Chapter 62: He's Turned On
Even without referencing the memories in Kei's head, the name Kureishi Mitsuyo was quite famous.
Mixed Martial Arts fighter, MMA pro, 34 years old. Considered one of the top fighters in Japan's light-to-middleweight MMA scene.
Since he was an active pro and good-looking, he was frequently discussed in newspapers, on TV, online, and even among Arisa's classmates.
So, Arisa never expected that such a top-tier active fighter would also be a "bone-setter."
"...Poke?"
Arisa sneakily approached and poked Kureishi's muscles.
Kureishi didn't mind. She was a little fan, so he frankly flexed for her and even gave her an autograph.
"Can't be helped. MMA prize money isn't enough for food and daily expenses. Plus, I'm good at 'this sort of thing,' so I opened a 'dojo' and 'bone-setting clinic'—right over in Ochanomizu."
Kureishi introduced himself, pulled out a business card, and handed it to Kei.
He cheerfully patted Tenma Nozomi on the shoulder.
"Money's hard to make these days. Fighters need to help each other out. Nozomi said you're opening a dojo or fighting center? Anyway, you need medical personnel, so she introduced me to discuss cooperation."
Nozomi added, "Senior Kureishi doesn't know medicine, but he's very good at bone-setting."
Kureishi continued, "Ah, if the price is right, or the 'person' suits my taste, daily sparring is no problem either!"
"Thank you. Please take care of me."
Kei pocketed Kureishi's card and exchanged a look with Nozomi, understanding her meaning immediately.
Nozomi was consolidating her resources and connections.
Once Kei's Soul Combat Dojo was established, the fighters of the Valkyrie group would have a place to land.
This would surely retain more strong fighters, creating a virtuous cycle!
Since Kureishi Mitsuyo also accepted employment, he could act as a bridge. Why not?
For Kei, this was also timely help.
Although, referencing his memories, Kureishi Mitsuyo had some... quirks, overall he was a reliable adult. Both his fighting skills and bone-setting techniques were top-notch.
"..."
After a brief exchange, the two reached a preliminary cooperation agreement.
Kureishi smiled dashingly and went to shake Kei's hand, but suddenly noticed Kei's hands were also bandaged.
Looking closer, his chest and head were damaged, and his right leg was the most heavily injured.
"Although I heard from Nozomi... Kei-kun, what level of opponent did you fight?"
Kureishi suddenly had an idea. "By the way, since I'm here, let me check you again. Leaving hidden injuries isn't good."
Kei agreed.
While feeling Kei's bones, Kureishi marveled, "What an amazing physique. Seems heavier than the data Nozomi gave me."
Kei nodded, admitting, "Weight went from 94kg to 97kg."
"Aha, looks like you gained muscle mass. Good training!"
Kureishi laughed, then suddenly whispered to Kei, "Did you know? I haven't seen Nozomi for three years. She's fatter than when she retired!"
Nozomi was displeased. "That's because I didn't continue high-intensity fighting training! With a detached retina, I can only use joint locks in underground fights..."
"Sorry, sorry, just kidding."
Kureishi waved his hands. "By the way, Nozomi, I remember you had a childhood friend who works as an underground doctor? Those types are weird, maybe they have a way."
"Her... I'll consider it seriously. Thanks for the reminder, Senior."
Nozomi scratched her head and turned to Kei. "Anyway, today was to visit Shiraki-bro and introduce Senior Kureishi to you."
"Ichika, Hana, Yuzuha—the three of them are coming too, but they're busy. They'll be here later."
"..."
Hearing this, Kei suddenly noticed someone who hadn't been introduced—the [Revolutionary Princess], Hongo Hina, who was clinging to Nozomi's arm.
"Um, her..."
Nozomi rubbed her temples. "I got caught by her on the road, and she stuck to me."
Hina rubbed against Nozomi's arm. "Because no matches have been arranged for me lately! And Nozomi-san won't fight me, so I can only follow you for fun!"
Tenma Nozomi: "..."
Hongo Hina was an absolute monster. Even in her prime, Nozomi would have needed ample preparation. With a detached retina, there was no way she could fight.
So Nozomi could only brace herself, shrug helplessly, and let Hina cling to her.
On the other side, Kureishi finished checking Kei. He found no problems and marveled after learning the attending physician's name.
"Amazing. As expected of that 'Shinogi Kureha.' He's a celebrity in the fighting circle too!"
"The damaged skin was treated exquisitely. might leave scars, but no keloids."
"Teeth fixed, cracked bones set. Hmm—beautiful bones—"
Kureishi muttered to himself.
Suddenly, everyone's attention was drawn to the door. Two more guests had arrived—Kure Fusu and Kure Karura.
Fusu coming to the Shiraki house was routine; she knew the way. No need to worry.
Karura, hearing Arisa's brother had just been discharged, brought some get-well gifts to see if she could help.
But the moment she stepped in, Karura and Hongo Hina locked eyes. Both moved instantly.
Swish!
Hina stepped in with a punch. Karura dodged and blocked. The two girls engaged in close combat, four arms locking together, deadlocked for a moment.
"Haha, I knew something interesting would happen!"
Hina noticed Karura's uniform, the stars in her eyes twinkling. "So we go to the same school? I feel like I've seen you..."
A vein popped on Karura's forehead. A playful glint appeared in her black-and-white eyes. "Of course. I remember you too."
Hina tilted her head, the muscle definition on her arms clearly visible. "So, wanna fight?"
"Fighting outside school violates the rules."
Karura didn't retreat an inch, smiling forcefully. "Besides, I don't want to kill anyone outside of a contract. And you're the kind of monster that 'can't be dealt with unless killed'."
"Ehh~? Calling someone a monster..."
Hina got even more excited and suddenly asked, "Can I hire you to kill the employer?"
Veins bulged slightly on Karura's neck, [Release] ready to trigger. "You can try."
Seeing the tension rising between the girls, about to get real, the others moved to stop them.
Just then, the group of fighters was distracted by something else.
Following the feeling, everyone marveled. The Shiraki house really had a lot of guests today.
It was Hanayama Kaoru and Kizaki.
The two from the Hanayama Group arrived by car. Seeing the large group gathered at the Shiraki house, they were also surprised.
Should they say Kei was popular? Or had a wide circle of friends?
Regardless, Kizaki knew his Boss already considered Kei, whom he had fought, a friend.
...
Hanayama's throat was severely injured. Even after treatment by "Dr. Shinogi Kureha," he needed to rest for a week or two. He couldn't speak recently.
So he just silently signaled Kizaki.
Kizaki stepped forward, handing over a Hanayama Group business card with yakuza etiquette.
"Shiraki-bro, my Boss says he hasn't drunk that heartily in a long time. He came specifically to thank you and bring a gift."
Kizaki waved his hand, and the Hanayama underling driver opened the trunk, moving box after box of Wild Turkey whiskey, stacking them high.
Shiraki Kei: "..."
Shiraki Kei: "...Haha!"
Whether it was a bit of bad taste or not, it was Hanayama's kindness. Kei accepted it all.
Interrupted by Hanayama, Hina and Karura lost interest and called a temporary truce.
Seeing this, Kureishi clapped and laughed. "Right? Everyone should get along. No fighting and killing! Oh right, yakuza bro, need a bone-setting massage?"
"..."
Hanayama glanced at Kureishi, seeming to sense the man's quirk in his eyes, and shook his head to refuse.
Kizaki, however, couldn't tell. He approached with high interest. Kureishi didn't refuse anyone; he found an open space, spread a blanket, and started massaging Kizaki.
"..."
Seeing this, Hina tilted her head and said to the girls beside her, "This Mr. Kureishi... radiates a 'bad' vibe all over—"
Kureishi retorted, "Little Hina, I'm a wholesome 'legitimate' fighter! Just an ordinary, kind-hearted guy you can find anywhere."
Karura seemed not to hear him, adding to Hina's words, "Looking at his fingers, he seems to really like 'breaking bones.' Must be a fetish in that area."
Kureishi chuckled, neither confirming nor denying.
Suddenly, Hina dropped a bombshell. "Mr. Kureishi, you're turned on." (Note: The raw uses "OO," likely implying an erection or arousal given the context and character).
This time, Kizaki, who was being massaged, couldn't hold it.
"Wait—what?"
Kureishi held Kizaki down, quickly comforting him. "It's fine. As long as I can break bones, I'm like this with everyone."
Kizaki nodded. "I see—wait, WHAT???"
Maruko suddenly popped his head over the wall and shouted, "Big Sister said Big Brother has a boner!" .
Kizaki: "..."
It felt extremely wrong. And where did that other guy come from?
But since it was impossible to understand, Kizaki just stopped thinking.
With this large group of people together, being normal would be strange. Just treat it as lively nonsense.
A while later, Kureishi finished the massage and turned to the girls, trying to expand his clinic's client base.
Kizaki rubbed his shoulder, feeling much more relaxed. He marveled that although Kureishi was a weirdo, his skills were undeniable.
On the other side, Iori Ichika, Mitani Hana, and Yuzuha finally finished their business and arrived as promised.
Ichika saw Kizaki and deliberately walked up to him, speaking in an exaggerated tone. "Ah, meetings all morning! So tired! Discussed a lot of content related to 'yakuza'!"
Kizaki understood immediately. He smiled and pulled out a few bills—a small tacit understanding between yakuza and cops.
Ichika grinned like a thief, took the money, and whispered concisely, "To deal with the chaotic underground situation, the MPD is deploying the Private Funeral Division."