Chapter 122: Bullying

“Good morning!”
“Good morning, Boss Aoki!”
“Morning, good morning.”

Yawning, Tsukasa Aoki slung his single-shoulder bag over one shoulder and stepped onto the campus amid a chorus of greetings.

As the graffiti on the rooftop became more widely known, Tsukasa Aoki’s reputation as the leader of the delinquent gang gradually spread throughout the school. This not only caused more and more students to avoid him by taking detours whenever they saw him, but also led to a growing number of people showing him respect.

For example, right now, many second- and third-year troublemakers bowed respectfully and greeted him, “Good morning, Boss Aoki.” Tsukasa Aoki merely nodded slightly in return, exuding an aura of authority and dominance.

In a distant corner, Saiki, clutching his schoolbag, watched Tsukasa Aoki stride confidently into the school with a hint of envy in his eyes. *If only I could have such presence someday…*

“Saiki, what are you doing?” A chubby boy with a lollipop in his mouth approached from behind, his face bruised and battered.

Saiki looked at him with a saddened expression. “Keisuke, were you bullied again?”

Miyagawa Keisuke chuckled nonchalantly. “It’s nothing. They just beat me up a bit.”

“I…” Saiki lowered his head, unsure how to comfort his close friend.

“Kusuo, it’s fine. I’m used to it by now,” Miyagawa said, gently patting Saiki’s shoulder. “Come on, we shouldn’t stick around too close, or they’ll start picking on you too.”

Saiki clenched his fists, his emotions rising. “How can you say that? We’re friends! Didn’t you pay protection money to senior Ishihara before? Why do they still bully you?”

“That’s enough.” Miyagawa forced a bitter smile and turned away.

Saiki reached out to stop him. “I know Aoki-kun. Why don’t I ask him for help? If he agrees, just one word from him, and you won’t be bullied anymore.”

“I’ve already tried,” Miyagawa said, lowering his head. His clenched fists trembled slightly. “I’ve already tried.”

“Aoki-kun didn’t agree?” Saiki’s expression turned shocked. “How could that be…”

“He didn’t take my money.” Miyagawa’s smile was even sadder than tears. “Maybe he thought it was embarrassing to get involved with someone like me.”

“He probably just didn’t want to take your money. Aoki-kun…” Saiki started to say, but Miyagawa’s face suddenly became agitated. “Enough! I don’t need anyone’s help. I’m fine as I am!”

With that, Miyagawa dragged his chubby frame and jogged away from Saiki.

Saiki stood rooted, pushing up his glasses with a disappointed look.

Miyagawa, meanwhile, ran with tears uncontrollably streaming down his face. He wiped his nose and struggled to hold back his emotions. Yet, as soon as he entered the school building, two delinquents blocked his path.

“Hey, Keisuke, where do you think you’re going?” sneered a long-haired delinquent, blocking his way with a mocking smile.

Miyagawa’s eyes trembled as he stammered, “I-I already paid you all on Friday, didn’t I?”

Another delinquent reached out and took the lollipop from his mouth. “Hey, you paid us and still got money left for lollipops? How old are you, fatty?”

“Pfft, lollipops? That’s rich,” the long-haired boy laughed heartily, joined by his companion’s raucous laughter.

After a moment, they stopped laughing, grabbed Miyagawa by the collar, and glared at him fiercely. “You got the hundred thousand?”

“Hundred thousand?” Miyagawa nearly cried out. “Where on earth am I supposed to get that kind of money? I give you my entire weekly allowance! Didn’t Boss Ishihara talk to you guys? Why are you still doing this to me?”

“Shut up!” The long-haired delinquent’s face darkened as he slapped Miyagawa across the face, his tone icy. “Ishihara’s finished now, you know? You think he still cares about you? With the measly money you gave him?”

The other delinquent sneered, “The only one collecting money around here now is Tsukasa Aoki. He’s the one who calls the shots. If Ishihara tries anything… what do you think Aoki would say? Do you really think Ishihara dares? Or are you planning to get Aoki to deal with us?”

“If you dare call him, you’re as good as dead, got it?” The long-haired boy threatened with a hint of fear.

“But… but…” Miyagawa covered his face, eyes red. “I really don’t have any money left.”

“That’s not my problem,” the delinquent said, releasing his grip with a laugh. “Keisuke, does your face hurt? Sorry, sorry. Then it’s ninety-five thousand. Pay up tomorrow, okay?”

Miyagawa silently nodded and crouched on the ground, unable to get up for a long time.

Not far away, Saiki saw everything and clenched his teeth. After hesitating for a long moment, he suddenly stood up and hurried toward Miyagawa.

“Keisuke!”

Hearing Saiki’s voice, Miyagawa lifted his head and saw him. Immediately, he covered his face and turned away. “What do you want? Go away.”

Grabbing his arm, Saiki pleaded, “I’m taking you to see Aoki-kun.”

“No!” Miyagawa yanked his arm free and shouted angrily, “You know what happens if Aoki Tsukasa doesn’t want to get involved, and those delinquents hear about it? Do you know what that means?”

“They’ll kill me!” Miyagawa broke down crying. “They beat me up just because I paid that bastard Ishihara protection money before. If they come again, you can’t even imagine how they’ll retaliate! Leave me alone!”

“Keisuke!” Saiki held him tightly, his eyes pleading. “Trust me. I’d kneel before Aoki-kun, shave my head bald if I had to, just to make him help you.”

“That’s enough… really, enough… I don’t have any more money to give Aoki.” Miyagawa sobbed, covering his face.

A surge of determination flared within Saiki. “I’ll go myself! I’ll find Aoki-kun myself! If he wants a hundred thousand, or even a million, I’ll figure out a way to get it for you!”

With that, he turned and dashed toward Tsukasa Aoki’s classroom.

Miyagawa hurried to get up. “Wait, wait!”

His bulky body struggled to rise. After a couple of steps, he stumbled and fell again. When he stood up, blood dripped from his nose, mixing with his tears and snot, making him look both pathetic and comical.

A passing female student pointed and laughed at him.

Miyagawa covered his face, feeling utterly hopeless. *Someone like me… maybe it’s better if I just disappeared…*

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P.S. “Want my unpublished drafts? If so, find me with recommendation tickets—I’ve put them all there.”
Gol D. Village Chief