"Gu… uh, uh uh…"
The intense pain rising from below his lower abdomen made Higashi curl up like a lobster, then slowly drop to his knees. He groaned, drool flowing from his disgusting yellow teeth down his chin, dripping to the ground.
His face was full of pain and disbelief.
He looked at Akane.
Akane instead smiled, smiling like a sly fox whose scheme succeeded.
"Really easy to fool, huh. Do you only have gorilla-level intelligence?" Akane looked down at him, face full of mockery, then said with disdain: "…Dare bully him…"
Though Satoru told her not to worry, Akane still felt his health-room trip was tied to Higashi subbing their class. So, a little revenge for him, and venting for herself.
"You…!" Higashi's eyes bulged, face pale, forehead sweating cold from pain: "Think you really don't care about Shono?!"
"That's your fault!"
Akane reined in her smile, her expression serious: "Whether stripping his 'starter spot' or whatever you plan to do to him! It's all your fault. Why use that to bind me? The bad guy is you, not me! I won't feel guilty over it!"
This… was something she learned from Satoru.
She wouldn't show weakness here anymore.
"You!" Higashi tried to stand angrily, but the tearing pain below made his vision white—he couldn't muster any strength.
Akane stepped back twice.
Can't waste time here; if Higashi recovered, she'd lose.
So, no stubbornness. Turned and ran fast.
Good thing home was close; spot a neighbor and Higashi wouldn't dare.
She ran while giggling delicately.
Seeing that beast again pissed her off, but this result? Satisfying.
Akane ran a bit, suddenly hopped on one foot, slipped off her uniform shoe, and flung it into a nearby trash bin.
Kicking that spot on him? Disgusting.
She kept running on legs in clean white knee-high socks, ignoring the mud staining the soles.
Didn't run far.
At the corner, a small head peeked out.
"Hisagi?"
Akane tilted her head.
Turns out Arisa hadn't gone far—just waited nearby.
"Phew…" Arisa exhaled: "You're okay, Akane… scared me to death. Higashi didn't do anything, right? I already messaged Tsubasa… he says he's coming right away."
Wanted to tell Satoru, but no contact—so called her boyfriend for help.
"It's fine, fine." Akane waved.
"We should call the police." Arisa stared seriously.
"Huh?" Akane blinked.
"I heard everything." Arisa said: "Your talk with Higashi. So that bastard wanted to do that to you! And seems he did something to Shono…"
"Wait, how did you hear?" Akane found it strange.
Arisa wasn't that close…
Arisa pulled a smartphone from her skirt pocket—screen showed ongoing call.
Akane: ?
Then Arisa rummaged Akane's bag, pulled out a flip phone.
Also on call.
Akane: …
She remembered. No wonder Arisa patted her bag goodbye.
"And I recorded the whole thing." Arisa said. "Enough as evidence."
Some people have no phone.
Some have two.
…
Tearful.
Satoru tearful.
He'd just started the bento when Masafumi brought him a Coke—happy water + food, what leisure. And Coca-Cola; this kid gets it (joy).
But Masafumi bought cherry flavor and chugged "ton ton ton"—Satoru dumbfounded… Hero, why not drink Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid?
Masafumi wiped his mouth. Indeed, drinking cherry Coke tempers the spirit—if can't handle cherry, what swordsman?!
In fact, since Satoru tossed him that bottle, Masafumi did "pain training" daily—feel pain, overcome pain.
"Kobayashi-senpai, is this… your bento?" Masafumi asked carefully—it looked delicious.
"Yeah. Some troublesome woman forced it on me; I accepted out of anti-waste principle, not because I wanted it." Satoru said seriously.
Normal people would sigh: Guangming pretending again.
But #1 Kobayashi fanboy Masafumi nodded in realization. So that's it! Women are troublesome!
"…Want some?" Satoru felt awkward being stared at.
"N-No need." Masafumi blushed, shook head.
"Oh." Satoru dug in.
Not far.
Ayaka observed cross-legged Satoru and standing Masafumi.
Thought Masafumi already cute enough, never expected Satoru even more… and sword skill too strong. Though she lost to beauty… cough, no—carelessness, but one-move finish? Even Sakura couldn't. This guy's above Sakura.
He on top, Sakura below—this… ranking means he's absolute NO.1 in the club…
Upright posture, handsome face, melancholic aura, plus master swordsmanship…
Ayaka arms crossed, legs apart. Because… too handsome to close legs!
"…Uh," Satoru noticed Ayaka's burning gaze—impossible, but polite: "Ayaka-senpai… want some?"
"Heh, what nonsense?" Ayaka flicked her shoulder-length black hair, turned coldly and elegantly.
I-I-I-I-Indirect kiss! Grass almost said yes, ah want to say yes! Ayaka thought.
Satoru could only awkward-laugh; this Ayaka's temper seemed bad…
[Completed Quest "My Youth Romantic Comedy Can't Be NTR'd Again"]
[Host, draw prize now?]
System's voice rang untimely.
Satoru: ?
…