Chapter 79 My Friend #
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
[Part 2/2]
When we reached the rooftop and prompted him to speak, Ijuuin-kun started talking.
”Earlier, I went to the shop during a class with few people to buy something, but unfortunately, I was caught by Demiurge’s Yamazaki-kun… he took away the lunch and snacks I just bought and asked me a lot about the homeroom.”
Such bad luck and a smooth extortion move. Ijuuin-kun is quite skilled.
”How much did you tell him?”
”I-I tried to be vague in my answers. I didn’t mention Nitta-kun or Hasegawa-kun. But eventually, he got impatient and said, ‘Bring Akiyama alone, pretending that the alliance members want to meet him.’ But I’m not good with Akiyama, I was wondering how to talk to him, and then you passed by…”
”I see. To us, people like Akiyama are like aliens. We don’t understand why he is so high-spirited all the time, it’s like he’s always drunk. He probably doesn’t understand the feelings of introverts like us.”
”Tsuchimiya-kun…”
Ijuuin-kun looked a bit relieved.
”By the way, what are your hobbies, Ijuuin-kun?”
”Uh, I like trains… and games…”
Ijuuin-kun answered nervously while trying to gauge my reaction.
A party person like Akiyama might make fun of him like, “Haha! you like trains! How lame!” but I’m different.
I may not understand trains, but I see it as a sophisticated hobby that finds unique value and beauty in familiar things, facing one’s inner self. There’s no room for a party people perspective in that.
”Oh, that’s a nice hobby. I like games too. I was hooked on ‘Psycho Brain’ recently and cleared Nightmare Mode without saving.”
”Wow! That’s amazing, Tsuchimiya-kun! I played ‘Psycho Brain’ a lot too, but I couldn’t clear the werewolf part in Nightmare Mode.”
”So, you cleared Chapter 3. I had more trouble with that part.”
”Yeah. When you defeat three or more zombies, they keep increasing and become uncontrollable. I watched videos of skilled players for reference, but it only worked out once by pure luck.”
Ijuuin-kun is definitely in the same category as me. I feel like I can understand him with our shared language. I’ve lived avoiding contact with others until now, but I was thinking I need to change. Maybe I can become friends with Ijuuin-kun.
”How many of those Yamagata guys are there?”
”Yamazaki and his friends were three, but I might be thinking of betraying them, so they will call for reinforcements. He told me to bring everyone to the back of the gym, but it’s better to go with a large group, right?”
”No, if we go in a big group, things could escalate. It might provoke Demiurge and lead to an all-out war. It’s a situation we should avoid for now.”
”But, but if things continue like this, I might end up in a bad situation because of Yamazaki.”
Ijuuin-kun looked worried. He’s probably been targeted by Yamagishi-kun and bullied by him before.
”Don’t worry. I’ll go.”
”Tsuchimiya-kun? I’ve heard you’re strong, but Yamazaki is said to be tough in fights too. It’s still risky to go alone.”
”What are you saying? Ijuuin-kun is here too. We’ll be fine together.”
”Huh!? Ugh, that’s impossible! I’m a Support Magician, I’ve never been in a physical fight before! There’s no way I can beat Yamazaki!”
Ijuuin-kun’s expression changed, shaking his head, but I believe there’s a good chance for victory.
”Well, listen. Yamagishi probably underestimates you, not expecting an attack. He might not be prepared for a fight.”
”That makes sense. I never even dream of attacking Yamazaki.”
”So, that’s your opening move.”
”Opening move?”
”Yeah. If the opponent is careless, the first strike is likely to hit. If you have a good combo move, you can follow up. Kick him in the groin suddenly. He’ll bend over holding his groin, leaving his face vulnerable. Grab his hair, knee him in the face. Knockout.”
”N-no, even if I take down one person, I’ll be an easy target for the others!”
”For the second person, kick him in the groin again. Well, unless he’s really clueless, he’ll react somehow. He’ll likely guard his groin in a panic after seeing the first one. His face will be defenseless in a bowing position. Grab his hair, knee him in the face. KO.”
”Wait, wait! I can’t do that!”
If an ordinary person like me can do it, there’s no reason Evold’s Ijuuin-kun can’t. He just hasn’t realized his potential yet.
”Ijuuin-kun, this is a holy battle to protect your sanctuary. They don’t even consider that we introverts have fighters among us. They think we’ll obey like sl*ves if they show violence. So, you’ll become a saint now and show them. Burn your cosmos!”
”I’m not a saint, I’m a Support Magician! Yamazaki and his friends are much bigger than me, just their glare makes me freeze and unable to move. Fighting is impossible.”
Hmm… It seems Ijuuin-kun has been conditioned as a sl*ve. I need to free him. He probably can’t even imagine a scenario where someone like Zakiyama falls. I’ll shatter that illusion first.
”Got it. I’ll fight alone.”
”T-Tsuchimiya-kun…”
”Ijuuin-kun’s job is to thoroughly beat up the fallen Zakiyama. I’ll give you the club. As long as you don’t kill him, he can be treated in the infirmary. Swing at everything except his head.”
”W-wait! Is there no way to resolve this through discussion? It’s not good to fight Demiurge at this point, and honestly, if I just get punched a bit, maybe that’s okay!”
Hmm… Ijuuin-kun is a gentleman. And he has a noble heart willing to sacrifice himself for everyone. I got too caught up in trying to turn Ijuuin-kun into a great saint and forgot about the spirit of discussion. No matter who the opponent is, we should start with a gentlemanly approach. It seems Ijuuin-kun taught me that.
”You’re right… Ijuuin-kun is right. Let’s first talk to Zakiyama in a gentlemanly manner and seek a peaceful resolution.”
”Tsuchimiya-kun!”
Ijuuin-kun relaxed his expression, looking relieved.
”Let’s go there first. Lead the way. Oh, call me Tsujimoto instead of Tsuchimiya.”
”Ugh… we’re really going alone, after all…”
* * *
We walk through the first-floor corridor and pass Building C, and reach an open hallway that leads to the gym. At this point, I feel someone watching my back. It seems like we’re being watched.
We decided to leave the corridor and head towards the back of the gym.
There, three tough-looking guys were hanging out.
”Oh? You’re not Akiyama. Hey, Ijuuin. What’s going on?”
The tall guy in the middle glared at Ijuuin-kun, who paled and shrank back. This guy seems like Zakiyama.
”Akiyama ate a bad octopus and got sick, so he’s been stuck in the bathroom. I’m Tsujimoto, the class rep. I heard about your alliance offer.”
Zakiyama clicked his tongue and turned his gaze behind us.
He had a sleek muscular build, almost a buzz cut hairstyle. Despite his arrogant attitude, he was carefully observing me. He seemed like he could handle himself in a fight, so Ijuuin-kun surprise’s attack might not work.
”Yamazaki, there are no other guys. Looks like it’s just these guys.”
As we turned to the voice behind us, two rough-looking male students were walking towards us with their hands in their pockets.
Five people in total. Fewer than expected. He probably only brought his own pawns to take all the credit. It works in our favor.
”It has to be Akiyama or it won’t mean anything! Hey, you! I’m telling you that I’ll fight alongside you guys! Anyway, bring Akiyama here right now! We’ll talk after that!”
”I gave Akiyama a near-lethal dose of medicine, but he’s not fully recovered yet. Could you let me, the class rep, talk to him, Zakiyama-kun?”
Zakiyama’s face twisted in anger as he grabbed my collar and got in my face.
”Didn’t you hear me? I said bring Akiyama here. Don’t act so familiar… Stop smiling and trying to charm like a girl!”
”Hey, this guy…!”
In the next moment, my thumb was poking Zakiyama’s left eye.
”Ahh! My eye! My eye!”
Zakiyama fell to his knees, holding his left eye and crying out.
While grabbing the collar makes it easier to attack and increase damage, it weakens defense if the opponent strikes first.
Zakiyama was cautious, but when I subtly shifted my weight, his attention momentarily shifted to my face, leaving his guard down for a split second.
”Yamazaki!?”
”T-Tsuchimiya-kun!? What are you doing…!”
I delivered a roundhouse kick to Zakiyama’s head at the right height and then turned to Ijuuin-kun.
”Ijuuin-kun… unfortunately, negotiations have broken down.”
”What!? Isn’t it too soon!?”
”Well, sadly, these guys lack human hearts. It was impossible to negotiate with them. To reform them, we need to teach them the pain of human hearts. It’s like disciplining animals.”
I told Ijuuin-kun with a pained expression. These guys are like the beasts that harassed Hano-san; they can’t understand the pain in people’s hearts. That’s why I need to make them understand how much their cruel words hurt me and how much suffering Ijuuin-kun has endured. This is like disciplining an animal.
”Hey! Sneak attacks won’t work on me anymore! You crazy bastard!”
”Wait! Isn’t this Tsuchimiya!?”
The heavyweight guy came at me with a punch. His fist caught my cheek, but I swiveled my hips, shook my head to deflect it, and simultaneously swung my left arm over his arm.
My fist struck his chin, and he fell forward, twitching and motionless.
A useful counterattack move. Perhaps due to my training of spear and combat experience, I could easily anticipate his movements more clearly than before.
As I turned around, the guy who was about to jump at me froze in his stance. Three left.
”Watch out! This is Tsuchimiya Takeru!”
”Tsuchimiya!?”
”This guy…!”
It seems like they recognize my face. I need to find a way to deceive them.
”No, I’m Tsujimoto.”
”Liar! You’re Tsuchimiya!”
”That menacing look, just like in the news!”
”…Okay, how about call me Tsujimiya then?”
It’s a compromise. Anything is fine as long as it’s not Tsuchimiya.
”Don’t mess around!”
”Hey, let’s all go at him at once!”
That’s not good. These guys are used to fighting, and Evold’s power is indeed a threat. It’s quite dangerous to be caught in a melee.
When one person takes out an extendable baton and swings it, it makes a sound like “clang!”
I raise my open right hand and swing it down. In my hand, a long wooden stick is already gripped.
”Huh?”
”Where did he pull out a weapon from!?”
Tina’s support is fast and precise. I have simple signals, but she understands my intentions even if a bit roughly.
Seeing the weapons, the men seem to get more determined and move to surround me with coordinated movements.
As I quickly move to break free from the encirclement, two men close in to attack me from the front and back, but unfortunately, their reach is too different.
I jab the man in front in the chest before he closes the distance, and he flies back with force. Using the movements of the Azure Dragon style, I sweep the legs of the man behind with a spear thrust, causing him to rotate and slam his head on the ground.
When using spear techniques, my bonus value is probably +6 with the combination of my Class Title, Phoenix Temple Spear Technique (Hououin-ryu) skill, and Brave Warrior Title.
Defense barriers are likely at beginner level, with Heavy Armorer being the only one with a bonus of 0 or +1. Even with magic items, the bonus might be at most +1. I need to be careful because even with a wooden stick, aiming for the head could be deadly.
”Ugh…!?”
The remaining man throws away his baton and raises both hands, but I ignore it and jab him in the stomach with the stick. He goes flying and rolls on the ground, clutching his stomach and groaning. The cries of Zakiyama and the groans of the men echo behind the gym.
”Well, looks like they’re out of commission for a while.”
”Wow, Tsuchimiya-kun, that was amazing.”
Zakiyama seemed pretty strong, and although he doesn’t look as relaxed as he appears, I don’t feel bad being praised by Ijuuin-kun. If I were to blind Zakiyama’s other eye, would he praise me even more?
”Alright, now it’s Ijuuin-kun’s turn.”
”Huh?”
I put away the wooden stick in ‘Storage’ and open my right hand…
Tina?
”…club.”
I mutter quietly, and after a pause, a club appears in my hand.
Tina seems slow to react. Is something wrong with her?
”Now, Ijuuin-kun. Cut the chain with your own hands.”
I offer the club to the still pale Ijuuin-kun.
”Huh? W-wait… the fight seems to be over, isn’t it unnecessary to continue?”
Ijuuin-kun turns pale. Poor guy, the fear of Zakiyama and the others must have gotten to him.
”No, if we stop here, they’ll just come after you again. Break their spirits and limbs with your own hands, and overcome your fear.”
”I-if we go that far, it’ll turn into an all-out war…”
”It’s okay. These guys have nothing but pride. Even if they were beaten by you, they won’t speak a word. Hang them n*ked from a tree and take a picture as evidence, and there won’t be any issues.”
”D-do we really have to go that far?”
”Yes, this is a necessary ritual for you to become a Saint Fighter. Injuries can be treated in the infirmary immediately. There’s nothing to worry about.”
As I offer the club again, Ijuuin-kun staggers back. At that moment, one of the men who had fallen and groaned earlier speaks up.
”W-wait…! Please, have mercy! We won’t bother you anymore!”
”See! They’re saying they won’t bother us anymore… So, Ijuuin-kun, remember. Have you ever asked them to stop or forgive them before, and did they stop?”
”T-that’s…”
”I’m sorry…! I apologize…!”
”These guys are pests. We’ll treat them like humans once their hobby of using humans as punching bags changes to something humane. Now, turn them into iron with your own hands!”
I take another step forward and point the club at Ijuuin-kun.
”Uwaaahhh! I can’t do it! It’s impossible!!”
Ijuuin-kun screamed and started running away with his back turned.
”Ijuuin-kun!”
Ijuuin-kun dashed out from behind the gymnasium without looking back, heading towards the school building.
”…Hmm, still the first contact. Expected reaction.”
Since the beginning of this year, I’ve become friends with three stray cats.
They all started off like that. The important thing is to build trust slowly and steadily without rushing. If we do that, the day will come when I can shake hands with Ijuuin-kun.
For now, let’s take the opportunity to slowly and surely close the distance.
”H-hey, can we go home already? We need to take Yamazaki for treatment…”
Except for the groaning Zakiyama, the other guys are either crouched down or lying motionless. It seems like they’ve already recovered and are pretending to be dead. They are a group not to be underestimated.
Honestly, I have no interest in these guys anymore, but discipline is necessary for Ijuuin-kun’s safety. In order to settle the score for the lunch and snacks of my ‘friend’ (temporary), I decided to steel my resolve and muster up the little motivation I had left.
I ut the club in ‘Storage’ and held out my right hand while giving a sign.
…Tina?
”…wooden stick.”
After a considerable pause, a wooden stick appeared in my hand.
”For now, let’s settle the score with those who laid a hand on my ‘friend’.”
I looked down at the emotionless beasts below me.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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