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

"Haruto, this isn't too much, right?" Chiyo called out as she descended the stairs, her steps light but deliberate.

Haruto, mid-conversation with Asuka, turned at the sound of her voice. His gaze lingered, taking her in—a vision of understated elegance in a white sweater paired with a dark brown mermaid skirt.

The beige overcoat draped over her shoulders complemented the small sling bag she carried. A simple pin adorned her hair, giving her an air of effortless grace.

"What do you mean?" he replied, tilting his head with a soft smile.

"You look stunning. Now I feel like the one underdressed here."

He sighed dramatically, tugging at the hem of his black sweater and brushing his hand over the simple black coat he wore.

Chiyo's cheeks flushed, a faint pink blooming across her face. "No, you look perfect," she said softly, her voice almost a whisper as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

The thought crossed her mind—if she had known Haruto's intention for asking her a couple days ago about the perfect place to date, she might have suggested something more romantic.

"Hm… I envy you," Asuka piped up, crunching on a chip as she sprawled on the couch.

"Haruto's never taken me on a date." She paused to munch on another chip.

"Oh, and don't forget to bring me back that penguin mascot, Ponpon. The one in the tux, okay?"

Haruto chuckled, slipping his hands into his pockets. "I didn't know you were into cute things like that."

"Why not?" Asuka replied with a mischievous grin, waving a chip in the air.

"That penguin's adorable." She winked and popped the chip into her mouth, turning her attention back to the TV.

A faint sense of unease crept into Haruto's mind as he glanced at her. Something about that penguin mascot gave him a bad feeling.

Soon, he and Chiyo headed to the aquarium, knowing the weekend crowds would be thick.

After arriving and purchasing their tickets, they stepped inside, greeted by the lively hum of families and couples.

The vibrant atmosphere buzzed with the laughter of children and the soft murmurs of admirers.

Many pairs of eyes turned toward Haruto almost immediately. Women in particular seemed to take notice, some stealing glances, others whispering to each other.

Chiyo caught sight of her reflection in the glass of a nearby tank, her shoulders subtly tensing.

The elegant fish swimming behind her only accentuated her features, yet an unwelcome thought wormed its way into her mind: 'Am I… too old for Haruto?'

Haruto noticed the shadow crossing her face. Gently, he reached out, taking her hand in his. "What's wrong, Chiyo?" he asked, his voice warm with concern.

She blinked and shook her head, forcing a small smile. "Ah, nothing… I just feel nostalgic being here."

"Oh?" Haruto's curiosity lit up his face. "Have you been here before?"

"Yeah," she began, her voice soft as memories surfaced.

"It was when you were still a child. Your mother brought me here—it was my first trip to the city. She'd planned for all of us to come, but you got sick and had to stay with your grandparents."

Haruto rubbed the back of his neck, his brows furrowing slightly. "I don't remember that at all," he admitted, a faint chuckle escaping his lips.

"Honestly, there's a lot I don't remember from when I was a kid."

Chiyo's smile was tinged with affection. "That's okay. Let's just enjoy today."

"Right." Haruto's grin returned. "Come on—there's a giant aquarium inside with sharks. I can't wait to see them up close."

They walked side by side, taking in the colorful displays of fish in the smaller tanks.

When they reached a hallway where aquariums surrounded them on all sides—even overhead—Chiyo stopped.

Her gaze fixated on a tank of jellyfish, their translucent bodies glowing with an otherworldly beauty.

"Look," she said, pointing to one with long, flowing tentacles. "Isn't it beautiful?"

Haruto watched her, a soft smile tugging at his lips. The blue glow of the water reflected in her eyes, which sparkled with excitement. It looks like the ocean itself.

Before he realized it, he leaned in and kissed her cheek.

Chiyo froze, her hand flying to the spot he kissed. She turned to him, her face bright red. "Wh-why would you do that all of a sudden?!"

Haruto rubbed the back of his head, a sheepish smile on his lips. "I couldn't help it. You… you just look so beautiful, blending in with all this. Honestly, you're even more breathtaking than the aquarium itself."

Chiyo's mouth opened, but no words came. Haruto's cheesy words shouldn't have moved her—but they did. They carved a place in her heart, settling there like treasures.

"Don't say things like that!" she huffed, her blush deepening as she lightly punched his arm. She turned on her heel and started walking ahead.

"Hey, wait up, Chiyo!" Haruto called, laughing as he jogged to catch up.

They finally arrived at the aquarium's main attraction—the largest tank in Japan, a marvel capable of holding countless varieties of marine life, from tiny darting fish to massive, majestic creatures.

The sight stole their breath. The tank stretched high and wide, its glass shimmering under the dim ambient lighting.

Inside, schools of fish swirled in hypnotic patterns, their scales catching glimmers of light like scattered stars.

A shark glided close to the glass, its sleek body moving with an elegance that made it seem as though it was welcoming them.

Haruto and Chiyo stood in awe, their faces softly illuminated by the azure glow of the tank.

The water seemed alive, like a vast ocean contained within a frame, drawing them into its serene yet vibrant world.

Haruto glanced at Chiyo, unable to resist. Her blue eyes sparkled like gemstones in the soft light, her expression a mix of wonder and delight.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

For a moment, she looked years younger, as if she were a child again, standing in awe of something magical with her parents by her side.

His chest tightened at the sight, and without a second thought, he reached out and took her hand in his.

His fingers intertwined with hers as he stepped closer, feeling the warmth of her presence against the cool glow of the tank.

Even as the divers appeared inside the tank, waving cheerfully to the crowd, Haruto's gaze remained fixed on Chiyo.

One of the divers playfully danced with the shark, eliciting gasps and laughter from the other visitors, but Haruto barely noticed.

To him, the most beautiful and captivating sight wasn't in the water—it was standing right beside him.

She was the brightest star in this oceanic wonder, and no display of marine life could compare.

Haruto leaned in closer, his eyes soft as they lingered on her glowing face. Before Chiyo could react, his lips brushed against hers in a tender kiss.

Her eyes widened in surprise, her breath hitching as a rush of warmth flooded her cheeks.

She froze for a heartbeat, her mind racing in confusion, but as his gentle touch lingered, her heart melted.

A deep blush spread across her face as she slowly closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment.

Her initial hesitation dissolved into quiet acceptance, her lips moving softly against his as she basked in the sweetness of the kiss.

In that fleeting instant, the world around them faded—the dim glow of the aquarium, the soft murmurs of the crowd, even the swaying marine life.

All that remained was the man she loved, and the gentle, unspoken emotions that flowed between them.