Lynn's pov
"What took you so long?!" That was the first thing Gramps ask when I got back. He must be waiting for me this whole time.
"Ah, I… I thought of taking a walk."
"Geez, you should've said that earlier. You got me worrying."
"Sorry gramps."
"Just go take your dinner, I'll be going to my room now."
I went to Lyde's room as soon as gramps left. I should tell him about it. He's finally free from those delinquents, and I hope he wouldn't get involved with those people ever again. However, Lyde wasn't in his room.
"Grandpa, where's Lyde?" I asked the old man.
Gramps yawned as he answered. "He said he'll be staying at a friend's house tonight. Do you got something to say to your brother?"
"Nah, not really." Maybe I'll tell him about this tomorrow. Since I lost my appetite, I head to my room and get some good sleep. But something bothered me as I set aside the wig I was using to disguise myself as Lyde, my eyes also come acrossed with the uniform I got from the gang.
"…why the hell do I feel so bothered?" I hate this annoying feeling. Aren't I supposed to be happy with the chance I got? I finally get to leave scot-free! And yet!—
"It's fine to quit on us, you know? I don't need weak cowards on my team." Ren's words were echoing in my head.
Me? Weak?!
I quit training two years ago because fighting isn't for girls! But even though I quit, I know well that I'm not weak and a coward. "I… I can fight!"
_____
Ren's pov
So he's not showing up, huh. I guess that's it for that little guy.
Keto came running back after searching. "Ren! Where did you send Lyde? He's supposed to be with me." How troublesome.
"Don't bother searching for him."
"Huh?! But this is his first gang war! He can't—"
"I said 'don't bother'…" it's fine if Lyde doesn't want to be part with it. I don't like forcing people into mess they're not cool with. "…we don't need cowards."
After processing my words, his expression became furious. "Y-You… you gave him permission to leave, didn't you?" He must be upset that I dismissed his lackey without consent.
"So what if I did?"
"He's part of my men! And you didn't even bother to tell me you let him leave!!"
Jin walks in our conversation, reminding Keto of his place. "Keto! Who do you think you're raising your voice at!? It's almost time for the clash and you got the nerve to waste time like this."
"…I apologize for my rude behavior earlier." I chuckled at how insincere the apology was. Though I felt bad for doing this to Keto, he will never understand why I did it.
Looking at my watch, it was almost time to leave the square. And so I declare the battle to begin.
"TONIGHT SHALL DETERMINE OUR STRENGTH ONCE MORE! DO NOT LET THEM CRUSH YOU DOWN, WILD BEAST MUST CLAIM ANOTHER VICTORY!" All of them roared so loudly, as if they're already celebrating another win in advance. It made me smile how confident they all are. Well, they're not a bunch of push overs anyway.
When everyone began to fix themselve in their motorbikes, one of my men approached me… no, it wasn't just any men, it was him. He came back wearing the gang uniform. My smile widens at his appearance. "Just so you know, I'm not a coward." He told me.
"That's good to know, Keto will be thrilled to know that you came back." I guess this one is a brave idiot. Not that it's a bad thing, it's rather impressive. "So, you got something to ride on?" I asked.
"Uhm, about that. I'm supposed to go with Keto but…"
"I see. Just hop on then!" I tossed an extra helmet to him.
"Cool, thanks!" As soon as he got on, we wasted no time and headed forward.
It didn't take long to reach the location we agreed on. When we arrived, they were already noisy as heck. "…THE WILD BEASTS ARE HERE!" Announced by some random punk.
After the whole gang got off their bikes, we all gathered and marched in. "You're all too punctual for delinquents." I scoffed.
The leader of the Exitiums steps forward, showing off an annoying grin on his face. "We're just complying on what we agreed on. You should be a man of your words, Ren."
"I don't want to hear that from you, Elijah!"
"Anyway, I'm giving you one last chance. You can surrender now while it's still early." So he really thinks he can win against my gang? How stupid!
"And just what makes you think you can bring us down!?"
"You really got to ask that, Ren!? Look around you!—" he laughs like a maniac, spreading his arms wide as if he's so great and mighty. "—YOU'RE OUTNUMBERED! YOU DON'T STAND A CHANCE AGAINST EXITIUMS!"
I smirked at his pettiness. "You may outnumbered us, but that doesn't mean you can beat us!"
"You're too arrogant to think—OI!"
Since I was getting bored with all the talking, I turned to face my men and raised my fist. "SHOW NO MERCY, WILD BEASTS!!!"