~ Ayano's Pov, a few hours later... ~
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Thud!~
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I wiped off some of the sweat forming, 'Phew! 'That makes 82th guy I've dealt with today... Doesn't seem to be anymore of em' either.'
I was doing this for the past two, nearly three hours straight of just constant running around, and fighting these idiots.
Plus, I'm absolutely spent for the day too... Thankfully, I've reached my goal of not getting jabbed at any point, but I still gotten grazed here and there in the fights earlier... Still, with a bit more practice, I feel like I could've not been hit at all, regardless, my skills are still improving pretty rapidly. But I think I'm at a level where I am relatively satisfied with my Taekkyeon proficiency.
"Hmm..." I took one last look back to see bodies on the floor that I had left in my path here.
'I guess now's the time for me to head home and get some more practice in before I go to bed...'
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~ Third Person Pov, ??? ~
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"Are ya' serious? There's only a single guy that's been doing all this to my crew...?" A man asked calmly, fiddling with a toy doll.
Another person dressed as a student nodded hesitantly, "Y-Yes sir... It's all the work of a single person. Nobody has been able to identify him as yet, because they really can't... Based on the rumors, he's extremely strong."
The man in question narrowed his eyes at that particular aspect, 'Hrmph...'
"Say... Do you think he's more powerful than me?" The boss said while he stood up, revealing himself to be tall and muscular, easily around two meters in height; he continued twirling the doll in his hand, as he stared at it with a cold, almost calculating expression...
"O-Of course not... I don't think anyone is more powerful than you, sir." the student answered carefully. "But... from what we've gathered, this person has been handling large groups of our people on his own, and no one's seen him take a hit... It might be worth investigating further, just in case."
He hummed in response, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Interesting... So he's been taking down everyone that comes his way? No hesitation, no fear either? He's got quite the balls on em'..." He placed the doll back on the table and stood up, stretching as he turned toward the window. "This might be more fun than I expected."
He smiled, a dark, twisted grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Well, then... Let's see just how much of a monster he really is."
The student swallowed nervously but remained quiet, knowing better than to speak up...
"Oh- Send a few of the guys out, and make sure to send cat among them as well to test em'. Make sure we find this so-called 'one-man army' wannabe. I want to see if he's truly as impressive as those rumors claim." He turned to face the student, his eyes gleaming with malice... "If he is... well, I'll be the one to take care of him myself."
The student nodded quickly, sounding eager to obey. "Yes, sir... We'll get on it right away."
"Good... Oh, and get me another bitch, the old one I have is broken."
The student looked to the side, seeing a malnourished figure crumbled up in a corner, huddled to herself... He swallowed his own bile before nodding; despite being disgusted, he couldn't show it.
"R-Right away, sir."
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~ Ayano's Pov, the next day~
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Today was the same as usual I guess, the only difference is was the fact that we had Chisaki in the class now, but other than that, nothing much had changed. Saionji looked much better than she did yesterday at least... She still looked a little downtrodden, but not nearly as bad.
I dare say she had a slight look of hope, even if it's small.
While I was looking at her. I saw her turn towards me, with our eyes meeting briefly, I waved of course, smiling too, with her doing the same, albeit with some hesitancy... 'Guess I should have expected that.' I still think I needed to keep tabs on her, so I might have to ask her to join our group...
'It should be easier that way.'
"Hey, Renji... We might have a bit of company today, you think you'll mind?"
He shrugged at me, "Nah, just make sure whoever you bring is a super cute girl." Renji smiled, giving me a thumbs up.
Technically, I was about to bring a super cute girl.
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Class continued for the most part, but I was mostly interested in the sea people... I thought this world was just some weird parallel of earth, but it's really got its own history... They have had different historical events, and of course; my own finding out about these so-called sea people.
For now, I guess I've got to wait when I get the opportunity to figure this world out, piece by piece... Interestingly enough, I don't think I'll get ever get bored at it.
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Soon, it was lunch time again, this time I took the liberty to head to Saionji first. I walked over to her, "Hey, you ok?" I asked.
She nodded, slightly resigned, "I'm, ok so far... Thanks, for checking up on me..."
I shook my head, "It isn't much of an issue for me, really... but I wanted to ask if you're interested in joining me, and my friends at the roof?"
She gave a small nod, still a little hesitant, but at least she wasn't completely shutting down. She ate in relative silence for a while, but I could tell Saionji was lost in her own thoughts. At some point, she finally spoke up.
"Ayano-san… Can- Can I ask you something?"
"Uh, sure. What's up?"
She hesitated again, glancing down at her hands before finally meeting my gaze. "Why… why did you even decided to help me?"
I blinked at the question. "Huh? What do you mean?"
"I mean…" I watched as she bit her lower lip. "You didn't, and still don't really know me. You could've ignored everything that was going, and maybe even let someone else deal with it, but you didn't. You even stepped in without hesitation... Why?"
I leaned back a bit, crossing my arms while considering my answer... Took me a little bit to eventually come up with a half decent response, "I guess…" I sighed... "I just don't like seeing people get stepped on, or used... Especially when they don't seem like they deserve it either, if you get me."
I saw Saionji's grip tightening around her cup... 'Did I strike a nerve?'
I continued, but I need to choose my words carefully... "Look, I'm not gonna pretend I'm some nice guy, or anything. Let's just say I've got my own reasons for doing what I do, and did. But, in that moment? You genuinely looked like you needed the help, and I was just there at the time to do so. That's, all there was to it...."
"..."
Saionji stared at me for a long moment before a small smile formed at her lips. "I see… Still, thank you, Ayano-san."
I shrugged, "No problem ki-I mean, anytime..." I almost slipped up and called her a kid. Which she was, but I'm one too, at least in this reality...
"So~ do you mind finishing up that lunch with us?"
Saionji hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly. "...Al-Alright."
"Cool. Let's head to the rooftop then—less noise, better view," I said, grabbing my tray and standing up.
She blinked, surprised, but followed my lead without argument. The cafeteria was always filled with way too many eyes, and right now, I wasn't in the mood to deal with them.
We made our way up the stairs, and as soon as I pushed open the rooftop door, the fresh air hit me. Much better. The usual hum of distant chatter from other students barely reached up here. I leaned against the railing, setting my lunch box down on the ledge while Saionji sat on one of the nearby benches, her posture still a little stiff...
"So," I started, taking a bite of my food, "Do you always eat alone?"
She looked down at her tray. "...Truth be told, as of recent… I don't really have a choice."
I frowned slightly, but didn't push the subject. "Well, now you do."
As we walked further, I could see most of my friends, Katsura was already eating, while Renji was as well, leaning back with his usual casual grin as he waved us both over.
"Hey! took you long enough," he called out, mouth half-full. "Thought you ditched us or something."
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah, like I'd ditch free entertainment."
Katsura barely glanced up, focused on her meal, but gave a small nod in greeting. Saionji, on the other hand, hesitated, glancing between them before sitting down beside me, still holding her tray stiffly...
Renji eyed her for a second, then smirked. "So, you're the new recruit?"
Saionji blinked, looking mildly confused, and if I didn't know any better slightly offended. "...R-Recruit?"
I sighed. "Ignore him, he thinks he's running some kind of secret club."
"Hey! We are a club, kind of~" Renji shot back, pointing his chopsticks at me. "An exclusive, elite, totally badass lunch club."
"Hehe~" Saionji let out a small chuckle at that, and I caught the way her shoulders eased up just a little...
'I guess... I don't need to worry about her not fitting in with us...'
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END