《The Accidental Kingpin How I Became a Yakuza Boss (By Complete Mistake)》 Act 1: Meet the Family Disaster Chapter 1: Collision Course Chapter 1: Collision Course Scene 1: The Accident That Started Everything I wasn¡¯t supposed to be here. That¡¯s the first thought I had when I realized I was lying flat on my back, staring at the blinding sky, while the distant sound of tires screeching echoed in my ears. That, and the fact that I really, really hated mornings. Somewhere to my left, a crowd was forming, voices mixing into a jumble of panic, but my brain was still rebooting, trying to process what the hell just happened. Oh, right. I got hit by a car. But¡ªwait¡ªwhy wasn¡¯t I in pain? I groaned, blinking rapidly, and shifted slightly. Everything seemed¡­ fine? My limbs were intact. My ribs didn¡¯t feel broken. No major blood loss. I could still breathe, though a bit shakily. Which meant¡ª Someone groaned beside me. I turned my head and nearly had a heart attack. A few feet away, sprawled face-down on the pavement, was a guy who looked just like me. Same messy black hair. Same height. Same general high schooler build. But there was a distinct difference: his school uniform wasn¡¯t a wrinkled mess like mine, and¡ªoh yeah¡ªhe was completely unconscious. I sat up way too fast. ¡°What the¡ª¡± The moment I moved, strong hands grabbed my shoulders. ¡°Young Master! Are you hurt?!¡± I flinched, my brain going into emergency shutdown mode as I found myself surrounded by four very large, very serious-looking men in black suits. One of them knelt beside me, inspecting me like I was some kind of precious artifact that had just been dropped from space. The others were already moving, blocking off the area like trained professionals. I glanced around, half-expecting to see actual bodyguards. Wait. They were bodyguards. What the hell was going on?! My first instinct was to bolt, but then I caught a glimpse of the other me still lying there, completely out cold. The realization hit me like¡ªwell, like a speeding car. The guy who got hit wasn¡¯t me. Which meant¡ª ¡°Oh, hell,¡± I muttered. ¡°Young Master?¡± One of the suited men gave me a puzzled glance. I froze. Young¡­ Master? A sinking feeling settled in my gut. They thought I was him. I glanced at the unconscious guy again, mentally connecting the dots. Rich kid. Bodyguards. Clearly important. I was not important. And yet, they were treating me like I was their boss. I took a shaky breath. ¡°Uh¡­¡± The one closest to me frowned. ¡°You hit your head, didn¡¯t you? You¡¯re disoriented.¡± I could just tell them the truth. Correct the misunderstanding. Explain that I was just some random transfer student who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Yeah. I could do that. ¡­Or I could live long enough to get to my first class. Because if these guys were who I thought they were¡ªpeople who worked for the real unconscious guy¡ªthen there was a high chance they were dangerous. And if they suddenly realized I wasn¡¯t their Young Master, who knew what they¡¯d do? I forced a nervous chuckle. ¡°Uh. Right. Disoriented. Totally.¡± The bodyguards exchanged looks. Before I could think of another bad excuse, the wail of sirens filled the air. The paramedics arrived in record time, rushing past us straight to the unconscious guy. The real Young Master. I held my breath as they checked him over. He was alive¡ªa little banged up, but alive. ¡°Looks like mild trauma. We¡¯re taking him in.¡± One of the paramedics waved at the waiting ambulance. The bodyguards nodded in understanding, but none of them followed. Instead, they stayed with me. I swallowed hard. Oh no. One of them glanced at the paramedics loading their Young Master onto the stretcher, then turned back to me. ¡°We will handle this quietly.¡± Quietly? Another one sighed. ¡°It would be best if we didn¡¯t inform your father about this, Young Master. He would not be pleased.¡± Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. I nearly choked. FATHER?! Oh. Oh, no. I barely processed the moment when the real Young Master was driven off, his phone slipping from his pocket and skidding across the pavement. My eyes darted to it. My biggest mistake of the day? I picked it up. Because the moment my fingers wrapped around that phone, there was no going back. Scene 2: A Case of Mistaken Identity My heart was pounding violently as the bodyguard led me toward the gates of Fujihama High, his grip on my shoulder gentle yet unyielding. I felt like a criminal being marched toward my execution, helpless and desperate, trapped in a misunderstanding that seemed to spiral wildly with each passing second. Around me, the gathered students whispered feverishly, eyes wide with shock and awe. "Isn''t that him?" someone murmured. "That''s Ryuji Sakamoto¡ªthe heir to the Sakamoto family!" "I heard he wiped out a whole rival gang last year," another whispered reverently. "Look how calm he is! He''s not even rattled after almost getting hit by a car!" Calm? I''m having a panic attack! I thought, eyes darting frantically for any possible escape route. But everywhere I looked, curious faces stared back, blocking every possible path to freedom. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to speak. "I¡ªI think there¡¯s been a misunderstanding," I began weakly, turning toward the towering man beside me. He paused, raising a concerned eyebrow. "Young Master, are you feeling unwell? Perhaps you suffered more of a shock than we realized." "No, that''s not what¡ª" I started again, but the second bodyguard appeared suddenly on my other side, cutting me off. "Don''t worry, Young Master," he assured me with solemn reverence. "We''ll inform your father that you''re safe." My father? What father?! Before I could protest further, they gently but firmly guided me through the front gates and straight into the main building. As we entered the crowded hallways, students parted hurriedly, pressing themselves against lockers and walls to give us space, like I was royalty¡ªor perhaps something far worse. I desperately avoided eye contact, but I could feel their stares burning into me, each whispered rumor sinking my heart further into despair. "Did you see that? Even his bodyguards look scary!" "He really is the heir of a Yakuza empire!" "I bet he planned that whole car accident himself!" My knees went weak. Please, someone, just listen to me! At that exact moment, Mr. Tanaka, our homeroom teacher, stepped out of the classroom into the hallway, eyes widening at the sight of me flanked by two intimidating bodyguards. Sweat immediately glistened on his forehead, his usually cheerful face growing pale. "A-ah! S-Sakamoto-kun!" he stammered nervously, bowing repeatedly. "Welcome back! I hope you''re not injured?" I waved my hands frantically, trying to correct him. "Mr. Tanaka, this is a mistake! I''m not¡ª" But before I could finish, the bodyguards bowed formally to the terrified teacher and smoothly vanished into the background, leaving me standing awkwardly in the doorway of the classroom, speechless and helplessly trapped. Mr. Tanaka cleared his throat anxiously, motioning toward a seat near the back of the room¡ªclearly reserved just for me. "P-please take your seat, Sakamoto-kun. Let¡¯s¡­let¡¯s start homeroom, everyone!" Feeling dozens of eyes on me, I stumbled toward my assigned desk, sinking slowly into the chair as if the weight of the world had crushed my body. My head spun, barely comprehending the insane predicament I''d somehow landed in. Just as I thought things couldn''t possibly get worse, the phone in my pocket suddenly buzzed sharply. Startled, I yanked it out, staring at the screen in horror. An unknown number flashed ominously, a single text message burning itself into my eyes: "We''ll see if you''re worthy soon." I swallowed, my mouth dry as paper. Worthy? Worthy of what?! As my mind raced with horrific possibilities, the students around me continued whispering, excitement and fear mingling in their voices. Meanwhile, Mr. Tanaka hurriedly began homeroom announcements, his voice trembling as if any wrong word might set off a catastrophe. With each passing second, the surreal nature of my predicament sank deeper into my bones. A sinking dread filled my chest, pressing down on me until it felt impossible to breathe. What have I done? I thought miserably, staring helplessly at the unfamiliar phone in my shaking hand. Then, with horrifying clarity, a single thought emerged above all else: I need to go back to bed.
Scene 3: The Birth of a Legend (Against My Will) Homeroom had barely started, but the atmosphere was already thick with tension. The entire class seemed to hold their breath whenever I shifted in my seat. Eyes constantly darted my way, some fearful, others awed¡ªmost disturbingly, a few looked at me with an eager curiosity, as if I were some kind of exhibit in a traveling circus. I sank lower into my chair, pretending to study my desk while desperately wishing for invisibility. "I heard he destroyed a whole rival gang last year," whispered a girl behind me, her voice trembling with excitement. "I heard even teachers are scared to give him detention," added another voice conspiratorially. I shut my eyes tightly, biting back a groan. Where are these people getting these insane stories from? From across the room, a low chuckle caught my attention. Turning slightly, I spotted Tetsuya Nakamura lounging casually at his desk, arms crossed over his broad chest, eyes watching me intently. Nakamura was notorious around Fujihama High¡ªthe toughest delinquent in school, famous for never having lost a fight. Our eyes met briefly, and a slow, challenging smirk spread across his face. My stomach churned painfully. Please, not another one. Before I could worry too long about Nakamura¡¯s unnerving attention, a sharp movement drew my eyes to the front of the classroom. Reina Kisaragi, class president and staunch defender of rules and order, was staring at me with undisguised hostility. Her usually serene face was now rigid with righteous indignation. She scribbled furiously into a notebook, her pen scratching the paper loudly enough for the whole class to hear. "Corruption¡­crime¡­gang activity," she muttered loudly enough for the closest students to hear. Each word hit me like a dart, making me flinch. I watched helplessly, feeling trapped between Nakamura¡¯s dangerous amusement and Reina¡¯s unyielding judgment. Somehow, in less than twenty-four hours, I''d become public enemy number one. All because of a stupid phone and one idiotic misunderstanding. Desperately, I turned to the front, staring at the chalkboard, begging time to move faster and release me from this torment. "They say he doesn''t even need to fight," came another hushed whisper behind me. "Just one look and his enemies surrender!" "I heard someone fainted just from him glaring," someone added solemnly. I gripped my desk, knuckles white, biting back the hysterical laughter bubbling dangerously in my throat. Who exactly is spreading these absurd rumors? I haven''t even done anything! I glanced around nervously. Nakamura¡¯s smirk had widened into a confident grin, his eyes bright with anticipation. Reina¡¯s notebook filled with more angry scribbles. The whispers around me intensified, each rumor building on the last. Suddenly, I realized something even more terrifying: They genuinely believe this insanity. Nakamura leaned back further, his chair balancing precariously on its back legs. His eyes never left mine. He looked as if he¡¯d finally discovered an opponent worth his time, and the excitement in his expression sent chills down my spine. "The young master finally shows himself," Nakamura murmured just loudly enough for me to hear, his voice laced with a disturbing eagerness. My heart nearly stopped. Young master? Not again... At the front, Reina slammed her notebook shut decisively, making me jump. Her glare drilled into my soul, her expression resolute and unforgiving. "This is unacceptable," she said firmly under her breath. "I will fix this criminal." She adjusted her glasses with a decisive push, and I could almost see her plotting the downfall of my nonexistent empire. Why does everyone assume I¡¯m some master criminal?! As the rumors continued buzzing around me, growing louder and wilder, I stared blankly at the front of the room, eyes glazed over with dread. "I''m doomed," I whispered softly, utterly resigned. My life had officially spiraled completely out of control, and somehow, impossibly, it was only my first day.
Chapter 2: A New King is Crowned Chapter 2: A New King is Crowned Scene 1: The Morning After (And My First Big Problem) The following morning, I dragged myself to school feeling as though I hadn''t slept in days. Maybe if I pretended nothing had happened yesterday, reality would follow suit and return to normal. Who am I kidding? After everything yesterday, normal isn''t even an option. As I approached Fujihama High, I hesitated, my stomach twisting anxiously. Taking a deep breath, I stepped cautiously through the gates. Instantly, every head in the courtyard snapped toward me, eyes widening, whispers erupting like a startled flock of birds. Students parted hurriedly, forming a wide pathway, clearing my way to the entrance. I felt like Moses splitting the Red Sea¡ªonly this version was terrifying, unwanted, and entirely too public. The murmuring voices buzzed around me, louder than ever: "Did you hear? He took down Nakamura¡¯s entire gang single-handedly!" "I heard he never even threw a punch¡ªjust shook Nakamura''s hand, and he surrendered!" "His glare alone makes people faint¡ªhe¡¯s practically supernatural!" My jaw clenched tighter with each absurd comment. Seriously, who even comes up with these stories? I thought miserably, fighting the urge to run straight back home and hide under the covers. From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Nakamura himself, leaning casually against the wall near the school entrance. He watched me closely, his expression unreadable but oddly respectful. My pulse quickened as he inclined his head slightly, a small but clear gesture of acknowledgment. I swallowed nervously, quickly averting my eyes. Don¡¯t acknowledge me, please. Pretend I don¡¯t exist. As I hurried toward the main entrance, another pair of eyes caught mine¡ªsharp, judgmental eyes behind thin-framed glasses. Reina Kisaragi stood stiffly by the front doors, notebook already open, pen poised as if ready for battle. She glared at me with open hostility, her mouth forming a tight, disapproving line. "The corruption in this school is worse than I feared," she muttered loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear, deliberately scribbling something fierce-looking onto a fresh page. I gulped, my heart sinking further. Great. Now even the student council president thinks I''m some kind of mobster. My mind raced desperately for escape, but before I could even take another step, a voice¡ªconfident, cool, and unmistakably feminine¡ªsuddenly spoke up, cutting through the tense silence like a knife. "So, we finally meet, Ryuji." Startled, I spun around, coming face-to-face with a girl I¡¯d never seen before. Dark-haired, strikingly beautiful, and radiating an intimidating confidence, she stood blocking my path, arms crossed loosely as she looked me over carefully, a playful smile dancing on her lips. I blinked, utterly bewildered. Who on earth is this now? "I...uh, think you have me mistaken for someone else," I stammered, forcing a weak laugh that sounded far too nervous. Her smile widened, eyes sparkling mischievously. "Still playing the quiet, mysterious act, huh? Fine. But don''t think I''ve forgotten our past." "Our past"? I stared blankly. Is this a joke? Am I on a hidden-camera show or something? Around us, the whispers erupted again, even more feverishly excited: "Wait¡ªis that Akari Tachibana? The daughter of the Tachibana Yakuza family?" "Are they old lovers or rivals?" "Is this some kind of Romeo-and-Juliet situation?" My head spun violently, blood rushing loudly in my ears. "Seriously, I really don''t know what you''re talking about!" I insisted, voice rising in panic. Akari leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "You better not disappoint me, Ryuji." My cheeks flushed hotly, frustration boiling to the surface. "But I''m not¡ª!" She stepped back smoothly, turning away without another word, her dark laughter floating behind her like a taunt. The crowd burst into frenzied chatter, phones already out as they furiously messaged friends. Feeling dizzy, I glanced desperately around, catching Reina¡¯s gaze again. Her expression was positively murderous now, pen scratching angrily across her notebook, eyes blazing. "Another problem to fix," she muttered darkly. I stood rooted to the spot, helplessly watching my life spiral further out of control. Yesterday¡¯s misunderstandings seemed almost quaint compared to today¡¯s madness. My stomach churned with anxiety, my limbs numb with disbelief. "I''m doomed," I whispered to no one in particular, my words lost amidst the deafening sea of whispers surrounding me. And worst of all, the day had only just begun.
Scene 2: A Rival¡¯s Daughter (And My First Dangerous Misunderstanding) I stood frozen in the hallway, still reeling from Akari Tachibana¡¯s cryptic words. The surrounding students buzzed excitedly, whispering conspiratorially as their gazes darted from Akari¡¯s retreating figure back to me. My face burned fiercely, the embarrassment and panic practically radiating from my skin. Who was that girl, and why did everyone seem to know her except me? Before I could fully recover, Akari suddenly stopped and turned gracefully, one delicate eyebrow arched. "You coming, Ryuji? Or do I have to drag you?" The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. My heart thudded painfully. "I¡ªI think you''re confused. I''m really not¡ª" She smiled sweetly, cutting me off effortlessly. "Of course you''d say that. Still so shy around me after all these years?" The whispers escalated into excited murmurs. "Did she just say years? How long have they known each other?" "I bet they¡¯re childhood rivals¡ªor maybe even childhood sweethearts!" My vision blurred slightly from sheer anxiety. This can''t be real. "I swear, we don''t even¡ª" I began desperately, but Akari had already looped her arm around mine with alarming ease, pulling me firmly toward the main entrance. My whole body tensed, every instinct screaming at me to flee¡ªbut I was helplessly caught in her grip, her soft perfume clouding my mind further. Every step felt like walking toward a firing squad. Outside, the morning sunlight was painfully bright, spotlighting us both as if we were actors on a stage. Students lingered nearby, clearly eavesdropping, phones ready to broadcast every detail to their eager friends. Akari stopped suddenly, leaning closer, her voice dropping to an intimate whisper. "I know you love playing games, Ryuji," she murmured softly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But it''s time we finally settle our score." My pulse raced. Score? What score? I''m not even playing! "What are you talking about?" I pleaded weakly, desperation seeping into every word. She tilted her head, eyes glittering with playful challenge. "Oh, come on. You haven¡¯t forgotten all our little rivalries, have you? Or maybe¡­" she added teasingly, her voice dangerously soft, "you prefer to remember the sweeter moments." I nearly choked, heat rushing furiously into my face. Around us, gasps erupted, the whispers reaching fever pitch. "Did she say sweeter moments?!" "I knew it¡ªthey definitely dated!" "Kenji is a legendary heartbreaker!" "I''m serious!" I insisted desperately, my voice cracking embarrassingly. "I genuinely don''t know you!" But Akari simply laughed, lightly patting my cheek. "Always the comedian, Ryuji. Don''t disappoint me¡ªour families are counting on us." Her cryptic remark hit me like a punch. Families? Counting on us? My legs felt weak. What have I gotten myself into? She stepped back gracefully, finally releasing my arm, and gave me a lingering, knowing look before strolling casually away, leaving behind a stunned silence and a trail of gossip more intense than before. I exhaled shakily, feeling utterly drained. My head spun, and I pressed a trembling hand against my forehead. How could things possibly get worse than this? Slowly, reluctantly, I turned around¡ªand immediately spotted Reina Kisaragi standing at the far side of the courtyard, eyes narrowed dangerously behind her glasses. Her notebook trembled in her grip, her face pinched with furious disbelief. "Another problem to fix," she repeated darkly, as though marking down yet another offense in my already substantial criminal record. My stomach twisted painfully. I think I¡¯ve officially made my biggest enemy yet. At the far edge of the crowd, I glimpsed Tetsuya Nakamura leaning casually against the school wall, watching the whole interaction with amused interest, arms crossed confidently. When he noticed my gaze, he gave a small nod of respect, clearly impressed by the spectacle. "Seriously?" I whispered to myself, voice shaky with disbelief. "Even he thinks I did this intentionally?" Students began to disperse slowly, chattering eagerly about the dramatic confrontation they''d just witnessed. Phones buzzed everywhere, texts spreading rumors like wildfire. Helpless, bewildered, and completely overwhelmed, I stood alone in the courtyard, my heart sinking lower by the second. I looked upward, silently begging the universe to end this madness. Instead, the universe stayed stubbornly silent. "I''m doomed," I muttered again, a mantra becoming frighteningly familiar. And with that realization, I knew for certain that my quiet, peaceful life was officially over.
Scene 3: The Challenge (And My Accidental Victory) By lunchtime, I¡¯d had enough drama to last a lifetime. All I wanted was a moment of peace to clear my head and find some way to unravel the insane misunderstandings piling up around me. Unfortunately, fate had other plans. As I stood in the courtyard, cautiously eating my lunch away from everyone else, I suddenly sensed a heavy presence approaching from behind. Slowly turning around, my heart dropped straight into my stomach as I saw Tetsuya Nakamura walking toward me, his expression unreadable but strangely intense. A crowd instantly gathered, drawn like moths to a flame, whispering excitedly as Nakamura stopped directly in front of me, arms crossed imposingly. "Ryuji Sakamoto," Nakamura announced loudly, his voice calm but commanding enough to silence the crowd. "I challenge you." I nearly choked on my sandwich, panic flaring instantly through my chest. "Challenge? Wait¡ªwhat challenge?" Around us, the murmurs rose in excitement: "It''s finally happening!" "Kenji versus Nakamura¡ªthis is legendary!" "He¡¯ll crush Nakamura easily!" Nakamura¡¯s gaze never wavered from mine. He uncrossed his arms, stepping closer, his massive figure casting an intimidating shadow over me. "I want to see if the rumors are true¡ªif you''re truly worthy of leading us." My legs trembled, knees feeling like jelly. Leading? Worthy? I never asked for this! "Hold on, Nakamura-san, I think there¡¯s been a¡ª" But before I could finish my frantic protest, Nakamura suddenly thrust out his large, calloused hand toward me, open and clearly waiting for a handshake. The entire courtyard fell deathly silent. My mind raced in confused circles. Is this a trick? Is this a trap? Desperate not to offend him further, I hesitantly reached out, my hand visibly trembling, and gingerly clasped his outstretched palm. Instantly, Nakamura squeezed firmly, a fierce, challenging strength behind his grip. Reflexively, panic shot through my entire body, my fingers twitching in sheer terror, accidentally clamping down much harder than I intended. To my utter astonishment, Nakamura¡¯s expression changed dramatically. His confident smile faltered, eyes widening in clear shock and pain. He grimaced slightly, visibly struggling against my involuntary grip. "What¡­what is this strength?" he gasped softly, voice filled with genuine disbelief. "What strength?!" my mind screamed desperately, unable to loosen my terrified grip. "I''m not even doing anything!" Finally, Nakamura released my hand abruptly, flexing his fingers painfully. He stepped back, eyes full of newfound respect and wonder. "Incredible¡­" he murmured softly, voice thick with admiration. The crowd erupted into stunned whispers, disbelief and awe mingling as they stared at me with newfound reverence. "He crushed Nakamura¡¯s hand without even trying!" "He¡¯s even stronger than the rumors said!" My jaw dropped, panic strangling my words. "No, wait! I swear it was just an accident¡ªI didn''t mean¡ª" But Nakamura didn''t hear a word of my frantic protest. Instead, he dropped suddenly to one knee, bowing deeply before me in solemn respect. "From this day forward, you are my leader, Ryuji Sakamoto." The entire courtyard exploded with excited cheers, students clapping, whistling, chanting my name as if I¡¯d just conquered an entire army. My head spun wildly, nausea rising fast. Through the cheering, I spotted Reina Kisaragi standing near the edge of the crowd, her notebook tumbling dramatically from her shaking hands, eyes wide with horror. She stared at me as if witnessing the fall of civilization itself. "Kenji just took over the delinquents," someone shouted excitedly. "He''s officially the king now!" I stumbled back weakly, my knees finally buckling as I sank onto a nearby bench, head buried helplessly in my hands. This is impossible. I didn''t even do anything! But no matter how hard I wished for it, the cheering never stopped. Nakamura stood proudly at my side, arms folded in proud satisfaction. Reina stood frozen in shock, clearly plotting my immediate downfall. And me? I stared blankly at the bright sky overhead, resigned to my fate. "I''m doomed," I whispered yet again, voice barely audible over the roar of applause. Yet despite every protest, every effort to stop it, I had somehow become a legend¡ªa leader, an unbeatable delinquent boss¡ªagainst my will. My nightmare had officially become real.
Chapter 3: The First Battle (And Kenji Has No Idea He’s in It!) Chapter 3: The First Battle (And Kenji Has No Idea He¡¯s in It!) Scene 1: Kenji¡¯s New Empire (That He Doesn¡¯t Want) I stepped into homeroom the next morning cautiously, hoping beyond all reason that yesterday''s chaos had somehow faded into a distant, forgettable memory. It was a foolish hope, admittedly. Reality struck hard as every pair of delinquent eyes locked onto me instantly, their chairs scraping the floor as they stood to attention. "Good morning, Boss!" they chorused in unison. I froze in the doorway, hand gripping the strap of my backpack tightly enough to turn my knuckles white. A shudder ran through me as their greeting echoed ominously off the classroom walls. Why does this suddenly feel like I''m starring in a mafia movie? My mind raced, desperate for an exit strategy. Before I could inch backward toward the hall, Tetsuya Nakamura stepped forward. Towering and formidable as always, he gestured grandly to a desk at the back of the room¡ªthe "seat of honor," apparently. "Boss, your seat is ready," he said reverently. "It has the best view." I stared blankly at the carefully arranged chair, placed on a slight riser, looking absurdly like a throne. My face burned with embarrassment and panic. "I¡ªI don''t need a special seat!" I stammered, waving my hands frantically. But the delinquents merely nodded solemnly among themselves, deeply moved. "Such humility!" one whispered admiringly. "A true leader is humble," another agreed, eyes gleaming with respect. My stomach twisted painfully. Someone, please, end this. From across the room, I noticed Reina Kisaragi''s gaze fixed coldly upon me, her notebook already open, pen poised like a weapon. She looked like she''d just discovered a crime scene. She adjusted her glasses sharply, mouth tight with righteous fury. "I refuse," she said, loud enough for everyone to hear, "to let this school fall into criminal hands." Her voice sent chills down my spine, and she scribbled furiously in her notebook. I squinted, catching just enough of the text to see "Plan to Reform Kenji Fujimura ¨C Phase 1" written in bold letters. A shiver crawled up my neck. What exactly does ''reform'' entail? "Boss," Tetsuya interrupted my terrified thoughts, gently but firmly guiding me toward the elevated seat. "You shouldn''t tire yourself with trivial issues. Allow us to deal with any disrespectful individuals." "No! Really, that''s not necessary," I protested weakly. "See?" another delinquent remarked, shaking his head with awe. "Such mercy, even to his rivals." I sank helplessly into my "throne," feeling my face flush hotly. This can''t possibly get any worse. And that''s when Akari Tachibana leaned casually onto my desk, her dark eyes sparkling with barely-contained amusement. Her soft perfume drifted toward me, adding to my rapidly mounting stress. "Enjoying your new kingdom, Sakamoto?" she asked with a mocking smile. I shot upright, my frustration boiling over. "For the last time, I am NOT¡ª" "Silence!" Tetsuya barked, his powerful voice cutting through my outburst like a blade. "The boss is speaking!" The room fell into instant silence, everyone¡¯s eyes wide with anticipation. Even Reina paused her furious scribbling to watch with startled fascination. I slumped back into my chair in defeat, rubbing my temples. I¡¯m trapped. Totally, irreversibly trapped. With a resigned sigh, I looked out at the classroom. Every face gazed back, earnest and waiting for guidance I couldn¡¯t possibly provide. Reina glared daggers of suspicion at me. Akari''s expression flickered with wicked delight, clearly entertained by my misery. In the span of twenty-four hours, my peaceful high school life had completely evaporated. Instead, I had somehow become the unwilling emperor of chaos, reigning over a kingdom I neither wanted nor understood. As Tetsuya nodded approvingly, Reina scribbled angrily, and Akari grinned mischievously, one thought rang in my head with crystal clarity: I¡¯m doomed.
Scene 2: The Other Gangs React At lunchtime, in a neglected, shadowed corner behind Fujihama High, Hikaru Ishida paced restlessly in front of his gathered followers. The isolated spot was littered with cigarette butts, crushed soda cans, and graffiti-scarred walls¡ªa fitting backdrop for conspiracies and rebellion. "I can''t believe this!" Ishida growled, kicking an empty can so hard it bounced noisily against the concrete wall. "We let Nakamura run things because he earned our respect. But this ''Sakamoto'' guy? I don''t buy it." Murmurs of agreement rippled among the assembled delinquents. Their eyes darted anxiously, clearly rattled by recent events, yet unsure how to voice their doubts aloud. Goro Saeki, towering over most but never known for his sharpness, rubbed his thick neck, eyebrows furrowing deeply. "But Ishida-san, they say this Sakamoto beat Nakamura without even throwing a punch. Some people saw it happen." Ishida spun on his heel to glare fiercely at Goro, the intensity making his friend flinch. "That''s ridiculous," he spat, voice dripping disdain. "No one''s that strong. You really think Nakamura would lose to a handshake?" Goro scratched his head slowly, genuinely puzzled. "Well... it¡¯s what everyone¡¯s sayin¡¯." Ishida let out an exasperated sigh, massaging his temples. He turned back to the rest of the group, clenching his fists with determination. "Look, this is about pride. If we let some nobody just walk in and take control without earning it, how long before every gang in the city thinks we''re weak? We¡¯ve got to show everyone this Sakamoto guy is a fraud." A tense silence descended over the group as Ishida''s words sank in. A few shifted nervously, clearly conflicted about openly opposing someone with such a fearsome reputation, no matter how questionable the rumors might seem. Goro, as always, was the first to break the silence, his expression brightening as if he''d stumbled onto a brilliant idea. "So we''re gonna ambush him, right? Teach him a lesson?" Ishida shot him a sharp glance. "Ambush? Are you joking? If we do something cowardly like that, we¡¯ll look even worse!" Goro¡¯s hopeful expression deflated instantly, replaced by confusion. "So... then what?" "We confront him directly," Ishida declared, his voice rising with conviction. "In public. Right in front of everyone. That way, no one can deny he''s a fraud when he crumbles." This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. The assembled delinquents nodded slowly, reassured by Ishida¡¯s unwavering confidence. A few even started murmuring excitedly, galvanized by the promise of action. Ishida crossed his arms, smirking confidently now, already envisioning his easy victory. "Tomorrow, right after school, we''re going to settle this. I''ll challenge him personally, right in the open. We¡¯ll see if this ''King of Fujihama High'' is anything more than a joke." Goro nodded enthusiastically, slamming his fist into his open palm. "Yeah! There''s no way he can dodge you with some handshake trick!" The group erupted into rough laughter, spirits buoyed by the thought of their imminent victory. Ishida¡¯s smirk widened into a satisfied grin as he looked out over his followers, his chest swelling with pride. This was his chance¡ªhe¡¯d prove to everyone that he, Hikaru Ishida, was the true king of the delinquents. But deep inside, hidden beneath his confident facade, a tiny sliver of doubt gnawed quietly at the edge of Ishida¡¯s mind. No matter how absurd it sounded, there was something unnerving about someone who could supposedly beat Nakamura without even trying. He shook off the thought angrily, dismissing it as nothing more than silly superstition. After all, no one was invincible¡ªcertainly not some transfer student who just happened to be in the right place at the right time. "Spread the word," Ishida said finally, voice strong and assured. "Tomorrow, the king falls." And as cheers and confident laughter echoed around him, Ishida glanced toward the distant school building, eyes hardening with fierce anticipation. We''ll see just how tough you really are, Kenji Sakamoto.
Scene 3: The Ambush (And Kenji Accidentally Wins Again) When the final bell rang, I let out a sigh of relief. Somehow, despite every absurd twist of fate, I''d survived another day at Fujihama High. All I wanted now was to go home, forget everything that had happened, and pretend, at least for a little while, that I was still a completely ordinary student. Walking toward the rear exit¡ªthe one fewer students used¡ªI felt a faint sense of calm finally returning. Maybe if I kept using this less-traveled route, I''d manage to avoid any more catastrophic misunderstandings. Just as my heartbeat started to slow, shadows moved abruptly at the corner of my vision. Before I had time to react, five students stepped out from behind the faded brick wall, fanning out to surround me completely. I stopped dead, heart immediately racing again. Oh no. Not again. Hikaru Ishida stepped forward from among them, a cold smirk twisting his lips. He cracked his knuckles dramatically, clearly enjoying the theatrics. "Sakamoto," he growled, each syllable dripping with contempt. "It''s time to prove you''re as tough as everyone says." I stared blankly at him. "Prove...? Prove what?" "That you''re a fraud," Ishida snapped, eyes narrowing with fierce determination. He lunged at me without further warning, fist swinging toward my face. Panic surged through me, and I tried to step back¡ªbut instead of moving gracefully out of harm''s way, my foot caught clumsily on a loose brick. With a startled cry, I pitched forward wildly, arms flailing uncontrollably as I fought to keep my balance. Ishida''s punch flew harmlessly past my head, his eyes widening in stunned disbelief. "What¡ª?" Before I could comprehend what happened, a large pair of hands reached out from my left¡ªGoro, Ishida''s towering right-hand man, attempted to grab hold of me. Instinctively, I twisted in panic, my elbow jerking upward in an awkward, uncontrolled motion. It connected solidly¡ªfar more solidly than intended¡ªwith Goro''s nose. He let out a strangled yelp and stumbled backward, colliding heavily into two others behind him. All three collapsed into a messy heap of tangled limbs, groaning loudly. "I-I¡¯m sorry!" I stammered, eyes squeezed shut in horror. "I didn''t mean¡ªI swear!" Around me, voices rose in frantic confusion. Someone else tried to seize me from behind, but my knee buckled at that precise moment, sending me sprawling sideways. My shoulder collided accidentally with another attacker, knocking the wind out of him and sending him sprawling to the ground with a muffled curse. Through sheer panic and clumsy reflex, I somehow ended up upright again, blinking around in confusion. "Wait¡ªwait! I haven''t even done anything!" Ishida stared around in frozen horror, his jaw slack. All four of his companions lay scattered around us, groaning weakly. His fierce bravado dissolved into uncertainty, his wide eyes locked onto mine in disbelief. "Impossible," he whispered shakily. "No one''s reaction speed is that insane!" "I wasn''t even¡ª" I began desperately, waving my hands frantically to explain, but a familiar, powerful voice cut me off sharply from behind. "Hmph. A pathetic challenge." I spun around to find Tetsuya Nakamura standing behind me, arms crossed confidently, eyes filled with cold disdain as he took in the chaotic scene. He gave me a respectful nod, completely misreading the situation. "Boss, are you unharmed?" he asked solemnly. I opened my mouth helplessly, unable to form coherent words. "I¡ªuh¡ªwhat just¡ª?" Ishida suddenly dropped to one knee, his head bowed humbly. His voice trembled with forced respect. "I acknowledge your strength, Sakamoto." My mind spun wildly, reality spiraling further and further from my grasp. "Wait¡ªno! Hold on a second! I didn''t fight! I didn¡¯t do anything!" But no one seemed to hear me. Tetsuya placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, nodding with proud solemnity. Ishida remained kneeling, head lowered in defeat. Around us, whispers and murmurs grew louder as a crowd gathered from around the corner, witnessing the aftermath. "Did you see that? He took them all down without even trying!" "He''s unstoppable!" My shoulders sagged as dread settled heavily over me. This misunderstanding was officially beyond repair. I looked desperately to the heavens, silently begging for intervention¡ªany intervention. But there was only silence and the bright, indifferent afternoon sun. "I... I''m doomed," I muttered softly, defeated. And as I stood helplessly amidst the aftermath of a fight I''d never meant to have, the legend of Kenji Sakamoto¡ªthe unbeatable delinquent king¡ªcontinued to grow wildly out of control.
Scene 4: Reina Declares War on Kenji The following morning arrived far too quickly. My night had been plagued by anxious dreams¡ªvisions of me endlessly stumbling into accidental victories, chased by delinquents, while being scolded mercilessly by the ever-watchful Reina Kisaragi. As I trudged wearily into the classroom, all I wanted was a day¡ªa single, blissful day¡ªof peace and anonymity. Unfortunately, my reputation had other plans. I''d barely sunk into my chair when Reina''s palms slammed down onto my desk with a resounding bang. Pencils jumped, and my half-awake brain jerked into panicked alertness. The entire class immediately went silent, dozens of eager eyes swiveling toward us, hungry for drama. I blinked up at Reina''s glaring face. Her usually calm, controlled expression was now fiercely determined, glasses glinting like the edge of a sharpened blade. "I refuse," she began loudly, her voice trembling slightly with barely contained outrage, "to let this school turn into a Yakuza training ground." I stared at her, wide-eyed, desperation overriding my sense of dignity. "I AGREE!" I blurted out frantically. "PLEASE HELP ME!" Confused murmurs erupted across the room as students exchanged bewildered glances. Reina, however, remained completely unmoved by my plea. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously, fingers pressing against my desk with white-knuckled intensity. "You might think you can fool everyone else, Kenji Fujimura," she said icily, leaning closer, her voice dropping ominously, "but I see through your innocent act. Starting today, I''m going to fix you." I swallowed audibly, my heart plunging into my stomach. Her words felt ominous, terrifyingly final. "Fix me?" I stammered weakly, dread filling every syllable. "What... what exactly does that mean?" Her eyes flashed, the slightest smile curving her lips¡ªa smile filled with grim satisfaction, like she''d just cornered her prey. "You''re joining the student council." A stunned silence spread through the room, thick and oppressive. My mind spiraled wildly, suddenly aware of the dozens of eyes glued to this scene, each one gleaming with morbid curiosity. Internally, I screamed. Student council?! I''m already dealing with accidental criminal empires and now student politics too?! Outwardly, all I could manage was a weak, defeated whisper. "...I''m doomed." Reina straightened triumphantly, her eyes glittering with determination. "Good. I''m glad we understand each other." "I don''t think you understand anything at all!" I protested weakly, but she had already turned away, scribbling furiously in her notebook, presumably plotting the complete overhaul of my entire existence. Around me, whispers intensified. "Did you hear that? He''s joining the student council!" "This is getting better every day!" "Poor Kenji... Reina''s going to eat him alive!" I sank even deeper into my chair, pressing my palms to my face in utter despair. Across the room, Akari chuckled softly, watching the entire scene unfold with unconcealed amusement. Tetsuya stood near the back, arms crossed proudly, clearly mistaking my distress for some kind of strategic brilliance. I sighed, head sinking onto my desk with a dull thud. There was no escape. Every effort I made to prove my innocence somehow solidified my accidental legend even further. Delinquents saw me as a king, Reina saw me as a threat, and now the student council had become yet another battlefront in the war I never meant to wage. As homeroom finally began, I closed my eyes and prayed desperately for salvation, for some miraculous end to this spiral of misunderstandings. But deep down, I knew better. I''m trapped. Completely and utterly trapped. And with Reina now fully committed to my "reform," things were undoubtedly about to get much, much worse.
Chapter 4: Family Matters Chapter 4: Family Matters Scene 1: The Invitation (Or Death Sentence?) The bell rang, signaling the end of another chaotic day at Fujihama High. I let out a breath I hadn¡¯t realized I¡¯d been holding, rubbing my temples as I stepped into the hallway. I survived. Somehow, I actually survived another day of insanity. My only goal now was to get home, throw myself onto my bed, and pretend for at least a few hours that my life wasn¡¯t a spiraling disaster. I walked toward the school gates, weaving through clusters of students who, thankfully, seemed to be giving me a wide berth. That was my first warning. The second came when I stepped outside¡ªand the crowd collectively gasped. I barely had time to register the sudden shift in atmosphere before I spotted them. A sleek row of black luxury cars lined the street in front of the school, their polished surfaces gleaming ominously under the afternoon sun. The tinted windows made it impossible to see inside, but the sight alone sent a cold shiver crawling down my spine. And then they emerged. Men in sharp black suits stepped out in perfect synchronization, their movements smooth and disciplined. Each one had the unmistakable presence of someone who could break a man in half without blinking. The murmurs from the crowd grew louder. "Is that¡­ the Sakamoto syndicate?" "What are they doing here?" "Did someone anger them? Are we about to witness a murder?!" I had an awful feeling that I was the "someone" in question. The lead enforcer, a tall, broad-shouldered man with neatly slicked-back hair, stepped forward, his dark eyes unreadable as he regarded me. Then, with precise formality, he bowed slightly before speaking. "Young Master, your father requests your presence." The world around me tilted violently. My vision blurred slightly. "Wait, WHAT?!" My mouth opened and closed uselessly, no words coming out. My brain frantically tried to piece together a response that didn¡¯t involve immediately collapsing on the spot. Tetsuya Nakamura, who had been standing just behind me, nodded approvingly, arms crossed in satisfaction. "It¡¯s only natural for the boss to meet with the head of the family," he said confidently. "I AM NOT THE BOSS." My internal screaming didn¡¯t make it past my lips. Instead, I just gawked at him in horror, my body frozen in place. From the corner of my vision, I spotted Reina Kisaragi, her eyes narrowing sharply as she scribbled something into her ever-present notebook. Her hand moved with furious precision. "Emergency Plan: Drag Kenji Out of the Criminal World Before It¡¯s Too Late." I barely had time to process that before Akari Tachibana leaned in, her warm breath brushing against my ear as she whispered teasingly, "Better not keep Daddy waiting, Ryuji." My stomach plummeted. "WHY IS SHE ENJOYING THIS?!" A suffocating silence followed as the suited men waited patiently for my response. I looked between them, Tetsuya, Reina, Akari¡ªnone of them offering me a way out of this nightmare. I let out a slow, pained sigh, resignation sinking deep into my bones. "This is how I die, isn¡¯t it?" I muttered. And with no way to escape, I was ushered into the black car. The door clicked shut. The engine purred to life. My fate was sealed.
Scene 2: Dinner with the Devil (Genzo Sakamoto) I had never been more convinced that I was about to die. The black car hummed quietly as it cruised through the city, the tinted windows turning the neon skyline into streaks of distant, unreachable light. Sitting rigidly in the back seat, I stared straight ahead, hands clenched in my lap as the silent, terrifying Yakuza enforcer beside me sat completely still, like a statue trained to kill on command. "Maybe I can still escape," I thought desperately. "Maybe if I just¡ª" "Don¡¯t even think about it," the man grunted without looking at me. I stiffened. Great. They could read my mind now. The car eventually slowed to a smooth stop, pulling up in front of an exclusive, high-end Japanese restaurant. The kind of place where even breathing wrong might cost more than my rent. The enforcer stepped out first, then held the door open expectantly. Swallowing my rising panic, I forced myself to move, legs feeling like cement as I stepped onto the pavement. The restaurant¡¯s sliding doors opened immediately, as if they had been expecting me. Which, of course, they had. A suited host bowed deeply before leading me past the main dining area, where soft conversations hummed over the clinking of delicate ceramic dishes. The scent of fresh sushi and grilled wagyu lingered in the air, but my stomach had no interest in food¡ªonly an overwhelming sense of impending doom. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. We stopped before a set of shoji doors. The host slid them open, revealing a dimly lit private dining room. A long, polished wooden table stretched across the room, adorned with immaculately arranged dishes. Expensive sake bottles lined the far wall, a soft flickering lantern casting eerie shadows against the traditional decor. At the head of the table, sitting with the unnerving stillness of a coiled predator, was Genzo Sakamoto. I nearly forgot how to breathe. The air itself seemed heavier in his presence. His sharp, piercing eyes locked onto me the moment I stepped inside, pinning me in place like a butterfly on a collector¡¯s board. He barely moved, yet his sheer aura of power made my skin crawl. "I AM GOING TO DIE." With an almost lazy motion, Genzo gestured to the seat across from him. "Oh God, he expects me to sit. What if this is a test? What if sitting wrong gets me killed? Is there a correct way to sit in front of a crime lord?!" Fighting the urge to pass out, I walked stiffly to the chair and lowered myself down as carefully as possible, fully expecting a hidden trap to spring at any moment. A tense silence settled over the room. The soft sound of the shoji doors sliding shut behind me felt final. Then, Genzo finally spoke. "You¡¯re late." His voice was deep, smooth, and edged with the quiet authority of someone who never needed to raise it to command obedience. I stared at him, my soul hovering outside my body. "...Uh," I croaked, my throat dry as dust. "Yeah. Traffic?" The silence that followed could have killed a lesser man. Genzo exhaled through his nose, his gaze unreadable. I had no idea if he was amused or mentally calculating how best to dispose of my corpse. "You¡¯re different," he said after a long pause, tilting his head slightly. "More... reserved." My entire body locked up. "Oh no. He suspects something. He knows. He knows. I¡¯m dead. They¡¯re going to pull out swords and I¡¯m going to be reduced to a cautionary tale in Yakuza history." I forced out a strained laugh. "Ahaha... yeah, just, uh¡­ reflecting. Growth, y¡¯know?" I made a vague gesture, praying to every divine entity that my pathetic attempt at deflection would be enough. The tension in the room stretched unbearably. Then, Genzo smirked. "Good," he said, swirling the dark liquid in his cup. "It¡¯s time you started taking your place seriously." My brain nearly short-circuited. "HE BELIEVES ME?!" I barely resisted the urge to collapse onto the table in relief. Instead, I nodded solemnly, like I actually had any idea what was going on. A soft clink echoed as Genzo poured another drink, sliding a small ceramic cup across the table toward me. I stared at it. "Is this another test? If I drink, does that mean I accept my fate? If I don¡¯t, do they gut me for disrespect?" Slowly, I reached for the cup, handling it like an unstable bomb. The warm liquid inside barely rippled as I lifted it, and I took the smallest possible sip, desperately hoping I didn¡¯t just sign my own death warrant. Genzo watched me carefully, as if measuring something invisible. Then, after a long, unreadable pause, he set his own cup down with a quiet thud. "War is coming." His voice carried an eerie weight, the calm certainty of someone who had already decided how the battle would end. "You¡¯ll need to be ready." I nearly choked. "NO THANK YOU." I nodded slowly, outwardly composed¡ªwhile internally screaming at max volume. The shoji doors slid open once more, signaling the end of the conversation. Genzo leaned back, his smirk widening slightly. "That¡¯s enough for tonight," he said smoothly. "We¡¯ll speak again soon." I rose shakily, bowing so deeply I nearly headbutted the table, before stumbling toward the exit like a man barely escaping a lion¡¯s den. The moment I stepped outside, the cool night air rushed over me¡ªand I realized I¡¯d been holding my breath the entire time. The black car was already waiting. As the enforcer gestured for me to get in, one final thought ran through my exhausted mind: "I am so, so doomed."
Scene 3: Reina¡¯s Plan (And Kenji Accidentally Makes Things Worse) By the time I reached school the next morning, I was still mentally recovering from last night¡¯s dinner. I had spent the entire car ride home in stunned silence, staring blankly at the city lights as the weight of Genzo Sakamoto¡¯s words pressed down on my soul. "War is coming." What war? Who was fighting? Why did I have to be involved?! By the time I crawled into bed, I had come to one single, irrefutable conclusion: "I am so, so doomed." But despite everything, I had survived. Somehow. And so, walking into Fujihama High, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for another day of misunderstandings, hoping¡ªpraying¡ªthat things wouldn¡¯t escalate any further. That was my first mistake. Because the moment I stepped into the courtyard, Reina Kisaragi was already waiting for me. Her arms were crossed, her notebook clutched tightly in one hand like a holy text, her sharp glasses glinting in the morning light as she stared me down with an intensity that made my stomach churn. I stopped mid-step. Immediate danger detected. "...Good morning?" I tried weakly. "You¡¯re joining the student council," Reina declared, completely ignoring my greeting. I blinked. "What." The words didn¡¯t process. Maybe I misheard. Maybe she meant something else. Reina pushed her glasses up with a sharp, determined motion. "Starting today, I will personally ensure your reform. The best way to do that is by keeping you under direct supervision. Welcome to the student council." "Welcome to the¡ªwhat?! No! That¡¯s not how this works!" I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could form a single coherent thought, Tetsuya Nakamura appeared at my side, arms crossed as he nodded approvingly at Reina¡¯s words. "Ah, I see," Tetsuya mused, his voice dripping with admiration. "A power move. As expected of the Boss." I snapped my head toward him so fast I nearly gave myself whiplash. "Excuse me?!" Tetsuya smirked. "You¡¯re expanding your influence, aren¡¯t you? First the delinquents, now the student council¡ªcontrol over both the school¡¯s muscle and administration. That¡¯s some serious strategy." "NO, IT IS NOT!" "I¡ªWHAT?!" Reina blurted, finally shaken from her composed, authoritarian stance. But it was too late. The surrounding students overheard. The whispers started instantly. "Kenji¡¯s taking over the student council too?!" "That means he¡¯ll control everything!" "A true kingpin! The rumors were right!" I felt my soul leave my body. How? HOW?! How did a misunderstanding about me getting "reformed" turn into me being some criminal mastermind seizing control of the school?! My eyes darted desperately to Reina, expecting¡ªbegging¡ªher to shut this down, to put an end to the chaos before it spiraled out of control. Instead, she stood there, completely frozen, staring at me like she had just been told her worst nightmare had physically manifested. Her grip on her notebook tightened. I swore I could hear the paper crinkling under the pressure. "...What have I done," she whispered, horror dawning in her voice. I sighed deeply, pressing my fingers to my temples, accepting my fate. "My life is a joke." And just like that, my already out-of-control reputation somehow got even worse.
Chapter 5: The Parent-Teacher Meeting Disaster Chapter 5: The Parent-Teacher Meeting Disaster Scene 1: The Dreaded Invitation Morning sunlight streamed through the classroom windows, casting long, lazy shadows across the floor. The scent of chalk dust lingered in the air as students filtered in, slouching into their seats with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Kenji Fujimura, however, sat at his desk, chin propped up on his palm, eyelids drooping dangerously. He hadn''t even mustered the energy to slouch properly. Another school day, another struggle to stay conscious. A timid cough broke through his half-sleep state. "Ignore it. Maybe it¡¯ll go away." The cough grew more insistent. "Not my problem." A shadow loomed over his desk. Kenji cracked one eye open. Mr. Tanaka stood before him, gripping a clipboard so tightly his knuckles had turned white. Beads of sweat dotted the teacher¡¯s forehead. ¡°F-Fujimura-kun¡­¡± Mr. Tanaka¡¯s voice wavered as though he were delivering a death sentence. ¡°About tonight¡¯s¡­ parent-teacher meeting¡­¡± Kenji blinked slowly, trying to process the words through the fog of exhaustion. ¡°What about it?¡± he asked, stifling a yawn. Mr. Tanaka licked his lips. His eyes darted around as if checking for exits. ¡°Your¡­ father¡­ is coming?¡± Kenji sat up straighter. His mind caught up. "Oh. Oh no." A heavy silence stretched between them. His father¡ªor rather, the man the school believed was his father¡ªwas Genzo Sakamoto. A name that, when uttered, sent shivers down the spines of seasoned criminals and law-abiding citizens alike. Kenji¡¯s stomach dropped like a rock into a bottomless pit. "I am actually going to die." ¡°Wait, he¡¯s coming?¡± The excited voice of Reina Kisaragi cut through the tension like a blade. Kenji turned just in time to see her lean forward, practically vibrating with barely-contained glee. Her eyes gleamed with the thrill of an impending revelation. "This is perfect!" she announced. "This is my chance to finally expose your criminal ties!" Kenji stared at her, then at Mr. Tanaka, whose face had gone paler than a sheet of printer paper. ¡°PLEASE DO NOT,¡± Kenji deadpanned, his voice carrying the despair of a man watching his own execution approach in slow motion. ¡°Ah, I see now,¡± Tetsuya Nakamura mused from the seat beside him, nodding sagely. ¡°The boss plays the long game.¡± Kenji slowly turned to his best friend. ¡°What?¡± Tetsuya leaned back, arms crossed, looking as though he had just unraveled the secrets of the universe. ¡°By inviting Genzo Sakamoto to the meeting, you¡¯re making a power move. A flex of dominance over the entire school.¡± He smirked approvingly. ¡°Truly, a strategist.¡± Kenji wanted to scream. ¡°No! There is no strategy! I am not playing any games!¡± he hissed under his breath. Across from them, Akari Tachibana rested her chin on her hand, smirking. ¡°You should be honored, Ryuji.¡± Kenji¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°That¡¯s not my¡ª¡± ¡°Not everyone gets a personal visit from Genzo Sakamoto,¡± she continued, tone dripping with amusement. Kenji felt a sudden and overwhelming urge to crawl under his desk and never emerge. "I don¡¯t want it!" Mr. Tanaka let out a whimper. ¡°F-Fujimura-kun¡­ please¡­ j-just make sure nothing¡­ happens tonight.¡± Kenji exhaled through his nose. That made two of them. If he had any luck left in the world, tonight would be nothing more than an awkward but manageable meeting. Of course, Kenji Fujimura had never been particularly lucky. And this night would be no exception.
Scene 2: The Teachers Prepare for Doom The faculty office at Fujihama High was in utter chaos. Papers were shuffled with frantic urgency. Cups of tea remained untouched, trembling in the hands of panicked teachers. Principal Hoshino dabbed his forehead with a handkerchief, his usual composed demeanor shattered like glass. Tonight¡¯s parent-teacher conference was no ordinary meeting. Tonight, Genzo Sakamoto was coming. ¡°Stay calm,¡± the principal muttered, though his voice suggested he was barely holding himself together. ¡°We just need to be¡­ professional.¡± Mr. Tanaka, Kenji¡¯s homeroom teacher, wasn¡¯t listening. He sat stiffly in his chair, staring blankly at the wall like a man who had glimpsed the abyss and knew there was no return. His fingers twitched around a pen, the tip pressing deep into the notepad on his lap. One of the teachers leaned forward, whispering like they were planning a hostage negotiation. ¡°This is our most important meeting. If we offend Sakamoto-san¡­ the school could disappear overnight.¡± The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The staff nodded grimly. ¡°I-I wouldn¡¯t say he¡¯s unreasonable,¡± Mr. Tanaka stammered. ¡°F-Fujimura-kun himself is¡­ relatively well-behaved. But the aura¡­ It¡¯s terrifying.¡± The room collectively shuddered. In the corner, Reina Kisaragi rolled her eyes so hard they nearly left orbit. ¡°You¡¯re all overreacting,¡± she scoffed. ¡°Kenji isn¡¯t some crime boss. He¡¯s just a reckless delinquent!¡± The teachers stared at her, expressions hollow with despair. "She has NO idea," was the unspoken thought hanging in the air. A tense silence followed, only broken by the sound of a pen snapping in half in Mr. Tanaka¡¯s grip. Then, a nervous voice piped up. ¡°Maybe we should¡­ prepare for the worst?¡± one teacher suggested, voice barely above a whisper. Another nodded. ¡°Yes. If we just make sure the meeting goes smoothly, maybe nothing catastrophic will happen.¡± Principal Hoshino swallowed hard. ¡°How do we do that?¡± An older teacher hesitated, then slowly raised a hand. ¡°Perhaps¡­ we can encourage Kenji Fujimura to be on his best behavior?¡± The room collectively leaned forward. ¡°You mean¡­ bribe him?¡± Another teacher gasped. ¡°W-We could¡­ raise his grades automatically?¡± ¡°Or make him student of the year?¡± someone else blurted out. Reina shot up from her chair. ¡°ARE YOU SERIOUS?!¡± ¡°Think about it!¡± one teacher whispered frantically. ¡°If we give him good grades, he won¡¯t need to lash out! He¡¯ll be happy!¡± Another teacher wiped sweat from his brow. ¡°Yes, yes. Happy students don¡¯t start conflicts.¡± ¡°DO YOU HEAR YOURSELVES?!¡± Reina snapped. ¡°HE DOESN¡¯T EVEN WANT TO BE HERE, LET ALONE BE STUDENT OF THE YEAR!¡± Principal Hoshino pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°Fine. No bribery.¡± The teachers collectively deflated. ¡°We¡¯ll just have to pray we all survive this night.¡± The entire room nodded solemnly. A clock ticked on the wall. The countdown to disaster had begun.
Scene 3: The Parent-Teacher Meeting from Hell The air in Fujihama High¡¯s conference room was thick with tension. A long table stretched across the center of the room, occupied by nervous teachers, wary parents, and a single oblivious student representative¡ªReina Kisaragi, who, for once, wasn¡¯t the loudest person in the room. A hushed murmur swept through the gathered parents as they exchanged uneasy glances. They were waiting. Dreading. Then the doors opened. Genzo Sakamoto had arrived. The moment he stepped inside, the entire atmosphere shifted. The usual hum of polite conversation died instantly. Parents clutched their paperwork tighter. Teachers sat up so straight they might¡¯ve turned to stone. Mr. Tanaka swallowed audibly, and Principal Hoshino visibly shrank behind his clipboard. Kenji felt his soul leave his body. Genzo moved with practiced ease, exuding a calm, calculated authority that was more suffocating than any overt show of power. His suit was immaculate, his expression unreadable. His mere presence dominated the space. "Maybe if I don¡¯t move, he won¡¯t notice me," Kenji thought frantically. Principal Hoshino forced a trembling smile. ¡°W-Welcome, Sakamoto-san. It¡¯s an honor to have you here.¡± Genzo took a seat beside Kenji, his movements slow and deliberate. ¡°Let¡¯s keep this simple.¡± A single sentence, and the entire room seemed to exhale in relief. Somewhere across the table, a parent leaned in to whisper. ¡°Wait. That¡¯s Kenji¡¯s father?¡± ¡°We should transfer our kids,¡± another parent muttered. Kenji pressed his palms against his face, feeling the beginnings of a migraine. Then, breaking the uneasy silence, Reina sat up straighter, clearly misreading the situation. ¡°Kenji has been disrupting school order,¡± she declared boldly. ¡°He should be disciplined!¡± The silence that followed was absolute. It was the kind of silence that preceded great disasters. Every single teacher stiffened. Principal Hoshino looked like he¡¯d stopped breathing. Mr. Tanaka¡¯s pen slipped from his fingers, landing on the table with a barely audible clack. "SHE¡¯S GOING TO DIE," every teacher internally screamed. Genzo turned his gaze toward Kenji. His eyes, unreadable as ever, settled on him with unnerving patience. Kenji, sweating bullets, knew one thing for certain. One wrong move, and this room would never be the same again. Genzo¡¯s voice was calm. ¡°Is this true?¡± Kenji''s heart was in his throat. Think. THINK. If he said yes, he¡¯d be dead. If he said no, he¡¯d also be dead. "DO NOT SAY THE WRONG THING." He forced a strangled smile. ¡°Uh¡­ I¡¯m working on self-improvement?¡± The tension in the room snapped like a frayed wire. Genzo nodded once, satisfied. ¡°Good.¡± Principal Hoshino nearly collapsed in relief. Then, Genzo turned his gaze toward the trembling staff. ¡°This school treats my son well, correct?¡± The principal let out a noise somewhere between a gasp and a hiccup. ¡°O-Of course! Kenji is our finest student!¡± Reina shot out of her chair. ¡°EXCUSE ME?!¡± Genzo gave a small nod, standing. ¡°Good. That¡¯s all I needed to know.¡± Just like that, the meeting was over. Genzo Sakamoto walked out, leaving behind a room of stunned, traumatized individuals. Kenji felt himself slump in his seat, barely holding onto consciousness. He had somehow survived. But as the realization set in, a new horror dawned on him. He turned to the teachers, who were still staring at him with thinly veiled terror. He turned to the parents, who now saw him as untouchable. Even Reina looked rattled, her hands clenched into fists. Kenji¡¯s head hit the table. ¡°I think I just became untouchable.¡±
Scene 4: Reina¡¯s Meltdown (And Kenji¡¯s Unwanted Influence Grows) The next morning at Fujihama High, the air was different. Something had changed. Kenji Fujimura felt it the moment he walked through the door. The usual classroom chatter had vanished. Instead, students sat at their desks in unnerving silence, their backs straight, their gazes carefully averted. A few whispered in hushed tones, barely daring to make eye contact. Kenji had seen this before. It was the way underlings acted when a new boss had taken over. "Oh no." The whispers were already spreading. ¡°Did you hear? The principal practically bowed to Kenji¡¯s father.¡± ¡°That means Kenji can do whatever he wants, right?¡± ¡°At this point, he might as well run the whole school.¡± Kenji gritted his teeth. He just wanted a normal life. Was that so much to ask? Apparently, yes. Then the door slammed open. Reina Kisaragi stormed in like a woman possessed, dark circles under her eyes, her grip on her notebook tight enough to bend the cover. She marched straight to Kenji¡¯s desk, slammed the notebook onto it, and pointed a shaking finger in his face. ¡°I. REFUSE. TO. ACCEPT. THIS.¡± Kenji blinked. ¡°¡­What exactly are you refusing?¡± Reina leaned in, eyes blazing. ¡°I saw it with my own eyes!¡± she declared. ¡°The principal, the teachers, the parents¡ªthey were all too scared to stand up to you!¡± Kenji¡¯s soul left his body. "I WANTED THEM TO STAND UP TO ME!" On the sidelines, Tetsuya Nakamura nodded in approval, arms crossed. ¡°The boss moves in silence, yet controls everything,¡± he said with deep admiration. ¡°A true ruler.¡± Kenji whipped around. ¡°THAT IS NOT WHAT¡¯S HAPPENING.¡± But Tetsuya had already decided. Akari Tachibana, who had been watching the scene unfold with undisguised amusement, smirked. ¡°I¡¯m enjoying this way too much.¡± Kenji pinched the bridge of his nose. Reina slammed both hands onto his desk, leaning forward so aggressively that Kenji instinctively leaned back. ¡°I am making this my new mission,¡± she declared, voice ringing with absolute conviction. ¡°You will be reformed, Kenji Fujimura. I will purge this school of its criminal influence.¡± Kenji groaned. ¡°I AM NOT A CRIMINAL.¡± The classroom gasped. ¡°Did she just declare war on Kenji?!¡± one student whispered. ¡°Brave,¡± another murmured, shaking his head. ¡°But foolish.¡± ¡°This will be legendary.¡± Reina stood straight, crossing her arms. ¡°Mark my words, Kenji. By the time I¡¯m done with you, you¡¯ll be a model student.¡± Kenji slumped in his seat, defeated. ¡°I just wanted a normal life¡­¡± Reina snatched up her notebook and scribbled furiously. "Plan to Reform Kenji Fujimura ¨C Phase 1: Student Council Infiltration." Kenji dropped his head onto the desk. His nightmare had only just begun.
Arc 2: The Toughest Guy in School Wants a Fight Chapter 6: The Challenge is Issued Arc 2: The Toughest Guy in School Wants a Fight Chapter 6: The Challenge is Issued Scene 1: The King Must Defend His Throne (But He Doesn¡¯t Want It) I had one simple wish. Just one. "Please, just one day where nothing ridiculous happens." Of course, I should have known better. The moment I stepped onto Fujihama High¡¯s front walkway, a low murmur spread through the crowd like wildfire. Whispers, hushed voices, and stolen glances followed me like a curse. "Did you hear?" a student murmured. "Takeda isn¡¯t happy about Kenji¡¯s rule." Another voice, barely above a whisper: "Shunji Takeda¡­ The Beast? The guy who knocked out five seniors at the same time?!" My stomach plummeted. "I DO NOT RULE ANYONE." But apparently, reality disagreed. Tetsuya Nakamura, my ever-loyal (and ever-delusional) best friend, nodded solemnly beside me. "It was inevitable," he said, as if narrating a tragic samurai epic. "If you sit on the throne, challengers will come." I shot him a look. "THERE IS NO THRONE!" But he was already lost in his own fantasy. I groaned, running a hand down my face, but before I could process the full scope of my impending doom, another voice cut through the noise. "You have exactly one week before your first student council duty," Reina Kisaragi announced, marching toward me with the unshakable determination of a woman on a mission. I blinked. "First what?" She narrowed her eyes. "I am not letting you rule this school unopposed." Oh, for the love of¡ª "I DON¡¯T RULE THE SCHOOL!" "Denial won¡¯t change the facts," she shot back. "Yes, it will," I muttered. "Because they aren¡¯t facts." Before Reina could launch into another speech about justice or reformation or whatever she¡¯d convinced herself was happening, a deep, gravelly voice echoed across the school grounds. "So, you¡¯re the guy I¡¯m supposed to bow to?" A chill ran down my spine. Slowly, I turned my head. Standing at the entrance, broad-shouldered and radiating pure menace, was Shunji Takeda¡ªthe second-toughest delinquent in school. ¡­Or rather, the toughest, since everyone seemed to think I had claimed the throne. Takeda cracked his knuckles, staring me down like a predator sizing up its next meal. "You don¡¯t look like much," he said, voice filled with undisguised challenge. The entire school held its breath. Silence. Tension. The kind of moment that defined history. Then, somewhere in the crowd¡ª "It¡¯s happening. The real fight for the school." "OH, COME ON!" The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Scene 2: The Challenge (That Kenji Tries to Decline, But Fails Miserably) Shunji Takeda stepped forward, his heavy footsteps echoing across the courtyard like distant war drums. The crowd parted instinctively, clearing a path between us. I stayed perfectly still, because I knew how this worked. Predators react to movement. Takeda cracked his knuckles, the sound sharp and deliberate. ¡°I don¡¯t recognize you as the top dog. If you wanna be king, you gotta prove it.¡± I blinked. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna be king.¡± His eyes narrowed. ¡°What?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t wanna be king,¡± I repeated, slower this time, just in case his brain needed an extra second to process it. Takeda stared at me, like I had just spoken in an ancient, forbidden language. Silence. Then, from the sidelines, Tetsuya Nakamura stepped forward like a war general preparing for battle. ¡°Boss, let me handle this one.¡± I whipped around. ¡°THERE IS NO ¡®ONE¡¯ TO HANDLE! WE ARE NOT AT WAR!¡± Tetsuya ignored me, his gaze locked onto Takeda. ¡°So, you seek a challenge? A test of strength? An honorable duel for the right to lead?¡± Takeda crossed his arms. ¡°Yeah. Pretty much.¡± ¡°Then you must understand,¡± Tetsuya continued, voice deadly serious, ¡°the boss does not fight those who are beneath him.¡± A hush fell over the crowd. I choked. ¡°WHAT?!¡± Takeda¡¯s jaw tensed, a vein twitching at his temple. ¡°You saying I¡¯m beneath him?¡± ¡°NO, HE IS NOT SAYING THAT,¡± I yelled, glaring at Tetsuya, who¡ªbless his heart¡ªwas still nodding sagely. ¡°The boss moves only when necessary,¡± Tetsuya said. ¡°You should be honored he even acknowledges your presence.¡± Takeda¡¯s fists tightened. The crowd went feral. ¡°Oh my god, he just implied Takeda isn¡¯t even worth fighting!¡± ¡°He¡¯s on another level!¡± ¡°Kenji¡¯s a legend.¡± I clutched my head. HOW DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?! Before I could salvage this disaster, Reina groaned loudly from behind me. ¡°This school is descending into barbarism,¡± she muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose. ¡°This is exactly why I need to fix you.¡± ¡°I DID NOT CAUSE THIS!¡± Takeda exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying you¡¯re too strong for me? That¡¯s why you won¡¯t fight?¡± I held up both hands. ¡°Nope. Not saying that. Not at all.¡± ¡°Then fight me.¡± ¡°No.¡± Silence. The students gasped audibly. ¡°He¡­ rejected the challenge?¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ a declaration of war.¡± I could actually hear Reina¡¯s patience snapping like a rusty wire. Takeda¡¯s smirk was dangerous. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll make this fun for you.¡± Oh no. ¡°Three days from now,¡± he said, cracking his knuckles. ¡°Behind the gym. Don¡¯t run, Sakamoto.¡± I swallowed hard. ¡°I AM GOING TO RUN.¡± Reina sighed, crossing her arms. ¡°You are a walking disaster.¡± ¡°THANK YOU FOR NOTICING.¡±
Scene 3: The Escape Plan (And Why It Immediately Fails) I slammed my hands onto the rooftop railing, staring out at the horizon like a tragic war hero contemplating his inevitable downfall. "Okay. I just need a plan. A way out." Three days. I had three days before Takeda turned me into a human punching bag. And in those three days, I needed to disappear, fake an injury, transfer schools, or¡ªpreferably¡ªfall into a portal to another dimension where people didn¡¯t resolve their problems with fists. Footsteps behind me. I turned my head just enough to see Tetsuya Nakamura, standing there like a spirit of loyalty and misplaced confidence. "Boss," he said, his voice heavy with unshakable faith, "you aren¡¯t thinking of running, are you?" I stared at him. He stared back. We both knew the answer. ¡°¡­No?¡± Tetsuya nodded approvingly, stepping beside me to gaze at the city skyline like we were two old war veterans reflecting on past battles. ¡°Good,¡± he murmured. ¡°I¡¯ve already started spreading the word.¡± My stomach dropped. ¡°¡­Word about what?¡± He turned to me, eyes burning with fierce admiration. ¡°Your battle against Takeda. It¡¯s already legendary.¡± Oh. Oh, I see. I wasn¡¯t just fighting Takeda now. This had officially become a spectacle. I pinched the bridge of my nose. ¡°Tetsuya, buddy. You absolute menace to my existence. What do you mean ¡®legendary¡¯?¡± ¡°The bets are off the charts,¡± he continued, ignoring my spiraling mental breakdown. ¡°Even students from other schools are coming to watch.¡± The world tilted dangerously. I took a slow, deep breath. ¡°Tetsuya.¡± ¡°Yes, boss?¡± ¡°¡­How much money is riding on this?¡± He grinned. ¡°Millions.¡± I immediately grabbed him by the collar. ¡°WHAT DO YOU MEAN MILLIONS?!¡± Before I could shake him for every yen he was worth, another voice cut through my rising panic. ¡°I¡¯d help you escape,¡± Akari Tachibana mused from the doorway, leaning casually against the frame, ¡°but this is too fun to watch.¡± I turned to her, eyes pleading. ¡°Akari. Please. I¡¯m begging you.¡± She smirked. ¡°Nah.¡± I sagged against the railing. This was hell. Then, the worst thing happened. Reina Kisaragi stepped onto the rooftop. I groaned. "Let me guess. You¡¯re here to lecture me about ¡®responsibility¡¯ and ¡®integrity¡¯ and why I should ¡®stop making this school look like a war zone¡¯?" Reina frowned. ¡°For once, I actually agree with you.¡± My head snapped up. ¡°¡­Really?¡± She nodded. ¡°You should run.¡± Hope ignited in my chest. Finally! Someone who understood! Someone with logic! Someone who¡ª ¡°But it¡¯s too late,¡± she added. I froze. Tetsuya nodded solemnly. "The people demand their champion." Akari grinned. ¡°No escape, Kenji.¡± I turned to Reina. ¡°You literally just said I should run!¡± ¡°Yes,¡± she said, completely unfazed. ¡°But I also want to see you get punched in the face.¡± The universe hated me. I closed my eyes and accepted my fate. This was it. There was no way out. I was going to fight Takeda. And I was going to die.
Chapter 7: The Fight That Wasnt! Chapter 7: The Fight That Wasn''t! Scene 1: The Great Escape Plan (That Fails Immediately) I had one job. Escape. The fight with Takeda was happening today, and if I didn¡¯t leave right now, I was going to be turned into a fine paste behind the school gym. The back gate of Fujihama High stood just a few feet away, glinting in the morning sunlight like the golden gates of salvation. I clutched my backpack like it contained the last shreds of my dignity and moved with absolute stealth. "Alright. I¡¯ll just slip out, lay low for a few days, and when I come back, everyone will have forgotten this whole mess. Simple. Easy. Foolproof." I peeked over my shoulder. Coast clear. A bead of sweat rolled down my temple as I reached for the gate. Almost there. Just one push and¡ª A vice-like grip landed on my shoulder. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going, Boss?¡± Damn it. I slowly turned my head to see Tetsuya Nakamura, looking at me with the calm, patient expression of a man who had seen this coming from a mile away. I cleared my throat, pasting on my best innocent smile. ¡°Ah, you see, I, uh¡­ left something at home, and I was just¡ª¡± ¡°Skipping school to avoid the fight?¡± Tetsuya finished, his voice disturbingly neutral. ¡°That¡¯s low, even for you, Boss.¡± I groaned. ¡°I am not skipping school.¡± He nodded sagely. ¡°Right. You¡¯re strategically retreating.¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± ¡°Like a coward.¡± ¡°NO.¡± Before I could yank myself free and book it, another voice joined in. ¡°Trying to run away?¡± I visibly winced as Reina Kisaragi arrived, standing with her arms crossed and her expression set to maximum disappointment. ¡°That¡¯s disgraceful behavior for someone who¡¯s supposedly so powerful,¡± she said. I let out a pained groan. ¡°I NEVER SAID I WAS POWERFUL!¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t need to,¡± she shot back. ¡°Your reputation speaks for itself.¡± ¡°MY REPUTATION IS A LIE.¡± ¡°Tell that to the school.¡± I was on the verge of throwing myself into traffic when I noticed Akari Tachibana leaning casually against the gate, smirking like she had been watching a particularly entertaining drama unfold. ¡°This is fun to watch,¡± she mused. ¡°Please, keep struggling.¡± I shot her a glare. ¡°You could help me.¡± ¡°Oh, I could,¡± she said, grinning wider. ¡°But this is way funnier.¡± I slumped forward, accepting my fate. ¡°I hate my life.¡± Tetsuya patted my shoulder reassuringly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Boss. We have everything prepared for your victory.¡± I deadpanned. ¡°What part of I don¡¯t want to fight do people not understand?!¡± He didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he grabbed me by the collar and dragged me back toward the school like a man escorting a high-profile prisoner. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. As I flailed uselessly, I cast one final, desperate look at the gate. I was so close. Yet so far.
Scene 2: The School Gears Up for War There are two kinds of nightmares in this world. The first is the kind where you wake up in a cold sweat, realizing it was just a dream. The second is the kind where you wake up and realize it¡¯s your actual life. Unfortunately, I was living the second one. By the time lunch break rolled around, the school had transformed into a gladiatorial arena. Handmade posters featuring me and Shunji Takeda had been slapped onto walls like we were about to headline a championship match. Bets were being placed. Students huddled in groups, trading money, whispering in hushed, reverent tones about The Fight of the Century. I walked into the main courtyard¡ªand immediately regretted it. A student rushed up to me, notepad in hand. ¡°Kenji-san,¡± he said with genuine enthusiasm, ¡°how confident are you in your victory today?¡± I stared at him. Then at his notepad. Then back at him. ¡°¡­I¡¯M NOT CONFIDENT AT ALL.¡± The student scribbled furiously. ¡°Kenji-san remains humble despite his overwhelming strength.¡± ¡°THAT¡¯S NOT WHAT I SAID!¡± I whirled around, desperate for a lifeline, and locked eyes with Reina Kisaragi. Surely, surely, she would see how insane this had become. She exhaled sharply, arms crossed. ¡°I can¡¯t believe this school has turned into a battle arena.¡± ¡°THANK YOU!¡± I practically sobbed with relief. ¡°CAN YOU FIX IT?¡± Reina adjusted her glasses. ¡°No. But I can record your inevitable loss for posterity.¡± I slumped. ¡°I hate this place.¡± Before I could escape, Akari Tachibana strolled up, grinning ear to ear as she counted cash from a wad of betting money. ¡°So far,¡± she said cheerfully, ¡°the bets are 70% in favor of you, Kenji. No pressure.¡± I choked on my own existence. ¡°THERE IS EXCLUSIVELY PRESSURE.¡± She patted my shoulder. ¡°Try not to die.¡± I groaned, dragging my hands down my face, when¡ª ¡°You should be proud, Boss.¡± Oh no. I turned to find Tetsuya Nakamura watching the scene with a proud, approving expression, like a father witnessing his son take his first steps into greatness. ¡°I¡¯m glad the school acknowledges your strength,¡± he said, voice brimming with admiration. I clenched my fists. "I NEED A NEW LIFE."
Scene 3: The Fight That Wasn¡¯t This was it. The final moment. The moment I would either die behind the school gym or somehow, by some divine intervention, avoid becoming a human mop. Unfortunately, divine intervention had not shown up in my life once, so I wasn¡¯t exactly holding my breath. The crowd was massive. Students had gathered like hungry wolves, forming a ring around the makeshift ¡°arena¡± where my imminent funeral would take place. Someone had even set up a snack stand. A freaking snack stand. I was so screwed. I swallowed hard, every instinct in my body screaming at me to run. "If I just scream and run in the opposite direction, maybe I¡¯ll survive." But before I could act on my completely rational survival instincts, a shadow loomed over me. Shunji Takeda. The Beast. The guy who could crush me like a soda can. He cracked his knuckles, grinning like a predator who had cornered his prey. ¡°I respect that you showed up,¡± he said, his massive arms flexing slightly. ¡°But you know how this ends.¡± "YES, WITH ME IN THE HOSPITAL!" I opened my mouth to protest, to beg for mercy, to maybe bribe him with my lunch money¡ªbut the crowd erupted in cheers. ¡°FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!¡± I flinched. ¡°Why are they so enthusiastic about this?¡± ¡°They¡¯re idiots,¡± Reina muttered, arms crossed. ¡°All of them.¡± For once, we agreed on something. Takeda rolled his shoulders, stepping forward. I took one step back. Then¡ª It happened. Takeda¡¯s foot slipped. I barely processed what was happening before his entire body tilted sideways, his balance completely obliterated. His arms flailed. His foot skidded. And then¡ª He crashed. Hard. Face-first. Into the concrete. The entire crowd gasped. A beat of stunned silence. Then¡ª Someone shouted, ¡°KENJI DIDN¡¯T EVEN HAVE TO TOUCH HIM!¡± Another voice, equally hysterical, joined in. ¡°HE DEFEATED TAKEDA WITH HIS AURA!¡± I stood completely frozen, my brain melting into a useless puddle of confusion. What. Takeda groaned, rolling onto his back, clearly dazed from the impact. Tetsuya nodded approvingly. ¡°So that¡¯s the power of the boss¡­¡± ¡°THAT WAS JUST BAD LUCK!¡± I screamed. But it was too late. The crowd had already decided. Takeda, still wobbling, finally sat up¡ªand then, to my absolute horror, he bowed his head. ¡°You win,¡± he muttered. ¡°I see now why everyone respects you.¡± "HOW DID I WIN?!" The students erupted into deafening cheers, chanting my name like I had just slain a dragon. I turned to Reina, desperate for at least ONE PERSON to see how stupid this was. She stared at me, her expression one of pure, existential dread. I knew what she was thinking. "This fool is the most powerful person in school. We are doomed." And honestly? She was right.
Chapter 8: The Real Ryuji Wakes Up Chapter 8: The Real Ryuji Wakes Up Scene 1: Ryuji Sakamoto Wakes Up (And Immediately Hears the Worst News Possible) Ryuji Sakamoto¡¯s first thought upon waking up was that his entire body felt like it had been thrown down a flight of stairs, set on fire, and then beaten with a steel bat for good measure. The second thought came moments later. "Where the hell am I?" His eyes blinked open, the harsh glare of fluorescent hospital lights making him squint. The sterile scent of disinfectant filled his nostrils, and the steady beep-beep-beep of a heart monitor echoed in the otherwise silent room. Pain throbbed through his limbs as he tried to shift. His muscles screamed in protest. Yep, definitely the post-coma experience. A deep, measured voice came from his side. ¡°You¡¯re awake. Good.¡± Ryuji turned his head¡ªslowly, because moving too fast made his brain feel like it was sloshing around in his skull¡ªand saw Genzo Sakamoto sitting in a chair beside his bed, arms folded, his dark eyes unreadable. His father. The head of the Sakamoto Yakuza Family. Ryuji swallowed, trying to moisten his dry throat. His voice came out hoarse. ¡°How long¡­?¡± Genzo¡¯s gaze remained steady. ¡°A few weeks.¡± A few weeks? That was not what Ryuji wanted to hear. Fragments of memory surfaced. The screech of tires, the crash, the sudden pain that had stolen his consciousness. ¡°A car¡­¡± he muttered. ¡°Right. I remember now.¡± A bodyguard standing near the door took a step forward. ¡°You were severely injured, young master. It¡¯s best you take your time recovering.¡± Ryuji flexed his fingers, testing the stiffness in his joints. His mind, however, was already working past the injuries. If he had been out for weeks, then that meant¡ª ¡°What about school?¡± The bodyguard hesitated. His expression twitched, as if debating how to answer. Genzo remained silent. Ryuji frowned. ¡°What is it?¡± The bodyguard took a deep breath. ¡°¡­There¡¯s been an interesting development at your school.¡± Ryuji¡¯s gut clenched. ¡°What kind of development?¡± Another pause. Genzo, ever the silent observer, simply motioned for the bodyguard to continue. The bodyguard visibly braced himself. ¡°¡­Sir. You¡¯ve become the undisputed ruler of Fujihama High.¡± Ryuji¡¯s brain flatlined. ¡°¡­Excuse me?¡± The bodyguard soldiered on, despite looking like he wanted to be anywhere else but here. ¡°The entire school sees you as an unstoppable force, a legend who defeated all opposition with ease. They fear you, respect you, and¡ª" Ryuji¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°WHO,¡± he said, through gritted teeth, ¡°THE HELL DID ALL OF THAT?¡± The bodyguard hesitated. Stolen story; please report. Then, in the most unfortunate and completely disastrous choice of words ever spoken¡ª ¡°¡­You did, sir.¡± Ryuji sat up so fast the heart monitor freaked out. Pain shot through his body, but he did not care. ¡°WHO.¡± Genzo, amused, finally spoke. ¡°I suppose you¡¯ll have to find out for yourself.¡± Ryuji¡¯s fingers curled into the blanket, his patience evaporating into thin air. Someone had stolen his name, taken his reputation, and turned him into some kind of mythic school overlord. And he was going to find out who.
Scene 2: Kenji¡¯s Worst Morning Ever For the first time in weeks, I walked onto campus without feeling like I was about to be thrown into a death match. No unexpected fights. No terrifying crime bosses. No insane misunderstandings about my nonexistent criminal empire. Just a regular school day. "Finally." I stretched, inhaling the crisp morning air as I stepped through the front gates of Fujihama High, feeling an almost unnatural sense of peace. Nothing could ruin this. Then I heard the whispers. ¡°It¡¯s him,¡± someone murmured. ¡°The guy who crushed Takeda without even touching him.¡± Another voice, hushed with awe: ¡°I heard he once stared down a Yakuza boss and lived.¡± My entire body locked up mid-step. "Oh no. Not this again." I tried to ignore it, tried to walk like I hadn¡¯t just heard an outrageous new addition to my ever-growing list of fictional achievements, but then¡ª ¡°Boss.¡± Tetsuya Nakamura, my number one problem in life, materialized beside me, nodding in silent approval. "Your power is unquestioned now, Boss." I massaged my temples. ¡°I HAVE NO POWER.¡± Tetsuya smiled, as if I had just told a hilarious joke. The whispers only grew stronger as we moved through the hallway. I heard someone say, "I heard he doesn¡¯t even need to fight anymore. One glare and people collapse." Another kid, wide-eyed, gasped: ¡°They say he defeated Takeda with his aura alone.¡± I nearly walked into a wall. "WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?!" Then, just when I thought it couldn¡¯t get worse¡ª ¡°Fujimura.¡± I barely had time to react before Reina Kisaragi stepped in front of me, arms crossed, looking like she was about to assign me homework I didn¡¯t sign up for. ¡°Today¡¯s the day,¡± she declared. ¡°You¡¯re officially attending the student council meeting.¡± I stared at her. ¡°What.¡± Reina narrowed her eyes. ¡°You heard me.¡± ¡°What if I say no?¡± Her smile was sharp and terrifying. ¡°Then I¡¯ll drag you there.¡± I turned to Tetsuya for support, but he just nodded. ¡°She¡¯s got a point, Boss.¡± ¡°Oh my god.¡± A new voice joined in. ¡°I¡¯d pay to see that.¡± I groaned as Akari Tachibana leaned against a locker, watching the chaos unfold with way too much amusement. I let out a long, exhausted sigh. "At least nothing worse can happen today." And that¡¯s when my phone buzzed. I pulled it out, frowning at the unknown number. Unknown Number: We need to talk. Now. I squinted. "Who¡­?" I typed back. Kenji: Who is this? The response came instantly. Unknown Number: The real Ryuji Sakamoto. I froze. My stomach dropped into the abyss. Everything around me faded into white noise as the realization slammed into my brain like a runaway train. The real Ryuji Sakamoto. The guy whose name I accidentally stole. The heir of the Sakamoto Yakuza Family. And he wanted to talk. I slowly looked up, staring blankly into the distance. Tetsuya frowned. ¡°Boss? You okay?¡± I swallowed hard. I was so incredibly not okay.
Scene 3: The Real and the Fake Finally Meet I was about to have the worst conversation of my life. The real Ryuji Sakamoto was awake, alive, and texting me like a mob boss summoning a disloyal underling. And for some idiotic reason, I had agreed to meet him. Why? Because I¡¯m an idiot. The park near school was quiet, a perfect place for an execution meeting. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the empty pathways, and every rustling leaf sounded like the prelude to my impending doom. "Maybe this is just a prank," I told myself, sitting stiffly on a bench. "Maybe the real Ryuji isn¡¯t actually¡ª" A shadow fell over me. I turned my head, and all of my organs shut down at once. Standing there, arms crossed, face unreadable, was Ryuji Sakamoto. The real one. Oh. Oh, crap. I had spent weeks being mistaken for this guy, but now that I was actually looking at him, I could see the problem. We weren¡¯t just similar in appearance. We were identical. Same hair. Same build. Same freaking face. It was like looking into a mirror that wanted to kill me. Ryuji tilted his head, examining me like a particularly disappointing science experiment. ¡°So,¡± he said, voice calm but undeniably dangerous, ¡°you¡¯re the guy running around as me.¡± I had two choices.
  1. Lie.
  2. Lie very, very badly.
I cleared my throat. ¡°Uh. Define¡­ ¡®running around as you¡¯?¡± His expression did not change. I was going to die in this park. Ryuji took a step closer, his entire aura radiating ¡®you messed up.¡¯ ¡°You and I,¡± he said smoothly, ¡°need to have a little chat.¡± I swallowed hard. "I am going to die."
Chapter 9: The School’s Underworld Responds! Chapter 9: The School¡¯s Underworld Responds! Scene 1: The Real Ryuji¡¯s Warning (And Kenji¡¯s Panic Attack) There are moments in life when you realize, with absolute certainty, that you are completely and utterly screwed. This was one of them. Ryuji Sakamoto, the real one, stood across from me with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable but dangerously calm. His dark eyes assessed me like a scientist studying a failed experiment, and I was said failure. The only sound was the distant chirping of birds, completely unaware that my life expectancy was plummeting by the second. Ryuji tilted his head slightly. ¡°You don¡¯t look like much.¡± I swallowed hard. ¡°I promise you, I am even less than that.¡± A dangerous smirk flickered across his face before vanishing. ¡°Funny.¡± It wasn¡¯t. He exhaled, tapping a finger against his bicep. ¡°You got my name. You got my reputation. Now tell me why I shouldn¡¯t bury you for it.¡± My entire nervous system shut down. Oh, this guy did not mess around. "Look," I blurted, my voice cracking like a prepubescent middle-schooler. "It¡¯s not like I stole your life on purpose! People just assumed, and I¡­ panicked." Ryuji raised an eyebrow. "And then you took over the whole school?" "THAT WAS AN ACCIDENT!" A slow silence stretched between us. I could feel my dignity bleeding out. Ryuji sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose like a man who had just realized his entire existence had turned into a joke. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t have time to waste. You¡¯re gonna help me clean this mess up.¡± I blinked. "¡­Wait, what?" He leaned forward, his presence suddenly heavier, like a guy who was used to getting his way. ¡°You¡¯re already in deep. If I just show up now, people will think I¡¯m the fake. So, for now, we fix this together.¡± I stared. ¡°Are you saying¡­ you want me to keep pretending to be you?¡± ¡°Until I say otherwise.¡± I processed that for a moment. Then another moment. And finally, my brain came up with the only logical conclusion: "I am going to die in so many different ways." Ryuji¡¯s smirk returned, slightly amused. ¡°Got a problem with that?¡± Did I? Yes. Many. All of them. But my survival instincts had a loud override button, and at the moment, that button was flashing neon red. So instead of saying, ¡°Yes, I have a million problems with this,¡± I took a deep breath and muttered: ¡°¡­Nope. No problem at all.¡± Lies.
Scene 2: The Delinquents Plot Against Kenji There was only one rule in the chaotic, unspoken power structure of Fujihama High¡¯s delinquent scene: If you lose, you shut up and accept it. That was how things were supposed to work. But right now, behind the school gym, that rule was being violently ignored. Hikaru Ishida slammed his fist against the desk, his face twisted in pure frustration. The other delinquents around him tensed, knowing that when Ishida got like this, it was best not to speak unless you wanted to be part of the furniture. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. "I refuse," he snarled, his voice barely above a growl. "I refuse to accept that guy as our leader!" His right-hand man, Goro Saeki, nodded furiously, clearly still fuming. "Yeah! He didn¡¯t even fight properly¡ªhe just lucked his way through!" A murmur of uncertainty rippled through the gathered delinquents. ¡°He did take down Takeda, though¡­¡± one of them muttered. ¡°Yeah, without even touching him,¡± another added. Ishida¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°That was dumb luck! And if we let this continue, we¡¯re all going to be under some random nobody who didn¡¯t even earn his place.¡± There was a low silence, before Goro pounded his fist against the desk. ¡°We challenge him!¡± he declared. ¡°A proper fight! No flukes, no tricks!¡± The others perked up at the idea. ¡°And if he loses?¡± someone asked. A slow, dangerous grin spread across Ishida¡¯s face. ¡°Then he¡¯s out.¡± He leaned forward, his knuckles pressing against the desk. ¡°And we take over.¡± The delinquents nodded in agreement, their eyes flashing with determination. They weren¡¯t just going to let some random nobody hold the top spot. No. They were going to drag him down.
Scene 3: Kenji Hears the Worst News Possible There are bad mornings, and then there are "your entire world is crumbling before lunch" mornings. Guess which one I was having. I let out a deep, contented sigh as I sat on the school rooftop, enjoying the rare moment of peace. The sky was clear, the sun was warm, and¡ªmost importantly¡ªnobody was trying to punch me. "Maybe today won¡¯t be terrible," I thought, unwrapping my sandwich. "Maybe I can actually¡ª" A shadow loomed over my lunch. With a loud thud, a school newspaper was slapped onto the table in front of me. I blinked. Then looked up. Tetsuya Nakamura, my ever-loyal yet ever-troublesome second-in-command, stood there with his arms crossed, looking entirely too serious for someone who had just ruined my peaceful lunch. "Boss," he said gravely, "we have a problem." I groaned. ¡°It¡¯s a school newspaper. What could possibly¡ª¡± Then I saw the headline. CHALLENGE TO THE KING! KENJI VS. THE UNDERGROUND FACTIONS¡ªTONIGHT! ¡­ ¡­ I carefully set down my sandwich. Then, in one fluid motion, I buried my face in my hands. "I hate this school." Tetsuya nodded in understanding, but also, weirdly, with pride. Reina Kisaragi, who had apparently been lurking nearby, let out a long, dramatic sigh before taking a seat across from me. "This," she said, gesturing vaguely at the newspaper like it personally offended her, "is exactly why you should have joined the student council sooner." I lifted my head just enough to glare at her. ¡°How exactly would sitting through meetings about school festival budgets have prevented this?¡± "Simple," she said smoothly. "You¡¯d have been too busy filing paperwork to accidentally become the leader of the school¡¯s criminal underworld." I let out a long, exhausted groan. ¡°I did not become the leader of anything!¡± "You sure about that?" I turned to see Akari Tachibana, leaning casually against the railing, watching the situation unfold like a drama enthusiast getting front-row seats to the season finale. She grinned. ¡°Because from where I¡¯m standing, this looks a lot like a turf war.¡± I pointed at her accusingly. ¡°You¡¯re enjoying this!¡± She smirked. ¡°Obviously.¡± I sank further into my seat, feeling the faint whispers of an oncoming headache. Tetsuya sat down beside me, still flipping through the paper. ¡°So, what¡¯s your strategy, Boss?¡± ¡°Strategy?¡± I repeated. Akari perked up. ¡°Yeah, are you going for a direct show of power or another one-hit legendary move?" I stared at them. They were expecting me to have a plan. I had no plan. No strategy. Nothing. I was just a guy who wanted a normal life and somehow ended up in a gang war. Slowly, I buried my face in my arms. "I HAVE NO STRATEGY!"
Scene 4: Ryuji¡¯s First Move (And Kenji¡¯s Unexpected Backup) While I was having a crisis over my imminent execution, somewhere far away from my suffering, Ryuji Sakamoto was sipping tea in luxury. Unlike me, who was barely holding on to my sanity, the real Ryuji was sitting comfortably in a high-end Yakuza lounge, looking entirely too calm and composed for someone whose identity had been hijacked. The room was sleek, the kind of place where high-ranking criminals drank whiskey while discussing business deals in hushed tones. The soft glow of golden chandeliers reflected off polished marble, and the air was thick with quiet authority. A suited bodyguard stepped forward and bowed deeply. ¡°Sir,¡± he said. ¡°It has been confirmed. Kenji Fujimura is being challenged by the underground factions of Fujihama High.¡± Ryuji barely reacted. Instead, he took another slow sip of his tea, as if this was nothing more than an interesting footnote in his day. After a moment, he set the cup down with a soft clink. ¡°So,¡± he murmured, tapping his fingers against the table, ¡°they¡¯re already making their move.¡± The bodyguard hesitated. ¡°Do you want us to intervene?¡± There was a long pause. Then, slowly, a smirk curled on Ryuji¡¯s lips. ¡°No.¡± The bodyguard blinked. ¡°Sir?¡± Ryuji leaned back in his seat, eyes gleaming with undisguised amusement. ¡°Let¡¯s see how he handles it,¡± he said lazily. Then, after a beat, he added, ¡°But¡­ make sure he doesn¡¯t actually lose.¡± The bodyguard bowed immediately. ¡°Understood.¡± Ryuji picked up his cup again, this time watching the ripples in the tea as if seeing the game pieces slowly fall into place. This was no longer just about reclaiming his identity. This was a test. And he was very, very curious to see how Kenji would survive this next disaster.
Chapter 10: The Parent-Teacher Meeting (Again?!) Chapter 10: The Parent-Teacher Meeting (Again?!) Scene 1: Kenji Learns About the Meeting (And Immediately Panics) For the first time in weeks, I strolled into class without a sense of imminent doom looming over my head. No fights. No ridiculous misunderstandings. No terrifying crime bosses mistaking me for their legendary son. Just a normal day. I took a deep breath. "Maybe¡­ just maybe¡­ things are finally calming down." Then Mr. Tanaka stumbled into the room looking like he had just survived a war zone. Every instinct in my body screamed at me to run. He was pale, his forehead glistening with sweat, and his hands shaking like a man who had just been told his taxes were being audited by the Yakuza. He locked eyes with me, and I froze mid-step. ¡°F-Fujimura-kun,¡± he stammered. ¡°I need a word.¡± I gulped. ¡°Uh¡­ that sounds bad.¡± Silently, he held out a piece of paper, his fingers trembling. I took it hesitantly and read the words printed at the top. PARENT-TEACHER MEETING NOTICE DATE: TONIGHT. My entire soul left my body. "AGAIN?!" The class immediately erupted into whispers. ¡°This happened last time, right?¡± someone muttered. ¡°Didn¡¯t it almost turn into a hostage situation?¡± ¡°I heard Fujimura¡¯s dad is a Yakuza boss and the teachers are all terrified of him.¡± ¡°No, no, no,¡± another student whispered. ¡°That¡¯s nothing. I heard the principal offered him the entire school just to avoid offending him.¡± I wanted to crawl into my own grave. Then, like a shark smelling blood, Reina Kisaragi leaned forward, smirking. ¡°This time,¡± she said smoothly, tapping her desk, ¡°I¡¯ll get the proof I need to bring you down.¡± I whipped around, my voice cracking in panic. ¡°CAN YOU STOP SAYING IT LIKE THAT?!¡± She narrowed her eyes, adjusting her glasses. ¡°No.¡± Before I could begin formulating an escape plan, a firm hand landed on my shoulder. Tetsuya nodded approvingly, as if this was all part of some genius scheme. ¡°Boss,¡± he said with the utmost seriousness, ¡°I assume you planned for this?¡± I turned to him in horror. ¡°I ASSUMED NOTHING!¡± Akari, lounging against her desk, grinned. ¡°Oh,¡± she said, voice practically dripping with amusement, ¡°this is going to be fun.¡± I slumped onto my desk, burying my face in my arms. "I am so unbelievably doomed."
Scene 2: The Parents Gather (And Kenji Sees His Life Flash Before His Eyes) There¡¯s a very specific kind of fear that comes with walking into a room and immediately realizing you should have faked your own death instead. This was that fear. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. I stepped into the conference room, fully prepared for an awkward but manageable night of misunderstandings. Then I saw him. Genzo Sakamoto. Sitting at the head of the table, arms crossed, exuding the kind of intimidating authority that could silence an entire battlefield. A man who could buy this school, burn it down, and have it rebuilt before breakfast. A man who thought I was his son. My entire life flashed before my eyes. "Oh no. Oh no no no no¡ª" Across from him, Principal Hoshino was sweating bullets, bowing so deeply I was concerned he might never straighten up again. ¡°S-Sakamoto-san,¡± the principal stammered, voice trembling. ¡°We are honored by your presence!¡± I barely stopped myself from screaming. "They¡¯re treating him like royalty. Fantastic." I tried to blend into the background, praying this would somehow resolve itself without incident. Then Reina¡¯s sharp gaze locked onto me. ¡°Where are your real parents, Kenji?¡± she asked, her tone razor-sharp. I let out the most unconvincing laugh of my life. ¡°Oh, uh, they¡¯re¡­ busy?¡± Reina narrowed her eyes. Before she could press the issue, whispers started spreading across the room. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ the Yakuza boss, right?¡± one parent whispered, stealing nervous glances at Genzo. ¡°Doesn¡¯t that mean Kenji has total control over the school?¡± A different parent nodded slowly, as if putting all the puzzle pieces together. ¡°That would explain why the teachers are so scared of him¡­¡± I stared at the ceiling, silently pleading for the universe to smite me on the spot. Then Genzo¡¯s deep, unshakably calm voice cut through the room. ¡°This school has treated my son well, I assume?¡± His gaze slowly swept across the faculty like a judge preparing a verdict. Principal Hoshino, still visibly shaking, bowed so hard his glasses nearly flew off. ¡°Y-Yes! Absolutely! Kenji is our finest student!¡± I almost passed out. Across the table, Reina shot up from her seat, horrified. ¡°EXCUSE ME?!¡± And just like that, the entire room descended into chaos.
Scene 3: The "Disciplinary Hearing" Goes Off the Rails If someone had told me this meeting would end with the entire faculty betraying reality itself, I would have laughed. Now? Now, I was watching grown adults rewrite history in real time to avoid offending a literal Yakuza boss. Principal Hoshino, still drenched in nervous sweat, tried to compose himself as he shuffled through his notes. His hands were shaking so badly that the papers made a sound like leaves in a hurricane. ¡°Ahem,¡± he cleared his throat, his voice barely steady. ¡°Uh¡­ we wanted to discuss Kenji¡¯s¡­ uh¡­ leadership skills?¡± I blinked. "Leadership?" Reina, who had been glaring at me all night, slammed both hands on the table. "Leadership?!" she barked. "He¡¯s a delinquent who took over the school!" The room went silent. Every teacher visibly tensed, eyes slowly shifting toward Genzo Sakamoto, who had been sitting quietly up until now. He tilted his head slightly and regarded Reina with an expression so unreadable, I could already hear the funeral bells ringing. ¡°¡­Is that so?¡± I heard several gasps. Somewhere in the back, I think Mr. Tanaka nearly fainted. "SHE¡¯S GOING TO DIE." Before Reina could say another word, the teachers IMMEDIATELY started backtracking. "Uh¡ªwhat she means is¡ª!" Mr. Tanaka gasped, his face pale. The principal, who had clearly decided his survival was more important than logic, gave a strained, desperate smile. ¡°Yes! Yes! Kenji is a strong influence on his peers!¡± I stared in pure disbelief. Mr. Tanaka nodded aggressively, his glasses slipping down his nose. ¡°A very positive influence!¡± Another teacher, voice high-pitched with terror, added, ¡°He has¡­ charisma!¡± Reina looked around, horrified. "What. Is. Wrong. With. You. People?!" she demanded, completely losing her mind. I, meanwhile, sat completely still, letting the absolute madness unfold around me. "I don¡¯t know how, but I just gained more power."
Scene 4: Kenji "Escapes" (But It¡¯s Too Late) Somehow, against all logic, I had survived. The meeting ended with the entire faculty bending over backward to paint me as the greatest student in Fujihama High history, while Genzo Sakamoto nodded approvingly like a king surveying his loyal subjects. I walked out of the school building, my soul barely hanging on by a thread. I was exhausted. Mentally fried. Physically drained. And yet, despite everything, I was alive. "I survived. Somehow." Just as I was about to take my first deep breath of relief, a familiar voice growled beside me. ¡°I hate this school.¡± I turned to see Reina Kisaragi storm past me, her entire worldview shattered. Her hands were clenched into fists, her eye twitching, and I could practically see the mental breakdown happening in real time. Before I could even attempt to comfort her, another voice chimed in. ¡°Well, that was entertaining.¡± I sighed as Akari Tachibana strolled up beside me, hands in her pockets, her grin absolutely unapologetic. She tilted her head, watching me with obvious amusement. ¡°You¡¯re basically royalty now, Kenji.¡± I let out a long, suffering groan, rubbing my face. "I want to go home." But deep down, I knew the truth. I could never just go home again. Because now? I wasn¡¯t just a delinquent with an accidental reputation. I was the most powerful student in school. ¡­And I had absolutely no idea what to do next.
Arc 3: The Class President’s War Against Crime Chapter 11: Operation Reform Begins Arc 3: The Class President¡¯s War Against Crime Chapter 11: Operation Reform Begins
Scene 1: Reina Declares War on Kenji The first class of the day had barely begun, yet the tension in the room was palpable. The air buzzed with the usual low murmurs of students settling into their seats, papers shuffling, and the occasional yawn stretching from a sleep-deprived underachiever. Kenji Fujimura, however, was leaning back in his chair with an arm draped lazily over the backrest, his expression one of absolute indifference. He wasn¡¯t expecting trouble¡ªnot this early, at least. Then she stood up. "Attention, everyone!" Reina Takahashi¡¯s voice cut through the morning haze like a blade, instantly silencing the classroom. The poised, ever-righteous student council president stood at the front of the room, her glasses gleaming under the fluorescent lights. There was an air of authority about her, one that demanded compliance rather than approval. Kenji frowned. He could already tell whatever this was, he wasn¡¯t going to like it. "Starting today," Reina continued, "I will be personally overseeing the moral reformation of Fujimura Kenji!" The room exploded. "Wait, what?!" "She¡¯s doing what?!" "Oh no. No, no, no¡ªthis is a mistake." "S-She¡¯s going to tame the monster?!" The cacophony of shock, confusion, and sheer horror nearly made the teacher drop his chalk. Students turned their wide-eyed stares from Reina to Kenji as if waiting for him to transform into some rampaging beast. Kenji, however, blinked slowly. What. Reina, unfazed by the dramatic reaction, adjusted her glasses and continued. "Effective immediately, I will be tutoring Fujimura in proper conduct and moral integrity. My goal is to mold him into a respectable, law-abiding student." Kenji leaned forward, his arms resting on his desk. "¡­What?" "You heard me." "No, no, I definitely heard you." He gave her an exasperated look. "I¡¯m just trying to understand how exactly you came to the conclusion that I needed¡ªwhat did you call it?¡ª¡®moral reformation?¡¯" "Because you¡¯re a bad influence," Reina said simply, as if it were an undeniable fact. Kenji scoffed. "On who?" Reina gestured vaguely toward the rest of the class, as if that alone answered the question. "You carry a dangerous reputation, and the younger students look up to you for the wrong reasons. I refuse to let this school fall into chaos under your influence." Kenji blinked again. Then he turned to the rest of the class. "Quick show of hands¡ªwho here has ever actually seen me do something delinquent?" Silence. Nobody moved. A single awkward cough from the back. Kenji turned back to Reina and smirked. "Seems like you¡¯re wasting your time, Prez." Reina did not falter. "That¡¯s because you¡¯re a master manipulator. You¡¯ve embedded yourself into this school¡¯s social structure so well that you don¡¯t even need to act. Your reputation alone does the damage." Kenji opened his mouth to argue, but before he could, a voice from the back of the room snickered. "That¡¯s cute. You think you can change him?" All eyes shifted to Akari Hayashi, who was lazily twirling a pen between her fingers, her lips curled in an amused smirk. The only person more infamous than Kenji for stirring trouble, Akari had no patience for Reina¡¯s theatrics. Reina ignored her completely. "This is not a debate. My decision has been made." Kenji let out a long sigh, running a hand through his already messy hair. "Listen, Prez. I get that you have this weird superhero complex or whatever, but trust me¡ªwasting your time on me is gonna get you nowhere." Reina¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Then prove me wrong." Kenji stared at her. She was serious. Like, dead serious. He exhaled sharply and slumped back into his seat. "Fine. Do whatever you want. Just don¡¯t expect me to play along." Reina gave a satisfied nod. "Good. Our first session starts today after class." Kenji groaned. He should¡¯ve kept his mouth shut. Meanwhile, Tetsuya Arakawa, Kenji¡¯s ever-loyal but stoic bodyguard, leaned over and muttered, "Boss. Is she trying to make you weak?" Kenji grunted. "I have no idea what¡¯s going on anymore." Across the room, Akari chuckled, clearly entertained. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."
Scene 2: Reina¡¯s "Plan" to Fix Him The energy in the classroom hadn¡¯t settled. Students whispered in hushed, horrified voices, their gazes flickering between Reina, Kenji, and the sheer absurdity of what had just happened. Kenji, meanwhile, was still processing how he¡¯d gone from minding his business to being the latest charity project of the student council president. Then Reina did something even worse. She pulled out a clipboard. The tension in the room spiked. Kenji narrowed his eyes. "What¡¯s that?" Reina adjusted her glasses. "Your official reformation plan." The class gasped like she had just declared war on God himself. Kenji stared at her, half-certain this was some elaborate prank. "You¡¯re joking." Reina was not joking. She flipped through the pages, clearing her throat. "Starting today, you will follow a structured curriculum to correct your behavior and reintegrate yourself as a model student." Kenji barely resisted the urge to slam his forehead onto his desk. Reina raised a finger and listed the points with infuriating precision. "First¡ªdaily ethics lessons in the student council room." Kenji groaned. "That sounds like torture." "Second¡ªno more fighting." Kenji deadpanned. "I don¡¯t even fight people." Reina ignored him. "Third¡ªmandatory community service." Kenji blinked. "You¡¯re serious? "Completely." Kenji sighed, muttering under his breath, "What did I do to deserve this?" Reina continued, unbothered. "Fourth¡ªpoliteness training." Kenji snorted. "You¡¯re gonna teach me how to say ¡®please¡¯ and ¡®thank you¡¯?" Reina¡¯s expression was deadly serious. "Yes. And how to properly greet teachers, bow at the correct angle, and engage in socially responsible behavior." Kenji looked at the ceiling like he was asking the heavens for strength. Then, as if to make things worse, Reina handed him a neatly typed schedule. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Kenji took it begrudgingly and scanned the paper. His eyebrow twitched. "What the hell is ¡®Respect and Discipline Wednesdays¡¯?" Reina crossed her arms. "It¡¯s exactly what it sounds like." Akari, who had been watching the entire exchange with pure amusement, finally let out a low whistle. "Wow, Prez. You¡¯re really going all in on this, huh?" Reina nodded firmly. "If I am to reform him, I will do so thoroughly." Kenji scoffed. "What, like I¡¯m some delinquent stray you¡¯re trying to house train?" Reina blinked. "That is an interesting metaphor, but yes." The class lost it. Laughter, whispers, chaotic energy. A few students genuinely looked afraid for Reina¡¯s life. Akari smirked. "You¡¯re adorable, Reina. You actually think you can fix him." Reina straightened her posture. "Of course. There is nothing that cannot be corrected with discipline, hard work, and dedication." Kenji pinched the bridge of his nose. "Unbelievable." And then, because things weren¡¯t already ridiculous enough, Tetsuya¡ªwho had been silently watching like a hawk¡ªleaned closer to Kenji. "Boss¡­" He lowered his voice, his expression serious. "Is she trying to make you weak?" Kenji exhaled slowly, his patience hanging by a thread. "Tetsuya, I swear¡ª" But Tetsuya was genuinely concerned. "This could be a long-term attack strategy." He furrowed his brows. "If she takes away your edge, others will challenge you." Kenji¡¯s eye twitched. "Tetsuya. I don¡¯t even HAVE an edge." Tetsuya nodded grimly. "And soon you won¡¯t even have that." Kenji was done. Meanwhile, Reina, who clearly thought she was winning this battle, gave Kenji a satisfied nod. "I¡¯ll see you after class for our first lesson." Kenji stared at his schedule, then at Reina. This is my life now.
Scene 3: Kenji¡¯s Internal Struggle The student council room was supposed to be a place of order, leadership, and responsibility. Right now, it felt like a prison. Kenji sat in one of the neatly arranged chairs, slouched back, arms crossed, eyes half-lidded in disinterest. Across from him, Reina Takahashi sat behind her meticulously organized desk, a thick stack of books and documents laid out like she was about to sentence him in a court of law. "Our first lesson begins now." Kenji sighed loudly. "You know, there are better ways to waste your time." Reina ignored him. She opened a leather-bound ethics textbook and flipped to a marked page. "Today, we will be covering the foundations of moral integrity. This will include¡ª" she adjusted her glasses "¡ªthe importance of setting an example, the responsibility of leadership, and why structure is essential for a functioning society." Kenji tuned out almost instantly. His mind drifted as Reina began lecturing, her voice even, precise, and annoyingly passionate. She¡¯s really into this, huh? His gaze subtly shifted to her face. She had that focused expression she always wore when she was serious¡ªa slight crease in her forehead, lips pursed, eyes gleaming with absolute conviction. The way she pushed her glasses up her nose whenever she made a strong point¡­ ¡­Wait. Kenji blinked. The hell am I thinking about? He forced himself to look away, focusing on the ceiling instead. "Are you even listening?!" A sharp smack echoed through the room as Reina slammed a wooden pointer onto the desk. Kenji flinched. "Huh? Uh¡­ yeah. Ethics. Good stuff." Reina narrowed her eyes, clearly not convinced. "Then summarize the last thing I just said." Kenji paused. Slowly, he straightened up, nodding as if deep in thought. "¡­Structure is¡­ very important. And uh¡­ leaders should have¡­ integrity?" Reina stared. Kenji offered his best innocent smirk. A tense silence. Then Reina sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "This is going to take longer than I thought." Kenji shrugged. "Told you." Reina, not one to be discouraged, pressed on. "Fine. We¡¯ll start with something simple." She grabbed a blank sheet of paper. "I want you to write down three things you think define a good person." Kenji raised a brow. "And if I refuse?" Reina held up the pointer again. Kenji grabbed a pen immediately. As he stared at the blank page, though, he found himself weirdly stuck. What even is a good person? Before, the answer would have been easy¡ªsomeone who follows the rules, obeys authority, does everything right. But lately¡­ He tapped the pen against the desk. Was it really that simple? His mind flashed to Tetsuya, ever-loyal, always watching his back. Akari, who, despite being a pain, never hesitated to call him out. The kids at the orphanage who had clung to him like he was some kind of big brother. Wasn¡¯t there more to it? Kenji frowned at his own thoughts. Why am I even thinking this deeply about it? Reina glanced at him, noticing his hesitation. For the first time, her expression softened. "If you don¡¯t know, then that just means we have more work to do." Kenji looked up, surprised. For once, there was no judgment in her tone. Just¡­ something else. Something he didn¡¯t quite understand. He clicked his pen and sighed. "Fine. Whatever. I¡¯ll think about it." Reina nodded approvingly. "Good. We¡¯ll continue tomorrow." As Kenji stood up and stretched, he caught himself thinking: That¡­ wasn¡¯t as awful as I expected. ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C Outside the room, Tetsuya was waiting. As soon as Kenji stepped out, his bodyguard fell into step beside him, giving him a once-over. "You survived." Kenji rolled his eyes. "Barely." Tetsuya was silent for a moment before asking, "Did you¡­ enjoy it?" Kenji stopped walking. He turned to his friend, face blank. "Tetsuya. I need you to never say those words again." Tetsuya narrowed his eyes. Kenji sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets. "It wasn¡¯t¡­ completely terrible." Tetsuya looked disturbed. "Boss. She¡¯s getting to you." Kenji scoffed. "As if. I¡¯m just playing along." "That¡¯s what they all say." Kenji decided he was done with this conversation.
Scene 3.5: Tetsuya¡¯s Warning Kenji stretched his arms behind his head as he strolled toward the back of the school, away from the main building. He wasn¡¯t skipping class¡ªtechnically. He just needed air. Reina¡¯s "reform plan" was already giving him a headache, and he hadn¡¯t even fully processed how he got dragged into this mess. As he leaned against the old storage shed behind the gym, a shadow moved nearby. ¡°You¡¯ve been getting a lot of attention lately, boss.¡± Kenji¡¯s shoulders tensed slightly before relaxing as he turned his head. Tetsuya was standing a few feet away, arms crossed, his posture as unreadable as ever. Kenji arched a brow. ¡°Yeah? That your way of saying you¡¯re jealous?¡± Tetsuya didn¡¯t laugh. Kenji frowned. That wasn¡¯t normal. ¡°Alright,¡± Kenji pushed off the wall, cracking his neck. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Tetsuya stepped closer, lowering his voice. ¡°Someone¡¯s been asking about you.¡± Kenji¡¯s easygoing expression didn¡¯t change, but something cold settled in his chest. ¡°Yeah?¡± He feigned boredom, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°You¡¯re gonna have to be more specific.¡± Tetsuya¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t leave his. ¡°Not just anyone. Someone outside the school. Don¡¯t know who yet, but they¡¯re looking into you. Directly.¡± Kenji¡¯s fingers curled slightly at his sides. That was different. Gossip? He could handle. Teachers side-eyeing him? No problem. But if someone was actively investigating him¡­ Not good. Still, he kept his voice even. ¡°So? Maybe I¡¯ve got secret admirers.¡± Tetsuya didn¡¯t blink. ¡°Boss. This isn¡¯t a joke.¡± Kenji studied him, then sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. ¡°You sure it¡¯s about me? Not Ryuji?¡± Tetsuya¡¯s jaw tensed. ¡°If they were looking for Ryuji, they¡¯d already know where to find him.¡± Kenji didn¡¯t have a response to that. Tetsuya took another step forward, voice dropping lower. ¡°I don¡¯t care what your past is. That¡¯s your business. But if someone¡¯s trying to expose you, that becomes my business.¡± Kenji met his gaze, silent for a long moment. Then, he smirked. ¡°And why¡¯s that?¡± Tetsuya¡¯s expression didn¡¯t waver. ¡°Because I don¡¯t work for them. I work for you.¡± Kenji didn¡¯t reply right away. He let the words sink in, watching the way Tetsuya stood firm, his meaning clear. For the first time, something heavy settled between them. After a pause, Kenji rolled his shoulders, forcing the tension out of his body. ¡°Relax. If someone¡¯s trying to dig up dirt on me, they¡¯re gonna be real disappointed.¡± Tetsuya didn¡¯t look convinced. He lingered for a second longer, then finally stepped back. ¡°Just watch your back, boss.¡± Then he turned and walked off. Kenji exhaled through his nose, staring up at the sky. "If someone¡¯s looking for you, that means they don¡¯t believe you¡¯re who you say you are." He closed his eyes for a brief second. He wasn¡¯t worried. Not really. Right?
Scene 4: A Watchful Eye in the Shadows The sun was dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows across the school courtyard. Kenji wasn¡¯t sure how, but he¡¯d made it through his first so-called ¡°lesson¡± in reform without losing his mind. Barely. That was¡­ something. As he stepped outside, he rolled his shoulders, stretching out the stiffness from sitting in that damn chair for so long. Reina might be small, but her presence was oppressive. The sheer weight of her moral superiority alone had felt like a training exercise. Tetsuya, ever the silent observer, walked beside him, his gaze sharp. "Boss, I don¡¯t like this." Kenji sighed. "Tetsuya, we¡¯ve been over this." "No. This is different." Kenji stopped mid-step. "Huh?" Tetsuya¡¯s usual neutral expression shifted¡ªjust slightly. "You¡¯re changing." Kenji raised an eyebrow. "That¡¯s the dumbest thing I¡¯ve ever heard." Tetsuya crossed his arms. "You¡¯re playing along too much. First, it was avoiding fights. Now it¡¯s following rules. What¡¯s next? Volunteering for the student council?" Kenji snorted. "Like hell." Tetsuya wasn¡¯t amused. "You think this is harmless, but it¡¯s not. You¡¯re losing your edge." Kenji ran a hand through his hair. "I don¡¯t even HAVE an edge!" Tetsuya wasn¡¯t convinced. "That¡¯s what they want you to think." Kenji shook his head and kept walking. "You¡¯re being dramatic." Tetsuya didn¡¯t follow immediately. Instead, he stayed back for a moment, his gaze lingering on Kenji¡¯s retreating figure. Something wasn¡¯t right. Kenji might not have noticed it, but Tetsuya had. Someone was watching. ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C From across the courtyard, a lone figure leaned against a tree. He was tall, well-built, dressed in a sleek, casual jacket. His expression was unreadable, but the slight curve of his lips suggested amusement. His sharp golden-brown eyes flickered toward Kenji, studying him, assessing. Then his gaze drifted toward Reina, who was leaving from the opposite direction, completely oblivious to the unspoken tension unfolding. The real Ryuji smirked. So that¡¯s how it is. ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C Elsewhere¡­ Inside the principal¡¯s office, a single sheet of paper rested on the desk. A new student enrollment form. A name was neatly written across the top. Takashi Hanekawa. ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C Kenji didn¡¯t know it yet. But his quiet school life was over.
Chapter 12: Forced Volunteer Work (And Kenji’s Rising Popularity) Chapter 12: Forced Volunteer Work (And Kenji¡¯s Rising Popularity)
Scene 1: Reina''s First Punishment The orphanage sat nestled in a quiet part of the city, its modest brick walls and cheerful murals a stark contrast to the absolute disaster Kenji knew was about to unfold. He stood in front of the gates, hands shoved deep in his pockets, shoulders hunched in resentful defiance. Beside him, Reina Takahashi exuded an air of self-righteous accomplishment, clipboard clutched tightly as if she had already won a major battle. "This is ridiculous." Kenji muttered, glaring at the entrance like it had personally offended him. Reina didn¡¯t even look up from her checklist. "No, this is justice." "Justice?" He scoffed. "You act like I burned down an orphanage. I haven¡¯t even jaywalked." "You may not have committed crimes, but your reputation alone has a negative influence on the student body." Reina finally turned to face him, adjusting her glasses with practiced precision. "If you¡¯re truly reformed, you¡¯ll prove it here." Kenji let out a long, suffering sigh. "You just like making my life difficult, don¡¯t you?" Reina didn¡¯t dignify that with an answer. Instead, she marched forward, expecting him to follow. Kenji glanced to the side, where Tetsuya Arakawa stood, arms crossed, watching the whole thing with a level of wariness usually reserved for enemy ambushes. "This feels like a trap," Tetsuya muttered, his eyes scanning the area as if expecting snipers. Kenji sighed again. "Yeah, well, no way out now." With all the enthusiasm of a man heading to his own execution, Kenji followed Reina inside. ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C The moment they stepped into the orphanage, it happened. "WOAH! WHO¡¯S THAT?!" A stampede of small children barreled toward them, their tiny feet pounding the floor like an approaching army. Reina stepped forward, clearing her throat in what Kenji recognized as her ¡°professional¡± voice. "Hello, children. My name is Reina Takahashi, and this is Kenji Fujimu¡ª" She didn¡¯t get to finish. Because the moment Kenji stepped into view, the children stopped short. A beat of silence. Then¡ªchaos. "WOOOAH, HE LOOKS COOL!" "LOOK AT HIS SCAR!" "IS HE A YAKUZA?!" Kenji felt his soul leave his body. "No," Reina said quickly. "He is not¡ª" "CAN YOU LIFT ME?!" a small boy latched onto Kenji¡¯s leg like a barnacle. "CAN YOU TEACH ME HOW TO PUNCH?!" another yelled, bouncing excitedly. Kenji blinked down at them, bewildered. Reina pinched the bridge of her nose. "This is not how this was supposed to go." Tetsuya, from the sidelines, was barely containing his laughter. Kenji sighed. Then, with a resigned shrug, he hoisted one of the kids up onto his shoulders effortlessly. The orphanage erupted. "BIG BRO KENJI! BIG BRO KENJI!" Kenji, surprisingly, found himself grinning. "Alright, alright. But if I gotta babysit, I¡¯m teaching self-defense." Reina visibly twitched. "No, you are not¡ª!" Kenji ignored her completely, already demonstrating a proper stance to the eager children. "Alright, rule number one: If someone grabs you, what do you do?" The kids shouted in unison. "PUNCH THEM!" "WRONG." Reina¡¯s shoulders relaxed slightly. "You punch them AND run." Reina¡¯s eye twitched violently. "Fujimura." Kenji just smirked, effortlessly dodging as she tried to snatch the pointer stick from his hand. ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C Back at school¡­ Rumors spread like wildfire. Some students claimed Kenji was running an underground training facility. Others insisted he was grooming an army of future criminals. By lunchtime, a teacher had overheard, and by the end of the day, there was an emergency faculty meeting. "We have a problem," a teacher said grimly. "Fujimura has taken over an orphanage."
Scene 2: Love Triangle Progression Kenji did not expect this. The orphanage was supposed to be a punishment, a dull waste of time orchestrated by Reina in her endless crusade to "fix" him. Instead, he was being worshiped like some kind of hero. A tiny girl clung to his arm like he was an actual jungle gym. A group of boys crowded around him, eager to learn ¡°cool¡± self-defense tricks (which Reina had strictly forbidden,) and somehow, he¡¯d ended up playing a ridiculous game of tag. Kenji wasn¡¯t even trying to win, but somehow, he still had half a dozen kids climbing all over him. And through it all, Reina just stared. "This was supposed to be a punishment," she muttered under her breath, arms crossed tightly over her chest. She wasn¡¯t sure what irritated her more¡ªthe fact that Kenji was clearly enjoying himself, or the fact that the kids adored him. She¡¯d expected him to be aloof, indifferent, maybe even rude. Instead, he was smiling, joking, lifting kids onto his shoulders with ease. His usual sarcasm was toned down, replaced with a quiet patience she hadn¡¯t thought him capable of. She pursed her lips. "This doesn¡¯t change anything," she told herself, forcing her gaze away. "He¡¯s still an arrogant, reckless¡ª" "Are you and Big Bro Kenji getting married?" The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Reina choked. A little girl, no older than six, blinked up at her innocently, completely unaware of the nuclear bomb she had just dropped. Kenji, who had been mid-lift with another child, froze. Silence. Then¡ªchaos. "EHHHH?! BIG BRO KENJI AND ONEE-CHAN?!" "IT¡¯S LIKE A FAIRY TALE!" "WEDDING! WEDDING!" Reina waved her hands frantically. "N-No! That¡¯s not¡ª! Who even told you that?!" "I dunno!" the little girl chirped. "It¡¯s just obvious!" Kenji¡¯s entire soul left his body. "What part of this situation is obvious?!" Before Reina could properly recover, an all-too-familiar voice cut through the chaos. "Well, well. Look what we have here." Akari Hayashi. ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C Kenji groaned. Of course she was here. Akari strolled in like she owned the place, arms crossed, wearing a smirk so smug it could probably be classified as a lethal weapon. "I heard a rumor that you were getting reformed," she said, eyeing Kenji with exaggerated amusement. "Had to come see it for myself." Kenji pinched the bridge of his nose. "I am not getting reformed." "Sure you aren¡¯t." Akari grinned, then turned to Reina. "So, how¡¯s it going, Prez? Having fun with your pet project?" Reina bristled. "This is serious." Akari leaned in, voice low and teasing. "Oh, I can see that. You¡¯re all flustered." "I am not¡ª!" Akari, thoroughly entertained, latched onto Kenji¡¯s arm, flashing a smirk at Reina. "Well, if you¡¯re taking applications for this ¡®Reform Kenji¡¯ program, maybe I should be in charge. I mean, if anyone can control him, it¡¯s me, right?" Reina¡¯s eye twitched. "Excuse me?" Kenji, trapped between them, had the distinct feeling that he was about to become collateral damage. The kids, meanwhile, were eating this up. "Big Bro Kenji has two girlfriends?!" one boy shouted. Kenji groaned loudly. "I hate my life." ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C Thus, the competition began. Reina vs. Akari: The Battle for the Children¡¯s Approval. Reina, determined to restore order, immediately shifted into teacher mode, trying to prove that she was the responsible one. "Proper posture is important!" she lectured, adjusting one of the kids¡¯ stances. "Pfft, boring," Akari cut in, flashing a grin as she lifted one of the younger kids onto her back. "Who cares about posture when they just wanna have fun?" Kenji watched this unfold with the weariness of a man trapped in a war he never enlisted for. One child tugged on his sleeve. "Big Bro Kenji, who do you like better?" Kenji stared into the abyss. "I am not answering that." ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C Somehow, this went on for way too long. By the end of it, Reina and Akari were both exhausted, the kids had fully turned this into an event, and Kenji was wondering if it was possible to fake his own death and flee the country. Tetsuya, who had been watching from a safe distance, finally approached, expression blank. "Boss." Kenji rubbed his temples. "What." Tetsuya took in the scene¡ªthe disheveled girls, the adoring children, the absolute disaster that had become of this "punishment." A slow, knowing pause. Then: "You have my condolences." Kenji scoffed. "That makes one of us."
Scene 2.5: Reina¡¯s Self-Doubt The playground at the orphanage had quieted down, the excited shouts of children replaced by the distant hum of passing cars and the occasional rustle of leaves. Reina sat on a bench near the entrance, her hands folded neatly in her lap, her expression unreadable. She had been watching Kenji for over an hour now. At first, she had expected a disaster. Kenji Fujimura, the school¡¯s infamous delinquent, interacting with children? He was supposed to be a terrible influence. He was supposed to be reckless, crude, and unfit for any real responsibility. Except¡­ none of that was happening. She watched as he crouched next to a little boy, tying his shoelace without a second thought. The boy beamed up at him, completely at ease, calling him "Big Bro Kenji" like it was the most natural thing in the world. She watched as Kenji lifted another child onto his shoulders, effortlessly keeping them balanced as they giggled and cheered. She watched as he took a step back when a little girl clung to his arm, embarrassed but not pushing her away. This wasn¡¯t an act. It was real. And that made no sense. Reina pressed her lips together, gripping the edge of her skirt. "What am I missing?" She had spent so much time molding Kenji into her "reform project" that she never considered the possibility that¡­ maybe he wasn¡¯t someone who needed fixing. The thought unsettled her. "Why do you look like you¡¯re solving a murder case?" Reina flinched. She turned sharply to find Akari standing beside her, sipping a juice box, her signature smirk plastered across her face. "I¡¯m thinking," Reina muttered, adjusting her glasses. Akari raised an eyebrow, taking a seat beside her. "Oh? About what, exactly? Or should I say¡­ who?" Reina rolled her eyes. "Don¡¯t start." Akari leaned back, stretching her arms over the back of the bench. "You¡¯re staring at Kenji like he¡¯s a glitch in the matrix. What¡¯s up?" Reina hesitated. She wasn¡¯t the type to voice doubts. She didn¡¯t like admitting when she wasn¡¯t sure of something. But this wasn¡¯t adding up. Finally, she sighed. "He¡¯s not what I expected." Akari hummed. "Yeah, no kidding. I mean, I knew he wasn¡¯t a total lost cause, but watching him? It¡¯s kind of hilarious. He¡¯s better with kids than most of our teachers." Reina didn¡¯t respond. Akari peered at her for a moment, then nudged her with her elbow. "You¡¯re thinking too hard about this. Let me guess¡ªyour whole world is crumbling because Fujimura isn¡¯t the big, bad monster you thought he was?" Reina inhaled sharply, because that was exactly it. Akari snickered. "Oh, that¡¯s cute. You¡¯re actually struggling with this, aren¡¯t you?" "I am not struggling," Reina said firmly, straightening her posture. Akari¡¯s grin widened. "Uh-huh. Sure." Reina huffed. "I¡¯m simply considering all the facts." "Right. And the facts are telling you that Kenji isn¡¯t actually a delinquent, which means¡ªoh no!¡ªyou might have misjudged him!" Akari feigned horror, pressing a hand to her chest. "How will the great Reina Takahashi recover?" Reina shot her a glare. Akari just laughed, taking another sip of her juice. "Relax. It¡¯s not that deep. Kenji¡¯s just¡­ Kenji. Maybe he¡¯s not the thug you thought, but that doesn¡¯t mean you need to start questioning reality." Reina frowned slightly, her gaze drifting back to Kenji. "Doesn¡¯t it?" Because if she was wrong about him, what else had she been wrong about? Akari watched her for a beat before her expression turned more thoughtful. "You know, Reina¡­ be careful." Reina blinked, caught off guard by the shift in Akari¡¯s tone. "What do you mean?" Akari leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "The moment you start doubting what you know about someone¡­ that¡¯s when people can twist the truth." Reina froze. A strange, uneasy feeling settled in her chest. Akari stood up, stretching. "Anyway, don¡¯t overthink it. Just enjoy the show. Kenji being good with kids is the funniest plot twist of the year." She tossed her empty juice box into a nearby trash can, flashing a lazy grin before walking off. Reina sat still, her mind replaying Akari¡¯s words. "That¡¯s when people can twist the truth." She had no idea how much those words would haunt her later.
Scene 3: The Real Ryuji¡¯s Plans Begin The sun was setting by the time Kenji finally escaped. The orphanage had been absolute chaos. Between Reina¡¯s failed punishment, Akari¡¯s interference, and the kids declaring him the center of a romantic war, he was mentally exhausted. Walking beside him, Reina and Akari were still bickering. "You were being completely inappropriate!" Reina snapped, shooting a glare at Akari. "Please, I was saving those poor kids from being forced into another one of your lectures," Akari replied lazily. "I was teaching them valuable life lessons!" "Oh, sure. Because ¡®proper posture¡¯ is the number one priority when you¡¯re six." Kenji zoned out. He was too tired for this. Tetsuya, walking a few steps behind, had the expression of a man who had given up. By the time they reached the train station, Kenji finally turned to the girls. "Alright, that¡¯s enough. I am officially done with today." Reina huffed, crossing her arms. "Fine." Akari just smirked. "Whatever you say, Big Bro Kenji." Kenji grimaced. "Don¡¯t. Start." Akari winked. With that, the girls finally went their separate ways, leaving Kenji and Tetsuya alone. For the first time all day, there was silence. ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C Kenji let out a slow exhale, rolling his shoulders. "Finally." Tetsuya said nothing. Kenji glanced at him. His bodyguard was staring straight ahead, his usually unreadable expression just a little too tense. Kenji frowned. "What?" Tetsuya didn¡¯t answer immediately. His sharp gaze swept across the street, like he was searching for something. "Something feels off." Kenji raised an eyebrow. "You say that every day." "Yeah," Tetsuya admitted, "but today, I mean it." Kenji sighed. "You¡¯re being paranoid." But as he pulled his phone from his pocket, something in his chest tightened. A new message flashed across the screen. No name. No sender. Just a few words. "Hope you¡¯re enjoying my life, faker. It won¡¯t last." Kenji¡¯s blood ran cold. He stopped walking. Tetsuya immediately noticed. "Boss?" Kenji¡¯s grip tightened around his phone. It was happening. Ryuji knows. He forced himself to exhale slowly, shoving the phone back into his pocket like it was nothing. "Nothing. Just tired." Tetsuya didn¡¯t look convinced, but he didn¡¯t push. Kenji¡¯s mind was spinning. For weeks, it had felt like Ryuji was watching from the shadows, waiting. Now, he wasn¡¯t waiting anymore. ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C Somewhere else in the city¡­ A darkened room. A phone screen glowed in the dim light, illuminating the sharp smirk of Ryuji Sakamoto. He leaned back in his chair, flicking the ash from his cigarette, watching the message he had just sent. Beside him, a tall figure stood silently, waiting. Ryuji glanced up, handing him a photo. A photo of Kenji. "Make sure he knows his place."
Chapter 13: Enter the Charismatic Rival (And Reina Gets… Jealous?) Chapter 13: Enter the Charismatic Rival (And Reina Gets¡­ Jealous?)
Scene 1: The New Transfer Student Morning sunlight streamed through the classroom windows, casting long shadows across the wooden desks as the teacher stood at the front, clearing his throat. ¡°Class, we have a new transfer student today.¡± The room, which had been filled with the usual morning chatter, immediately went silent. Kenji slouched in his seat, uninterested. He didn¡¯t care. New students arrived all the time. This one would be no different. Then, the guy stepped in. Tall. Ridiculously good-looking. His black hair was neatly styled, not a single strand out of place, and his uniform looked like it had been designed specifically for him. He moved with the kind of easy confidence that made teachers sigh in relief and students instantly take notice. Kenji felt his eye twitch. Oh. Great. ¡°My name is Takashi Hanekawa. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you.¡± His voice was smooth, the kind of voice that made people automatically trust him. He flashed a perfect smile, bowing with practiced elegance. Kenji barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes. ¡°Hanekawa-kun has an excellent academic record and was highly recommended by his previous school. I hope you¡¯ll all make him feel welcome.¡± The girls were already whispering. ¡°Oh my god, he¡¯s so polite.¡± ¡°Did you see his smile?¡± ¡°He looks like a model!¡± Kenji grunted. Perfect. Another golden boy. Then, the teacher said something that made Kenji sit up. ¡°Takashi, you¡¯ll be seated next to Takahashi-san.¡± Kenji whipped his head toward Reina. Reina, who usually held herself with strict composure, actually looked surprised. For the first time, Kenji saw her blink rapidly, adjusting her glasses as if flustered. Kenji frowned. What the hell was that? Takashi took his seat gracefully, turning to Reina with an easy smile. ¡°Takahashi-san, right?¡± he said smoothly. ¡°I¡¯ve heard a lot about you. Top of the class, student council president¡­ quite the impressive reputation.¡± Reina actually smiled. ¡°I do my best,¡± she replied, shifting slightly in her chair. Kenji felt something twist in his chest. What the hell? Since when did Reina smile at new people? Since when did she look¡­ he didn¡¯t know, pleased? His frown deepened. Takashi and Reina immediately launched into conversation. Within minutes, they were deep in discussion about law, ethics, and academic excellence. The class noticed immediately. People started whispering again. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen Reina talk to someone this naturally.¡± ¡°Did she just laugh?¡± ¡°Wait, is she actually interested in him?¡± Kenji¡¯s mood soured. Across the room, Akari leaned in toward him, grinning. ¡°Jealous, are we?¡± Kenji snorted. ¡°Not even remotely.¡± Akari raised a brow. ¡°Uh-huh.¡± Kenji looked back at Reina and Takashi. They were still talking. She was still smiling. His grip on his pencil tightened. Then, from behind him, Tetsuya muttered lowly. ¡°Something¡¯s off about him.¡± Kenji turned slightly. ¡°You think?¡± Tetsuya nodded, eyes narrowed. ¡°Too perfect.¡± Kenji didn¡¯t disagree.
Scene 2: Reina¡¯s Unusual Reactions This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. By lunchtime, Takashi Hanekawa had completely infiltrated the school¡¯s social hierarchy. Kenji, sitting in his usual spot near the window, watched with growing irritation as people practically lined up to talk to the new guy. Teachers loved him. The student council already seemed ready to elect him as their new president. Even the cafeteria staff gave him an extra portion of food. Kenji stabbed at his lunch with his chopsticks, mood steadily declining. And then¡ªthere was Reina. He spotted her in the hallway, standing near Takashi. They were talking¡ªagain. Kenji knew Reina. She wasn¡¯t the type to get flustered. She was disciplined, composed, always in control. But here she was, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Adjusting her glasses. Then¡ªshe laughed. Kenji froze. Reina Takahashi, laughing. At something Takashi said. Kenji¡¯s grip on his chopsticks tightened. "You¡¯re staring," a voice drawled beside him. Kenji didn¡¯t even flinch. "No, I¡¯m not." Akari plopped down across from him, grinning like a cat who had just found a very entertaining toy. "Oh, you definitely are." She rested her chin in her hands, watching him watch Reina. Kenji tore his gaze away. "I don¡¯t care." Akari smirked. "Sure you don¡¯t." Kenji ignored her. Except now, he was hyper-aware of Reina. And Takashi. And the way she was still smiling at him. And the way Takashi was looking at her, like they were already on the same wavelength. Something in Kenji¡¯s chest twisted again. Then¡ªTakashi turned. Kenji stiffened as the transfer student walked straight toward them, still smiling. "Fujimura, right?" Kenji leaned back in his seat, arms crossed. "Yeah?" Takashi¡¯s smile never wavered. "Reina told me about your reformation plan. Mind if I help?" Kenji¡¯s expression flattened. "Pass." Takashi chuckled. "Oh? But Reina seems so invested in fixing you." Kenji¡¯s jaw tightened. Akari, meanwhile, was having the time of her life. "Wow, Kenji," she drawled, watching the tension unfold. "You really don¡¯t like this guy, huh?" Kenji shot her a look. "I don¡¯t even know him." "Exactly," Akari said, looking entirely too amused. Reina approached then, sensing the tension. "Takashi, I don¡¯t think Kenji is the type to¡ª" "No," Kenji interrupted, tone casual. "Let him talk." Reina blinked. Takashi just smiled again. "I¡¯ll be around. Let¡¯s see if we can turn you into a proper citizen, Fujimura." Kenji gritted his teeth. Oh, it was on.
Scene 2.5: Takashi¡¯s Cryptic Warning Kenji had been trying to ignore the gnawing irritation in his chest all day. Ever since Takashi Hanekawa showed up, things had changed. Reina, who was usually all business and disapproval, actually smiled when talking to Takashi. Not just once. Multiple times. And Kenji, for reasons he didn¡¯t want to examine, hated it. He had spent the last ten minutes pacing the empty courtyard behind the gym, rolling his shoulders, trying to shake off the weird frustration bubbling under his skin. And then, as if the universe enjoyed screwing with him, Takashi walked up. Kenji stilled, his jaw tightening as Takashi approached, that same easy smile plastered across his face. ¡°You¡¯ve been avoiding me, Fujimura.¡± Kenji exhaled through his nose. ¡°You say that like I don¡¯t avoid everyone.¡± Takashi chuckled. ¡°True, but I¡¯d like to think we¡¯ve built a¡­ special kind of tension.¡± Kenji gave him a flat look. ¡°Say that again, and I¡¯ll punch you.¡± Takashi smirked. ¡°See? That¡¯s what I like about you. Always so direct.¡± Kenji didn¡¯t respond. He wasn¡¯t in the mood for games. Takashi tilted his head slightly. ¡°Though, I have to say, you¡¯re looking a little tense. Something on your mind?¡± Kenji rolled his shoulders, stepping past him. ¡°Nope.¡± But Takashi simply pivoted, blocking his path with infuriating ease. ¡°Ever get the feeling like you¡¯re living on borrowed time?¡± Kenji¡¯s steps halted. Something in Takashi¡¯s tone¡ª**casual, but with an edge¡ª**sent a slow, creeping chill down his spine. Kenji¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°What the hell does that mean?¡± Takashi¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Just thinking out loud.¡± Kenji clenched his jaw. Takashi took a slow step forward, lowering his voice slightly. ¡°Don¡¯t you ever wonder what happens to a liar when the truth catches up?¡± Kenji¡¯s pulse ticked up just slightly. This was different from Takashi¡¯s usual taunts. There was something pointed about his words, like he wasn¡¯t just saying them to mess with him. Kenji forced a smirk. ¡°You practicing for a drama club audition?¡± Takashi chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°You¡¯re funny, Fujimura. But I have to ask¡­ how long do you think you can keep up this little act?¡± Kenji¡¯s stomach twisted. For a split second, he considered playing dumb. But Takashi was watching him closely, his expression calm, but his eyes too sharp. He was studying Kenji¡¯s every microreaction, and Kenji knew¡ªwhatever answer he gave would be analyzed. So, he shrugged. ¡°No clue what you¡¯re talking about.¡± Takashi exhaled a slow, amused breath. ¡°Right. Of course.¡± There was a beat of silence. Then, Takashi turned slightly, looking up at the sky with a mock-thoughtful expression. ¡°You know,¡± he mused, ¡°I always find it interesting how people react when they¡¯re about to lose everything.¡± Kenji¡¯s hands curled into fists at his sides. Takashi turned back to him, eyes glinting. ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to watching how your story ends.¡± Kenji held his stare. ¡°You¡¯re gonna be disappointed.¡± Takashi¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡± Then, with an easy stretch, he walked away. Kenji stood frozen for a moment, his pulse hammering in his ears. Takashi knew. Maybe not everything. But enough. And now, he was waiting for the moment Kenji would break.
Scene 3: Shadows in Motion Kenji lay on his bed that night, staring at the ceiling. It had been a long day. Takashi Hanekawa. The name was starting to piss him off. He wasn¡¯t sure why. Maybe it was because the guy was too perfect. Maybe it was because Reina, for the first time in forever, actually seemed impressed by someone. Or maybe it was because Kenji had the sinking feeling that Takashi wasn¡¯t what he seemed. His phone buzzed. Kenji grabbed it, already expecting the worst. Unknown Number: "Hope you¡¯re enjoying my life, faker. It won¡¯t last." Kenji stared at the message, his stomach twisting. He read it twice. Then a third time. His grip tightened around his phone. Ryuji. He knew it had to be him. And if Ryuji was watching him¡­ Kenji exhaled slowly. Something was coming. ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C Elsewhere in the city¡­ A dimly lit caf¨¦. Takashi sat across from a shadowed figure, stirring his tea slowly. The figure exhaled a stream of smoke. "He¡¯s enjoying himself," Takashi reported, his voice casual. "Too much, if you ask me." Ryuji Sakamoto smirked. "Let¡¯s see how long that lasts." ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C Meanwhile¡­ A group of men in dark suits sat in a quiet office, illuminated only by the glow of multiple computer screens. On the monitors, old surveillance footage played. One of them leaned forward, frowning. "That kid at the school..." he murmured. "That¡¯s not Ryuji."
Chapter 14: The Fake Date (And Kenji’s True Feelings Stirring) Chapter 14: The Fake Date (And Kenji¡¯s True Feelings Stirring)
Scene 1: A Misunderstood Bet The classroom was in chaos. Kenji had no idea how things had escalated this quickly. One moment, he¡¯d been minding his own business, staring out the window and ignoring whatever nonsense his classmates were on about. The next, Akari was running her mouth, and suddenly, his entire existence was being questioned. "You could never go on a normal date," Akari said, loudly enough for half the class to hear. Kenji exhaled sharply, already annoyed. "And why exactly would I care?" Akari grinned. "Because no girl would survive being seen with you." The class snickered. Kenji¡¯s eye twitched. "That so?" he muttered, crossing his arms. Before he could fully retaliate, another voice cut through the conversation. "If he were truly reformed," Reina said smoothly from her seat, not even looking up from her notes, "he could prove it by taking someone on a respectable date." The room went dead silent. Kenji slowly turned. "Excuse me?" Akari¡¯s eyes lit up. "Ohhh. That¡¯s a great idea!" She smacked the desk excitedly. "He can take YOU out!" Reina froze mid-page turn. For the first time, she actually looked caught off guard. Kenji expected her to immediately shut the idea down. But instead, she adjusted her glasses and said, "That would be an effective test." Kenji blinked. What. The class lost their minds. "THE MONSTER AND THE PRESIDENT?!" "WHAT IF HE CORRUPTS HER?!" "WHAT IF SHE TAMES HIM?!" The teacher did not even attempt to restore order. Kenji rubbed his temples. "Not happening." Reina gave him a pointed look. "Backing down already?" The room fell silent. Akari smirked. "Oh, now you HAVE to do it." Kenji felt a familiar sense of doom creeping in. From the corner of his eye, he saw Tetsuya slowly lean toward him. "Boss. This is a terrible idea." Kenji let out a deep, exhausted sigh. "Yeah. I know." But there was no escaping now.
Scene 2: Kenji and Reina¡­ on a Date?! Kenji still couldn¡¯t believe this was happening. Saturday afternoon. Downtown. He stood outside a trendy caf¨¦, hands shoved deep into his pockets, waiting for Reina Takahashi. This wasn¡¯t a date. This was a test. Or at least, that¡¯s what she had called it. He wasn¡¯t sure why that distinction annoyed him. The moment he stepped off the train, it was obvious that half the school had gotten wind of this ridiculous bet. He had already spotted at least five classmates lurking nearby, pretending to check their phones or window shop while sneaking glances in his direction. He could practically feel the group chat blowing up with rumors. Then, she arrived. Reina walked toward him with her usual composed posture, wearing a navy-blue coat over a white blouse and skirt. Her long, dark hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, and though her expression was as serious as ever, there was a careful neatness to her appearance today. Kenji squinted slightly. Was she¡­ wearing light makeup? No way. She stopped in front of him, adjusting her glasses. ¡°You¡¯re late.¡± Kenji checked his watch. ¡°I¡¯m two minutes early.¡± She ignored that. ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with.¡± ¡°Wow,¡± he muttered, smirking. ¡°You sure know how to make a guy feel special.¡± ¡°This is a test, not an indulgence,¡± Reina replied smoothly. ¡°Do not enjoy yourself.¡± Kenji exhaled, shaking his head. ¡°I feel like that¡¯s an impossible rule.¡± She huffed, turning on her heel. ¡°Follow me.¡± The moment they stepped inside the caf¨¦, Kenji felt the weight of dozens of eyes on them. He lazily scanned the room. Sure enough, in the far corner, a group of students sat huddled together, whispering furiously while pretending to sip their drinks. Someone¡¯s phone screen flashed. Kenji sighed. ¡°We¡¯re being watched.¡± If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Reina barely blinked. ¡°Of course. I hold an important position in the school. It¡¯s only natural that my presence would attract attention.¡± Kenji leaned in slightly. ¡°They¡¯re not looking at you, Prez.¡± Reina¡¯s brows knit together as she glanced around. For the first time, it seemed to dawn on her just how many horrified faces were staring at them. A girl at a nearby table clutched her chest as if she were witnessing an extinction-level event. Another student actually looked like they might faint. ¡°They¡¯re overreacting,¡± Reina said flatly. Kenji grinned. ¡°Welcome to my life.¡± The rest of the ¡°date¡± followed a similar pattern. When they walked through the shopping district, students tried (and failed) to casually bump into them. Reina ignored them, treating the entire thing like a business transaction, while Kenji ducked past a guy who was definitely trying to snap a photo. By the time they reached the bookstore, Kenji figured this would be the safest place to exist without chaos. That lasted all of five minutes before Reina disappeared into the legal studies section, completely absorbed in a book on constitutional law. Kenji leaned against a nearby shelf, arms crossed, watching her skim through pages with a level of focus that made it seem like the world outside didn¡¯t exist. She was mumbling something under her breath, deep in thought, her fingers absently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she flipped to another chapter. Kenji¡¯s gaze lingered. She really was something else. He blinked, suddenly aware of himself, and turned away. What the hell was that? ¡°Tch. Boring,¡± he muttered, hoping to shake whatever strange thought had just tried to enter his brain. ¡°You lack appreciation for academic excellence,¡± Reina responded without looking up. ¡°And yet, here I am,¡± Kenji shot back. That made her pause for a fraction of a second before she went back to her book. Kenji caught the tiniest shift in her expression, something almost thoughtful, before she pushed it aside. The moment passed. They left the store and stepped back onto the street just as a smooth, familiar voice interrupted the air between them. ¡°Fancy running into you two.¡± Kenji¡¯s mood instantly soured. Reina, on the other hand, smiled. Kenji felt something unpleasant twist in his chest. Takashi Hanekawa stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets, wearing that same effortless grin. His eyes flickered between them, lingering just long enough to make Kenji irritated. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect to see you out and about, Fujimura,¡± Takashi continued, sounding entirely too amused. ¡°And with such excellent company.¡± Kenji rolled his shoulders. ¡°Yeah? You stalking us or something?¡± Takashi chuckled. ¡°No need. Word travels fast.¡± Kenji clenched his jaw, already wanting this conversation to be over. Reina, as usual, was completely oblivious to the tension. ¡°Hanekawa-kun, do you frequent this area?¡± ¡°Now and then,¡± Takashi replied, gaze flicking toward Kenji. ¡°I have good timing, don¡¯t I?¡± Kenji narrowed his eyes. From behind a store window, Akari watched, sipping her drink, barely containing her grin. ¡°Oh, this just got interesting,¡± she muttered to herself.
Scene 3: Unspoken Tensions and Unwelcome Company Kenji¡¯s jaw tightened as Takashi stood before them, effortlessly smooth, like he had planned this entire encounter. Reina didn¡¯t seem to notice anything off about his sudden arrival. If anything, she seemed almost pleased to see him, as if Takashi¡¯s presence made the entire "date" more respectable. Kenji, however, wanted to punch something. He wasn¡¯t sure why. ¡°You¡¯re out shopping?¡± Takashi asked, his sharp eyes flicking between the two of them. ¡°I have to say, I didn¡¯t expect this from you, Fujimura.¡± Kenji shoved his hands into his pockets, eyes half-lidded in annoyance. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect what?¡± Takashi¡¯s smirk was barely noticeable, but it was there. ¡°You, of all people, out on what seems to be a very public date.¡± Reina straightened beside him. ¡°This is not a date,¡± she corrected quickly. ¡°It¡¯s a test of Fujimura¡¯s ability to conduct himself in a respectable manner.¡± Takashi chuckled. ¡°Is that so?¡± He tilted his head slightly, gaze settling on Kenji. ¡°And how¡¯s he doing so far?¡± Kenji really, really wanted to hit something now. Reina exhaled. ¡°So far, I would rate his behavior at a C-plus.¡± Kenji gave her a flat look. ¡°A C-plus?¡± ¡°You can improve.¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t even done anything wrong!¡± She adjusted her glasses. ¡°You could carry yourself with more refinement.¡± Kenji scoffed. ¡°Right, because I should be copying Hanekawa over here, Mr. Perfect.¡± Takashi raised a hand in mock humility. ¡°No need to compare yourself to me, Fujimura. I¡¯m sure Reina sees potential in you.¡± Kenji had never wanted to throw hands more in his life. Reina, still somehow unaware of the nuclear-level tension, looked at Takashi with genuine curiosity. ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°I had some errands to run.¡± He gestured vaguely at the surrounding shops. ¡°But now that I¡¯m here, why not join you two?¡± Kenji¡¯s entire body tensed. ¡°Hard pass.¡± Reina, however, nodded. ¡°I don¡¯t see why not. It would be beneficial to have an additional perspective.¡± Kenji turned to her in disbelief. ¡°Are you serious?¡± Reina gave him a disapproving look. ¡°This is an opportunity for you to prove that you can interact properly in a social setting. You wouldn¡¯t want to fail, would you?¡± Kenji gritted his teeth. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re enjoying this.¡± ¡°I¡¯m simply following through on my responsibilities.¡± Takashi smiled, clearly amused. ¡°I¡¯ll try not to interfere too much. Think of me as a neutral observer.¡± Kenji could already tell there was nothing neutral about him. From the other side of the street, Akari had fully abandoned any pretense of subtlety. She was leaning against a store window, sipping her drink, watching the entire thing unfold like a live drama. ¡°Oh, this is gold,¡± she muttered to herself. Kenji, still fuming internally, turned back to Takashi. ¡°Fine. You wanna tag along? Let¡¯s see if you can keep up.¡± Takashi simply smiled. ¡°I was about to say the same thing.¡±
Scene 3.5: Kenji¡¯s Private Reflection The city buzzed around him¡ªlights flashing, conversations blending into a low hum, the scent of street food drifting through the air. Kenji barely noticed any of it. His hands were shoved deep into his jacket pockets, his steps slow and unhurried as he wandered aimlessly through the streets. He had just dropped Reina off after their so-called "date," and now, for the first time all day, he was alone with his thoughts. And he didn¡¯t like it. Everything about today should have been annoying. The forced outing, the judging stares, Takashi showing up like some smug third wheel. And yet¡­ Kenji exhaled, tilting his head back slightly, staring up at the neon-lit signs above. He had fun. That realization alone made his stomach churn uncomfortably. He shouldn¡¯t care. He didn¡¯t care. Except he did. And that was a problem. Reina was supposed to be an obstacle. A stubborn, infuriating girl who got in his way and forced him into ridiculous situations. She wasn¡¯t supposed to be¡­ Whatever this was. Kenji stopped walking, catching his reflection in the glass of a convenience store window. His own eyes stared back at him¡ªtired, but sharp, as if trying to pick apart the truth. "Who the hell am I even pretending to be anymore?" For weeks, he had been playing this role. Acting like it didn¡¯t matter. Telling himself it was just a game¡ªthat none of this was real. But Reina¡¯s words from earlier echoed in his mind. "This is a test. Do NOT enjoy yourself." Kenji let out a bitter chuckle. He failed that test spectacularly. Shaking his head, he took a step forward¡ªthen suddenly stopped. A prickling sensation crawled up his spine. It wasn¡¯t much. Just a fleeting feeling. But it was there. Kenji subtly glanced at the glass window again, this time not looking at himself, but behind him. The street was busy, but nothing unusual. No one staring at him, no one following too closely. And yet¡­ The feeling wouldn¡¯t go away. He exhaled sharply, rolling his shoulders as he turned the corner. If someone was watching him, they weren¡¯t ready to make a move yet. But they would. And when they did, Kenji had no idea if he¡¯d be ready.
Chapter 15: The Fake Ryuji is Unmasked?! Chapter 15: The Fake Ryuji is Unmasked?!
Scene 1: The First Major Threat Appears The morning sun cast long shadows through the classroom windows as students trickled into the hallways, some chatting, some still half-asleep. It was the usual scene¡ªcasual, routine, predictable. Then he walked in. A man in a dark suit, crisp and well-fitted, strolled through the school gates like he owned the place. His pace was steady, unhurried. Not a single teacher stopped him. Not a single staff member questioned his presence. He wasn¡¯t sneaking around¡ªhe was walking like he belonged, like he knew no one had the authority to tell him otherwise. Whispers broke out almost immediately. ¡°Who is that?¡± ¡°A government official?¡± ¡°No way. Maybe a new sponsor for the school?¡± Kenji was standing by the lockers, lazily listening to Reina lecture him on punctuality when he caught sight of the man out of the corner of his eye. At first, he didn¡¯t think much of it. Then the man turned, eyes scanning the hall like he was searching for something¡ªor someone. Then their eyes met. Kenji felt his stomach drop. The man didn¡¯t hesitate. He walked straight toward him, weaving through the students with a confidence that sent a chill down Kenji¡¯s spine. Kenji tensed. This wasn¡¯t normal. Reina, still mid-sentence, finally noticed that Kenji wasn¡¯t paying attention. She followed his gaze, her brows furrowing. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± The man stopped in front of them, hands in his pockets, posture casual but eyes sharp. Then, he smirked. ¡°You¡¯re not Ryuji Sakamoto.¡± Kenji¡¯s blood ran cold. The noise of the hallway faded, his own pulse roaring in his ears. He didn¡¯t move. He didn¡¯t react. He couldn¡¯t. His entire body went rigid, his mind racing through every possible response, every possible escape. Reina blinked. ¡°What?¡± The man didn¡¯t even glance at her. His gaze remained locked on Kenji, sharp and knowing. Kenji forced himself to breathe. Forced himself to keep his expression neutral. This was bad. Very bad. ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are,¡± the man continued, lowering his voice just enough that only Kenji could hear. ¡°But we should talk soon.¡± Then, just as casually as he had arrived, he turned and walked away. Kenji stood frozen, his fingers curling into fists at his sides. Reina stared after the man, confused. ¡°Who was that?¡± Kenji didn¡¯t answer. Because across the hall, leaning against a row of lockers with a knowing smirk, was Takashi Hanekawa. He hadn¡¯t said a word, but the glint in his eyes told Kenji everything he needed to know. Takashi had expected this. Takashi had been waiting for this. Kenji swallowed hard. The game was over.
Scene 2: Takashi¡¯s Real Role Kenji barely made it through the next class. His mind kept replaying the man¡¯s words. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. "You¡¯re not Ryuji Sakamoto." Each time, the knot in his stomach tightened. He didn¡¯t know who the man was, but the way he spoke, the way he knew, meant this wasn¡¯t a bluff. Someone was onto him. Someone dangerous. The moment the bell rang, Kenji grabbed his bag and pushed out of the classroom, heading for the rooftop¡ªthe only place he could think of to get a second to breathe. But before he could get far, a smooth voice cut through his thoughts. ¡°Running off somewhere, Fujimura?¡± Kenji stopped. Takashi sat near the window, looking completely at ease as he twirled a pen between his fingers. Kenji clenched his jaw. Not now. Not him. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this,¡± Kenji muttered, making to leave, but Takashi smoothly stood up, stepping into his path. ¡°You seem rattled.¡± His tone was light, conversational¡ªlike they were old friends catching up over coffee. ¡°Something on your mind?¡± Kenji narrowed his eyes. ¡°Cut the crap, Hanekawa. You¡¯ve been watching me all morning. What do you know?¡± Takashi smiled faintly. ¡°Me? I don¡¯t know anything. I¡¯m just a concerned classmate.¡± Kenji¡¯s patience was thin. He took a step forward, lowering his voice. ¡°Who was that guy?¡± Takashi tilted his head. ¡°That¡¯s the real question, isn¡¯t it? Who was that guy? And why did he look at you like he already knew the answer?¡± Kenji¡¯s fists clenched. Takashi was playing with him. He knew. Maybe not everything, but enough to push Kenji into a corner. Kenji forced himself to keep his breathing steady. ¡°You¡¯ve been poking around a lot since you got here.¡± Takashi leaned against a desk, looking completely unbothered. ¡°Observation is a valuable skill.¡± ¡°More like manipulation.¡± Takashi smirked. ¡°Ah. That reminds me¡­¡± He turned his gaze slightly, just as Reina walked back into the room, taking her seat near them. Kenji felt his stomach drop. ¡°Oh, Reina,¡± Takashi said smoothly, ¡°I was just telling Fujimura that something about him seems¡­ off.¡± Kenji stiffened. Reina gave Takashi an unimpressed glance as she organized her books. ¡°You¡¯re still on that?¡± Takashi exhaled a soft chuckle. ¡°Just a little curiosity. You can¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve never noticed. Something about him¡ªhis fighting style, the way he speaks¡ªit doesn¡¯t exactly match what you¡¯d expect from a ¡®reformed delinquent.¡¯¡± Reina frowned. ¡°You¡¯re being paranoid.¡± ¡°Am I?¡± Takashi mused. ¡°Or are you avoiding the truth?¡± Kenji didn¡¯t miss the way Reina hesitated. It was slight, barely noticeable, but it was there. And that was all Takashi needed. ¡°You trust him, don¡¯t you?¡± Takashi asked, eyes sharp now, watching every flicker of emotion in her face. ¡°Then why do I see hesitation in your eyes?¡± Reina didn¡¯t answer. Kenji felt something cold settle in his chest. Takashi smiled. ¡°I suppose time will tell.¡± With that, he turned and strolled out of the room, his work done. Reina still hadn¡¯t looked at Kenji. For the first time, she looked¡­ uncertain. Kenji felt the weight of the moment. Takashi had just planted a seed. And now, Kenji had to wonder¡ªhow long before it grew?
Scene 2.5: Reina¡¯s Doubt Turns to Distance The hallway felt different. Colder. Kenji leaned against the lockers, arms crossed, watching as Reina packed her things across the room. Normally, she¡¯d already be in front of him, lecturing him about his latest offense, dragging him off for another "lesson." But today? She hadn¡¯t spoken to him once. Not since Takashi¡¯s little performance earlier. Kenji gritted his teeth. That bastard. He had planted a seed, and now, Reina was watering it all on her own. Kenji hated it. For a moment, he considered just walking over, saying something, anything. Then Reina turned slightly, and their eyes met. She hesitated¡ªjust for a second. Then she looked away. And walked right past him. Kenji didn¡¯t move. Didn¡¯t say a word. Just watched as the only person who had believed in him¡­ kept walking.
Scene 3: The Real Ryuji Makes His Move Kenji sat in his apartment that night, staring at his phone. The screen was dark, but his thoughts wouldn¡¯t stop racing. The man from this morning. Takashi¡¯s mind games. Reina¡¯s hesitation. Everything was unraveling faster than he could control. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, fingers laced together as he exhaled slowly. He had to think. He had to figure out how to¡ª His phone vibrated. Kenji grabbed it immediately, eyes narrowing at the notification. Unknown Number: "Enjoying my life, faker?" A slow, cold dread curled in his stomach. He didn¡¯t need to guess who sent it. His thumb hovered over the keyboard. What the hell was he supposed to say? He locked his jaw, his pulse pounding in his ears, and typed back a single word. "What do you want?" Seconds passed. Then¡ª Unknown Number: "What¡¯s mine." Kenji exhaled sharply through his nose, gripping the phone tightly. This wasn¡¯t just some warning. The real Ryuji wasn¡¯t just watching anymore. He was coming for him. ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C Elsewhere, in the city¡­ A dimly lit lounge. Cigarette smoke curled in the air, the faint hum of jazz music playing in the background. A man leaned back in a leather chair, exhaling slowly as he scrolled through his phone. The screen illuminated his sharp features¡ªhalf-hidden beneath shadows, but unmistakably confident. Ryuji Sakamoto. He took a long drag from his cigarette, then tapped out a new message. This one wasn¡¯t for Kenji. "Are you sure that¡¯s really your son?" The message sent. On the other side of the city, Ryuji¡¯s father¡ªone of the most powerful men in Japan¡¯s criminal underworld¡ªread the message and frowned.
Arc 4: The Romantic Confession Gone Wrong Chapter 16: Love and War Arc 4: The Romantic Confession Gone Wrong Chapter 16: Love and War
Scene 1: The Rival Gang Leader¡¯s Daughter The morning started like any other¡ªexcept for the ever-present feeling of impending doom hovering over Kenji Fujimura¡¯s head. For the past few weeks, chaos had become the norm. Between Reina¡¯s ¡°reformation¡± mission, Takashi¡¯s smug manipulation, and the constant rumors surrounding him, Kenji had learned to expect nonsense. But as he sat at his desk, listening to the morning buzz of the class, something was different today. The air felt charged, like the entire school was anticipating something big. Then, the door slid open. She walked in. Sakura Aizawa. The shift in the classroom was immediate. Conversations stopped mid-sentence. Chairs scraped as students subtly repositioned themselves for a better look. Someone sucked in a sharp breath. Kenji blinked. She was beautiful¡ªtoo beautiful for this to be normal. Long, raven-black hair fell in soft waves down her back, her movements controlled and effortless. A pair of striking golden-brown eyes scanned the room with quiet confidence, as if she already owned the space. Her presence wasn¡¯t just commanding. It was dangerous. Reina adjusted her glasses. Akari leaned forward, already skeptical. Then it happened. Sakura¡¯s gaze landed on Kenji. And she smiled. A slow, deliberate smile. Kenji¡¯s stomach dropped. Oh, no. No, no, no. I don¡¯t like that. She strode forward with the grace of someone used to getting exactly what she wanted. The way the other students instinctively shifted to make way for her only confirmed it. Kenji felt the hair on the back of his neck rise. Tetsuya, sitting behind him, muttered under his breath. ¡°Boss. You¡¯re about to have a problem.¡± Like hell I don¡¯t already have enough of those. She reached the teacher¡¯s desk, handing over a neatly prepared transfer document. ¡°I¡¯m Sakura Aizawa,¡± she announced, her voice soft but firm. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you all.¡± A ripple of whispers spread through the class. ¡°Aizawa? Like, that Aizawa?!¡± ¡°She¡¯s Yakuza royalty!¡± ¡°What¡¯s she doing here?¡± Kenji¡¯s fingers twitched. He already knew the answer to that question. She was here for him. Sakura turned, her golden-brown eyes locking onto his again. The look she gave him was warm. Affectionate. Kenji barely managed to keep from bolting out the window. This was bad.
Scene 2: The Confession That Starts a War Lunch period was supposed to be a break. A moment of peace. A time to eat food and avoid unnecessary stress. Kenji Fujimura had been counting on this. So why¡ªwhy¡ªwas he now standing in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by at least half the school, staring at Sakura Aizawa as she gazed up at him like they were in some kind of romance movie? The courtyard had gone silent. Reina stood frozen to his left, her notebook hanging limply in one hand. Akari, a step away from him on his right, looked two seconds from committing actual murder. Tetsuya? Tetsuya was at the back of the crowd, watching with the wary caution of a soldier who knew a bomb was about to go off. And Takashi? Takashi sat on a bench nearby, arms crossed, a knowing smirk playing at his lips. He had planned this. That smug son of a¡ª Kenji exhaled slowly. ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry. What?¡± Sakura¡¯s eyes shimmered with emotion as she took a deliberate step closer. ¡°I know our families are enemies¡­¡± she began, her voice strong and confident, ¡°but I don¡¯t care.¡± Kenji¡¯s stomach dropped. No. No, no, no¡ª ¡°I love you, Ryuji.¡± Kenji¡¯s soul left his body. The world stood still. And then¡ª Chaos. Screams. Gasps. The sound of at least twenty students dropping their lunch trays. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Phones shot into the air, recording. Someone in the back yelled, ¡°OH MY GOD, A YAKUZA PRINCESS JUST CONFESSED TO THE DELINQUENT KING.¡± Another voice: ¡°THIS IS A LIVE-DRAMA. WE ARE LIVING HISTORY.¡± Kenji¡¯s brain completely short-circuited. Akari snapped. ¡°EXCUSE ME?!¡± she shrieked, stepping in front of him so fast he barely processed it. Sakura, still perfectly composed, tilted her head. ¡°Yes?¡± Akari¡¯s hands fisted at her sides. ¡°WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU LOVE HIM?!¡± Sakura gave a soft smile. ¡°Exactly what I said.¡± Kenji wanted the earth to swallow him whole. Reina, on the other hand, hadn¡¯t moved. She was staring blankly at the scene, her fingers twitching against the edges of her notebook as if trying to make sense of what she had just witnessed. Meanwhile, the school was going insane. ¡°She confessed in front of EVERYONE?!¡± ¡°WHAT KIND OF SHOUJO ANIME IS THIS?!¡± ¡°I CAN¡¯T BELIEVE THIS IS REAL LIFE.¡± ¡°I¡¯M POSTING THIS ON THE SCHOOL FORUM¡ª¡± Kenji grabbed Akari¡¯s wrist before she could lunge at Sakura. ¡°Okay, EVERYONE CALM DOWN.¡± Akari whipped around to face him. ¡°Oh, I AM calm, Fujimura.¡± Kenji swallowed. Oh no. The last time Akari said his last name like that, someone got hospitalized. Sakura, meanwhile, remained serene, as if she hadn¡¯t just set the entire school on fire. ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s happening,¡± Kenji muttered to himself. Takashi, still watching from the sidelines, chuckled. Kenji shot him a glare. I KNOW YOU DID THIS, YOU SNAKE. Tetsuya finally spoke from the back. ¡°Boss. We should leave.¡± Leave? Oh, Kenji would love to. He¡¯d love nothing more. But the entire school was watching. And Sakura? Sakura had just declared war.
Scene 3: The Whole School Reacts For exactly five seconds, the world stood still. Then¡ª All hell broke loose. Students screamed. Phones flashed. Someone dropped a bento box in the background, but no one cared. Kenji barely processed the whirlwind of voices spiraling around him. ¡°SAKURA JUST CONFESSED TO THE DELINQUENT KING?!¡± ¡°DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS MEANS?!¡± ¡°IT MEANS HE JUST STOLE A RIVAL FAMILY¡¯S HEIRESS. THIS IS LEGENDARY.¡± ¡°THIS IS HOW GANG WARS START.¡± Kenji¡¯s soul physically left his body. He had survived brawls, police raids, and near-death experiences. But this? This was how he died. Akari was still yelling. Reina was still frozen. Takashi was still smirking. Tetsuya was already planning an escape route. And Sakura? Sakura, the absolute menace of a human being that she was, simply smiled. Like she hadn¡¯t just declared war on Kenji¡¯s entire existence. Kenji felt his eyelid twitch. ¡°This is a misunderstanding,¡± he began, very, very carefully. Sakura tilted her head. ¡°What¡¯s misunderstood?¡± Kenji inhaled slowly. ¡°Everything.¡± Sakura blinked. ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound right.¡± Kenji dragged a hand down his face. Why was this his life? Akari, still seething, stepped forward. ¡°Look, lady, I don¡¯t know what kind of romantic fantasy you¡¯re living in, but Kenji¡ªFujimura¡ªis NOT your childhood sweetheart.¡± Sakura barely spared her a glance. ¡°You¡¯re rather loud, aren¡¯t you?¡± Akari¡¯s eye twitched. Kenji grabbed her arm before she could actually throw hands. Sakura hummed, clearly unbothered, and turned back to Kenji. ¡°I understand this is sudden, but I had to be honest with my feelings. You understand, don¡¯t you, Ryuji?¡± Kenji¡¯s entire body locked up. That name. It felt like a noose tightening around his throat. Reina¡¯s sharp inhale was nearly drowned out by the chaos. But Kenji heard it. He turned, locking eyes with her for the first time since this disaster began. And he saw it. The flicker of doubt. The tiniest crack in her usually unshakable confidence. She¡¯s questioning it. Kenji felt something cold settle in his chest. Sakura wasn¡¯t just causing a scene. She was breaking the illusion. Takashi, still lurking in the background, looked entirely too satisfied. Kenji knew what was happening now. This wasn¡¯t just about Sakura¡¯s confession. This was another move. Another play in the game he didn¡¯t even know he was a part of. Kenji gritted his teeth. He had to shut this down. And fast.
Scene 4: The Aftershock Begins Kenji barely made it out of the courtyard alive. Sakura¡¯s confession had detonated like a bomb, and the resulting fallout was every bit as catastrophic as he¡¯d expected. Whispers followed him through the hallways. Some students stared at him in awe. Others in horror. A few gave him a respectful nod like he¡¯d just ascended to legendary status. Kenji had never wanted to disappear more in his life. By the time he made it to the empty hallway outside the student council room, he was officially done. He slumped against the wall, exhaling sharply. "This is fine. Everything is fine. This is totally not a disaster." The door slammed open. Kenji nearly flinched. Reina and Akari stepped out¡ªboth looking like they were on a warpath. Akari was the first to speak. Her hands slammed down on her hips as she glared at him. ¡°Explain.¡± Kenji groaned, dragging a hand down his face. ¡°What do you want me to say? I don¡¯t even know what just happened!¡± Reina crossed her arms, adjusting her glasses. ¡°A rival Yakuza princess just declared her love for you in front of the entire school. Surely you have some kind of reaction.¡± Kenji threw up his hands. ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s called shock!¡± Akari leaned in, squinting. ¡°Are you¡­ enjoying this?¡± Kenji¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°What?! NO.¡± Reina huffed, flipping through her notebook, clearly irritated. Before she could say anything else¡ª Slam! The council room door burst open again. Kenji barely had time to react before Sakura stepped forward, looking completely composed. And then¡ª She reached out and boldly took his hand. Kenji short-circuited. ¡°I meant what I said, Ryuji.¡± Reina visibly stiffened. Akari looked like she was two seconds away from flipping a table. Kenji yanked his hand away, heart pounding. ¡°You¡¯ve got the wrong guy.¡± Sakura tilted her head, smiling faintly. ¡°Do I?¡± Before Kenji could even process that, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, eyes narrowing. Unknown Number: "Your girl just confessed to the fake you." Kenji felt his stomach drop. Somewhere across the city, the real Ryuji Sakamoto lowered his phone, a smirk playing at his lips. "Well. This just got interesting."
Scene 5: The Gang¡¯s Warning Kenji barely managed to escape the madness of the school day, but something still felt¡­ off. The whispers had finally started dying down, but that unsettling feeling in his gut wasn¡¯t going away. He first noticed them at lunch. A few unfamiliar men stood just outside the school gates. Dressed in subtle but expensive suits. Watching him. Not moving. Not approaching. Just waiting. Kenji nudged Tetsuya, who was casually eating his rice bowl like nothing was happening. ¡°Hey. Tell me I¡¯m imagining things.¡± Tetsuya didn¡¯t even look up. ¡°Nope.¡± Kenji groaned. ¡°Fantastic.¡± Sakura, sitting nearby, happily hummed to herself, texting on her phone. Completely oblivious to the fact that her father¡¯s men were practically circling Kenji like sharks. Kenji rubbed his temples. She was definitely texting her father. Tetsuya finally set down his chopsticks, his tone dropping to something more serious. ¡°They¡¯re not here to talk.¡± Kenji swallowed. ¡°Yeah. I figured.¡± Tetsuya¡¯s fingers tapped against the table, his gaze flicking over to the men by the gate. ¡°They¡¯re waiting for an order.¡± Kenji exhaled slowly. ¡°And let me guess¡ª¡± ¡°They¡¯re not waiting on yours.¡± Kenji clenched his jaw. Of course they weren¡¯t. The message was clear. Sakura¡¯s confession wasn¡¯t just high school drama. The Aizawa family wasn¡¯t ignoring it. They were watching. Waiting. And if Kenji made one wrong move¡ª It wouldn¡¯t just be the school talking anymore.
Chapter 17: Akari Declares War Chapter 17: Akari Declares War
Scene 1: Akari¡¯s Outburst Kenji barely had time to react before Akari seized his wrist and yanked him away from the stunned crowd still reeling from Sakura¡¯s public confession. ¡°Oi¡ªwhat the hell?!¡± Kenji stumbled, barely keeping up as Akari stormed through the school hallway, her grip tight enough to cut off circulation. Students jumped out of the way, eyes wide as they watched the chaos unfold. They finally skidded to a stop inside an empty classroom. Akari shoved Kenji inside and slammed the door shut behind them, crossing her arms with a fury that could burn down the entire school. ¡°EXPLAIN.¡± Kenji blinked. ¡°Explain what?!¡± Akari¡¯s hands curled into fists. ¡°OH, I DON¡¯T KNOW¡ªMAYBE START WITH WHY THE HELL SOME YAKUZA PRINCESS JUST CONFESSED TO YOU IN FRONT OF HALF THE SCHOOL?! SINCE WHEN DO YOU HAVE A SECRET FIANC¨¦E?!¡± Kenji exhaled loudly, dragging a hand down his face. ¡°I DON¡¯T HAVE A FIANC¨¦E! I DON¡¯T EVEN KNOW HER!¡± Akari¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Bullshit. Girls don¡¯t just confess to random guys and claim they¡¯re destined lovers.¡± ¡°I¡ªWELL¡ªSHE THINKS I¡¯M SOMEONE ELSE!¡± Kenji snapped, throwing his arms out in exasperation. Akari scoffed. ¡°Oh yeah? And who exactly does she think you are?¡± Kenji¡¯s mouth snapped shut. Akari¡¯s eyes glinted. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡± She leaned in, voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. ¡°You¡¯re still not telling me everything, Fujimura. First Takashi starts poking around, now some crime family heiress is throwing herself at you? You seriously expect me to believe it¡¯s all a coincidence?¡± Kenji groaned. ¡°Look, I¡¯m just as confused as you! I woke up today thinking my biggest problem was passing math, and now I¡¯m involved in some Yakuza soap opera!¡± Akari let out a sharp, frustrated sigh, pacing the room. ¡°Unbelievable.¡± She suddenly stopped and pointed an accusing finger at him. ¡°I KNEW IT. I KNEW YOU WERE TOO SUSPICIOUS TO BE A NORMAL DELINQUENT.¡± Kenji glared. ¡°I AM a normal delinquent, thank you very much.¡± Akari gave him a flat look. ¡°No, you¡¯re not. You don¡¯t even fight.¡± Kenji flinched. Akari squinted, her mind working faster than he could deflect. ¡°Now that I think about it¡­ every time there¡¯s trouble, someone else steps in before you have to throw a punch. Tetsuya. The delinquents. Even Reina.¡± Kenji shuffled uncomfortably. ¡°...That¡¯s just luck.¡± ¡°Bullshit.¡± Akari crossed her arms. ¡°You¡¯re hiding something, and I¡¯m gonna find out what.¡± Kenji sighed, preparing to argue when¡ª Click. The door slid open. Reina stood in the doorway, adjusting her glasses with an unreadable expression. Notebook in hand. ¡°I¡¯m simply here to observe,¡± she said, stepping inside. Kenji wanted to throw himself out the window. Akari turned to Reina, crossing her arms. ¡°Great. Maybe you can talk some sense into this idiot.¡± Reina hummed, flipping to a blank page in her notebook. ¡°So far, this situation suggests a high probability of deception.¡± Kenji¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°You can¡¯t just DIAGNOSE me like I¡¯m some kind of case study¡ª¡± Reina ignored him, calmly writing in her notes. ¡°Subject appears distressed. Defensive posture. Avoiding direct answers.¡± She paused, tilting her head. ¡°Fujimura, are you experiencing any symptoms of chronic dishonesty?¡± Kenji threw up his hands. ¡°OH, FOR THE LOVE OF¡ª¡± Akari smirked. ¡°Oh, I like this. Keep going, Prez.¡± Reina continued writing, expression thoughtful. ¡°A dangerous woman has entered the equation. Increase observation of Fujimura.¡± Kenji choked on air. ¡°I¡ªEXCUSE ME?!¡± Reina closed her notebook with an air of finality. ¡°I will be monitoring this situation closely.¡± Kenji groaned, dragging his hands down his face. ¡°WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS.¡± Akari grinned. ¡°Welcome to hell, Fujimura.¡± Kenji leaned against the desk, staring at the ceiling. He had no idea how to get out of this one.
Scene 2: Reina Tries to Stay Logical Kenji sat at his desk, staring blankly at his textbook. It was the next morning, and he was already done with the day. After yesterday¡¯s disaster, he had barely managed to escape from Akari¡¯s interrogation, only for Reina to start taking detailed notes on his supposed ¡°suspicious behavior.¡± Now, sitting in class, he could feel her watching him. Slowly, he turned his head. There she was. Reina sat at her desk, notebook open, pen tapping rhythmically against the paper. She wasn¡¯t looking at him directly, but every few seconds, she¡¯d glance up, scribble something down, then nod to herself like she¡¯d just uncovered a vital clue. Kenji squinted. ¡­Was she writing a report on him? He leaned over slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of the page. At the top, neatly underlined, was the heading: ¡°Case Study: The Fujimura Situation.¡± Kenji froze. ¡°Oi.¡± He whispered. ¡°What the hell are you writing?¡± Reina, without looking up, adjusted her glasses. ¡°Nothing you need to worry about.¡± Kenji narrowed his eyes. ¡°No, see, when someone says that, it usually means it¡¯s something I need to worry about.¡± Reina calmly flipped to another page, hiding her notes. ¡°I document all notable irregularities within the student body.¡± Kenji gave her a deadpan stare. ¡°Irregularities?¡± Reina nodded, completely serious. ¡°A dangerous woman has entered the equation. Increase observation of Fujimura.¡± Kenji choked on air. ¡°I¡ªEXCUSE ME?!¡± Akari, who had been half-asleep behind them, perked up instantly. ¡°Oh, this just got interesting.¡± She propped her chin on her hand, smirking. ¡°Keep going, Prez.¡± Kenji threw his hands up. ¡°I AM RIGHT HERE.¡± Reina ignored him and continued writing. "Subject exhibits continued evasiveness regarding identity confusion. Further investigation required." Kenji groaned. ¡°Are you seriously studying me like some kind of science project?!¡± Reina finally looked up, her expression as calm and unreadable as ever. ¡°Do you have something to hide, Fujimura?¡± Kenji opened his mouth. Then closed it. Then groaned even louder. Akari grinned. ¡°Oh yeah, that reminds me¡ª¡± She turned to Reina. ¡°You noticed how Sakura keeps calling him ¡®Ryuji,¡¯ right?¡± Reina tapped her pen against her notebook. ¡°It would be impossible not to.¡± The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Kenji shoved his hands in his pockets. ¡°And? Are you going to believe some random transfer student over me?¡± Reina was silent for a long moment. Then, slowly, she wrote something else down. Kenji leaned forward to read it. "Lies are best measured over time." Kenji stared at her. ¡°¡­What the hell does that mean?¡± Reina calmly closed her notebook. ¡°It means I¡¯ll be watching.¡± Kenji slumped against his desk, already exhausted.
Scene 3: Sakura Isn¡¯t Backing Down By midday, the entire school had reached a unified, undeniable conclusion: Kenji Fujimura was in the most dangerous love triangle of the century. Or maybe it was a square. Kenji had officially given up trying to categorize it. The main issue, however, was that Sakura wasn¡¯t backing down. Kenji sat at his usual table in the cafeteria, silently praying for an uneventful lunch. His reputation was already in shambles, Reina was taking notes on his downfall, and Akari looked like she was about one snide remark away from flipping a table. The last thing he needed was¡ª ¡°Ryuji~¡± Kenji¡¯s entire body locked up. He knew that voice. Sakura Aizawa glided toward him, effortlessly graceful, completely ignoring the growing whispers of the cafeteria. Before Kenji could react, she slid smoothly into the seat beside him. Kenji tensed. ¡°Oi.¡± Sakura smiled, resting her chin on one delicate hand. ¡°Hello, dear.¡± Kenji nearly choked on his drink. ¡°D-Don¡¯t ¡®dear¡¯ me! What are you doing?¡± Sakura tilted her head, eyes full of amusement. ¡°I¡¯m sitting with my fianc¨¦.¡± Kenji pressed his palms against his temples. ¡°For the last time, I¡¯m not¡ª¡± Before he could finish, Akari slammed her tray onto the table. Hard. Kenji flinched. Akari narrowed her eyes at Sakura, practically radiating fury. ¡°What the hell do you mean ¡®fianc¨¦¡¯?¡± Sakura, completely unfazed, took a sip of her tea. ¡°Oh? Did Ryuji not tell you?¡± Kenji groaned. Akari leaned forward, voice dangerously low. ¡°Tell me. What?¡± Sakura placed a delicate hand on Kenji¡¯s arm. ¡°Our families have been connected for generations. An arranged marriage was always a possibility.¡± Kenji jerked his arm away so fast he almost knocked over his tray. Akari¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°Yeah, well, he¡¯s not interested.¡± Sakura blinked, feigning innocence. ¡°Oh?¡± She leaned closer to Kenji, her golden-brown eyes gleaming. ¡°Is that true, Ryuji?¡± Kenji looked around the cafeteria. Everyone was watching. Phones were out. He could see Reina at another table, writing in her notebook. Kenji gritted his teeth. ¡°I¡ª¡± Sakura leaned in even closer. ¡°Say it.¡± Kenji hated everything. Before he could form an answer, Reina stood up. ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± Silence fell. Sakura turned her attention to Reina, raising a delicate brow. Reina adjusted her glasses. ¡°Fujimura is a student of this school, not some heir to a crime empire. If you insist on spreading misinformation, I will be forced to intervene.¡± Sakura smirked. ¡°Oh? And what will you do, Class President?¡± Reina¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°I have my methods.¡± Kenji wasn¡¯t sure whether to be relieved or terrified.
Scene 4: Reina¡¯s Internal Struggle Reina Takahashi prided herself on being rational. Logic was absolute. Emotions were secondary. Which is why this entire situation was absolutely ridiculous. She sat at her usual desk, her notebook open, pen tapping lightly against the paper. Around her, the classroom buzzed with post-lunch gossip. Whispers filled the air. ¡°¡­I still can¡¯t believe it. Aizawa really confessed to him.¡± ¡°¡­And in public. Bold move.¡± ¡°¡­Do you think he actually likes her?¡± Reina¡¯s grip tightened on her pen. She wasn¡¯t listening. She had work to do. Important, student council-related work. Her gaze drifted toward the source of all this nonsense. Across the room, Kenji Fujimura was slumped in his chair, staring at the ceiling as if questioning every decision that led to this moment. At his table, Akari was still fuming, stabbing her pen into her notebook with unnecessary force. Sakura, in contrast, looked entirely unbothered, delicately flipping through a magazine. Kenji, as always, looked tired. Reina wasn¡¯t watching him. She was observing. Analyzing. At least, that¡¯s what she told herself. Her pen hovered over the page as she carefully wrote out her next notes. Case Study: The Fujimura Situation. Her handwriting remained perfectly neat, her strokes deliberate. Subject: Kenji Fujimura Primary Observation: Increasingly evasive under direct questioning. Secondary Observation: Repeated misidentification as "Ryuji" by multiple sources. Possible Hypothesis: A past connection to Ryuji Sakamoto or an elaborate misunderstanding? Reina paused, tapping her pen against her chin. A misunderstanding this persistent seemed unlikely. Her eyes flickered back toward Kenji. He was staring blankly at the front of the classroom, completely oblivious to the fact that she was writing a full behavioral analysis on him. A small frown formed at the corner of her lips. She turned the page and wrote: Lies are best measured over time. She hesitated. Then, as if to reassure herself, she underlined it. Twice. Reina closed her notebook with a soft snap. Kenji glanced over. Their eyes met. Reina adjusted her glasses. ¡°Something wrong, Fujimura?¡± Kenji narrowed his gaze. ¡°I feel like you¡¯re writing something insulting about me.¡± Reina tilted her head. ¡°Oh? Why would you assume that?¡± Kenji scowled. ¡°Because I know you.¡± Akari, who had apparently recovered from her rage spiral, smirked. ¡°Yeah, Prez, what are you writing?¡± Reina remained perfectly composed. ¡°Nothing that concerns you.¡± Akari leaned forward, intrigued. ¡°Oh, now I really wanna see.¡± Reina calmly placed her notebook inside her bag. Kenji let out a sigh. ¡°Seriously, can I have one day where I¡¯m not under constant surveillance?¡± Reina tapped her fingers lightly against her desk. ¡°You¡¯re an irregularity.¡± Kenji blinked. ¡°What the hell does that mean?¡± Reina picked up her pen, absentmindedly twirling it between her fingers. ¡°It means I¡¯ll be watching.¡± Kenji groaned, dropping his head onto his desk. ¡°Of course you will.¡±
Scene 5: A Dangerous Warning Kenji Fujimura wanted to disappear. Or, at the very least, he wanted a reset button on his life. Because the moment he stepped into the school hallway after class, he felt it. The shift in the air. The lingering stares. A silent, heavy tension that hadn¡¯t been there before. His shoulders stiffened. Whispers danced just at the edge of his hearing. ¡°¡­I heard Aizawa¡¯s family is already moving.¡± ¡°¡­They¡¯re saying he¡¯s gonna be a dead man soon.¡± Kenji exhaled slowly. Fantastic. He didn¡¯t even have time to deal with this, considering he had just spent the last period dodging Reina¡¯s attempts to "study" him like a goddamn science experiment. And now, apparently, he was about to be assassinated. Perfect. As he approached his locker, Kenji felt another presence beside him. Tetsuya Arakawa, ever the silent shadow, leaned against the lockers with his hands in his pockets. He didn¡¯t say anything at first. Just stood there. Watching. Kenji huffed. ¡°Alright, go ahead. Say it.¡± Tetsuya didn¡¯t look at him. ¡°Say what?¡± Kenji shot him a glare. ¡°Whatever it is you¡¯re thinking.¡± Tetsuya finally turned his head, his expression unreadable. ¡°You¡¯re an idiot.¡± Kenji rolled his eyes. ¡°Right. Thanks for that. Really insightful.¡± Tetsuya¡¯s stare didn¡¯t waver. ¡°I mean it, Kenji. You¡¯re playing with fire.¡± Kenji scoffed. ¡°Oh, come on. Sakura isn¡¯t¡ª¡± Tetsuya¡¯s eyes sharpened. Kenji stopped. That reaction¡­ Kenji straightened. ¡°What?¡± Tetsuya exhaled, voice low. ¡°You don¡¯t get it, do you?¡± Kenji blinked. Tetsuya reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Without a word, he turned the screen toward Kenji. A text message. Unknown Number: "If you hurt Sakura, expect consequences." Kenji¡¯s stomach dropped. His mind raced. ¡°Where¡ª¡± He stopped, voice suddenly hoarse. ¡°Where did you get that?¡± Tetsuya pocketed his phone, expression dark. ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡± Kenji¡¯s phone vibrated. He yanked it out, already knowing what he¡¯d find. The same message. He stared at the words for a long moment, his grip on the device tightening. This wasn¡¯t just school drama anymore. This was real. Tetsuya leaned against the lockers again, watching Kenji closely. ¡°You understand now?¡± Kenji swallowed. ¡°They¡¯re actually watching me.¡± Tetsuya nodded. ¡°And they¡¯re waiting.¡± Kenji ran a hand through his hair, feeling a headache forming. ¡°What the hell am I supposed to do?¡± Tetsuya shrugged. ¡°I dunno. But whatever you do¡ªdo it fast.¡± Kenji exhaled, his mind racing. He needed to figure this out. Because whoever sent that text? They weren¡¯t bluffing.
Scene 6: Takashi Tightens His Grip on Reina Reina Takahashi hated loose ends. She thrived in order, logic, and structure. Every problem had a solution. Every equation had an answer. And yet¡ª Her pen tapped against her notebook as she stared at the words she had written earlier. "A dangerous woman has entered the equation. Increase observation of Fujimura." Her fingers tightened around the pen. Because the longer she studied Kenji, the more she realized something didn¡¯t fit. And she wasn¡¯t the only one who noticed. A voice broke her thoughts. ¡°You look troubled, President.¡± She didn¡¯t have to look up to know who it was. Takashi Hanekawa leaned casually against the doorframe of the student council room, his signature smirk firmly in place. ¡°I¡¯m not troubled,¡± Reina replied, flipping the page in her notebook as if the conversation bored her. Takashi hummed. ¡°Is that so? Because I¡¯ve been noticing something.¡± Reina finally glanced at him. ¡°Oh?¡± Takashi strolled into the room like he owned it. He stopped just short of her desk and tilted his head. ¡°You¡¯ve been watching Kenji a lot lately.¡± Reina stiffened. Takashi chuckled. ¡°I assume that means you¡¯re starting to see what I see.¡± Reina¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°And what exactly do you see?¡± Takashi leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. ¡°I see someone pretending to be something they¡¯re not.¡± Reina¡¯s grip on her pen tightened. ¡°I see someone,¡± Takashi continued, watching her too carefully, ¡°who has everyone fooled.¡± Reina kept her expression neutral, but something in her stomach twisted. Because part of her agreed. She had spent weeks telling herself that Kenji was simply an anomaly¡ªa reckless idiot who got caught in ridiculous situations. But then Sakura happened. And then the name ¡®Ryuji¡¯ kept coming up. And now? Now she was starting to think she had been ignoring something important. Takashi studied her reaction, his smirk widening. ¡°I can help you figure it out,¡± he said smoothly. Reina scoffed. ¡°And why would I need your help?¡± Takashi chuckled. ¡°Because you hate being wrong.¡± Reina¡¯s jaw tensed. He was right about that. But what he didn¡¯t understand was that Reina wasn¡¯t someone who could be manipulated. She didn¡¯t jump to conclusions. She didn¡¯t trust easily. And most of all¡ª She didn¡¯t take orders from anyone. So she closed her notebook, stood up, and leveled Takashi with a calm, unreadable look. ¡°I don¡¯t need your help,¡± she said coolly. Takashi¡¯s smirk didn¡¯t fade, but there was something sharper behind his eyes now. ¡°You sure about that?¡± Reina brushed past him without answering. Because she wasn¡¯t. Not anymore.
Chapter 18: The Gang’s Reaction (And a Kidnapping?!) Chapter 18: The Gang¡¯s Reaction (And a Kidnapping?!)
Scene 1: Rival Gang¡¯s Fury The Aizawa estate was nothing short of a fortress. Nestled in the heart of the city, behind layers of towering walls and guarded gates, it radiated power and authority. Inside the grand hall, men in dark suits stood lined against the walls, their heads lowered as the rage of their boss shook the entire room. BANG. A heavy ceramic cup shattered against the floor, shards scattering like broken teeth. The man who threw it, Shigeru Aizawa, remained seated at the long lacquered table, his fingers tightening around the armrests of his chair. His eyes¡ªsharp and lethal¡ªglowed with fury beneath the dim lighting. ¡°I want an explanation.¡± His voice was smooth, controlled. Dangerous. The men surrounding him flinched. No one dared to speak first. Finally, one did. ¡°Sir, she¡­ publicly confessed to him.¡± Silence. Shigeru¡¯s lips curled. ¡°To whom?¡± ¡°¡­To Ryuji Sakamoto.¡± CRACK. The heavy wooden armrest split beneath his grip. ¡°Say that again.¡± The underling swallowed. ¡°In front of half the school, Lady Sakura confessed her love to Ryuji Sakamoto.¡± Shigeru¡¯s gaze darkened. ¡°The same Ryuji Sakamoto who belongs to the family I¡¯ve spent years feuding with?¡± The man hesitated. ¡°Y-yes. But, sir, there¡¯s¡­ something strange about it.¡± Shigeru¡¯s expression remained unreadable. ¡°What.¡± ¡°The boy she confessed to¡­ he doesn¡¯t act like Sakamoto. He doesn¡¯t even seem to recognize her.¡± A pause. A long, suffocating pause. Shigeru leaned forward, elbows on the table, calculating. ¡°And what,¡± he murmured, too softly, ¡°do you expect me to do with this information?¡± His men stiffened. They knew that tone. ¡°Find out the truth,¡± one of them said quickly. ¡°If it¡¯s a deception, we¡¯ll uncover it. And if he¡¯s playing with Lady Sakura¡¯s heart¡ª¡± ¡°We¡¯ll end him,¡± another added, more confident this time. A ghost of a smile played at Shigeru¡¯s lips. ¡°Good,¡± he murmured. ¡°You¡¯re learning.¡± He finally rose from his chair, adjusting the cuffs of his suit with lethal precision. ¡°Gather a team. I want him found before sundown. Make it clear that he doesn¡¯t get to walk away without giving me an answer.¡± His men bowed low. Shigeru turned to gaze out the large floor-to-ceiling window. His estate overlooked the sprawling city¡ªa kingdom that he ruled from the shadows. His voice was quiet but cold as death. ¡°No one humiliates my daughter and walks away.¡± ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C Meanwhile, at the school¡­ Kenji stretched his arms behind his head, completely oblivious to the incoming storm. ¡°Man, I can¡¯t wait to go home and pretend today never happened.¡± Beside him, Tetsuya Arakawa gave a slow, pointed look. ¡°You think the school¡¯s just gonna forget the Yakuza princess publicly confessed her love for you?¡± Kenji grimaced. ¡°I was really hoping.¡± Tetsuya sighed. ¡°It¡¯s almost cute that you think you have a choice in the matter.¡± Kenji waved him off. ¡°I just need to lay low. If I ignore it long enough, maybe it¡¯ll all go away.¡± At that exact moment, Sakura Aizawa¡¯s voice rang through the hallway. ¡°Ah! There you are, darling!¡± Kenji froze. Tetsuya hummed. ¡°So about that laying low thing¡­¡± Kenji resisted the urge to scream.
Scene 2: Kenji Tries to Escape Kenji had made a lot of mistakes in his life. This? This was a top three mistake. The moment Sakura Aizawa had stepped onto campus, smiling sweetly while calling him ¡°darling¡± in front of the entire school, Kenji had known¡ªknew deep in his bones¡ªthat his peaceful existence was officially over. Now, standing just outside the school gates with Tetsuya beside him, Kenji was on high alert. ¡°You¡¯re being paranoid,¡± Tetsuya muttered, watching as Kenji subtly scanned his surroundings like a man preparing for battle. ¡°Am I?¡± Kenji whispered back, eyes darting toward a black sedan idling down the street. It wasn¡¯t there this morning. Tetsuya followed his gaze. ¡°Okay. That¡¯s probably not good.¡± Kenji clenched his fists. Of course it wasn¡¯t good. Between Sakura¡¯s public declaration of love, the school losing its collective mind, and the fact that the Aizawa family now thought they were engaged, Kenji had made the only logical decision. He was running. ¡°Alright,¡± Kenji exhaled, mentally preparing. ¡°No big deal. We just gotta avoid the guys in suits who are almost definitely waiting to grab me.¡± Tetsuya¡¯s expression was painfully neutral. ¡°And you have a plan?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Kenji said confidently. Tetsuya waited. Kenji exhaled again. ¡°No.¡± Tetsuya sighed. ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°Look,¡± Kenji hissed, adjusting his bag. ¡°I¡¯m not stupid enough to walk straight into whatever trap they¡¯ve set up. I just need to¡ª¡± A smooth voice interrupted him. ¡°You always take this route home, Ryuji?¡± Kenji froze. Tetsuya didn¡¯t react. Slowly, Kenji turned. At the alley entrance, two men in dark suits stood casually, their presence just a little too calculated. Kenji exhaled through his nose, already knowing exactly where this was going. Of course. Of course they were already here. The lead man smiled, but it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°Going somewhere?¡± Kenji forced himself to stay casual. ¡°Oh, you know. Just going home. Got some homework.¡± Tetsuya murmured, ¡°You don¡¯t do homework.¡± Kenji ignored him. The suited man tilted his head. ¡°Strange. We were hoping to have a little chat first.¡± Kenji forced a laugh. ¡°See, I¡¯d love to, but, uh, I¡¯m really¡ª¡± A hand landed on his shoulder. Kenji flinched. His instincts screamed at him¡ªmove, now¡ª But the grip wasn¡¯t tight. It was¡­ polite. Like a suggestion rather than a command. That was worse. Because it meant they knew he wasn¡¯t a threat. And Kenji hated that. Tetsuya leaned closer. ¡°You gonna run?¡± Kenji sighed. ¡°Would it help?¡± ¡°No.¡± Kenji clenched his jaw. The suited man smiled again. ¡°Come with us.¡± Kenji let out the deepest sigh of his life. ¡°Yeah,¡± he muttered. ¡°Figured.¡±
Scene 3: Kenji Gets ¡®Kidnapped¡¯ (Again) This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Kenji had technically been kidnapped before. It wasn¡¯t common, but it had happened enough times that he¡¯d learned some important rules:
  1. Always keep your hands visible¡ªmakes them less jumpy.
  2. Don¡¯t run unless you know you¡¯ll win.
  3. Avoid sarcasm. (Kenji was terrible at this.)
  4. Act confused. (This part was easy.)
Which was why, as he sat in the backseat of a black limousine, staring at the very large, very serious-looking men in suits across from him, Kenji leaned back and went with rule number four. ¡°¡­So,¡± he said after a long pause, his hands resting very visibly on his lap. ¡°This is nice.¡± The two men stared. Kenji nodded to himself. ¡°Yeah. Comfy seats. Good air conditioning. Definitely better than the last car I got kidnapped in.¡± The bigger of the two men, bald and broad-shouldered, exhaled sharply through his nose. Almost a laugh. Kenji counted that as a win. The smaller man, lean, sharp-eyed, radiating ¡®serious business¡¯ energy, folded his arms. ¡°You think this is a joke?¡± Kenji held up his hands. ¡°Not at all. I take getting kidnapped very seriously.¡± The big guy snorted. The sharp-eyed guy did not. ¡°You¡¯re playing with things you don¡¯t understand,¡± he said, voice calm but edged. ¡°Our boss wants to know your true intentions with his daughter.¡± Kenji blinked. ¡°My what?¡± The man¡¯s stare didn¡¯t waver. ¡°You heard me.¡± Kenji stared back. Then laughed. A full, incredulous, disbelieving laugh. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re serious,¡± he wheezed. ¡°That¡¯s¡ªwow, okay. You guys think I have intentions toward Sakura?¡± Neither man reacted. Kenji raised a hand, pointing at himself. ¡°Me? Intentions?¡± Silence. Kenji let his hand drop. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t know what she told you, but I don¡¯t even know her. I¡¯m not dating her. I¡¯m not engaged to her. I¡¯m not even remotely involved in her life. This is all just a massive misunderstanding.¡± The lean man nodded once. ¡°I see.¡± Kenji sighed in relief. Finally. Someone reasonable. Then the guy reached into his jacket. Kenji tensed, instantly on alert. A gun? A knife? A phone? A¡ª The man pulled out a photo. And handed it to Kenji. Kenji hesitated. Then, slowly, he took it. One glance, and his stomach dropped. It was a photo of him and Sakura. From this morning. Her standing way too close, smiling, holding onto his arm. Him looking like he¡¯d just been hit by a train. Kenji¡¯s eye twitched. The sharp-eyed man leaned forward. ¡°Explain this.¡± Kenji lowered the photo. Then sighed. ¡°Okay,¡± he said. ¡°In my defense, I was completely unprepared for that.¡± The car slowed. Kenji barely had time to process this before the door on his left suddenly opened. He turned his head¡ª And nearly jumped out of his skin. Because Sakura Aizawa was standing right there, perfectly composed, smiling as if nothing was wrong. ¡°Hello, darling,¡± she said smoothly, climbing into the car like she owned it. Kenji stared. Then, very calmly, placed his face into his hands. ¡°¡­I am so tired,¡± he muttered.
Scene 4: A Chaotic Rescue Kenji was done. Not just regular done¡ªno, this was a new level of done. Sakura sat beside him in the limo, completely at ease, sipping tea like this was a casual outing instead of a high-stakes Yakuza interrogation. The two men across from him were still staring, waiting for a response. Kenji rubbed his temples. ¡°Let me get this straight. You kidnapped me because you think I have intentions toward Sakura¡ª¡± The sharp-eyed man corrected, ¡°Because we know you¡¯re dishonoring her.¡± Kenji exhaled slowly. ¡°Right. That. And now she¡¯s¡­ here.¡± He gestured vaguely at Sakura, who smiled serenely. ¡°So what exactly are we doing?¡± Kenji asked. ¡°Because I feel like we could¡¯ve just talked at school. Without the kidnapping part.¡± The big guy actually considered that for a second. The sharp-eyed man? Not amused. ¡°Your arrogance is astounding,¡± he said coldly. ¡°You think this is a game?¡± Kenji snorted. ¡°Oh, I wish this was a game. If this was a game, I¡¯d at least have a pause button.¡± Sakura sighed dramatically, resting a hand on his arm. ¡°Ryuji,¡± she murmured, ¡°if you were just honest about your feelings, none of this would be necessary.¡± Kenji froze. Then looked down at her hand. Then at her face. Then at the two very large, very dangerous men in the car, watching him like he was a bug under a microscope. ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry, what?¡± he asked blankly. Sakura tilted her head, eyes shining with something worryingly close to affection. ¡°Father wouldn¡¯t have sent his men if you had just told me the truth.¡± Kenji blinked. ¡°What truth?!¡± Sakura smiled. Kenji¡¯s survival instincts screamed. Then, before she could answer¡ª BAM. The entire limo shook as the back door was ripped open with enough force to break the hinges. A baseball bat slammed into the car frame. Kenji jumped. The two men turned sharply, reaching for weapons. Sakura? Didn¡¯t even flinch. And standing in the now-destroyed limo doorway¡ª Was Akari Hayashi. Eyes blazing. Bat resting casually on one shoulder. And her tone? Absolutely unhinged. ¡°What the hell is going on here?¡± Kenji immediately pointed at Sakura. ¡°I DIDN¡¯T DO ANYTHING.¡± Sakura sighed. ¡°Must you be so dramatic?¡± Akari lunged forward. Kenji barely had time to flinch before another figure stepped in behind Akari, adjusting her glasses. Reina. And she wasn¡¯t carrying a bat. She was holding a legal document. Kenji had never been happier to see fine print in his life. Reina flipped open the paper, scanned the car interior, and said, completely deadpan¡ª ¡°Kidnapping is illegal.¡± The sharp-eyed man twitched. ¡°Who are you?¡± Reina didn¡¯t answer. She simply lifted the paper higher, pointing to a specific line of text. ¡°If Fujimura isn¡¯t returned to school grounds immediately,¡± she said calmly, ¡°I¡¯ll be forced to involve higher authorities.¡± Kenji nodded rapidly. ¡°YES. THAT. LISTEN TO HER.¡± The big guy actually looked uncertain. The sharp-eyed man? Not so much. His gaze flickered to Sakura. ¡°Miss Aizawa, do you¡ª¡± Sakura smiled. ¡°Oh, let them take him. It¡¯s more fun this way.¡± Kenji snapped his head toward her. ¡°What¡ª¡± And then Akari grabbed his wrist. ¡°Alright, idiot, let¡¯s go.¡± Before he could argue, she yanked him out of the limo with zero hesitation, nearly dislocating his shoulder in the process. Kenji stumbled forward. Reina stepped in, blocking the doorway before the men could react. Akari spun her bat in her hands. ¡°You wanna try something? Go ahead. Make my day.¡± The big guy looked at the bat. Then at the legal document. Then at Reina. Then at Sakura. Who just sipped her tea. Finally, he sighed. ¡°¡­This isn¡¯t worth it.¡± The sharp-eyed man glared. ¡°We¡¯re letting him go?¡± Sakura nodded. ¡°For now.¡± Kenji barely had time to breathe in relief before Akari dragged him away.
Scene 5: A Dangerous Warning Kenji had never been so happy to be dragged away from something in his life. Reina and Akari flanked him as they stormed away from the limo, putting as much distance as possible between themselves and Sakura¡¯s insane personal entourage. Kenji exhaled loudly, rubbing his wrists. ¡°You know, for once, I¡¯m not even gonna complain about being manhandled. That was the single most uncomfortable moment of my entire existence.¡± Reina adjusted her glasses. ¡°Legally speaking, it was a mild felony.¡± Kenji deadpanned. ¡°Wow, thanks, that makes me feel so much better.¡± Akari, still gripping her bat, tossed him a scowl. ¡°You better be grateful. Do you know how humiliating it was having to fight for your useless ass?¡± Kenji sighed. ¡°Trust me, I¡¯d love to not be in this position.¡± Akari scoffed, muttering under her breath. Reina closed her notebook with a definitive snap. ¡°I¡¯ll be filing an official report about this incident.¡± Kenji blinked. ¡°To¡­ who?¡± Reina paused. Kenji smirked. ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s what I thought.¡± Akari rolled her eyes. ¡°Whatever. Let¡¯s just get out of here before those guys change their minds¡ª¡± Bzzz. Kenji¡¯s phone vibrated. He frowned, pulling it out of his pocket. One new message. Unknown Number: "If you hurt Sakura, expect consequences." Kenji¡¯s entire body locked up. He felt the shift in the air before either girl noticed. Reina saw the look on his face first. ¡°What is it?¡± Kenji didn¡¯t answer immediately. His grip tightened on the phone. Akari leaned over, trying to peek. ¡°Oi. Who¡¯s texting you now?¡± Kenji flipped the screen down before she could read it. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Akari raised a brow. ¡°That didn¡¯t look like nothing.¡± Reina narrowed her eyes. ¡°Who was it from?¡± Kenji hesitated. His mind raced through possibilities. If he told them¡­ they¡¯d only get more involved. And he really, really didn¡¯t want that. So he did what he did best. He lied through his teeth. ¡°Just a spam message,¡± he said, shoving the phone back into his pocket. ¡°You know, those dumb ¡®Congratulations! You¡¯ve won a free car!¡¯ texts.¡± Akari scoffed. ¡°Pfft. Lucky you.¡± Reina, however, didn¡¯t look convinced. She studied him carefully, her gaze sharp and calculating. Kenji kept his expression blank. A few long, suffocating seconds passed. Then, finally¡ª Reina looked away. ¡°For once, I agree with Akari,¡± she said. ¡°We should leave before anything else happens.¡± Kenji forced himself to relax. ¡°Yeah. Good call.¡± They started walking again, leaving the scene of the crime behind them. But Kenji¡¯s thoughts were still stuck on that text. He didn¡¯t know who had sent it. Didn¡¯t know if it was just a warning¡­ or a promise. But one thing was clear. This wasn¡¯t just school drama anymore. This was real. And if he wasn¡¯t careful¡­ It was going to get him killed.
Scene 6: The Mystery Man Returns The sun had dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the quiet streets. Kenji adjusted his bag over his shoulder, his steps slower than usual as he and Tetsuya took their normal route home. Akari and Reina had split off a while ago, their respective frustrations still simmering from earlier. Kenji had welcomed the silence, figuring it would give him some much-needed time to decompress. It didn¡¯t. He could still feel the weight of that anonymous text burning in his pocket. "If you hurt Sakura, expect consequences." The words played on loop in his mind, like some ominous prophecy he couldn¡¯t shake. Kenji exhaled through his nose, running a hand through his hair. This was bad. This was really bad. Tetsuya, who had been eerily quiet this whole time, finally spoke. ¡°You¡¯re being watched.¡± Kenji stumbled mid-step. ¡°Huh?!¡± Tetsuya jerked his chin toward the alleyway across the street. ¡°Don¡¯t look.¡± Kenji immediately looked. A dark figure stood partially obscured beneath the overhang of a building. The moment Kenji¡¯s eyes landed on them, they stepped forward. Kenji¡¯s stomach dropped. Tetsuya sighed. ¡°You suck at listening.¡± Kenji ignored him. His entire body tensed as the man slowly approached, his polished dress shoes clicking against the pavement. That same sharp suit. That same casual confidence. Kenji felt a prickle of cold recognition. He knew this man. Or rather¡ª This was the same guy who had confronted him at school. "You¡¯re not Ryuji Sakamoto." The words from that first meeting slammed into Kenji¡¯s brain like a bullet. He fought the urge to backpedal. The man stopped a few paces away, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable. Kenji forced his voice to work. ¡°¡­You again.¡± The man tilted his head, smirking. ¡°Miss me?¡± Tetsuya shifted slightly beside him, his stance casual¡ªbut Kenji knew better. Tetsuya was on high alert. Kenji swallowed hard. ¡°What do you want?¡± The man studied him for a moment before chuckling. ¡°You tell me,¡± he said. ¡°You¡¯re the one walking around with another man¡¯s name.¡± Kenji¡¯s pulse spiked. There it was. Again. The direct accusation. The man in the suit was calling him out, plain and simple. Kenji stuffed his hands in his pockets, forcing himself to stay calm. ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about.¡± The man hummed, clearly unimpressed. ¡°Right. Of course you don¡¯t.¡± He stepped forward, his presence suffocating. Kenji held his ground. The man leaned in just slightly. ¡°Tell me, Fujimura,¡± he murmured, his tone almost amused. ¡°Do you actually think you can keep up this little charade forever?¡± Kenji clenched his jaw. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you mean.¡± The man¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Then let me be clear,¡± he said, straightening up. ¡°Your time is running out.¡± Kenji stiffened. The man turned his gaze to Tetsuya for the first time. ¡°I assume you already knew that, though.¡± Tetsuya, for once, didn¡¯t respond. Kenji glanced at him sharply, but Tetsuya¡¯s expression remained blank. That was worrying. Kenji steeled himself, taking a small step forward. ¡°Look, buddy. I don¡¯t know what your deal is, but you seem pretty interested in my life.¡± The man laughed lightly. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I be? After all¡­¡± He leaned in again, his smirk razor-sharp. ¡°¡­you stole a dead man¡¯s name.¡± Kenji¡¯s blood turned to ice. His throat closed. His breath caught. Tetsuya¡¯s fingers tensed slightly. Kenji couldn¡¯t move. Dead man? Before Kenji could even begin to process that, a commotion erupted near the school gates. Kenji snapped out of his trance just in time to see the suit-clad man take a step back. He turned back to the man in the suit¡ª But he was already gone.
Chapter 19: The Real Ryuji Steps In Chapter 19: The Real Ryuji Steps In
Scene 1: The Tension Explodes Kenji Fujimura was tired. Physically. Mentally. Spiritually. Every single part of him wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and never emerge. Unfortunately, that wasn¡¯t an option. Because the entire school had officially lost its damn mind. As he trudged through the hallways, the chaos surrounding him had somehow reached apocalyptic levels. There were banners. Actual, handmade banners. Strung across classroom doors, plastered onto lockers, even draped over the stair railings like a medieval kingdom preparing for war. Some read: ¡°TEAM AKARI¡ªKENJI BELONGS TO THE QUEEN!¡± Others declared: ¡°TEAM SAKURA¡ªA LOVE WRITTEN IN BLOOD!¡± And, off to the side, in smaller, less enthusiastic lettering: ¡°TEAM REINA¡ªEVERYONE CALM DOWN AND DO YOUR HOMEWORK.¡± Kenji stopped dead in his tracks, staring at the insanity before him. A group of students were passing around what looked like a betting sheet. He leaned in, reading some of the entries. ¡°Odds of Akari kicking Sakura in the face by the end of the week?¡± ¡°Who will Kenji pick in the end? (if he survives)¡± Kenji¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°Boss,¡± Tetsuya¡¯s voice rumbled from beside him, deadpan. ¡°This is beyond stupid.¡± Kenji exhaled slowly, pressing his fingers to his temple. ¡°That makes two of us.¡± He took a step forward. The moment he did, a roar of excited whispers followed. Kenji¡¯s entire body tensed. Students nudged each other, whispering feverishly. "It¡¯s him!" "He¡¯s in the middle of it all!" "Did you hear? Sakura¡¯s family sent a warning! This is straight out of a Yakuza romance drama!" Kenji twitched violently. Tetsuya, entirely unfazed, sighed. ¡°You should probably keep moving.¡± Kenji tore through the hallway, dodging between groups of students, trying to find one single corner where he wasn¡¯t the center of attention. He had no such luck. Because standing just ahead of him¡ª Were the two worst people he could run into right now. Akari Hayashi. Sakura Aizawa. And they were glaring at each other like predators sizing up a rival. Kenji¡¯s stomach dropped. Sakura was smiling pleasantly, her golden-brown eyes glittering with confidence. Akari, on the other hand¡ª Looked like she was seconds away from committing a felony. Kenji immediately backtracked. Too late. Akari spotted him first. She snapped to attention like a soldier in battle. "KENJI!" Kenji froze. "¡­Hi?" Akari stormed over, grabbing him by the front of his uniform. Her voice was deadly calm. "Explain. Everything. Right now." Kenji blinked rapidly. "Everything¡ª?" Before he could even attempt an excuse, Sakura stepped in. "Ryuji," she greeted smoothly, linking her arm around his. "Shall we go? I have plans for us." Kenji¡¯s soul left his body. Akari¡¯s eyes went feral. "EXCUSE ME?!" Sakura blinked innocently. "Oh? Did Ryuji not tell you? We¡¯re engaged." Kenji let out a strangled sound. Akari wheeled back toward him. "SO IT¡¯S TRUE?!" Kenji jerked away, shaking his hands wildly. "NO. NO, IT¡¯S NOT TRUE¡ª!" Sakura pouted, her grip tightening. "Darling, you wound me." Kenji felt his sanity crumbling. The entire hallway had gone dead silent. Students were watching in pure awe. Some of them were recording. Kenji wanted to cry. From behind him, a quiet sigh. "Pathetic," Reina muttered, adjusting her glasses. Kenji whirled. "YOU THINK?!" She didn¡¯t even look up from her notebook. "If you¡¯d like me to calculate your odds of survival, I can start now." Kenji let out a weak, broken laugh. "I¡¯m already dead." Tetsuya finally spoke again, unimpressed. "Boss," he drawled. "Just pick a side and be done with it." Kenji swung toward him in horror. "THAT¡¯S NOT HELPING!" Tetsuya shrugged. "Didn¡¯t say I was trying to help." Kenji buried his face in his hands. He couldn¡¯t keep doing this. He needed to escape. Before he could even attempt to walk away, Akari shoved Sakura aside. "You," she growled, jabbing a finger at Kenji¡¯s chest. "And me. We¡¯re talking. NOW." Kenji gulped. Before he could even react, she grabbed him by the collar and started dragging him down the hallway. Kenji flailed helplessly. "HEY¡ªHOLD ON¡ª" Sakura, utterly unfazed, tilted her head and smiled. "I¡¯ll see you later, darling." Kenji, internally: I AM GOING TO DIE. And somewhere in the distance¡­ Someone was watching all of it.
Scene 2: Tetsuya¡¯s Warning Kenji leaned against the rusted chain-link fence at the back of the school. His brain was still running on low battery mode, trying to process what had just happened the night before. The real Ryuji. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. The real Ryuji. Every time he thought about it, his stomach twisted. Not just because he had spent the past few months pretending to be him, but because¡ª Ryuji knew. And worse? He didn¡¯t seem angry. Kenji didn¡¯t know if that made things better or worse. A shadow shifted beside him. Tetsuya Arakawa stood with his arms crossed, posture calm but unreadable. Kenji could feel his sharp gaze lingering on him, waiting. For what? Kenji had no clue. Finally, Tetsuya broke the silence. "Boss." Kenji groaned. "Don¡¯t call me that." Tetsuya ignored him. "If you¡¯ve got any unfinished business," he said, voice as steady as ever, "now¡¯s the time to handle it." Kenji squinted at him. "What?" Tetsuya¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t leave the school grounds. "You might not get another chance." Kenji¡¯s spine stiffened. There was something¡­ off about the way he said it. Like he wasn¡¯t just making a casual observation. Like he knew something Kenji didn¡¯t. Kenji forced out a laugh. "Geez, way to be dramatic. What, you think I¡¯m about to die or something?" Tetsuya didn¡¯t laugh. Kenji frowned. He shifted against the fence, suddenly uncomfortable. Tetsuya wasn¡¯t the type to speak unless he had a reason. His usual approach to life could be summed up as ¡®wait and see¡¯¡ª never reacting too fast, never speaking without a purpose. So if he was saying something like this now¡­ Kenji felt a slow, creeping unease curl in his gut. "You know something," he muttered. Tetsuya was silent for a moment. Then, finally, he exhaled. "I know that something¡¯s coming," he admitted. Kenji felt a prickle of cold at the back of his neck. Tetsuya turned slightly, his gaze shifting toward the school entrance. Kenji followed his line of sight. Takashi Hanekawa stood just a few feet away. He wasn¡¯t doing anything. Just standing there. Watching. Waiting. A smirk barely visible on his lips. Kenji felt his stomach drop. He had spent so much time dealing with Sakura, Akari, Reina¡ª**the chaos of school life¡ª**that he hadn¡¯t been paying attention. But something was different now. The air around him felt heavier. The stares lasted a second longer. The whispers didn¡¯t disappear as fast. It was like¡­ Like the school itself was shifting. Like everyone knew something he didn¡¯t. And for the first time in a long while¡ª Kenji felt like he was the only one not in control. Tetsuya adjusted his glasses. "When it happens," he said quietly, "I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll be able to help you." Kenji¡¯s chest tightened. He looked at Tetsuya¡ªhis only real ally in this entire mess¡ªand realized something. Tetsuya wasn¡¯t warning him about what was coming. He was warning him that when it did, he might not be on Kenji¡¯s side. Kenji felt his mouth go dry. This wasn¡¯t just school drama anymore. This was a storm. And it was already closing in.
Scene 3: The Real Ryuji¡¯s Arrival Kenji dragged himself home. After surviving another school-wide battle of egos, misplaced love, and student-led conspiracy theories, all he wanted was to collapse into bed and pretend today had never happened. His uniform was half undone, his tie loosened. His schoolbag hung limply from his shoulder. His brain had long since given up trying to process information. At this point, he was running on pure survival instincts. The sun was starting to set, casting long shadows across the narrow streets. Most students had gone home. The neighborhood was eerily quiet. Kenji¡¯s phone buzzed. He barely registered it, pulling it from his pocket as he trudged down the familiar back street leading to his apartment. A single text message lit up his screen. Unknown Number: See you soon. Kenji stopped walking. His stomach tightened. A slow, creeping chill spread down his spine. Kenji¡¯s eyes darted around the empty street. The narrow alleyway beside the convenience store. The vending machine humming softly in the distance. The dim glow of a streetlight flickering overhead. Nothing. No one. Yet, the uneasy feeling in his gut wouldn¡¯t leave. He exhaled, shaking his head. "Probably just some prank." He shoved his phone back into his pocket. And kept walking. One step. Two. Three¡ª A shadow moved. Kenji froze. From the dark alleyway to his left, a figure stepped forward, slow and unhurried. The first thing Kenji noticed was the confidence. The **way he moved¡ª**like he owned the very air around him. The second thing Kenji noticed? The smirk. Relaxed. Casual. Amused. Like he was enjoying this. And then¡ª The eyes. Sharp. Cold. Calculating. Kenji¡¯s chest tightened. The stranger stopped a few feet away, hands casually tucked into his pockets. The streetlight flickered overhead, illuminating his face. Kenji¡¯s breath caught in his throat. It was like staring into a mirror. No. Not quite. Kenji had been mistaken for this guy a thousand times. Had been forced to carry his name, his reputation, his chaos. But standing before him now¡ª Was the real Ryuji Sakamoto. And he was smiling. Kenji¡¯s mind short-circuited. ¡°¡­You¡¯ve gotta be kidding me,¡± he muttered under his breath. Ryuji tilted his head slightly, studying him. Then¡ªhe chuckled. Chuckled. Like all of this was some kind of joke. Kenji¡¯s pulse pounded in his ears. "Well," Ryuji finally said, voice smooth, lazy, dangerous. "You¡¯ve had quite the fun ride, haven¡¯t you, faker?" Kenji¡¯s blood ran cold.
Scene 4: Ryuji¡¯s Warning Kenji felt the weight of the world pressing down on him. He stood frozen in the dimly lit alley, every nerve in his body on edge. A slow clap echoed off the brick walls. Ryuji Sakamoto. The real one. He stepped forward from the shadows, his smirk lazy, confident¡ªdangerous. For the first time, Kenji understood. This guy was different. He wasn¡¯t just some delinquent king or Yakuza heir¡ª He was a predator. And Kenji was prey. "Well, well," Ryuji drawled, tilting his head. "You¡¯ve had your fun, faker." Kenji¡¯s throat went dry. There it was. No pretenses. No misunderstanding. Ryuji knew. Kenji tried to force himself to move, to say something, but it was like his body had forgotten how to function. His instincts screamed at him to run. But where? There was nowhere to go. Ryuji¡¯s footsteps echoed as he approached, hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable beneath that casual smirk. Kenji hated that smirk. Like he wasn¡¯t even mad. Like this was just some game. Kenji swallowed hard. "Look, man," he started, forcing his voice to sound steady. "I don¡¯t know what you think is going on¡ª" Ryuji laughed. It wasn¡¯t loud. It wasn¡¯t mocking. It was worse. Low, amused¡ªlike he had already won. Like Kenji was the punchline to a joke he hadn¡¯t figured out yet. Ryuji stepped closer. Kenji instinctively moved back¡ª But hit the wall. Shit. Ryuji smirked. "I was wondering how long you¡¯d last." Kenji clenched his jaw. "I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about." Ryuji clicked his tongue. "Still keeping up the act?" He tilted his head, golden eyes gleaming under the dim alley lights. "That¡¯s cute." Kenji¡¯s hands curled into fists. "I¡¯m not acting." Ryuji arched a brow. Then, before Kenji could react¡ª He moved. A flash of movement¡ªtoo fast¡ªtoo smooth¡ªtoo practiced. Ryuji slammed his hand against the wall beside Kenji¡¯s head. Not touching him. But close enough that Kenji felt the air shift. A clear message. I could¡¯ve hit you. I didn¡¯t. But I could have. Kenji¡¯s breath hitched. His mind raced. Everything about Ryuji screamed danger. Not the kind of reckless aggression Kenji was used to dealing with. No. This was something else. Something controlled. Kenji forced himself to meet Ryuji¡¯s gaze. A mistake. Those golden eyes weren¡¯t just looking at him¡ªthey were dissecting him. Kenji gritted his teeth. "What do you want?" Ryuji chuckled. "Want? I don¡¯t want anything." He leaned in slightly. "But you?" His smirk widened. "You took something that wasn¡¯t yours." Kenji¡¯s chest tightened. "I didn¡¯t¡ª" Ryuji¡¯s eyes flashed. Kenji shut up. The air between them felt thick. Every instinct in Kenji¡¯s body screamed at him to **do something¡ªanything¡ª**but he was locked in place. This was bad. Ryuji took a step back, stretching like this was all some kind of minor inconvenience. Kenji exhaled¡ªtoo soon. Ryuji¡¯s voice dropped. "You know what the funny thing is?" Kenji stiffened. Ryuji smiled, sharp as a knife. "I¡¯m not even here to kill you." Silence. Kenji felt his blood turn to ice. Not even. As in¡ª Not yet. Kenji¡¯s breath came shallow. "You¡ª" Ryuji turned away. "Relax, faker. I¡¯m just here to watch." Kenji swallowed hard. "Watch what?" Ryuji didn¡¯t answer. He just smirked over his shoulder. "Let¡¯s see how long you last." Then¡ªhe was gone. Kenji stood there, heart hammering. The alley felt colder. The shadows deeper. The silence too loud. He slowly let out the breath he hadn¡¯t realized he was holding. His knees felt weak. His mind was screaming at him to move, but all he could do was stare at the space where Ryuji had just been. Like a ghost. Like a warning. Kenji had been playing a dangerous game. And now? He wasn¡¯t the one holding the cards anymore.
Scene 5: Genzo Sakamoto¡¯s Shadow ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C Tokyo¡¯s underworld never slept. Not in the way normal people thought. It wasn¡¯t just neon lights and backroom deals. It wasn¡¯t just whispered threats in dark alleys. Power moved differently here. Power was silent. Power was watching. And tonight¡ª Power had turned its attention to Kenji Fujimura. ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C A single low click echoed through the dimly lit study as Genzo Sakamoto set his whiskey glass on the polished mahogany desk. The ice inside shifted, clinking softly against the glass. He was an imposing man, even seated¡ªbroad-shouldered, draped in an immaculate black suit. His hair, streaked with silver, was slicked back, revealing a sharp widow¡¯s peak. His hands, despite the passage of time, remained steady. Deliberate. Dangerous. The kind of hands that had built empires. And crushed those who got in the way. The only sound in the room was the quiet hum of the city outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. And the rustling of a single report on his desk. The pages were crisp. Freshly printed. The words on them? A problem. A photo sat on top of the file. A grainy school surveillance image¡ªKenji Fujimura. A boy who shouldn¡¯t matter. A boy who should be no one. And yet¡ª Genzo¡¯s sharp eyes traced the text on the report. "Sudden rise in status. Resemblance to Ryuji. Unusual alliances. Multiple encounters with rival factions." At the bottom, in bold: "Are you sure this is your son?" A flicker of something passed through Genzo¡¯s gaze. Mild amusement. Mild curiosity. Mild annoyance. Then, slowly, he reached for the file, flipping through the contents. More photos. Kenji at school. Kenji at the arcade with Reina. Kenji walking alongside Aizawa¡¯s daughter¡ªtoo close. Kenji at the center of a brawl. Kenji, Kenji, Kenji. Genzo¡¯s fingers paused on the edge of the paper. For the first time in a long time, he was looking at someone in his city that he hadn¡¯t personally put there. That was rare. And unacceptable. The quiet presence standing in the shadows of the room finally spoke. "The boy is a fraud." The voice was smooth, respectful¡ªbut held a cold edge. Genzo didn¡¯t react immediately. Instead, he reached for his glass again, swirling the remaining amber liquid with a slow, measured motion. His informant waited. The dim glow from the desk lamp cast deep shadows over Genzo¡¯s face as he finally murmured, "And you know this for certain?" A faint rustle of fabric as the informant shifted slightly. "Your son does not act like this." Genzo hummed in agreement, setting the glass back down with a deliberate motion. "No. He does not." Ryuji had always been careful. Too careful. This? This was sloppy. Reckless. Messy. Genzo turned another page. More evidence. More reports. A brief silence stretched between them. Then, without looking up, Genzo said simply¡ª "Find out everything about him." The informant inclined his head. "Understood." With that, the figure disappeared back into the shadows, the heavy doors of the study closing softly behind them. Genzo exhaled slowly, running a hand along the edge of the report. Kenji Fujimura. A boy who shouldn¡¯t matter. And yet¡ª Genzo poured himself another drink. He hated surprises.
Chapter 20: Kenji’s Life Falls Apart Chapter 20: Kenji¡¯s Life Falls Apart
Scene 1: Ryuji¡¯s Plan Takes Effect ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C The morning air was crisp, but inside the school hallways, the atmosphere was thick. Kenji felt it the moment he stepped through the front gates¡ªa shift, a weight pressing down on him. Something had changed. At first, it wasn¡¯t obvious. No one was pointing fingers or throwing accusations. It was more subtle than that. A pause in conversations as he walked past, as if his presence was suddenly a subject of interest. The way students lingered just a little longer than usual before moving aside for him. The glances. The hushed voices. Kenji rolled his shoulders, trying to brush off the unease. It¡¯s nothing. Just your imagination. But deep down, he knew better. Across the city, inside a high-rise penthouse, Ryuji Sakamoto sat with a cup of tea in his hand, his phone pressed lazily to his ear. He swirled the liquid absently, his lips tugging into a smirk as he listened to the deep voice on the other end. "What is it, Ryuji?" "Just thought you should hear something interesting, Father," Ryuji said smoothly, watching the ripples in his cup as if they held the secrets of the world. Silence. Then, a low hum. "Go on." Ryuji leaned back, perfectly at ease. "There¡¯s a boy running around our city. Someone who¡¯s making quite the name for himself." He let the words settle, savoring the quiet tension. "And?" "People seem to think he¡¯s your son." The silence that followed was heavier this time, measured. Genzo Sakamoto was not a man who wasted words. Finally, his voice came through, calm but razor-sharp. "Elaborate." Kenji kept walking through the school halls, but now every step felt heavier. The shift in the atmosphere was undeniable. He could hear snippets of hushed conversations¡ªhalf-finished sentences that set his nerves on edge. "No, seriously, something''s weird. I heard he¡ª" "But I thought he was¡ª" "Yeah, but did you see the way he¡ª" Every whisper made the back of his neck prickle. He glanced to the side and caught a group of students quickly looking away, their faces giving away too much. Even his so-called underlings, the ones who had once followed him without hesitation, seemed¡­ hesitant. Slower to move. Less certain. Kenji clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to demand answers. What the hell is going on? Back at the penthouse, Ryuji¡¯s smirk widened as he twirled his spoon in his tea, his tone as casual as ever. "I¡¯ve looked into him." "His name?" "Kenji Fujimura." A beat of silence. Then¡ª¡°Not ours, then.¡± "No," Ryuji chuckled softly. "But you wouldn¡¯t know that from the way he acts." Another pause. This one deeper, heavier. Then, Genzo¡¯s voice, quiet but commanding. "Send me everything." Ryuji set his teacup down and picked up a neatly prepared file from the table. His smirk didn¡¯t waver. "Already did."
Scene 2: The Betrayal Begins By the time the first class started, Kenji knew¡ªsomething was very, very wrong. The energy in the school had shifted overnight. He wasn¡¯t just imagining things. It wasn¡¯t paranoia. People were talking about him. Before, whispers had always been there, but they were different. Respectful. Fearful. Now? Now, they felt like daggers. Kenji walked down the hallway, his senses sharp. Every glance in his direction felt like it lasted a second too long. The murmurs¡ªquieter than usual¡ªstopped abruptly whenever he got too close. Even his so-called underlings, the ones who had once followed him unquestioningly, were acting strange. It wasn¡¯t outright defiance. No one was bold enough to challenge him directly. But it was in the way they hesitated before answering him. The way they muttered amongst themselves instead of speaking up. The way they looked at each other, searching for confirmation before making a move. Kenji stopped near his classroom, turning toward a group of delinquents he had once commanded with ease. ¡°Oi.¡± They stiffened at the sound of his voice. One of them, Yamada, a guy who had practically worshipped the ground Kenji walked on, hesitated before answering. ¡°Uh. Yeah, boss?¡± Kenji narrowed his eyes. ¡°What¡¯s with you guys? You look like I caught you stealing from my fridge.¡± They exchanged glances. Another long, awkward pause. Kenji¡¯s patience frayed. ¡°Spit it out.¡± Yamada scratched the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ people are saying stuff, y¡¯know?¡± Kenji crossed his arms. ¡°What kind of stuff?¡± More hesitation. Then, one of the others muttered, ¡°That you¡¯re not who you say you are.¡± A cold weight settled in Kenji¡¯s chest. There it is. He exhaled slowly, keeping his voice level. ¡°And you believe that?¡± Yamada opened his mouth, closed it again. Another guy spoke up, voice quieter. ¡°It¡¯s just weird, y¡¯know? You never fight. You don¡¯t act like a Sakamoto. People are starting to wonder¡­¡± Kenji¡¯s fingers twitched at his side. They were questioning him. The rumors were working. ¡°Who¡¯s spreading this?¡± he asked, his voice sharp. Nobody answered. But the guilty expressions told him everything. Ryuji. That bastard wasn¡¯t even here, and he was already pulling strings, unraveling everything Kenji had built. Before Kenji could say anything else, he felt a presence beside him. Tetsuya. Silent as ever, standing just close enough to make his presence known but not interfering. His expression was unreadable. He wasn¡¯t defending Kenji. He wasn¡¯t stopping the whispers. He was just¡­ watching. Kenji looked at him, hoping for some kind of signal, some kind of assurance that Tetsuya was still on his side. But Tetsuya just held his gaze, then slowly looked away. Kenji felt something sink in his stomach. Not him, too. The silence between them lasted too long. Then, without a word, Tetsuya turned and walked away. Kenji was left standing there, staring at the backs of people who used to follow him. People who used to trust him. People who were now questioning everything.
Scene 3: Aizawa¡¯s Reaction Far from the school chaos, inside an estate built on power and blood, Shigeru Aizawa sat in his dimly lit study, fingers steepled, listening in silence. His underlings stood before him, their heads bowed, awaiting his response. None of them dared to speak first. On the table in front of him lay a stack of reports, filled with photos, surveillance notes, and disturbing inconsistencies. At the center of it all? Kenji Fujimura. Shigeru picked up one of the documents, skimming over the latest development. His daughter, his daughter, had made a public declaration of her love for Ryuji Sakamoto. Except the boy she had confessed to wasn¡¯t Ryuji. That alone wasn¡¯t the problem. No, what set his blood boiling was the next line: ¡°Despite multiple opportunities, the boy has not denied it.¡± His grip tightened on the paper. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡°That fool,¡± he muttered, voice dangerously quiet. His men tensed at the sound of his displeasure. Aizawa set the document down, glancing toward the lead informant. ¡°What do we know?¡± The man cleared his throat before responding. ¡°The girl¡ªSakura-sama¡ªhas been telling everyone that Kenji Fujimura is Ryuji Sakamoto. The rumors have spread throughout the school. We¡¯ve been monitoring the Sakamoto family¡¯s response, but so far¡­ nothing.¡± Shigeru frowned. ¡°Nothing?¡± ¡°No movement from Genzo Sakamoto¡¯s camp. No corrections. No denials.¡± The room fell into tense silence. If Genzo Sakamoto wasn¡¯t reacting, that meant one of two things: either he didn¡¯t care¡­ or he was waiting. Shigeru leaned back, exhaling slowly. ¡°And the boy? What¡¯s his response?¡± The informant hesitated before answering. ¡°He isn¡¯t denying it outright.¡± Shigeru¡¯s fingers tapped against the armrest of his chair. ¡°So, he¡¯s playing along.¡± ¡°Possibly. Or he¡¯s afraid.¡± Shigeru scoffed. ¡°If he was truly Ryuji, he wouldn¡¯t be afraid.¡± The words tasted like venom on his tongue. His daughter¡ªhis proud, beautiful, headstrong daughter¡ªhad given her heart to a fraud. And worse? That fraud hadn¡¯t had the sense to reject it. The weight of that humiliation settled in his chest, cold and seething. He would not let this stand. Shigeru exhaled through his nose, regaining his composure. His voice, when he spoke again, was calm. Too calm. ¡°Increase surveillance on the boy. Keep eyes on him at all times.¡± His gaze darkened. ¡°If he even looks at my daughter the wrong way¡­ handle it.¡± The underlings nodded and began filing out of the room. But one figure remained. A shadow at the edge of the study, unmoving. Unlike the others, this person did not bow. Did not acknowledge the command. They simply watched. A slow, deliberate movement¡ªjust enough for Shigeru to notice. For the first time in years, the Yakuza boss felt something unsettling. The presence lingered for a moment longer. Then, like smoke in the wind, they disappeared. Shigeru¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. Something was happening. Something even he hadn¡¯t accounted for.
Scene 4: The Love Triangle Explodes The school hallways were already a battlefield before Kenji even realized he was standing in the middle of a war zone. Lunchtime had barely started when the storm hit. Akari Hayashi stood before him, her eyes blazing, arms crossed as she blocked his path. ¡°So? When exactly were you planning to explain?¡± Kenji Fujimura blinked, still holding his untouched bento box. ¡°...Explain what?¡± Akari¡¯s fingers twitched. ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t know¡ªmaybe the part where you¡¯re apparently engaged to some Yakuza princess?!¡± Kenji flinched. ¡°Wait, I¡ª¡± Before he could even try to process the conversation, Sakura Aizawa swept in from the side, graceful, confident, and completely unbothered. ¡°It¡¯s not an engagement,¡± she corrected, voice smooth as silk. ¡°It¡¯s a destiny written in stone.¡± Kenji¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°You have to stop saying things like that.¡± Sakura tilted her head. ¡°But why would I? It¡¯s true.¡± Akari snapped her attention to Sakura, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Oh, you have got to be kidding me.¡± Sakura, unfazed, simply smiled. ¡°What exactly is it that bothers you, Hayashi-san? That I love him, or that he¡¯s mine?¡± The hallway went dead silent. Kenji felt the tension shift¡ªstudents were watching. Phones were already out. Conversations were turning into whispers. He needed to shut this down. Fast. ¡°Look,¡± Kenji groaned, raising his hands in exasperation. ¡°Can we not do this here¡ª¡± ¡°No,¡± Akari cut in. ¡°We absolutely can.¡± Kenji braced himself. ¡°Oh, fantastic.¡± Akari pointed an accusing finger at him. ¡°What exactly is going on, Kenji? Why is she calling you Ryuji? Why aren¡¯t you denying it?¡± Kenji hesitated. The moment was too long. Akari¡¯s eyes narrowed. Sakura took a delicate step closer, her confidence unwavering. ¡°Because he knows it¡¯s true.¡± Kenji almost choked. ¡°Oh my god,¡± Akari exhaled, throwing up her hands. ¡°You can¡¯t seriously believe this!¡± Sakura¡¯s expression remained calm. ¡°And you can¡¯t seriously believe you have a say in this, Hayashi-san.¡± The tension snapped. Akari stepped forward. Sakura didn¡¯t step back. For one horrifying second, Kenji thought he was about to witness a full-on brawl. ¡°Ladies,¡± he tried, voice strangled. ¡°We can talk about this like civilized¡ª¡± ¡°Stay out of this, Kenji,¡± Akari said. ¡°Oh, you poor thing,¡± Sakura sighed. ¡°He is the topic.¡± Kenji pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°I hate everything.¡± Then, just as things couldn¡¯t get worse¡ª Reina Takahashi entered the scene. Unlike the other two, she didn¡¯t storm in. She walked. Silent. Composed. Calculated. Her unreadable gaze swept over the situation¡ªSakura standing tall, Akari fuming, and Kenji looking like he was seconds away from a mental breakdown. She didn¡¯t need to ask what was happening. She had heard everything. And for the first time¡ªReina Takahashi hesitated. Kenji noticed. A terrible, sinking feeling settled in his stomach. Reina never hesitated. She was always in control. Always logical. Always sure. But now¡ª Now she looked like someone who had just realized she might be wrong. The silence stretched. Then, carefully, she spoke. ¡°You aren¡¯t denying it.¡± It wasn¡¯t a question. It was an observation. Kenji¡¯s heartbeat pounded in his ears. This wasn¡¯t just Akari yelling at him. It wasn¡¯t just Sakura¡¯s persistence. This was Reina. And she was doubting him. Something inside him twisted. A sharp, terrifying realization settled in¡ªif even Reina was starting to question him, how long did he really have left? His silence spoke louder than anything. Reina¡¯s fingers tightened around her notebook. Akari¡¯s jaw clenched. Sakura smiled, satisfied. The hallway was a spectacle. The entire school was watching. Kenji had no way out. He felt the weight of it¡ªthe turning tides, the slipping control, the inevitable fall. And for the first time since this all started¡ª He wasn¡¯t sure how much longer he could keep up the act.
Scene 5: The Final Warning Kenji barely made it to the rooftop before his legs gave out beneath him. He slumped against the railing, fingers gripping the metal so tightly his knuckles turned white. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the empty space, the wind rustling through his hair, but he barely felt it. His entire world was collapsing. The school wasn¡¯t just whispering about him anymore. They were questioning him. The people who had once followed him without hesitation¡ªthe underlings, the delinquents, the ones who had bowed their heads and obeyed¡ªnow hesitated. Doubt had poisoned everything. And worst of all¡ª Reina doubted him. His breath came shallow, uneven. He wasn¡¯t stupid. He knew how dangerous this was. Ryuji hadn¡¯t even lifted a finger directly, and yet Kenji could already feel the noose tightening around his throat. This was it. This was how he lost. His phone buzzed in his pocket. Kenji flinched. For a long moment, he didn¡¯t move. Then, slowly, he pulled it out. Unknown Number: I know your secret, Faker. His heart slammed against his ribs. Another vibration. Unknown Number: Let¡¯s see how long you last. Kenji¡¯s grip on the phone tightened. The rooftop suddenly felt smaller, the air too thin, the world closing in. His pulse roared in his ears, drowning out every thought except one. Someone else knew. Someone besides Ryuji. The phone buzzed again, the third and final message appearing like a death sentence. Unknown Number: Tick tock. Kenji¡¯s stomach twisted. His gaze darted toward the entrance of the rooftop, half-expecting someone to appear. No one was there. The wind howled. Kenji exhaled sharply, pressing a hand to his forehead. He needed to think. This wasn¡¯t just a school rumor anymore. It wasn¡¯t just Akari, Reina, or Sakura fighting over him. It wasn¡¯t just the students doubting him. This was something else. This was someone watching him. Studying him. Waiting for him to break. Kenji let out a shaky laugh, though there was nothing funny about it. ¡°Great,¡± he muttered to himself. ¡°Because I wasn¡¯t dealing with enough already.¡± He forced himself to breathe. Focus. If someone else knew, then the question was who. Ryuji? No. If he wanted Kenji gone, he wouldn¡¯t be playing games like this. Takashi? Unlikely. He¡¯d rather manipulate events directly than send cryptic texts. The Aizawa family? Possible, but if they were involved, the messages wouldn¡¯t be threats¡ªthey¡¯d be warnings. So who the hell¡ª A quiet creak echoed from behind him. Kenji¡¯s muscles locked. The rooftop door had just opened. Footsteps. Slow. Deliberate. Kenji didn¡¯t turn around. He already knew who it was. Tetsuya Arakawa walked past him, his expression unreadable as always. He came to a stop beside Kenji, leaning against the railing, hands in his pockets. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Then, finally, Tetsuya broke the silence. ¡°Boss.¡± Kenji swallowed. ¡°Yeah?¡± Tetsuya¡¯s gaze remained on the horizon. His voice was quieter than usual. ¡°If you¡¯ve got a way out of this¡­¡± Kenji turned his head slightly, watching him. Tetsuya exhaled slowly. ¡°Now would be the time to take it.¡± Kenji¡¯s fingers curled against the railing. There was no sarcasm in his tone. No amusement. Just a warning. And that was the part that scared him the most.
Scene 6: The Final Call Kenji sat in his room, bathed in the dim glow of his desk lamp, the only source of light in the otherwise darkened apartment. His fingers hovered over his phone, his mind an absolute warzone. He had read the messages a hundred times. I know your secret, Faker. Let¡¯s see how long you last. Tick tock. He had tried ignoring them. That had lasted all of twenty minutes before paranoia set in. He had tried deleting them. But the moment his screen went black, the words burned behind his eyelids like a scar. Now, he just sat there, staring at nothing, waiting for the next move¡ªbecause that was how this worked, right? If someone went through the trouble of sending cryptic threats, they¡¯d follow up. They always did. And then his phone rang. Kenji stiffened. The caller ID was Blocked Number. A cold dread curled in his stomach, coiling up his spine. For a split second, he considered letting it ring. Don¡¯t answer it, his instincts whispered. His thumb moved before his brain could stop it. He pressed accept. He didn¡¯t say anything. Neither did the caller. Silence stretched between them, thick, suffocating. A chill spread through Kenji¡¯s limbs, his heartbeat slowing, each thud loud enough to echo in his ears. Then, finally, a voice spoke. Calm. Low. Amused. ¡°You¡¯ve had a good run, Faker.¡± Kenji¡¯s entire body locked up. The voice was completely unfamiliar. Not Ryuji. Not Aizawa. Not anyone he knew. Kenji forced himself to speak, though his throat felt tight. ¡°Who are you?¡± A soft chuckle crackled through the speaker. ¡°Who do you think?¡± Kenji¡¯s fingers clenched around the phone. This wasn¡¯t random. This wasn¡¯t a bluff. This person knew. Everything. Kenji inhaled sharply. ¡°What do you want?¡± The voice remained maddeningly relaxed. ¡°Oh, nothing yet. I just wanted to hear your voice.¡± Kenji¡¯s stomach turned. There was something about the way they spoke, something measured¡ªlike they were enjoying this, like they were savoring every second. Kenji¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°If you¡¯re looking to shake me, you¡¯ll have to do better than some anonymous threats.¡± Another pause. Then¡ª ¡°Oh?¡± Kenji had less than a second to register the shift in tone before his phone buzzed in his other hand. A new message. His breath stalled as he glanced at the screen. It was a photo. Of him. Taken tonight. From outside his apartment window. Kenji¡¯s blood ran ice cold. Slowly, he turned his head toward the window, the blinds partially open, revealing the dark cityscape beyond. The phone was still pressed to his ear, but he barely heard the next words. ¡°I¡¯m already here.¡± The line went dead. Kenji shot up so fast his chair nearly tipped over. His pulse thundered in his ears, his body moving before his mind caught up. He grabbed the nearest heavy object¡ªhis desk lamp¡ªand rushed toward the window, heart hammering. But when he yanked the blinds closed¡ª Nothing. No one was there. The streets below were empty. The rooftops dark. The fire escape untouched. Yet the feeling lingered. The oppressive, crawling sensation of being watched. His grip on the lamp tightened. His lungs ached from the breath he forgot to release. Tetsuya¡¯s voice from earlier that day echoed in his head. "If you¡¯ve got a way out of this¡­ now would be the time to take it." Kenji forced himself to breathe. But it was already too late. He had nowhere left to run.