[AUTHOR HERE! Apologies for the delay in updates! My fanfic ANTI-NTR Man: Kokujin No Tenkousei NTR Ru [YUUTO VS TENKOUSEI] received so much attention that I spent extra time on it. For context, it received over 280 collections in just three days, which is what this WN got in six months. This delay in updates might continue as the traffic to that fanfic is really insane, but I won't drop this one. Anyway, enjoy!]
'Something's wrong...' Yuuto thought as he swiftly made his way to the fire exit stairs.
'I get that the harvester cares about his brainwashed lot. I get that people can be nervous under these kinds of situations,' He reasoned as he opened the door to the fire exit, rushing up the stairs as the cold wind blew on his bare torso.
'But he singlehandedly ruled an entire school filled with delinquents. You can't do that with emotion alone. I figured him to be more level-headed than this, at least regarding things that aren't related to fights...'
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"I was wrong about you. You value your own ego over everyone else's... How disgustingly weak. I've lost my interest in you." Shiyon said with disdain as he exited the room, looking back at Yuuto with disgust before sprinting away.
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'Was he really worried about us missing them, or...?' Yuuto wondered as he bumped into a figure clad in black making their way down the stairs from the roof.
'I was right!' Yuuto thought, instantly recovering and watching the figure fall to the ground by the roof access.
"SHIT, SOMEONE SAW US!" one of them shouted.
Yuuto's eyes darted around, spotting three more figures dressed in black. Two of them were carrying the very much awake Hiyori and Chiyoko, who looked at Yuuto frantically, their eyes begging for help. Both were in tears.
Hiyori: 'SAKURAI! CALL FOR HELP!' she hummed through her gag.
Chiyoko: 'SENPAI! HELP US!' she echoed.
'Found them,' Yuuto thought, his gaze steady.
"Hey, ninja bastards," Yuuto called, blocking their exit as he reached the top of the stairs. "I'd appreciate it if you dropped these two here. Otherwise, I'll drop you off this roof." His voice was calm yet commanding.
'I'm almost sure they're Black Letter. But I can't mention that, especially not with these two girls here,' Yuuto thought.
The group exchanged looks, sizing Yuuto up.
"I thought you said no one saw us!" one of them said to another.
"I checked! No one saw us grab those bitches!"
"Well, it's just a kid. That guy said there was no one to worry about," the third one said.
'That guy...? Someone who knew we were at the onsen, huh?' Yuuto noted mentally.
They all sighed in annoyance, their eyes fixed on the calm Yuuto.
"I hate kids, man... One of these wimpy high-school boys had to show up," muttered the one who had been knocked down, pulling out a pocket knife. Yuuto watched calmly as the man twirled it effortlessly.
'Shit... a knife!' Hiyori thought, worry flashing across her face.
"Hold up, fellas. I got this," the man said, approaching Yuuto.
"Hey, kid. Just be a good boy and go back to sleep. See this knife? I won't use it on you. I'm not the type to stab a high-schooler... It's just a deterrent." He sighed as he stepped closer to Yuuto.
'AS IF!' he thought, his sadistic smile hidden beneath his mask as he thrust the knife toward Yuuto's abdomen.
"SENPAI!" Chiyoko cried through her gag as she saw the cloaked figure carry out his motion.
'SHIT... HE WAS STABBED... NO!' Hiyori thought, closing her eyes in defeat.
"Ahh... Another mess to clean up," one of them sighed in frustration.
"Come on, Yonji. Leave the kid here. I'll call the cleanup crew and..." The one carrying Chiyoko stopped mid-sentence, seeing both Yonji and Yuuto standing still.
They all raised an eyebrow.
"Yonji?" one of them called softly.
"Gahh..." Yonji gasped.
"What the...?!"
Hiyori and Chiyoko slowly opened their eyes in confusion.
'Leopard Fist,' Yuuto thought as his knuckles struck just below Yonji's chin while his other hand grabbed the knife's blade.
[The Leopard Fist is a martial arts technique where all the knuckles in the fist protrude slightly to inflict more damage. It requires rigorous training to strengthen the knuckles so they don't bend upon striking.]
Yuuto then snapped the knife from the assailant's grasp and struck Yonji's diaphragm, completely knocking the wind out of him.
'Phoenix Eye Fist.'
[The Phoenix Eye Fist is a martial arts technique where only the middle knuckle protrudes to inflict heavy damage on a small area. It's less risky than the Leopard Fist, as the other knuckles support the middle one.]
'Was I... just shot with a gun?' Yonji thought before collapsing to the ground, startling everyone.
'I can't afford to hold back like I did with Harvester or be prideful and hesitant like with Kyoya Guuji.'
They all took a step back, as a glimmer of hope glistened in the two girls' eyes.
'I made way... Way.. WAY... Too many mistakes like some ordinary human. Not this time...'
He thought as he looked at them intensely, glaring at the group as he clenched his fists.
'I'll use everything I have and... I'mma baseball these guys' asses.'