Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
Chiba Shiori had fallen very sick when she was in Akichi High School due to her lack of physical strength. After returning, she had rested for two days before she was back to normal again. Then... she realized that she could not contact Kazuki anymore.
Her phone was still in Akichi High School, and she did not have Kimura’s contact number. She did not dare to go back to Akichi High School either. There was a horrifying monster there, she would be seeking death if she returned.
Her discovery of the other side of the world did not terrify her. Instead, she was trembling from excitement. The sensation of exploring the unknown was like a field of gorgeous poppy, attracting her intensely.
But like Nakagawa Aokiji, she clearly understood that she has only got one life to live. To explore this part of the world, she needed a safeguard. She had needed to find Kazuki.
The moderator of the Final Forum, Nakagawa Aokiji, would know how to contact Kazuki. She kept posting in the website’s feed daily, hoping that Nakagawa Aokiji would see them, contact her and give her Kazuki’s contact details.
Unfortunately, Nakagawa Aokiji did not have the time to log in to the Final Forum recently, because he wanted to accompany Ueda Ryoko in her last days.
While logging into the Final Forum every day, Chiba Shioki kept herself occupied in the meantime. She read plenty of books about the myths of Japan’s monsters and ghosts borrowed from the library, absorbing an abundance of information about specters, gods, monsters, and ghosts every day.
She even went to have a look at the school’s Mystery Exploration Society, getting the members of the society worked up.
She had also put aside her new novel. When the editor called and asked about it, she would only evade with the excuse of lacking inspiration. She found this way more interesting than writing novels.
Chiba Shiori hoped that the next time she meets Kazuki, she could move Kazuki with her expertise for him to bring her along whenever he goes for explorations.
Of course she knew that this was mere imagination, she may be quick-witted but physically, she was at a disadvantage. That would be a fatal weakness. She could only dream of being by the side of Kazuki as he would never bring a burden like her. Even though she had only gotten to know him for one night, she already knew his character.
As she learned more about mysteries, Chiba Shiori looked forward to meeting Kazuki again. Never would she have imagined that she would meet Kazuki again in front of Akihide High School.
He had the aura of a ronin when he leaned against the wall with his sword in his arms.
She suppressed her excitement and initiated a conversation with him.
Kazuki seemed to think well of her since she and Nakagawa Aokiji had dragged him to the main gate of the school while he was unconscious. In fact, he seemed indifferent about the incident where he saved her and Nakagawa Aokiji that day.
His humble character was extremely appealing.
Upon knowing that Kazuki came because of mysterious incidents, she became nervous yet elated.
“Specter? Does Akihide High School also have those terrifying monsters in the school compound similar to Akichi High School?”
“No...” Kazuki briefly explained to her about what happened to Akie Hanzawa and asked her not to fear as he had not sensed anything strange in Akihide High School.
Knowing this, Chiba Shiori felt relieved. Although she was eager to ask for more details, she sensed that Kazuki was becoming more impatient. She knew that a lot of students were standing in front of the school, observing them because of her.
Kazuki obviously did not want to be noticed. He had things to do. She would be very troublesome for him if she stuck around. He might be sick of her if she continued to stay.
At the thought of it, Chiba Shiori took out her new phone and said with a smile, “I have something else to do too, so please excuse me. But my previous phone was still in Akichi High School, and I lost your contact number too, I hope you would not mind adding it in again.” She would have a whole lot of time to keep in touch with Kazuki by having his contact number, so she need not be impetuous.
“Alright.” Naturally, Kazuki had no objections as he wanted her to go away quickly.
Kazuki relaxed as he watched Chiba Shiori disappearing down the corner of the street, and the other students began to leave after she left.
“Master Kimura, my brother has come out.” Although Akie Hanzawa said so, he was so worried that he did not even ask why Chiba Shiori left.
Kazuki heard Akie Hanzawa and lifted his head. He saw some boys wearing the uniform of Akihide High School surrounding a teenager as they walked out of the school.
“Mikito, today we are going to the arcades, we paid for it yesterday, so today it’s your turn.”
“But... but I wasn’t there yesterday.”
We invited you yesterday, but you refused to go, who can you blame?”
“Yup... and don’t tell me that you don’t have money, I heard that your brother is dead and you got a whole lot of compensation, won’t you lend us some?”
“I want some too, I’ll pay you back next week.”
Other students appeared frightened when they saw these people walking out of the school, moving aside as if to avoid them. Their eyes were filled with sympathy as they looked on at the small guy surrounded by them in the middle.
Their voices faded as they walked further away, Kazuki stared at them coldly while ignoring Akie Hanzawa’s anxiety. Slowly, Kazuki stalked them from behind. He was relatively familiar with such a situation. As the biggest delinquent in the Jinwen District, this was another plot of delinquents bullying the weak from school.
These delinquents usually targetted short and weak students in their classes to bully. These situations occur daily worldwide, one case after another. As long as humans still exist in the universe, it would never cease.
He was not exactly interested in going up to help him either.
As for Akie Hanzawa, who was previously panicking with anxiety, he had also started to calm down. He was not stupid, so he would have figured it out by now. Of course, Master Kimura could help his brother now, but he could not help him forever.
Although he was clear about it, there was still concern in his eyes.
Very soon, the four delinquents in front had dragged Mikito Hanzawa to a small alley. Kazuki could hear the sounds of beating and kicking as he approached nearer. Akie Hanzawa, who was already watching his brother being hit at the alley, was raging with anger.
“F*ck, you deserve this! We are looking up to your capabilities by asking to borrow money from you. How dare you dawdle about like that.”
“Every time we invite you out to the arcades, you would reject us with all sorts of excuses, are you belittling us?”
“D*mn it, why are there only a few 10 yen coins? Didn’t your brother got killed getting hit by a car? Where are all the compensated funds?”
“Huh, this fellow must have hidden the money at home. Let’s visit his house one day!”
After a short while, Mikito Hanzawa huddled on the floor silently. Obviously, he had gotten used to this kind of situation. Akie Hanzawa, who witnessed the whole thing, sighed heavily.
“Master Kimura, I beg you, please help my little brother!” Akie Hanzawa kneeled before Kimura. At this moment, he willed for it, almost at an obsessive level.
He wished that his brother could be strong on his own so that he would never have to deal with bullies again.
Kazuki kept quiet because four of the delinquents had walked out from the alley and surrounded him. The leader had a scar on his face and a fierce look in his eyes.
He looked at Kazuki, who was hiding just outside of the alley. With a smirk, “Bastard! What’s with that look in your eyes? Are you looking down on us? Huh?”
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