Chapter 3

Even if he’s justified in wanting to protect someone, he’s crazy if he thinks he can go stirring up trouble at a time like this.

I won’t let all the progress he’s made go to waste. We’re going to stop him by any means necessary.

Ossu! No doubt about it!

I agree. Howe’er, if we know not who is Kiryu-dono’s target, there is naught that we can do, correct?

Well let’s see. So there’s a person trying to come after the people Taishou cares about, right? It’s gotta be someone who holds some kinda intense grudge against him.

But if that’s the case, then all they’d have to do is pick a fight with Taishou directly…

It could be that they know they can’t beat Kiryu in a head-on collision, so they’ve resorted to underhanded methods.

But based on how Kiryu is acting, it certainly does hold up that this person holds a grudge.

Yeah, Taishou is stupid strong after all. But like, is there even anyone who would hold a grudge against him? Who would do something like that?

A grudge, hm… I can’t think of anyone who might hold a grudge against Kiryu; actually, I’d say most are grateful toward him.

Things used to be different in the past, but nearly everyone from that time has left the school.

Nowadays, there’s no shortage of people who appreciate him.

I getcha! I got the feeling that everyone really loves Taishou during the Dragon King Competition!~

Hmph. I was busy with another event at that time and got pulled away from the academy. I simply didn’t notice what was going on.

If I’d been aware of it beforehand, I certainly would have put a stop to it.¹

Aye. There was a sudden job we needed to tend to.

But mmm… If such is the case, then could this person be someone from his past? Mayhap from e’en afore he entered this academy…

Hm… That possibility’s not off the table, but I’ve also never seen him around with anyone like that.

Me either, I don’t think. And I’m always watching Taishou, so I think I’d know if I’d seen him hanging around that kinda person.

And I, too. I have no recollection of Kiryu-dono being among such company.

Nay, this guessing game will get us nowhere! Would it not be better to simply confront Kiryu-dono directly?

Denied. If Kiryu finds out that we know what’s going on, there’s a possibility he’ll try to cover his tracks and deceive us.

And if he starts sneaking around, it’ll be even harder to pinpoint who this person is.

So what you’re saying is… the best thing we can do is just act normal and keep an eye on Taishou, and try to stop him if he starts acting weird or looks like he’s about to charge into battle?

…I don’t like the idea of spying on a friend. But as of right now, we don’t really have any other option. You can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs—We’ll go with this plan.

(I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what Nagumo said yesterday, but there are too many things that don’t add up…)

(For one, I wouldn’t peg Kiryu as someone who’s particularly good at hiding things.)

(If he were planning something like that, I’m sure one of us would have noticed something by now.)

(well, that’s also not something we’d be looking out for. It’s very possible we’ve just overlooked something.)

(In any case, as long as we take heed from here out, we’ll be able to tell right away if Kiryu starts acting out of sorts.)

(Or so I thought, which is why I came to check up on Class B during break, but there’s no sign of Kiryu acting strange in the slightest… Are Nagumo’s fears unfounded after all?)

(No matter which way I look at it, it just feels like I’m working myself up over nothing. I’m sure that right now, he’ll be in his usual spot during the break…)

(Wait, wh–what?! Kiryu’s gone…?!)

Where did he go?! Did he seriously go to confront those guys?!

Gh… It’s all because of my own negligence! I let my guard down for just a moment and lost sight of him…!

You want somethin’ from me, Hasumi-danna?

K–Kiryu! Where the hell did you…?!

Can’t a guy take a piss during his break? Is it really that urgent? What’s goin’ on?

Huh?! N–no… It’s, um…

…? What’s up? ‘S not like you to go trippin’ over your words like that, Danna. Ya havin’ a hard time talkin’ about it?

That’s not it… It’s more, um…

C–can you lend your textbook? The… one for math…

……

Haha, sure thing. Just gimme a sec.

……

Here ya go. Go ahead and take it.

But man, I guess even you make mistakes like that, Hasumi-danna. Forgettin’ stuff and all. Makes you feel like a real student, huh? Hahaha!

Ugh… If you hadn’t lit the fire in the first place, I wouldn’t have to go and lie about this…

Huh? You say somethin’?

It’s nothing! Thanks for letting me borrow this!

? Uh, don’t worry about it.