Netori: I Shall Steal All Of My Enemies' Women For Revenge!

Haruto glanced at the glowing screen of his phone as the familiar system notification caught his eye:

[Congratulations, Host!]

[Mari's Deprivation Matrix Updated!]

[Corruption: 60]

[Lust Affinity: 70]

[Based on the interaction with Mari, the host has gained 800 EXP!]

[Host Status Update!]

[Level 34 → Level 35]

Before he could fully process the updates, his phone buzzed again. A familiar voice came through, slightly muffled by the background noise.

"Where are you? I'm in the lobby now," Enji said, sounding impatient.

Haruto pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wait for me a bit."

"Don't make me wait too long. And hey, did you upgrade the room so I can eat with the buffet?" Enji's tone shifted to excitement, the chatter of a crowd faintly audible behind him.

Haruto let out a long sigh, massaging the back of his neck. "You really ask a lot for someone getting all this for free."

"Well, it's your problem, bud. I'm just here to help—and enjoy some VVIP treatment while I'm at it." Enji's laugh carried over the line, teasing and carefree.

"Fine, I'll upgrade it," Haruto muttered before ending the call with a resigned shake of his head.

He turned back to Mari, who lay peacefully asleep on the futon. Her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, her face serene in slumber. Moving gently, Haruto retrieved a simple yukata from the wardrobe.

He knelt beside her, the fabric brushing against his hands as he dressed her gently, tying the sash loosely around her waist.

His fingers worked deftly, careful not to wake her, and he stepped back to ensure everything looked neat.

Taking a moment, he scribbled a note on the hotel stationery: "Out exploring the hotel. Rest well."

He placed it beside her pillow, glancing at her once more before leaving the room.

At the reception desk, Haruto upgraded the room as promised, the receptionist's polite smile a reminder of just how much Enji was costing him.

Soon after, he stepped into the lounge, the hum of conversation and soft clinking of glasses filling the air.

Across the room, Enji waved enthusiastically, his loud shirt and khaki shorts making him impossible to miss.

A pair of oversized sunglasses rested on his face, and a suitcase dangled from one hand.

Haruto approached, an eyebrow twitching. "You're awfully prepared for someone who whined over the phone earlier."

Enji grinned, his free hand slapping Haruto's shoulder. "Hey, a free vacation is a free vacation. Who wouldn't get excited?"

Haruto smirked, brushing Enji's hand away. "You're unbelievable."

"Come on, let's head up. You need to tell me what's going on," Enji said, gesturing toward the elevator.

Haruto opened his mouth to respond, but a soft touch on his shoulder stopped him mid-sentence.

"Oh, we meet again. What a coincidence."

The voice sent a jolt through him. Turning, he came face-to-face with Asuka.

She stood confidently, her yukata loosely tied, revealing the curve of her collarbone and the soft swell of her chest. Her glossy hair framed her face with her warm polite smile as she usually has.

"Asuka," Haruto managed, his voice steady, though his hand instinctively nudged Enji's suitcase behind him.

Her sharp eyes didn't miss the movement. "Is this the friend you mentioned? What's his name again?"

"My name's Enji Miyamura," the red-haired man said smoothly, stepping forward with an easy smile. "And you are?"

"Asuka Inoue," she replied, bowing slightly. Her gaze flicked back to Haruto, curious and probing.

"What brings you both to the lounge? Didn't you arrive together? And why does Enji still have his suitcase?"

Haruto felt a bead of sweat form at his temple. 'Sharp as ever.'

This was precisely why Haruto had called Enji to join him. Asuka's perceptiveness made lying to her near-impossible, and having his friend around served as both a diversion and a backup plan in case she ran into Mari.

Keeping the two women from the meeting was paramount.

He forced a calm smile. "Enji—"

Enji, quick on his feet, took over. "Ah, this suitcase? It's packed with snacks for my family," he said, patting it confidently. Lying was something natural for him.

"My sister's a foodie, always eager to try new things from different prefectures."

"Oh, how thoughtful," Asuka said, though her expression suggested she wasn't entirely convinced.

Haruto seized the moment to redirect the conversation. "So, Asuka, where are you headed?"

"To the spa for a massage, the hot spring got a bit boring." Her smile softened as she looked at him.

"Why don't you join me? Or are you busy entertaining your friend?"

Enji, catching the hint, nudged Haruto with a knowing grin. "Go ahead, man. I'll enjoy the hot spring."

Haruto handed him the room key discreetly. "Do whatever you want."

Enji chuckled, slipping the key into his pocket. "I'll head up, then." Leaning close, he whispered with a smirk, "You've got great taste in women. Good luck."

Haruto huffed a quiet laugh, smacking Enji's back in mock retaliation before turning to Asuka. "Shall we?"

Asuka smiled, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I will lead the way."

As they walked side by side down the polished corridor, Asuka's hand slid into Haruto's, her fingers intertwining with his as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

The warmth of her grip was steady, confident, unbothered by the potential of prying eyes—or even her husband's presence. She was always like this: bold and unapologetic.

Her voice broke the silence, light but probing. "You know, you don't have to lie to protect me."

She glanced up at him, her smile carrying a teasing edge. "Or… maybe you're protecting someone else?"

The words struck him, causing Haruto's shoulders to stiffen. His steps faltered for a split second before he quickly masked his tension.

He turned to meet her gaze. Her eyes, a lighter shade of his own, shimmered with curiosity and something more—something unreadable.

Her expression was calm yet sharp like she already knew the answer and was merely toying with him.

"What do you mean?" he asked, his voice even as he forced a casual smile. "Is it so strange for me to have a nice vacation with a friend?"

Asuka laughed softly, the sound rich with amusement. "You, coming to a luxury resort with another man? That's… new. I'd say the odds of that happening are pretty low."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Her fingers gave his hand a gentle squeeze as she continued, "So, who's the *other woman*? Is it the one with ombre hair I saw at the mall?"

Haruto's heart skipped, but his face remained composed. He shook his head, his voice firm. "There's no woman. It's just Enji."

He couldn't risk her finding out the truth—not about Mari, her former employee. The fallout of that revelation wasn't something he wanted to deal with. Better to maintain the lie for now.

He was learning from the last time Asuka met Chiyo, for Asuka it was just a playground, but for Chiyo, it was something that crushed her. So it was better if Mari never met with her. Enjoy exclusive content from empire

Asuka's scoff was soft but sharp enough to cut through his resolve. "If you insist on lying, then so be it."

They reached the spa room, its door sliding open with a faint. A soothing aroma of lavender and eucalyptus wafted out, mingling with the low hum of tranquil music.

Asuka released his hand, brushing her hair over her shoulder with a graceful flick.

Haruto trailed behind her, his thoughts churning. Her nonchalant demeanor only made him more cautious.

He couldn't tell if she believed his words or if she was simply biding her time, waiting for him to slip up.

Asuka glanced over her shoulder, her lips curving into a small, enigmatic smile. "Are you coming in, or are you going to stand there all day?"

Haruto exhaled, stepping forward. "Of course, I'm coming."

As they stepped inside, the warm ambiance of the spa greeted them, with soft instrumental music playing in the background and the faint scent of essential oils lingering in the air.

A staff member approached with a polite bow, her crisp uniform immaculate.

"Welcome," she said warmly. "We have several packages you may find interesting. Let me walk you through them."

The staff gestured to a sleek brochure on the counter, pointing out the various options. Among the packages, one immediately stood out.

"Private Spa Suite," Asuka read aloud, her lips curving into a smirk as she glanced at Haruto.

The staff's enthusiasm was evident as she explained, "Yes, it's our premium package. It includes a private jacuzzi, an exclusive room with massage tables, luxurious oils, and a selection of high-end skincare products for your personal use."

Asuka tilted her head slightly, her smirk deepening. "That sounds… quite tempting. What do you think, Haruto? Perhaps some privacy would help you relax—and confess all your little lies?" Her voice was light, almost playful.

Haruto chuckled, running a hand through his hair in mock exasperation. "Lies? I will never lie to you."

He leaned in slightly, his smirk matching hers. "But this package does sound interesting. Let's take it."