Chapter 266. [Hero, Awakening]

Behind the school building.

There were scattered empty cans, cigarette butts, and used condoms.

“What’s he thinking!?”

I peeked from the shadow of the building, observing Shitenno confronting the delinquents.

The tense atmosphere could be felt even from here.

The girls had told me about this hangout spot before.

But it was always a warning to stay away because it’s dangerous.

“I can’t believe he’s diving into that kind of place!?”

I said, feeling a pang of guilt.

Come to think of it, I came here to do exactly the same thing.

The delinquents looked at Shitenno, their mouths agape.

But soon burst into laughter.

《You mean to tell me, instead of that brat, you got hooked? And what about you, coming here alone? Are you stupid or what?》

《…! Are you guys still after Iroha!?》

《You’re pretty relaxed in this situation, huh? Do you think you can walk away for free?》

The delinquents began to stand up one by one.

Shitenno hesitated. But as if encouraging himself, he stepped forward.

《R-return what you took from Iroha!》

《Took it? Didn’t I tell you, we just picked up trash? Are you suspecting people without evidence? You do realize that, right?》

《It might not matter to you, but it’s important to her! It’s a treasure! So, give it back!》

《Can you get through to them? Nerd’s really out of it… or not》

Suddenly, the delinquent seemed to have an idea, a smile crept on his face.

He rummaged through his belongings and pulled something out.

It was hard to see behind Shitenno’s back, but it was probably a stuffed animal.

He extended it towards him.

《Here》

《Will you give it back?》

《What? Don’t you want it?》

Shitenno cautiously approached.

Then, the delinquent deliberately let go with a loud voice.

《Oops, slipped out of my hands》

The stuffed animal bounced at the delinquent’s feet.

It rolled right into the midst of the delinquent group.

《It’s dirty now, but it was trash from the start, so it doesn’t matter, right? What’s wrong, not gonna pick it up?》

Shitenno made up his mind and started walking again.

Approaching the delinquents, he reached them.

He squatted, reaching out his hand… and touched the stuffed animal, at that moment.

Thud! There was a dull sound.

“Gahh!?”

The delinquent’s toe was embedded in Shitenno’s side.

He held his abdomen, crashing to the ground.

“Ah!?…!? It hurts, aahh!?”

《What are you doing, trying to steal people’s stuff? You thief!》

《Huh!? Y-you guys give it back…》

《Remember well. Did I ever agree? I didn’t, right? Besides, this was ours from the start, so there’s no giving it back》

《Coward, you…!》

《Huh? Oh, what was it again? This is your precious thing, right?》

As he spoke, the delinquent stomped on the stuffed animal.

He kept grinding it. In no time, the stuffed animal was covered in mud.

《What!?》

《Gahaha! What I do with my stuff is my business!》

Laughing, the delinquent lifted his foot.

And again, he attempted to stomp on the stuffed animal.

《Huh?》

What was heard was a dull sound.

Shitenno covered the stuffed animal as if to shield it.

《Th-this is. Iroha’s… precious…》

《What’s with you? Risking yourself to protect a stuffed animal. Seriously lame!》

While laughing, the delinquent repeatedly stomped his foot.

Other delinquents joined in, kicking Shitenno.

I felt my blood run cold. This was nothing short of a lynching.

It was not just bullying, but a step away from murder.

“Please, stop… someone, stop them…!”

Before I knew it, I was shouting.

If this continued, Shitenno would really die.

What is the Secret Service doing?

Or is it that everyone else doesn’t matter except me!?

“Don’t screw around…!”

I couldn’t be the only one witnessing this scene.

Some students must be aware, yet no one stepped in to help.

—Snap.

Something snapped in my head.

Before I knew it, I was charging out.

《You bastaaards!》

The delinquents turned their gaze towards me, pausing their assault.

Their cold, malicious eyes were terrifying, and grotesque.

Was Shitenno facing this alone?

He groaned, trying to get up.

“Iro… ha…? Why are you here? Didn’t you go home?”

Shitenno’s face was covered in bruises, swollen.

I clenched my teeth and yelled.

“What are you doing!? Picking fights with delinquents alone, are you stupid!? Do you want to die!? If you die, you won’t be able to promote VTubers anymore!”

“What!? You’re the stupid one! Why did you come out!? I’ll be fine, so get out of here!”

“It’s not something to boast about, but with my legs, I can’t escape anyway.”

“Are you really an idiot, huh!?”

The delinquent laughed and approached.

I stood straight in place.

《Oh, been waiting for you?》

The delinquent spoke with a smoky breath.

I glared back at him.

I was scared. But there was a rage within me that surpassed the fear.

Damn it! My head’s been burning hot since earlier!

The sound of the wind and the chirping of insects seemed unusually loud.