Sugou touched his chin.
Though the sound of breaking bones had echoed clearly in his mind, and the pain was so profound it was hard to forget… it felt like a nightmare. He woke up, and his body was intact.
"You're awake? Your physical condition's terrible; don't stay up too late, you know?"
Suddenly, a gentle, reprimanding voice reached his ears.
Sugou turned and saw Yuu walking toward him, extending a hand with a friendly expression.
"Come on, get up. Let me try a few more punches; I'll find the right strength soon."
"…"
The earlier scenes flashed through his mind. Sugou's eyes widened, and he froze for a few seconds before scrambling backward like a madman, not caring that his backside crushed the glasses that had fallen on the ground. He covered his face, staring at Yuu with panic and fear.
"Y-You… don't come closer! I-I'll call the police!"
Yuu looked down with a regretful expression. "Sorry, there's no signal here for now."
Stunned in disbelief, Sugou frantically pulled out his phone, trembling fingers hastily dialing 110.
"How… how is this possible…"
When the phone only emitted a chaotic busy tone, it slipped limply from his hand. He sat disheveled on the ground, lips trembling as he muttered, "My face, the police call… no, that's not it! There's still the surveillance camera—you're done! Trash! You dared to actually hit me. I'll sue you until you're bankrupt! I'll ruin your life, you're dead!"
Like a cornered beast raging, Sugou gripped the grass tightly, his bloodshot eyes glaring ferociously at Yuu.
His demeanor, masking fear and doubt, made Yuu scratch his head helplessly.
"Already starting to deny reality, huh… No, facing a supernatural phenomenon like this, no one would accept it so quickly…"
"What are you saying—"
"I said…"
Yuu grabbed his collar, the smile on his face vanishing instantly. He stared expressionlessly at Sugou's panicked, terrified, handsome face.
"Though I'm a humble and forgiving person, I'll never forgive three types of people—"
"One, those who hurt my family in any way."
"Two, those who try to touch my girlfriend."
"Three, people like you with disgusting smiles."
Sugou suddenly struggled, but he couldn't break free from his grip.
"Y-You bastard! That third point is totally your personal opinion!"
"So what? Do I need to consider others' opinions?" Yuu blinked in surprise, then sighed. "Honestly, from the moment I met you, I've hated you."
"Thankfully, you gave me enough reason to beat you up without any consequences."
"W-Wait a second!" Sugou gripped his wrist tightly. Seeing resistance was futile, he began to plead. "I don't know what happened earlier, but let's take a step back—"
"The only one who needs to step back is you."
Cold words cut through.
Next, the cheerful sounds of punches and kicks rang out.
Four minutes passed.
Yuu stretched his body with relief, a bright smile on his face.
"Since third year of middle school, I haven't beaten someone to a pulp like this~ With the system, the fighting feels completely different."
He released his hand, letting the battered Sugou lie on the ground, his eyes staring blankly at the sky as the wounds on his body slowly healed.
Yuu opened the panel and said to the system, "System, use Master's Command."
The system responded promptly:
[Master's Command (Status) One-time Use—Makes an entity that fears and dares not oppose the Host fully obey a command. The command must not exceed the target's greatest fear (usually their life) and must be specific and reasonable.]
[Conditions met. This status is single-use. Will it be used on Sugou Nobuyuki?]
Yuu glanced at the panel, then stepped toward Sugou, whose bruised nose and face had already healed.
The elite young man, still lost in thought and reflecting on his life, jumped like a startled deer, crawling away frantically with hands and feet, then crouching while covering his head.
"M-Monster! Don't come closer!"
Yuu: "…Wow, it really suits him."
He couldn't help but wonder if he'd gone too far.
Three seconds later, he smiled at the system. "If it's not used when needed, it's meaningless. Confirm."
[Used.]
A strange swelling sensation filled his chest, as if he stood above all, looking down like a ruler.
Yuu quickly suppressed that childish arrogance, walked to the trembling Sugou crouching and covering his head, leaned down, and whispered softly:
"[From now on, stay away from everyone in the Yuuki family and never contact them again]."
Everything that happened would leave no trace after the Execution of Justice ended. Even if Sugou told anyone, no one would believe him; they'd think he was insane, so there was no need to seal his mouth.
As for the command, it could've been more detailed, making Sugou completely reform and start anew or even turning him into a tool—but Yuu was disgusted by that face and wanted no connection with him, let alone waste more thought on him.
From start to finish, Yuu acted so harshly toward Sugou purely out of personal discomfort and for Asuna's sake, even using two statuses to deal with him.
Now, with all his discomfort vented, as long as Sugou no longer bothered Asuna, his goal was achieved. Yuu didn't need to waste more thought on this minor stumbling block.
After giving the command, Sugou trembled violently, then slowly raised his head.
"…Yes, I understand."
A stiff, lifeless voice sounded, with unconcealed fear and awe in the depths of his vacant eyes.
For some reason, Yuu suddenly felt he was actually the villain.
Called execution of justice, but was such vigilante action truly just?
Such philosophical questions merely flickered through his mind.
Glancing at Sugou sprawled on the ground, Yuu indifferently turned away, stepping forward as his silhouette gradually blended into the darkening sky.
"What I can do, what I want to do, what I do—all are choices I decide myself."
"If we're talking about justice, this is my justice. The rest has nothing to do with me."
He walked alone on a street painted with golden shadows.
The twilight radiated its final brilliant glow, like fireworks clinging to the horizon, bursting with all their might, dazzlingly bright.
Yuu shielded his eyes from the intense light, suddenly remembering something and pulling out his phone.
"Sora, want tsukimi seafood donburi tonight? I'm heading to the supermarket to grab ingredients."
"Sure, I guess… But it's so sudden."
Yuu squinted and smiled. "If you want to eat, just make it. Nothing's sudden about that."