When Yukari first appeared, Tsukune assumed she’d be like Kurumu—a genuine addition to their group. Granted, Yukari adored Moka rather than him, which he preferred, but what actually unfolded was not at all what he’d expected.

Yukari reluctantly let go of Moka as Tsukune and Moka headed to class. But after the bell rang, Tsukune quickly realized what spending time with Yukari truly entailed.

As Tsukune and Moka walked down the hallway, Yukari suddenly appeared and latched onto Moka from behind. Moka barely had time to react before Yukari’s hands slid forward and squeezed her chest.

“Ah!” Moka gasped, turning around in shock to see Yukari still clinging to her.

Yukari sighed in satisfaction, hands still on Moka’s chest. “Wow, they’re even bigger than they look!” she mused.

Caught off guard, Moka stumbled, and the two tumbled to the floor. Yet Yukari held on, exclaiming, “And so soft! Like pillows of pure bliss!”

“Y-Yukari! W-wait, please let go!” Moka managed between gasps, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Tsukune, stunned by the scene unfolding in front of him, asked, “W-What’s going on here?”

Around them, a group of students had gathered, gawking at the spectacle.

Finally, Moka managed to stand up, though Yukari continued to cling to her, still glaring at Tsukune.

Why is she looking at me like that? Tsukune wondered.

As if reading his thoughts, Yukari announced, loud enough for everyone to hear, “Don’t interrupt us!”

“Wha—” Tsukune stammered, but Yukari cut him off.

“Surely, you realize I see right through you,” Yukari declared.

Tsukune’s mind raced.

What?! She knows?!

With a final, dramatic gesture, Yukari released Moka and pointed directly at him, her other hand resting confidently on her hip.

“Tsukune Aono! Grades: Completely average! Special talents: None whatsoever! Athletic abilities: Actually, pretty good…” Yukari paused, then added with a smirk, “For a human! You have totally below-average monster strength. A walking example of mediocrity!”

Moka couldn’t help but cover her mouth, surprised at Yukari’s harshness.

Stunned by Yukari’s verbal takedown, Tsukune could only gape as she rattled off a list of jabs at his character. Stepping closer, she jabbed her finger into his chest and demanded, “How can you even exist in the same reality as Moka? Let alone pretend you know her!”

Tsukune was speechless. He loved being around Moka and had come to know her little quirks, but he was all too aware of how out of his league she was, especially considering the mysterious, untouchable other version of her he could barely comprehend.

Yukari sighed, blushing slightly. "And because Moka is the sun in my firmament, I cannot allow her radiance to be clouded by the likes of you!"

Though Tsukune knew there was truth to Yukari's words, her condescending words still grated on him. He was about to respond when Yukari raised her wand, eyes glinting with resolve.

"Tsukune! By bringing your hideous presence near Moka, you've forced my hand—my witch hand!"

With a dramatic wave of her adorable, magical-girl-style wand, she directed a spell at a nearby janitor's closet. "I'll see to it that my beloved is troubled by you no more!"

The closet burst open, and four brooms shot out, circling Tsukune menacingly.

He stared up at them, realizing with a mix of awe and exasperation, And here I thought I'd seen everything.

The brooms charged, and Tsukune managed to dodge the first one, quickly turning to sprint down the hallway. Yukari gleefully pursued him, directing the brooms to swarm around him.

Despite his athleticism, Tsukune couldn't outrun the brooms, which soon had him tripping over himself and fending off their dusty, relentless strikes. He struggled to shield himself from the blows as dirt scattered everywhere.

Moka hurried over, concern in her eyes as she saw him cornered and battered by the brooms. "Tsukune, are you okay?"

Irritated but mostly unharmed, Tsukune looked up, bewildered. "W-What is this?"

Yukari, clearly enjoying herself, giggled. "It's magic!" With another flourish, she brought the brooms to an abrupt halt, letting them clatter to the floor. "You're lucky I prefer brooms. They're so traditional. Imagine if I used knives," she added, her tone making it clear the threat wasn’t idle.

Moka gave Yukari a worried look. "Yukari…"

Yukari, still beaming with satisfaction, answered brightly, "I'm a witch, you see! And with my magic, I'll protect you, Moka, from every icky, unworthy person who tries to come near you!"

Tsukune sighed, now realizing the headache Yukari would bring into his life for the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile, hidden around the corner, a few students watched the display with narrowed eyes and disdain.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Tsk, flaunting her vile lineage,” one muttered.

“Disgusting that she’s so proud of being a traitor,” another sneered.

“Tadashi was right. We've been far too lenient with her kind.”

Eventually, Moka managed to convince Yukari not to outright attack Tsukune on sight. But that only prompted Yukari to find more subtle ways to annoy him, hoping to drive him away from Moka.

As the school day ended, Moka and Tsukune walked toward the newspaper clubroom, with Yukari happily following alongside Moka. When they reached the clubroom, Yukari quickly latched onto Moka’s arm.

“Moka! I want to go to the bathroom—come with me?” she asked eagerly.

Moka turned to Tsukune with an inquiring look, and he nodded, giving her a quick smile. She then turns to Yukari, “Of course!”

“Yay!” Yukari cheered, pulling Moka along as they headed to the bathroom.

Tsukune sighed as he entered the clubroom alone, where he spotted Kurumu seated at a desk, focused on some club material. Her face lit up when she saw him.

“Tsukune! Come on in!”

He returned her smile. “Hey, Kurumu. What’re you working on?”

“Oh, just a little article on the rumor that the dorms are cursed with weight-increasing youki. Honestly, I never noticed it myself. I’m surprised you noticed it, Tsukune!” she teased.

He chuckled awkwardly, all too aware of how even Kurumu was much stronger than him. Taking a seat across from her, he admired how, despite her carefree appearance, she worked so diligently on club projects.

As he settled down, Kurumu noticed a small bandage on his cheek—one he’d picked up at the clinic after a certain broom attack. A few faint bruises hinted at a rough day.

Did he get into another fight?

While Kurumu studied his face, Tsukune started helping her with the club work. After a moment, he noticed her staring.

“Uh, Kurumu… is there something on my face?”

She smiled. Such a cutie.

“No, just wondering why you’ve got a bandage on your cheek. Did something happen?”

He shook his head, sighing. “It’s… this new friend of Moka’s. Yukari.”

“Yukari Sendo?” she asked.

Tsukune nodded. “Yeah. She’s fiercely protective—obsessed, even. I can barely say a word to Moka without Yukari finding some way to make me pay for it.” He groaned. “Pretty soon, I won’t even get a chance to talk to Moka here in the club.”

Kurumu’s face softened in sympathy, but inwardly, she was ecstatic.

So, Tsukune’s here, alone with me?! Thank you, Yukari!

----------------------------------------

Meanwhile, Moka and Yukari were washing up in the bathroom. As Moka was still in a stall, Yukari chuckled quietly and slipped a small wooden doll from her cape, already scheming ways to drive Tsukune away.

“Moka, I forgot something in my locker. You go on ahead, okay?”

From inside the stall, Moka replied, “Okay.”

With her excuse in place, Yukari slipped out of the bathroom and hurried toward the clubroom. Pausing at the doorway, she peeked in to see Tsukune talking with Kurumu. Stifling a giggle, Yukari darted to an adjacent empty classroom, exited through the window, and crept over to the clubroom’s window.

Once settled by the window, she pulled out a strand of Tsukune’s hair and placed it in the doll, casting a spell. The doll stirred to life, now infused with Yukari’s yoki and anki. Smirking down at it, Yukari thought with satisfaction, If Tsukune can’t take a hint, maybe a little “voodoo” will help him along!

----------------------------------------

Unaware of Yukari’s little mischief outside, Kurumu and Tsukune continued chatting.

“I’ve heard about Yukari before! She’s a witch—a creature said to be a midpoint between humans and monsters. She can actually use both youki and anki, which regular monsters and humans can’t do.”

Tsukune looked at her, a bit confused.

Unlike humans? Humans can use anki?

But before he could ask, Kurumu went on, “Mentally, Yukari’s a genius, totally unrivaled. Emotionally, though... she’s still a little kid!” Kurumu’s eyes softened as she continued, “But she’s not very popular with her classmates. I heard she can be... a bit much.”

Tsukune sighed. “Am I surprised? Not really.”

Listening from her hidden spot outside the clubroom window, Yukari frowned, then grinned mischievously. Taking her voodoo doll, she moved its arm to throw a punch.

Inside the clubroom, Tsukune’s left arm suddenly shot up and, with surprising force, punched him square in the face.

“T-Tsukune?!” Kurumu gasped, standing up as Tsukune reeled, dazed and bleeding from his own punch. Outside, Yukari, still concealed, gleefully continued her mischief with the doll.

Moka, returning from the bathroom, was still a little way down the hall when she heard a loud shout from Tsukune.

“What am I doing?!”

Concerned, Moka quickened her pace toward the clubroom, thinking, So much noise… I hope nothing’s wrong.

Entering, she called out, “Sorry I’m late, guys!” She glanced at Tsukune, bewildered. “Uh… what’s going on, Tsukune?”

As Moka stepped into the clubroom, the first thing she saw was Tsukune, nose bleeding, with his hands pressed against Kurumu’s chest. The scene froze her in place, while Kurumu let out a startled, involuntary gasp.

In an instant, all three erupted into panic.

“What is happening?!” Tsukune yelled, eyes wide with horror.

“T-Tsukune, what are you doing?!” Moka shouted, her face turning red.

“Tsukune! Not in front of Moka!” Kurumu squealed, cheeks flushed.

Outside, Yukari stifled a giggle as she listened to the chaos unfold, manipulating her voodoo doll with glee.

Tsukune, powerless against the spell controlling his body, fought against the youki-infused curse but lacked the power to break free. “I can’t stop myself!” he shouted as his hands released Kurumu, only for his body to betray him again by flipping up her skirt, exposing her white panties.

Kurumu turned scarlet and screamed, “Tsukune! I said not in front of Moka!” Before he could respond, she slapped him across the face, the sound echoing in the room.

While Kurumu was fuming, Yukari slid into the room, a sly smile playing on her lips. Tsukune’s eyes locked onto her, realization dawning immediately.

“You!” Tsukune shouted, pointing accusingly at Yukari.

Yukari darted behind Moka, who was still caught off guard from the earlier chaos.

Still feeling the sting of Kurumu’s slap and the embarrassment that followed, Tsukune's voice was sharp as he pleaded, “Moka, please do something about her! I can’t take it anymore!”

Yukari stuck her tongue out from behind Moka, taunting, “Bleh!”

While Tsukune would never raise his hand to a child, for a fleeting moment, frustration flared up within him. He quickly pushed that feeling aside and waited for Moka's response. Kurumu looked back expectantly, hoping Moka would address Yukari’s behavior.

Moka’s gaze shifted to Tsukune’s bruised face and then to the mischievous Yukari. In a voice soft and almost maternal, she said, “Oh... Yukari.”

Tsukune’s patience snapped. “Moka, you shouldn’t enable her! This isn’t helping anyone!”

Moka sighed, conflicted. “I-I know, but...”

The hint of sadness in Moka’s voice made Yukari’s smirk waver.

Am I… am I making Moka upset too?

A silence hung between them until Tsukune turned his attention to Yukari, his tone firm. “Yukari, if you keep this up, you’ll never make any friends. You’ll just end up alone.”

Yukari flinched, her bratty behavior melting into a vulnerable frown. “I-I don’t care,” she said, her voice was strained, surprising even Tsukune.

Strengthening her stance, Yukari forced a smile. “I’m a genius! No one but Moka is worth being my friend anyway. Everyone else is too stupid!”

Tsukune's frown deepened as Yukari’s face hardened into an indifferent mask.

“Besides… I-I’ve always been alone,” she whispered, more to herself than to anyone else.

Silence settled over the clubroom, heavy and uncomfortable. Guilt crept into Tsukune as Kurumu’s earlier words replayed in his mind.

She’s not popular with her classmates… She’s alone.

Moka’s saddened expression showed just how well she understood Yukari’s situation.

Tsukune stepped forward and softened his tone. “Yukari…”

Before he could continue, Yukari’s eyes lit up mischievously. With a flick of her wand, a basin appeared above Tsukune’s head and promptly dropped, clunking him with a dull thud.

“Ahahaha! You fell for it!” Yukari laughed, bouncing with glee.

Any trace of sympathy in Tsukune evaporated. His face flushed with frustration. “Y-You!”

Yukari dashed out of the room, leaving Moka to turn on Tsukune, her voice sharp with reprimand. “Tsukune! How could you be so harsh with Yukari?”

Tsukune’s eyes widened at Moka’s outburst, though his irritation lingered. “She’s a brat, Moka! We can’t just overlook her behavior because she’s a kid!”

“You’re right, but how can we teach her anything if we don’t have patience for her?” Moka argued, though her voice was tinged with uncertainty.

“Patience at the cost of constant pain?” Tsukune countered, rubbing his sore cheek, still stinging from Kurumu’s slap.

Moka’s lips pressed into a thin line. Even she couldn’t justify that trade.

Tsukune exhaled in frustration. “Just… keep her away from me, Moka. Please.”

Moka opened her mouth to defend Yukari but found no words. Kurumu’s gaze shifted between them, concern etched on her features for Tsukune.

An uneasy silence descended once more, lingering heavily in the room.