Haruka's pulse beat steadily beneath his chiseled chest as he approached the old equipment basement near the baseball field. The unease that clung to the place was thick, a stifling weight he knew from stories—and from his instincts.
This feels like an anime cliché… he thought with a wry edge. But if I let clichés turn into reality here, someone will pay the price.
His sharp eyes caught movement among shadows—Akane, the devoted baseball team manager, visibly tense and cornered by the baseball gang. Their leer was chilling, but not unfamiliar.
Then, from the gloom, Coach Kariya emerged with a confident, twisted smile—the puppet master pushing twisted "special sex education lessons" on Akane under the guise of fixing Kyouhei's slump.
Haruka's jaw tightened, fury sparking beneath calm resolve.
This poison must be stopped—now.
Stepping forward, every muscle taut, he gripped a weathered baseball bat nearby. The feeling of solid wood in his hands steadied his charged spirit. His mind raced—but his actions would be forceful, decisive.
"Enough."
The gang scoffed, eyes narrowing. "Who's this giant to interrupt us?"
Haruka's voice was low and firm. "A reckoning."
The battle was long and brutal.
Swings landed with crushing power, the bat connecting sharply on Kariya's torso and limbs, sending him reeling. Gang members lunged and grappled, but Haruka's size and skill overwhelmed them—each strike precise, controlled, unforgiving.
He grabbed Kariya roughly by the collar mid-fight and hoisted him up, muscles taut. Dragging him out into the open courtyard, students and teachers alike turned to witness an unyielding Haruka marching the defeated coach through campus.
Reaching the school office, Haruka slammed the door open, Kariya still gripped in his iron hold.
"Principal," Haruka said calmly but steely, "this man has been exploiting students under your watch."
The principal's eyes widened, and after quick consideration, immediately expelled Kariya from the school grounds.
Word spread rapidly—Haruka, the newcomer, had not only uncovered but publicly dismantled a toxic scandal that had festered silently.
The very next day, Haruka was summoned by his uncle, Masato Kurihara—the school chairman and family patriarch.
Masato's gaze was sharp, disappointment clear when Mari Kurihara, his daughter and Underground Student Council president, stood beside him, her face burning with shame and embarrassment.
"Mari," Masato's tone was stern, "How is it that you, leading a council with several capable members, failed to see such a serious problem?"
"Younger cousin Haruka arrives, new to the school, and finds and fixes this within days. Explain this failure," Masato demanded.
Mari's eyes dipped, voice quiet and contrite. "We missed the signs. We were distracted. It won't happen again."
Masato shook his head sharply, then turned to Haruka.
"You have earned rank and responsibility in the student council. Use it well. Help us maintain order."
Haruka's thoughts briefly flickered: Power without responsibility is just chaos. I need to be more than just muscle.
Later, Akane and Kyouhei approached Haruka in the courtyard. The glow of gratitude was soft but unmistakable.
"Thank you for rescuing me, Haruka," Akane said, voice trembling but sincere.
Kyouhei nodded silently, respect plain on his face.
Two weeks later, Haruka noticed Akane alone, tears streaking her cheeks, surrounded by friends offering comfort.
He approached carefully, heart tightening. What terrible truth weighs on her now?
"Akane, what's wrong?" His voice was gentle but steady.
Her voice cracked. "He… Kyouhei, he broke up with me. He believes I'm impure—that I let things happen when the coach was forcing me."
Haruka's chest constricted at the injustice. Rumors and misunderstandings, the cruelest chains.
"You told me I saved you before anything happened?"
She nodded, eyes shimmering with fresh tears. "He didn't believe me. He even threw me out of his house."
Akane's isolation was palpable.
Without hesitation, Haruka's expression softened, a rare warmth shining through his stoic exterior.
"I bought a villa near school recently," he said quietly. "You can stay there—no one must know. You'll need to move in secretly, watch you're not seen."
Akane gave a small, hopeful nod.
Haruka watched her leave, thoughts swirling turbulently.