Episode 2: The Strongest Duo and the Loner Gal
Part 2
He had openly befriended Miran. It was easy to predict that someone wouldn’t approve.
There was only one enemy. They must be underestimating Akira.
That was convenient.
They didn’t seem intent on attacking him on the main road; they were just following him.
Akira continued and turned into a less populated alley.
“Hold it.”
A voice called out.
He turned around to find a male student standing there, wearing the Hikage High School uniform. Not a classmate.
“What do you want?”
“You know damn well. You’re getting chummy with Matsuda Miran. So I’m gonna beat you up. But if you betray Miran, you won’t get hurt.”
“What if I refuse?”
“Then this!”
The guy charged at him. He swung his right fist widely, throwing a straight punch. An obvious telegraphed attack. Dodging it was easy.
“What?”
As the surprised guy stumbled, Akira swept his legs.
“Whoa!”
The guy fell flat on his back, helpless.
Raising his foot as if to stomp on the guy’s face, Akira stopped just short of his nose.
“I have a favor to ask. Please tell Hikaru-kun that you managed to beat me up.”
“Wh-why are you mentioning Hikaru-san?”
“Huh? Aren’t you one of Hikaru-kun’s henchmen? In that case, maybe I should actually beat you up…”
Akira moved his foot just a little closer to the guy’s nose.
The guy was on the verge of tears.
“P-please stop! I was just following Hikaru-san’s orders!”
“Then, will you do me a favor?”
“Y-yes.”
“Also, I need to confirm a few things. You’re the one harassing Miran-san, right? Like those scribbles on her desk.”
“T-that wasn’t me! It was someone else!”
“So Hikaru-kun has multiple henchmen in the school, and he’s having them do bad things…”
The guy didn’t answer, but that was as good as a confirmation.
Akira pulled the guy up by his shirt collar.
“Hikaru-kun has an unusually good reputation, doesn’t he? There’s some trick to that, isn’t there?”
“……….”
“It’s in your best interest to talk. If you tell me, you can report to Hikaru-kun that you beat up Akira Kogure.”
“…Hikaru-san’s reputation was built by us using social media and talking to teachers. Even the bullying he ‘resolved’ was staged. The ones starting the bullying and the ones getting bullied were all Hikaru-san’s henchmen. His good grades, too—we stole the test questions and gave them to him.”
“So he’s doing whatever he wants.”
Still gripping his collar, Akira lifted the guy up.
“W-we couldn’t help it! He’s insanely strong in fights. If we defy him, he’ll beat us half to death. Some were made examples of. We can’t resist!”
“He’s insanely strong, huh… I see.”
“A-are we done? Please let me go! And you won’t tell Hikaru-san, right…?”
“Yes, it’s fine.”
Akira released the guy.
He ran away as fast as he could.
—Now I understand Hikaru-kun’s true nature. As I thought, he’s a former delinquent.
Akira concluded.
And Miran had fallen prey to Hikaru’s poisonous fangs.
Back home, Akira called Shizuka.
He wanted to report on his findings about Miran.
“Hello? Akira-kun?”
“Shizuka-senpai. Sorry to bother you when you’re busy. I’ve learned some things about Miran-san I’d like to share.”
“I wanted to talk about that too!”
“Perfect timing. Today, I was attacked by one of Hikaru-kun’s henchmen.”
“What!? Are you okay!? …Well, of course you’re okay. Maybe I should be more worried about the henchman.”
“The henchman is unharmed. In exchange, I got some information. It seems Miran-san was set up by Hikaru-kun. He’s been using his henchmen to unfairly elevate his status in the school. Because of that, no one believed Miran-san’s words. The people who claimed to have seen Miran-san hit Hikaru-kun are probably his henchmen too.”
“That’s awful…”
“It seems his henchmen are also the ones harassing Miran-san.”
“I spoke with Miran-san’s classmates from middle school, some gal acquaintances, and people from her committee. They all unanimously said that Miran-san wouldn’t hit someone without a reason. So maybe she didn’t hit him after all.”
“That makes sense. Miran-san didn’t actually hit him, but his henchmen gave false testimony, making Hikaru-kun out to be the victim. And on top of that, they’re bullying Miran-san… We don’t know why Hikaru-kun is doing this, but… I think I’ll try talking to Miran-san.”
“Got it. I’ll do my best for Miran-san too.”
5
Matsuda Miran sat alone on the emergency staircase during lunch that day, nibbling on a sweet bun.
“This is such a drag. Maybe I’ll skip class… The teachers all have it out for me anyway…”
It was supposed to be a time to enjoy lunch with her classmates, chatting in the classroom.
But there was no place for Miran in the classroom.
The vulgar scribbles on her desk. She knew she had become the target of bullying. There was no need to spend breaks in the classroom and provoke her classmates.
But in that case, was there any point in attending classes at all? Even if she didn’t come every day, she could still graduate…
“No, you should attend classes.”
A voice came from behind, and Miran jumped up.
“Whoa!! Wh-when did you get here!?”
3
The class’s top introvert, Akira Kogure, was suddenly sitting on the steps behind her.
“Ah, I guess you didn’t notice me. I’ve been here from the start. I have a pretty low presence…”
“Sorry about that.”
What the heck is with this introvert? Miran thought.
“Alright then.”
With surprising agility, the introvert landed on the landing.
“Why are you eating lunch in such a lonely place? Don’t you eat in the classroom?”
Miran gave a bitter smile.
—Oh, right. He’s an introvert with no friends, so he doesn’t really understand my situation.
“If I’m in the classroom, it kills the mood. I’m the rude girl who hit everyone’s beloved Hikaru-kun. They all hate me. That’s why I’m killing time here.”
The introvert had a complicated expression.
“Miran-san, can I ask you something… Did you really hit Hikaru-kun?”
Her heart skipped a beat.
It was the first time someone had asked her that question.
Not one of her classmates had listened to her side. They all assumed from the start that Hikaru was right and Miran was wrong.
Is this guy different?
“…Hikaru said it, didn’t he? That I hit him. So that’s how it is.”
“But isn’t it possible that Hikaru-kun is lying? You initially denied hitting him, right?”
“You’re choosing to believe me, a gal, over the honor student Hikaru? That’s unusual.”
“Miran-san, you may look flashy, but I don’t think you’re a bad person. I saw you helping an old lady who couldn’t cross the street. I also saw you cleaning up the trash can everyone ignored.”
“…That was just on a whim. Wait, are you stalking me or something?”
“No, I’m not. I’m on your side, Miran-san. That’s why I believe you.”
“—!”
She was happy.
She had thought she had no one left on her side.
But at the same time, she felt uneasy.
People can betray you so easily.
In fact, Hikaru had done just that.
He had helped with the Beautification Committee’s work as the class representative…
Miran wasn’t fond of Hikaru’s overconfident attitude, but she knew he had feelings for her.
And yet… it had turned out like this.
—Can I trust this guy? He won’t betray me?
“I did some investigating, and I still think I should believe you, Miran-san,” Akira said.
“Investigated?”
“Yes. I overheard you talking with Hikaru-kun. It looked like he was threatening you.”
“…!”
“Also, Shizuka-senpai talked to people who know you. Friends from middle school, gal seniors, members of the Beautification Committee… They all said you’re not the kind of person who would hit someone without a reason.”
“Everyone…”
Her chest grew warm.
She thought she was all alone.
She believed she had no one on her side anymore.
But this introvert said he was on her side. The student council president, too, apparently. And there were still many others who believed in her…
Maybe I should try trusting them. Trust the people who believe in me—
“Miran-san. Please tell me. Did you really hit Hikaru-kun?”
Akira looked straight at her, and finally, Miran whispered the words buried deep in her heart.
“…I didn’t hit him. But no one believed me.”
“I believe you. So does Shizuka-senpai.”
“You’re really a strange one.”
Miran shrugged.
Seriously, this guy is an idiot.
Everyone’s just idiots.
—But even as she thought that, a faint smile appeared on Miran’s face.
“I think I get it now. Why the student council president said you’re cool.”
Akira tilted his head. Maybe he thought he was just doing the obvious thing.
He’s got a big heart, she thought.
“Thank you. So, do you have any idea why Hikaru-kun is harassing you?”
“Ninety percent sure it’s that.”
Miran scratched her head.
“He confessed to me. And I turned him down. I told him, ‘I’m not into guys who are overly confident like you.'”
“Th-that’s pretty harsh…”
Akira’s face stiffened.
“If I wrapped it up nicely and he misunderstood, that’d be troublesome, right? Since there’s no chance, he should move on.”
“Fair enough. Still, to treat you so badly just because you rejected him…”
“It must’ve been a big deal to him. I appreciate that he liked me that much, but… I have my own preferences. I just couldn’t bring myself to like him.”
She couldn’t lie about her feelings; it couldn’t be helped, Miran thought.
“Well then… I guess I’ll attend the afternoon classes. See you back in the classroom.”
Miran stood up and left the emergency staircase, leaving Akira behind.
As she walked away, she thought:
—Introvert… Thanks. You’ve given me courage. I won’t be defeated by something like this. I definitely won’t do as he says.
She took out her smartphone and looked at it.
There was a message.
Hikaru: Looking forward to after school. I expect a good answer, okay?
Today, Miran was supposed to give Hikaru her response to his confession. He had suggested it, saying her feelings might have changed.
He planned to corner her and force her to say “Okay.”
The introvert had told her he was on her side.
—I will tell him straight: No. I won’t lose.
4
The meeting place was a small park behind Hikage Station.
Five o’clock in the evening. At this time, there were few people around. She’d heard that delinquents often hung out here.
Being called to such a shady place made Miran feel unpleasant.
“Hey, Miran. Right on time.”
Hikaru was already there, sitting on a bench with his legs crossed.
A confident smile.
He had a look that left no doubt he expected her to nod in agreement.
An attitude that completely underestimated her.
Thinking that she was about to cut ties with him made her feel genuinely refreshed.
“Shall we get straight to it? Will you go out with me?”
“The answer is no. I won’t date you.”
Hikaru’s smile didn’t waver.
“But if you don’t go out with me… you’ll suffer even more, you know? Are you okay with that?”
“I won’t lose. I won’t do as you say. I’m not alone anymore. There are people who believe in me… For their sake too, I’ll keep telling the truth. I just came to tell you that. Well then…”
“—Wait.”
A low voice.
The change in atmosphere was so drastic that Miran took a moment to realize that the voice had come from Hikaru’s mouth.
That’s how significantly the air had shifted.
“You got cocky just because I was being nice. Hey, you guys.”
Hikaru snapped his fingers.
From behind the playground equipment, several rough-looking men appeared.
Some wore the Hikage High School uniform, but all of them had a bad vibe. They were obviously delinquents or the like.
“W-what’s with these guys…”
“My loyal subordinates. So, Miran, I’ll ask you one more time. Become my woman. If you refuse, you’ll become their plaything.”
A chill ran down her spine.
“These guys are scary, you know? They’re roughnecks who agreed with me. Misfits who couldn’t make it in the delinquent groups of Hikage City… Hey, guys, you can do whatever you want with this girl.”
The men crept closer and grabbed Miran’s arms.
“S-stop it! Damn it, let go!”
“Then swear it! Say you’ll be my woman!”
“Ugh…”
With a ripping sound, her shirt was torn open.
“No! Someone, help!!”
“No one’s coming. No one passes through here at this time. Well, if someone does happen to come by, it’d be troublesome. If you’re going to have fun with Miran, use that public restroom over there.”
“Got it.”
Miran struggled. But she was helpless as they dragged her away.
—No, help me… Someone, anyone…!!
“I won’t let you go any further.”
A voice echoed.
Everyone present stopped moving and stared in the direction of the voice.
Plain black hair and glasses. A slightly hunched posture.
The class’s top introvert—Akira Kogure—stood before the delinquents dragging Miran.
“Introvert!?”
Miran blurted out.
Why is the introvert here!?
“Huh? When did you get here?”
Hikaru’s voice was irritated. His fun was being interrupted; he was displeased.
“From the beginning. Miran-san left school with a very serious expression, so I was worried and followed you. I thought Hikaru-kun might have called you out. Just as I imagined. Miran-san, sorry I was late to call out to you.”
“Forget about me! Just run! These guys are obviously dangerous!”
“I won’t run. Didn’t I tell you? I’m on your side, Miran-san.”
Akira smiled confidently.
Miran was just anxious.
The introvert was a good guy. But he didn’t understand the gravity of the situation. Of course not. He lived in a world far removed from fights and delinquents.
But there was no way Hikaru and his gang would show mercy to Akira.
“Hahaha, the nerd playing hero?”
Hikaru laughed loudly, but his eyes weren’t smiling.
He shot a freezing, sharp gaze at Akira.
“Hey, guys. Hold Miran tight. First, I’ll beat this guy up. Then, right in front of him, we’ll have our fun with Miran.”
“Got it!”
One of them restrained Miran’s arms behind her back, and the rest began to slowly walk toward Akira.
“Stop it! The introvert has nothing to do with this!”
“He got involved. Since he stuck his nose in, he’s part of this. Get him!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Introvert!!”
Miran imagined the introvert being beaten to a pulp, crawling on the ground.
But what she actually saw were the delinquents sprawled out on the ground.
6
Miran was so stunned by the swift turn of events that she couldn’t comprehend what had just happened.
“W-what… was that…?”
Hikaru stood up from the bench, his voice filled with bewilderment.
Miran was too shocked to even utter a word.
“—Hikaru. You’ve got some nerve picking a fight with me.”
Akira removed his glasses and ran a hand through his hair.
The face that emerged was undeniably handsome—so striking that Miran couldn’t help but stare.
Sharp eyes and finely chiseled, androgynous features.
His posture straightened, exuding an air of confidence that seemed to declare, “I am here.”
In an instant, Akira closed the distance to the delinquent holding Miran and delivered a punch to his face.
“Ugh!”
With a pathetic groan, the thug lost consciousness.
Akira pulled the staggering Miran firmly into his arms.
Her heart skipped a beat.
—I thought he was scrawny, but his arms are surprisingly toned?
“Are you okay, Miran-san?”
“Y-yeah, I’m fine…”
“Please stand back.”
With that, Akira shielded Miran behind him and faced off against Hikaru.
“You… No way… You’re the Boss!? Impossible, that weakling nerd is the Boss…?”
Hikaru took a step back.
“You really hadn’t noticed? I’ve known who you are since we ended up in the same class—Sakai Hikaru, who lost to me in that turf war and retired from being a delinquent.”
“Dammit.”
The Boss? A delinquent?
So the introvert is actually the Boss who controls Hikage City, and Hikaru is an ex-thug who used to be a delinquent?
Miran had heard from her gal seniors that Hikage City had many delinquents and that even ordinary schools like Hikage High had hidden delinquents and ex-thugs. But she never imagined they were this close to her.
“I suspected for a while that your role as class rep was just a front and that you were up to no good behind the scenes… And I was right.”
“Damn. Never thought I’d have to fight the current Boss again…”
Hikaru gritted his teeth in frustration but soon smirked.
“But coming here alone was stupid! I’m always prepared! My allies aren’t just these guys lying around!”
Hikaru pulled out his smartphone and made a call.
But the only response was the empty sound of ringing; no one answered.
“Why aren’t they picking up? Damn it, what are those idiots doing!”
“…Sakai Hikaru-kun, was it? Sorry, but your friends won’t be joining you.”
A voice came from the entrance of the park.
Looking over, they saw a woman walking toward them.
She wore the Hikage High School uniform, but her skirt was unusually long—like a sukeban (delinquent girl boss).
In her right hand, she dragged a delinquent by the scruff of his neck.
The woman tossed the thug in front of Hikaru.
From the pocket of the limp delinquent came the ringtone of a smartphone.
“I took care of all your friends.”
To Miran, the woman looked exactly like their student council president, Shizuka Takasaki, but the sharp glint in her eyes made her seem like a completely different person.
Gone was her usual gentle aura; instead, she radiated the fierce aggression of a wild predator.
“Impossible! You took down all those guys by yourself…? No way… Ah!”
Realization dawned on Hikaru, his eyes widening.
“Sharp eyes, lustrous hair, old-fashioned long skirt… You’re the legendary female Boss, Silent Riot!?”
“Correct.”
The woman—Silent Riot—smiled fiercely.
“No way… I thought you had retired! Wait, aren’t you our student council president!?”
“Hehehe, people say that a lot, but it’s just a coincidence. I’m honored you’d mistake me for the president. As a thank-you, I’ll make sure you experience plenty of pain.”
“Ugh…”
Hikaru tried to retreat, but the Boss was behind him.
“There’s nowhere left to run, Hikaru. Prepare yourself.”
“Ugh… P-please forgive me!”
Hikaru dropped to his knees in a flash, prostrating himself on the ground…
“Like I’d ever forgive you.”
Akira forcibly pulled Hikaru to his feet and delivered a powerful punch to his face.
“Guah!”
Hikaru flew through the air like a volleyball and crashed to the ground.
7
“Hey, did you hear?”
“Yeah, totally! Hikaru got beaten up by the Boss and Silent Riot!”
The next day, when Akira arrived at school, everyone was buzzing about Hikaru’s defeat.
“Yeah, and apparently, Hikaru’s underlings confessed.”
“Confessed what?”
“I heard that too. Hikaru had his underlings spread false rumors and steal test answers for him, right?”
A female student joined the conversation.
“So everything was a lie?”
“Even that bullying incident he ‘stopped’ was all staged.”
“Wow, that’s the worst.”
“By the way, where’s Hikaru now?”
“He was called to the faculty office for questioning. According to someone who overheard, he already confessed. He’ll probably be expelled.”
“Well, stealing test answers would do that.”
Just then, the door slid open roughly.
Miran entered the classroom with a laid-back air.
The room fell silent, and everyone turned to look at her.
“Morning. What’s up? Is there something on my face?”
“M-Miran-san!”
One of the girls rushed over to Miran and bowed deeply.
“We’re sorry! We believed Hikaru and shunned you… Even though you did nothing wrong…”
“I’m sorry too! I laughed when I saw the graffiti on your desk…”
“Me too!”
“Me too!”
Classmates gathered around Miran, apologizing and bowing—it was quite a scene.
Miran was bewildered.
She glanced over at Akira, seeking help.
“—Everyone knows now that Hikaru-kun was the one at fault. His underlings confessed.”
“I see.”
Miran patted the shoulder of the first girl.
“Don’t worry about it. The one to blame is Hikaru. Anyone would have been fooled by such a cunning plan.”
“But still…”
“If you treat me well from now on, it’s totally okay. It’s only May, after all. A little trouble is to be expected.”
“Miran-san…!”
As the girl looked like she was about to cry, Miran flashed a big smile.
—With this, the class is back to normal.
Akira felt relieved.
He was moved by Miran’s big-heartedness.
He thought she was truly a strong person for forgiving her classmates so readily.
“So, that’s how the class came together peacefully. Well, Hikaru-kun’s underlings might face some backlash, but that’s their own fault…”
“I’m glad Miran-san was able to rejoin the group.”
Seeing Shizuka’s happy face made Akira happy too.
During lunchtime, Akira and Shizuka were on the rooftop, discussing the recent events over lunch.
“It seems Hikaru-kun has been officially expelled,” Shizuka said.
“Stealing test answers couldn’t be overlooked, after all. His underlings only got suspended. Ah, it’s a bit shocking. I can’t believe I overlooked such bad students…”
“It’s not your fault, Shizuka-senpai. They’ve been properly punished now, so let’s consider it settled.”
“Thank you. Hearing you say that makes me feel better.”
“It’s the truth.”
“Oh, I knew I’d find you here.”
At the rooftop entrance appeared a familiar gal.
“Ah, Miran-san!”
Shizuka exclaimed.
“Here, a thank-you gift. It’s nothing special.”
Miran handed them a beautifully wrapped box of sweets.
“Enjoy it together.”
“Wow, isn’t this the one that’s really hard to get?”
Akira didn’t know, but apparently, it was.
“Yeah, I waited in line for about an hour.”
“Wait, isn’t it odd that you have this already, just from yesterday to today?”
“Not really. I skipped classes this morning to go buy it.”
“You can’t do that, Miran-san! You need to attend classes!”
“It’s fine, it’s fine.”
“Honestly…!”
“I wanted to thank you. I really appreciate it.”
Miran grasped Shizuka’s hands.
“Thanks to you too, introvert. If it weren’t for you two, I don’t know what would have happened to me.”
“The one at fault was Hikaru-kun. It’s only natural to defeat the school’s evil. Right, Shizuka-senpai?”
“Yes. Oh, but! About Silent Riot…”
“I know. She just looks a lot like the president, but she’s a different person, right?”
Miran winked.
She seemed to have figured it out completely, but it didn’t look like she’d spill the beans.
“By the way, is it okay if I spread the word that the introvert is actually the Boss?”
“I don’t mind; I’m not hiding it or anything, but I don’t think anyone would believe you…”
“True!”
Miran burst out laughing.
But she quickly turned serious.
“Hey, President. I figured out why you said the introvert is cool. This guy is really a great catch.”
“Eh!? Th-that’s…! N-no, Miran-san!”
“What’s ‘no’?”
“Well, you know, it’s a girl thing, or romance, or…”
Miran gave Shizuka a puzzled look, then clapped her hands in realization. “Oh, I see!”
She started grinning mischievously.
“So that’s how it is. Got it, got it. Ah, young love. Good luck, President!”
“Y-yeah…!”
Akira didn’t quite grasp the meaning of their conversation. Maybe that’s why he still didn’t have more friends. Still, he was glad that Shizuka and Miran seemed to be getting along.
“Well then, I’ll leave you two be! See you in class, introvert! Bye-bye!”
Watching Miran’s retreating figure as she left like a whirlwind, Akira felt truly glad he was able to help her.
At the same time, there was one thing that nagged at him.
“Shizuka-senpai, there’s something I’d like to ask… Was it really okay for you to return as Silent Riot?”
Because Miran’s meeting with Hikaru came up so suddenly, Akira had asked Shizuka for backup just in case. With Akira’s abilities, fighting that number of people wouldn’t be an issue, but if he had to protect Miran at the same time, there was a chance something could go wrong when facing multiple opponents. So he thought to have Shizuka—whom he could contact immediately—keep an eye on Hikaru’s henchmen.
Incidentally, he had found out the hangout spot of Hikaru’s underlings from the henchman who had tried to beat him up but ended up being defeated.
Then Shizuka had said:
“In that case, I’ll take care of his henchmen. If we have a just cause, there shouldn’t be any problem taking them down, right?”
“What? But if you do that, Shizuka-senpai, won’t it reveal that you’re Silent Riot…”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. In this town, everyone believes that Silent Riot and the student council president are different people, right? Besides, it’d be safer to incapacitate them.”
Gratefully accepting her offer, Akira let her handle it.
However, even if she didn’t get found out, he was worried whether it was really okay for Shizuka to fight. Even though it was to help Miran, he felt that because he hadn’t been reliable enough, she ended up returning to being a delinquent…
But Shizuka herself tilted her head with a puzzled look.
“Shizuka-senpai, you said your delinquent days were a dark past… So I was wondering if it’s okay for you to go back to being a delinquent.”
When he said that, for some reason, Shizuka started to fidget.
She lowered her eyes shyly, her cheeks turning slightly red.
“…It’s not a dark past anymore.”
She said softly.
“Because if I hadn’t been a delinquent, I wouldn’t have become friends with you, Akira-kun. So it’s not a dark past.”
Shizuka’s bashful smile at that moment—
It was so dazzling to Akira that he almost forgot his own heartbeat.
“I’m glad… that I became friends with you too, Shizuka-senpai!”
Akira naturally broke into a smile.
The time they spent smiling at each other was truly a happy moment for him.
On the other hand, Shizuka’s state of mind wasn’t as simple as Akira’s. Of course, she was happy, but…
—Because I wouldn’t have become friends with Akira-kun.
Saying that herself, she suddenly remembered.
Originally, why did she end up helping Miran?
Shizuka had been making bentos and eating together on the rooftop with Akira to get him to like her and think she was an “interesting girl.”
Because of the whole Miran incident, her original goal had been completely sidetracked.
—Wait? Did he think I’m an interesting girl?
“I’m glad… that I became friends with you too, Shizuka-senpai!”
We’re not on bad terms, but I feel like nothing has progressed…!
Oh no, what should I do!
8
After the day’s classes ended and Akira was getting ready to go home, he saw Miran leaving the classroom with her friends.
It seemed Miran had fully adapted to the class, and Akira felt relieved. Miran’s issue was resolved—a happy ending.
However, there was actually something that had been bothering him.
Not about Miran, but about Shizuka.
—Maybe it’s time to confirm this.
After ensuring all the students had left the classroom, Akira made a phone call to a certain person.
“Hello?”
“Hello, it’s me, Shigeru-kun.”
That person was Shigeru Kawamura.
“Good work, Boss! What can I do for you?”
“I wanted to check on something, so I called. Did you properly spread the information that Shizuka Takasaki and Silent Riot are different people?”
He had asked Shigeru to spread the word throughout Hikage City that Shizuka and Silent Riot were different people. That way, Shizuka could have a peaceful high school life.
He needed to confirm that this task was progressing smoothly. After all, Shigeru was someone who had once bared his fangs at him. He needed to keep a close eye on him.
“Yes, sir. Using your name, Boss, we spread the word that they’re different people. If the Boss says so, then it must be true, and most people accepted it. You can check with the others too. Actually, no one would normally believe that the pure-looking student council president is the same person as the devilishly strong Silent Riot. It’s not uncommon for people to just look alike.”
Akira felt relieved.
With this, Shizuka’s school life should be fine for now.
“However, some guys who hold a grudge against Silent Riot tried to attack Shizuka Takasaki, so I used my underlings to deal with them.”
“Thank you.”
He was quite a capable guy. It made sense, since he had quickly tried to approach Shizuka by jumping on the rumors. Having him as an ally was reassuring.
Shigeru, despite appearances, was a traditional delinquent who valued honor. Akira had spared Shigeru when he tried to start a rebellion. He was probably trying to properly repay that debt.
Anyway, with this, one of his concerns was resolved.
But there was still one more.
“Shigeru-kun. By the way, about the rumor that Shizuka Takasaki of Hikage High is Silent Riot—who did you hear that from? Or were you already acquainted with Shizuka-senpai?”
“No, I’m not acquainted with either Shizuka Takasaki or Silent Riot. I entered the delinquent world in earnest after Silent Riot had disappeared, and I went to a different middle school and high school than Shizuka Takasaki. Same for my underlings.”
“Then you heard it from someone?”
“Rather than hearing it from someone… It was kind of a rumor among the delinquents in Hikage City.”
A rumor…
Actually, Akira had casually asked other delinquents about this matter, but they all just said, “It was a rumor,” and couldn’t identify the source of the information.
Unless he could identify the source and make them keep quiet, it would be difficult to ensure Shizuka’s complete safety.
Therefore, he thought to ask Shigeru, the only one who had acted based on information about Silent Riot… but after all, he had just heard it as a rumor.
“Do you know where the rumor started?”
“Where was it… At the very least, it didn’t originate from the delinquents, I think. It felt like it just became a rumor before we knew it.”
It didn’t originate from the delinquents. Then where?
“Would you like me to investigate?”
“Is that okay?”
“Yes. The Boss let me off, so this is just part of paying my dues.”
“Then please do.”
“Yes, sir.”
He ended the call.
Akira recalled.
Her smile when she said her delinquent days weren’t a dark past.
Her smile when she said that because she became friends with him, it wasn’t a dark past.
—I will protect Shizuka-senpai, no matter what.
To protect that smile, he needed to find the source of the rumor.
9
The man stood at the entrance of Hikage High School.
His gaze was fixed on Shizuka Takasaki—the student council president of this school.
She came out of the entrance, waving and smiling goodbye to her classmates, and he watched her secretly from behind the shoe lockers.
He used his smartphone, cleverly hidden in his hand, to take a photo of her profile.
—Isn’t this strange? After proclaiming so openly that she’s Silent Riot, and now saying she’s a different person…
Grinding his teeth, he glared at Shizuka’s back with eyes full of hatred.
He opened a photo editing app and drew a big red X over Shizuka’s face in the picture he had just taken.
Below it, he added the word “Traitor.”
“I’ll never forgive you. You betrayed me…”
In a voice so low that no one could hear, he spat out words of malice.
But his revenge was stalled.
Because right now in Hikage City, the information was spreading that Shizuka Takasaki and Silent Riot were different people.
—Damn it. Even though I spread the information for them, the delinquents are scared of the Boss and won’t lay a hand on that woman.
“Damn it, damn it, damn it…!”
I will never forgive the traitor.