"Misunderstanding, Officer!"
"This is all a misunderstanding!"
"We were just playing a game!"
"The meet-and-greet is already over. This is a public place. It is perfectly normal for us to be here!"
"..."
Outside the venue
A group of beasts were being escorted out by the police, anxiously trying to explain themselves.
Facing so many officers, they were genuinely afraid.
Although they knew it probably was not a serious matter, the thought that the first time in their lives they were entering a police station would be because of something like this felt utterly ridiculous.
That damn scumbag Kamishiro!
That is right.
This group of beasts still had not repented. They blamed everything on Kamishiro, who was hiding in the shadows.
All they wanted was to torture him to death, and that scumbag actually called the police!
He did not follow the rules of the game at all!
Bastard!
At the entrance of the venue, Hijikata, with bandages wrapped around his head took out a cigarette and inhaled deeply.
Looking at the beasts crying injustice one by one, a cold gleam flickered in his eyes.
"Move it! There is no way any of you are innocent!"
Hijikata said viciously. If earlier he was doing this for merit, then now… it was completely personal!
As for what personal grudge?
Just look at the bandage on his forehead!
These bastards actually dared to assault a police officer!!!
He had clearly told them to wait one more minute, and they could not even wait that long!
Take them away!
Take every last one of them!!!
"Uh…"
Under Hijikata's fiery glare, the beasts silently looked away, clearly feeling guilty.
But they did not give up. They cast pitiful looks at the other officers, trying to stir up some sympathy.
Unfortunately
For some reason, the atmosphere within the Tokyo police had completely changed.
Seeing those pleading eyes, the surrounding officers all smiled knowingly.
Let them go?
How could that be possible?
These were performance credits personally delivered to their mouths by Hijikata san each one worth a bundle of Fukuzawa!
Although their contribution would not be as large as Hijikata's, as assisting officers they would still receive some rewards.
This was a rare major incident!
"I object! I object! I did not commit any crime!"
Seeing that the police were unmoved by their pitiful looks, the student council senpai decided to change tactics.
He did not struggle. Instead, once outside the venue, he began shouting loudly to attract the attention of passersby
Trying to seize the moral high ground!
"Oh?"
Hijikata's expression suddenly turned playful. Anyone familiar with him would instinctively shiver at that look.
Someone was about to suffer. This man was also an S.
Quite the warrior already in this situation and still daring to provoke Hijikata. Once at the station, would it be mayonnaise time?
"Then tell me what were you doing just now? Gang fighting?"
Hijikata took a drag from his cigarette and asked.
In his opinion, once he asked that question, the boy in front of him should have shut up.
Gang fighting was already the lightest charge!
It could just as easily be defined as kidnapping, unlawful detention, or even attempted murder.
If he kept talking, it would be impolite.
Of course, that was only Hijikata's personal view. Considering these were high school students, they would probably not be charged with anything serious…
At most they would be taken in for education, and their teachers and parents would be called to pick them up.
But that was a problem for his superior to worry about!
He just needed to make the arrests!
No matter what the superior said later, he had solved a large-scale kidnapping case!
All the colleagues present were witnesses!
And then his position as deputy chief… heh heh heh.
The current police system was too lax. Hijikata felt it was time for reform.
He was already imagining how he would implement his devilish system once he became deputy chief.
All for the better protection of the public!
However
There were always unforeseen circumstances.
For example, Hijikata had never expected that after saying all that, the boy in front of him would respond in an extremely righteous tone!
"No! Officer, we are saving the world! Saving the women of Japan and even the entire world!"
"…Huh? Cough what did you say?!"
That serious answer completely broke the composure of the "Demon Vice-Chief" Hijikata. He choked on his cigarette.
He stared at the boy in the cap in disbelief.
Was the pressure too much? Had he started talking nonsense?
It was not his problem, right?
Should he send him to the hospital first?
However, Hijikata's momentary daze allowed a confident smile to appear at the corner of the student council senpai's mouth.
It worked!
As expected, this officer had simply misunderstood something. As long as he explained clearly… he would surely join them in upholding justice!
"Officer! You heard correctly! We are upholding justice! The person we were arresting is a heinous scumbag!
What he has done would not be redeemed even after descending into the eighteenth level of hell!
From seventy-year-old grandmothers to ten-year-old little girls in Japan every one of them is his target!
We have been tracking that scumbag for a long time. He hid because he was afraid of us!
Now that he has finally appeared, if we do not capture him quickly, the girls of Tokyo will be in danger!
And Officer let me tell you he especially likes married women!!!"
When he said "married women," the student council senpai trembled uncontrollably. In his heart, he had long regarded his goddess as his own wife.
In his mind
This was NTR!!!
Hijikata gradually fell silent as he watched the trembling, emotional boy in front of him.
Was this not a bit too outrageous?
If his investigation was correct, Kamishiro had not been in Tokyo recently because he had gone to attend university elsewhere, right?
How had that become "hiding because he was afraid of you"?
And although he did agree that the kid was a scumbag…
From ten to seventy…
Wait.
Maybe that was not impossible?
Thinking about Kamishiro's looks, Hijikata suddenly felt that women in that entire age range might indeed be unable to resist that damned charm!
At that moment, Hijikata felt an urge to arrest that kid and interrogate him too.
Especially after hearing that he liked married women!
That brat had even visited his family's inn!
Damn it!
Damn it all!
He wanted to arrest him!
Kamishiro: {{(°△°;)}}
At that very moment, Kamishiro, who had been preparing to step out of the alley to mock them again, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
After a few seconds of silence, he carefully withdrew the foot he had already stepped forward.
Forget it.
He was a protagonist, after all!
How could he do something so psychologically devastating?
It was definitely not because he was afraid that once those beasts saw him, they would break free from the police restraints.
...
"Enough. Stop explaining. We recorded the entire process of your assault."
Hijikata interrupted the eloquent boy after taking a USB drive from his colleague.
"What assault? We were upholding justice!" The student council executive protested desperately.
"But the one you beat up was not the Kamishiro you mentioned."
Hijikata turned his head and blew smoke behind him. His patience was almost gone.
What the boy had said earlier had stirred up a faint sense of crisis in him.
Not that he was afraid Mitsuba would be stolen by that brat. He had absolute trust in her.
It was just that… imagining Mitsuba chatting and laughing with that annoying kid still made him jealous as a man.
Originally, he had planned to find an excuse to invite Kamishiro to the station for "tea."
Unfortunately… there was no evidence.
Arresting him arbitrarily would give others leverage.
Perhaps it was better to finish work early and go guard Mitsuba!
At that thought, Hijikata frowned and took another drag of his cigarette, blowing the smoke to the side.
As a police officer, he obviously would not blow secondhand smoke at high school students.
Damn underage brats.
They would not even let him enjoy a cigarette in peace!
"They are accomplices!"
the student council senpai declared righteously. "Please give me a little time. Just a few minutes. I only need to ask one question!"
He looked excitedly toward the venue entrance.
There, Yamamoto and three others were being carried out. Due to the high frequency of the stun guns, they were still unconscious.
Hijikata did not refuse immediately. He thought for a moment.
The arrests were already made. His credit was half secured.
Giving that scumbag brat a small "surprise" did not seem impossible.
Just as he was about to agree—
The phone rang.
Ring ring ring—
The student council senpai: Again?!
"Hijikata san, your phone."
At some unknown moment, a figure appeared beside him and handed him a phone.
"Ah, thank you."
Still immersed in his thoughts, Hijikata took it without turning around.
"Officer! Do not answer it!"
"Huh?"
Confused, Hijikata glanced at the student council senpai, then answered anyway.
He was a police officer.
How could he let a brat lead him by the nose?
"Hello? Who is this?"
"Cough… Hijikata san, it is me…"
"Oh? So it is you, brat."
Hijikata's expression turned playful again. His eyes scanned the surroundings.
Calling at such a "coincidental" time, this brat must be nearby.
The student council senpai tensed up. He felt like a mouse being toyed with by a cat.
Damn it!
Did Kamishiro have some final-boss villain script?!
Without avoiding the boy in the cap, Hijikata spoke calmly.
"Brat, instead of running away, why are you calling me?"
After all, the police manpower was limited. Although they had moved quickly, a small portion had still broken through and escaped.
Even if it was a small portion relative to the crowd, for individuals it was significant.
This brat really had guts.
"Ah, those who escaped? No need for you to worry, Hijikata san."
In the alley—
Kamishiro glanced at the secret exit. Bodies were strewn everywhere.
The only one who had escaped through there was the strategist, Mafuyu-chan—currently poking him.
Because she had remained vigilant, she had jumped into the tunnel the moment the police appeared.
She even sent him a message before emerging, preventing herself from being exposed.
This was called wisdom!
After she came out, the three of them began playing whack-a-mole.
He did not know how many escaped elsewhere, but at this exit, they were completely wiped out.
And the most dangerous place was the safest place.
Those who fled would never imagine they were hiding in the alley right beside the venue.
A total blowout!
Now—
All that remained was to deal with Hijikata san.
Thinking of the "Deputy Chief" mentioned on the forum, Kamishiro lowered his voice and threatened:
"Hijikata san, you would not want your superior to know that you are the mastermind behind this incident, would you?"
!!!
The student council senpai, eavesdropping intently, stared at the righteous officer in shock.
He thought you were the hero—but you are the true final boss?!
Hijikata did not panic at all. He had already…
Wait.
He no longer had his phone.
Then whose phone was this?!
"It is mine~"
Hearing the familiar voice beside him, Hijikata understood everything.
Unfortunately—
Too late.
A familiar object was already pressed against his waist.
"Goodbye, Hijikata san!"
Sougo did not hesitate. He pulled the trigger.
Rocket launcher—water gun version!
Fire!
Pshhh!!!
"Sougo!! I will—"
Bang!
Before he could finish, the once-arrogant Hijikata was sent flying, crashing into the venue wall.
He slid down and collapsed beside Yamamoto.
The unconscious four-person group successfully became five.
The surrounding officers were not surprised at all, as if accustomed to it.
They symbolically applauded and returned to work.
Their credit was already secured. As for the brother-in-law drama, they would not interfere.
Would Sougo finally succeed in eliminating his brother-in-law this time? How exciting.
The student council executive trembled at the sight of Sougo's glowing red eyes.
"O-Officer…"
"Be good. Do you want to walk over yourself, or should I help you?"
Sougo smiled like a demon. He was very busy.
Seeing that smile, the student council executive felt like prey locked onto by a beast.
His sixth sense told him to obediently walk toward the police car.
But—
Looking at Yamamoto and the others, his eyes filled with unwillingness.
That was Kamishiro!
Unwillingness and resentment drove him to make a bold decision.
Ignoring Sougo, he clenched his teeth and rushed toward Yamamoto.
If he could just wake the big one or the one with black hair—
Please!
Let it happen!
Bang!!!
Unfortunately—
There was no such minute.
Looking at the now peacefully sleeping student council executive, Sougo blew on the barrel of his rocket launcher in a cool pose.
He was very satisfied with its effect.
Every victim entered forced sleep.
He glanced toward the alley.
Though no one was visible, he knew the brat who made a deal with him was there.
It did not matter.
He was not as untrustworthy as Hijikata.
After nodding toward the alley, he withdrew his gaze.
Looking at Hijikata's "corpse," he smiled in a way that could make children cry.
Next—
It was time for their two-person world.
He heard that the bastard's inn had some special rooms.
Perfect to try.
Five minutes later—
All the beasts from a certain high school had been taken away by the police. Sougo stuffed his "trophy" into a sack and headed toward the inn.
It had been a while since he saw his sister.
As for what was inside the sack…
It was best that it never wanted to see his sister again.
Thus—
Aside from the five "corpses" at the entrance, the venue returned to normal.
At most, some passersby discussed whether a terrorist attack had occurred.
Footsteps approached.
Amid the gossip of neighborhood aunties, four figures—three tall, one short—stood before the "corpses."
Kohei: "It is over…"
Iori: "Probably…"
Mafuyu: "That was chaotic."
Kamishiro: "A perfect ending!"
"..."
The three looked at Kamishiro with dead-fish eyes.
This guy's luck was ridiculous.
He escaped again!
Yes—
Pure luck!
They would never believe all of this had been part of his plan.
"So what now?" Kohei asked, glancing at Yamamoto and the others with concern.
Leaving those four in Tokyo was too dangerous.
Especially Nojima and Fujiwara—there was no way to restrain them.
"How about…"
Iori did not finish. He silently made a throat-cutting gesture.
They were trouble anyway. Might as well take the chance and eliminate them.
"Are you sure?"
Mafuyu silently took out her phone, ready to call the police.
Please do not talk about disposing of bodies in front of her.
It was too easy to be mistaken for accomplices.
Her life had just begun. She still needed nutrition to grow taller.
She did not want a life on the run.
And she did not want to survive on pork cutlet bowls either.
"Cough… just joking…"
Seeing her stance, Iori withdrew his hand.
Such things were better left for nighttime.
"Do not worry. I have already thought of a perfect solution!"
Kamishiro grinned confidently.
He had survived that situation through wisdom. Wrapping things up now would be easy.
Under their confused gazes, he pulled out a hemp rope from behind him.
Heh heh heh.
Welcome to Tokyo, bastards!!!
...
Night.
On the Bullet train from Tokyo to Izu—
A young man painfully opened his eyes. A trace of confusion flickered within his murky gaze.
Perhaps because he had not seen light for a long time, he immediately narrowed his eyes again.
The throbbing pain from his forehead and the glaring light made his expression twist slightly.
Where am I?
Why did I pass out?
Why does my head hurt so much?!
After asking himself these three soul-searching questions, the boy struggled to sit up—only to discover…
"What is going on?! Why am I tied—"
His words stopped halfway.
Now that he had adjusted to the light, he realized he seemed to be… on a train?
Because of his sudden outburst, the surrounding passengers all turned to look at him.
No, it was more than just looking.
There was mockery in their eyes. And pity. As if they were watching a clown in a circus.
Wary, yet unable to resist watching his performance.
Seeing the unfamiliar faces around him, the boy froze.
A few seconds later, memories flooded into his mind like a tidal wave!
The venue! Kamishiro! The beasts!
Yamamoto!!!
He remembered everything!
It was all Yamamoto and Kamishiro's fault!
Damn it!
He was a law-abiding citizen! Why did that idiot Yamamoto drag him into this?!
A flash of anger passed through his eyes. But as he noticed the crowd pointing and whispering, his anger was gradually replaced by confusion.
So… what exactly was happening now?
Had he been torn apart by those beasts because of Yamamoto?
Or… had he been silenced by that traitor Yamamoto?!
Reincarnation?
His mind spun wildly. He did not even notice that as his thoughts deepened, the smile on his face grew increasingly strange.
Recalling the isekai light novels he had read, he could not help but feel excited.
Even the way he looked at the people around him became fervent.
That fervent gaze caused visible fear to flicker across the faces of the surrounding passengers.
One mother even covered her daughter's eyes.
As if the boy before them were some kind of great horror.
Yet he ignored all of it, completely immersed in his inner world.
Looking at the unfamiliar people and familiar environment, he sighed with emotion.
So this is the other world!
It feels… it feels…
Why does it look exactly like a Bullet train?!
He fell into deep thought.
Was he not supposed to be transported to another world?
Why did something feel off?
Could it be…
This was some kind of new-style transmigration?!
His eyes lit up again.
Yes, that must be it!
Even if it was modern-day, since he had crossed over, according to the script, his overpowered protagonist life should be about to begin, right?
Thinking about the treatment protagonists received after transmigration, his expression shifted from dreamy to lecherous.
He could not wait to begin his blissful new life.
Heh heh heh—
However, a voice that was both familiar and loathsome cut through his fantasy.
"Nojima, you are awake? By the way, could you sit properly? Standing up suddenly like that causes trouble for everyone."
The "young man"… no, he should be called Nojima now.
After all, his real name had been exposed. It would be impolite to keep pretending.
Nojima looked down in utter confusion.
There—
A damn fat guy was sitting beside him leisurely reading a book.
What a literary scene!
If not for the fact that the protagonist was a sleazy-looking fat guy, and the book in his hands was titled Momo Photobook, it could have been used as promotional material for studying.
What a pity.
Once he saw the fat man's face clearly, Nojima's isekai life completely shattered.
The familiar Bullet train. The familiar figures…
He had not transmigrated at all!!!
"YAMAMOTO!!!!"
Nojima roared and lunged forward to grab Yamamoto by the collar—
Only to realize…
He was in a very awkward state.
Both his hands and feet were bound.
He had not noticed earlier because he was too excited.
But now—
He was losing balance!
Because of the exaggerated movement, under Yamamoto's terrified gaze and the astonished eyes of the passengers, Nojima successfully knocked aside the Momo Photobook and fell straight into Yamamoto's arms.
It was exactly like a scene from a romance manga where the heroine accepts the hero's confession and throws herself into his embrace.
Even their emotional state seemed oddly accurate.
Needless to say, both of their hearts were probably racing.
The passengers watched the scene with smiles, just like manga bystanders.
Although… the smiles might not have been quite the same.
Some turned their heads away like members of the FFF group—
The difference being they felt not jealousy, but overwhelming disgust.
This scene was simply too eye-searing!!!
Especially the way the two locked eyes—
Ugh!
The carriage, once quiet, instantly came alive.
Though everyone pretended not to care, it was obvious their attention was fixed on the pair.
They wanted the sequel.
For strangers, the gazes were subtle.
For acquaintances—
Click!
"Smile, you two! Interact! Do you even know what interaction means?!"
Mitarai appeared in front of them, grinning as he snapped photos from every possible angle.
The photos were indescribably awful.
Especially with the strange angles he chose—at first glance, it really did look like a loving yet perverted little couple.
Yamamoto:
Nojima:
"Smile your—!"
Yamamoto kicked Nojima away and stood up to snatch the phone.
He would never let these bastards get hold of his weakness again!
Even a fake one!
Ever since the infamous "Little Bird drinking" incident, he had developed psychological trauma toward photography.
Stop making him relive that social death scene!
It was too embarrassing!!!
"Delete it!"
"Why? I took it fair and square!"
"I will—! You are definitely going to post it on the forum!"
"Well, one more photo will not make a difference, right?"
"You—!!!"
The surrounding passengers twitched.
They did not know what exactly was going on—
But one thing was certain.
These two had extremely low manners!
Especially that fat guy—every sentence was foul.
The poor mother now had to cover not only her daughter's eyes, but also her ears.
Could they think of the children?!
As if hearing her silent plea, Yamamoto and Mitarai eventually quieted down.
Yamamoto even helped Nojima back into his seat.
They had to quiet down.
The Bullet train staff were staring at them.
They did not want to end up at the police station for a midnight snack.
...
Silence.
"So… what exactly happened?"
Now calm, Nojima lowered his head. His glasses reflected a dangerous white light.
He needed an explanation.
"Well, it is exactly what you see. We are on the Bullet train heading back."
Yamamoto calmly picked up the photobook as if it were nothing.
Nojima's face darkened.
How could he say that so calmly?!
"What happened after I fainted?!"
"It is complicated. Do not worry about it. We are on the way back, that is what matters."
Yamamoto waved dismissively.
What was he supposed to say?
That Kamishiro bribed them with golden tickets?
That he handed over the cap-wearing bastard for them to vent their anger on?
As Nojima's close friend, Yamamoto knew exactly how ugly his expression would become upon hearing that.
For the sake of their brotherhood, he and Mitarai had agreed never to tell Nojima and Fujiwara the truth.
Nojima turned to Mitarai.
But the squinty-eyed guy ignored him, swinging a baseball bat in his hands.
Wait?!
Where did that bat come from?
And why was there a huge bump on Fujiwara's head?!
Someone tell him what happened while he was unconscious!
"I need an explanation!"
Nojima's eyes reddened.
After all, he fainted because of Yamamoto!
Full-power stun gun against a best friend!
Unforgivable!
"I told you, it is complicated—"
"The golden ticket is with you, right?"
"…."
That sentence froze Yamamoto.
He stared at Nojima in shock.
How did he get exposed?!
Maybe it was a bluff.
With forced calm, Yamamoto said, "I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Oh really?"
Nojima's glasses gleamed again.
"Yamamoto, stop pretending. If you did not get it, would you obediently leave Tokyo?"
He remembered clearly—Kamishiro promised Yamamoto a golden ticket.
"You—!"
Yamamoto shot to his feet.
Not good.
Very not good.
This guy actually had a brain.
Seeing his reaction, Nojima knew he was right.
How naive.
"In that case, Yamamoto, you would not want the beasts in Izu to know you have—"
Bang!
Before he could finish, a gust of wind rushed past his ear.
Pain exploded in his head.
So that was how Fujiwara got that bump…
"Despicable…"
Bang!
With the help of the baseball bat, Nojima peacefully fell asleep again.
"Phew. These two are much easier to deal with when asleep."
Mitarai wiped sweat from his forehead.
He had not expected one hit to work this time.
Fujiwara had needed three.
He was improving.
He set down the bat and looked at Yamamoto.
"Why bother explaining? Just use the simplest method."
Yamamoto silently gave him a thumbs-up.
This time, Mitarai was right.
But—
"Damn it. He guessed."
Yamamoto kicked Nojima lightly.
This was troublesome.
After knowing about the golden ticket, Nojima would not be satisfied with just knowing what happened.
Truth be told, even Yamamoto did not know everything.
He and Mitarai had been woken up by Kamishiro.
The venue had been empty, as if it were a dream.
But dream or not—
They had to secure the golden tickets.
To their surprise, Kamishiro handed them over readily, even calling Momo to verify authenticity.
He also delivered the cap-wearing bastard to them to vent on.
As for Nojima and Fujiwara—
They received the same treatment.
In fact, during the beating, they were dragged in and hit as well.
The feeling had been quite satisfying.
Of course, nothing was free.
The price was—
Take those two idiots back home.
That was Kamishiro's solution.
Since their purpose in Tokyo was fulfilled, they might as well return and fantasize properly.
Compared to golden tickets, sightseeing in Tokyo was worthless.
And so, the four boarded the return train.
...
"What do we do?! If the mechanical beasts find out, we will relive daytime hell!"
Recalling the venue scene, Yamamoto shuddered.
It had been hell.
Mitarai also shrank back.
They exchanged dangerous glances at the sleeping pair.
In that case—
For their own safety, perhaps they should send them to accompany in the sea…
Just as they were about to discuss details, two large hands clapped onto their shoulders.
They turned.
It was the train staff who were supposed to have left.
The staff glanced at the unconscious Nojima, then at the baseball bat on the floor.
Then—
Yamamoto and Mitarai felt an unmistakable force on their shoulders.
Oh no.
They forgot they were on the Bullet train.