A Predator Targeting a Predator: Haruna, Mother of Two Daughters

“Seobang-nim, you seem quite busy lately...”

It was the morning before my duel with Haruna.

Exhausted from rolling around with Haruna every day from morning till afternoon, I had been returning straight to my room each evening and falling fast asleep. Woken up by Tsuruka, who had come to call me for breakfast as usual, I sat on the edge of the bed and shook my head to shake off the lingering drowsiness. I smiled at her hesitant question.

“Yeah. I have a lot to learn if I want to fight Haruna.”

“Fufu, please do not push yourself too hard...”

Tsuruka whispered in a sweet voice as she snuggled tightly into my arms. Holding her close along with her fluffy, doll-like tail, I breathed in her scent, which carried the warm fragrance of sunlight, and spoke.

“It's all for you girls, after all.”

“Even so, shouldn't you clean up after yourself properly?”

Her voice was still sweet, but her words carried a subtle, sharp dagger. I flinched for a split second, but figuring it would look even more suspicious if I backed down now, I answered Tsuruka with a confident tone.

“Was it that messy?”

“Well... I do not know who initiated it, but when scent and traces are scattered all over the house like that, it is impossible not to notice.”

“I cleaned it all up, so Eruka doesn't know, but...” Tsuruka added. Locking eyes with her, I maintained my shameless expression and said,

“Maybe because she's your mother, but she looked surprisingly delicious.”

“Sigh... Well, I do not mind too much, but Mother is truly mischievous. To think she would try to steal even Casano-nim after finally returning...”

Tsuruka tilted her head, resting her cheek against her delicate hand in deep thought. She tried to look nonchalant, but having watched her closely all this time, I could tell she was actually quite displeased.

—Peck, peck, peck.

“Hehe, that tickles...”

“Don't be mad. I just touched her beforehand to make things a bit easier during the duel. Besides, you knew I'd lay my hands on her eventually, didn't you?”

“I knew, but... Fufu ♡ Since I knew, you can stop now. I am truly fine.”

As I showered Tsuruka's cheeks and neck with kisses, leaving light marks behind, she giggled and squirmed, saying it tickled. With a soft sigh of forgiveness, she planted a quick kiss on my nose and forehead, then clung tightly to me.

“...You do not like Mother more than us now, do you...?”

Clinging to my chest, Tsuruka hesitated for a moment before parting her lips to ask. It sounded like a pitiful distress signal begging me not to abandon them. I pulled her close and lay back down on the bed.

“That'll never happen. Come on, do I really seem that shallow to you?”

To be honest, I wasn't exactly a paragon of loyalty, but I gave her a playful smirk to reassure her. Tsuruka didn't laugh or deny it; she simply gazed at me intently, her lips trembling slightly.

“I know Seobang-nim has other women even now, and I know there will be more in the future. But... please, at least remember us.”

Her attitude, which felt like she was seeing off someone who was about to leave forever, gave me a slight chill. My plan was indeed to win the duel, appoint Haruna and Tsuruka as proxies to manage the village, and leave for a while. Hearing her speak like this, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of dread.

—Tight squeeze.

Tsuruka's hands gripped my collar tightly. Having spent so long protecting the village with her sister, living a life completely devoid of affection, she clung to me as if desperate not to let go of the happiness she had finally tasted. I wondered if I had been too selfish, or if my thoughts were just that easy to read. I patted her back gently and spoke.

“If it weren't for you two, things would have been really tough for me.”

Feeling Tsuruka's warmth as she clung to me like a whining child, I rolled around on the bed and playfully pressed my lips against her fair neck. I said it jokingly, but it was the absolute truth. After five years of living like a dog in mercenary groups, my luck had finally turned when I met Undine. And even though that initial request had been a massive pain in the ass, I would never have had these encounters if it weren't for Tsuruka and Eruka.

“Seobang-nim...”

I had only been spending time with Haruna because Tsuruka had been away from home so often lately, but I hadn't realized Tsuruka was harboring such anxieties. Reflecting briefly on my actions, I made a promise to the girl in my arms.

“Even if I have to leave for a little while, I will definitely return. So wait for me, okay?”

“Yes... I love you, Seobang-nim...”

Whispering in a sweet voice, Tsuruka buried her face in my chest, rubbing her warm tears against my skin. We held each other like that for a long time, only pulling apart when Eruka's shouting voice drifted up, demanding to know why we weren't coming down.

—Thud, thud.

“Good grief, what on earth are you doing, holding Sister back first thing in the morning...!”

Eruka fully believed the excuse that I had held Tsuruka back when she came to wake me up. Tsuruka looked at me with a slightly apologetic tilt of her head, but I waved my hand to stop her from apologizing, only to receive another scolding from Eruka.

“Are you even listening to me?! Undine and Mother are both waiting downstairs just for you...!”

“I'm sorry, Eruka. Hmm?”

—Squeeze.

“Ugh!”

I wrapped my arms around Eruka from behind as she grumbled with her eyes closed, and gently kissed her neck. With a soft peck, Eruka's face flushed bright red, and she finally let out a sigh, stopping her nagging.

“Honestly, the duel is literally tomorrow, yet seeing you without a single shred of tension...”

“Can you stop nagging me now?”

“It's not nagging, it's...!”

—Peck, peck, peck.

“Ah, nnh... ♡”

When I kissed her neck again as if acting cute, Eruka shuddered. She turned around with burning eyes, glanced quickly at Tsuruka to check her reaction, and then pounced on me.

—Slurp.

“Mph... ♡ Hmph, leaving Sister and me all alone, and now you do this...”

“You know I've just been busy, right?”

Unlike Tsuruka, the clueless Eruka genuinely believed that my lack of attention was solely due to me being busy preparing for the duel. Seeing her look at me with eyes burning with jealousy despite being so innocent was incredibly adorable. I gave her one more kiss before pulling away.

“Hmph...”

Leaving behind Eruka, who glared at me with lingering regret, I headed down to the first floor and opened the door to the dining room. Warm food was laid out on a large round table. Undine was already stuffing her face, getting food all over herself, while Haruna was nibbling on her food, chewing quietly.

[You're here, Casano!]

Undine had also been separated from me quite a bit lately, so she had every right to feel neglected. However, she was training diligently under Minerva with the sole focus of learning various things to help me. Wiping away the breadcrumbs from Undine's cheek, I sat down next to her and gave Haruna a polite nod.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes.”

Ever since the floodgates had opened, Haruna's lust had been set ablaze, and she stared at me with smoldering eyes. Even though the duel was tomorrow, her core seemed to be throbbing, as she conspicuously rubbed her thighs together and let out feverish breaths while looking at me.

It seemed she no longer cared about hiding it from her daughters. I did my best to ignore Haruna as she let out quiet, heated sighs and cast seductive glances my way, and began to eat.

[Master told me that Casano and Lady Haruna are fighting tomorrow—?]

Undine, leaning back in her chair and patting her soft, unchanged belly, asked with sparkling eyes. At her question, Tsuruka, who had been eating with a smile, and Eruka, who had been eating silently while keeping an eye on her mother, both turned to look at us.

“Mhm, that's right.”

Noticing that all eyes had gathered on her, Haruna nodded while pretending to focus on her food. I also gave a light nod, pinched Undine's cheek, and spoke.

“You're coming to watch tomorrow, right?”

[If Casano is doing it, I have to gooo—]

“Fufu, I feel as excited as the eve of a festival.”

“...”

Unlike Undine, who was thrilled by Tsuruka's mention of a festival, Eruka had remained quiet for some time. She chewed on her bread, staring silently at her plate. Noticing Eruka's silence, Tsuruka leaned slightly toward her and asked.

“What is the matter, Eruka?”

“Well... I cannot cheer for both of you, so I feel a bit conflicted...”

It seemed she was torn between cheering for her revered mother or for me, unable to make a choice. Even after I had thoroughly dominated her, she was still weighing me against her mother, which bruised my pride a little, but I let it go. Tsuruka did say that Eruka loved her mother deeply...

Tsuruka smiled softly at Eruka's dilemma and leaned in closer. Eruka's eyes widened at her sister's sudden approach, but Tsuruka simply reached out and gently stroked her hair.

“Just do as your heart pleases. It is not as if anyone is going to die or disappear in tomorrow's duel, right?”

“Sister...”

“Tsuruka is right. Cheer for whoever your heart inclines toward.”

Haruna, having finished her meal, offered a faint smile as she advised Eruka. Watching Haruna look at Eruka with a gentle, motherly smile, I also nodded and spoke.

“You ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠don't have to cheer for me.”

“What... are you saying you don't even care about my support...?”

Eruka glared at me with narrowed eyes. I could have said something sweet, but wanting to tease her, I simply shrugged, pushed back my chair, and stood up. Smiling at the two sisters sitting close ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠together, I made my way out of the dining room.

“Just watch. I'm going to visit Lady Minerva.”

“Please have a safe trip, Seobang-nim. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Fufu.”

“W-Wait! Let me go with you!”

—Scrape.

Eruka hurriedly stuffed the last bite of bread into her mouth and stood up, her cheeks puffed out. Haruna, who had been staring at me with a suggestive gaze, finally turned her head back to focus on her meal as Eruka followed after me. If it weren't for Eruka, I probably would have been drained of another load outside the village.

“I will see you off.”

“Don't you have to rotate shifts with your subordinates?”

“I decided to take today and tomorrow off. Well... because it is necessary...”

Eruka followed me with her head lowered shyly. I didn't know exactly what she meant by "necessary," but seeing her bashful demeanor, I could easily guess.

“Are you going to cheer for me instead of Haruna?”

“Didn't you say you didn't need it?”

I let out a hearty laugh at Eruka's sharp glare and opened my arms slightly. After checking to make sure no one was around, Eruka threw herself into my embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around my waist.

“Mother is strong.”

“I know. I've been getting beaten to a pulp for the past two weeks.”

Well, I was beaten, but I also devoured her—shaking off those stray thoughts, I patted Eruka's back. Her eyes grew moist, and after parting her lips hesitantly, she finally spoke.

“I love you, Casano. No matter what happens, Sister and I are on your side now.”

“Where is this coming from all of a sudden?”

“Tomorrow's duel, whether we like it or not, is a battle that will decide the fate of the village. Even if you win, some villagers might rise up against you. And if you lose, there will be those who demand you be driven out.”

“Hmm...”

If that were to happen, the most suspicious culprit would be that brat who claimed to be the next chief and his lackeys, who had been glaring at me with displeased eyes every time I trained with Haruna over the past two weeks.

“If that happens, Sister and I will stand by you... so do whatever you wish.”

“Then, can I ask you something serious?”

Seeing Eruka speak with such solemn sincerity, almost like a confession, I threw out a bait to test her.

“Ask.”

“Even if I say I want to sleep with Haruna, will you and Tsuruka help me?”

I asked, tracing my fingertips lightly along Eruka's back. It was a trashy question, but I figured I wouldn't get a better chance to test her. However, Eruka's reaction defied my expectations. With a calm expression, she fell silent for a moment, then gave a soft nod.

“Of course. Though... I do not know if Mother will accept you, but if that is your wish, Casano, we will follow it.”

“Before, you said you hated even the thought of that, even as a joke.”

“...Because I feel like you might just vanish suddenly.”

—Squeeze.

The arms wrapped around my waist tightened with immense force. Feeling Eruka's grip, which held me like someone desperately grasping the string of a runaway kite, I smiled and stroked her hair.

“You and your sister think exactly alike.”

“...Last time, you said you would be right back, but you didn't return for over ten days...”

I had no excuse when she brought up the time I went to make the contract with Sierra. Realizing it was my turn to back down, I patted Eruka's back, apologized, and gave her a quick kiss.

“Even if I leave, I will absolutely return. Okay?”

“...Give it your all in tomorrow's duel. I shall take my leave now!”

Eruka shook her head, her face flushed red like a ripe tomato, and ran off into the distance. To think a girl so easily embarrassed would go this far... I felt a deep sense of satisfaction at how much weight my presence held in her heart. Watching Eruka until she disappeared from sight, I headed toward the jungle where Minerva was waiting for our final lesson.

—Chirp, chirp.

Walking with the early morning birdsong of the jungle as my background music, I soon spotted Minerva waiting for me in the distance. She stood with her arms crossed, pushing up her voluptuous breasts, showing off her luscious, dark skin.

“You've cooome.”

Welcoming me with a languid smile, Minerva lightly reached out her hand. I took it, letting her guide me, and soon both of our bodies began to float gently into the air.

“Today is the laaast dayyy. Are you confideeent?”

Now that I had nearly mastered the mana cultivation methods and applications Minerva had taught me, only one final step remained: the ultimate stage of coating a sword or fist with mana. I nodded with a smile.

“I've learned all the techniques and physical arts. Once I master Sword Qi today, it'll be perfect.”

“It's nice to see you so confideeent. You must win splendidly tomorrow so my investment feels worthwhiiile.”

“I'd like to repay you. Is there anything I can help you with?”

“I do have something I want—but as for the details, I'd be grateful if you came to see me after everything is overrr.”

As expected, there was no such thing as free goodwill. Even so, the witch Minerva had shown herself to be nothing but pure benevolence, so I felt no resistance. Praying it wouldn't be anything too difficult, I let her carry me toward her cabin, forcing myself to forget tomorrow's worries as my eyes hungrily devoured her voluptuous figure.

“Perverrrt—”

Did she catch me?

—Whoosh!

“Wow—I really didn't think you'd succeeeed—”

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

Minerva clapped and cheered with a languid smile. Despite her slow, drawn-out speech, her crimson eyes shone with genuine delight.

—Whoosh!

Soon, the Fist Qi vanished from my fist. With my back and pants completely drenched in sweat, the strength drained from my legs, and I collapsed onto the ground. Minerva, who had been watching from the side, handed me the usual water skin and guided me to sit in the shade.

—Gulp, gulp, gulp.

“Drink up—fufu, you worked so haaard. Do you think you can beat Lady Haruna with thaaat?”

“Phew... I'd say it's fifty-fifty.”

In truth, against Haruna's actual strength, I didn't stand a chance. The reason I called it fifty-fifty was because it all depended on whether I could exploit her openings to snatch victory.

“Look at that confidencerr. Fufu. I might have to sneak a peek tomorrowoo.”

“What do you think, Lady Minerva?”

“Hmm... Honestly, I have no ideeeaa. If it were a proper fight, Lady Haruna would win, buuut...”

—Sniff, sniff.

Minerva twitched her dark nose, sniffing the air, and cast a mischievous smile at me.

“I don't know how she will act against a pervert like youuu...”

“Haha...”

Since I had been arriving every day covered in Haruna's juices, Minerva had clearly already figured it out. In fact, since Tsuruka had mentioned that the traces were so obvious it was a miracle Eruka hadn't noticed, I had no intention of denying it.

“Actually, you make a wonderful specimen—but I'm worriedeeed—”

“Am I a specimen?”

“Ah—I'll tell you laterrr—go home for todayyy.”

"Up we go," Minerva said as she stood up from the shade and handed me a small scroll.

“I'm busy today, and so is Dine. This is a very expensive scrollll—”

“It can't be helpedeeed—I'm busy with my researchhh—”

“Well then, byeee—” Watching Minerva wave goodbye as she turned away, I swallowed hard, held up the scroll, and tore it open. I felt a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠familiar warping sensation and a brief wave of dizziness that I had only experienced once before. The moment I closed and opened my eyes, a familiar landscape came into view.

“Huh? You?”

Just as I was gathering my bearings to enter the training ground, I bumped into someone. It turned out to be that brat who claimed to be the next chief. I tried to ignore him and walk past, but he grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back, calling out to me.

“You bastard—there's a limit to how much you can ignore someone!”

“Are you calling me because you want another beating?”

I grinned, baring my teeth, and the brat glared at me with murderous intent, showing his fangs. Amused by his cat-like hissing, I grabbed the hand on my shoulder, squeezing it hard enough to crush his bones until he let go, then spat on the ground and spoke.

“It seems you're getting cocky just because Lady Haruna goes easy on you. Get lost while I'm still asking nicely.”

“You arrogant piece of...! It's pathetic how you act so high and mighty just because you have Lady Haruna backing you. You'd better prepare to be kicked out of this village tomorrow!”

The brat sneered, hurling curses at me. It was pathetic how stiff-necked he was, considering he was too weak to fight his own battles and had to let Haruna stand in for him. Annoyed, I waved my hand dismissively and tried to walk past, but he kept clinging to me.

“Lady Haruna is not someone a mere human like you can even look at! Stop hanging around her...!”

“Why should I listen to you? Who do you think you are?”

“Ha, since you don't seem to know your place, let me tell you. I am the next Chief of Tebra Village. Once you are out of the picture, I am the one who will stand as Lady Haruna's successor.”

“A weakling like you as the Chief? This village is doomed, then.”

I deliberately provoked him with a crooked smirk. His face flushed bright red, and he stepped forward as if ready to pounce, but he managed to suppress his anger and slowly backed away.

“Enjoy your cockiness while it lasts...!”

“Watch your mouth, kid. Stop acting like an adult and get lost while I'm still being nice, okay?”

He was at least two heads shorter than me, so I let it slide, finding his futile resistance almost cute. Mocking him one last time, I turned my back and headed toward the training ground, while his glaring eyes followed me all the way.