"Guh… Ugh, ugh…"
A wave of excruciating pain radiated from Gang Dong's lower abdomen, forcing him to curl like a boiled lobster before collapsing to his knees. He groaned, saliva dripping from his yellowed teeth to his chin, then splattering onto the ground. His face contorted in agony and disbelief as he glared at Akane Nanao.
Akane, meanwhile, smirked like a cunning fox who'd outsmarted her prey. "You're so easy to fool, do you really only have the intelligence of a gorilla?" she taunted, her voice dripping with disdain. "…That's what you get for bullying him…"
Though Hayato Kirisaki had told her not to worry, Akane was convinced his infirmary visit was tied to Gang Dong's substitute teaching in their class. This was her chance to exact a little revenge for him—and vent her own pent-up frustration.
"You…!" Dong's eyes bulged, his ashen face slick with cold sweat from the pain. "Do you really not care about Pian anymore?!"
"That's your fault!" Akane's smile vanished, her expression hardening. "Whether it's depriving him of his 'main position' or whatever you want to do to him! It's all your fault. Why should you use such things to blackmail me? You're the bad guy, not me! I won't feel guilty because of this!"
This resolve—she'd learned it from Hayato. No more showing weakness in moments like these.
"You!" Dong tried to stand, fury fueling him, but the searing pain in his lower body felt like it was ripping his stomach apart. His vision whitened, his strength sapped.
Akane stepped back twice. She couldn't linger—if Dong recovered, she'd be no match for him. Without pushing her luck, she turned and bolted.
Her home wasn't far, and once she reached a neighbor's sight, Dong wouldn't dare touch her. She ran, giggling as she went. Seeing that beast Dong again had enraged her, but this outcome? Satisfying.
After a short sprint, Akane hopped on one foot, yanking off her uniform shoe and tossing it into a nearby trash can. Kicking that guy in that place was just too gross. She kept running, her clean knee-high socks now speckled with mud, unbothered by the stains.
But she hadn't gone far when a small head peeked around the corner. "Jiucheng?"
Akane tilted her head. It was Arisa Kushiro, who hadn't left but had been waiting nearby.
"Phew…" Arisa sighed in relief. "You're okay, Nanao… You scared me to death. Dong didn't do anything to you, did he? I've already sent a message to Tsubasa-kun… He said he's coming right away."
She'd wanted to contact Ayaka Kobayashi but lacked her number, so she'd called her boyfriend instead.
"No, I'm fine," Akane said, waving a hand dismissively.
"Let's call the police," Arisa said, her expression serious.
"Huh?" Akane blinked, startled.
"I heard everything," Arisa said. "Your conversation with Dong. So that bastard wanted to do that kind of thing to you! And it seems he did something to Pian, too…"
"No, how did you hear?" Akane asked, puzzled. Arisa's hiding spot wasn't that close.
Arisa pulled a smartphone from her skirt pocket, its screen showing an active call. Akane's eyes widened. Then Arisa rummaged through Akane's backpack, pulling out a flip phone—also on a call.
Akane: …
It clicked. That's why Arisa had patted her backpack when they parted earlier.
"And, I recorded the whole thing," Arisa said. "It's enough as evidence."
Some people don't have phones. Others have two.
Back at the Kendo Club, Hayato Kirisaki's eyes were misty with joy. He'd just started digging into his bento when Masafumi Kase handed him a bottle of Coca-Cola. Eating a homemade meal and sipping soda? What a blissful moment. And Coca-Cola? This kid knew his stuff! (Joy)
But then Masafumi cracked open a cherry-flavored cola and chugged it, leaving Hayato baffled. Bro, why not just drink Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid at that point?
Masafumi wiped his mouth, resolute. Drinking "cherry-flavored cola" was character-building. If he couldn't handle this, how could he call himself a swordsman? Ever since Hayato tossed him that bottle, Masafumi had embraced daily "pain training," facing the agony and conquering it.
"Senior Kirisaki, is this… your bento?" Masafumi asked cautiously, eyeing the delicious spread.
"Ah, yes. A troublesome woman insisted on giving it to me. I only reluctantly accepted it to avoid wasting food, not because I particularly wanted to eat it," Hayato said, his tone dead serious.
An ordinary person would've rolled their eyes, calling him out for showing off. But Masafumi, Hayato's number-one fanboy, nodded in sudden realization. So that's it! Women are troublesome!
"…Do you want some?" Hayato asked, feeling awkward under Masafumi's stare.
"No, no thanks," Masafumi said, shaking his head, cheeks flushed.
"Oh." Hayato dug into his meal.
Nearby, Ayaka Kobayashi observed Hayato, sitting cross-legged, and Masafumi, standing beside him. She'd thought Masafumi was handsome enough, but Hayato? He outshone him entirely. And those sword skills—defeating her in one move? Even Sakura couldn't do that. His strength clearly surpassed hers.
He was above, Sakura below. That ranking made him the undisputed NO.1 in the Kendo Club. Tall, striking, with a melancholic aura and masterful swordplay…
Ayaka crossed her arms, legs apart, because… he was so handsome she couldn't keep her legs together!
"…Uh," Hayato noticed her burning gaze. Unlikely as it seemed, he asked politely, "Ayaka-senpai, could it be… you want to eat?"
"Heh, what nonsense are you spouting?" Ayaka said, smoothing her long, jet-black hair over her shoulders and turning away with cold elegance.
Ind-ind-ind-indirect kiss! she screamed internally. Damn, I almost said yes! I really want to say yes!
Hayato gave an awkward laugh. Ayaka-senpai's temper is… something else.
[Task 'My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Impossible to Be NTR'd Again' completed]
[Would the Host like to draw a prize immediately?]
The system's voice blared in Hayato Kirisaki's head at the worst possible moment.
Hayato: ?
--+--
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.