Chapter 70: Ren Evolves Again
"Explain what exactly happened."
After disarming both of them, Ren brought Yuno and Satou back to his home, where they knelt before him on either side. Yuno maintained a relatively calm expression, while Satou hung her head, trembling like a leaf.
"Satou-san attempted to harm Gotou-san. Even after I warned her, she persisted, leading to what just occurred." Since Satou didn't dare speak, Yuno had no choice but to tell the truth.
"You were actually going through with it? If my parents were still alive and opposed our relationship, would you have killed them too?" Having never encountered a Yandere before, Ren actually found girls with this trait quite appealing—before their "episodes," they were always sweet and charming, but once triggered, they became more troublesome than even the tsundere of tsunderes.
"..."
Unexpectedly, Satou weakly acknowledged Ren's self-mocking remark.
"You actually agreed?!" Ren widened his eyes, not believing Satou was joking.
"If Ren thinks what I did was too extreme, I'm willing to atone—as long as it makes Ren happy." Satou wasn't just capable of killing others; she'd even dare to harm herself. As she spoke, her gaze drifted toward the fruit knife that had been dulled by the axe.
Yuno's warnings hadn't made her see reason, but being caught red-handed by Ren made her realize she'd committed a grave mistake—one that was nearly unforgivable. Yet she possessed the resolve to match: if she couldn't be with Ren and failed to eliminate those standing in their way, she was willing to bear any consequences to appease him.
This was precisely what made Yanderes so troublesome—they could be perfectly normal, adorable girls when sweet, but once their madness took over, there was nothing they wouldn't dare do.
Deciding how to handle Satou posed a problem. If the punishment was too light, she might think tonight's actions were easily forgiven, and no one could guarantee she wouldn't repeat them. But stricter measures...
"I have an idea~" Just as Ren was pondering how to punish Satou, Yuno stood up, leaned close to his ear, and whispered a few words.
Being a Yandere herself, Yuno knew what punishment would be most agonizing for Satou. Death was too easy; prison wouldn't make her reflect. The simplest way to make her suffer was to exclude her from their circle. Since Satou loved Ren, the ultimate punishment would be for Ren to form a Harem without including her.
"I think that might make her more extreme." After a moment's consideration, Ren found Yuno's reasoning somewhat valid, but wouldn't that be dancing dangerously on the edge of a Yandere's limits?
"I'll help Ren keep an eye on her to ensure she has no chance to misbehave." Instead of returning to her knees, Yuno moved behind Ren and began massaging his shoulders, her eyes filled with pity as she looked at Satou.
"Then we'll proceed this way for now. If there's a next time, you both know what happened at the café."
Due to his own illness and affection, Ren didn't immediately resort to lethal measures. Instead, he had the System implement a double safeguard.
[As the host's harem enterprise begins to develop, to create a harmonious and fulfilling harem without causing the host distress, the mutual hostility between Satou and others has been reduced.]
[Additionally, to help the host better discern the status of harem members, the Status Query Module has been equipped. Please explore its specific functions independently.]
The System also gave Ren a small gift. Silently, Ren opened the relevant module and looked at Satou.
[Satou Matsuzaka: Affection toward host MAX, willing to do anything for the host.]
[Emotional State: Regretful, remorseful, and anxious]
[Handling Suggestion: Can do anything to her. Doing nothing will make her increasingly uneasy.]
The module's effect was clear and concise. Ren was somewhat surprised that Satou's affection for him was maxed out. If she weren't a yandere, wouldn't this harem have been established long ago?
He then shifted his gaze to Yuno behind him.
[Yuno Gasai: Affection toward host MAX, willing to do anything for the host.]
[Emotional State: Happy, blissful, and somewhat conflicted about whether to accept the host's harem plan.]
[Handling Suggestion: Can do anything to her.]
Their status panels shared many similarities. Only after quantifying their affection did Ren realize how high their feelings for him truly were.
If only they weren't yanderes, it would be perfect.
But alas, it was precisely because they were yanderes that their affection grew so rapidly and firmly. What seemed like a single act of assistance to him was the only light in their lives.
After confirming their affection, Ren's mood grew more complicated. The weight behind "willing to do anything for him" needed no verification.
But again, if only they weren't yanderes, it would be perfect.
After reflecting for a while, Ren didn't send them away but let them rest in the guest room. Realizing both had max affection for him caused a shift in Ren's perspective.
The next morning, when Ren woke up, Yuno and Satou were fighting over a kitchen knife. An observer might have thought another knife fight was brewing, but they were actually competing to make bento for Ren.
"No need to argue. Bocchi-chan has already prepared my bento."
After confirming it wasn't a conflict, Ren went over and took the knife.
This left both of them resigned. When it came to Hitori, they had methods but no solutions.
After resting, Satou grew even more fearful upon realizing that even if she eliminated Hitori, she might not be able to keep Ren by her side—even through force—since she probably couldn't defeat him.
Yuno shared this awareness. She had considered confining Ren and swaying him with love, but could she actually restrain him?
This was why she struggled with whether to accept Ren's harem plan.
If I don't accept, we might maintain our current relationship, but there's no way to take it further.
Satou already serves as a cautionary example of using extreme methods. If she were to try the same, it might be her who disappears from this world.
So when dealing with Yanderes, the key is to demonstrate power that makes them hesitate to act recklessly.
The best demonstration was when Ren helped Satou resolve her harassment issue. After calming down, both Satou and Yuno became much more subdued.
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