Inspect? Of course Jin also wanted to inspect. But how could he let trash like these guys say such things?
Kiyoko leaned back slightly and whispered in Jin's ear, "I'll pretend to agree with them. You go first. This has nothing to do with you."
The three thugs didn't look like the type to play fair. If they got violent, a middle schooler like Jin could be in real danger. Kiyoko didn't want him dragged into it.
That kindness… it could make even strangers admire her. For Jin, already her fan and it only hit harder.
Kiyoko tugged at her shirt hem, pretending to lift it.
The three men immediately leered, thinking she was giving in. Their eyes glinted with disgusting excitement.
"Go!" Kiyoko urged Jin with her elbow when he didn't move.
But if he really left now, what kind of man would he be? He knew what these guys might do.
Jin caught her arm, leaning close so his chin brushed her shoulder. "Beautiful things should only be appreciated by those who know their worth. Scum like this don't deserve it."
The words were cheeky, but warm. Kiyoko was suddenly startled.
The next second, Jin sprang forward. His foot lashed out, slamming straight into the glasses-wearing thug's face.
"Gah! My glasses! You bastard, kill him!" the man screamed.
Back in his old life, Jin's second-best skill besides volleyball had always been fighting. He'd been punished plenty of times for it. Even now, with just a middle schooler's body, he knew how to handle small-time punks.
The fat thug rushed from behind, but not at Jin. His target was Kiyoko.
"The thing I hate most is when anyone touches the girl I like!" Jin growled.
'Girl I like?' Kiyoko's heart skipped.
Pivoting on his right foot, Jin swung his arm in a perfect 180 arc like he was spiking a ball. His fist crashed into the fat man's face, knocking him flat.
The last thug tried to blindside him with a punch to the back of the head. But Jin spun, elbow driving hard into his jaw. A tooth flew.
In less than a minute, all three were on the ground groaning.
Kiyoko's lips parted. "…Amazing."
But Jin wasn't done.
"Robbery, right? Let's see you rob now! Wanna 'inspect'? Here, I'll give you something to inspect!"
The three begged for mercy, whining, but Jin kept pounding them until his arms ached. Only then did he stop.
Led by Kiyoko, they returned the stolen bag to the old woman who had been robbed.
"Thank you so much," Kiyoko said. She turned to Jin, studying him. "…Your accent, you're not from around here, are you?"
The tall, silver-haired boy towered over her. At 180 cm, he was already striking for a middle schooler.
"I'm Shirogane Jin," he said with a grin. Then, locking eyes with her, he added, "Kiyoko-senpai, there's something I want to ask you."
"Huh? You even know my name…? Fine, what is it?"
Jin put both hands on her shoulders and said earnestly, "Be my girlfriend!"
Kiyoko's face flushed red. "N-No way!"
Jin's grin stiffened. 'Rejected without hesitation! She must be used to this…'
Only after blurting it out did Kiyoko realize what he had asked. She bit her lip, head lowering shyly. "Even though you helped me… I'm not thinking about things like that right now. I'd rather focus on…"
"Volleyball, right?" Jin cut in.
She nodded.
"I'll be in high school soon. I'll join Karasuno, help them win Nationals. When I do… will you be my girlfriend then?"
Jin had always believed in giving everything for the girls he chased. Winning Nationals was worth it.
Kiyoko shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. "Anyway… thank you for today. It's getting late, I'm going home."
Jin sighed as she walked off. "As expected, you can't just conquer a girl like her in just 2 chapters…"
But then, Kiyoko suddenly turned back. Her cheeks still flushed, she murmured: "…Maybe I'll think about it."
With that, she hurried away.
Jin stood frozen, then burst out laughing. "I knew it! Someone as charming as me, Kiyoko-senpai will loves me, and I love her!"