The gentle, ladylike woman who could floor a purse-snatcher with one punch let her thoughts drift.
But the new photo popping up on her phone made Hiratsuka Shizuka's eyes go wide.
She'd assumed Hanabana Tarou was just another sleep-deprived idiot, but—no—he'd actually sent proof.
She tapped the image and zoomed in: an old-fashioned Japanese estate, its outer wall lined with gaudy motorcycles.
The gate, inside and out, was crowded with people.
Because it was taken at night, you couldn't make out faces very well.
She stared for a long moment before it clicked.
Sure, she had the Yamazakura Group boss's number—but where their main base was, what it looked like? She had no idea.
Family business wasn't her business.
After all, she was just an ordinary high school teacher.
With, fine, better-than-average looks and a slightly above-average figure.
Thinking of someone else, she scrolled to another contact—an "uncle" in the organization.
Her brother had once told her: if anything happens at night, call this guy.
He worried because she liked two things a little too much—driving and drinking.
Please. Don't drink and drive—as if she didn't know that.
And if she wanted to drink properly, of course she did it at home.
She was a yakuza ojou-sama, not an idiot.
The reply came in under three seconds: yes, that was the Yamazakura Group headquarters. He also added the identity of the delinquents surrounding them.
[Rampaging Angels.]
Rampaging Angels? Isn't that…?
Shizuka blinked, a hint of confusion knotting her brows.
'My student is leading an army to attack one of our affiliate groups?'
No, wait—the photo definitely didn't show Hojou Kyousuke.
Blurry or not, that peacock would stand out even if the whole image were mosaicked.
And the Yamazakura—sure, they had a seat at the New Year's table, but they weren't direct underlings.
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"Ojou-sama, should we intervene?"
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Shizuka hesitated.
'Stop the Yamazakura from hurting my student… or stop my student from attacking the Yamazakura?'
"Don't send reinforcements to the Yamazakura."
Once she'd come to her senses, the good teacher replied.
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"Actually, even though they called for help, we weren't planning to go."
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'Huh?' Shizuka frowned.
She rarely meddled in family matters, but she knew at least this much: the Higashikawa Syndicate didn't take cuts from the Yamazakura.
Still—no rescue at all?
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"According to reports, the Rampaging Angels mobilized over four hundred members tonight.
They're kids, sure, which makes them even more troublesome.
If we go, they'll call in even more. That escalation would be… unpleasant."
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'Four hundred?!'
Shizuka's eyes bulged.
Soubu High had barely over five hundred students across all three grades!
That little punk Hojou could gather that many underlings?
She sucked in a breath.
She wasn't even sure her old man could make four hundred people sprint through Tokyo's streets at three in the morning.
No—focus.
The real question is What is that brat trying to do?! Does he not remember there's class tomorrow?
This was reckless. Way too reckless.
Shizuka, flustered, flipped back to the group chat to see if Hanabana Tarou had posted updates.
Sure enough, others had also recognized the Rampaging Angels.
She opened the newest photo from Hanabana Tarou.
This one was clearer, if you zoom in.
There—blond hair: Kisaki Tetta.
Knew it. If Hojou was up to something shady, he'd use that guy.
Hatake Gorou. Mitsuhashi Ryōma…
A strange mix of sorrow and absurdity welled up in her chest.
Her student—by day he's top of the year, a campus idol adored by boys and girls alike, the kendo ace who racks up national titles.
A bestselling novelist, even the author of one of my favorite manga… an ultra–high school level high schooler. Basically, a walking aphrodisiac.
Also the ver same person—by night he's the boss of Tokyo's most vicious delinquent crew, the Rampaging Angels; they call him "The Handless Devil."
He can set four hundred bodies running across the city with a word, surround a legitimate yakuza base.
And spook one of Tokyo's three great syndicates into hesitating to help—a devil of the night, a true yakuza princeling.
Shizuka swallowed.
Memories flickered.
Hadn't she tried to sock that disobedient brat in the staff room last time?
Staring at Hanabana Tarou's photo, she couldn't reconcile the flamboyant playboy Hojou Kyousuke with the warlord commanding these wolves.
They were young, sure—but when it came to throwing their lives around, they made proper yakuza look cautious.
You could tell from the simple fact they dared to besiege a syndicate's headquarters.
No fear on their faces—only a bloodthirsty thrill.
Raised in a yakuza household, she knew this truth in her bones: the only one who can rule villains… is someone even stronger and even worse.
And Hojou Kyousuke—she thought back to how they'd met.
When little Miki cried, Shizuka got mad and forced him, using an old promise, to transfer schools.
She assumed a philanderer like Hojou would never keep his word, and then she could show Miki his true colors.
Instead, he agreed on the spot.
The one who hadn't seen his true colors… was her.
Miki gave her a legendary scolding for that one.
Later, Miki told her the fallout had been a disaster—his whole family thrown into chaos thanks to her stunt.
Shizuka felt horribly guilty… until she learned one of her few real friends, Yukino Yukari, also had some "unclear relationship" with Hojou.
Then the guilt evaporated.
Hearing his name again from Yukinoshita Haruno only stoked her fury.
'What is with this guy?! Are you picking a fight with me?'
'My junior, my colleague, my student—everyone gets tangled up with you except me?'
'You skip exactly one person—me? Am I that unappealing?'
'I get kicked out of matchmaking parties, my dates treat me like a tomboy, and even a notorious playboy looks down on me?!'
This is bullying! Why is it that people who want to marry can't, while the ones who don't are drowning in love?
No—wait. That's not it.
Grandma always said: If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.
'Whether for little Miki's happiness or Yukari's, I have to set Hojou Kyousuke's head on straight!'
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