Although a question had appeared in Mei's mind, she didn't dwell on it.
For Mei, her current situation hadn't changed much.
Her father, Raiden Ryoma, was still eating prison food behind bars.
And she wouldn't be able to shed the title of 'criminal's daughter' that the rumors had saddled her with anytime soon.
No, in fact, after she directly fought back against those bullies today, her reputation at school would probably only get worse.
If she hadn't changed at all, perhaps her father's dire situation and the malice from those around her would have been enough to crush the girl's spirit bit by bit.
But now, she had companions by her side.
Kiana, who chose to stand by her side regardless of what others said.
And Leo Ash, who acted directly to help her out of her predicament, regardless of the consequences.
Thinking of these two, the cheerful Mei hummed a light tune as she walked to her locker.
However, after she opened her locker, the smile on Mei's face gradually faded.
The umbrella Mei had originally placed in her locker was now damaged beyond use.
Although this wasn't a particularly troublesome matter for Mei, it still soured her mood a little.
In the past, their malice was only verbal.
Even when they surrounded her at the school gate this morning, Mei could tell they didn't intend to get physical; they just wanted to humiliate her in front of the whole school.
It wasn't that they had a bottom line.
They were already school bullies; how could they possibly have a bottom line?
The only reason they hadn't gotten physical was that they were worried about being punished by the teachers if they went too far.
But now...
Listening to the snickers nearby, Mei, her face like frost, glared back at the classmates who had been hiding nearby before choosing to leave.
Before, those people wanted to lay hands on Mei, so they chose a secluded spot.
It was for this very reason that Mei dared to beat them up without worrying about being discovered by others.
But now, there were not only these people near the lockers, but also other students who didn't know the details.
Moreover, Mei currently had no evidence to prove that they were the ones who did it.
[Evidence? What's the need for such a thing?]
Hmm, what's that sound?
[Just act directly. You are an apostle chosen by God; you don't need to abide by worldly rules and regulations at all.]
Hearing these provocative words, Mei frantically looked around.
[Go and kill, Raiden Mei.]
[These mundane things are not worthy of living before you... No, everything in the world is our enemy!]
After glancing around, Raiden Mei confirmed that the voice was not coming from the people around her.
Could it be that I've been too tired lately, and that's why I'm hearing things?
[Hallucinations? It seems you are not yet ready to accept the power of God.]
[Hah, fine. Let these pests live a few more days.]
Who... are you!
Unfortunately, the question Raiden Mei screamed in her mind received no response.
The other party was as if it didn't exist at all, making no further sound.
"I guess I really have been too tired lately?"
With this thought, Mei, walking towards the school gate, let out a gentle sigh.
Then, looking at the gray sky, Mei immediately quickened her pace to leave the school.
Is it about to rain?
I still have a spare umbrella at home, so I should hurry back.
Ever since Dad was framed and imprisoned, the funds I have at my disposal have been dwindling.
Right now... I should save every little bit I can.
Mei, who had already left the school, looked at the commercial street ahead and then at the sky that was about to rain, and took out her wallet with some difficulty.
I guess I should buy another umbrella after all.
However, at that very moment...
"Yahoo!!!!"
As the roar of a motorcycle engine sounded from behind Mei, the wallet in her hand was suddenly snatched away by a high school girl on the bike.
If she had been on guard, Mei, who was skilled in ancient martial arts, would certainly not have had her wallet snatched so easily.
But a drive-by snatching is all about catching someone off guard.
Staring at the incredibly arrogant robber, Mei, who had been stunned for only a moment, quickly started to chase after them.
However, Mei, who was still an ordinary girl at this time, had no way of catching up to a motorcycle going seventy kilometers per hour.
"You...! Bastard!"
No matter how good Mei's upbringing was, after encountering a series of such mood-ruining unlucky events, she couldn't help but start swearing.
But, looking at the large amount of exhaust left by the motorcycle, Mei had to accept an awkward fact.
Her wallet, and the bank cards inside, were now all gone.
Rationally speaking, these two things are not a big deal for an ordinary person.
However, most people have never been rational creatures, but emotional ones.
To encounter something like this right after feeling a new ray of light in her life.
For an ordinary high school student, this was enough to ruin her day.
And just then, raindrops suddenly began to fall from the sky.
Her umbrella was broken, and she had no money to buy a new one. Mei, looking at the sudden downpour from the sky, suddenly felt that her heart was very tired.
What... did I do wrong?
I clearly did nothing wrong, so why do I have to encounter these terrible things?
With this thought, Mei walked to a corner where she could take some shelter from the rain, curling her body up tightly.
Dad...
What happened to you.
Right now, I...
I feel so tired.
....
Same time. ME Corp
At ME Corp, Cocolia, watching Mei's mood on the monitor plummet, nodded in satisfaction.
"Well, it seems the day is not far off."
Ever since sending Raiden Ryoma to prison, Cocolia had been laying out her plans.
She knew very well that malice has always existed in the human heart.
================
And at times like this...
All it takes is a little push, and her plan will be complete.
.