Blood slowly seeped into the soil from beneath Hirata's body.
Ryuuen knew that what he had done would likely lead to accountability from the school.
But... was this bullying? No, it wasn't.
Because Hirata fought back, this could only be considered a mutual fight.
Even if discovered, it would at most be a fine and a warning; as long as he wasn't killed or seriously injured, he wouldn't be expelled.
Ryuuen kicked Hirata with his foot.
Hirata remained motionless.
"Hey! Don't play dead there."
Ryuuen's expression turned ugly.
He had indeed not held back those last few hits, purely to vent his anger.
If he really had killed him... Ryuuen's face darkened, and he quickly knelt down to flip Hirata's body over, wanting to check his injuries. Just as Ryuuen flipped Hirata's body over, an unexpected change occurred!
Hirata's furious gaze made Ryuuen's heart skip a beat. Taking advantage of Ryuuen's unguarded state, Hirata landed a punch on Ryuuen's face.
Ryuuen quickly tried to get up, but in his haste, Hirata grabbed his arm and slammed him to the ground with an over-the-shoulder throw.
"Cough."
Ryuuen coughed violently. Just as he was about to get up, Hirata immediately sat on his abdomen, the intense pain making Ryuuen cry out.
"Bastard!!! How dare you ambush me! Cough, cough."
Ryuuen's face was distorted in a grimace as he kicked Hirata's back.
Hirata, enduring the pain, continuously punched Ryuuen's face.
"Ah ah ah ah!!!!"
Hirata roared, continuously swinging his fists.
The sound woke up some D Class students, and the light beam from the lighthouse also shone over.
"Ryuuen..."
Albert, who was confronting Horikita, saw Ryuuen at a disadvantage and immediately intended to go help, but Horikita stopped him with a whip kick.
"If you want to pass, you'll have to get through me first."
Albert now recognized Horikita as the person who had braved the heavy rain to look for Amane-san, and his brows furrowed in thought.
He didn't want to hit a woman, especially someone so loyal who would brave heavy rain to find Amane-san.
But Ryuuen's situation was very critical, and as a classmate and subordinate, he couldn't stand by and do nothing.
Just as Albert was in a dilemma, Ryuuen's mocking laughter came from the small hill.
"What? Are you already out of strength?"
Ryuuen looked at the heavily panting Hirata with a mocking expression.
His breathing was already erratic, and the severely injured Hirata had reached his limit.
In fact, Ryuuen could have broken free from Hirata just now, but he deliberately let Hirata hit him. On one hand, it was to exhaust Hirata's strength, and on the other hand, it provided evidence of Hirata hitting him.
"Not yet..."
Hirata hadn't finished speaking when Ryuuen kicked him aside.
"Cough, cough."
Ryuuen, who had originally intended to deliver a finishing blow, stopped when he saw Hirata cough up two mouthfuls of blood.
Hirata was now defenseless; continuing to hit him might cause serious trouble. With Horikita already returned to the base, it was better to swipe the key card and retreat.
Ryuuen picked up the key card and swiped it on the card reader.
As the card reader made a sound and displayed an eight-hour countdown, Ryuuen successfully completed the suppression of the D Class base.
The lighthouse was now brightly lit, and a group of people stood at the windows of their respective floors, watching Ryuuen.
But no one dared to come down and stop Ryuuen.
Some girls anxiously called out Hirata-san's name.
But it was useless; worry couldn't make Hirata stand up and beat him up again.
"Hahahahaha, D Class, nothing more than this."
Ryuuen stood at the edge of the hill, brazenly spreading his arms and shouting loudly to the spectators in the lighthouse.
Although this small hill was only about four or five meters from the ground, Ryuuen still felt as if he was looking down on all living beings.
"You're celebrating a bit too early."
Hearing Hirata's voice, Ryuuen smirked, just about to turn around and mock Hirata, the loser.
But the moment he turned, a black shadow flashed before his eyes, immediately followed by his abdomen being grabbed by someone and pushed forcefully backward.
In Hirata's bloodshot eyes, only a final resolve remained.
'Please rest assured and leave it to me. As long as I'm here, I will absolutely not let anyone take advantage. I will definitely protect everyone.'
The promise made not long ago echoed in his ears again.
Hirata's face broke into a smile.
"I'm sorry, Amane-san, this is all I can do. The rest is up to you all."
Hirata held Ryuuen's waist tightly, and the two fell from the small hill one after another.
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