I Came to Protect Them But Now I Only Corrupt Them (R-21)

🎉🔥 A MASSIVE THANK YOU! 🔥🎉

💖 Special shoutout to these legends! 💖

@firerock laser, @Luis Sanchez—WELCOME TO THE MEMBER SQUAD! 🚀🔥 Your support means everything, and I'm hyped to have you on this wild ride!

💡 But wait—there's more! Don't forget to check out my Newest Completed Novel on My P4TR30N

👨‍👧 Title: "Arifureta : King Of Demons"

📢 Want to read ahead and unlock all chapters? J

✨ Unlock instant access to the full completed novel

✨ No waiting for daily updates

✨ Support your favorite degenerate author (that's me!)

👉 Skip the wait! Unlock instant access to completed chapters by joining our membership!

Free readers? No worries—daily updates will still roll out. But if you're the "I need it NOW" type... you know what to do. 😉

🔗 Check my profile for the Link!!

To the casual readers: "Enjoy the slow burn."

To the true binge-readers: "Welcome to the party." 🎉

👉 Want the full experience? [Join Patreon Now]

🔗 Check my profile for the Link!!

💀 PS: Free readers get crumbs—MEMBER get the FEAST. 

Don't just watch—DOMINATE THE STORY. 😈🔥

==============

Before Dawn at the Dojo

Before dawn, in a residential area still lit by streetlights, Reiko's car carried us to the Tachibana Dojo.

"We've arrived," Reiko said, pulling the car to a stop. "Good luck."

Figures were already present in front of the dojo. Anri and Kokoro. And—

"Good morning," a refined-looking middle-aged woman smiled gently. It was Kiyomi Tachibana, a former Japan national women's karate representative, and currently a mother who helps with dojo instruction.

"Starting today, for one week," Masato Tachibana's voice resonated quietly. "I will re-train you all."

"Yes!" Ryoko replied energetically.

In the dewy garden, warm-up exercises began. Kokoro led, demonstrating stretching.

"Ryuji-kun," Kiyomi Tachibana approached me. "With your physique, you could surely become a wonderful athlete."

"Because he's big," Masato continued, "that much more, the basics become important."

Suddenly, Anri stood in front of me. "I will be your partner for the basics."

"Big sister, me too!" Kokoro ran up, jumping.

"Ryoko-san," Kiyomi smiled. "I will be in charge of you."

In the dojo, still not fully illuminated by dawn, the shouts of "kiai" began to resonate. The week that was about to begin might just change our lives.

"Alright?" Masato's voice echoed, sharp and clear. "The basics of karate are mind, technique, and body."

"It begins with bowing and ends with bowing," Kiyomi continued. "That is the path of martial arts."

The sun began to rise, as if illuminating the curtain-raising of a new challenge.

"Shall I show you the basic receiving stance?" Kiyomi's voice gently echoed in the morning mist. Her youthful beauty, unbefitting a 40-year-old, and her flexible movements still showed the skill of her active years.

"Mother, I will!" Kokoro happily jumped forward, but—

"No, dear," Kiyomi smiled. "You, with Anri, will be Ryuji-kun's partners."

Kiyomi, in her white gi, stood before Ryoko. "Now, for the basic receiving form." Every movement was like a dance. I involuntarily stopped my movements, captivated by her beauty.

"Ryuji-kun," Anri's voice brought me back to reality. "First, from the basic stance."

"Yes!"

"Straighten your back," Kokoro pushed my back with her small hands from behind. "Precisely because you have a large body, posture is important!"

Masato quietly watched us. His gaze held something like a definite assurance.

"Mother, beautiful..." Ryoko was captivated by Kiyomi's movements.

"Oh," Kiyomi smiled gracefully. "This much is natural. I was a Japan representative, after all." Along with her usual kindness, a glimpse of her past pride as a strong competitor could be seen in her words.

The morning sun began to illuminate the dojo. The special training that began that day seemed to be more rigorous than expected. The last practice ended in the twilight dojo.

From that day on, the days of intense training began.

My whole body ached. Bruises spread like a map across my 195-centimeter body. Proof of a week of special training.

"Thank you... truly," I bowed deeply, and Masato smiled quietly.

"Ryuji-kun," Kiyomi approached me in her gi. "You worked very hard this past week."

Basic movements every morning from 5 AM. Kata practice at noon. Sparring until evening.

Anri and Kokoro's careful instruction. Serious practice with other students. I had taken up so much of everyone's time.

"I apologize for the trouble I caused to both of you, and to everyone at the dojo..."

"Trouble? Not at all," Masato's voice became stronger. "Rather, you brought a new breath of fresh air to the dojo."

"That's right," Kiyomi continued gently. "Especially Anri and Kokoro. Those girls were truly vibrant."

Indeed. The sisters accompanied me in practice every day. Sometimes strict, sometimes gentle. My heart warmed at their dedicated instruction.

"Tomorrow," Kiyomi's voice became serious. "Go all out."

"We can't lose to Katagiri Dojo, can we!" Kokoro ran up energetically. "Ryuji-onii-chan, let's definitely win tomorrow!"

"Onii-chan...?" I instinctively blurted out.

"Because," Kokoro smiled innocently, "you're our friend now, aren't you?"

Anri also nodded quietly.

I bowed deeply again. My chest felt warmer than the pain of the bruises.

"Kiyomi-san, thank you very much," Ryoko bowed deeply.

"Oh," Kiyomi smiled gracefully. "Ryoko-san, you also have wonderful potential."

Indeed. Her athletic and reflexive abilities cultivated in the volleyball club. And most of all, her quick grasp of things. Even the other students were surprised by Ryoko's progress.

"Finally," Masato looked at the two of us. "Ryuji-kun and Ryoko-san, a light practice match."

"Eh!?" Ryoko and I exclaimed simultaneously.

"Isn't that great!" Kokoro's eyes sparkled. "Show us the results of this week's training!"

We faced each other on the tatami. Ryoko's body was as light as if spring-loaded.

"Begin!"

A week ago, I probably would have hesitated. But now it was different. As comrades who recognized each other, we could face each other with all our might.

Ryoko's kick was unleashed like a flash. Her leg strength, trained in volleyball, was real. It was all I could do to dodge.

"Ryuji-kun, use your size!" Anri's voice echoed.

"From the front!" Kokoro also cheered.

I took a large stance. Read the opponent's movements, closed the distance. And then—

"Excellent," Kiyomi's voice echoed. "Both of you have improved quite a lot."

The practice match ended. But both our faces were filled with a sense of accomplishment.

"Tomorrow," Ryoko said to me with direct eyes, "let's definitely win."

Her words contained the definite confidence cultivated through a week of special training.

The Practice Match

On the morning of the practice match, the atmosphere in the dojo was slightly different.

"Katagiri Dojo, huh..." Masato's murmur had a complex resonance. A rival dojo from the past.

I looked around the dojo while warming up. Anri-san, usually so dignified, was somehow restless as she organized her belongings.

"Anri-chan," the sound of people from Katagiri Dojo entering echoed with a loud voice. A young man entered as if running ahead. Tall, nearly 180cm, with a well-trained physique. But there was something dangerous in his eyes. Katagiri's father wasn't with him. If there was truly no one to restrain him, he was an arrogant man through and through.

"Katagiri-kun..." Anri-san's voice was cold.

"Next Sunday, how about a movie this time...?"

"I refuse." Anri-san's reply was immediate.

"Eh, why? I was the runner-up in the prefectural tournament, you know?"

"So what?" Kokoro stepped forward, interrupting Katagiri. "Who won against you and became champion? Besides, my sister is a national champion, you know?"

"Kokoro-chan is cute too. How about you two go to an amusement park or something..."

"I dislike weak men." Katagiri's expression distorted for a moment at Kokoro's words.

"Weak...?" The air froze. The atmosphere around Katagiri changed.

"Then, let me prove it in today's match." His voice held something beyond mere rivalry.

"Katagiri-kun!" Masato's voice echoed in the dojo. "Refrain from chattering before the match."

"...My apologies." Katagiri bowed deeply. But his eyes weren't smiling.

"Sato-kun," Anri called softly. "Be careful. He's a really dangerous person."

"Yes..." I thought about it as I resumed my warm-up. A different kind of danger than Sagara and Momota. But something was definitely wrong.

"10 minutes until the match begins!" The referee's voice echoed. I felt Katagiri glance our way. His eyes held something beyond mere hostility.

This wasn't just going to be a practice match anymore... I looked at Anri and Kokoro. Both were continuing their preparations with serious expressions. Takeshi Katagiri arrived late. As Takeshi appeared, the Katagiris' attitudes instantly changed.

On the tatami of Katagiri Dojo. Two physiques faced each other.

Yuji Yamaoka's huge 185-centimeter, 100-kilogram frame. And my 195-centimeter, 120-kilogram frame. Like a clash of giants.

"Heh, that gi doesn't suit a fatty," Yamaoka sneered.

I silently bowed. My back straight. Precisely because of my large body, posture is important—Kokoro's voice echoed in my head.

"Begin!"

Yamaoka's huge body attacked with a heavy thud. A week ago, I might have just been overwhelmed.

(But now it's different.)

The receiving stance I learned from Anri. The body movement taught by Kiyomi. The basic movements drilled into me by Masato.

My arm firmly blocked Yamaoka's fist.

"What—!" Yamaoka's expression changed.

"Yay!" Kokoro's cheer echoed.

"Use your size!" Anri's voice.

"Close the distance!" Ryoko also cheered.

In an instant, an opening appeared on Yamaoka's face. My body instinctively seized that moment.

Everything I learned in a week. The many techniques taught by the Tachibana family. They were unleashed as a single movement.

Thud!

"Ugh!"

"Ippon!"

My thrust had completely stopped Yamaoka's movement. Katagiri's expression twisted in surprise.

"Yay!" Kokoro jumped.

"Splendid," Kiyomi nodded quietly.

"Next is me!" Kokoro adjusted her white gi. "Katagiri, prepare yourself!"

A week of special training had become a definite strength. It was the moment I realized it.

"Begin!"

Kokoro and Katagiri. A 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old youth. A height difference of nearly 30 centimeters. The clear size difference made the audience gasp.

"Kokoro-chan..." Ryoko murmured anxiously.

However, there was no hesitation in Kokoro's eyes. Rather, an even greater spirit than usual could be felt.

"Ha!" The small body leaped out like a flash. The trajectory of a crescent kick drew a beautiful arc.

"Naive." Katagiri's arm completely blocked the kick.

"Gah..." Kokoro's expression twisted as she landed. As if she understood the difference in power just from the feel on her arm.

"Children should be childish," Katagiri's low voice. At that moment, a merciless thrust was unleashed.

GOUHH!

"Kokoro!" Anri's voice echoed.

The small body tried to dodge. But the reaction wasn't fast enough.

GOSHAHH!

Katagiri's fist directly hit Kokoro's face. Kokoro flew back. The small figure in a white gi fell to the tatami in a wide arc.

"Ippon!"

"Kokoro-chan!" Ryoko ran up.

"I'm okay..." Kokoro tried to stand up with a trembling voice. Her left cheek was starting to swell, bruised and red. Tears of frustration glistened in her eyes.

"Big sister... I'm sorry..."

"You did well," Anri quietly embraced her sister. I could see her back trembling slightly.

Katagiri wore a triumphant smile. "I think children should train more at the dojo."

Kiyomi's expression grew stern. Masato closed his eyes in silence.

"Ryoko-san," Anri's voice echoed coldly. "Please."

Next match. Ryoko and the tall, slender Shinji Teramoto. Ryoko's eyes held a strong light. An even battle continued. Her athleticism honed in volleyball, and the karate techniques she learned in a week. Teramoto struggled against Ryoko's movements.

"You're good, aren't you?" Teramoto's voice had an unpleasant ring to it. "But the real match starts now."

Every time they grappled, Teramoto's hand intentionally grabbed her gi.

"!" Ryoko's expression stiffened.

"Coward!" Kokoro shouted. "That's a foul!"

The referee ignored it. The referee from Katagiri Dojo.

"Ryoko-san, don't mind it!" Anri's voice.

However, Teramoto's left hand, which had grabbed Ryoko's collar, let go once, then grabbed her chest. A momentary flicker of hesitation. That decided everything.

Teramoto's right straight punch found Ryoko's opening and landed squarely in her solar plexus.

DOGUH!!

"Guh-fuh-fuh!"

"Ippon!"

"Ugh..." Ryoko trembled with frustration. "I... lost."

Tears of frustration welled in Ryoko's eyes as she bowed.

"A loss is a loss," Teramoto said triumphantly.

"You did very well," Kiyomi quietly placed a hand on Ryoko's shoulder. "To have accomplished that much in a week is commendable."

"But..."

"Ryoko," Anri stepped forward. "The rest, leave to me."

In her eyes, along with determination, a quiet anger burned for her injured comrades.

Anri and the solidly built Kohei Tanaka faced each other.

"I won't go easy on you," Tanaka's voice held confidence.

However, Anri's eyes held a different light than usual. A quiet rage towards the opposing dojo that had made her sister cry and humiliated Ryoko.

"Begin!"

Tanaka unleashed a thrust. But his movements appeared in slow motion to Anri's eyes.

A momentary distance.

A mere slight shift of the body.

And then—

A flash-like straight punch.

"What?!" The counter strike caught Tanaka's midsection with perfect timing.

No one could perceive that single blow. They only saw Tanaka's large body falling onto the tatami like a leaf.

"Ippon!"

The venue fell silent.

"Big sister..." Kokoro's eyes sparkled.

"As expected..." Ryoko involuntarily whispered.

Kiyomi smiled quietly. Masato nodded in satisfaction.

"Next, the semifinals," Anri's voice echoed coldly. "Teramoto, I'll be your opponent."

It was a declaration of war. A quiet yet unwavering statement of resolve, born from her feelings for her comrades.

"It's our turn first. Fatty, I'm going to enjoy this." Katagiri wore a defiant smile. His victory against Yuji Yamaoka in the first round had given him a definite confidence. However, the opponent before him was different.

"Begin!"

Katagiri's movements cut through the air. A speed on a completely different dimension than Yamaoka's. His skill as the prefectural tournament runner-up was evident in that instant.

"!" My attempt to dodge was slightly delayed.

"Slow!" A flash-like kick exploded against my knee. I gasped. My knee felt like it would buckle.

"Ryuji-kun!" Ryoko's voice.

"Not yet!" Kokoro also cheered desperately.

Katagiri's attacks didn't stop. Precise thrusts. Sharp kicks. Kicks repeatedly hit my left knee.

"Alright, against an opponent with a size difference, attack the knees. It's basic."

Angled kicks landed repeatedly. My thrusts couldn't reach. My kicks lacked power due to the pain in my pivot foot.

All of them had a coldness completely unlike the basics taught at the Tachibana Dojo.

"This is the end." The final blow. My vision swayed greatly.

"Ippon!"

Katagiri looked down at me as I fell onto the tatami.

"After all, what can an amateur of one week do?"

"Ryuji-onii-chan..." Kokoro's voice trembled.

"You did well," Anri said quietly. Her eyes held determination for the next match.

The defeat was absolutely complete. But what I had learned in this week,

should not have been in vain.

"Anri-san," I said, slowly getting up somehow. "The rest... I leave to you."

Anri and Teramoto's semifinal. Teramoto's fighting style was different from usual. Movements maintaining distance and caution.

(This is completely different from his despicable fighting style against Ryoko earlier.)

Anri's eyes shone coldly. Anri closed the distance. Teramoto retreated. It was clear he was wary of her spinning kick. He was also afraid of counters and couldn't attack.

"What are you so afraid of?" Anri's voice held a faint hint of mockery.

"Ugh..." Teramoto tried to create distance. At that moment—

A flash-like movement. Anri's leg drew a low trajectory.

"Calf kick!" Kokoro leaned forward.

A blow that accurately struck the calf. Teramoto's leg twitched.

"Not yet," she said.

Second strike.

Third strike.

Merciless consecutive blows attacked both of Teramoto's legs.

"Ugh..." On the fourth strike, Teramoto's knees finally buckled.

"I... I can't stand up..." Teramoto's voice trembled. "My legs... they won't move."

"This is true technique," Anri's voice echoed coldly. "Even without using dirty tricks, the match is decided this way."

With his feet stopped and his guard up, Anri's kicks assaulted Teramoto repeatedly. Before the referee's voice could rise, Teramoto himself raised his hand.

"...I lost."

"Big sister, amazing!" Kokoro jumped.

"Splendid," Kiyomi nodded quietly.

"The finals," Masato's eyes caught Katagiri. "Everything will be decided here."

Anri bowed quietly. There was no longer any hesitation in her posture.

"Last week, I was just careless," Katagiri's voice lacked its usual composure.

"Is that so," Anri quietly took her stance. "Then, this time, seriously."

"Begin!"

It was different from the instant conclusion at the martial arts hall last week. Katagiri's guard was perfectly solid. Protecting his upper body with both arms, and moving cautiously while gauging the distance.

"His demeanor is different," Kiyomi murmured quietly.

Roundhouse kick. Perhaps wary of Anri's specialty, Katagiri maintained a middle distance. Occasionally, he unleashed sharp front kicks.

"What's wrong? Aren't you going to attack?" Katagiri's provocation.

"You too," Anri's calm voice. "Where's the confidence you had last week?"

Both attacked, but all were on the guard and no decisive blows landed. One minute. Two minutes. The stalemated offense and defense continued.

"That Katagiri, to be so cautious..." Ryoko murmured.

"A lesson from last week," Masato crossed his arms. "But that's a double-edged sword."

"What do you mean?" I asked involuntarily.

"Excessive caution," Kiyomi replied, "can also kill one's true strength."

Tension filled the arena. This stalemate had to be broken by one of them.

"Big sister..." Kokoro's voice trembled softly.

Three minutes were about to pass. Suddenly, Anri's movements changed.

Front kick.

Roundhouse kick.

Crescent kick.

A flurry of kicks like a storm.

"What—!" Katagiri's guard trembled.

"Amazing..." I involuntarily whispered. "I've been watching this coordination for a week, and I'm seeing it for the first time."

"Yes," Kiyomi nodded quietly. "This is Anri's true strength."

Katagiri's counterattack. A full-force kick was unleashed.

However—

Anri created distance with elegant steps. Movements like a dance. And then instantly closed the distance, launching another fierce attack.

Hit and away. Perfect offensive and defensive combination.

"Big sister, amazing!" Kokoro's eyes sparkled.

"Katagiri's kicks," Ryoko gasped. "Aren't reaching at all."

A small smile appeared on Masato's lips. "This is the Tachibana style."

Sweat flew. Katagiri's breathing gradually became ragged. A slight opening began to appear in his supposedly perfect guard.

"It's like... being in a storm," I murmured. "Like there's an invisible wall around him."

The storm of kicks didn't stop. It was truly a beautiful dance of destruction. But Katagiri also began to show his skill as the prefectural tournament runner-up.

"Ha!" Blocking Anri's roundhouse kick, he counterattacked with a sharp front kick.

"As expected," Kiyomi's eyes became more serious. "To still be able to counterattack amidst that onslaught."

An exchange of mutual blows. Dodging Anri's kicks, Katagiri also responded with skillful kicking techniques.

The dojo held its breath. This was a battle between those at the pinnacle of high school karate.

"But," Masato murmured quietly, "the conclusion is already in sight."

It was then—

Katagiri's posture, which had guarded a low kick, became bent forward. Anri's body soared high into the air.

"That's!" Kokoro's eyes widened.

Heel drop.

The secret technique of the Tachibana style.

A deadly technique where she leaps to the ceiling and strikes down with her heel.

"Dodge it!" Takeshi Katagiri's voice echoed. But it was too late.

A thud. Anri's heel directly hit Katagiri's head.

"Ugh..." Katagiri's eyes rolled back. His large body slowly collapsed.

"Takeshi!" Katsu ran up. "Takeshi! Get a hold of yourself!"

A father shaking his unconscious son.

"Ambulance... an ambulance!" The dojo was in chaos.

Anri quietly bowed. There was no hesitation in her expression. It was the result of a fair match. As a karateka, it was an outcome to be accepted.

The sound of sirens

approached. As the ambulance sirens approached, a heavy atmosphere hung over the dojo.

"You went too far!" Takeshi Katagiri's voice reverberated throughout the dojo. "I don't care what kind of secret technique it is, this was a practice match!"

Seeing his unconscious son, his fatherly rage had exploded.

"I apologize," Masato stepped forward and bowed deeply. "My instruction was insufficient..."

"Insufficient instruction?" Katsu's voice trembled. "Is this the Tachibana style? Knocking out your opponent in a practice match?"

Anri stood silently. There was no sign of regret in her expression. One could see her pride as a karateka who had fought with all her might.

"Once again," Masato said quietly, but with a firm voice. "I will formally visit to offer my apologies."

The paramedics arrived and carried Katagiri out. Katsu's stern expression did not waver until the end.

"Father... Sensei..." Anri spoke to Masato apologetically.

"It's alright," Masato nodded gently. "This is also part of training."

Kiyomi also nodded quietly. Everyone understood that this was an unavoidable situation for a karateka and a dojo instructor.

It was a moment that left a heavy challenge in the hearts of those remaining in the dojo.

The Day After the Accident

The day after the accident. The entire Tachibana family reportedly visited Katagiri Dojo.

"With gift-wrapped sweets," Ryoko told me. "Master Masato, Kiyomi-san, Anri-senpai, and Kokoro-chan all went to apologize together."

Katagiri, lying in the hospital room, apparently said something unexpected.

"I want to sing... to get my mind off things." Reiko conveyed with a perplexed expression. "He invited them on a date."

"Eh?" Our three voices overlapped.

"He won't be able to do karate for a while," Misaki continued to explain. "As a distraction... he wants to go to karaoke with Anri-san and Kokoro-chan."

"But those two," Ryoko tilted her head, "aren't they bad at karaoke...?"

Indeed. I had never heard Anri or Kokoro talk about music. Their world had always been solely karate.

"As an apology, they said they had no choice," Reiko's voice held a hint of anxiety. "They're going on a date, the three of them, next Saturday."

Katagiri's demeanor was surprisingly positive. Even though his head injury must have been severe, he had reportedly made arrangements for the post-discharge date with apparent enjoyment.

"It's strange, isn't it?" Misaki said quietly.

The Missing Sisters

"Everyone, kneel," Master Tachibana's voice echoed in the twilight dojo.

Normally, it would be Anri's turn to give commands. But her dignified figure was nowhere to be seen today either. A heavy, stagnant air hung over the dojo tatami, as if something was missing.

"Anri-san and Kokoro-chan, this week too..." At someone's murmur, the students stirred.

Since that day two weeks ago, the Tachibana sisters had disappeared. Last seen at the "apology karaoke" with Katagiri.

"They said it was a cold, but isn't it too long?"

"Only one month until the national tournament..."

"Kokoro-chan had perfect attendance..."

Worried voices spread throughout the dojo.

I remained kneeling on the tatami, organizing the situation.

Anri had been training intensely for her last tournament. Her passion for karate was tremendous. Kokoro had also been training hard for next month's elementary school tournament. Would those two really miss two weeks just for a cold?

Deep wrinkles were etched between the master's brows.

"Anri... Kokoro..." The master's murmur was tinged with deep worry.

I stood up. Sweat dripped from the hem of my clothes.

Something happened the day they went to karaoke. I had a gut feeling.

The smartphone in my bag felt strangely heavy. The screen still showed a photo from two weeks ago. Anri, with her usual dignified smile, instructing me in practice. Kokoro, brimming with energy, demonstrating a technique.

That's right. I have an ability. If I touch an object, I can see its memories.

"I'll investigate," I bowed deeply to Master Tachibana.

"Where are you going?"

"To the karaoke place. To look for... traces of that day."

The master looked at me for a moment. Then, he nodded slightly. "I'm counting on you." His words held a heavy trust.

As I left the dojo, the setting sun cast my shadow long. With this ability, I wanted to help someone this time. With that thought in my heart, I started walking.

Seeking the truth from two weeks ago, still unknown to anyone.

The "Manekineko" sign floated amidst the bustle. At the entrance, high school girls in uniform laughed and chatted. Two weeks ago, Anri and Kokoro had also stood in this very spot.

"Excuse me," I said at the reception counter. A young female staff member politely responded.

"May I use the restroom?"

The guided hallway. As I walked under the security camera, I casually touched the exterior.

Images flooded into my mind.

Two weeks ago.

Exactly 3:00 PM.

The automatic door opened.

Anri and Kokoro entered.

In their casual clothes, unlike their usual dojo attire.

Both their expressions were stiff.

And immediately after.

"Yo! Been waiting long?" Katagiri's figure. An appearance unimaginable from his usual gi-clad self. A flashy brand T-shirt and slim jeans. A purple cross earring in his right ear. He exuded an atmosphere like a host.

"Room 407!" The staff member's voice echoed in the vision.

The three headed towards the elevator. Katagiri tried to approach Anri, who was walking slightly apart. Kokoro grabbed her sister's arm.

The vision cut off.

"407..." I headed towards the elevator. Pressed the 4th floor button.

Walking down a long hallway. Karaoke sounds leaked out under the fluorescent lights.

Room 407. I stopped in front of the door. Took a deep breath, and reached for the doorknob.

At that moment. New images flowed into my consciousness.

At first, it was normal karaoke.

"I... can't really sing much..." Anri-san held the microphone apologetically. An enka song title appeared on the screen. Kokoro chuckled at the unexpected choice.

"Big sister, seriously?"

"But..."

"I don't even know the taste of sake~" Anri's singing voice. A little shaky, but surprisingly beautiful.

Next was Kokoro's turn.

"Heh! Go! Fight! With all your might!" She sang an anime song with full energy. Her appearance was just like her vibrant smile at the dojo. Her left cheek was still painfully swollen with a bruise.

"Heh... You're good," Katagiri muttered, impressed. But his eyes held a different kind of light.

The scene changed.

"My turn! I'll show you a real song!" Katagiri stood up. His flashy attire, bathed in the room's lighting, cast strange shadows.

"Yo! Check it out!" Katagiri's voice echoed in the soundproofed room.

"We are! Family!" A song by a famous American rapper. More like a shout than a song. His pitch was questionable. Anri and Kokoro sat with subtle expressions.

"How was my flow?" Katagiri looked smug, and the two forced smiles.

Katagiri, having finished singing, approached Anri. It was that moment.

The cross earring in his right ear began to glow with an eerie purple light.

"Eh...?" Anri's voice trailed off. Her body stiffened. Kokoro too. They sat in their chairs, unable to move, like dolls.

"I finally got this power..." Katagiri's voice echoed lowly. "Anri-san, Kokoro-chan... now you're mine..."

"St-stop..." A faint voice of resistance. But their bodies wouldn't move.

"The power of paralysis... interesting, isn't it?" Katagiri reached out to Anri's cheek.

"Don't touch my big sister!" Kokoro's scream.

"You can't move anything below your neck, can you?" Katagiri's voice echoed coldly. The cross in his right ear emitted an eerie purple light.

"Stop..."

"Why? Why can't I move?"

Anri's voice trembled. Kokoro's eyes were moist.

The room lights reflected the purple glow of the earring, casting eerie shadows.

"Hey, Anri-san, Kokoro-chan," Katagiri stood up from his chair and slowly walked towards the two. His eyes held a cold light I had never seen before.

"You're looking at the surveillance cameras, aren't you? Hoping someone will come?"

The expressions of the two, unable to move, stiffened.

"Too bad," Katagiri took out his phone and showed them the screen. A LINE group chat. It was a group named "Manekineko Part-timers."

"You know the faces at this karaoke, right? Tanaka and Teramoto." Anri's eyes widened slightly.

"That's right, those two from my dojo. Today, at this time, only those two are in the shop. No other part-timers or employees will come until night."

Fear appeared in Kokoro's eyes.

"In other words..." Katagiri's voice echoed lowly. "No one... is coming to help you."

As the karaoke song continued to play, the air in the room froze. The clock hands continued to slowly advance.

============

🚀 Want Early Access & Bonus Content?

"Loving this story so far? You can read ALL chapters RIGHT NOW by joining my Patreon!

✨ Unlock instant access to the full completed novel

✨ No waiting for daily updates

✨ Support your favorite degenerate author (that's me!)

Only $5.99 for the full experience!

🔗 Check my profile for the Link!!

Free readers - don't worry, I'll still be posting daily updates here. But Patreon members get the VIP treatment!

Your support helps me create more wild stories like this. See you on the dark side! 😈"