Heroines, Villainesses, and the Hero's Yandere Harem? I want them all!
Chapter 40: Giving up on the monster

Chapter 40: Giving up on the monster

"What?" she frowned. "What contract is that?"

Well, you see, I was actually...Trying to enslave her.

Yeah.

Enslave.

But now that I think about it, that might not really work.

If I hand her a soul-binding contract, she’ll read it.

And once she does, she’ll definitely sense something shady.

Hell, even the concept of soul-binding is shady.

"It’s just to make sure you stay obedient during our journey," I said calmly. "I can’t have you disobeying orders in a serious situation."

She frowned harder. "So... like a slave contract?"

...Okay.

Fuck me for thinking she was dumb.

"No. Not a slave contract," I said, already regretting everything. "It’s more like... a law. Or a guide. You know, something to keep you in check."

She tilted her head and squinted at me. "Sooo... a slave contract?"

...Fuck me to death.

I’ve been trying to deceive her for what feels like two whole hours, and I’m still getting nowhere. This is like trying to steal candy from a dwarf pretending to be a toddler—infuriating and suspiciously smart.

"Fine. Forget it," I said, closing my eyes with a sigh.

"Wait—stop that!" she shouted, grabbing my head and shaking it violently. "I hate it when you close your eyes like that!"

I genuinely thought my neck was about to snap.

"What do you want me to do?!" I yelled. "It’s literally the only thing I can do right now!"

She froze. Her eyes widened slightly. "Oh... I see." She leaned back. "I promise... I won’t cause you any trouble. There’s no need for all that."

"There’s no telling what could happen once we leave this kingdom," I muttered. "For both our sakes, this is the safest option. You either agree to it... or forget the whole thing."

Sigh.

Is it just me or is it starting to get dark?

"Please..." she whispered.

I looked over.

She was biting her lower lip, eyes conflicted.

"You don’t have to do it," I said quietly.

"But... what about the potion?" she asked.

Sigh.

She’s right.

I still need that damn potion.

Sure, I could send Anna to buy it, but that would mean finding Anna in the first place.

"Fine," I said.

"Huh?" she blinked.

"I said fine. Get me the potion, and I’ll take you with me."

Alright, according to what I know, no matter how much time passes in this mystic world, we’ll be out of here within 24 hours.

Yes. All of this—everything—will only last a single day.

Not that I know how long a day even is here.

"Really?! Thank you! You’re the best!" She threw her arms around me in a tight, enthusiastic hug.

But I didn’t feel it.

Actually... I’ve been noticing something lately. It’s like the lower half of my body only registers pain. Nothing else.

Sigh.

"Wait..." she said, and then a potion manifested in her hand. "Drink this."

"Why?" I asked suspiciously.

"Just drink it."

"No."

"Stop being a pain and drink it already," she snapped, visibly annoyed, as she brought it closer to my mouth.

"No. No means no. I don’t just swallow random liquids handed to me," I said firmly.

She groaned. "I’m trying to help you, for goddess’ sake. Just drink it!"

"What does it do?" I asked.

"It’s a surprise," she said, pouting.

"Good," I replied. "Because I hate surprises." I shut my eyes again.

"Whatever."

BAM!

A punch to the gut. Out of nowhere.

"AHHH!" I gasped, eyes flying open.

She was grinning.

Fucking hell.

"Coughs—You—"Too late. She forced the entire potion down my throat in one go. I was coughing like crazy.

"There, there..." she said sweetly, rubbing my head. "It’s okay."

My hand twitched. I wanted to punch her. So badly.

"Huh?" In the next moment, a strange sensation washed over me—cool, soothing, refreshing.

"Don’t worry," she smiled. "You won’t feel pain anymore."

"Wait... seriously?" I asked, blinking in surprise.

"Yeah. Right after... now."

My eyes rolled back.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Blackout.

....

....

"Haah!"

My eyes flew open.

Wait.

This is... different.

The sky above was grey. Not cloudy—grey. Like someone turned the world into a grayscale filter.

"You’re awake," I heard her voice.

I turned.

It was ’her’. Again.

"Where is that bitc—" I started, but she placed a finger over my lips.

"Don’t talk about her," she said softly.

"...Why?"

"I don’t like it when you mention another girl to me," she replied. Dead serious.

"...Why?" I had to ask again.

She laughed. "Because it irritates me. Now, tell me—what were you two talking about?"

Her eyes were hollow. No light, no reflection. Honestly, I couldn’t even see properly. Everything was dim, blurred—like the world itself had no contrast.

"You just said not to talk about her," I replied.

She sighed, her expression dimming. "Mm..."

Weird.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen her smile.

Shamelessly... I actually missed it.

"Where are we?" I asked. I noticed I wasn’t moving.

"Another nightmare," she said softly. Her hand reached out toward my face.

"What are you—?" I tried to say, but she ignored me.

Huh. White hair?

Wait.

My hair is back?!

"Your hair... why is it white?" she asked, running her fingers through it.

"...None of your business," I muttered.

I don’t know why, but she reminds me so damn much of Sasha.

Maybe that’s why I want her to stay away from me.

"Hm." She smiled again, but it was sad this time.

"Why do you hate me?" she asked.

"I don’t hate you," I replied.

"Don’t lie. I can sense it. You look at me like... like you despise me. Why?"

Her hands dropped from my hair.

"...A better question is, why do you act like you know me?" I shot back.

I can’t stay near her. I won’t.

If I had full control of my body, I wouldn’t let her within five feet of me.

She feels too much like Sasha.

And I hate Sasha.

"Hmm..." she hummed. Another sad smile.

"Fine. I tried the gentle way," she said, leaning closer. "But it seems that won’t take me far."

Then—without warning—she kissed me.

Our lips met.

And just like that—

"Haah~"

A sharp electric jolt surged through me. Like my soul flinched.

What.

The hell.

Was that?

"So?" she grinned. "How do you feel?"