Hayato did not answer Nanao Akane's question.
His eyes were fixed on the middle-aged bald man.
Suddenly, the man lunged, kicking off the ground in an attempt to grab his phone and stand up.
But Hayato moved first. The wooden sword wrapped in white cloth flashed from its sheath like a swallow returning to its nest.
One word: fast.
It cracked down on the man's hand with lightning speed.
"Hss—!"
The pervert gasped, jerking back as if struck by an electric shock.
Hayato stepped forward and flicked the phone away with the tip of his shoe.
The device skidded to a stop against Nanao Akane's leg. She crouched, picked it up, then instinctively covered her mouth in surprise.
Until now, she had only seen Hayato rush to Kushiro Arisa's side and clash with this pot-bellied man. She hadn't understood the reason—until she saw the lit screen.
The photo was unmistakable: a shot taken up a high school girl's skirt. Pale thighs. Tight black underwear pressed into soft flesh.
This uncle… was the subway pervert she and Hayato had discussed before!
"Give it to me," Hayato said, extending a hand without looking back.
Nanao Akane instinctively passed the phone to him. He flipped through the gallery with a sharp gaze. Only then did Nanao murmur, "Y-you shouldn't look…" Her eyes darted to Arisa.
Tears shimmered in Kushiro Arisa's eyes. Her fingers twisted nervously at the hem of her blouse.
"You little brat! Who the hell do you think you are, sticking your nose into my business?!" The bald man, humiliated by someone so young, let rage twist into malice.
But how could Hayato be cowed by mere words? He roared back without hesitation:
"I don't change my name or my surname! Aihara Hayato, Sports Department of Mori-Ō University! If you've got guts, come and take revenge!"
So righteous!
Nanao Akane's breath caught at his declaration. But—
"Eh?"
Shikenjaya Station wasn't as crowded as Shibuya Central, but during the evening rush there were still plenty of bystanders. The earlier kick had already drawn attention. At first, people thought the man had simply tripped, but now with the shouting, even more heads turned, fingers pointed…
The bald man's face twitched. Knowing he was in the wrong, he covered his face and tried to slip away. If recognized, the police might drag him off. At the very least, he'd be fired—and his life ruined.
He had barely staggered a few steps when—
"Hyakuhō Hishōken!"
Hayato's wooden blade flew. The man's shiny scalp smacked the floor with a hollow crack before his fat body tumbled down the steps like a rolling drum. He skidded several meters. Even cushioned by blubber, a few ribs were surely broken.
And yet—his survival instinct made him crawl toward the corner.
Hayato retrieved his sword, then turned to Nanao Akane."Call the police."
"O-okay—!"
Forcing herself to steady her hands, she pulled out her phone and began dialing.
But her wrist was seized by slender fingers with painted nails.
Kushiro Arisa.
She shook her head desperately. "I… I don't want this getting out."
Nanao froze, uncertain, and looked toward Hayato.
He met Arisa's tear-stained eyes. For a moment, his expression softened. She thought he understood her feelings—
"Call the police," he said again, firm.
"Eh!?" Arisa's face paled.
"I… I don't want Wing-kun to find out!" she pleaded, tears spilling. "So please… please don't call the police…"
"Wing-kun?" Hayato asked flatly.
"Jiucheng's classmate's boyfriend," Nanao explained. "Ochi Tsubasa, soccer club. You know how sports club guys all know each other."
Arisa nodded weakly, choking back sobs.
"Oh," Hayato said, unfazed. "What's that got to do with me? Call the police."
Nanao blinked. Why did that sound so familiar…?
"Please!" Arisa grabbed her again, tears streaking down her cheeks, smudging her makeup. She glared at Hayato, then bit her lip hard, as if making a desperate decision.
"What I said to you before… I was wrong. I'll apologize, I'll do anything. Just don't call the police… I don't want Wing-kun to hate me…"
The haughty Kushiro Arisa, reduced to begging in a trembling voice—it stirred even Nanao's heart with pity.
But Hayato only sighed, strode over, and seized Arisa by the collar.
"Do you even know what you're saying?! If that scum gets away, how many more girls will suffer like you?! You apologize here, to me? Do you think I'm taking petty revenge? Ha! I'm not some half-brained idiot like you! Afraid your boyfriend will worry? What a joke! You did nothing wrong! You're the victim! Cry in his arms proudly! And if he throws you away for this, then he never loved you at all! Don't you dare trample on what real love is supposed to be!"
His voice wasn't loud, but to Arisa, every word boomed like thunder.
He let go of her collar, his gaze cooling again."Call the police."
"…O-okay…" Nanao's fingers trembled as she pressed the numbers. Her heart was racing. That gaze—sharp, disdainful, unyielding—so, so handsome…
Kushiro Arisa stood frozen, still processing his words. After the call, she tugged timidly at his sleeve."Then… could you at least show the police the photos? I… I don't want to…"
"Photos?" Hayato arched an eyebrow at the phone.
"Mm… Please. This is my only request. If you agree, I'll do anything…"
His eyes narrowed. "Anything, huh?"
Arisa froze, instantly doubting his intentions. Coming from a gloomy male high schooler, those words were dangerously suggestive. She nearly spat "Pervert!" at him, but swallowed it down and stammered instead:
"O-only… as long as it doesn't betray Wing-kun… even if I have to kneel…"
"Then study hard," Hayato said. "Get into Tōdai."
…
…
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Kazenova223
If you guys wanna check it out.