"No, it's because I can't get along with your sister. I'm afraid I won't be able to resist and will really hit her." Kazuya was straightforward because Haruna couldn't understand polite words. However, it was also the truth. With such a big world out there, there was no need to stick to that particular job. He could find a place where he didn't have to endure so much.
"I see..." Haruna felt a bit down. Was it for such a trivial matter? "I've been neglecting sleep and food, practicing hard every day. I was even planning to challenge you again! Now it's going to be troublesome... Will we still be able to meet often in the future?"
Kazuya fell into a slight silence. He appreciated that she held him in high regard, but it wasn't necessary! Besides, you sat at the table before mealtime and ate the most every day. He couldn't understand how she could say she neglected food.
Nevertheless, he had a good impression of this pure, naive girl. "Although I won't be working at your house, we are still friends. As for our contests... we'll have a chance in the future."
Haruna earnestly nodded. "Great! You're a really nice person. Your tenacity is admirable, and you work hard while eating less. Unfortunately, my sister doesn't like you. It's strange because you're so likable."
She genuinely felt a bit sorry. However, she quickly tossed aside her worries because the situation was irreparable. She asked with concern, "Since you said we're still friends, can I come find you to play?"
She wiped her mouth and swallowed saliva when saying that.
Kazuya didn't notice. He casually agreed, "Of course, you're welcome anytime." He was looking at the entrance of the school building, noticing that Haruka was carrying her backpack and a bag while changing shoes, all the while staring at him.
He shifted his gaze away, waved to Haruna, "Your sister is here, Haruna. I'll be going now."
Haruna nodded repeatedly, "We will meet again!"
Kazuya chuckled, shook his head, and walked away.
After Haruka came out, she stared at his retreating figure, her expression somewhat unpleasant. She had classes at school today, and her face bore a red mark. She didn't dare lift her head, making her even more angry.
She asked with resentment, "Haruna, what did that guy say to you?"
"Nothing, I just asked him if he would still come to our house for meals. He said he wouldn't come in a few days, disappointing me too much." Haruna was always an honest girl. She spoke her mind, regardless of whether her sister was in a bad mood or not.
Haruka furrowed her brows and her face growing darker, "It's good that he won't come. This guy is so petty. I poked him in the eye, but didn't he hit me back? Did I complain? Did I go tattle to Dad? This guy won't achieve anything in his entire life!"
After saying this, she pouted, but feeling too much like a little girl, so she unbecomingly spat out a sound. Then, she turned her head and commanded Haruna, "Don't mind him! Let's go, come with me to meet a senior."
As she spoke, she even raised the bag in her hand, which contained two boxes of snacks prepared for "bribing".
"Why not just go directly to join the club? Why make it so troublesome?" Haruna complained while reluctantly getting up. She didn't like this kind of thing at all.
"Stop your whining. What if you don't get attention by directly joining the club? Who would care about something that comes easily to them? If you don't get a chance to show your skills, it's over. Do you want to be a doormat for a year, moving mats and doing hurdles for a year as a laborer for the seniors? Hurry up, hurry up! Remember don't show off your swordsmanship when we get there. Just stay quiet. It would be troublesome if you get stuck in the Kendo club."
Looking at Haruna's insouciant expression, she got more angry. "Where are you looking? Are you listening to me? If you dare to spoil the good thing, I won't spare you when I get home!"
She spoke and dragged Haruna towards the Kendo dojo. If they weren't in school, she probably would've kicked her butt all the way.
...
Kazuya didn't want to face Haruka again, avoiding the possibility of another argument. As long as others didn't provoke him, he was completely harmless. However, he really couldn't get along with someone like Haruka. But since the little radish had a good dad, and considering her dad, he couldn't easily take matters into his own hands and discipline her. Thus, he simply turned a blind eye and ignored her.
The tram rumbled along, and he arrived at the station. As he approached his apartment, not far away, he noticed a group of boys, big and small, surrounding someone. Faint sounds of stern scolding reached his ears.
It wasn't his concern. The area was often chaotic and fights were commonplace. He paid no attention and continued to carry his bag forward. However, he faintly heard a voice calling out loudly after a few steps, "You a wild child from a prostitute's family, who gave you the courage to hit my brother? How do you plan to compensate? Speak, speak to me, are you mute?"
The expression "wild child from a prostitute's family" caught Kazuya's attention, making him feel that something was off. He turned back and changed his perspective to get a better look through the crowd. Although it wasn't very clear, the figure seemed to be Yoko.
Suddenly, his heart tightened, and without thinking, he briskly walked over. As he got closer, he saw Yoko, carrying a large crimson backpack, being cornered against the wall, bowing her head and taking slaps from a high school boy in a black uniform.
The boy's strikes were forceful. A few slaps made Yoko's small body sway, yet she didn't dare to make a sound or resist. She just stood there taking the beating, even refraining from picking up her fallen cap.
Seeing the red marks on Yoko's small face and the blood seeping from her mouth, Kazuya also felt a jolt. He suddenly felt as if the slaps were hitting his own face, a surge of anger rising. Without hesitation, he flung his single-shoulder bag directly at the boy's face. The bag was heavy filled with books, not as powerful as a brick, but hitting anyone's head with it would definitely leave an impact. The bag hit the delinquent boy's face and knocked him down, bewildering him.
This sudden movement startled the group of delinquents. They turned to face Kazuya and began to curse and threaten him. Ignoring them, Kazuya headed straight for Yoko.
The delinquents had a wide range of ages, from middle school to high school. There was even one wearing a middle school uniform. As Kazuya approached, he instinctively raised his leg to kick. He shouted, "Damn it, how dare you?!"
Kazuya's face grew colder. Without a word, he retaliated with a kick, leveraging his height advantage and swift movement. He kicked that guy and made him stagger back three or four steps, crashing into the others, creating chaos.
The disturbance caught the delinquents by surprise. Kazuya also didn't need to use any special skills against these ordinary people. Taking advantage of the confusion, he landed a punch on another person's face, causing him to bleed profusely, clearing a path. He quickly approached Yoko.
Yoko was stunned but quickly became anxious. She pushed him hard, urgently saying, "Onisan, why are you here? Don't mind me, just leave quickly!"
Kazuya also grabbed her arm, pulling her behind him. He kicked another person aside, creating space.
The one who got hit by the bag was their leader, currently lying on the ground, cursing and swearing that he would personally deal with Kazuya. The group of delinquents were now in a state of disarray. Kazuya also's imposing presence intimidated them, and they hesitated to rush him together.
Yoko, with a stunned expression, was pulled behind Kazuya. He stood tall, facing the group of delinquents, his face filled with a cold and stern expression. In a low voice, he asked, "Are you okay, Yoko?"
Yoko, who had been holding back tears before he arrived, couldn't help but let them flow now. However, she fought hard not to cry out loud. She replied with a hint of nasal tone, "I'm fine, Onisan. Don't bother with them. Just go back! Please, go back, Onisan. I'm really fine!"
She pushed Kazuya, urging him to leave quickly. The high school student who had been hit by the bag managed to get up with the help of his buddies, still a bit dizzy. He angrily cursed and kicked away the bag. Staring menacingly at Kazuya, he exclaimed, "You brat! Where did you come from, daring to interfere with my business?"
Growing up in the same neighborhood, everyone knew Yoko's mother, who was famous for being a woman that one could have for the right price. Although Yoko had been addressing Kazuya as "Onisan", this delinquent guy didn't believe he was her real brother. Instead, he saw Kazuya as someone meddling in their affairs.