Asami-san joins the team?

Sakata Akio's POV

The school grounds was bustling with the rumble. Tatsuo-kun secretly enjoyed pounding people's heads. A small smirk formed every time he gets to make someone crouch in pain. What a sadist friend I have there.

I shook my head thinking my friend's gone insane and looked back at the shaved-headed guy, whose name I still don't know. He frowned at me. If this was a cartoon, I could have seen smoke going out from his nose and ears.

Shaved-headed guy: Are you underestimating me? You paused just to look at the situation of your friends?

Without letting out a single word, I punched him straight to the face as hard as I could.

He flinched as he received the hit. He covered his face with his hand and took a few steps backward.

Shaved-headed guy: That's cheat-

I added another punch to the face and kicked his body with a turning kick straight to the solar plexus.

The guy immediately got knocked flat to the ground. I grabbed Asami-san and pulled her out from the scene.

She was brimming with tears on her eyes and hugged me with her arms wrapping around my body.

I was caught off guard and became stiff. I felt my face turned hot. This is no situation to feel butterflies in my stomach. I shook my head to get back to my senses and tapped her back to calm down and comfort her quivering body.

I felt a gentle tap on my lower back. It was Rei-kun.

They were done with all the guys that surrounded us. All of them were either unconscious or crouching on the ground in pain. Asami-san has finally calmed down and broke off from our hug.

The students who were watching us started to whisper on each other's ears.

The noise died down and the students made way for the approaching person.

It was my father. Behind him was Saito-chan and Watanabe-san.

My staid looking father observed the surroundings and looked at me intently.

Hiroto: What is this ruckus all about? Who started it? Who dares to touch my son?!

His voice echoed followed by a deafening silence.

Rei-kun and Tatsuo-kun looked at me, waiting for me to answer.

Akio: Father, I am okay. They started it. But it's okay, really.

From father's opposite side, a tall, blonde man in his mid 30's, wearing a quaint looking outfit that surprisingly looks good on him, appeared in an elegant manner. It's apparent that he is not a Japanese.

Kayden: I am Kayden Mitchell. I am the owner of KM Corporation.

He introduced himself in Japanese. If you're not looking at him, you would have thought he is not a foreigner. KM Corp is also one of the leading businesses that is thriving here in Japan and also in a few foreign countries.

Kayden: You all looked surprised listening me talk in Japanese. I was born and raised here.

My father, who doesn't give a care on what he's babbling about, immediately said what he wanted straightforwardly.

Hiroto: What brings you here? I wasn't even notified. Are you behind this ruckus?

Kayden: Oh, you are too quick to judge. That hurts my feelings. But I'm not saying you're not wrong.

My father gritted his teeth still with a calm look on his face. I can see he is trying to hold back his emotions since there are a lot of eyes around us.

Kayden: My bad. The father is mad. Your son isn't even hurt. Don't be too hard on me.

His lips formed a feigned smile. The atmosphere turned tenser that's making some students antsy. My father isn't in his best mood as this man appeared.

My father approached him and halted beside him. He then spoke in a low voice just enough for the two of them to hear.

I couldn't hear them that much but I am guessing it is about me.

After he spoke, he then turned around and called Saito-chan and Watanabe-san who were obediently following him from a distance that's not too near nor to far.

Mitchell-san scoffed and nodded his head and muttered 'whatever' and headed towards me and tapped my shoulder twice and continued to walk opposite from my father's direction.

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Even during our training, Asami-san just stayed nearby me. She was excused because of her circumstances. The teacher-in-charge believed me and even told me he also agreed because I am my father's son.

Saito-chan kept on glaring at me.

Akio: Hey? Did I do something wrong? Why do you keep on looking at me as if you're going to swallow me alive?

She looked away and said it was just nothing.

She couldn't keep her toes around and finally told me what's bothering her.

Reiko: Why is that thing there near you?

Akio: That's not a thing. It's Asami-san.

She mimicked me saying "It's Asami-san" with her funny face and went back to her emotionless face.

I couldn't help but laugh.

Akio: What's with you? You sound like a jealous kid having her older brother taken by someone.

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Saito Reiko's POV

What? Jealous kid? As if!

Reiko: So you are my brother, you say?

Akio: Yes. You are like a kid sister to me.

Reiko: Am I being sister-zoned?

I muttered softly.

Akio: What did you say? I did not hear you.

Reiko: Nothing.

Behind Akio-sama was Asami-san. She smirked at me after hearing him that I am a kid sister to him.

This wench. Even if I don't really know her that much, she gives off this vibe that pisses me off. Eversince she bumped into Akio-sama on the day of the first tournament, I get annoyed by her presence. And this idiot young master is obviously head over heels with this demon that's trapped in an angel's body.

She sticked her tongue out like a little brat. That ticked me off and I unconsciously pulled Akio-sama's hair while glaring at her.

Akio: Ouch! Ouuuuch! Wha-what? What did I do? What are you doing to me? You aren't even looking at me.

Out of my reflexes, I immediately stopped tugging his hair.

He fixed his hair and still looked at me innocently. He didn't even got mad at me.

Akio: Do you not like me as your brother?

He let out a sad pout.

Is he trying to act cute? Because that didn't work.

Maybe?

Asami: Awww. That's too cute.

She said in a cutesy voice.

Ew. That is so obscene. I cannot stomach the cute little act of hers.

As I looked at this idiot young master, he freaking turned red. I rolled my eyes.

I drew my face closer to his. Trying to tease that wench behind him.

Reiko: That was cute of you, Onii-chan.

I emphasized and prolonged onii-chan but still on a straight face. His eyes widened and his whole face turned into crimson red. Even his ears are red.

I moved my face to the side, still close to Akio-sama's face. I felt amused and threw her a provocative smirk.

She raised her brow and gritted her teeth. Her face is now like an open book. Her gritted teeth was shown. I can obviously tell she wanted to throw a boulder at me if she could.

I can't let her win against me.

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Sakata Akio's POV

After our training at the dojo. We headed straight to our training spot near the shrine.

We sat down, rested for a while and drank our cold beverages we got from the vending machine. I brought Asami-san and surprisingly, the watchdog kid sister also tagged along.

I didn't mind Saito-chan tagging along with us. She carried Takei and coddled him with treats she bought from the convenience store.

Asami-san just quietly sat beside me while the two boys sat on another bench.

The reason I brought Asami-san with us was to ask her about what happened to her because we didn't have time to talk about it a while ago.

Akio: So, Asami-san. I know I shouldn't stick my nose in other's business but what exactly has happened to you?

She shook her head.

Asami: No. It's okay. You helped me.

Tatsuo: It's strange. I know you are one of the strong ones among the girls and the one we beat up a while ago were weak.

He paused.

Tatsuo: Even weaker than you.

He looked at her with his baffled expression.

Tatsuo: What made you submissive to those weak twerps?

Rei-kun just silently waited Asami-san's response.

Asami: The thing is that-

Before she finished her sentence, she started weeping. She bit her lower lip to stop her from crying harder.

I just gently stroked my hand on her back repeatedly.

Akio: It's okay. It's okay. Just let it all out.

Her sobs were uncontrollable but still, she tries to manage to utter words she wanted to say.

Asami: I-it's because... They threatened me that my family's lives are at stake. I.... I couldn't do anything but to obey. Those people were just underlings of someone with power. I guess it's Mitchell-san... I... Just... I... I can't tell the police or anyone...

Rei: If you're not allowed to tell anyone, why'd you tell us? You even followed us here.

With hesitation in her eyes, she gaped.

Asami: That... Th-that... I... I need your help... I know I am quite shameless but can I seek help from your father?

Rei: Are you sure-

Asami: Yes. I am.

Rei: No. Are you sure nobody tailed you? You can't just blurt this stuff out. You barely even know us. And also, you're putting Akio-kun in danger.

Rei-kun said with an unwavering voice. Rei-kun really becomes stubborn especially when it comes to our safeties.

Akio: It's okay, Rei-kun. We are already involved since we were also their targets.

Rei-kun looked at me.

Rei: Yes. We were targeted. But you were somewhat the main target. Your father's reaction proved it.

I didn't reply. He's right. I can't deny it. He shifted his gaze back to Asami-san.

Rei: Why were you even there with them? Are you here to play tricks with us?

Asami: No! Of course not! I have no intentions of doing that! I was there because they were told to keep an eye on me. I swear.

It took quite a while for Rei-kun to respond to her. He was observing her.

Rei: Fine. But I still don't trust you.

Asami: I understand. Thank you. Thank you so much for earlier.

Rei: It was not because of you that I did that. It was for Rei-kun.

Saito-chan almost let out her laugh then bit her lip to stop herself from doing so.

I drew my head closer to her and my mouth opened and whispered through her small ear.

Akio: Hey? What's funny? This isn't even funny.

She turned red and pushed my face away with her hand.

Reiko: I just don't like her.

She replied in a hushed manner, only enough for the two of us to hear her voice.

Akio: Eh? Why? She's an angel to me.

She rolled her eyes and shifted her attention to Takei.

I felt someone clinging to my arm. It was Asami-san.

Akio: What's wrong Asami-san?

She buried her face on me. I blinked my eyes and was confused on what to do.

Asami: I am scared.

I tried to pat her back but before I did it, I hesitated for a while.

Reiko: What a flirt.

She murmured to herself but it was loud enough for me to hear.

I just smiled. She's being a brat today. I thought she was just an emotionless watchdog.

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The day of the school tournament came. I may not be a player, but I have to support my friends. But what happened in the tournament led into something that made me feel that the battle that we were supposed not to be a part of has reeled us in and it has become troublesome.

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End of Chapter 20