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Kotani, who was acting all high and mighty just a moment ago, got dragged away like a dead dog. Everyone was a little stunned.
Shiina was surprised for a second too, but then she just went back to quietly sweeping up the two bloody teeth on the ground with her broom.
Even though Andrew's sudden outburst had scared her a bit, her trust in him outweighed everything else.
She believed Andrew would take care of it. All she needed to do was wait for the outcome.
This guy... unexpectedly reliable.
Asuna Shino was touched. Yet again, she'd been saved by Andrew.
Or rather... once again, he had seen her at her most miserable—being bullied and helpless.
Feeling a mix of emotions, Asuna grabbed a rag and started cleaning up the blood Kotani had spat out.
The male staffer nearby twitched his eyebrows in discomfort. He was kind of freaked out.
Something this serious had just happened, and they were casually destroying evidence?
What was going to happen to Kotani?
Still... why did watching him get beat up feel so damn good?
Wait, was I one of the juniors he used to bully too?
...Well, then never mind.
Actually, I hope Kotani gets his ass beat more often.
Muttering to himself, the male staffer, Takagi, saw Asuna putting the rag down and quickly said,
"Asuna, you don't have to do any of this. This stuff was supposed to be mine and Kotani's job anyway."
His cheeks burned with shame as he said that.
Let's be real—this was the definition of too little too late.
Where was this chivalry when Kotani was bossing girls around just minutes ago?
Takagi didn't even dare look either of the girls in the eye—he was afraid he'd see nothing but judgment.
"Come on, Asuna, let's go sit behind the register," Mahiru Shiina said warmly, reaching out to take Asuna with her.
"Okay," Asuna replied with a soft smile, like she was being healed by an angel's touch.
Once they sat down, Asuna looked a little nervous.
Taking a deep breath, she asked quietly, "Shiina, do you know Andrew?"
She couldn't stop thinking about the way Andrew had gently stroked Shiina's hair earlier—it made her chest tighten for some reason.
Shiina nodded slightly. "Yeah, Andrew and I are neighbors. We're also in the same class."
Asuna's heart lifted.
So they're just classmates... and neighbors.
Not dating? Then maybe... I've got a shot?
"By the way, Asuna... what Andrew said earlier—was it true?" Shiina couldn't help but ask, clearly curious.
"Yeah, it's true. It happened when I was a kid."
Even though talking about that painful past made her uncomfortable, Shiina's gentle, concerned expression gave her the courage to speak.
For the first time in forever, Asuna told someone her secret—about how she had accidentally shot and killed a bank robber when she was young.
After hearing everything, Shiina held her hand tightly and said seriously,
"Those people spreading rumors are awful! But Asuna, come on, why didn't you try to explain?"
"You should've fought back—not just let them walk all over you!"
Asuna lowered her head, looking crushed.
She had wanted to fight back.
But everyone avoided her. They all looked at her like she was some kind of killer.
What else could she do?
Her mother had enrolled her in Mizusaka High and then just... left her to fend for herself.
She had no one to rely on—just herself.
Shiina figured there must be more to it—probably something to do with her home life.
After all, her situation wasn't so different.
Her family was rich. She was technically a rich girl.
But she'd never felt like she truly belonged.
Her parents treated her like she was just extra baggage.
Every month, they sent her some money, hired a maid to take care of her... and that was it. No warmth. No real family.
Still, she was lucky in one way.
She had Andrew.
That annoying idiot—he protected her, looked after her, made her feel warm again.
But Asuna... she had it way worse.
She was bullied and couldn't even cry for help. She had to silently endure everyone's disgusted stares.
"Um... you think Andrew's gonna be okay? There's gotta be security cameras here, right?" Asuna said after a moment, clearly worried.
Shiina was a little concerned too, but she still smiled confidently.
"He'll be fine. Let's just leave it to Andrew. I believe in him."
Not long after...
Andrew walked in, dressed in store uniform.
"Yo, I'm back. All taken care of."
He wiped his hands and walked over to the two girls with a grin.
"After my very thorough education session, Kotani finally realized what a jerk he was. So he decided to head home for some deep reflection. As for beating him up—well, I'm covering his shift today as compensation."
Shiina rolled her eyes hard at him.
Yeah, right. She didn't buy that for a second.
That guy Kotani? Total scumbag. No way he had a sudden moral awakening just like that.
Asuna didn't buy it either.
She looked at Andrew, and all kinds of guesses popped into her head.
Did he really just beat Kotani up?
...Or maybe he dealt with him for good?
After all, Endou and his gang hadn't shown up at school all day...
Andrew noticed their suspicious looks but didn't explain anything. He just jumped into Kotani's job like nothing happened.
He helped move stock to the back room, then came to chill behind the register with the girls.
As for Kotani—yeah, Andrew had beaten the crap out of him.
And just to be safe, he'd also planted a little something inside the guy: a chunk of magic formed from Hellfire.
If Kotani ever tried anything shady again, Andrew could detonate it instantly and blow up his heart.
If the dude insisted on digging his own grave—not even the gods could save him.
After finishing his writing, Andrew had wanted to check in on his contracted follower—Shiina Mahiru—only to find out she was at her part-time job.
Funny enough, Asuna Shino worked there too.
And Aoyama Nanami? Also a part-timer there.
Then that sleazebag Kotani had the nerve to leer at sweet little angel Mahiru and dump his work on Asuna?
Of course Andrew couldn't let that slide. He stormed straight over and handled it.
As for the store's security cameras? Not even a problem.
He could manipulate the footage with a little magic—make it show whatever he wanted.
Demonic magic was just that powerful.
But the real reason he could do so much was thanks to his unique "mage physique."
This physique let his magic evolve in all kinds of ways—letting him do the impossible.
And that... was probably the true source of his demonic power to grant wishes.
"..."
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