Sakura quickened her pace, and the stalker matched her speed.

In a panic, she broke into a run, and the stalker chased her at full speed.

Finally reaching the share house’s gate, as she tried to pass through, her arm was grabbed from behind with a guu tug.

In that moment, overcome with fear, Sakura screamed, and the man faltered for a second.

“I-I’m not a stalker, I j-just want to talk to you.”

That’s what the man said to Sakura.

Hearing her scream, Asuna, who was in the lounge, rushed to open the front door, and the stalker let go of Sakura’s arm and fled.

“Doing stalker stuff and saying ‘I’m not a stalker’? What’s that about?”

Mizuki Amano bit her lip, crossed her arms, and looked at the ceiling.

“It’s like a molester saying ‘I’m not a molester’ while molesting someone.”

Akane Mashiro said to Mizuki with an unforgiving expression.

“It’s not like you’re the culprit, right?”

Akane shot Yuuki a cold look.

“N-No way. I was at my part-time job until just now. Here’s proof.”

Yuuki showed Akane the paper bag from Misato-mama.

“What’s this box? Wait, is this shortcake? And it’s Café Valencia’s strawberry shortcake…?”

“I know that place! It’s got a crazy good rep online.”

Riona jumped in.

“I work at that café on weekdays. The mama there sent these for everyone in the share house.”

“What, really? Hey, Yuuki, can we eat these?”

Akane asked, peering into the box.

“Sure, one per person, but help yourselves.”

At that, all the girls except Sakura cheered.

“I’ll make coffee—who wants some~?”

Reina called out.

“Hey, Kotoha-chan, can you let Sena-chan know there’s cake?”

Asuna asked Kotoha to call the only absent resident, Sena Ito.

Meanwhile, the residents prepared cake plates, dessert forks, and their preferred drinks for everyone.

“Asuna-san, Sena-chan’s room had a ‘filming in progress’ sign.”

Yuuki was curious about what kind of videos Sena Ito was filming.

“Well, can’t be helped. Since Yuuki-kun brought these, let’s dig in.”

“Thanks for the treat, Yuuki-kun~ Let’s eat~!”

As if waiting for Asuna’s cue, the Venus Lounge residents started eating the strawberry shortcake.

Sakura, who had stopped crying and regained her composure, scooped a bite of the delicious-looking shortcake and smiled faintly at its taste.

The heavy atmosphere from Sakura’s stalker ordeal was instantly lightened, thanks to Café Valencia’s cake.

“This is so good… I’d heard Café Valencia’s cakes were amazing, but this is beyond my expectations.”

Asuna was moved by the cake’s deliciousness.

“The fluffy texture, the fine sponge, the balance of sweetness and tartness, the aroma, the juiciness, and the beautiful presentation—all perfectly balanced.”

Reina shared her thoughts like a dessert critic.

The other girls, munching away, nodded repeatedly.

“I think Café Valencia’s mama will be thrilled you all liked it. They have over 20 kinds of shortcake, so please stop by sometime.”

Yuuki didn’t forget Misato-mama’s order to promote the shop.

As everyone relaxed, satisfied with the cake, Asuna brought the conversation back to the stalker.

“Hey, Sakura-chan. At this point, don’t you think you should file a police report?”

“Right, grabbing your arm is already a crime, and it seems to be escalating. You should talk to the police.”

Reina, the oldest resident, agreed with Asuna.

“Sakura-chan, today wasn’t the only time you were chased, right?”

Asuna asked.

“Yes, this was the seventh time.”

“Wow… This is beyond what civilians can handle. Sakura-chan, how about going to the police box by the station tomorrow to file a report?”

“Y-Yes, okay…”

Sakura replied hesitantly, likely anxious about going alone.

“Hey, Yuuki-kun, go with Sakura-chan to the police box tomorrow.”

“Huh, me…?”

“Yup, if you leave a bit early before university, it shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

“Got it, I’ll go with Sakura-san to the police box tomorrow.”

Hearing this, Sakura’s face showed relief.

“Th-Thank you, Shinomiya-san, I’m counting on you.”

“Thanks, Yuuki-kun, that’s a big help. As the manager, I’m officially asking you for help. Also, Sakura-chan, since there are two Shinomiyas in this share house—me and Yuuki-kun—it’d help if you called him by his first name.”

“Yes, Asuna-san. I’ll call him Yuuki-san from now on.”

“Everyone else, please do the same. I’d love to say that settles it, but Yuuki-kun, I have one more request.”

“W-What is it?”

“For Sakura-chan, until this stalker issue calms down, I’d like you to escort her to and from university for a while.”

“Huh, me…?”

“Yuuki-kun, you’re the only man in this share house.”

“Yes, I know that.”

“No, you don’t get it. What I’m saying is, as a man, you have a duty to protect the women in this share house.”

Yuuki was struck by Asuna’s words.

M-Me, protecting women…?

Indeed, since ancient times, protecting women has undeniably been a man’s duty.

“S-Sure… But what about my part-time job…?”