Chapter Seventy: "Turbulent Shadows of the Ultimate Path

The ninth terrifying rumor at Wuyang High School: In Class 1-3, Aoki Tsukasa, upon hearing that his underling had carelessly spoken during a journalist’s interview, flew into such a rage that he nearly chopped off the boy’s little finger to set an example. Fortunately, the underling apologized so earnestly that he was spared. This punishment, reminiscent of finger-cutting, clearly shows that Aoki Tsukasa knows the rules of the yakuza, and may even be involved with them. If you ever offend him, kneel and apologize immediately; otherwise, you’ll be dragged away by the yakuza and dumped into the river.

A new rumor was spreading through the campus, yet Aoki Tsukasa, the supposed protagonist, felt so wronged he could almost die. Not even the reward item from the system cheered him up.

“Boss, heh heh, it was my fault,” Maeda Tora said ingratiatingly as he placed a carton of chocolate milk on Aoki Tsukasa’s desk and scratched his head in embarrassment. “Last night I watched the uncut version of ‘Yakuza Resurgence: Blood Feud Avenged.’ In the movie, an underling who made a mistake had to have his finger chopped off, and I got so into it… Sorry, sorry!”

Aoki Tsukasa stared despairingly out the window, wishing he didn’t have to see this guy today. “I won’t even complain about how long the movie’s title is, nor why a seventeen-year-old is watching the uncut version. I just want to know how you, at your age, can still immerse yourself so deeply in a film…”

“There’s nothing I can do, Boss! The movie was just too good!” At the mention of the film, Maeda Tora’s excitement rose. “‘Yakuza Resur—’”

“Abbreviate the title!” Aoki Tsukasa clutched his head.

“Oh, I’ve loved the Yakuza Resurgence films since I was a kid, that’s why I’m like this.” Maeda Tora widened his eyes in fervor. “The reason I became a delinquent is because, when I was eight, I watched the first film in the series, ‘Yakuza Rising: The Delinquent.’

The protagonist, Brother Tora, survived a hail of eighteen rifles. Thirty-two men hacked at him with machetes, delivering over seven hundred and ten cuts, and he still counterattacked, escaped Tokyo with the heroine in his arms, and survived four car crashes on the way. Even so, he rose step by step to become a yakuza boss. It’s just as legendary as you, Boss! I strongly recommend you watch it. The new TV drama adaptation is about to air!”

Maeda Tora was almost bouncing with excitement. “It’s called ‘Yakuza Resurgence: Delinquent Tora.’ That’s why I rewatched the movie. The premiere is tomorrow—don’t forget to tune in, Boss!”

Aoki Tsukasa collapsed onto his desk. “After your description, I have zero interest in seeing the show.”

“And don’t get too carried away—no one could survive being slashed seven hundred times and still escape from Tokyo to Chiba carrying the heroine.” His words were half-hearted.

Maeda Tora nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Of course, movies and reality are different.”

Then why the hell did you say you were going to cut off your own little finger for me! Aoki Tsukasa glared at him, his voice cold as ice. “The mock exams are in a week or two. If you don’t do well, you’ll get a taste of those movie scenarios yourself. After all, the main character’s name is also Tora.”

Aoki Tsukasa’s gloomy expression was so intimidating that Maeda Tora instantly broke out in a cold sweat. “Y-yes, Boss!”

Watching Maeda Tora slink back to his seat and clutch his English textbook with a grave look, Aoki Tsukasa finally felt a moment of peace and let out a sigh.

He sprawled across his desk, and as he absentmindedly glanced up, he caught eyes with Kokyo Shinmi, who had just stood up from her seat. She met his gaze and smiled.

Oh, for the love of—enough already!

Aoki Tsukasa felt his head might explode. If he’d known, he would have gone to bed early instead of playing games last night!

Of course, Kokyo Shinmi had no idea what Aoki Tsukasa was thinking. Ever since this morning, her mind had been a chaotic storm of wild thoughts, countless ideas forming and dissolving like stars in the birth of a universe—utterly exhausting.

“Aoki-kun?” Strangely, the moment she met Aoki Tsukasa’s gaze, her mind went completely blank. All her jumbled thoughts vanished without a trace.

“Uh?” Aoki Tsukasa was already regretting not tripping on the way to school and calling in sick. How much better it would have been to stay home and play games with Sora!

Seeing the faint irritation on Aoki Tsukasa’s face, Kokyo Shinmi blinked and, for once, didn’t find anything amiss. On the contrary, under the sunlight, his cold expression, sharply defined features, high nose bridge, and thin lips made her heart race... Even his bald head seemed to shine more brightly than usual.

Oh… oh dear!

Kokyo Shinmi hastily covered her mouth, but Aoki Tsukasa only looked at her with a face that seemed concerned (though actually full of exasperation). She tried to speak, but her throat felt tight, and she coughed a few times before shyly smiling. Unconsciously, she asked, “Would you like to have lunch with me? I want to know more about Haruno-san, after all—as class president, it’s my duty to care about every student.”

“Um, I’m just grabbing a convenience store bento for lunch… Sorry.” Aoki Tsukasa thought he’d never figure out what was going on in the mind of the seemingly perfect girl before him. So he refused without hesitation. He had enough trouble already; all he wanted was for Kokyo Shinmi to stay far away from him.

Kokyo Shinmi bit her lip. For once, frustration made her a little angry, but she couldn’t help trembling inside: So… so cool.

It must be some hidden pain in his past that shaped him into who he is now! Just thinking about what might have made Aoki Tsukasa this way, Kokyo Shinmi found herself unable to stay angry at all. “Um…”

“Aoki-kun, um…” She looked into his tired eyes and noticed the obvious dark circles beneath them, her heart aching. That’s right—just a few days ago, he’d taken Sora Haruno shopping, spending the money he’d earned by getting beaten up. How much could he have left? Haruno-san is just too much, spending the money Aoki-kun worked so hard for! He must have stayed up late working hard again last night!

“Sigh, then make sure you get some rest, Aoki-kun!” She couldn’t bring herself to pester him any further. Seeing him slumped at his desk, eyes dull, she only wanted to let him rest.

Watching Kokyo Shinmi sensibly withdraw to her seat, Aoki Tsukasa assumed she’d finally realized from his attitude that they were not cut from the same cloth. He chuckled to himself, laid his head on his arms, and decided to steal a nap.

Just a little nap—what could go wrong?

From her seat, Kokyo Shinmi peeked at Aoki Tsukasa, finally drawing her own conclusion: There’s no helping it, I must really have fallen for Aoki-kun…

So, I’ll just accept it! Someone like Aoki-kun, if he gives up the delinquent life, could become a man truly worthy of me!

What should I do to start dating Aoki-kun, help him study hard, get into a top university together, graduate, get married, become the perfect wife and help him find a good job, buy a two-story house, and finally have children? How many kids should we have? One boy and one girl? What will their names be? Which kindergarten will they attend…

Kokyo Shinmi fell into a daydream, her beautiful face flushed and her breathing quickening.