My Friend the Harem Protagonist

Chapter 19: Friday Night Ambush

I got lucky. Haru took the Southern half of Shin's block to patrol and I got the North. One of the houses had a fire escape so I used it to get a good view of the neighborhood. Sure enough, Miyu and Masaki were moving through the neighboring yards toward Shin's house.

Masaki had pulled out all the stops. Three swords: a sabre, a katana, and a broadsword are all fanned out on her back. Maybe she liked cosplay? She has on her white fencing jacket and black pants.

Miyu is unarmed as far as I can see. She might have a kitchen knife up her sleeve. Didn't matter though, I could deal with them without throwing a single punch. I slipped down the fire escape and moved to intercept them.

Once on the ground I moved over to one of the trees in someone's backyard. I laid my trap, then retreated to a grove of bushes next to a porch.

Masaki and Miyu's voices became clearer as they came around the bend.

"Miyu, I don't like sneaking through people's yards," Masaki whispered.

"Me neither, but it'll make sneaking around easier than if we were on the streets. Wait a second."

I heard the sound of Miyu sniffing the air. The duo had paused next to the yard I was hiding in. Shin's house was the next one down.

"Why are you stopping Miyu?"

"I think I smell something. Follow me."

They cut across the yard heading for the tree. It was a great sagging willow tree. The only sound was the leaves rustling together as the girls approached.

I heard Masaki gasp. "Is that?"

"It is. I'd recognize that smell anywhere. They must have blown out of his room."

I crawled out from behind the bushes. In the dark Masaki and Miyu had no chance to see me until it was too late. The camera flash made both their heads whip toward me. I look down at the photo I've just taken. Miyu and Masaki are standing in front of the tree, each of them holding onto a corner of Shin's boxers.

Haru and I came up with this a few nights ago. He told me about how he'd caught Miyu trying to sneak into the boys locker room a few times. She'd been able to pick out Shin's locker with just her nose, like a bloodhound. So Haru swiped a pair of Shin's boxers to use as bait. Now we had leverage.

"You girls up to something?" I asked.

"Delete it Juri." Miyu said without an ounce of sympathy. Her eyes burned and in the fire I could see her friendship with Shin smoldering if I chose to leak the picture.

Miyu pulled a kitchen knife from her pocket. I had a baseball bat so I wasn't too worried, but I didn't want to fight the girl either. She was so tiny, and she hadn't done anything to me yet.

Miyu took a step toward me when a hand reached out to stop her. Masaki stepped forward, her hand above her left shoulder. In a smooth motion she pulled the katana from its sheath. A long metallic hiss rang out into the night. She held it at her hip where it seemed to glow in the streetlight. In the wind her hair whipped around her face as she glared back at me.

"The delinquent girl has crossed the line. To keep us from Shin is detestable, but to destroy our reputation with him is unforgivable. This night you have an enemy who will follow you to the ends of the earth, until that picture is destroyed." Masaki raised the boxers and using her sword cut a long strand of cloth. She then tied it around her head so the ends danced behind her. The rest of the boxers floated away in the wind as she stood there, staring defiantly back at me.

I turned and ran North. There were two of them, and they both had much sharper weapons. Plus Masaki's display was crazy in a way that scared me. I might be able to beat them, but it would have to be on my turf. For now all I could do was draw them away from Shin. Haru would have to deal with Karin and Ayami, but he'd figure something out. Before we'd headed out tonight we'd made a promise to each other. Both of us would make it to the next morning, and I was fully prepared to keep it.

Author's note: How tall is everyone? I'll start with Karin, who isn't actually 6'13". She's closer to an even six feet. Next is Shin at a respectable 5'11". Masaki is 5'9" but she slouches so it's hard to tell. Next is Haru who is also 5'9", but slightly shorter than Masaki. Juri is 5'6". Aya and Ayami are both 5'4", which pisses off Ayami to no end. Finally is Miyu, at 4'11". When I was designing everyone I knew that no one would be taller then Karin, and no one would be shorter than Miyu. 

-DieSleepEasy