"Where's Handa!?" Mikami Kensuke asked loudly.
"He was—by this kid—"
The O'gulen person said.
His spiritual damage outweighed his physical injuries.
"I was peeing, Boss! I wasn't even done peeing, Boss!"
O'gulen was knocked down by Hayato with one strike, urine splashing all over him.
The worst was being escorted out by that brat, becoming the center of attention.
He had lost all face!
O'gulen gritted his teeth, his cute baby face filled with resentment, tears welling up.
He wished he could kill the guy in front of him!
"Don't worry, he's still alive—just probably not in good shape," Hayato tapped his shoulder with the wooden sword, then looked in surprise at Ayaka, who had immediately joined his side.
How could Ayaka-senpai be so perceptive?
"Hmph, don't think I believed your words," Ayaka sneered, "From my observations, they're not good people."
"Even if they were good, what then? You've already beaten them up; would I help them instead of you?" Ayaka thought.
"Then why are you staying here?" Hayato asked, puzzled.
"Yui! Come over here!" Ayaka shouted to her short-haired, round-faced classmate.
Yui hesitated, unsure which side to take.
So, Hayato thought, she was afraid Yui would stay and suffer.
Ayaka-senpai truly possesses the spirit of a chivalrous hero, unparalleled in righteousness.
But unfortunately.
"Ayaka-senpai, you've got one thing wrong," Hayato said.
"…What?" Ayaka narrowed her eyes.
"Only you will get hurt," Hayato said.
"Huh?" Ayaka was stunned, then realized something.
She scrutinized Yui with a dangerous gaze.
Yui hid behind Mikami, peeking out, her moist eyes filled with fear.
Now Ayaka understood.
They were in cahoots.
Yui didn't invite her out; Mikami made Yui do it.
This mixer was a trap for Ayaka to genuinely 'mix'.
"I think the next activity," Hayato's eyes darkened, "was taking our Ayaka-senpai to a love hotel, right? If she refused, then sweet talk. If that didn't work, drugs. And if drugs failed, 'Ms. Yui' here would perform, claiming she was threatened with videos, using Ayaka-senpai's sense of justice to take her down."
"—You!" Mikami didn't admit it.
Admitting would mean 'premeditated crime,' but he almost blurted, 'How did you know?'
His flickering eyes betrayed him.
"Despicable, bah!" Hayato spat.
Ayaka knew Mikami's group meant to act like hooligans, but not this maliciously.
Her pupils constricted, sensing danger.
Her resentment wasn't for Mikami—a stranger she expected nothing from.
It was for Yui.
"Yui—" Ayaka's throat was hoarse, squeezing out the word.
She hadn't offended Yui.
She'd been kind to her.
Yet Yui wanted to harm her!? Why!?
Yui didn't reply, clutching Mikami's clothes, as if he was her refuge—or master?
"Don't ask me how I know," Hayato said, "I've seen this kind of thing many times."
The benefit of countless films became apparent.
Mikami snorted, chuckling.
Then, without warning, a massive fist swung at Hayato's face.
Hayato raised his sword, thrusting it out.
Mikami was taller, with longer arms.
But Hayato plus the sword had a larger attack range.
Before Mikami's punch could touch, Hayato's sword tip jabbed his armpit.
Hayato used little force, but Mikami felt his strength drain, his arm sore and numb.
Mikami retreated, clutching his sore arm, shaking it vigorously.
Hayato spun the sword hilt around his wrist before gripping it.
"Come again. I can still defeat you instantly," Hayato said with a playful smile.
A sinister laugh came from behind.
Hayato glanced and saw O'gulen grabbing a glass bottle, aiming for his head.
Hayato was about to turn when a mop blocked O'gulen's swing, forcing him back.
Behind the mop stood Sakura, dignified and radiant.
"Hayato-kun… are you alright?" Sakura asked, back pressed against his.
"I'm fine. Sakura-senpai, perfect timing—" Hayato said.
Pity she held just a mop. If enchanted in the bathroom, it'd be the ultimate weapon.
"You were gone long, and I heard commotion, so I checked," Sakura said, smiling knowingly. "Glad I made it."
"Mm…" Hayato said.
"Wait a minute…"
Ayaka pointed at her nose. "Sakura, did you not see me?"
Sakura blinked her purple eyes. "Huh? Ayaka, why are you here?"
"Seeing a pretty face and forgetting your friends!" Ayaka gritted her teeth.
No time for chatter. O'gulen grabbed another bottle from a table. The customers, sensing violence, stayed out of it.
O'gulen sneered at Sakura.
Mikami's arm soreness faded. He grinned cruelly at Ayaka.
This kid with the wooden sword was either crazy or skilled. The armpit jab suggested skill.
Mikami planned to handle Hayato with O'gulen, but now… two weak women, heh… subdue them, and the kid's done!
"Ogu!"
"Oh!"
O'gulen answered Mikami, their brief words conveying mutual intent.
As O'gulen moved, Sakura kicked the mop ten centimeters below its head, snapping the five-centimeter-thick handle.
"…Huh?" O'gulen was shocked at the precise, powerful kick.
Sakura's gaze turned sharp. She raised the broken mop handle.
"Good, this is handier now," she said.
"Lend me your sword," Ayaka patted Hayato's shoulder, grinning fiercely. "I'll teach this bastard how to write 'death'!"
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