Author Note: Is this too slow pace for all you reader?
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After lunch, they returned to class, and immediately, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. The reason? Lala's introduction. Standing in front of the class with an innocent smile and cheerful demeanor, she instantly captivated everyone's attention. Even though many students had yet to form close friend groups, Lala's natural charm broke the ice in an instant. Students crowded around her, bombarding her with questions, especially curious since she was introduced as an overseas student.
Naturally, Lala was seated beside Haruno, something the teacher explained since she was boarding at his home. Haruno could practically feel the envious stares from almost all the boys in class, burning into his back like lasers. The only exception was Rito, who remained laser-focused on Haruna as always. Haruno just chuckled awkwardly to himself and focused on getting through the rest of the lessons.
Classes passed normally after that, though Haruno noticed something strange. For some reason, he found it difficult to meet Haruna's eyes. Every time he tried, it felt like some invisible force pushed the opportunity away. Still, he shrugged it off.
'Well… there's still plenty of time,' Haruno thought optimistically as the final bell rang, signaling the end of the day.
As they packed up, Lala happily bounced over to Haruno, with Yui following not far behind. The three of them had promised to head to Haruno's house together to meet Zastin — both for the "test" and to prove to Yui that aliens really did exist. On the way, Yui tried to make sense of the strange story Haruno had told her.
"So you're saying she just appeared while you were soaking in a bath?" Yui asked, skeptical.
"Yeah… it surprised me too," Haruno admitted, scratching his cheek.
"Hehehe… but it let me meet you, Haruno. It was destiny!" Lala giggled, wrapping her arm around his with a happy smile.
Yui could feel her complexion paling slightly as she listened to the continuation of Haruno's and Lala's unbelievable story. Hearing how Lala was being chased by her father's subordinates, all for the sake of arranging a forced marriage, made her heart tighten with discomfort.
"So in the end, Aizawa-kun helped Lala by offering himself as a potential husband at her request... and now her father's subordinates are coming to test whether you're worthy or not..." Yui summarized, her voice carrying a complicated, almost bitter tone.
She couldn't deny it — Haruno was a genuinely good guy. He wasn't just kind; he was the type to step in and help someone facing such a miserable fate.
'If it were me… if I were in her place… I would be so grateful too,' Yui thought, her heart pounding faster.
'Being forced to marry someone you don't even know... I'd want someone to rescue me too...' Without realizing it, her imagination ran wild — picturing herself as a helpless princess saved by a prince on a white horse. Her face flushed deeply just thinking about it.
"So you two are pretending to be a couple... and Haruno is acting as Lala's future husband," Yui repeated, trying to process it all. Despite knowing it was just an act to help Lala avoid an unwanted marriage, her chest still ached hearing it. It hurt more than she cared to admit. Even though she knew this was just a temporary situation, the idea of Haruno belonging to someone else — even as part of a plan — made her voice waver with emotion she could barely hide.
"Hmm... That was the plan Haruno and I came up with at first," Lala said brightly, breaking their embrace to clasp her flushed cheeks with both hands, her face radiating happiness. "But in the end, we decided to become true lovers in marriage, not just pretend. I can still remember how he confessed his passionate feelings toward me. Hehehe..."
Hearing those words, Yui felt like her heart had been pierced. She stared blankly at Haruno, searching his expression for confirmation, her world teetering on the brink of collapse.
Is it true? Did he really say that...? she thought helplessly, as the walls she had built around her feelings started to crumble.
Haruno, for his part, felt a pang of guilt at seeing her devastated face. It was terrifying, how much her sorrow shook him. He almost coughed up blood from the pressure of it all but barely managed to keep his composure. Now wasn't the time to fall apart. His priority was clear: he needed Yui to believe in aliens and the vastness of the universe. Once she accepted that such things as other planets — and polygamous relationships — existed, perhaps she would also accept becoming one of his girlfriends someday. At this moment, her mindset still wouldn't allow her to accept such a shameless relationship.
"That's true," Haruno said after a small pause, forcing a smile. "I mean... I couldn't help it, not when I first saw her."
Lala chimed in with a sweet giggle, adding, "I felt the same when I saw Haruno! It was like destiny brought us together!"
Yui's chest tightened painfully. But I feel the same way too…
Every time Haruno described that moment — that undeniable connection — it mirrored exactly how she felt when she first met him. It wasn't fair. She wanted to cry, but somehow, she kept the tears from falling, clutching her chest as if to hold her heart together.
"Ah, we've arrived. I'm opening the door," Lala announced cheerfully, pushing open the door to Haruno's apartment as if it were her own home.
As soon as Yui stepped inside, she froze in shock. Standing right in the middle of the room were three imposing figures clearly waiting for their arrival. Her eyes widened instinctively—two of them were dressed in sleek black suits and sunglasses, towering over normal Japanese men like intimidating bodyguards. The third was even more remarkable: a tall man clad in bone-themed armor, complete with a chest plate shaped like a skull. Though he wore no helmet, revealing his handsome face framed by silver hair and piercing silver eyes, his presence alone was overwhelming.
"Zastin… you're finally here," Lala called out, her voice light but carrying a hint of a spoiled tone, almost like a princess greeting a familiar knight.
"Of course," Zastin replied formally, his respectful tone standing out in contrast to Lala's casual air. "I heard that you selected a random Earthling as your potential husband. I cannot allow such an important decision to be made so lightly, Lala-sama."
"But why not?" Lala pouted, stomping her foot lightly. "I like him, and he likes me! Isn't that what love is supposed to be about?"
"That may be true," Zastin said gravely, "but your position is not so simple."
Yui listened quietly, trying to process everything. Even if she still doubted the 'alien' story, she was beginning to realize that Lala might genuinely be someone important—perhaps a princess or a figure of high status from another country. The way Zastin treated her, with such deference, made Yui's heart waver between disbelief and reluctant acceptance.
"After all, I, Zastin, have received direct orders from the King of Deviluke to bring you back, Lala-sama," Zastin declared firmly, his voice heavy with duty. "I cannot return having blindly accepted an unknown Earthling without ensuring his worth. Therefore, I must confirm whether he is truly suitable for you."
With that, Zastin stood up and, in a swift motion, pulled out what looked like an ordinary sword hilt. However, with a flick of his wrist, a brilliant beam of light shot out, forming a futuristic energy blade. It looked something out of a sci-fi movie, and Yui, seeing it, tightened her grip on Haruno's arm, her body tense with nerves.
Haruno, however, remained composed, his mind already spinning with a plan. "Well, I'm fine with undergoing your test," Haruno said, raising his hand slightly in a gesture of peace.
"But since you're using a weapon like that and wearing armor, I think it's only fair if I'm given the same equipment for a fair fight." Yui turned her wide eyes toward Haruno, almost unable to believe he was negotiating so calmly under these circumstances.
Zastin paused, evaluating Haruno's words. Surprisingly, instead of reacting aggressively, he nodded. "Hm, fine. That's a reasonable request," Zastin agreed with a slight smirk.
Thus, the terms were set. Haruno would soon face Zastin in a formal test—an event that would determine whether he was truly worthy to stand by Lala's side.
Author Note :
You can read 10 chapter at patr*on.com/Iam_HaremLover123