Suzune watched Toru and Manabu walk away, feeling nothing but endless grievance as tears streamed down her face.
But why did that guy from earlier look kind of familiar?
After thinking for a while, Suzune suddenly remembered something. She quickly pulled out her phone and scrolled through her X feed, finally finding the video she had reposted.
After comparing carefully, the person who slapped her just now really was… Fujiwara Toru?
Her mind was in turmoil. Whatever little resentment she had left disappeared instantly, replaced by a faint sense of excitement after being slapped.
That was Fujiwara Toru! The guy who took down ten desperate thugs all by himself. Not only a top fighter, but also a Tokyo University student with monster-level academic ability. That Fujiwara Toru!
Her brother had been right. Even if he was attending Tokyo University, he was still just an ordinary person.
Compared to Toru, even her brother couldn't compete.
She left the alley, conflicted. Looking at her swollen, red cheek in her phone's front camera, Suzune sighed. She couldn't go to school today. There was no way she could explain this slap.
...
Toru and Manabu walked through the gates of Tokyo University.
Manabu gave Toru a subtle glance. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Suzune didn't really mean any harm, Fujiwara-kun. Please don't take it personally."
"If her words upset you, as her brother, I apologize on her behalf."
Toru smiled. "Horikita, no need to be so formal. I'm not the kind of guy who gets worked up over a high school girl."
"Besides, I already slapped her. Whatever anger I had is long gone."
Only then did Manabu finally breathe a sigh of relief.
It wasn't just Toru's abnormal strength that made Manabu wary. He also feared the power of the Fujiwara family behind him.
News of Toru being a descendant of the Fujiwara family had already spread.
As a political family with over a thousand years of history, the Fujiwaras wield significant influence in Japan.
Children from ordinary families might not grasp the weight of that legacy, but for a family like the Horikitas—neither elite nor obscure—they were very aware of the power behind Japan's true great families.
Manabu felt that what made him different from most Tokyo University students was that he clearly understood something others didn't.
Many students here arrogantly believed they were the center of the world. But he knew—Tokyo University was just a stepping stone. It wasn't the end.
"Your sister's got a tough personality. It must be hard being her brother."
Seeing that Toru was willing to talk about it, Manabu responded, "Suzune is too self-centered. She doesn't have a single friend, and she keeps saying she wants to learn from me."
"If she really wanted to learn from me, she should start by being able to make friends easily."
"This also stems from our family. Since we were kids, our parents always praised me and told her to learn from me."
"If she were from an average family, she might resent me for always outshining her."
"But Suzune is different. She's stubborn. She just wants to catch up and get praised by our parents too."
Manabu went on at length about his sister.
Toru listened quietly, then said, "Your situation sounds kind of like someone else's."
"Who?"
"Haruno-senpai."
"Haruno-senpai?"
"Yeah. She also has a younger sister with a personality a lot like your sister's. No, almost exactly the same."
"Then Haruno-senpai must've had it rough too."
Toru thought of Yukino Yukinoshita. Her character traits really did line up with Horikita Suzune's.
Cold. Arrogant. Long black hair. Beautiful. Friendless. Strong-willed. The same mold.
But thinking deeper, Toru realized there were still differences between them.
He didn't know Suzune that well yet, but from Manabu's words and their brief interaction earlier, she might be self-centered, but she admired strength.
As long as you're stronger than her, clearly and undeniably stronger, she's willing to listen, maybe even follow you.
In short, she responded to strength, not gentleness.
But Yukino was the opposite.
The more forceful you were with Yukino, the more she resisted. The more disgusted she'd be.
But she was emotionally fragile. If you treated her gently, she'd fall into self-pity, reflect on herself, and grow from it.
Wait… why am I thinking in terms of strategy patterns?
Toru shook his head quickly.
Seriously, I'm starting to treat them like NPCs in a dating sim who hand out money.
At the fork in the path, Manabu said, "Fujiwara-kun, I'm heading to class."
"Alright. See you at the next Karate Club event."
Toru waved and parted ways with him.
They weren't in the same faculty and didn't have any classes together.
After they split, Toru headed toward his own lecture hall.
"Whoa, Fujiwara, you're finally back!"
"Fujiwara, nice work!"
"Fujiwara, you're amazing!"
"You've been gone for so long. Are your injuries okay?"
"You're a national hero now. When's your medal ceremony?"
"Fujiwara, let's take a picture. I need it to impress girls."
"..."
The moment Toru walked into the classroom, he was met with cheers, applause, and whistling. A group of Tokyo University students waved at him enthusiastically.
Despite being some of the top minds in Japan, especially the first-years who were overflowing with chuunibyou syndrome and dreams of saving the country...
Even they couldn't help but admire someone who did something they couldn't.
Toru, for instance.
These students had never faced real life-and-death situations. If they were in Toru's shoes, they'd be lucky not to curl up and cry, let alone take down multiple armed thugs.
If all Toru did was get top test scores, they might just call him a nerd.
But what he did… was beyond imagination. Even Tokyo University students could accept that someone might be smarter, but fighting like that?
Toru achieved what they couldn't even dream of. A true genius in both academics and combat.
"Alright, everyone take your seats. Fujiwara, how are you feeling? You're Japan's big hero now. If you're not doing well, you can take leave or even a sabbatical."
A professor entered, smiling as he addressed Toru.
"Professor, I'm doing fine."
"Good. Take your seat then. But don't expect me to go easy on your exams just because you saved the country. You'd better keep up with your studies."
"Of course, Professor."
The morning passed just like that.
University was way more relaxed than high school, but you still had to study to graduate.
As Japan's top university, Tokyo U had a great academic atmosphere. Most students paid attention in class, though a few figured that getting in was enough and just spent class time on their phones.
At noon, Toru had lunch in the cafeteria with a group of classmates, chatting and laughing.
Quietly and naturally, even though he rarely showed up at school, he had become the center of attention in his year and department.
His abilities were so overwhelming that even Tokyo University students respected him.
"Fujiwara, our university goddess, is looking for you.."
A classmate nudged Toru, gesturing with his mouth.
Haruno walked over with a tray and smiled. "Toru-kun, can I sit here?"
As soon as she said "Toru-kun," several classmates exchanged subtle glances and quickly scooted over to make room, snickering.
Haruno thanked them and sat down beside Toru.
"You finally came to class."
"You say that like I dropped out."
"I saw the news from Kyoto. I didn't expect so much to happen right after we left. Toru-kun, were you injured there?"
"Much better than the Tokyo library incident. I didn't get hurt at all."
Toru's words reminded Haruno of when he took a stab to save her and Yukino. The guilt and emotion came rushing back.
"Toru-kun, it feels like trouble follows you everywhere."
"Senpai, I think you're blaming the wrong person."
Trouble follows me? That's the Grim Reaper elementary schooler's job.
Haruno laughed softly. "I didn't mean it that way. Oh right, don't forget about the event at my alma mater in Chiba Prefecture."
"How could I forget something Senpai told me?"
"Toru-kun, you're getting more and more cheeky. Are you free this weekend? I need help planning and organizing things."
Toru spread his hands. "Sorry, I already made plans with someone."
Haruno looked a bit disappointed but played it cool. "A date with a beauty?"
"Yup. Two stunning beauties, actually."
Just as Haruno felt her breath catch, Toru added, "...Two ladies in their thirties. One of them is my lawyer."
Hearing they were in their thirties, Haruno relaxed a little. They're practically the same age as her mom. Toru-kun shouldn't be into that kind of thing... right?
"Alright then. Have fun, Toru-kun. I'll let you know when the event is set."
"Got it."
Haruno was great at keeping things light and easy to talk about. They finished lunch together, chatting the whole time.
After two more afternoon classes, Toru drove home.
On the way back, he received a message from Eri.
[Do you have class Friday afternoon? Yukiko and I plan to head to Gunma in the evening.]
[Classes end early on Friday. I'll make it in time.]
[Alright. We'll meet at the station.]
After confirming the time with Eri, Toru felt a quiet anticipation build up inside him for the trip to Gunma.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)