The little victim lifted his head at the sound of a familiar voice, his eyes sparkling with recognition. Behind his oversized glasses, his gaze widened in surprise.
Haruki, who had positioned himself between the group, wore a similar school uniform as his four seniors, but he was noticeably shorter. Even without being told, the third-years knew he was another first-year student.
But unlike the other small and battered boy on the floor, Haruki exuded a sense of confidence and familiarity with the school.
Ryoichi muttered, pleasantly surprised, "The freshmen this year are something else. This one is fearlessly confronting someone much bigger than him."
Kazuo hummed thoughtfully before adding, "I think I know this kid."
"Really?" Ryoichi looked at him.
"Yeah, I've heard about him from the other seniors. They say he's the only one who can turn the tables in bullying cases."
"Turn the tables?" Ryoichi didn't quite grasp the concept. He was about to inquire further when Jomei interrupted his train of thought by growling at the newcomer.
"Ha, the fuck are you? You his little friend?" Jomei sneered, his massive frame intimidating.
Haruki sighed, remaining calm and collected, completely unfazed by Jomei's menacing presence. "Please, sempai, no need to curse or shout. You wouldn't want to attract the attention of the staff."
"What if they come? Mind your own damn business," Jomei retorted, taking a step closer to Haruki, his dominance on full display. "Get lost unless you want some as well."
Haruki stared up at him indifferently, as if Jomei were nothing more than an inanimate object. Then he smiled, surprising both Kazuo and Ryoichi. Even Yasahiro's smirk vanished, replaced by annoyance at Haruki's unwavering confidence.
"Want some?" Haruki repeated, raising a daring eyebrow. "What, exactly?"
Jomei instinctively took a step back, bewildered. What's with this kid and his cold, piercing eyes?
"Now then, if that's all..." Haruki trailed off, feeling a tug on his arm. He turned towards the victim and was immediately taken aback by their identity.
...Ginger?
Kentaro Nomura's crystal grey eyes mirrored Haruki's own surprise. Clearly, neither of them had anticipated this unexpected encounter.
Snapping out of his daze, Kentaro hurriedly scrambled to his feet, paying no mind to his falling hat. As he stood, his messy mid-length ginger hair finally came into view.
If Haruki had any doubts before, they were now dispelled.
"H-Haru, it's me," Ginger said, removing his large glasses as if afraid Haruki wouldn't recognize him. "See?"
"Gin—" Haruki caught himself, realizing they were at school. "Ken?"
The younger boy nodded eagerly. "I almost thought... I had the schools mixed up."
Kentaro was actually here, at Haruki's school, wearing the same uniform. Just moments ago, Haruki wasn't even sure if Kentaro was still in town. His excitement would have been overwhelming if his attention hadn't been drawn to the bruise near Kentaro's lip and the dried speck of blood at the corner of his mouth.
Haruki's expression darkened instantly.
"H-Haru?" Kentaro sensed something was wrong and felt a pang of unease. He was about to say more when Haruki raised his hand, as if to touch his cheek, causing Kentaro to instinctively flinch.
Observing Kentaro's reaction, Haruki slowly withdrew his hand and finally spoke.
"So, which one of you did this?" His voice was eerily calm, belying his anger. "Who hurt him?"
Ryoichi felt a tug at his sleeve and glanced at the person beside him, seeing Kazuo's visible discomfort. It was as if he was silently conveying the message: This situation is not good.
Yasahiro maintained his indifferent façade, deliberately averting his gaze as if uninterested. One could only speculate about the thoughts swirling in his mind.
Then came Jomei, the group's resident fool who failed to grasp the gravity of the situation. Ignoring the tension, he took another step forward, towering over Haruki with wounded pride, as if this mere speck of a person had deeply offended him.
"I already told you to get out of my way. Can't you sense the mood?" Jomei growled, his words dripping with obliviousness.
Sadly, he was the one who couldn't sense it.
"Sugimoto, just apologize and let's go," Kazuo advised, attempting to defuse the situation. "Don't say anything reckless anymore."
Jomei's laughter rang out, harsh and grating. "Apologize? To this little punk?"
Kazuo wanted to offer his advice again but was silenced by Ryoichi, who silently shook his head. Jomei had to face the consequences of his actions.
"Was it you?" Haruki's voice barely carried.
"Enough already, I told you to fuck off—" Jomei reached out to grab the newcomer's shoulder, only to grasp at thin air.
Haruki effortlessly evaded him, and with surprising strength from his small frame, his fist connected with Jomei's nose, propelling him through the air. The towering senior crumpled like a discarded paper, landing heavily on the hard concrete floor, a distance away from the rest of the group.
Ryoichi, Kazuo, and Yasahiro watched wide-eyed, bewildered by the sudden turn of events.
That towering fortress had been toppled with ease by this diminutive powerhouse?
Kazuo had heard rumors of Haruki's strength, but witnessing it firsthand was an entirely different experience.
Even Kentaro was at a loss. However, what frightened him more was the dark expression on Haruki's face as he examined his own fist, checking for any self-inflicted damage.
Was this really Haru?
Jomei writhed on the ground, clutching his bleeding nose. Witnessing a hulking figure reduced to such a pitiful state, the rest of the group wanted nothing to do with Jomei's predicament.
The punch Kentaro had received earlier suddenly seemed like a far more favorable fate.
Haruki turned to face the remaining three, his voice carrying an air of authority that belied his junior status. "Was that guy acting alone, or were you all involved?"
These words, spoken by someone two years their junior, made it feel as if Haruki held dominion over them.
Kazuo stepped forward, bowing deeply in apology. "Please forgive our friend. He doesn't know any better."
Both Kentaro and Ryoichi were taken aback.
Ryoichi hadn't felt the need for anyone to apologize on Jomei's behalf, as he had brought it upon himself. Yet seeing his closest friend bowing to a junior for a fault that wasn't even his own sparked a sense of guilt within him.
Thus, he stood beside Kazuo, offering the same apologetic bow despite the stiffness in his words. His sincerity shone through as he bowed as low as his friend.
Kentaro was even more astounded. He knew these two seniors had tried to help, but he never expected them to apologize for something they hadn't committed.
Haruki remained unmoved, his anger simmering beneath the surface.
"Doesn't know any better? Is he a child?" Haruki's voice carried a biting chill, causing Kazuo and Ryoichi to freeze. Arching an irritated brow, the first-year went on, "And do you honestly expect me to believe you're sorry? You say that, yet you just stood there while your friend did as he pleased. How are you any different from him?"
Sensing the situation spiraling out of control, Kentaro finally interceded. "They did try to help me, Haru."
Haruki stared at the two bowed heads for a moment before shooting a narrowed side-glance at Yasahiro, who still acted as if none of this concerned him. "Even him?"
There was a hint of hesitation, but Kentaro nodded. "Y-Yes. When their friend lost control, they all tried to stop him."
Haruki subjected Yasahiro to a piercing gaze, silently judging him for over a minute before shifting his attention back to Kentaro, softness entering his gaze as he tousled his hair.
"Alright then."
Ginger bent down to retrieve his fallen books, but Haruki beat him to it, scooping them up. "Let's get you patched up."
And with that, the two juniors departed, leaving the scene behind.
Only when they were out of earshot did Kazuo release a relieved sigh. His eyes lingered on Jomei, who still writhed in pain on the ground.
"I still can't believe a little kid like that packs such a punch. Rest in peace, Sugimoto's nose," he remarked, turning to his friend. "And thanks for that, Ryo."
However, Ryoichi seemed far from in the mood to celebrate. His face contorted with rage, a storm brewing within him.
"What's wro—?"
"Oihama!" Ryoichi's voice sliced through the air, cutting off Kazuo's words. He turned sharply towards their nonchalant companion, his anger palpable. "You just stood there, acting all righteous, when you're just as guilty! No, you're worse than us! You're the closest to Sugimoto, yet you didn't lift a finger to help!"
Yasahiro Oihama shrugged indifferently. "It wasn't my business."
Ryoichi's hand flew to the other's collar, his fist poised to strike, but Kazuo intervened just in time.
"No, Ryo!"
"The damn bastard is always like this!" Ryoichi vented his frustration. "Remember back in our second year? He would manipulate us into doing terrible things and then walk away, leaving us to bear the consequences! And Jomei is supposed to be his best friend?!"
"I'm sure he feels guilty, but..." Kazuo's voice lowered, attempting to calm his friend. "Maybe his pride wouldn't allow him to bow down to a junior and admit fault..."
"Bullshit!"
"Listen for a moment," Kazuo persisted, his tone soothing. "This kind of attitude is common among seniors. It's unfortunate, but it happens."
"Aren't we seniors just like him? Or is it that our pride isn't as important?" Ryoichi demanded, seeking answers.
Yasahiro smirked.
"You son of a—"
"Ryoichi!" Kazuo's urgent cry halted Ryoichi's fist from connecting with Yasahiro's face once again.
Ryoichi hesitated, before finally releasing Yasahiro's collar with a frustrated sigh, feeling a deep sense of injustice.
Yasahiro nonchalantly adjusted his jacket, slipping his hands into his pockets, a smug grin spreading across his face. "Of course you can't hit me. Where would you be without me?"
"I held back just because Kazu's here. He's the one I respect. I don't give a rat's ass about you," Ryoichi hissed coldly.
"Takagi, the self-proclaimed saint of the group," Yasahiro sarcastically bowed towards Kazuo in mock-appreciation before scoffing. "Where would we be without you?"
Kazuo brushed off the remark, turning his attention to Ryoichi. "Let's go check on Sugimoto and see if his injury is serious."
"Always showing concern and empathy for others," Yasahiro's smile vanished abruptly. "How sickening. You, the second oldest, are nothing but a soft-hearted freak. Why did I ever hang around with a weakling like you?"
Kazuo pursed his lips in silence. Though he focused on helping Jomei to his feet, the words had clearly stung him.
But it all changed when Ryoichi spoke calmly, "Well, you'll be happy to know he's leaving the group."
Yasahiro chuckled, "Really? Good riddance—"
"Along with me," Ryoichi concluded.
Kazuo was taken aback. "Ah, Ryo?"
"I've had enough. If you're not willing to leave with me, then I'll make you," Ryoichi's voice carried a resolute tone, devoid of any playfulness.
"It's not about that. When I mentioned leaving, I meant 'I' was leaving," Kazuo's lips curled into a slight smile. "You don't have to do it for my sake."
"You're the reason I stuck around in the first place," Ryoichi stated, casting a cold glance at Yasahiro. "I've been fed up with that guy for a long time."
Yasahiro was initially shocked by Ryoichi's words but soon burst into an incredulous laugh. "You're always like this, Kojima. Honestly, I know you're angry, but come on."
"Keep thinking that way," Ryoichi responded, the anger subsiding significantly. He casually answered Kazuo's inquiry about where to take Jomei to fix his nose. "Let's wait a bit before heading to the nurse's office. Those two first-years are probably there, and I doubt they want to see us anywhere near them right now."
Kazuo nodded, suggesting, "Then let's take him to a nearby faucet first."
With that, the two friends assisted Jomei to his feet, seemingly oblivious to Yasahiro's presence as they moved away.
And that was the breaking point for Yasahiro.
Taking wide strides, he approached Ryoichi, growling as he swung his fist. "Ryoichi Kojima, you bastard!"
Ryoichi didn't dodge the blow; instead, he met it head-on, taking two steps back from the force.
"Ryo!" Kazuo exclaimed, concern etched on his face.
Straightening himself, Ryoichi asked Yasahiro indifferently, "Feeling good yet? I've already decided."
Yasahiro glared at him for a long moment, then snorted and grabbed Jomei's arm, leading him away as if severing their ties for good.
Kazuo seemed inclined to go after them, but Ryoichi stopped him, advising him to let them go.
"What about Sugimoto?" Kazuo still worried about Jomei's condition.
"He's a big guy. He can decide for himself whether to stay with Yasahiro or not," Ryoichi replied, wiping his cheek and wincing slightly from the sting. "Don't make the choice for him."
Kazuo smiled at that. "You made the final decision for me, even though I'm older than Jomei."
"That's because you're so easily influenced, and I couldn't take your decisions seriously—" Ryoichi trailed off, realizing how rude he sounded, and quickly apologized. "Sorry, I didn't mean it..."
Kazuo chuckled, leaning closer to examine Ryoichi's bruised cheek. "Did it hurt after all?"
"Well, the guy did punch me," Ryoichi admitted.
"It doesn't look too serious," Kazuo reassured him. "Come on, I think I have a fresh band-aid in my bag."
~~~~~~