Book 2: Chapter 24 (1/2)

“Netori…” I spoke the words.

I was sitting on my bed, a sheet wrapped around my body. Netori didn’t come. I remained sitting in the darkness alone. A grimace formed on my lips and I nodded to myself. Of course.

“Netorare.”

“Yes?” A girl appeared in the corner of my bed, sitting cross-legged with a gloating smile on her face.

I chuckled dryly. “I thought I smelled your stench.”

Her face suddenly went red. “St-stop smelling me, you perv!”

“What have you done with Netori?” I asked.

“Done?” Netorare tapped her finger on her lips. “Maybe she just gave up on a loser like you.”

“Loser, huh?” I leaned back, dwelling on her words.

Netorare nodded. “Right now, my boy Jack is bringing your sister into a mansion full of eager guys. They’ll do this to her and that to her. Give up. You have no power. You lose.”

So, that’s how it was. I hadn’t realized it before. I supposed I was just so worried about losing everything, that I didn’t see the truth that Netori wanted me to see. It wasn’t about losing or winning. It wasn’t about playing the game better, or having a higher level, or being the better man. It was all so simple, now that I saw it.

“Netorare…” I said, my head lowering down.

“Hmm?” She responded with a catlike grin.

“I was never going to win this. That’s what Jack said.”

“Yup…”

“That’s right…” a grin formed on my face. “But your fate is worse because you are always going to lose.”

Netorare blinked. “Eh?”

I threw off my blanket and stood up. As it flew to the side, I turned to Netorare, my eyes burning with fire. I was dressed in a full suit and tie, a bit fancy, it gave a vibe like I was a wealthy businessman or a millionaire. I had spent my entire check on this expensive suit. Perhaps it wasn’t a costume in the traditional sense, but it was the way I chose to dress tonight. I grabbed the fox mask which I had saved from my trip to the hot spring.

“Wh-what is this?” Netorare’s eyes widened.

I reached out and grabbed her hand and pulled her. She was light and hadn’t expected to be suddenly grabbed, so she floated into my arms with ease.

“I want you to watch as you lose everything to me,” I said, smiling down at her.

“I-impossible.” She said, unable to look away from my eyes.

I leaned close to her ear. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep what I take.”

My lips moved towards hers. Netorare’s eyes closed and her lips parted. It was mere millimeters before our lips touched when her eyes widened and she vanished from my arms. She appeared on the other side of the room, her face beat red and her body shaking.

“Wh-what are you doing?” Netorare cried shrilly, not able to meet my eyes.

“Just watch.” I grinned, putting on my mask and walking out the door.

As I walked out to the front of the house, a car drove up. I got in smoothly, and we took off. I wouldn’t be riding a bicycle tonight. The guy inside was wearing an outfit too. It was a grim reaper outfit, with a scythe in the back and his hood down. Comparatively, he looked like something from a cheap Halloween store, and my outfit looked strangely classy, like I belonged in the mansion we were heading to.

“Nice, where did you get the mask?” Derek said, glancing over at me.

“I stole it.” I chuckled.

“Alright, fine, don’t tell me.” Derek laughed nervously. “You know, crashing this party. Seniors will kick our asses if they find a couple of underclassmen there.”

“Possibly,” I responded calmly. “It’s too bad they’ll be too busy.”

“You, okay, man? You seem… I don’t know… different.”

“Heh… maybe I am.”

“So, your sister really did take off with that loser, Jack?”

“Just watch the show,” I responded. “It’s what I owe you for that information. You… inspired me.”

“Of course…” Derek laughed. “That’s what I’m good for. A regular muse.”

The remaining chat was light as we drove to the high-class area of town where many rich from overseas had built their pricey mansions. Most Japanese construction was intended to break down and be replaced in 15 years. It wasn’t uncommon for many homes to only last one generation. Only complexes and castles were built to last in Japan, yet the Americans seemed to want to build everything to last. I thought it silly that they spend so much effort and money-making buildings that can stand earthquakes and hurricanes, and then patching up all the damage until buildings were just patches on top of patches. Wouldn’t it be better to just build cheap, bulldoze the place, and then build again?

We approached a three-story mansion. The music was loud enough that neighbors would be complaining if the place didn’t have a yard that pushed the neighbors a football field away. There were cars everywhere, and there was nowhere to park close by.

“Drop me off at the front,” I said.

“Yeah, no problem.” Derek agreed. “Go protect your sister.”

I nodded and left the car slamming it shut and immediately half running up to the front door. There were people on the yard already drinking and dancing, and the music was playing over a system that permeated the entire house, the front yard, and the backyard. Except, Maria wouldn’t be in the front yard or the back yard. She’d be up in one of the bedrooms.

“Did you hear?” I overheard a voice as I slid into the mansion. “Upstairs, some slut is going to fuck every guy she sees.”

“What a skank!”

“You know what room?” I asked.

“Really? You’re going to fuck some skank?” The girl looked me up and down, and then suddenly she smiled flirtatiously. “Actually, why bother with her? My friend and I are free. How about you take us-“

“The room, please,” I spoke intently.

With a pout, they finally gave me the location and pointed me towards the stairway. With no time to rest, I took the stairs three at a time and pushed my way past drunk guys and tipsy women alike. Without pausing, I kicked open the door and walked into the room those two had indicated. In front of me was my sister. She was still clothed in her skanky cat outfit, but she was sitting on the floor. Her arms were wrapped around her chest defensively, and there were about a dozen guys all around her. Some had their dicks out.

Akiko was sitting in the corner, a camera in her hands as she recorded the thing. A few guys looked my direction, but most of them were intent on advancing on my sister. I took five smooth steps to Akiko’s side, grabbed the camera from her hands, and then slammed it against a wall, causing it to shatter into a dozen pieces.

“H-hey!” She cried out, but then she saw my masked face, her mouth fell open, shock apparent in her expression.

I spun away from Akiko and grabbed my sister. Without even a pause, I picked her up in both my arms, sweeping her up and away from the circle of men, and then headed for the door. It was done so smoothly that few even had time to react. People were left staring at each other in wonder as their sex toy was pulled away by a masked man in a suit.

“St-stop, who…” She struggled for a second, but then she looked at my mask carefully and gasped.