Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176550308690/episodes/16818792438278662855
Interrupting Renka’s performance.
Ah—what a strange feeling, I thought.
Right now, without a doubt, my head is more bloodshot than it ever has been in my life. My whole body is seething with irritation. I can feel anger bubbling up from the pit of my stomach.
Because—my important childhood friend was crying.
And yet… somehow, I was incredibly calm. My mind was surprisingly sharp, even to myself.
I don’t know who these guys in front of me are. I don’t care.
Only one fact matters.
These men, with their faces, voices, and hairstyles screaming “total scum,” must be the ones who made Renka cry—knowing that is all I need.
“Huh? You… Hey, hey hey hey hey…!”
The tall, blond guy was grinning like he was having a blast.
This guy… Ah, him. My senior from the basketball club back in middle school.
His name was… Sakuma, I think? Whatever.
“What the hell, it’s you, Akito-kun! I saw Renka-chan here and thought maybe… Hey, it’s me! Remember me?”
“Can’t hear you over the fireworks. Shout from your gut, you piece of trash.”
When I said that, Sakuma-senpai’s smile froze completely.
Behind him, the silver-haired man—whose face screamed he’d never led a decent life—twisted his cheeks into a hideous grin.
“Hah, you got called out, Sakuma. But hey—nice one, kid. I like guys with guts like yours.”
Saying that, the guy took a step closer to me.
—Exactly as planned. Scum like this is easy to handle, I thought.
“So, what? Akito-kun, is it? What are you to Renka-chan? Her boyfriend or something?”
“Shut up, Scum Number Two. My ears are rotting.”
“…Huh?”
“I said shut up. Or are your ears already rotten? Well, talking with that sewer-like voice every day would probably do that.”
Provoking him—I gave a glance to Renka behind me.
…It’s fine. These types don’t have the guts to cross the line.
They probably think they look like bad guys, but they’re probably only a few years older than me. That silver-haired guy who seems like the leader is probably around twenty at most.
Besides, a fireworks festival is happening on the main street just a few meters away. If they were truly dangerous criminals, they wouldn’t dare cause trouble near such a crowded area.
Which means—these Sakuma seniors are just scum who came to the festival to pick up girls.
If I yell here, adults who notice something’s wrong will come right away.
Even their tiny brains probably understand that much—that’s why they’re just glaring at me like this now, not laying a finger on me.
If, by some chance, something did happen… from this position, I could become a wall. I should be able to buy enough time to get Renka away.
“Hey. Don’t get too cocky, kid. I’ll kill you.”
It was Sakuma-senpai who cut in.
Point-blank range. This is what they mean by “giving someone the stink eye,” I suppose.
“You haven’t forgotten what happened back then, have you? Want me to hurt you again? Huh?”
“Your breath stinks. Not satisfied with rotting your brain and ears? Now your stomach’s going bad too?”
“…Decided. I’m seriously gonna kill you.”
Sakuma-senpai cracked his knuckles. It was a gesture I’d only seen in manga, and I almost laughed.
Behind the senior playing at being a delinquent, the other two scumbags stood with anxious expressions, biting their lips. Finally, the silver-haired scumbag placed a hand on Sakuma-senpai’s shoulder.
“Hey, Sakuma. Cut it out—”
“Shut up!! I won’t feel satisfied until I hurt this brat!!”
The silver-haired one flinched and pulled away from Sakuma-senpai. …What a pathetic man, I thought from the bottom of my heart.
Well, whatever. If these guys are going to fight amongst themselves, it’s not a bad thing for me either.
“Hey, Renka-chan. Watch this good, okay? ‘Cause right now, I’m gonna beat the crap out of your beloved boyfriend again.”
Hearing Sakuma-senpai’s voice, Renka behind me…
…gripped my sleeve weakly.
“…..”
Fireworks continued to explode. From this spot, hidden by the trees, I couldn’t see them, but surely a beautiful scene spread across the night sky.
But—more than that, far more.
Only those words from Renka shook my heart.
“I’m fine… so please, just… Akito…”
Her voice, always so beautiful, Renka’s voice.
It wasn’t directed at me, but at the piece of trash right in front of her.
That fact—made me seethe with unbearable rage.
“Please, I beg you…! Don’t do anything cruel to Akito…!”
“Kukku… Hah, Hahaha! How noble of you, Renka-chan!!”
Sakuma-senpai cackled.
It was a hideous grin. Just watching it made my irritation grow.
“But you see, too bad—it’s already decided that this brat’s gonna get hurt.”
…Well, I guess this was bound to happen.
Unfortunately, this is as far as I can go. The rest is up to this Sakuma-senpai.
Now then, what should I do?
As I braced myself for the violence about to be unleashed and pondered this—
“A-Akito… Why? Why did you…?”
A hoarse voice, like it was being squeezed from her throat.
To her, I conveyed with my back that I was okay.
I didn’t know if she understood. But… right now, I had no choice but to believe she did.
“Why… Why did you come…?”
Ah—so that’s what it was.
In that instant, a dull ache shot through the center of my solar plexus.
Pain so intense it took my breath away. Then, a punch to my left cheek. My body floated effortlessly through the air. I crashed to the ground. Naturally, I had no strength left to get back up.
(…Damn it, he really hit me. It hurts like hell…)
My hunched back was kicked. Kicked again and again.
Over and over and over—it felt exactly like that time.
That day too, I’d been beaten senseless by Sakuma-senpai right in front of Renka. I’d kept exposing my pathetic self to her, utterly and completely.
“Stop… Hey, stop! Please, stop it! Stop it, I said…!”
She was screaming, clinging desperately, her voice filled with anguish.
…I really did a terrible thing to Renka. Maybe I could have handled it a little better.
But, well. I guess it couldn’t be helped, I thought.
“Akito… No, no, no… Hey, stop! Please, get away from Akito…!!”
The sound of fireworks scattering and Renka’s tear-filled voice.
Hearing both at the same time—I found myself lost in thought.
(Why did I come? Well, that’s obvious, isn’t it—)
That’s why… precisely because of that, I.
Ah, I’m glad—that’s what I think.
From the bottom of my heart, I feel relieved by this situation.
“——…Sakuma-senpai, was it…?”
“…Huh?”
“Unlike you, I’ve grown.”
Light appeared at the edge of my vision.
A short “Shit.” The attack on me stopped. Simultaneously, swift footsteps approached.
One set headed toward me. The other toward Sakuma-senpai and the others.
—I’m not the same as I was back then. I won’t charge in recklessly for Renka like some fool without a plan.
It seemed the police officer I’d notified beforehand had finally arrived.
“Dammit… Let go! Get off me! Stop it…! Don’t touch me! Don’t touch me!!”
Judging by the voice, it sounded like Sakuma-senpai was struggling pathetically.
20:17. Arresting you in the act—the officer’s voice was calm and collected.
Arrest. Nice ring to it, I thought. This is what happens when you try to lay a hand on Renka.
—Serves you right, you idiot.
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