Chap 3

Tatsuya frowned.

Damn it. What kind of world is this?

Am I… inside that world?

And playing the role of a tragic protagonist?

His mind spun.

But before he could think any further—

"Tatsuya-kun…"

A soft, hesitant voice pulled him from his thoughts.

Tatsuya snapped back to reality.

He had been too lost in his mind, unknowingly staring at his stepmother for too long.

Now, the woman lowered her head, nervously clutching the hem of her clothes.

From her slightly trembling voice, from her teary eyes…

She looked like a frightened puppy.

She knew the previous owner of this body often got angry, so she was a little afraid of him.

Tatsuya took a slow breath, calming himself.

No matter how much my heart wavers right now… I have to stay calm.

With a steady voice, he replied,

"Asakura-san… what is it?"

He used the way the previous owner of this body addressed her.

But—

"....!!"

The moment she heard him say that, Shiori Asakura froze for a moment.

Her eyes widened slightly before she lowered her gaze again.

"...Do you dislike me that much?"

Her voice was faint, soft, filled with sadness.

Tatsuya fell silent.

But before he could answer, Shiori continued—

"What should I do… for you to accept me as your mother?"

"...."

"Should I cook better?"

"Or maybe… should I be more caring?"

"Should I stop bothering you?"

"Or…"

"Or should I leave?"

"What should I do for you to accept me?"

Her voice trembled more, each word spoken with a slight stutter as if she could cry at any moment.

Tatsuya was taken aback.

He hadn't expected his stepmother to react this way.

In his memories, the previous owner of this body hated this woman.

Always kept his distance. Always acted cold.

But now, seeing her up close…

This woman was too innocent. Too kind.

And precisely because of that…

She could be taken advantage of.

Just like in the manga.

Tatsuya let out a quiet sigh, then looked at the woman before him.

Yes, I have entered this manga.

But…

None of the tragic events have happened yet.

There hasn't been a single betrayal.

In other words—my head hasn't turned green yet.

Tatsuya closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again with a calmer gaze.

Alright. I will change everything.

"Asakura-san."

Shiori lifted her head slightly, looking at Tatsuya with teary eyes.

"I don't hate you."

"T-Tatsuya-kun…"

"But there is one condition."

Shiori fell silent.

"If you want me to acknowledge you as my mother…"

Tatsuya gave a faint smile—but behind that smile, something was different.

"You have to listen to everything I say."

"....!!"

Shiori's eyes widened.

Tatsuya took a step closer and spoke in a softer voice—

"Want to be acknowledged as my mother? Then listen to me. Every word I say."

Shiori blinked a few times as if trying to comprehend his words.

Then, with a small, uneasy smile, she said,

"T-Tatsuya-kun… Is this a joke? Why are you suddenly saying this?"

Tatsuya let out a slow sigh and looked at her with a cold expression.

"If you can't, then forget it. Consider this conversation never happened."

Shiori stiffened.

What?

Her shoulders tensed slightly.

All her life, she had always been gentle with others, especially with Tatsuya.

She knew Tatsuya never liked her…

But this was the first time he had spoken to her like this.

Her hands instinctively clenched the hem of her clothes.

If I let this chance slip away now…

There might never be another opportunity like this in the future.

Shiori swallowed, her eyes wavering.

Then, with a slightly trembling voice, she said,

"W-Wait…."

She bit her lip, her breathing slightly unsteady.

"I…"

Her teary eyes now held anxiety.

Then finally—

"...Alright. I agree."

Her voice was soft, but it sounded resigned.

Her fingers, which had been tense, slowly loosened, like someone who had just given up against a powerful current.

Tatsuya gave a faint smile.

"Good."

Tatsuya stared at Shiori with an unreadable expression, then said calmly,

"By the way, never go near that old man again. And one more thing—don't let him into this house."

Shiori's eyes widened, shocked by the sudden command.

"T-The… old man? You mean…"

But before she could continue,

Tatsuya looked at her coldly,

making her words catch in her throat.

"Did I give you permission to ask questions?"

His voice was flat, but the pressure in it made the air around them feel heavier.

Shiori blinked,

then quickly shook her head awkwardly.

"N-No! I wasn't asking!" she said quickly, her voice slightly trembling.

Her panicked reaction made Tatsuya smile faintly—without her noticing.

How amusing.

He hadn't expected his stepmother to show this kind of expression.

After a moment, Tatsuya spoke again in a cold tone.

"Not just him. You are not allowed to get close to any man. And… don't let any man enter this house."

Shiori swallowed, blinking rapidly.

"W-What?"

Her hands instinctively gripped her sleeves.

With a nervous voice,

she asked, "W-Why? Why can't I be close to other men…?"

Tatsuya stared at her sharply, then in a low voice, he answered without hesitation.

"I just want to make sure you don't cheat.

Even though Father is already dead."

Shiori's eyes widened, shocked by the unexpected accusation.

Then, before she could think, the words spilled from her lips spontaneously,

"T-That's impossible! Your father was the first man I was with! There's no way I would cheat!"

Silence.

For a moment, Tatsuya was speechless.

His eyes widened slightly, not expecting that response.

He had always assumed his stepmother had at least been with a few men before meeting his father.

But now… that innocent declaration sounded so honest.

Tatsuya narrowed his eyes, looking at Shiori longer than before.

He tried to find any sign of a lie in her expression but found none.

So she really is innocent?

Meanwhile, Shiori finally realized what she had just said.

Her face turned red, then in a panic, she waved her hands.

"I-I didn't mean to say it like that! I mean, I…"

Tatsuya let out a slow breath.

For the first time since this conversation started, he felt slightly confused.

Interesting.

With a faint smile that was hard to decipher, Tatsuya looked at his stepmother's body, unsure what was running through his mind.

---

At this moment, in the living room,

Shiori hesitated as she looked at Tatsuya's tattered clothes.

From her expression, she seemed like she wanted to ask something.

But before a single word left her lips—

"Who gave you permission to ask questions?"

Tatsuya's cold voice stopped her.

Shiori froze, her eyes widening.

"I don't remember giving you the right to ask."

".....!!"

Her shoulders trembled slightly, her lips parted as if she wanted to reply but didn't dare to.

Tatsuya continued in a relaxed tone—but there was an implied threat.

"Or maybe… you want to forget our previous agreement?"

"N-No!!"

Shiori quickly spoke in a panic, bowing her head deeply.

"I won't ask…! I'm sorry…!"

Tatsuya smiled faintly.

Good.

He realized something.

This woman was too easy to control.

After reading the manga, he knew her personality well.

Once she lost confidence, she would become more dependent on whoever dominated her.

If she couldn't make decisions on her own, she would keep seeking guidance, waiting for instructions.

I'll create that pattern.

Tatsuya walked closer, gently lifting her chin.

Shiori hesitantly looked up at him, her eyes still filled with fear.

"Good."

"It seems you understand your position now."

Shiori gave a small nod.

"...Yes."

"Very good."

Tatsuya stared into her eyes deeply.

Since this is a hentai world, I should take control first.

Rather than letting her fall into someone else's hands… it's better if she falls into mine.