In a bar crowded with subordinates, Kiryu stood at the front as everyone bowed to Shin the moment he entered.
"Lord Shin!"
It was very typical of Japan—even in the underworld, etiquette was essential, though such respect was reserved only for their own people.
The men behind Kiryu showed no signs of disrespect toward Shin, despite him being a high school student.
Last night, Kiryu had already demonstrated his strength—right in front of everyone, he chopped through numerous pieces of wood with his bare hands as easily as slicing vegetables. Each cut was as clean as if made by a sharp steel blade, leaving everyone in awe of his power.
With such strength, Kiryu's gang could dominate Shimokitazawa without question. They might even be able to take over Tokyo's entire underworld and potentially expand further.
And yet, Kiryu had made it clear that Shin's strength was far superior to his.
With the endorsement of their suddenly powerful boss, all the subordinates suppressed any doubts they might have had about this high schooler and showed him the utmost respect.
"Lord Shin, who is this...?"
However, when Kiryu looked up and saw Shin and the person standing behind him, a trace of surprise appeared on his face.
"Huh?"
Shin turned around in confusion and found himself facing a big man in sunglasses, about 170 cm tall, and...
Gotou Hitori, who was nervously dressed in a pink tracksuit over her school uniform.
Although Shin had been sensing his surroundings with "qi," he hadn't paid much attention to the two presences behind him.
So, it turns out that one of the two people following him was that strange guitar girl from before.
"Why did you follow me in here?" Shin found the pink-haired girl vaguely familiar, though he couldn't recall why, so he asked in a puzzled tone.
"Oh…yeah, why did I follow you in?" Gotou Hitori stammered, too flustered to speak clearly. Shin could barely make out what she was saying.
Apparently, when Shin had told the two men in sunglasses to "follow me," Gotou, with her mind blank, had tagged along as well.
As she entered the bar and saw the intimidating crowd and heard the thunderous shouts of "Lord Shin," she realized what kind of place she had stumbled into.
This...this is the underworld, right? Did I just walk into some kind of dangerous place?
"A stranger?"
Seeing Shin's bewildered expression, Kiryu seemed to understand, and his face took on a fierce look. His previous cautious demeanor had been out of concern that this pink-haired girl might be someone special to Shin.
But seeing Shin's reaction, it was clear she meant nothing to him.
Of course—a man as powerful as Lord Shin wouldn't choose a girl with such a tacky appearance.
"Lord Shin, shall we take care of her?"
As he spoke, Kiryu's hand was suddenly wrapped in a white, viscous substance that quickly transformed into a steel blade. In just one night, Kiryu had already mastered the use of his Stand.
It looked like he'd practiced extensively last night.
Gotou Hitori wasn't a Stand user, so she couldn't see the blade forming in Kiryu's hand. Just hearing what he said had already scared her out of her wits.
"I... I... I didn't mean to…"
Gotou Hitori, whose mind had been filled with delusions of various dramatic deaths, never expected that she might actually die at the hands of the yakuza.
"Enough, don't scare her."
Shin glared at Kiryu. Talking about killing people right in front of him—did he seem like such a ruthless person?
If there was killing to be done, it should be handled when he wasn't around. If it happened in front of him, wouldn't he also become a suspect?
"What's your name? You're a student, right? Show me your student ID."
After reprimanding Kiryu, Shin turned to Gotou Hitori, extending his hand as if he were merely reclaiming something of his own.
"Oh, uh, here you go…"
Gotou Hitori, like a frightened animal, hurriedly pulled out her student ID with both hands, offering it to him respectfully.
Her timid nature was obvious—but facing a bar full of intimidating men, anyone might feel scared, even if they weren't usually shy.
"Gotou Hitori…? I see."
Seeing the name and photo on the ID, Shin finally understood why she had looked familiar.
He knew this person—from another work in his past life, though.
Due to her old-fashioned style, he hadn't connected the dots at first. But now, after seeing her student ID, he understood.
After all, the gap between two-dimensional and three-dimensional is real.
"Alright, we go to the same school."
Shin returned the ID to her, nodding.
"Huh? You're also...?"
At his words, Gotou Hitori looked up, surprised, as though she had just run into an old friend.
But she quickly remembered her situation, bowed her head, and started apologizing profusely:
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it's just a coincidence that we go to the same school—it's not worth your attention! Please, have mercy on me, I'm unattractive and talentless, I wouldn't fetch a high price…"
Her words grew softer, until they were almost like a mosquito's buzz. Without his heightened senses, Shin wouldn't have heard her at all.
"That's enough. You can go, but don't say a word about what you saw here."
Shin waved her off, letting her leave.
"Remember, I know what school you're from. If I find out you talked about anything you shouldn't…"
"I… I understand."
Though Shin didn't finish his sentence, Gotou Hitori's imagination filled in all sorts of brutal fates, leaving her terrified.
Under his gaze, she fled the bar in embarrassment, thoroughly remembering her encounter with this underworld boss who attended the same school.
"Lord Shin, are you sure it's fine to let her go?"
Kiryu approached him, speaking respectfully. But just as he finished his question, he noticed a black-and-gold arrow in Shin's hand, pointing straight in the direction where Gotou Hitori had fled.
Having personally experienced the effects of this arrow, Kiryu's expression immediately turned serious.
"Lord Shin, could it be...?"
"That girl wouldn't survive a day in the underworld. There's no need."
Shin shook his head, retracting the arrow. Although it surprised him to find that Gotou Hitori had Stand potential, he wasn't about to awaken her Stand immediately.
Her personality was far too timid—if he ever intended to recruit her, he'd have to work on that first.
But since they went to the same school, he'd likely have plenty of chances to "train" her in the future.
"So, what did you call me here for?"
To be continued…
Psst, Ningen. You are under arrest! Hand over your Power Stones, if you wanna live!
Avail 15% discount on memberships for a limited time!
Advance 50 chapters are up on my Patreon!
pat reon.com/AlphaSenatus