Chapter 377: Malice
Uzaki Yanagi's figure was no less impressive than Hana Uzaki's, but she was even taller and younger—a true super beauty.
Whether intentionally downplaying her presence and charm or not, she covered her eyes with her bangs, obscuring most of her delicate features.
Those who didn't know her might think she was a gloomy-type beauty, but in reality, she was quite lively and loved gossip, though she only showed this side to those close to her.
In Haruto's memory, both Uzaki Yanagi and Uzaki Kiri were fond of playing video games, but he couldn't recall the specifics.
Considering Uzaki Kiri's gender and age, he decisively bought all the newly released games as gifts.
Well, if the games didn't match their consoles, that would just mean he had gifts for next time.
He then added some snacks that young people enjoy, making the two gift packages look similar. That way, they could pick randomly, and even if they got it wrong, they could swap among themselves.
Haruto's thoughtfulness pleased Uzaki Fujio greatly. Combined with his outstanding appearance, the long-time gym-going father was already half at ease.
However, it was impossible for him to be completely reassured just like that—he needed to observe Haruto's words and actions a bit more.
In contrast to the father, Uzaki Yanagi and Uzaki Kiri were almost instantly won over by this "future brother-in-law."
Haruto's unique charm, both in appearance and soul, was like the most tempting poison for young girls just beginning to understand love. Even though she knew Haruto was her sister's boyfriend, Uzaki Yanagi couldn't help but develop feelings for him.
She was actually quite similar to Uzaki Tsuki—prone to imagination and having seen some forbidden content in various works.
If not for her long bangs effectively hiding her changing expressions, everyone present except the most oblivious Uzaki Kiri would have noticed something was off immediately.
Uzaki Kiri was simpler—finding a girlfriend was her dream. As a middle schooler who idolized high school students, seeing Haruto, who was handsome and capable (financially), she almost immediately wanted to call him her idol.
"Oh, I almost forgot to introduce myself."
After giving the gifts, Haruto remembered that while he knew everyone in the Uzaki family and even had some understanding of their professions and preferences, they knew nothing about him.
Hana Uzaki might have shared some things, but aside from what couldn't be mentioned—like various rumors of his romantic escapades and frequently sending delinquents to the hospital—she didn't know much about Haruto either.
"Haruto Uesugi. Please just call me by my name. I'm a second-year at Kuoh Academy, same grade as Hana. My parents went abroad for business a long time ago, and I've been living with Aunt Takamine since then."
"Uzaki Fujio, Hana's father. I work as a fitness trainer. I see you have a great physique—are you interested in working out..."
Uzaki Fujio sized up Haruto, his professional habit or instinct making him want to recruit such fine talent to work out together.
Haruto smiled without saying a word, then took off his clothes. The muscles on his body would undoubtedly make Fujio feel ashamed of his own.
His muscles weren't the bulky type, but the physique honed through martial arts was of a perfect golden ratio, seemingly in harmony with the subtle laws of the universe.
Fortunately, Fujio's family status was only slightly higher than Uzaki Kiri's. Uzaki Tsuki ignored his incessant chatter and said, "Haruto-san, please come sit. Hana has probably already introduced us, so I won't drag this out."
Hana Uzaki and Uzaki Yanagi immediately escorted Haruto to the living room sofa, one on each side.
The ignored Fujio finally closed his mouth awkwardly and followed along with Kiri.
Haruto chatted with the Uzaki family on the sofa, and after they had warmed up to each other, Kiri grew restless and eager to open the gifts but was stopped by a sharp look from Tsuki.
Haruto didn't actually mind gifts being opened on the spot, but the Uzaki couple was more concerned, worried about giving him the impression that they were greedy for benefits.
The Uzaki family's character was beyond reproach, and Fujio was known as a good person in the fitness community.
However, such kindness often attracts the attention of malicious individuals.
After a harmonious and pleasant dinner, Haruto politely declined Fujio's offer to see him off and slowly disappeared under the streetlamp at the corner.
"So, something has changed after all?"
Haruto didn't leave the Uzaki residence immediately. From the moment he stepped out of the genkan, he had sensed someone watching him.
It was already past 9 p.m., and in this residential area, aside from overworked office workers, there shouldn't be anyone else idling outside. But after circling around, he noticed several young men scattered in the vicinity.
Even though they were hiding it well, Haruto clearly perceived the malice in their hearts.
The Uzaki mother and her two daughters were all stunning beauties, so it was only natural for others to covet them. Every time they went out, they would inevitably encounter people trying to hit on them.
But clearly, these men's intentions went beyond that. Moreover, based on his earlier conversations with Kiri and Fujio during dinner, Haruto sensed that even greater changes were underway.
First, there was Kiri. During dinner, he had complained more than once that his friends kept asking him to introduce his sisters to them. One of them even expressed admiration for his mother, saying he wished he had a mother like her.
When Tsuki heard this, she covered her face as if embarrassed but was secretly quite pleased.
Then, seeing Kiri's expression of disgust and exasperation, she instantly changed her tone and said, "What? Do you think your classmate is wrong?"
Kiri, being the lowest in the family hierarchy, immediately nodded knowingly, causing Fujio and the Uzaki sisters to burst into laughter.
After the laughter died down, the Uzaki family quickly forgot about the matter.
The boys who were close to Kiri all knew the Uzaki family. With the mother and daughters being so exceptionally beautiful, it was only natural for teenage boys to develop such thoughts.
Especially the Uzaki sisters—though there was an age gap, it wasn't significant. Those boys had often flattered and begged Kiri to introduce them.
Thus, the matter didn't raise any concern in the Uzaki family, and even Kiri himself only mentioned it casually as a complaint.
It seemed the conversation had turned to the topic of friends, as Uzaki Fujio mentioned that some of his gym buddies wanted to visit their home.
The specific date hadn't been set yet, but this time, the number of visitors might be larger, so Uzaki Tsuki would need to work a bit harder to prepare more food.
It wasn't often that his friends visited, but it wasn't unheard of either, so he didn't think much of it.
Unlike the Uzaki family, Haruto was well-versed in all kinds of explicit literature. Gyms, of course, were a common setting for such scenarios, though usually, the male lead was the fitness trainer.
But if the location shifted to the fitness trainer's home, and this trainer had an incredibly beautiful wife, and the visitors were a group of muscular, energetic gym-goers…
Haruto didn't want to think further. Not only was there the psychological thrill of defying the fitness trainer, but it also perfectly aligned with classic tropes like taking turns and seducing the boss's beautiful wife.
Uzaki Kiri's situation was similar.
He had stunningly beautiful sisters and a mother at home, yet he couldn't find a girlfriend. Instead, he hung out with a group of equally energetic guys.
Then, these guys set their sights on his family members, and after that, it was all about using various methods to achieve their goals…
Haruto wasn't sure if the negative effects of his abilities could influence people he hadn't even met, or if the Uzaki family would have encountered this situation even without his involvement.
But since he was already involved, it was better to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
Under the cover of the pitch-black night, Haruto eliminated all the malicious men lurking around the Uzaki household.
To do this, he temporarily lifted his seal and used his Blue Flames.
This time, he didn't hold back. For those who had tracked down the Uzaki family, even without the influence of negative effects, they were nothing but scum who deserved to die.
If the door had been tricked open, even with Uzaki Fujio, a strong fitness trainer, and his four dependents, they would have been no match for more than three of these troublemakers.
And that was assuming both sides were unarmed and facing off directly.
If the troublemakers were armed and resorted to underhanded tactics, Uzaki Fujio might not even be able to handle one of them.
Since these men had chosen to use force, they were likely armed and would employ the most despicable methods to achieve their goals as quickly as possible.
Over the next few days, Haruto secretly protected the three Uzaki women, dealing with about a dozen troublemakers in total.
However, not many chose to stake out the house late at night. Aside from the initial few, only about one in ten resorted to such tactics.
Most of the ill-intentioned individuals tried to approach the three women while they were out, or used Uzaki Kiri and Uzaki Fujio to get to them.