Humans are such strange creatures.
Inari originally felt a bit wronged by being ignored by Ichiko.
But when Haruko provided the emotional validation he needed, he felt it was nothing.
He couldn't help but wonder, was this Haruko her true nature? Were her previous actions—putting on makeup, confessing to him several times, targeting Ichiko, etc.—all forced upon her by those who bullied her?
He had indeed been secretly investigating Haruko.
But he didn't know that after Haruko gained hacking skills, she had simply gone through her series of information and created some false impressions online.
Unless he conducted an on-site investigation, the matter of her being bullied and threatened could perfectly cover up the lies she had told during this period.
Coupled with Ichiko's endorsement...
His investigation was precisely predicted by Haruko.
It couldn't help but make people think.
That her actions were actually forced!
However, Inari wouldn't ignore her feelings like Ichiko did. As soon as he sat down, he looked at Haruko's arm and said, "It's nothing serious now, but aren't you going to tell me about your situation? Things were quite serious last night."
Although he didn't mention the suicide attempt.
But his slightly raised eyebrows made Haruko understand that she probably wouldn't get past this without explaining herself.
One question, asked of two people.
Haruko lowered her head, her expression unclear, while Ichiko was also panicking inwardly beside her.
If things like yandere tendencies, self-harm, and liking her were revealed, it wasn't certain if people would believe it. Haruko was ultimately a dangerous person.
She knew that Inari had some feelings for her. If he found out, or if it spread to Sento and the others, they might be fine after the matter blew up.
But what about Haruko?
Even if they didn't hurt Haruko, wouldn't Haruko hurt herself?
Ichiko was a bit anxious, and her mind quickly searched for a solution.
Instantly, the things Inari talked about last night surfaced in her mind.
Haruko was forced. She was bullied and threatened, which is why she acted this way.
That's right, as long as Haruko nodded in agreement with what she said, she could temporarily hide it from Inari!
Ichiko's spirits lifted. Just as she thought of a solution and was about to speak, she saw Haruko speak first, "These injuries on my arm, I did them myself."
"Haruko?" Ichiko stared blankly at Haruko, momentarily at a loss.
Inari frowned slightly, watching her without speaking.
Haruko took a deep breath and said, "I don't want Ichiko and Sento to be together!"
She raised her head, her crimson eyes incredibly resolute.
Inari paused, asking curiously, "Why? Don't you like Sento?"
"I don't like him at all," Haruko pouted. "He's so fierce and always has a stern face. I used to see him occasionally cursing at people who helped him with things."
"If you don't do well, you get scolded. I really don't want Ichiko to be with him." Saying this, she lowered her head again. "Last night's banquet was very important, right? Last time, he wanted to take Ichiko to a banquet to satisfy his vanity."
"I don't even need to think to know he'd definitely say something like Ichiko is his girlfriend. There are so many rich people there, once he says it, everyone will know about it, right?"
Haruko looked at Ichiko, her eyes incredibly gentle. "Ichiko is just an ordinary person. Can she resist when so many people talk about her? If that Sento gets unhappy, who knows what he'll do? If she really becomes his girlfriend, she'll definitely be bullied every day from now on."
Isn't that right? The Ichiko in the original work was so soft. She basically didn't refute anything these few male leads did, and she was submissive. Being bullied was the norm.
Not to mention the betrayal by the various male leads in the later stages, forcing Ichiko to commit suicide.
Haruko's words stirred up a great wave in the hearts of both Inari and Ichiko.
What Ichiko thought was that the main reason for Haruko's outburst in the basement last time was because Sento already wanted to publicly announce that she was his girlfriend at that time.
But in reality, it was just pretending, just for show for him.
But Haruko didn't know it was pretending!
In the past, she had always been well-behaved and docile. Was it because things hadn't touched her bottom line?
So, Haruko's previous actions targeting Sento, and even confessing to Sento, were all for me...
Looking at it from Haruko's perspective, Ichiko couldn't help but feel a bit moved.
But Inari didn't think that way. What he thought was, Haruko confessed to Sento so many times before, and it was actually for Ichiko?
He genuinely thought that Haruko liked Sento, and because she clashed with Ichiko and believed Ichiko stole her man, she targeted Ichiko.
For a friend, willing to sacrifice oneself... Does such friendship really exist?
Just then, Haruko glanced at him again and slowly said, "Actually, I think Master Oriental, you are much better than Sento."
Inari: "!"
Could it be...
Haruko thinks I am more suitable for Ichiko than Sento?
She confessed to Sento because she hated him and didn't want Ichiko to fall into his hands.
But at the same time, she also confessed to me. The difference is that she confessed fewer times and barely targeted me. Does this prove that she actually likes me a little?
She's even willing to ruin the relationship between Sento and Ichiko for me!
Alright, Inari also felt he was overthinking. At first glance, he thought what Haruko said wasn't problematic, but the logical contradictions within it could still be seen.
However, after being led astray by her, Inari didn't think in that direction.
Calming himself down, Inari simply stopped overthinking. "Then what about the injuries on your arm? Just calling Ichiko back from the banquet and fabricating a lie would have been enough, right? Why go to such an extent?"
Hearing this question, Ichiko's heart also tightened.
Haruko avoided meeting Inari's gaze. "Anyway, no one wants me. If Ichiko and Sento get together, they definitely won't want me anymore. I might as well..."
Might as well just die.
Haruko didn't finish, but both of them knew what she meant.
Inari wanted to continue speaking, but Ichiko grabbed his sleeve, shook her head, and pulled him out of the room.
"What's wrong?" Inari looked at Ichiko, puzzled.
Ichiko twirled a strand of hair near her temple, a bit anxious. "Inari, don't ask so many questions. Can't you see that Haruko clearly has some psychological issues?"
Inari paused. "I think she seems quite normal. And the injuries on her arm, and the suicide attempt... there has to be some conclusion, right? Aren't you afraid this kind of thing will happen again?"
"I... I'll watch over her." Ichiko bit her lip. "She was bullied and forced to do that by certain people, right? When I returned to the dorm yesterday afternoon, I even saw Haruko being beaten. You should know that some people just enjoy playing with others for fun."
Inari frowned and sighed. "Alright, I'll listen to you, I won't ask anymore."
He could tell at a glance that Ichiko was hiding something from him.
And it was definitely related to Haruko.
Perhaps the truth wasn't that simple.
But... forget it. Ichiko must have her reasons. He wouldn't delve deeper into this matter.
Inari glanced sideways through the crack in the door at the dazed Haruko. "However, the matter with those delinquent girls will have to be put aside for now. Ichiko, why don't you think about how to explain things to Sento after you're discharged from the hospital."
"That guy, I don't think he'll let Haruko off easily."