The Dual Swordsman Who Lost Both Arms On Stream to Save His Doomed Party Gets Exiled—Then the Heroines Go Yandere - Chapter 8: Her Jealousy

Chapter 8: Her Jealousy

――――【From Yuki’s Perspective】

Nezha-kun is truly a good person.

We lived nearby, and we spent time together before we even knew what was going on.

We did everything together.

To be honest, even back then I was aware that I would probably marry Natakun someday.

In the pretend house play we always did, we were always husband and wife.

“Welcome home, Nezha-kun.”

“I’m home, Yuki.”

“Dinner? Bath? Or…”

I lifted my skirt a little, meaning to tease Nezha-kun, but he…

“We don’t do that. You have to call each other by name.”

“Really? Some families keep the -kun even after marriage.”

He ignored it completely, and I felt let down.

“Is that how it is at your house?”

“No.”

“Then try calling me Nezha.”

I started to say our house uses Papa and Mama, but I stopped.

“N-Nezha.”

Calling him without honorifics felt so embarrassing it was like fire would shoot out of my face. My cheeks must have been bright red like a ripe tomato.

“What’s wrong, Yuki?”

“N-Nothing!”

As I turned my eyes away from Nezha-kun, who was peering at my face with worry, a little girl came toddling toward us.

Nezha-kun waved big at her.

“Hey, Hinako!”

“Big brother!”

Hinako-chan jumped straight into Nezha-kun’s chest without any hesitation.

Someday I want to jump into Nezha-kun’s arms like Hinako-chan…

While I was lost in that daydream, Hinako-chan stepped away from Nezha-kun and looked at me curiously with innocent eyes.

“Hello, Yuki-chan.”

“Hello, Hinako-chan.”

When I noticed Hinako-chan’s gaze, we greeted each other.

Being Nezha-kun’s little sister was honestly enviable. If I were his sister… But then I couldn’t become his girlfriend or marry him.

As I was lost in thought, Nezha-kun crouched next to Hinako-chan and asked.

“What’s up?”

“Yeah, I got lonely staying home all the time.”

Hinako-chan grabbed Nezha-kun’s pants and hugged him tight.

“Hey, big brother. Hinako wants to play house too.”

Hinako-chan begged him like a kitten mewing softly. Nezha-kun looked troubled and checked my expression. I wanted exactly that, so I nodded over and over.

“Yay! Welcome home, Papa! Hey, Mama! Hinako wants to play with Papa. Is that okay?”

When Hinako-chan joined our pretend meals, she always played our child.

“That’s fine, right, Nezha?”

“Uh… yeah, it’s fine, Yuki.”

For some reason, I suddenly wanted to call him without the -kun.

Nezha-kun looked a little surprised at my bold move, but I got more embarrassed than he did. Even during play, I couldn’t look him straight in the eye…

In the end, that was the only time I ever called him “Nezha.” I went right back to adding -kun as usual.

We spent our early childhood happily as a close trio, but when we became middle school students, our relationship changed completely.

Hinako-chan fell ill. After she got sick, chances to play with Nezha-kun dropped sharply.

When Hinako-chan wasn’t feeling well, Nezha-kun went to visit her in the hospital instead of their busy working mom.

That left me walking home alone and lonely…

It hurt and frustrated me that I couldn’t spend time with my childhood friend. So I made up my mind, chased after him, and enrolled in the labyrinth exploration school.

But the situation didn’t improve.

Nezha-kun was in S-class, I was in B-class… He was too outstanding, so we were in different classes. My wish to be near him during lessons didn’t come true.

Plus, at the labyrinth exploration school, parties were basically formed only with classmates…

I was wondering if there was any way to spend more time with Nezha-kun.

“You’re Nezha’s girlfriend, right? Sarashina-chan?”

I jumped when Amiro Soma-kun, the leader of Nezha-kun’s party, spoke to me.

He had princelike looks that every girl admired, plus he was number one in the year at labyrinth exploration. There were even rumors that idol agencies had scouted him.

His father was a department head at Tokyo Metropolitan University, his mother was from a distinguished family, and his siblings and relatives had produced outstanding researchers. He was flawless.

I was truly shocked when Nezha-kun ended up in the same party as Soma-kun. And apparently Soma-kun had personally picked him.

Compared to that, I…

I worked hard over and over and barely made it into a B-class party.

And to someone like me, Soma-kun said…

“If you want, Yuki-chan, why not join my party?”

“Eh!?”

“Come on, if you join my party, you’ll be with Nezha, right?”

No way!?

Me, in Soma-kun’s party!?

I was so surprised I covered my mouth with my hand. Tears started falling onto it.

“Hey, why are you crying? It looks like I made a girl cry!”

“N-No… I’m just happy…”

“Then it’s settled! I’ll talk to Sonoda for you.”

Sonoda was my party leader. He was nice, but the mood was more about enjoying labyrinth exploration casually. Leveling up under him didn’t seem likely.

“Is that really okay?”

“If you’re my buddy’s girlfriend, you’re already like a teammate.”

As a special measure, party leaders could transfer someone to a higher-class party if the person wanted it.

I never dreamed that Soma-kun himself would invite me!

After that short exchange, I joined Soma-kun’s party.

Nezha-kun would surely be happy!

The next day, when I told Nezha-kun I had transferred parties, his words were unexpected…

“I didn’t want to force you, Yuki. Maybe I should have come to see you more during breaks…”

“I thought you’d be happier…”

Nezha-kun stayed seated, covered his eyes with his hand, let out a deep sigh, and seemed lost in thought.

But still! The emperor-like Amiro Soma-kun had acknowledged me.

I could make it work. If I joined Soma-kun’s party, I could be with Nezha-kun forever!

Or so I thought, but it wasn’t like that…

In front of Nezha-kun, who was holding his head, stood a beautiful girl with silver-thread hair, translucent skin, long legs, a slim waist, and curves where they counted—an unbelievably cute beauty.

“Hinata-kun, I have some concerns about tomorrow’s labyrinth exploration. Can you advise me?”

No way!?

Mikado Alicia-san, said to be the most beautiful girl not just in our year but in the whole school, spoke familiarly to Nezha-kun.

Our eyes met as I stood shocked.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Mikado Alicia.”

“S-Sarashina Yuki… Nice to meet you.”

I got so nervous my voice cracked. Was this the aura of an S-class party member?

Whenever I passed Alicia-san, she always had a cool expression and an unapproachable air. But in front of Nezha-kun, she showed a gentle smile like she was his girlfriend.

“I’m Nezha-kun’s gi… his…”

Chills!

When I tried to claim I was Nezha-kun’s girlfriend, icy blue eyes stared straight at me, freezing my spine.

Nezha-kun pointed at his own face in confusion and said, “Me?” But Mikado-san nodded clearly. The girl called the ice lady was blushing shyly!

Then Soma-kun stood up from his seat farther away and started walking over…

Alicia-san urged, “It’s hard to talk here. Let’s move somewhere else.”

Nezha-kun stood and headed out of the classroom. I tried to follow, but Alicia-san turned back and gave me a light bow.

“Sorry. I need to discuss important labyrinth exploration matters with him alone. Could you step out for a bit?”

Eh? Uh? That’s…

As I stood confused, a hand landed on Alicia-san’s shoulder.

“Hold on, Alicia. Hinata has training with me next. You always hog him—it’s not fair!”

Eh?

The hand belonged to Kakehi Misato-san, who looked like the leader of a gal circle. She was a different type from Mikado-san, but super popular with guys. Boys who casually talked to her often got glared at and ran away—it happened all the time…

When Kakehi-san stepped forward to talk to Nezha-kun, I thought I saw Mikado-san frown for a moment.

As Mikado-san and Kakehi-san glared at each other, someone tugged Nezha-kun’s sleeve.

“Natakun! Aririn and Misamisa look busy, so play with Lemon!”

Ehh!?

A girl so short she could almost be mistaken for an elementary student grabbed Nezha-kun’s sleeve and smiled brightly.

The super famous streamer Lemon-chan!?

Even though she was tiny, her face was unbelievably perfect—cute and beautiful…

“Lemon-san, I can’t let that pass.”

“Huh? If you don’t want to end up as candied lemon, let go right now.”

The three beautiful girls pulled Nezha-kun’s hands as if fighting over him and led him out of the classroom.

“Yuki, sorry. Let’s talk later.”

“O-Okay…”

I felt left out and couldn’t follow Nezha-kun…

“Man… That Nezha! He has a girlfriend named Yuki, yet he’s distracted by other girls. Unbelievable.”

I turned at the voice behind me and saw Soma-kun gripping the top of the classroom door frame.