Chapter 83 Departure!
At the corner, Mio Fujiwara and Tora Maeda exchanged a glance, their grins brimming with mischief.
“How was that?!” Mio Fujiwara raised his eyebrows in triumph.
Tora Maeda clenched his fists, grinding his teeth. “That... that was a letter Shimomi-chan wrote for us... damn it, damn it all! That fat bastard must have caught the scent of her fingers!”
“By the way, why would Kokoro Shiraishi agree to write such a letter for us?” Mio Fujiwara rubbed his bald head in puzzlement. He’d originally planned to write it himself and be done with it, but Tora Maeda had somehow managed to ask Shiraishi for help, insisting it would make things more authentic—and she’d actually agreed!
Recalling the faint blush that tinged her cheeks when Shiraishi was asked for help, Mio Fujiwara nearly let out a gleeful cry, only to pat his chest in relief. “Shiraishi’s charm is truly something else.”
Tora Maeda looked despondent. “I asked for her help in our boss’s name...”
“You don’t mean—?” Mio Fujiwara’s eyes widened.
Tora Maeda struck a dramatic pose, gazing up at the ceiling at a forty-five-degree angle, only to be met by the corridor’s bland tiles. “Yeah... it’s just what you’re thinking. There’s no helping it. If I were her, I’d probably react the same way.”
“Our boss is incredible!” Mio Fujiwara sighed from the heart.
“Alright, enough of that. Let’s get ready for the next stage of the plan!” Mio Fujiwara put an end to the sentiment, rolling up his sleeves as he dragged the still-disheartened Tora Maeda away.
An hour later.
The dismissal bell had barely finished ringing when Class 4, Year 2, erupted into a frenzy. The teacher at the podium could only helplessly stop mid-lecture as students began packing their bags, eager for their after-school freedom.
Suddenly, the classroom door swung open with a loud bang. A bald head gleamed in the sunlight at the threshold, so bright that several students instinctively shielded their eyes.
Tora Maeda surveyed the now-silent classroom, satisfied with the effect of his entrance. His gaze locked onto a delinquent with bristly yellow hair, who was slowly rising to his feet, face etched with displeasure.
“Koeda Sho, meet me at Fountain Park after school,” Tora Maeda called coldly, drawing a thumb across his throat in a mock threat. “If you’re scared, don’t forget to bring Ueno Yoichi from Senior Year along.”
“You’ve been looking for my boss all day. Don’t chicken out now!” Tora Maeda taunted, watching as Koeda Sho shot to his feet, fists clenched and face twisted in fury.
“You first years sure are cocky. Did your boss never teach you to show some respect? You looking to die?” Koeda Sho snarled.
“Well, our boss did warn me that Ueno from Senior Year might be trouble. As for you... you’re just an afterthought. See you at the park. Don’t be late.” Tora Maeda flashed a grin, slamming the door before the fuming Koeda Sho could lash out. By the time Koeda Sho wrenched open the door again, the hallway was empty.
Furious, Koeda Sho punched the wall, startling the nearby students. He snatched his phone and barked, “Where the hell are you all? Get over here, we’re heading to Fountain Park! I’m going to wipe out those bald-headed first-years today!”
A muddled response echoed over the line, stoking his rage. “What? You want to check with Ueno first? Screw him! You think I can’t handle some puny first-years?”
“No? Then quit wasting my time. Get everyone here now—five minutes. If you’re not in front of me in five minutes, I’ll find you tomorrow, got it?” Koeda Sho slammed down the phone, scowling at the cowering classmates around him. “What are you looking at? Get lost!”
No one dared protest; they grabbed their bags and hurried out.
Taking a deep breath, Koeda Sho kicked over a nearby desk, his eyes wild with fury. “Aoki Tsukasa? Just wait, you bastard!”
Meanwhile, Tora Maeda had already returned to his own classroom. As soon as he opened the door, he saw Kokoro Shiraishi standing by Aoki Tsukasa’s side, her face full of concern.
“Aoki-kun, are you really going to fight them?” she asked, twisting her fingers anxiously.
Aoki Tsukasa stretched, feeling far more refreshed after an afternoon nap. The fatigue from his sleepless night had faded, replaced by a surge of energy.
He smiled gently at Kokoro Shiraishi. No matter what, she’d helped him today. With a serious look, he said, “Thank you for your help earlier. From here on out, this is my problem. You needn’t worry.”
Shiraishi frowned, voice tinged with worry. “But you’re only a first-year. Those guys are all in second or third year. It’s not fair. Maybe I should ask a teacher to intervene, or—or we could call the police.”
She looked so pitifully lovely, but Aoki Tsukasa blinked, unmoved, and chuckled softly. “No need. Just go home and take care, alright? Tora Maeda’s back. It’s time for me to leave.”
Without giving her a chance to protest, Aoki Tsukasa straightened his collar, rolled his neck, flexed his arms, and strode toward the door.
Tora Maeda was already waiting, eyes alight as he raised his fist. “Boss! It’s time!”
Aoki Tsukasa nodded and stepped into the hallway. Awaiting him were Takeuchi Matsuzaka, Mio Fujiwara, and nine other bald-headed youths, standing ramrod straight. As Aoki Tsukasa emerged, their eyes shone with admiration and excitement, all waiting in silence for his word.
“...Hey!” Aoki Tsukasa forced out a low, rough call from his throat. “Ready?”
“Boss!” the delinquents shouted in unison. “We’re ready!”
“First, let’s beat Koeda so bad he’s looking for his teeth on the ground, then help Ueno Yoichi lose some weight.” Aoki Tsukasa lifted his chin, his eyes glinting with icy menace. “And then...”
“The top!” his crew answered.
Aoki Tsukasa raised his fist high. “I, Aoki Tsukasa, will claim the summit!”
A roar erupted from the boys.
“Move out!” Aoki Tsukasa barked, blood surging with a thrill unlike any he’d felt before. The others exchanged fevered glances, uncontainable fighting spirit blazing in their eyes as they fell into step behind him. Thirteen strong, they marched out of the hallway toward the school gates, faces set with a seriousness and excitement befitting soldiers heading to war. Passersby stepped aside; whispers spread among the students. Everyone knew—a new era was about to dawn at Muyou High School.
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PS: Please refrain from using profanity or insults in the comments or reviews. If you see anyone stirring up trouble or being abusive, feel free to report them in the reviews, and I’ll delete those comments. My book is still in the public phase, and I consider myself sincere in my attitude—there’s no need for harsh words that make me wake up with a stomachache. Real life is hard enough for me as it is. I’m open to good suggestions and will thoughtfully consider criticism, but there’s really no need for insults, right?