Aiya Hiroshi hadn't even had time to rush out of the house.
The door opened again.
Aiya Hiroshi was about to rush forward, screaming "Ah ah ah ah" with a baseball bat, when he saw Hayato walk in and close the door.
"…What are you doing?" He looked strangely at Aiya Hiroshi, who was holding the baseball bat above his head: "Are you in a hurry to deliver something?"
"?"
Aiya Hiroshi was even more puzzled. He put down the baseball bat: "Senior Kobayashi, are you… are you alright?"
"There's nothing to be. Hayato said, then casually tossed the wooden sword aside.
Aiya Yayoi was equally shocked, but she had anticipated this outcome before, so she wouldn't be speechless like Aiya Hiroshi.
"You… you're bleeding." Aiya Yayoi's heart ached. She pulled out a tissue, wanting to wipe his face.
The bloodstain on his cheek was casually wiped away by Hayato: "…Oh, it's not my blood."
Aiya Yayoi was even more surprised. When she heard the screams from outside that didn't belong to Hayato, she guessed that he might win, but she really hadn't expected… Wait, wait? Unscathed?
"Outside…"
"It's quite gruesome. An ambulance might be coming soon," Hayato said calmly. "You guys shouldn't go out and look."
It was a bit absurd.
No, it was so absurd that Aiya Yayoi couldn't say a word, only nodding foolishly: "…Okay, you…"
She moved her lips, not knowing how to describe the feeling in her heart.
So, she could only size up Hayato.
It was Aiwu Guang who spoke for her:
"Senior Kobayashi… are you that skilled!?"
Hayato thought for a moment.
Indeed, he had rarely used his skills in front of Yayoi. As for the time Aiwu Guang confronted the delinquents, he simply showed up and resolved the problem.
"Ah, it's alright. I was mainly tutored by Master Shūchōng of the Shaolin Temple in Hawaii," he decided to answer in accordance with the setting.
"So, so it is." Aiya Hiroshi's eyes gleamed, filled with shock: "How amazing, Master Shūchōng!"
Yayoi pursed her lips, then suddenly let out a soft chuckle.
"What's wrong?" Hayato asked.
"Nothing…" Yayoi said.
How strange.
When she was a girl, she wanted to meet a boyfriend who was handsome, good at academics, could go crazy with her, and could fight, but she never got her wish.
And now, she was achieving it just as she was approaching middle age.
Oh heavens, oh heavens, should I say you are gentle, or that you like to play tricks on people?
Her gaze towards Hayato became even softer. She never expected a boy ten years her junior to give her such a sense of security.
Even more! I love you!
Facing Yayoi's gentle gaze, Hayato also said gently:
"What are you looking at? Hurry up and get the bowls and chopsticks. Don't you want to eat?"
"…Oh!"
What an unromantic man. Yayoi replied as if she wanted to bite him, then walked into the kitchen sullenly, only to remember to ask: "What did you mean by 'fifteen minutes' earlier?"
"This is what I meant." Hayato was already by Yayoi's side.
The latter was bending over, taking bowls and chopsticks from the cupboard, her upturned buttocks aimed at Hayato's waist.
And Hayato was smiling at his chicken.
Soup.
"Fifteen minutes of cooking is just right. If it goes over that, it'll be tough," he said, then scooped a mouthful and sipped it lightly: "Excellent, truly worthy of my 'Special Grade Chef' title."
... Yayoi looked back, her mouth slightly agape.
In ancient times, Guan Yu warmed wine to slay Hua Xiong. Now, Hayato warms chicken soup to repel thugs?
Yayoi looked at the golden chicken soup and couldn't help but exclaim sincerely.
This soup is just right!
Halfway through the meal, Aiya Hiroshi, who had been eating heartily, paused for a moment. He asked Hayato:
"Is Shaolin Kung Fu very good?"
Shaolin Kung Fu was naturally good stuff, but Hayato didn't answer truthfully. Instead, he asked:
"Why do you ask?"
"I want to practice too," Aiya Hiroshi said somewhat timidly. "I feel like I was still too useless today. I couldn't help Senior Kobayashi at all."
"If you fight, your sister-in-law will get angry, right?"
Hayato wanted to throw the question to Aiya Yayoi, but she had an attitude of "Don't ask me, do whatever you want."
"At least I shouldn't be a burden and make Senior Kobayashi distracted protecting me, right?… I think from now on, Senior Kobayashi can just focus on protecting Yayoi-nee," Aiya Hiroshi said.
"Hey—!" Yayoi couldn't take it anymore. She bashfully glared at Hayato, as if saying, "You even told him about our… this!"
Hayato returned her gaze. "This kid has been smart since he was little. He must have figured it out himself."
He didn't dwell on this question, as he didn't want to hide it from Aiya Hiroshi in the first place.
Hayato smiled wickedly: "Then let's do it."
…
"Kase, it's up to you."
On the track during morning practice the next day, Hayato instructed Kase Masafumi.
Kase Masafumi looked at Aiya Hiroshi with a puzzled expression… He had originally thought he was the only one being taught by Senior Kobayashi. It was one thing for Matsubara Ayumu to come, but now there was another, and he was also a senior.
"Please guide me, both of you!" Aiya Hiroshi said spiritedly.
"Oh…" Kase Masafumi nodded.
"Hmph, newcomer." Matsubara Ayumu said with a faint smile; "In this regard, I am your senior. You just need to follow my lead."
"Shut up, you guy who's been training for nearly a month and can only run less than eight laps," Kase Masafumi scoffed disdainfully: "Are you even capable, you skinny dog?"
"Ha!?" Matsubara Ayumu was not convinced. He almost bumped face-to-face with Kase Masafumi: "Who are you calling a skinny dog!?"
"Heh, a skinny dog calls you!" Kase Masafumi said.
"Oh right~~ a skinny dog calls me." Matsubara Ayumu was smug, "A small trick to fool a little idiot."
"You!" Kase Masafumi's face flushed: "All talk and no action! This time, ten laps, do you dare!?"
"Why wouldn't I dare! Let's run!"
With that, the two almost shoulder to shoulder, face to face, in a state of mutual defiance, kicked up a cloud of dust behind them.
Aiya Hiroshi originally wanted to ask Hayato if these two were always like this, but then he saw the latter had already jogged off to talk to some girls, so he sighed and could only follow along and run.
"Shigen Ryouka." Hayato greeted: "It's rare to see you at morning practice today."
"Senior Kobayashi…" Shigen Ryouka, who was not far away, brightened and gave a small wave: "…Student… Um, I've been busy with studying recently, so I've relaxed a bit on morning practice."
Hayato was overjoyed.
Shigen Ryouka's bright, clear eyes indeed had a faint hint of dark circles. Is this what a high school student role model looks like? What a studious child!
Nanao Akane? What is she even!?
That woman should really learn from her best friend!
"Hey! Kobayashi!"
Then, a rough and sharp voice sounded from behind Hayato. It was Hinata Sae.
----------------------------------
I've already uploaded over 40 new chapters on Patreon!
If you're enjoying the story and want to read ahead, feel free to check it out.
Your support truly means a lot to me!
👉 patreon.com/Kazenova223
Thank you so much for being here!
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!