Chapter 5

Just think about it. Back then, everyone knew me as this big, scary delinquent. There’s a reason someone like me was takin’ part in those Dragon King Competitions, where it’s fine to use violence.

Whatcha think all the other guys out there thought about that?

Most of ‘em, ‘cept for me, had never been in a fight before… They were all rich kids who’d never been hit by their parents, never hit anyone themselves.

So you try pullin’ them into this world of delinquent manga.

Obviously they’re just gonna back out, all cryin’ and apologizin’ and runnin’ around and shit.

That’s normal. You can’t blame them for it like they’re “unmanly” or anything. I’m the odd man out ‘cause I was able to beat someone else up without a second thought.

Taishou… You’re not odd. You’re a man among men.

Nah, I’m not. You always say that, lookin’ at me with those sparkles in your eyes, but…

Every time you did, I’d always shoot back in my head “no I’m not.”

I’m just a rotten apple. I’m not the kinda guy a good kid like you should be chasin’ after.¹

I’ve always felt shitty, I’ve always felt guilty, every single time you called me Taishou.

I just wanted to disappear, I was so ashamed of myself… Your voice and your admiration for me, the way you looked at me, it was this heavy burden weighin’ down on me. I just couldn’t say that for the longest time.

…Taishou.

But yanno, I’m ‘bouta graduate. I wanted to look cool when I gave my goodbyes, but I guess I can’t have that now, can I?

‘Cause I really am the most uncool guy ever. No changin’ that.

But that’s why I’mma tell ya every single thing that happened. I’ll expose every nasty, ugly part of me to you.

I’d be satisfied if it broke the illusion or if it made you hate me. I’ll lay in the bed I made.

That’s why I dug up the Dragon King Competition now, after all this time.

And once you know everything from top to bottom, then you can think whether it’s really something that should be passed on.

If it makes you feel disgusting or awful… then listen to your gut and throw it away.

Then you can move on before you end up swimmin’ in a pool of sin like me.

You’re a good guy who follows the straight and narrow. You can live your life with your head held up high under the sun.

You don’t wanna end up like me—A violent moron who ain’t worth a damn.

I dunno how many times I’ve said it but… you don’t gotta be like me. You gotta find a path just for you.

A guy like me shouldn’t be the ideal you’re lookin’ for.

I’m not a man among men. I’m an idiot and a lousy punk who only knows how to hurt people.

If you’re lookin’ for a man among men, go find Morisawa. He’ll stand by the weak, protect them and love them and all that.

You should be like him—an ally of justice just like in the stories… a good person.

Is that why you introduced me to Ryuseitai?

You can think that if you want. You’re better off with Morisawa than you are with me. Better off with Ryuseitai than with Akatsuki.

You can make the best use of your strengths there… And I trusted you’d grow up to be a real man.

And what exactly do you know about me, Taishou?

I know I pushed my will onto you without your permission. To be honest, I just couldn’t stand it.

To watch ya followin’ me around and proudly proclaimin’ you’re gonna be just like me.

If I was bothering you so much, why didn’t you say so? I wish you’d’ve told me sooner, instead of waiting to the last minute… Have I really been hurting you so much this whole time?

You got it all backwards, Tetsu. You didn’t do anything wrong. Being able to love and admire someone so openly is… that’s something to be proud of.

But I’m not the one who should be standin’ next to ya.

Do you get it now? The Dragon King Competition was made to rack up points.

It was a weapon for me—or, well, for Akatsuki. It was a tool used for a big conspiracy. A pawn used in a game of shogi.

Hasumi wanted to spread his influence across Yumenosaki ASAP, so he used me and designed the Dream Fes to get him wins.

The “tradition” is all bullshit—It was made up.

It’s kinda like Knights’s Duels. You pick out someone who’s in your way, who you wanna crush into the ground, and challenge ‘em to a fight.

And when you win, you make ‘em grovel at your feet.

The one who stood on that stage was me: a delinquent intimidatin’ enough to make anyone piss themselves.

I’d just knock ‘em dead, and there’d be no consequences. That’s how the Dragon King Competition works, right?

It sounds stupid, but it worked great.

Most of the time, people’d raise their white flag before the fight even started. Obviously no one wants to get beat up for no reason.

And on top of that, their opponent is me. They’d be in the hospital if I ever got seriously violent.

If they weren’t lucky, they might get hurt so bad it has lasting effects. That’s scary stuff, right? No one in their right mind would wanna be part of that.

So they ran away, obviously. They gave up the fight before it started—They chose a loss.

And if someone was brave enough to stand on that stage, I’d beat the hell out of ‘em. No one could win ‘cause they all grew up in a world that had nothing to do with violence.

And as a result, I had a hundred percent win rate at the Competitions.

I won every single one of ‘em. Back then the Dream Fes system was designed to be lenient, so the Dragon King Competition was recognized as an official battle.

So we got points every time we held one. Our wins increased, and everyone who stood in our way dropped like flies.

It was a weapon of mass destruction… The Dragon King Competition, and me.

With all the victories from the Dragon King Competitions, Hasumi… well, the student council was able to take over all of Yumenosaki.

That’s the history of Akatsuki, back when it first formed.

It’s our dark side, I guess—That’s just the kinda unit Akatsuki was in the beginning.

We let fine walk the bright, shining path, and we took on all the dirty jobs.

I helped with that sickening revolution. I gave them a hand and covered myself in blood and sin.

I was an executioner who kicked down idols with a dream and used ‘em as stepping stones. I deserve every bit of hate I get.

Well, whatcha think, Tetsu? You still admire someone like that? You still think I’m a man among men?

If so, I’mma have to question your sanity—Nah, if you still think that way, you’re just a spoiled brat who can’t face reality.

You’re gonna end up just like me: a moron who gets used and abused by crafty people.