Haruko walked into the school courtyard again. As usual, the place was loud—voices shouted, students jostled, and fights broke out at the edges.
In the center, Oga Tatsumi moved quickly, the strange green-haired baby bouncing on his back. The baby laughed loudly and tugged at Oga's shirt.
Haruko's eyes followed them. He hadn't spoken to Oga yet. They were still strangers, two big figures drifting through the same chaotic world.
He muttered quietly, "Still don't understand what's up with that kid…"
Nearby students seemed used to it. No one talked about the baby; it was just part of the school's strange life.
After class, Haruko headed home and found a visitor waiting.
A tall man was in the living room, sharp-eyed and calm. His presence felt purposeful, almost professional.
"This is Taichi Keaton," Haruko's grandfather said. "Your uncle from overseas."
Keaton nodded. "I've come to help. The city isn't just about size and strength."
Haruko blinked. "So, what's the plan?"
"You'll see soon. First, no fighting. You'll study. Learn how to make your mind work."
The next day, Keaton sat Haruko down in a quiet room filled with books and a laptop.
"You probably expected an adventure, but it starts with reading," Keaton said.
Haruko looked at the dozen books on the table. "These are for me?"
"Yes. Basics on economics, finance, and news analysis."
"Why?"
"Because power isn't just muscle. It's knowing what's coming before it happens."
Keaton opened a window showing charts and news feeds.
"Look at this. The stock market moves with news — that company's earnings report, political events, even rumors. Your job is to watch and understand these signals."
Haruko frowned at the numbers. "Seems complicated."
"It takes practice. But you don't need to fight anyone to make money here."
Haruko leaned back, thinking. "So, it's like a different kind of battle."
Keaton smiled. "Exactly. Brain over brawns."
That evening, Haruko read through the books. The terms were new, the numbers confusing, but a small part of him felt curious.
Outside, loud shouts echoed from the street. He smiled slightly. Maybe this was a fight he could handle.
The first week in the stock market had been rough.
Haruko stared at the red numbers on the screen. "That's another loss…"
Keaton leaned back in his chair. "You followed the plan?"
"I think so," Haruko said. "But every trade ended the same. Down."
Keaton didn't look worried. "Losses happen. What matters is the long game."
"Feels like I'm just bad at this."
"You're new," Keaton said. "You didn't learn to plow a field in a day. Same here. Keep working the method."
By the second week, the losses had grown. Haruko crossed his arms and pushed the chair away.
"At this point, my account's almost gone," he said.
"That's my money anyway," Keaton reminded him. "I told you not to worry about that."
"Still… this feels like wasting it."
Keaton leaned forward. "Listen. If you trust the method, and if you keep to the rules, the wins will come. I'm telling you — believe in yourself and the process. The money's on me. You focus on execution."
Haruko looked back at the screen. "…Alright. One more try."
That "one more try" turned into a string of small wins.
Then bigger ones.
By the fourth week, the losing streak was a distant memory. Haruko entered trades without hesitation and closed them at the right moments. The account slowly climbed past its starting point, then shot up higher.
"Three million," Haruko said one evening, staring at the total.
Keaton gave a short nod. "Good. You're learning to detach your emotions. You don't panic at red numbers, and you don't get greedy at green ones."
Haruko smirked. "So we're done?"
"This is just the start," Keaton replied.
The next morning at Ishiyama High, trouble was already brewing.
A group from Class 2-B had marched into Haruko's homeroom during break. The tallest among them pointed at Haruko. "You. Outsider. We've heard enough about you thinking you're untouchable."
Haruko didn't even look up from his lunch. "I'm eating."
"That mouth's gonna cost you," another said, slamming a desk. "Fight. Now."
"Why?" Haruko asked. "I didn't even talk to you before today."
"You're from the Momobami family," the tall boy said. "That's reason enough."
The group tried to drag him outside. Haruko sighed and stood up slowly.
The fight spilled into the open yard, surrounded by a ring of cheering students.
The first boy charged with a punch. Haruko stepped aside and pushed him down with a single shove.
The second swung a kick. Haruko caught the leg, spun him around, and set him on the ground.
Two more rushed at once; Haruko slipped between them, using one's momentum to crash into the other.
The last attacked from behind. Without looking, Haruko reached back, caught the arm, and twisted lightly until the boy yelped and backed off.
When it ended, Haruko's shirt was still neat. No dirt. No stain.
The crowd went quiet for a moment, then broke into scattered whispers.
"Fast…"
"Didn't even hit them hard."
"Didn't even break a sweat."
" Demon back"
Haruko walked back toward the building without a word. Haruko thought does someone from main land city know he is here.
"I don't need to," Haruko replied. "Winning isn't the same as smashing someone up."
After school, Keaton was waiting outside. "Heard you had a fight," he said, walking beside Haruko.
"They came to me. I just ended it clean."
"Good," Keaton said. "That's the same as trading — you don't aim to destroy, just enough to win and move on."
Haruko gave him a sideways look. "You're saying fighting and the market are the same?"
"In the important ways," Keaton said. "Both punish emotion. The one who stays calm wins."
Haruko thought about that as they headed home — about winning without rage, without chaos, just by staying in control.