"I have been thinking about what you said. Who is Kimura Naoko?"
*Sigh*
The leader of the bullies facepalmed at the lack of knowledge of the tall lackey.
"Are you seriously saying that? Were you living under a rock?"
"Well,..... I did get suspended on the first day."
The shorter lackey laughed at the tall lackey and explained to the leader.
"Hahaha!! Yeah, he was caught fighting with other freshmen delinquents. You won, didn't you? How many were there?"
The tall lackey scratched his head, trying to recall that event.
"Yeah, I won. They were weak. I would say that there were around.....5...? No maybe 7... I think..."
"Though he was attacked first, he got the longer suspension days."
The leader felt pity for the tall lackey. That explains how he saw him only today. The tall lackey vaguely explained to the leader that he got into some trouble, that is all.
"Well, you did get let off with only 2 days, right?" The short lackey said.
"Yeah, even though I said to those shitty teachers that I was acting in self-defence. They did not believe me. However, they did get to the root and asked witnesses. That is why I got off so early."
"I mean who would? You were the only one standing uninjured amongst those bloodstained delinquents."
"True."
The tall lackey lightly cackled because of his strength. The three also joined in and truly admired his strength. His height and muscle were not there for showing off.
He is adept at fighting and he is amongst the most dangerous delinquents in the whole freshmen year. He can also take on a few second years.
That in itself was impressive.
"So, Aniki, about that Kimura."
The leader sighed again because he thought that explaining his lackeys would be a pain in the ass.
He put over his hand below his chin, supporting his lazy head. He gave their lackeys some clues about his identity.
"If you have a brain then try to remember another guy with the same surname as Kimura."
"Huh?" The short lackey was dumbfounded. Is that Kimura Naoko associated with a dangerous guy?
The tall lackey murmured under his breath and tried to see in his mind from where did he hear a surname like that.
"Kimura......Kimura.......Kimu......"
It did not take him too long as his eyes widened instantly.
"-!?! Kimura!? As in THAT Kim-"
*Thump!*
The 3 delinquents abruptly darted their sight at the source of that noise.
They saw their bread shuttle was lying face down with bread and other snacks that he got from the canteen.
"Oi bread shuttle!! Be careful with our food!!! You did not get them dirty did you?"
The short lackey shouted at the fallen boy. He replied with reassurance.
"N-No, I saved it i-in time."
It was true as he did not let their snacks even touch the ground. His hands were firmly grabbing them in the air.
He got up and approached the delinquents.
Suzuki Akai, the bread shuttle did not escape from the leader's sight.
Sure, Asahi, Keiko and Kirika saved him in lunch break but after that? On the last break, when his 3 protectors were nowhere to be seen, it was an opportunity for the leader.
Suzuki exited his classroom to go to the canteen and found his bully, just standing outside, waiting for him. He 'requested' Suzuki to do the usual job.
He had no choice. There was no one to save him and he was back to square one.
The reason why he tripped was because a small rock in the dark is inconspicuous. Well, it was more like the shade than the dark.
They were behind the school building where the shade began to cover a large area since it was afternoon.
The 3 delinquents were relaxing near the storage rooms for the sports clubs like baseball or soccer or Track and field club.
"Hurry and bring it here!!"
"H-Here..."
He distributed each of the snacks to the respective delinquents.
"Sit on both knees, in front of me."
Suzuki paused for a moment but did not object to the leader. He got on his knees and sat with his head a little down.
His brown pants got sullied by the soil but it was the least of his worries right now. The leader was looking at him with an elated expression.
"Were you getting excited, when 2 girls came to your rescue?"
"....."
"That is pathetic you know, having girls rescue you."
The short lackey joked about him and laughingly said, " More like he is the damsel in distress."
The 3 laughed heartily in his insult. Suzuki gritted his teeth with helplessness as he thought about Kirika, Keiko and Asahi.
They were strong and he was weak.
For the moment, he could not help but curse his life, his fate. This leader delinquent came back to haunt him from his middle school days.
Suzuki purposefully applied for a high school further than his home but that also failed. His bully did not let him go as destiny has other plans.
'I just wished that, that....'
He could not control himself and started trembling.
'...that.....'
Those thoughts were stuck in his mind, unable to get it out in fear of the delinquents.
"Hm?" The leader saw his body shivering.
Back in the day during middle school, his so-called friends would not even glance in his direction after he was bullied by this demon in front of him. Some showed indifference and the worst ones partake in the bullying when they were coerced by the bullies.
He started to despise the term 'friend'. What good was it to be someone's 'friend' if they do not aid when in need.
But when he saw Asahi, Keiko and Kirika, it was different. Although they met for the first time, he could see it.
The light that would save him. The light that would push him out of the darkness.
He could be true friends with them. Yes. It would be so much fun being in their company.
If it wasn't for this delinquent, if it wasn't for him then all of this would have been possible.
'.....I wished that.....'
Suzuki's mouth moved unconsciously, letting out the words that would prove fatal to him.
"I wish that you did not exist."
"...."
Silence befell and Suzuki heard his own heartbeat. He realized what he just blurted out and immediately regretted his actions.
He lifted his head in a hurry to apologize.
"I-I am-!!"
The 3 of them were not smiling. Only bloodthirst filled the air.
Suzuki wanted to scold and lash out on himself.
'What have I done!?! I am going to get killed!!'
With the pressure emanated from those 3, it really was a life and death situation. He can only plead for his life at the moment and apologize for his harsh words.
"I am sorry!! I did not say anything like that!!"
"Like what?"
The leader instilled extreme fear in Suzuki's mind. The condescending glare sent chills down his spine.
"L-.....L-Like..."
"What? Cat got your tongue?
"It is not wh-Gahaa!!!!!??!"
He got kicked in the stomach. The pain was unbearable for him so he clutched his stomach and his head slowly moved to the ground, supporting his weak body.
*Bam!*
The leader kicked Suzuki again, this time in the back of his head. He pushed his leg, crushing his head to the ground. Suzuki was eating dirt and could not endure the agony he was in.
Tears welled up in his eyes. It flowed down to the soil. It was difficult to breathe for him since his nose was pressed to the ground.
"What? Being a crybaby is not going to give me an answer."
With all of his strength, he put it into an apology.
"...I.....mam...smormry.....!"
It was inaudible but the bully understood his words. He pressed his head even more and his head hurt like hell.
"What I want is not an apology, but the exact word you blurted out to me. Come on, say it!"
"-!!?!?"
It was impossible for him to even let out a word, let alone a sentence.
"Say it, you pathetic piece of shit! Say it!!"
Suzuki's sobbing was more blatant. He could not say anything and he could not do anything. This situation is the worst. He was the one that led himself in this scenario.
He hated that bully, he hated the so-called friends he previously had, but all this time, he has been hiding it in the back of his head.
But he hated himself to the core. Such a weak pitiful. This all happened because he was weak. If not then his life would divert elsewhere.
A fulfilled life with genuine friends, a loving family, good grades, athletically amazing, a job, a girlfriend.
Now all of this was impossible to achieve.
It is because...
"You are the pathetic piece of shit!"
'...Eh?'
Suzuki thought that he made another mistake and unconsciously blurted out an insult towards the bully.
No. This time it was neither Suzuki who talked nor the bully.
They all turned their head towards the voice. Suzuki, through all difficulty managed, to take a glance at whoever was intervening with this bully.
"Hah? Who the fuck are you?"
The tall lackey furiously inquired about the boy's identity.
The boy was leaning his shoulder against the wall. He had the same school uniform as the bullies and Suzuki.
He had a mask that covered his mouth upto his nose. Brown hairs fluttered as the wind caressed him, revealing his brown eyes clearly.
"Why don't you let that boy go and let's talk face to face."
The tall lackey was even angrier because he got ignored. The leader who had his foot on Suzuki's head kicked him on the sides and propelled him away from his sight.
"Kuh-!?!"
Suzuki clutched his sides, unable to cope with the pain.
"What are you going to do? Beat our asses?"
"Wow, I'm surprised you are smart enough to know my intention. I applaud you for that."
A slow clap from the mysterious guy. resounded in this isolated space. The leader was racking his mind and wanted to pinpoint his idea.
'Is he that Sato Asahi? No. He is taller than this guy. Then who? He looks like a first year. Were there other delinquents in the first years that we have not beaten? Without his mask, it is difficult to know.'
In the end, the leader gave up on deducing who he was. He can see through the answer after he beat him and take his mask off.
"Aniki, I have been itching to teach him a lesson. Can I go?"
"Yeah sure."
The tall lackey dashed after he got the permission. The short lackey whistled with amazement at his speed.
"You are going to regret angering me!!!!"
A punch that delivered enough force to knock out anyone in its way, was heading towards the mysterious guy's head.
*Whoosh!*
"Eh?"
A simple sidestep to the right with such quick feet....
*Bam!!*
.....and a jab as fast as a bullet drove into the tall lackey's chin.
*Crack!*
The tall lackey lost consciousness as his eyes rolled upwards. He fell to the ground with a thump.
"I thought he was going to make me regret? He is a liar, don't you think?" The guy darted his look at the short lackey and the leader.
A sudden fright overtook both of their minds.
To take that tall lackey out in one shot? Who was this guy?
"Come on. Or should I come over?"
The guy laughed as if he was having fun. Both of the bullies looked at each other in the eye and nodded.
Both of them rushed to the masked guy to perform a coordinated attack.
"Oh, seems like I don't have to waste my energy going over to you."
"You will soon beg for your life, you bastard." The leader prepared to attack.
The short lackey took action first as he launched a sweeping low kick. The masked guy stepped back to evade it. Without even a second to spare, the leader threw a punch to his face.
The masked guy also dodged that by ducking down. Now, the short lackey had a chance to do a roundabout kick. It was aimed to his sides.
"Huh?"
The masked guy grabbed the short lackey's leg and grinned behind his mask.
"Prepare to scream."
He brought his elbow down to his leg and broke it.
"S-SHIIIIIIIIIT!!!!!! IT HUUURTTS!!!!!!!"
The short lackey fell to the ground and grabbed his leg in pain.
"That is quite the nice sound."
*Whoosh!*
"Oh! Almost got hit."
The leader missed by an inch and retreated. He glanced at his comrade who has fallen.
"He is going to be out for a few weeks. Don't worry."
The leader ferociously glared at the masked guy.
"Oho? If you are that angry, then come and take revenge."
He beckoned the leader to fight him. He snapped and with all he has got, fought with him with the intent of making him experience the worst pain he will feel.
..........
"Ara? Weren't you supposed to make me beg for my life?"
"Kuk!"
"Hahahahahaha!!!!"
The masked guy mockingly laughed at the leader whose head was pressed to the ground.
Bruises all over his body, his injured face was eating dirt, just like Suzuki who was in the same situation before.
He started to relate to Suzuki who experienced the same as him.
"Now do you get it? The feeling of being oppressed by the strong? Frustrating, isn't it?"
Both the leader and Suzuki both gritted their teeth. That feeling, although Suzuki knows it the best, the leader started to get overwhelmed by it too.
"Now, how should I deal with this?"
Even though he did not have anything in mind, the masked guy was having a fun of his own judging by his tone.
He looked at Suzuki who was weakly gazing at him trampling over the leader bully.
He smirked behind his mask.
"I got a splendid idea~"