episode_0077

If I were to compare the person in front of me to an animal, he would be a giant bull. No. More like this. —Thump! “How long are you going to keep running away?!” He’s definitely a bull in a bullfight.

I clicked my tongue, lowering my upper body and watching Kumoto prepare to grab me. ‘He’s full of composure.’ Well, unlike me, who’d be down for the count if caught once, he must be overflowing with confidence.

‘If I’d known this would happen, maybe I should’ve finished it when I first fought him with a boxing stance.’ No. If I had, one punch would’ve twisted my internal organs.

My strategy from the start was to wear him down as much as possible, given his larger build would drain his stamina faster, and then corner him… ‘I underestimated the PE teacher’s stamina.’

Kumoto was in better shape than I expected. Although his breathing was a little ragged and a few beads of sweat appeared, his stamina seemed intact. It seemed he hadn’t neglected his exercise. Thinking that, I watched the PE teacher, who looked ready to charge at any moment, and considered where to dodge.

—Swish! The moment Kumoto saw my eyes darting, he immediately charged at me. To evade his grapple, I ducked my upper body and rolled sideways.

—Clatter! ‘Gah! Damn it, I made a mistake!’ Unfortunately, I rolled into a metal box and injured my ankle. Though I had mostly adapted to this body, perhaps due to a lack of combat data, I made such a mistake. The problem was, my opponent noticed it too.

“Hahaha. You injured your ankle, didn’t you? Now you won’t be able to slip away like an eel, will you?” Seeing Kumoto adopt a stance with a twisted laugh, I had no choice but to scrap all the plans I had in my mind. I had intended to fight without weapons as much as possible, just in case of a fatal accident, but with things like this, I had no choice but to use one. Thinking that, I pulled out the weapon I was most familiar with from my pocket.

“A military knife? For a student, you’re quite bold carrying something like that.” A military knife, an invaluable weapon that had been indispensable throughout my military life. When I held up the military knife, Kumoto scoffed at me instead of being surprised.

“Do you think I haven’t dealt with a kid with a knife before?” It seemed he mistook me for a mere kid who had dabbled with a knife. But he would soon realize what a grave misconception that was.

***

Kumoto scoffed when he first saw the military knife. Before becoming a PE teacher, he had experience with dagger combat in the Self-Defense Forces. Having constantly wielded knives there, a kid with a knife would naturally seem laughable to him.

However, there was one thing Kumoto hadn’t anticipated. While Kumoto’s skill was honed through mere practice, Takuya’s technique was sharpened through blood-soaked real combat.

—Thrust! Takuya first plunged the knife deep horizontally into Kumoto’s thigh to hinder his mobility.

‘When did he get close enough to stab me!’ His accuracy and speed were so great that the one stabbed only realized it at the moment of impact; that said it all. The precision and sharpness he possessed were not a child’s play.

Stunned, Kumoto, whose thigh had been stabbed, tried to grab Takuya, but Takuya simply took a step back, adjusting the distance.

—Whoosh! “Gah!” However, Kumoto wasn’t a man who would give up after just one attempt. To seize the retreating Takuya, he used his leg, which had a longer reach than his arm, to strike Takuya’s stomach.

—Wham! “Cough!” That unexpected attack landed squarely. It was an attack that expertly exploited Takuya’s assumption that Kumoto, having only used his hands and body for attacks so far, wouldn’t use his feet.

Normally, the match would have been decided right then and there.

“Cough…” An attack from someone of Kumoto’s build would likely put even someone of the same physique out of commission. How much more so for Takuya, who was far smaller in stature?

But Takuya was on his feet. No. Rather, his eyes were filled with malice, no, with murderous intent. Seeing that gaze, Kumoto felt a chill. It was like the aura of soldiers he had seen on a battlefield he’d been dispatched to once before. A gaze like that of madmen going into battle to die. Even Kumoto, who had been so relaxed until now, realized the gravity of the situation upon seeing Takuya’s gaze and tried to act immediately, but Takuya was a step faster.

Takuya pulled something from his pocket and immediately scattered it in front of Kumoto. It was sand. Kumoto, getting sand in his eyes, squeezed them shut from the sudden pain, and Takuya, not missing the timing, pushed Kumoto straight backward.

Kumoto tried to brace himself by pulling one leg back, but the deep gash from the knife restricted his movements.

—Crash! Thanks to that, Kumoto fell backward helplessly. He nearly fainted from the impact, but Takuya showed no mercy.

Takuya balled his fist and, without a shred of concern, struck Kumoto’s face, treating it like a punching bag.

—Crack! “Aargh!!!” Thanks to that, Kumoto couldn’t faint even if he wanted to; instead, the pain sharpened his mind.

“You damn bastard!!” —Crrrack! After being beaten for a long time, Kumoto finally mustered all his strength, grabbed Takuya’s finger, and snapped it, but—

“Is that all you’ve got?” Takuya, as if finding it laughable, created dozens more knife marks on his arm.

“Crazy… monster bastard…” “Monster is better than a beast, wouldn’t you say?” With that last attack, Kumoto realized he had been utterly defeated.

—Wham! —Thump! For a long time, he could do nothing but serve as a punching bag for a boy several times smaller than himself. That is, until he completely passed out.

***

“Pant! Pant!” I panted roughly, murmuring as I looked at Kumoto, who was lying, no, unconscious on the dirty warehouse floor.

“If I were in my old body, you’d be dead today. *Cough-thoo*.” Then, as if spitting phlegm, I spat out saliva mixed with blood onto the floor. It seemed my esophagus and internal organs had sustained significant damage from the fight. Thanks to that, I could feel as if my internal organs were twisting.

After spitting out the blood-mixed saliva, I took out a stamina potion and gloves from my subspace pocket. After putting on the gloves, I drank the stamina potion. Honestly, I wasn’t sure how much it would help with the pain, but it would surely be of some use while my legs were trembling like a newborn fawn’s. Thinking that, I chugged one bottle of the stamina potion. Fortunately, it had a considerable effect. At the very least, my legs weren’t trembling like a newborn fawn’s anymore. Thanks to that, I confidently descended the stairs and couldn’t help but be amazed by the sight that unfolded below.

‘What is this?’ At the bottom of the stairs, there were all sorts of adult items. For example, the extremely good quality cat ears headband and tail currently in my hand were prime examples. I was momentarily captivated by the adult items, then stealthily slipped a few into my subspace pocket. “Why are there so many adult items here?” I didn’t forget to say this while slightly stretching my neck.

Having acquired a decent number of adult items, I decided to proceed with my original objective: rescuing Haru. Haru was confined in a cage-like structure inside the room. More precisely, she was bound to an X-shaped device. ‘Look at his taste.’ I briefly watched the high school girl bound in an X-shape, then decided to rescue her, as she might wake up at any moment. Thus, I was in the process of undoing the leather straps binding her wrists for the rescue.

“Ugh, damn it, that hurts like hell.” When I fought that PE teacher earlier, he had snapped all the fingers on one of my hands, so undoing the leather straps was incredibly painful. Perhaps the adrenaline that had been surging through me was finally subsiding, making the pain feel even more vivid. Well, it wasn’t like I had a bullet lodged in my side, so this much was fine, but I couldn’t help but grumble.

‘But what excuse should I use for this…’ As an added bonus, I was also fretting about what excuse to give to the mothers.

After enduring the pain to untie Haru’s restraints for a while… After all that struggle, I finally freed Haru from her restraints. Fortunately, Haru seemed to remain unconscious even as I was undoing the bindings.

‘It would have been awkward if she had woken up while I was untying her.’ Thinking that to myself, I carried the limp Haru on my back and went upstairs.

Once upstairs, I laid Haru and Hiro side by side in a corner of the warehouse, then tightly bound the PE teacher with anything I could find in the warehouse, including jump ropes.

“Whew! Is this it?” Having finished cleaning up, I went back downstairs and tossed down clear evidence, including photos of everything the PE teacher—no, the delinquent teacher Kumoto—had done, tapes containing recordings, and proof of his dealings with the Chairman. Those with connections to the Chairman would probably try to bury this case, but they wouldn’t be able to. Because I’ve already finished gathering the victims, and I’ll be releasing this incident to the media simultaneously with reporting it. If there’s no response, I’ll make sure Miyagi Prefecture gets turned upside down once. Thinking that to myself, I went back upstairs and turned on the screen to check my progress.

【Status】 [Haru] [Corruption: 0%] [Lust: 0%] [Development Zones▼] [Capture Progress: 90%] [Salvation Progress: 95%] [Scenario Progress: 92%]

The scenario had progressed so much that one could say it was almost at its climax. ‘So, it’s over once Hiro confesses and Haru accepts, right?’

Thinking that this scenario was finally nearing its end, I felt some of the accumulated fatigue in my body dissipate. Well, that’s that.

“Ah. Hello. There’s a kidnapper here who abducted a high school girl. This is located at…” First, I finished reporting. To avoid any potential pursuit, I used the PE teacher’s flip phone to report and tip off simultaneously.

“Oh, you’ll be here within 10 minutes? Understood.” After roughly finishing the call, I casually tossed the flip phone aside, then approached the sleeping Haru, squatted down, and tidied her messy hair.

“I’m sorry you had to go through something like this. Next time, I’ll take you to your favorite family restaurant, so please forgive me.” I conveyed my apologies to her while gently touching her hair, then stood up after speaking.

“Well then, see you later. Nuna, no. Haru.” After bidding farewell, I double-checked for anything I might have missed, then left the warehouse, pushed through the bushes, and got into Miyuki’s car, which was waiting there.

“Master-nim! Your wounds!” “Ah, it’s nothing serious…” “It’s not nothing! Quick, quick, to the hospital…” “I really am fine…”

There was a slight issue during that process, but anyway. I erased all traces of myself inside the warehouse and safely returned home, getting into bed comfortably…

“Ta-Takuya?! Your face!” “H-hurry, to the hospital!” “I’ll take you to the hospital I go to!”

I couldn’t. Instead, the whole house was thrown into a commotion. Thanks to that, even though it was well past evening, I was transported to the hospital, laid down on a hospital bed, and began my hospital stay, nursed by Ayaka’s mother, who was a nurse. It was an unexpected variable, but since it wouldn’t particularly cause issues for the scenario or my personal safety, I rested easy while receiving comfortable nursing care. Takuya was relieved, but there was one variable he was unaware of. And that was…

—Siren wailed! “Ah! Don’t photograph there!” “Control this area quickly!” “Ugh, why are there so many reporters?!” “The victim! Hmm, it seems she’s deeply distressed. Let’s cover this later.”

In the chaotic scene, Haru, sitting slumped in the ambulance with her face deeply bowed, murmured softly to herself.

“Why, why did he save me, getting so injured in the process…” —Her heart pounded. —Her heart pounded. Why that boy acted that way for her, and why he said what he did at the end. Haru had heard everything Takuya said.

***

Several days passed, and the media was in an uproar. Not only was the PE teacher quite a public figure, but influential people in the area were also implicated one after another. Normally, wouldn’t those in power bury such things? Whether it was good luck or bad, those influential figures were connected to the Yakuza, making it impossible to easily suppress the incident. As a result, the matter escalated, and a significant number of the big shots were arrested. Of course, the ‘real’ culprits suffered no damage.

Anyway, the truth was, such talk wasn’t important right now. Then what was important? Obviously, it was this.

“H-hey! Haru! There’s something I want to tell you!” “Hm? What is it?” It was Hiro’s confession event.

From behind the school, I gazed contentedly at Hiro, who was stammering to express her feelings, and thought: ‘Finally, I’m filling in this last piece.’

[Salvation Progress: 97%] I thought, looking at the salvation progress that had just a little left. If those two get together now, my work will be done. Honestly, I suffered a hell of a lot of trouble because of this incident. I engaged in brawls, which I wasn’t good at even in my previous life, played cupid, and tipped off the media—it was all just incredibly bothersome. Since I’d done all this, I hoped the reward would at least be worth my broken finger.

I thought that to myself, listening to Hiro’s confession. “I-I’ve liked you since we were kids! Please go out with me!” Hmm, the stammering was a minus, but it was still a decent confession. Moreover, the angle of his bowing and extending one hand, a common Japanese light novel confession method, was pretty good. I naturally assumed Haru would accept the confession.

But the words that came out of Haru’s mouth were far from what I expected. After hearing Hiro’s confession, Haru, without a moment’s hesitation, also bowed and said:

“I’m sorry. There’s someone I like.” “Eh?” “And from now on, I’d prefer if you didn’t come to my house. I’ve already told my family.” “Ha-Haru?! Wh-what do you mean…” “I’m sorry. Please don’t call me out separately like this again.” “…..”

Haru said that and left the spot. —Thud. Hiro’s legs gave out on the spot due to Haru’s shocking words, and he stared blankly at the spot where Haru had been.

And in this situation, I was… [Second Scenario Cleared!] 【Status】 [Haru] [Corruption: 0%] [Lust: 0%] [Development Zones▼] [Capture Progress: 100%] [Salvation Progress: 100%] [Scenario Progress: 100%]

[You have succeeded in filling all Salvation progress, but you have failed to reach the given salvation objective! A penalty will be imposed!] “Oh, for f*ck’s sake.” Similar to Hiro, I stared blankly into space, half-losing my mind. No. I was about to lose it.

[Penalty: Physical Ability Debuff (Permanent)] [Over-achievement reward objects to the penalty!] [Penalty adjustment initiated.] [Over-achievement reward counters the adjusted penalty! Penalty readjustment initiated!] . . . . That is, until I saw the screen fiercely arguing with itself.

‘Seriously. Why are their opinions so divided amongst themselves?’ I thought that to myself, waiting for what penalty would be imposed on me, and a moment later, the result appeared. Ultimately, my penalty was simple.

[Final Penalty Decided.] [Overall Physical Ability Decrease *Adjustment: Excluding virility from physical ability decrease, added separate size adjustment function for lower body, penalty duration adjusted from permanent to 3 years.]

The penalty was that my physical body would become weaker than it currently was.

[Scenario Over-achievement Reward: Physical Ability Enhancement (Reward can be claimed after the penalty ends.)]

As a bonus, the over-achievement reward given to me was a significant improvement in my physical abilities compared to my current state.

‘What kind of ‘give a disease, give a cure’ is this?’ Suddenly, I had received a reward, but my body would only be able to use it three years later.

[*Penalty begins in 3 days! Be warned.]

Finally, upon seeing this announcement on the screen, I turned it off. I should have checked the scenario clear reward, but I didn’t want to check anything in my current state. While I was feeling utterly miserable,

“Oh? Takuyakun? Hi~” Haru, who had cleanly rejected the confession, looked at me, who was hiding, and spoke. Her gaze almost made me flare up for a moment, but I quickly calmed myself. ‘Right. Well, it’s not Haru’s fault.’ From the start, there was no option that required her to accept Hiro’s confession.

Thinking that, I spoke as gently as possible. “Hi.” Correction. It was utterly impossible to speak kindly in this mood. Thanks to that, I replied in a sullen tone, and Haru, for whatever reason, smiled and clung to me.

‘Why is this grown girl clinging to me like this…? Huh? Wait a minute?’ Seeing Haru clinging to me with an expression one would never expect from someone who had just coldly rejected Hiro, a ‘no way’ thought started to form in my mind.

‘No way, does she like me?!’ That thought, precisely: ‘Does Haru like me?’ It was more likely just a simple misunderstanding. What did I do for Haru to like me? I just made a slightly mysterious appearance and diligently played the role of Cupid. Surely I didn’t seduce Haru, did I?

With that ‘no way’ thought, I subtly glanced at Haru, who was looking at me. And in Haru’s eyes, as I looked back…

‘Oh, for crying out loud.’ She had the expression not of a casually friendly neighborhood kid, but of a female looking at the man she loved. Seeing that, I could only slap my forehead. It seemed I was crushed by the disaster I had brought upon myself.