Chapter 14: Episode 3 : Puella Manipulanda (Part 3)
The Next Day – Summer Fall High, Lunch Break
The school hallways were bustling with students, their chatter filling the air as they moved toward the cafeteria. Rin walked among them, her stomach growling softly. She was just about to enter when—
A firm hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.
"Huh?" Rin gasped, her body tensing.
She turned around, and her blood ran cold.
Yayoi.
Her expression was twisted with rage—dark, ferocious, and filled with something almost inhuman. Before Rin could react, Yayoi yanked her forward with brutal strength.
"Wait—!" Rin barely managed to get the word out before she was forcefully dragged down the hallway.
Students passed by, but no one intervened. No one dared to.
Yayoi's grip was like iron, her fingers digging into Rin's wrist as she pulled her away from the crowded halls, away from the safety of prying eyes. They turned a corner, stepping into the secluded backyard of the school—a quiet, shadowed area hidden by trees and tall fences.
Then, without warning—
Thud!
Rin hit the ground hard, her body crashing onto the rough dirt. Pain shot through her limbs as she struggled to push herself up.
Before she could regain her balance, Yayoi was on her.
"How… how… how dare you?!"
Yayoi's voice trembled with fury. Her breathing was ragged, her entire body shaking.
She grabbed Rin by the collar of her uniform, her nails digging into the fabric. Then, with terrifying strength—
Slam!
Rin's back collided against the tree behind her. The impact sent a shock of pain through her spine, knocking the air from her lungs.
She gasped, struggling to breathe, but Yayoi didn't let go.
Her fingers tightened around Rin's collar, her deep brown eyes burning with unfiltered rage.
"You disobeyed me."
Rin stiffened, her heart pounding. She tried to step back, but Yayoi's grip on her wrist tightened painfully.
"D-Disobeyed what?" Rin stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I told you—many times—you are not to talk to any man," Yayoi said, her nails digging into Rin's skin. "And yet, you did."
Rin's breath hitched. "H-how did you know?"
Yayoi's lips curled into a cruel smirk. "I got a call. An unknown number. They told me you were seen at Unus Café last night. With a man."
Rin's blood ran cold. She hadn't told anyone about that. Who would have called Yayoi?
"I-I—" she stuttered, her mind racing.
SLAP!
Rin's head snapped to the side as the impact of the slap sent her staggering. A sharp sting spread across her cheek, her vision momentarily blurring.
"Don't you dare give me excuses," Yayoi hissed. "I confirmed it myself. I called the café and had them send me the security footage."
Rin's stomach twisted into knots.
"I saw you," Yayoi continued, her voice shaking with anger. "You were sitting there with that guy—and then he touched your hand."
Rin's breath came in short, panicked gasps. "It—it wasn't like that," she whispered. "I didn't—"
Yayoi lunged, grabbing Rin's collar with both hands and slamming her against the rough bark of a tree.
"Then what was it like?!" Yayoi screamed. "Tell me, Rin! Did you like it?! Did you like having another man's hands on you?!"
Rin shook her head frantically, tears forming in her eyes. "N-no! It wasn't—"
"LIAR!" Yayoi shouted, shaking her violently. "You are mine! Do you understand that?!"
Rin's vision swam as she struggled against Yayoi's grip. Her entire body trembled.
"You think I won't do anything about this?" Yayoi continued, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You think I'll let you make a fool out of me?"
Rin whimpered, her breath shaky. "P-please… stop…"
Yayoi's smirk widened as she watched Rin trembling on the ground.
"I was waiting for you to come to me on your own," she murmured, her voice dripping with disappointment. "But it seems… that was a mistake."
Rin's breath hitched as she looked up at her captor, fear coursing through her veins.
"You know," Yayoi continued, crossing her arms, "the only reason I didn't do anything to your sister was because I had no desire to hurt my future sister-in-law." A cruel chuckle escaped her lips. "I even took a small liking to her…"
Then, in a sudden motion, Yayoi released her grip.
Rin collapsed onto the ground, her whole body shaking.
"But now?" Yayoi whispered, her tone turning ice-cold. "I will."
Rin's eyes widened in pure horror.
"N-no! Please don't do this!" she pleaded, crawling forward desperately. "She has nothing to do with this!"
"Oh, believe me, Rin… I will." Yayoi's voice was almost playful now, as if she were enjoying every second of Rin's suffering. "Imagine it—your dear sister, working at her little bakery, minding her own business… when suddenly, two men in black walk in. They grab her. Drag her into a black van."
She crouched down, tilting her head.
"And after that?" She sighed dramatically. "Well, you already know what happens in situations like that, don't you? When a helpless, beautiful woman falls into the hands of men with… certain desires?"
Rin's stomach twisted violently.
"You wouldn't…" she choked, her hands gripping the dirt beneath her.
Yayoi grinned. "Wouldn't I?"
Rin gulped, bile rising in her throat.
"I—I'm begging you! Please don't do this!" she sobbed.
Yayoi hummed, tapping a finger against her chin. "Hmm… maybe I could forgive this little betrayal."
Rin looked up, hope flickering in her eyes.
"But only if," Yayoi said slowly, "you tell me the name of the man who touched you."
Rin's breath came out shaky. Her mind screamed at her not to say it. But the image of her sister—her only family—suffering because of her mistake…
She swallowed hard.
"E-Ezakiel," she whispered.
Yayoi's eyes darkened, her smirk fading.
"Ezakiel…?" she repeated, as if tasting the name on her tongue.
Yayoi's smile lingered, but there was something sinister behind it.
"You know…" she mused, tilting her head. "I think I've actually heard that name before. Ezakiel."
Rin barely had time to react before Yayoi continued.
"A guy by that name was expelled two days ago, wasn't he?" she said, almost to herself. "And he belonged to a powerful family." She tapped a finger against her lips, her eyes narrowing. "I haven't met him personally… but from what I remember, the description of that expelled student seems to match your little mystery man."
Her expression darkened.
"But let's hold onto that thought for a second," she murmured, her voice taking on a sharp edge. "Why would someone like him—if that is who he is—be spending time with you?" Her eyes glowed with suspicion, her mind clearly working through the possibilities.
Then, as if deciding it didn't matter, she straightened up.
"It doesn't matter." Her voice turned cold. "I'll deal with him appropriately. Soon. Very soon."
Her gaze flickered back to Rin, who was still trembling on the ground.
"But as for you…" Yayoi crouched down again, gripping Rin's chin roughly between her fingers.
"I've changed my mind," she whispered. "I'm reducing your time. You only have one day now." Her nails dug into Rin's skin, her smile widening.
"The day after tomorrow will be the day you make your final choice," she continued. "And I hope—for your sister's sake—that you choose what I want."
Before Rin could say anything, Yayoi forcefully pressed her lips against hers.
The kiss was cruel, possessive—filled with nothing but dominance.
Rin's body froze, her mind screaming, her entire being recoiling in disgust.
And then, just as suddenly as it started, it was over.
Yayoi pulled back, standing up as if nothing had happened.
"See you soon, Rin," she said, her tone almost playful.
Then, without another word, she turned and walked away—leaving Rin collapsed on the cold ground, traumatized, shaking, and utterly broken.
Tears streamed down Rin's face as she sat there, her body trembling from both fear and helplessness.
Her hands clutched the fabric of her skirt tightly, her nails digging into her skin. Her mind was spinning, replaying Yayoi's words over and over again.
Her sister…
Her only family.
She couldn't let anything happen to her.
With shaky hands, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, crumpled piece of paper.
Ezakiel's number.
She stared at it, her vision blurred with tears.
She had hesitated before—unsure if she should rely on him.
But now… she had no choice.
If she didn't do something, her sister would be in danger.
Taking a deep breath, Rin wiped her tears, steadied her shaking fingers, and reached for her phone.
She needed his help.