Jacob and Kevin approached the school courtyard with a purpose. Their eyes zeroed in on Kiriko, standing near a group of students. The moment they stepped closer, a boy with sharp eyes and messy hair jumped between them, shielding her as if he was ready to play the hero.
It didn't last long.
Jacob, annoyed by the interruption, barely gave him a glance before grabbing the kid by his collar and tossing him aside with ease. The boy crashed into a nearby bench, groaning as he struggled to get up.
Kiriko, startled by the sudden commotion, finally recognized them. They were the guys she had seen in her brother's phone. She looked confused but didn't say anything at first. Instead, she stared at them with a frown, trying to piece together why they were here.
Jacob dusted his hands off and approached her. "Your brother sent us. He said to escort you home."
Kiriko crossed her arms, an eyebrow raised. "The festival's not over yet and I don't need an escort, I will take a taxi."
Kevin, standing beside Jacob, stepped forward, his voice tense. "It's urgent. Please understand." He wasn't in the mood to argue. Not when Toji had specifically told them to get her out of here.
At that moment, the boy who had been thrown earlier—Daniel—managed to stand back up, rubbing his shoulder where he had hit the bench. He limped toward Kiriko, his face a mix of concern and confusion. " Kiriko! Do you know these guys?" he asked her, eyeing Jacob and Kevin warily.
For some reason, hearing Daniel say Kiriko's name so casually made Kevin's blood boil. He clenched his fists, biting back the urge to knock the guy out right then and there. Who was this kid, acting all familiar with Toji's sister?
Meanwhile, Vasco—another kid nearby who had the build of a brick wall—watched Jacob closely, sensing the growing tension. He subtly shifted into a defensive stance, prepared for a fight if things escalated.
But Kiriko, catching on to the urgency in Kevin's tone, sighed. "Alright. If my brother sent you, I guess it's serious." She glanced at Daniel, who was clearly out of his depth. "I'll go with them. Let me just grab my things."
Kevin nodded, still annoyed by the whole situation but glad she was cooperating. "Fine. Hurry."
As Kiriko turned to head toward her school bag, Kevin followed, his eyes scanning the area for any potential threats. Jacob, meanwhile, took out his phone and called the other members of the Division. "We found Kiriko," he said. "Get ready."
Behind them, Daniel's legs began to shake. The scene playing out before him was like something out of a nightmare. He was still recovering from being tossed aside like a rag doll, but now there was something far worse happening.
The sound of roaring engines filled the air.
Daniel's heart raced as he turned around. His eyes widened, and his mouth went dry. Hundreds of men on motorcycles flooded the school grounds, all wearing the same intimidating black jackets. A massive red "D" was etched on their backs in what looked like blood. They weren't like the students from J High. These men were rugged, rough, and carried weapons—chains, bats, pipes, and more. They didn't just look like a gang; they looked like an army.
Vasco, too, took a step back, his usually composed face filled with surprise and caution. He had faced many opponents before, but this was different. This was overwhelming.
Daniel's thoughts were spinning. "Just who is this guy… Toji?" he muttered under his breath, staring at the army of bikers surrounding the area. The intimidating presence of the Division was enough to make even the bravest feel weak in the knees.
Kevin returned with Kiriko at his side, his gaze flicking to the sea of men surrounding the school. He didn't even flinch. "We're ready to move," he said coldly to Jacob, completely ignoring the terrified expressions on the faces of the other students.
Kiriko glanced around, her eyes wide at the sheer number of men waiting for them. But she remained calm. "You guys always travel like this?"
Jacob smirked. "Only when it's important."
Daniel watched in stunned silence as Jacob and Kevin led Kiriko toward the waiting motorcycles, his heart pounding in his chest. The sheer number of men—bikers in black jackets with the intimidating blood-red "D" emblazoned on their backs—filled the air with tension. The sight was overwhelming, and for the first time in his life, Daniel felt completely out of his depth. He had never encountered such an imposing display of power and authority.
But as the moments dragged on, a different emotion began to bubble up inside him. Anger. Deep, simmering anger.
From the moment Daniel had transferred to J High, Kiriko had been someone he admired, someone he felt for in a way he couldn't quite put into words. She was kind and intelligent, treating everyone with the same warmth and sincerity, no matter their appearance or background. In a world that often judged people based on how they looked, Kiriko stood out. And that had made her special to Daniel.
And now, all he could think about was how dangerous Kiriko's brother, Toji, must really be.
Still, as Daniel watched the motorcycles rev to life and prepare to leave, he couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness. And that helplessness quickly turned into a promise he made to himself: I'll get stronger. Strong enough to stand up to people like them.
Strong enough to protect the people I care for, he looked at Kiriko's retracting figure, his heart tightening for some unknown reason.