78. Immortal Factor, NTR Plot

"You could have taken care of your health properly, but instead, you've been pretending to be fine for Arima Kousei's sake."

"The price is having to take a ton of medication every day."

"Kazusa, join my harem!"

"Sawamura Akira, you idiot!"

Although Touma Kazusa cursed at Akira, she still replied in a serious tone:

"I'm willing."

"I shouldn't have started with Yukino, the high-difficulty route."

"If I'd chosen Kazusa from the beginning, I would've cleared the game by now."

Akira said with a look of regret.

"You jerk! You're really treating real-life relationships like a dating sim game!"

As the most upright and morally sound among the childhood friends, Yukino and Eri couldn't help but lash out at Kazusa:

"Kazusa, where's your dignity?"

"Where's your backbone?"

"Where's your self-respect?"

"I'm sorry, everyone. But I just can't refuse any of Akira's requests."

Seeing the anger in Yukino and Eri's eyes, Kazusa quickly bowed her head in apology.

"Kazusa, I'm starting to regret it too. If only I hadn't met Kousei back then."

"He wouldn't have to suffer again because of my departure, and I wouldn't have disappointed my parents."

Hearing this, Kazusa, who had just been apologizing, suddenly became furious.

"Even now, the first person you think about is still Arima Kousei."

"Miyazono, I really want to slap you twice to wake you up from your love-struck delusions."

"Akira, why weren't you Miyazono's childhood friend?"

"You were there with me when we went to learn the piano too."

"It's not like I could control that."

Seeing Kazusa's temper flare, Akira shrugged innocently.

"Hehehe!"

"So Miyazono loves her childhood friend that much, huh?"

Amamiya Sayaka, with her cute round face, revealed a sly, mischievous smile and announced:

"Actually, Miyazono can still be saved."

Kazusa's expression instantly lit up with hope. "Sayaka-nee, is that true?"

"Of course. The reason I didn't mention this treatment method before is because Miyazono Kaori is an outsider."

"You couldn't afford the price."

"To be honest, most people in the world couldn't afford it."

"Only Akira and those closest to him are qualified to use this precious medicine, the most valuable in the world right now."

"I can guarantee that if I were to auction this new medicine I developed, I could trade it for a nuclear bomb."

"Sayaka-nee, all the nuclear bombs in the world are being dismantled, aren't they?"

"I'm just making a comparison."

"Sayaka-nee, did you really manage to turn that thing into a medicine?"

Akira asked in a hushed tone.

"Yes, I've already sent a dose to Coco, Lacus, and Laura."

"Please don't doubt the abilities of a genius like me."

Sayaka puffed out her chest proudly.

"If there's any extra, could you prepare a dose for Ryouko-nee too?"

"She's just like Laura-nee, cursed with bad luck."

"Akira, I'm touched that you thought of me first, but hearing you say that still makes me a little upset."

"And who are Laura and Lacus that Sayaka mentioned?"

"The new medicine is still in production."

"Can you guys stop speaking in riddles?"

Chitanda Eru's curiosity was about to burst, and she couldn't help but wave her fists in protest.

"Exactly!"

"Just tell us what that medicine is already!"

"Well, it's a long story."

Akira deliberately dragged his words, clearly not wanting to explain.

"Then make it short."

"The problem is, I can't reveal its name."

"Only a small group of people at the top of the world know about it."

"They've all silently agreed to protect this secret and prevent it from spreading."

"Knowing about it now won't do you any good."

"In fact, it might even put your lives in danger."

"Unless the day comes when it's impossible to keep it hidden, I can't tell you."

"It's a newly discovered mysterious species, containing a factor that can slow aging and extend lifespan."

"So far, it's only been found deep in the rainforests of Southeast Asia and South America."

"And those places remain some of the most dangerous death zones for humans."

"You've all heard the legends about the man-eating giant snakes in the Amazon rainforest, right? The ones that are dozens or even hundreds of meters long?"

"Yeah, yeah. I remember there were movies about that too."

"It's not a legend. It's real."

Akira confirmed.

"The longest snake is over a hundred meters long. Because it's lived so long, its scales are so tough that even regular artillery and armor-piercing bullets can't penetrate them."

"The reason they've grown so large, as if they've undergone a genetic mutation, is because they've consumed it."

"Scientists have named this mysterious factor the Immortal Factor."

"Compared to the dangers of the Amazon, the rainforests of Southeast Asia are smaller and slightly less perilous."

"No one has ever managed to retrieve it from the depths of the Amazon."

"But after its traces were discovered in Southeast Asia, the world's top powers and multinational organizations went crazy."

"They've been sending wave after wave of mercenaries, elite soldiers, and private armed forces deep into the rainforests."

"Searching for it."

"The last time, over 100,000 lives were lost in the Southeast Asian rainforests."

"The death toll rivals that of a mid-sized war."

"Oh, and even our current Prime Minister sent a secret unit to Borneo."

"But unfortunately, none of them returned. They all perished in the depths of the jungle."

"The one in Sayaka-nee's hands was retrieved by Laura-nee, all by herself."

"Coco-nee and Lacus-nee arranged for backup outside."

"Who are this Laura-nee and Lacus-nee you keep mentioning?"

"That's classified. I'll tell you later."

"Laura-nee and Ryouko-nee are the same type of person."

"In my eyes, they're like cockroaches that just won't die."

"No matter how dangerous the situation, they always find a way to survive."

"Oh, and Laura-nee was the one who collapsed the Yamatai ruins in Japan."

"She calls herself an archaeologist, but wherever she goes, no ancient tomb remains intact."

"She's a pure tomb destroyer."

Everyone: "......"

"Compared to Laura-nee, Ryouko-nee is practically an amateur."

"I don't want to be compared to someone like that."

"So this foreign lunatic gets to destroy Japan's cultural heritage and it's justified?"

"I just want to bury her right now."

The girls all nodded in agreement, fully supporting Ryouko-nee's sentiment.

"What about the national treasures inside?"

"Laura-nee never takes any artifacts from the tombs."

"The national treasures are still peacefully resting in the tombs."

"If you want them, Ryouko-nee, you can arrange for officials to excavate them."

"Do I look like I have nothing better to do?"

Yakushiji Ryouko rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"Akira, stop messing around."

"Let's get Sayaka-nee back on track."

Kazusa urged.

"Using the medicine made from it, saving Miyazono's life will be a piece of cake."

"So, what's the price?"

"Miyazono Kaori, what can you offer in return?"

Sayaka's sly smile grew even wider.

Miyazono's heart tightened, but she forced herself to stay calm.

"Sayaka-sensei, just say it directly."

"Since you're willing to reveal such a huge secret, you must already have a condition in mind."

"Exactly. I love stealing lovers and NTR plots."

"My condition is that, like Kazusa, you join Akira's harem."

"I want everything from your future."

"To be devoted entirely to Akira."

"Sayaka-nee, I don't have that kind of interest!"

"But I do!"

"When Tachibana first came to our newly established hospital to apply for a job, she had just been confessed to by a scumbag."

"She was hesitating whether to take the job."

"I took one look at Tachibana and knew she was a talented individual with great potential."

"With a little trick from a genius like me, I used 5,000 yen to make Tachibana see the scumbag's true colors."

Sayaka proudly declared that this wasn't the first time she'd done something like this.

"I'm curious, where did the 5,000 yen go?"

Chitanda couldn't help but ask.

"This genius used 5,000 yen to hire a streetwalker."

"Then I gave her a dose of a special drug I developed."

"And Tachibana's suitor immediately cheated."

"Honestly, if even a low-tier streetwalker could make him cheat, it just proves I overestimated that scumbag."

"Sayaka-sensei, could you please stop talking?"

"I want to dig a hole and hide in it."

Tachibana's face turned red as she awkwardly requested.

This was her lifelong black mark, proof of her naivety when she first entered society.

"I even had a Plan B ready."

"Sayaka-nee, what's the tier of a 5,000 yen streetwalker?"

Chitanda, whose curiosity knew no bounds, couldn't help but ask again.

"The lowest tier, just above middle-aged women."

Pfft!

"Chitanda, you idiot! Can't you control your curiosity?"

"Sayaka-nee, can you stop answering every question Chitanda asks?"

Akira shouted in frustration.

"No way. Chitanda's curiosity is the perfect foil for my genius."

"Without Chitanda's questions, how could my brilliance shine?"

"Chitanda's big, round eyes are just as cute as my round face."

"I declare Chitanda my best partner."

Sayaka pulled Chitanda over, proudly declaring.

With someone backing her up, Chitanda immediately stuck her tongue out at Akira.

"5,000 yen! Just 5,000 yen!"

"And I made Tachibana see through a scumbag."

"And even got her to sign a lifetime contract to become your personal nurse."

"I'm just too amazing!"

"What does the contract look like?"

"The contract is…"

This time, Akira was prepared. He quickly covered Sayaka's mouth before she could spill anything.

If Sayaka revealed this, he'd be done for.

"Sayaka-nee, if you want me dead, just say it."

"Chitanda, watch your mouth!"

Hearing this, Chitanda's oversized eyes widened in fear, and she quickly covered her mouth, hiding behind Chisato.

"Ugh! I promise I won't say anything else."

Sayaka, finally coming to her senses, raised her hand in assurance.

This really wasn't something that could be revealed, or else Akira and Tachibana would be utterly humiliated.

"Don't ask anymore. I absolutely won't say it."

Sayaka crossed her arms, firmly refusing.

It was clearly some kind of shady contract.

The childhood friends all silently cursed in their hearts.

"Miyazono Kaori, have you made your decision?"

"What's there to think about? I'll answer for Miyazono."

"Your parents, just like Nagisa's, have set the right example."

Kazusa crossed her arms, sternly urging.

"Kazusa's right. As Miyazono's parents, we have the right to make decisions for her since she's still a minor."

"We agree."

"We'll go home right now to get Miyazono's documents and transfer her guardianship to the Sawamura family."

Without giving Miyazono any chance to refuse, her parents turned and rushed out of the hospital.

Their love-struck daughter had broken their hearts as parents.

They decided that after transferring Miyazono's guardianship to the Sawamura family, they'd follow the Furukawas' example and have another child.

This time, they'd be extra vigilant to ensure their second daughter wouldn't be fooled by another scumbag.

"K-Kazusa, how could you make decisions for me?"

"And even remind my parents to follow Nagisa's parents' example?"

Miyazono's face turned red as she stammered.

"Hmph! I won't allow you to sacrifice your life for that jerk Arima Kousei."

"Even if it means being ruined by Akira, it's still a million times better than being with Arima Kousei."

"While I'm flattered that I'm a million times better than that four-eyed guy, Kazusa, why do you hate him so much?"

"Could it be that your piano skills and talent can't compare to his?"

Akira hit the nail on the head, making Kazusa stomp her feet in frustration.

"Who said that? If my talent can't compare to Arima Kousei's, it's my mom's fault."

"She didn't pass down all her piano talent to me."

"Found it. Kazusa lost to Arima Kousei in a national youth piano competition that would've sent the winner to Europe for the finals."

Eri immediately exposed Kazusa's past.

"Arima Kousei was the champion, and Kazusa was the runner-up."

"But Arima Kousei gave up the chance to go to Europe for the finals for unknown reasons."

Miyazono quickly explained:

"Because Kousei's mother passed away around that time."

"Miyazono, watch your words. Akira is your man now."

"Arima Kousei is in the past for you."

"Besides, he has his own childhood friend. He has nothing to do with you."

"Do you think he'll stay single for you forever?"

Kazusa stabbed Miyazono right in the heart.

"Soon, you'll be changing your surname to Sawamura, just like Nagisa."

Kazusa explained with tears in her eyes.

"Kaori, you've disappointed us so much."

"Just because you saw a performance by a peer when you were young, you not only changed your interests but also held onto him all this time."

"Isn't that just like Kazusa?"

"Miyazono, Kazusa is actually just like you, a loyal dog-type girl."

"Don't be fooled by how harshly she scolds you."

"In reality, she remembers every little thing I do for her."

"She'd also go to any lengths for me, her childhood friend, even if it cost her life."

After saying this, Akira suddenly realized something and clutched his head in despair.

"Ahhh! I picked the wrong target."

"Kazusa, that was perfect."

"This is exactly the feeling I wanted."

"You perfectly fit the image of the cold, villainous female antagonist in my mind."

"And Miyazono is the heroine forced to submit to the evil boss."

"Nagisa, do I seem like an evil boss?"

Hearing Akira's question, Furukawa Nagisa immediately shook her head, her face flushing with affection.

"Not at all. Akira-nii is the coolest."

Unlike Miyazono, Nagisa had only just met Okazaki Tomoya, so the bond between them was severed before it could fully form.

"Of course, you're the evil boss."

"Kehkehkeh! I am your number one female subordinate—the genius mad doctor, Sayaka-sama!"

"Tachibana and the others are the evil nurses aiding the mad doctor."

"Sayaka-sensei, please stop adding random settings."