Chapter 6: All Scumbag Behavior Will Be Punished by Law
Ryouma spent his free time reading books like A Comprehensive History of China and discovered that China's history was almost identical to that of his previous life. There was the Xia, Shang, Spring and Autumn periods, the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, as well as cities like Shanghai and Jiangnan.
He even borrowed a Map of China to check and found that even the roads and streets matched his memories almost perfectly.
This was strange.
For example, in his previous life, a man named "Ryouma Kobayashi" had lived on Laodong Road in Lin'an District, Hangzhou, Jiangnan.
So, in this world, who lived on Laodong Road in Lin'an District, Hangzhou, Jiangnan?
After all, Ryouma had become Japanese now…
"Whoa, Kobayashi, why are you reading this kind of book? Can you even understand it?" a male classmate asked, leaning over.
According to Ryouma's memory, this guy was named Anshi Masashi—a name with a certain flavor, combining two of the foulest things in human history: shit and politics.
He was one of the few friends Ryouma had in class.
With dyed blond hair and an unbuttoned uniform, he exuded an air of rebelliousness.
He snatched the book and flipped through it.
"It's all Chinese characters! Kobayashi, is your Japanese literature grade that good now? Or… are you just showing off?"
"Shut up." Ryouma unceremoniously yanked the book back.
After transmigrating here, he had somehow gained the "Your Japanese is really good" status, and his Chinese proficiency hadn't declined either. Maybe he could return to his homeland as a translator someday?
Anshi frowned, staring at Ryouma in confusion before shrugging. He didn't try to take the book again—probably because books didn't align with his carefree, rebellious image.
"Kobayashi! I'm going to the convenience store to buy drinks. Want me to grab you something?"
Just as Anshi was about to leave, Matsubara Ayumu, sitting in the front row, turned around and asked.
"No, I'm good," Ryouma replied flatly.
"I see." Ayumu nodded and left the classroom.
"You and Matsubara… close?" Anshi asked.
Before today, he'd never seen Ayumu and Ryouma exchange more than a few words.
"A little."
"Matsubara's still so scrawny… looks like he'd be easy to bully." Anshi grinned, nudging Ryouma with his elbow. "But his childhood friend, Yotsumoto Ryouka, is really something. She's strong, gorgeous, and has a killer body—especially those t— Uh, Kobayashi, why are you looking at me like that?"
Anshi Masashi noticed Ryouma glaring at him from his seat, eyes sharp and dangerous.
But he didn't take the hint. After a moment's thought, he continued rambling:
"You're not scared of Yotsumoto, are you? Relax, she's not in our class—she can't hear us… Haha, imagine if we took Matsubara hostage and said to Yotsumoto, 'Hey, you wouldn't want…'—just thinking about it gets me fired up… Heh~ Just kidding~"
He laughed stupidly at his own fantasy.
Anshi was your average high school boy, his brain filled with dirty thoughts but lacking the courage to act on them—in short, all talk.
But this time, the moment he finished talking—wham!—Ryouma stood up.
Though slender, Ryouma was taller than Anshi. In one swift motion, he grabbed the latter by the collar.
"You… shut your mouth!"
Goddammit! Here I am, a warrior of pure love, and I've got this filthy-minded cuckold standing next to me!?
"—Kobayashi, what the hell!?" Anshi yelped, but quickly recovered, struggling against Ryouma's grip.
BANG! Anshi's rear slammed into Ryouma's desk, knocking it over.
The loud noise drew the attention of the entire class.
"Huh? What's going on?"
"Kobayashi and Masash?"
"I thought they got along…"
Anshi was momentarily overpowered by Ryouma. Combined with everyone staring, his pride refused to let him back down.
"You bastard!"
Anshi tried to break free from Ryouma's grip. With a sharp twist of his wrist, he knocked Ryouma's hand away—smack!—accidentally hitting Ryouma's cheek in the process.
The sound was crisp, like a slap.
"…Huh?" Anshi himself was stunned. "Sorry, Kobayashi…"
Fighting was one thing, but hitting the face was an unspoken rule.
Then, Ryouma, his face slightly turned, snapped his gaze back.
His eyes narrowed—BAM!—a fist smashed into Anshi's nose.
"Gah—!"
Anshi lost his balance and landed hard on his butt. "…Ow…"
Before he could react, Ryouma pounced on him like a diving crow.
Another punch.
This time, it landed on Anshi's cheek.
"W-Wait…" Anshi panicked.
Thud.
'Personality Correction Fist!'
Ryouma mentally declared.
As he raised his fist again—
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Anshi frantically waved his hands in surrender. "I shouldn't have said those things about Yotsumoto… I shouldn't have… Please, Kobayashi-sama, have mercy!"
"…Hmph."
Hearing this, Ryouma smirked.
Correction successful. Horns severed. Instant pure love!
He stood up from Anshi, straightened his disheveled uniform, and glanced down at the trembling boy before offering a hand.
"Don't say stuff like that again."
"…Y-Yeah…" Anshi gulped and nodded.
Ryouma pulled him up.
Anshi looked at Ryouma with lingering fear, but the latter seemed to have already moved on, showing no further interest in the incident.
"Kobayashi?" he tentatively called.
"Yeah?" Ryouma replied as if nothing had happened.
"…N-Never mind." Anshi muttered, still shaken.
He carefully considered the situation.
Kobayashi suddenly getting along with Matsubara, him getting beaten up for badmouthing Yotsumoto Ryouka… Putting it all together, the conclusion was obvious—
'Kobayashi has a crush on Yotsumoto Ryouka!?'
Holy shit! But a girl like Ryouka was way out of their league…
"Kobayashi… you're not into Yotsumoto, are you…?" Anshi whispered.
"Hah!?" Ryouma's menacing glare returned, fist raised. "What kinda crap are you spouting now!?"
Yep! Absolutely! That reaction totally confirmed it! Anshi was now certain—of course he'd like Yotsumoto. What guy wouldn't fall for a beauty like her?
But if that was the case, then he had gone too far, verbally defiling his bro's goddess.
"Kobayashi, I really messed up this time. I'm sorry. Tell me how to make it up to you—anything!" Anshi slung an arm around Ryouma's shoulder.
"Cut that blond hair. It pisses me off," Ryouma said.
"??" Anshi blinked, then reluctantly nodded. "…Fine! Deal!"
Just like that, the two who had been fighting moments ago were now getting along again. The girls watching couldn't help but sigh—high school boys were truly mysterious creatures!
—And then, Ryouma and Anshi were called to the faculty office to write apology letters.