Yukino and Shizuka had been sitting in the park for a while. Just as they were about to head home, a commotion nearby caught their attention.
Both turned their heads at once. Near the street at the edge of the park, between the roadside trees and streetlights, a group of young men—dressed so outrageously they looked almost abstract—were having a heated argument with a couple.
At first, Yukino didn't intend to get involved. But just as she and Shizuka stood up, a loud slap rang out. The man from the couple had just been struck across the face.
"Their clothes... weren't those in fashion back in the last century?" Shizuka commented, eyebrows raised.
Yukino gave a soft hum in agreement. She'd only ever seen that kind of biker-gang style on TV or online. And online, people only wore them to joke around or cosplay.
This was her first time seeing such outfits in real life.
The young couple clearly panicked after the slap, but the boyfriend showed surprising courage. Even after being struck, he shielded his girlfriend behind him.
Yukino gently smoothed the frown on her forehead and walked forward with a cold expression.
Shizuka blinked. "You're going to step in?"
"We'll see," Yukino replied calmly, though her mind had already made up its own course.
If Haru were here, he'd definitely intervene.
She suddenly remembered that time when Haru, just to fulfill her wish, donned his "Hooded Hero" disguise at night to punish wrongdoers.
If Haru showed up right now as the Hooded Hero, those gang-styled thugs would probably end up hanging from the trees.
That thought quickened her steps.
Of course, Shizuka wouldn't let Yukino face a group of delinquents alone. She pulled out her phone, hurrying after her, ready to call the police if needed.
She had full confidence in her own martial prowess—but in cases like this, it was always safer to let the authorities handle it.
The one who had struck earlier was wearing a full motorcycle outfit and helmet.
Just as the two women approached, the same man raised his hand and slapped the boyfriend again. This time, the guy tried to block the blow, but his phone flew out of his hand—landing right near Yukino and Shizuka's feet.
Yukino bent down and picked up the damaged phone, then looked up—meeting the eyes of the gang.
"Damn, she's gorgeous," one of them muttered instinctively.
The helmeted man lifted his visor, revealing a smirk. "Can we help you, ladies?"
Yukino glanced at the couple. The boyfriend's face was red and swollen, jaw clenched in frustration. The girlfriend's eyes were red, clearly anxious.
As the adult here, Hiratsuka Shizuka was about to step forward to intervene—but Yukino raised a hand to stop her.
Shizuka blinked in confusion as Yukino ignored the biker's greeting and calmly walked over to return the fallen phone to the couple.
The two of them were momentarily stunned.
Yukino seemed not to notice. After handing over the phone, she turned around with a frosty look and said coolly, "You should compensate them."
The gang of gaudy, biker-outfitted youths froze in surprise.
The helmeted one—the same guy who spoke earlier—laughed dismissively.
"Oh? So you're sticking your nose where it doesn't belong? This is a personal matter between me and them."
"Personal?" Shizuka finally found a chance to chime in. "You're saying you know them?"
The guy shrugged, grinning.
"Never met 'em. Me and my buddies were just smoking here, and these two told us to put it out, saying there were kids nearby. What, do they think they're cops?"
Shizuka's tone hardened. "So they asked politely, and your response was to hit them?"
"To be precise," Yukino interrupted coldly, "because they had no logical retort and assumed their numbers gave them power, they used that to justify unreasonable behavior."
Her words made several of the delinquents scowl.
"This ain't your business, is it?" one of them snapped.
Yukino nodded slightly. "No, it's not. But I was reminded of someone. If he were here and saw garbage like you bullying others, he'd definitely step in."
Shizuka's eyes flicked to the expressionless girl beside her. She must mean Haru.
She then recalled how not long after Haru transferred, he had famously taken on three bullies alone.
A small, proud smile tugged at Shizuka's lips.
That kind of righteous spirit… it's admirable.
It was obvious to her now—Yukino had been influenced by Haru after spending so much time with him.
But to the delinquents, Yukino's remarks were like a slap in the face.
"You picking a fight, lady?" the helmeted man snarled, stepping forward and jabbing a finger at Yukino's face.
Yukino couldn't be bothered to respond. She simply raised her hand—and with a clean, practiced motion—slapped his wrist away.
The guy staggered backward two steps, shocked.
He looked down at his arm, where a sharp pain still lingered. That slap had some serious force behind it.
"You little—are you looking to die?!"
He roared and lunged at Yukino, rage clouding his mind.
Shizuka barely had time to lift a hand when she saw Yukino strike.
Though her wrist was slender and pale, her strength was explosive.
The helmeted guy had no chance to dodge—Yukino's fist struck him square in the shoulder with a dull thud, sending him flying backward.
He hit the ground hard, rolling once before letting out a pained groan.
Yukino calmly pulled her hand back, her delicate fingers falling quietly to her side.
Silence fell.
Not just the punks or the couple—even Shizuka had been stunned by the girl's swift and brutal efficiency.
How… did she get this strong?
That thought echoed in Shizuka's head.
Yukino didn't care for their reactions. She didn't even glance at the fallen man. She simply raised her gaze to the others and asked flatly, "So, will you be paying for the damages now?"
She stood there—composed, cold, and beautiful.
Shizuka blinked again. Wait, is she going to fight them all?
Quickly lifting her phone, Shizuka barked, "We've already called the police!"
That single word froze the punks in place.
One of them tried to play it smart, yelling, "She assaulted my friend! When the cops show up, we'll be the victims!"
Yukino's tone didn't change. "Then let's go to the station together."
Her calm reply made them hesitate.
Eventually, none of them dared speak further. They picked up their fallen comrade in a hurry and fled.
Yukino frowned. I messed up.
If Haru were here, he would've predicted their escape route and blocked them. He'd have made sure they paid.
Soon, the sound of a revving motorcycle echoed down the road—there was no chance of chasing them now.
Still inexperienced, she thought with mild frustration.
"Thank you," the couple approached cautiously, bowing in gratitude.
Yukino shook her head. "I let them get away without paying for the broken phone. That was my mistake."
"No, you stood up for us—that alone means the world," the girlfriend said quickly.
Yukino paused, then offered a suggestion. "You can still file a police report. I have time. I can go with you to make a statement—it'll help them catch the culprits faster."
Shizuka tilted her head. When did Yukino become so bold? Does she have connections at the station or something?
The couple politely declined. They'd seen her fight—and they didn't want to burden their protector further.
As Yukino and Shizuka walked away, the couple stayed behind, gazing after her silhouette.
A strong, elegant girl beneath the streetlights—it felt like something from a manga.
"She was so cool…" the girlfriend whispered in awe.
"Yeah… super cool," her boyfriend agreed with a nod.
On the other side.
Shizuka was bursting with questions, but she didn't get a chance to ask them. Yukino, since leaving the park, had remained deep in thought.
Shizuka waited a bit, then finally couldn't hold back. "What are you thinking about?"
Yukino suddenly smiled.
It was a beautiful smile. "I was just thinking… I finally understand how he must feel when he does things like this."
Shizuka blinked. "What kind of feeling?"
"A sense of accomplishment. Confidence in your own strength. And satisfaction," Yukino replied, a soft pride in her voice.
Shizuka finally found her opening. "You've really changed, haven't you?"
"You mean in strength, sensei?"
"In every way."
"If you'd like, I can teach you," Yukino said seriously.
"Huh?"
Shizuka blinked, puzzled.
But Yukino was completely earnest.
In her mind, Haru's guidance had been clear, practical, and detailed. She'd memorized every point—so naturally, she believed she could teach others too.
What she didn't know… was that her rapid growth had only been possible because someone was playing life on cheat mode.
Shizuka laughed it off but still asked curiously, "So all this—your strength, your confidence—it's all thanks to Amamiya?"
Yukino nodded, a little proud. "Exactly."
Shizuka sighed. "Young people really are something these days."
Then she asked, "What now? Heading home? Or should I take you shopping?"
"I'm going home," Yukino said, gripping her phone tightly.
There was a fierce light in her eyes.
"There's something I have to deal with."
Or rather, she added in her heart, someone I have to deal with.
During their earlier chat in the park, she'd messaged Haru—and learned from him that Megumi had been with him today.
As the ever-dutiful "main heroine," Yukino had also messaged Megumi directly. To her credit, Megumi had been honest and answered everything.
And that's how Yukino found out that Utaha had called Haru into the dressing room.
Time to go home and discipline that disobedient senpai.
Yukino had just taken out the trash once. She was in peak battle-ready mode.
~~~~~~~~~~
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