a Yandere Harem in a Magic World Can't be That Bad-Chapter 2: Iris

The path back to our apartment was a mix of well-worn dirt and neatly paved stone, winding through the outskirts of the academy grounds. Students lingered here and there, some still in animated discussions from class, others relaxing as they sprawled on the grass.

Most gave Iris an appreciative glance as she streaked by. No surprises there; she was impossible to miss. But what caught me off guard were the looks I got trailing behind her—a mix of envy and disbelief, like they couldn't fathom why someone like her would wait for someone like me.

And then, just as I thought I'd lost sight of her, Iris appeared again. She was waiting by the fountain, perching casually on the stone edge, twirling a strand of hair between her fingers.

As soon as I got close, she jumped up with a grin. "You're getting slower," she teased.

"You're getting faster," I corrected.

We walked the rest of the way together, and even though her pace was slower to match mine, it didn't seem to bother her. The sun was dipping behind the academy spires, casting long shadows that made everything look softer and more forgiving.

"What do you want to eat tonight?" she asked as we reached our building.

"Anything is fine."

Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "So... not grass?"

"Ha, ha, ha, very funny"

She laughed, a sound so bright it seemed to echo off the walls and come back even stronger. "I'm feeling nice today, so maybe I'll make you something actually tasty."

"Do I get a say?"

"Nope!" She bounded up the stairs, her footsteps as light as her mood.

By the time I reached the top, she'd already unlocked the door and was waiting with an exaggerated yawn. "Hurry up, slowpoke."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling. Maybe Iris had a blessing after all—a knack for making everything seem easier, safer. She made it all feel like a grand adventure, even when I was sure I'd never catch up.

Inside, our apartment was cluttered with a charm that felt unmistakably Iris. A mix of magical artifacts and everyday clutter filled the space: glowing crystals next to discarded notebooks, and enchanted trinkets alongside mismatched socks.

She flopped onto the couch, her tail draping over the side like an extravagant throw. "Want me to zap Professor Adler?" she offered playfully.

"What? No!" I laughed. "That's your solution to everything"

She scrunched her nose. "It works, doesn't it?"

I shook my head, watching as she stood and began to peel off her witch garb. The oversized cloak slipped from her shoulders, revealing just how little of her true self it actually covered. Beneath, a tight, sleeveless top hugged her body with scandalous ease, outlining every curve that the robes tried—and failed—to disguise.

Her shorts were equally snug, cut high and revealing the full length of her shapely legs. It was as if the garments themselves couldn't quite contain her; they clung desperately to her skin but left nothing to the imagination.

"You're gonna give someone a heart attack," I remarked.

"Good," she said with a wicked grin, tossing the robe onto a chair where it landed in a tangled heap. "Keeps things interesting."

She stretched luxuriously, arms over her head and tail flicking lazily behind her. Each movement seemed calculated to emphasize just how perfect she was.

I swallowed hard, trying not to stare.

"Stop looking at me like that," she said, her voice teasing but her eyes soft.

"Like what?"

"Like you're scared I'll disappear."

My breath caught. "What are you—"

"I'm not going anywhere," she said simply, cutting through my protest with a look that was both stubborn and reassuring.

I let out a slow sigh, tension unraveling slightly in her unshakable presence. "I know."

"Come here," Iris commanded, but before I could take a step, she grabbed my arm and pulled me down with surprising force. We tumbled onto the couch together, limbs tangled as her laughter filled the room.

She landed on top of me, pinning me with ease, her face hovering just inches from mine. The world seemed to narrow to only the space between us; her hair fell around us like a curtain, shutting out everything else.

"Now you can't escape," she said, voice softening as her playful demeanor shifted into something more sincere.

I was caught in the warmth of her gaze, all the worries that had been gnawing at me slowly dissolving. "Why do you put up with useless me?" I asked, barely more than a whisper.

"you are not useless" she replied without hesitation. "And because I want to."

"You could—"

"I don't want anyone else," she cut in firmly. Her tail wrapped around us like an extra layer of reassurance. "So quit worrying, okay?"

I stayed quiet, unsure of how to answer her. Iris studied me for a moment, then reached up to flick my forehead lightly.

"You look tired," she said, tilting her head. "Did you stay up all night trying to beat that boss again?"

"Maybe..." I admitted sheepishly.

She sighed, though she didn't seem truly annoyed. "I told you we'd beat it together."

We shifted on the small couch, trying to find a more comfortable position. As we moved, I found my face suddenly buried against her chest, a soft and overwhelming presence that made me freeze.

"We're taking a nap," she declared from above me. Her voice rumbled through her body and into mine. "I'll just order some food later."

"I don't need—" I began, but the luxurious weight pressing down on me made it hard to argue. Her arms wrapped around my back, holding me in place with gentle insistence.

"Stop fighting it," she teased

"You know I don't like surrendering"

"Too bad," she said, amused. "I've claimed you."

The room was warm with her closeness, her breath a soft lullaby against my skin. I could feel the rhythmic beat of her heart, steady and unyielding, and it was oddly comforting in its constancy. Slowly, the tension melted away, leaving only the soothing hum of shared silence.

"Iris?"

"Hmm?"

"Thanks."

She didn't answer, just squeezed me tighter. I could sense her smug satisfaction without having to see it—she knew she'd won this round.

I'll win the next round, whatever

Gradually, my eyes grew heavy. The exhaustion from last night's gaming marathon and the day's hectic pace caught up with me all at once. I felt myself slipping into a state of drowsy contentment. Iris was right; a nap sounded pretty great.

Just as I was about to drift off completely, she shifted slightly. Her tail twitched, brushing against my cheek almost like a caress.

"I Love you. I'll never leave you," she promised softly.

The words wrapped around me, a final tether to keep me safe as I let go and allowed sleep to pull me under. Even in the haze between waking and dreaming, her presence was a steady anchor.

I woke with her warmth still surrounding me. The room was dimmer now; soft light from the evening lamps cast a glow over our cluttered apartment.

Iris stirred as I shifted, her arms reluctantly loosening. "Finally awake?" she murmured, her voice low and teasing in my ear.

"Barely," I mumbled back, unwilling to break the moment.

She nuzzled against my neck, her hair tickling my skin. "You were out like a rock."

"Didn't expect you to nap too."

"Didn't mean to," she admitted with a yawn. "But you make a good pillow."

"Glad I'm useful for something," I said wryly, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest at how peaceful she looked.

"You're useful for lots of things. Like always losing bets."

I laughed despite myself. "Please don't tell me we bet on this."

Not this time," she said, eyes bright with mischief. "But I'll remind you when I win the next one."

I shook my head, feigning disbelief. "You're ruthless."

"You love it."

She stretched and sat up, pulling me with her. The world felt clearer now, as if the nap had peeled away so many layers of bullshit In my life.

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"Okay," Iris announced, springing to her feet. "Food time."

I watched as she padded across the room, her movements as graceful and deliberate as always. She grabbed a menu from the cluttered counter and waved it at me. "Pizza?"

"Sure," I agreed, too content to argue.

She dialed with quick fingers, humming a tune that was both familiar and strange. Her presence filled the room in a way that was impossible to ignore—vibrant

and full of life, like she was the true center of gravity. I found myself smiling, even in the chaos of our shared space.

"Thirty minutes!" she declared after hanging up, and returned to flop beside me on the couch. Her tail curled around my wrist in a playful claim. "What should we do until then?"

I nudged her with my shoulder. "Rematch?"

She grinned, already reaching for the controller. "You're on."

The game flickered to life on the TV screen. Her competitive streak was matched only by her stubbornness; it was impossible not to get caught up in her enthusiasm.

"Think you'll win this time?" she teased, nudging me back.

"I've got a chance," I replied, though I knew she wouldn't go easy on me.

The next half hour passed in a blur of laughter and mock-serious banter. She trounced me in the first match, but I managed to pull off a surprise victory in the second. Iris was a good sport, even when she lost—though she'd never admit it—and the time flew by as we played.

Eventually, there was a knock at the door. "Saved by the bell," I said, setting down my controller with exaggerated relief.

"Pizza time!" Iris jumped up, bounding across the room with her usual energy. She returned quickly, balancing two boxes and grinning like she'd just won the lottery.

She set them down and opened one with a flourish. "Your favorite," she announced, holding out a slice like an offering.

The smell made my stomach growl; I hadn't realized how hungry I was until now. I took it gratefully.

"Thanks."

We ate sprawled on the couch, a comfortable tangle of legs and tails and pizza boxes.

I know you must be confused. How does a demi-human family have a human as a son? Where are their parents?

The truth was, I didn't know who my real parents were. According to Iris's mother, they found me one day in front of their porch, bundled up and alone. I never quite believed the story—I mean, who just leaves a baby like that? But it was useless to think about it too much now. I'd never be able to ask her more; she was gone.

Iris took it harder than I did when her mother passed. A rare disease, something that only afflicted fox kin, had taken its toll. She went from vibrant to frail in just a few months, and when she was gone, Iris was inconsolable. The loss hit her like a storm—sudden and devastating.

For me, it was different. I cared about her; I loved her in my way. But the woman who raised us had always felt a bit apart, as if I'd never fully belonged to her world.

Before she died, her mother had made me promise to take care of Iris, to make sure she achieved everything she wanted in life. I poured every ounce of my limited human power into doing just that. It's been almost ten years since that day. We're both on the precipice of adulthood, and I think I've fulfilled my part of the deal.

Iris seemed happier than ever. Her acceptance letter to Wonder Heaven University had arrived weeks ago, and she was fully committed to becoming the strongest magician this world had ever seen. Honestly, there was no doubt in my mind that she'd do it; the number of records she'd already broken as a teen were enough to make someone's head explode.

But the letter I was expecting hadn't come yet. My mind wandered to it often, even now, as if the mere thought could conjure it into existence.

"What are you thinking about?" Iris's voice broke through my reverie. She eyed me with curiosity, a slice of pizza halfway to her mouth

"Just wondering when mine will get here," I said, trying to sound less concerned than I felt.

She frowned, and there was a flash of something unreadable in her eyes. "It'll come," she said firmly. "You know they waitlist some people."

"Yeah."

I took another bite of pizza, the cheese stretching like a lifeline between my mouth and the slice. It was lukewarm now but still delicious. I finished it in a few more bites, then stood, brushing crumbs off my lap.

"I think I'll go take a quick bath," I said, half-apologetic for abandoning our impromptu pizza party. "Get some energy back."

Iris nodded, her expression softening. "Alright. Don't fall asleep in there."

"I'll try." I grinned, heading down the hall.