These Dangerous Girls Placed Me Into Jeopardy

My body felt way better than before. My legs no longer wobbled under me—was it because Rainie lent me some of her power?

If I still failed after this, that would be way too pathetic.

Step by step, I closed in on the center of the fight. Every few steps, I shouted her name. Even if it didn’t actually do anything, just distracting her was enough—as long as she couldn’t fully focus on Snowy.

And finally, I stepped into the combat zone.

It was like falling into an icy ocean—I couldn’t move at all. The sound of blades echoed through my skull, and one knife edge passed within two millimeters of my cheek.

As expected, Ye Liusu immediately turned his attention to me, launching an attack right away.

But I still couldn’t see anything clearly. In this terrifying pressure, even lifting a foot took all the courage I had.

And yet, I didn’t panic. I didn’t dodge. I just... kept walking forward.

Because I knew—Snowy would protect me.

The flickering blades danced within half a meter of me, and I still moved forward... until I stood before Lillian and raised my hand.

I didn’t take a single hit on the way—not because of luck. Every strike that would have hit me had been blocked.

Snowy wouldn’t let anyone touch me ever again.

When I finally stood in front of her, Snowy was already behind her, arms locked tightly around her, pinning both of her arms and holding her in place.

And so, I smoothly pressed the Spirit-Suppressing Talisman to her forehead.

"...You really think this is enough to suppress me?! Don’t be ridiculous! Give me a little time and I’ll break this seal! You all can’t do anything to me! Hahaha! And this body—it’s your girlfriend’s! Could you really kill your own girl with your own hands?!"

This guy... what a bastard.

If I killed Lillian with my own hands now, I’d live with that guilt for the rest of my life. But if I did nothing, she’d kill everyone here.

So, I—

—I reached into my pocket and pulled out the magatama.

"Wh—what are you trying to do?!"

"...I just wanted to personally give my girlfriend her birthday gift."

Of course, I couldn’t say what “you” would become after that...

But since the flames had already temporarily robbed “you” of your vision, if they really touched you—

Only hell would know what happens next.

The magatama shifted from jade green to blood red in my hand, and orange flames ignited from its surface. It didn’t burn my hand. It didn’t burn the string either.

"Stop it! Stop! Don’t bring that thing near me!"

Oh...? That terrified expression is rare. If it were Lillian, she’d never show that kind of face in front of me. Heh...

"Please! I was wrong! Don’t use that—I'll leave! I’ll get out of this body right now if you just tear off that talisman! Please, let me go!"

Leave? Oh, no no no.

I ignored her and slipped the magatama around her neck.

It dropped right into the gap of her open-chest sweater. The flames made contact with her bare skin.

In that instant, a puff of black smoke shot from her body, trying to flee—but it was already too late.

Even the faintest touch of the crimson flame had sealed its fate. The fire spread like wildfire—unstoppable.

"Aaaahhhhhh!!"

She screamed—and her soul was torn apart.

"Lillian...? What... what is this?"

She was back.

I gave her a tired smile and gently stroked her cheek.

"Your birthday present. Like it?"

She placed her hand over mine, tilted her head, closed her eyes, and smiled softly.

"...I love it. I love it so, so much. Hehehe~"

Good...

Finally, I’d achieved today’s goal.

Felt like we’d gone in the biggest damn circle to get here... I’m exhausted.

"Hehehe~ But, Ethan... you still haven’t said something important to me, have you?"

"...Sorry. I was late."

"And~?"

"...I shouldn’t have gotten so close to other girls. That’s on me. I’m sorry."

I admitted my mistake honestly. I thought even then she wouldn’t forgive me.

But she smiled sweetly, leaned in, and kissed me on the cheek.

"Of course I forgive you~"

Oh, thank god...

Snowy walked over to me and tugged gently on my left wrist, reminding me she was still there.

I patted her on the head and praised her.

"Good job, Snowy."

...

Her face pressed against my palm, mouth curled slightly upward. Then she suddenly tugged down my arm to bend me toward her—and pressed her cheek against mine.

Wait, wait, wait—is she about to kiss me too?!

"Hold it right there, you sneaky cat. What exactly do you think you’re doing in front of me?"

Right before the kiss could land, Lillian grabbed Snowy by the hood and yanked her up. Because of their height difference, Snowy dangled like a kitten being scruffed, her feet barely touching the ground.

"I wanna kiss."

"You’re just Ethan’s friend, right? Try recognizing your place, alright? Just. A. Friend."

"Ethan gave me his finger."

Snowy solemnly lifted my severed pinky—the one that had entered both her mouths—and said seriously:

"Pinky... means girlfriend."

...Yeah, that’s true. In Japan, raising your pinky can symbolize your girlfriend...

But I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just the finger I use the least. Like, maybe only for picking my nose—

"Heh... Just a pinky and you’re this happy? You do know it can also mean mistress, or an affair, right?"

Right... that’s... also a thing.

"The ring finger... will be mine too."

That line seemed to be too much for Lillian to tolerate. Even from this distance, I could see veins popping on her forehead. Her title bar turned bright orange.

Even the magatama nestled between her breasts glowed orange now. Caught in her cleavage, it looked... kinda erotic...

"...You’re really pushing your luck, aren’t you, poker face? I should’ve let that spirit handle you earlier. Or maybe I’ll deal with you myself now?"

"Try me."

Snowy didn’t flinch at all. She had her ghost-form powers and serious skill—Lillian might have the brute strength to lift her with one hand, but she’d have a hard time beating her.

Lillian knew that too. She snorted and redirected the question—back to me.

"Ethan? Tell her clearly. Who’s your real girlfriend?"

"It’s me."

"Shut up!"

"It’s me."

"Ugh—heh, hehe... hehehehehe..."

Ugh... what a nightmare! This is worse than dealing with serial killers!

Lillian yanked on my right arm, trying to pull me to her side. Snowy clung to my left wrist, staying still. Are they seriously going to use me as a human tug-of-war rope?!

You’ve got to be kidding—my ribs are still broken! If you pull, I’ll literally die!

"Stop right there... get away from Lord Ethan!"

"Huh?! Rainie?!"

She’s awake?!

Rainie clutched her chest and staggered toward us. I took the chance to yank free from both girls and rushed to catch her.

"Well well, isn’t it our little white-haired junior? What, you trying to butt into family business?"

"Hmph. Don’t flatter yourselves. You have no place in Lord Ethan’s life. He has no feelings for you—you’re just trying to satisfy your own ugly desires."

Uh... White-haired junior? Miss Rainie?

"You dares hold Lord Ethan’s body even after being possessed by a ghost?! Hand him over at once!"

Why is this getting so hostile all of a sudden?!

"No."

"White-haired girl... who even are you to ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) Ethan, huh? Maybe you’re overstepping?"

"I am bound to Lord Ethan by ties from a past life. In this life, I will remain loyal to him, guard him always, and expel vile women like you. That is my mission."

Sounds just like what she told me before. Reincarnating childhood friend...

"My, my, talking about fate, loyalty, guardianship... aren’t those just things you made up? Didn’t think you were this far gone, junior. A full-blown delusional psychic type. Why not just go back to sleep and enjoy your fantasy? Why bother waking up? Can’t tell dreams from reality anymore, huh? How tragic, hehehe~"

Wow... Lillian’s venomous tongue is in full swing. Brutal.

"Agreed."

Snowy, you too?

"Being possessed by a ghost proves just how dark your hearts really are. If you were truly good girls, you never would’ve been possessed! Can you even deny that? You demons—leave Lord Ethan immediately!"

"Hah... you’ve got some nerve, don’t you?"

"You... I hate you."

Oh god. This is getting out of hand.

While the three of them were busy arguing, I quietly tried to sneak away...

Slowly, carefully. I’ve always had low presence—if I didn’t do anything flashy, I could probably slip out without notice...

"Wait, Ethan? Where are you going?"

"Lord Ethan, you’re seriously injured. Please don’t leave my side!"

Crap. They noticed.

Time to come up with an excuse. If I stay here, even nine lives won’t be enough.

"N-no, I just... need to use the bathroom..."

"Liar."

"That’s a lie."

"Please don’t joke around like that!"

What the hell kind of coordinated attack was that?

Ugh... my guts...

...The adrenaline wore off.

The strange energy holding me up collapsed. All the pain I’d conveniently forgotten came flooding back, all at once.

I felt like I was dying.

Even if they let me go now, I couldn’t stand.

It was already a miracle I’d made it this far in this condition.

I could feel my strength draining fast. My legs buckled, and I couldn’t stay upright. My eyelids were heavy, my eyeballs dry—I couldn’t keep them open anymore.

"...Let’s talk about everything... after I wake up..."

"Ethan!"

"Ethan!"

"Lord Ethan!"

I heard their voices calling me—three different voices—as I lost my balance and collapsed.

But inside...

I felt oddly relieved.

So passing out is this powerful, huh...

But I can’t just faint on command from now on.

If I run into another love-death war like this...

What the hell am I supposed to do?

The future looks real grim...

...Ugh...

With all sorts of worries about the future, my consciousness faded into darkness.