Ch.52Date with Taiga (1)

That night, Wednesday.

“Sigh…”

Taiga had already visited her apartment and completely moved her belongings to Shota’s house. Now she planned to permanently settle in Shota’s home.

“This kid… can’t be honest, can he?”

Despite grumbling, Shota had created a space to serve as Taiga’s room.

“I don’t really need a room though.”

Taiga was planning to share Shota’s bed every day anyway. However, having her own personal room for the first time made her heart flutter with excitement.

Though she was living with her rivals, this was her first time living together with someone. The thought made Taiga feel warm inside.

‘A-And… tomorrow.’

Yes, tomorrow was Thursday. The day she would go on a date alone with Shota.

‘I need to make progress in our relationship there.’

It would be difficult to make a decisive move at home. Taiga’s gambler’s instinct was screaming this at her. At home, they were always with Eri and Umi. They rarely had time alone together.

‘Well… it’s just a date. What’s the big deal?’

Taiga had already researched about dating between men and women.

Just walking around, eating expensive food, drinking coffee at a café… and then going to a love hotel.

“Ahem…”

Normally minors weren’t allowed, but having spent time in delinquent circles, Taiga knew about these things. There were places known as “penetrable spots” that didn’t check IDs even for minors. Taiga had already identified such a place.

‘I’m looking forward to it…’

Taiga thought with a silly grin on her face.

Just then, she received a text message.

‘Big sis!!! Please reconsider!!!’

‘Come to the meeting place!! Let’s talk face to face!!’

It was from her biker gang subordinates.

“Really… I already told them.”

Taiga clicked her tongue.

But she knew she needed to tie up loose ends properly. Taiga immediately headed to the meeting place.

——–

The Breakers, a biker gang in Emoshita City.

Despite being from a rural town, they were famous throughout the Kanto region.

The one who had elevated the gang to its current status was none other than Taiga, known by the alias “Red Demon.”

Taiga headed to the old meeting place. It used to be a pickle factory but was now abandoned.

“Big sis!!!! Is it true?!! You’re retiring from the organization!!”

Sobu, the second-in-command, shouted.

“Yeah, Sobu. You take care of the organization from now on.”

Taiga replied nonchalantly.

“You who were interested in nothing but fighting… why!!”

Sobu wailed. Taiga’s departure would be a huge loss for their fighting power.

Taiga’s charisma was powerful, having single-handedly crushed the neighboring area’s biker gang and built up the organization. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Taiga herself was the heart of the organization.

“I found a man I love. I’m going to catch him and marry him no matter what. This is the fight of my life. That’s all.”

Taiga said indifferently.

“Big sis… in love?”

“What are you saying that ruins your image?!”

The gang members shouted loudly.

Honestly, due to her unique beauty, Taiga was like an idol to the gang members. The biker gang members had expressions similar to idol fans hearing about their favorite idol’s dating scandal.

“I know, Big sis. I saw it. You’ve been going back and forth to that man’s house—Arigiri Shota.”

Sobu said at that moment.

“You bastard… you’ve been following me?”

Taiga immediately clenched her fist.

“I was worried about you, I couldn’t help it!!!”

Sobu cried out with tears welling up in his eyes.

“I also investigated that man!! He already has two other women!! Big sis, you’re definitely being deceived by that bad man!!”

Sobu shouted.

“Yeah, I know. They’re living together, right? You must know that since you investigated.”

Taiga replied calmly.

“If you know that, then why…!!”

“They’re my rivals. I’ll defeat them and proudly become his wife. It’s a difficult battle. That’s why I don’t have time to devote to the biker gang.”

Taiga said.

“Big sis…!!”

“You guys should quit these games too. It doesn’t help in life. You’ll be lucky if you don’t end up getting stabbed if you continue this lifestyle.”

Taiga spoke in a way that was unlike her usual self.

Indeed, through her meeting with Shota, Taiga had realized how precious the life of an ordinary woman was. The days of pursuing only strength and living like a demon no longer gave her any thrill.

She just wanted to be by Shota’s side. That was Taiga’s true feeling.

“I understand. Your determination has been conveyed.”

Sobu sighed as he spoke.

“Second generation boss!! Are you going to back down like this?!!”

“This is absurd…!!!”

Everyone started getting angry.

“However, we cannot accept a man we haven’t acknowledged.”

Sobu said.

“…You bastard. Are you planning to ruin my date with Shota?”

Taiga glared at him.

“All of us… grew up in the same orphanage as messed-up orphans. Big sis… you’re family to all of us. We can’t let some random guy toy with you.”

Sobu said seriously.

“Raising a rebellion against me… means you’re okay with getting hit, right?”

Taiga immediately picked up a nearby metal pipe. She thought about breaking his shin bone or something.

“I don’t mind getting hit. If it calms your anger, I’ll take as many hits as you want.”

Sobu said seriously. His eyes clearly contained a man’s resolve.

“Haah… fine.”

In the end, Taiga gave in first.

“So you want to test Shota during our date tomorrow?”

Taiga said.

“Yes. Of course, we won’t pick a fight out of nowhere. We’ll do it in our own gentlemanly way.”

Sobu said.

“Do whatever you want.”

Taiga said dismissively, then looked at Sobu.

“Our Shota is a good man. You’ll all acknowledge that right away, won’t you?”

It was a woman’s instinct to believe her beloved man was like a hero. Taiga said with a smile.

“Hmph. We’ll see.”

And so, the biker gang decided to judge Arigiri Shota directly.

————

Thursday morning, back to Shota’s perspective.

I agreed to meet Taiga at the location. I wondered why we couldn’t just go together since we lived together, but I immediately got scolded for suggesting it.

Taiga seemed committed to secrecy, taking showers separately and changing clothes in her room with the door closed. When I tried to peek, I got scolded again.

“You go first. I’ll leave 15 minutes later. And then we’ll act like we just met at the meeting place.”

Taiga even insisted on staggered timing.

Honestly, I didn’t understand why she was going to such lengths, but I decided to follow Taiga’s instructions.

The meeting place was the entrance to the central park in Emoshita City.

It was also used as a meeting place when hunting monsters at night. Being a place everyone in Emoshita knew, it was perfect as a meeting spot.

Fifteen minutes later, Taiga appeared. Upon seeing me, she immediately approached with quick steps.

“How do I look?”

Taiga blushed slightly, staring at me.

Her ponytail (which according to my personal research appeals to 80% of men), tight denim hot pants, and a crop top that revealed her figure while maintaining a fresh look were impressive. It was quite a bold outfit, but it suited Taiga because she was such a beauty. It also matched Taiga’s characteristic energetic vibe.

And… she was wearing a bit of makeup. Since Taiga usually didn’t wear makeup, the impact when she did was extraordinary.

Her beauty was enough to make nearby men glance at her repeatedly.

“You look incredibly beautiful!! Taiga!!”

I immediately exclaimed in admiration.

“W-What, do you have a photoshoot? Why are you dressed up like a celebrity?!!”

She was seriously gorgeous.

“Where’s the camera? Where’s the camera?!!! Camera!!!!”

I let out a strange cry filled with emotion.

“Hehehehe. You’re really something else.”

Only after Taiga hit me in the side did I quiet down.

Well, Taiga seemed pleased with the compliment.

“I’m pretty, right?”

Taiga tried to confirm it once more.

“Yeah, incredibly pretty.”

I nodded desperately.

“How pretty am I?”

Taiga continued to seek praise.

“Almost like a goddess……”

If I had been an ancient person, I would have worshipped Taiga’s majesty.

“What kind of goddess?”

Taiga asked, twirling her side hair.

“A goddess of war and destruction….”

This image seemed to suit Taiga. It would have been perfect if she had a baseball bat.

WHACK-!!

Taiga immediately hit me.

“Really… this guy has a talent for ruining things at the last moment.”

Taiga sighed.

“I am the Ashbringer… the one who brings ashes.”

“Stop trying to look cool!”

Taiga objected.

“Alright. Let’s go get something to eat.”

Taiga said.

Apparently, Taiga had made the plans for this date. Well, I had decided to just follow along.

After thinking for a moment, Taiga took my hand. She even went further by interlocking our fingers.

“Let’s go.”

Taiga said, her face strangely flushed.

“Sure.”

I pressed my body close to Taiga’s.

And so, the two of us headed downtown.

On the way to a restaurant downtown, a trio jumped out in front of us.

Vrooom-!

They were riding motorcycles that looked like they belonged to thugs, deliberately blocking our path.

“Hey pretty lady! Wanna hang out with us instead of this guy?!”

The bikers smiled at Taiga.

“……..”

Why are they here? That question almost escaped my lips.

Being experienced, I naturally knew. These guys were members of Taiga’s organization, the Breakers.

“These bastards…..”

Taiga muttered something under her breath. It seemed like Taiga’s gang members had planned something without her knowledge. I could roughly guess that much.

“My name is Sobuimaru Taku! Call me Sobu!! Nice to meet you!! Miss!”

The one who seemed to be the leader laughed and said.

You… you’ll get hit by a truck doing that. Your name will be written in Death Note.

Anyway, I seemed to have been dragged into a ridiculous farce.