Chapter "Hamlyn VS Daigo"

As Daigo closed the distance to Hamlyn, a sudden commotion erupted as lots of police officers appeared from the back of Hamlyn, swiftly restraining Daigo before he could execute any action, allowing other red evil members to approach and stand with Daigo.

Hamond, Henry, and Fredy were stunned by the unexpected interference. Fredy scanned the surroundings until he locked eyes with Ullmar on the sidewalk, clutching his phone, evidently the one who had called the cops.

With a confident smile, Ullmar approached, taking his place proudly next to Hamlyn. The two brothers stood shoulder to shoulder, while Hamond, Fredy, and Henry positioned themselves just behind, still sitting on the ground.

In a wordless display of unity, Hamlyn and Ullmar exchanged a fist bump, conveying their solidarity through a silent gesture.

Just then two additional officers approached, standing between Hamlyn and Daigo.

"What's going on? Why are you all fighting?" One of the police officers asked.

"Fighting?" Ullmar promptly intervened, stating, "This young boy is innocent. Look, his hands are in his pockets. He's not starting anything. The person ahead is holding a hockey stick, moving dangerously toward him. It's clear he wanted to start the fight.”

Upon seeing Daigo with the hockey stick.

"Arrest him," the officer instructed the other.

"Wait, it's not entirely clear," the second officer hesitated, "What if this boy provoked him?”

With a slightly unsettling smile, Hamlyn turned to that officer staring at him.

"Officer, think about it” Hamlyn began, gazing at that second officer “why would I intentionally provoke someone much bigger than me?" his tone calm "Do you think I want to die or something? Use your logic. How could a high school student like me stir up a conflict with someone much larger? And notice the difference in our groups, they outnumber us by at least ten. Does that sound like a reasonable scenario to you?”

"He provoked me, he's the one who started it, don't believe him!" Daigo's accusation pierced the air in the midst of the chaos.

"Yeah, he started it!" echoed the Red Evil gang members.

"That settles it." the second officer swiftly remarked, "you're the one who provoked them.”

"If their words count for something," Hamlyn smirked, undeterred, "then so do the words of my friends." Glancing back at Hamond, Henry, and Fredy, he underlined his statement.

"Yeah, We didn't provoke them," Henry quickly stood up, his tone laced with anger, "They started the conflict by insulting and threatening my friend.”

Fredy and Hamond promptly rose to their feet, with Hamond chiming in, "Indeed, they were threatening to assault us.”

"Yeah, and that big guy with all those stupid scars tried to kill us all!" Fredy angrily exclaimed.

"Moreover," Ullmar interjected, addressing the officer, "these boys are high school students as you can see they are in their school uniforms, simply heading home. The placement of their vehicle clearly shows that those guys intentionally blocked their path.”

Daigo was startled, While Hamlyn and Ullmar kept their calm smiles, exuding confidence. The intensity of the moment became evident as sweat started to bead on the brow of that one police officer.

"Okay," the other officer yielded, recognizing, "it's evident the boy intended to attack you. If you wish to pursue charges, we'll proceed with their arrest.”

"There's no need for that," Hamlyn's smile stayed calm as he politely replied, "We know each other.”

A wave of astonishment swept through everyone present. Hamond, Henry, and Fredy exchanged bewildered glances, while Ullmar retained his confident smile.

The officer couldn't conceal his incredulity, blurting out, "What?”

"Yes, we're all on the same hockey team," Hamlyn swiftly clarified, "It's just a small argument that got out of hand unexpectedly.”

The disclosure appeared to dissipate the tension, momentarily silencing everyone. The police officers exchanged confused looks, trying to make sense of the sudden change in the situation. Hamlyn's steady smile locked on Daigo's surprised look

"Okay, let them go," the officer declared. Subsequently, the officers released Daigo.

The officer turned to Daigo, "Do you have any affiliation with the Red Evil gang?" he asked.

"No, I'm not involved with any gang," Daigo immediately denied.

"We've been informed about a clash involving the Red Evil gang," the officer continued.

"Officer, indeed there were individuals who appeared to be gang members," Hamlyn smoothly interjected, "but they left about ten minutes before you arrived. It seems you missed them, sir.”

"Okay, you're all free to leave," the officer conceded, grasping the situation. Looking directly at Daigo, Officer added firmly, "Take this as your last warning. Now, get going.”

Daigo's gaze remained fixed on Hamlyn, who retained his confident grin. Subsequently, all the gang members Including Daigo, then walked back to their jeeps, settled inside and drove away.

All the officers also settled into their vehicles and drove away, leaving Hamlyn and his friends alone at the scene.

Fredy breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "Phew, I thought we were in real trouble for a moment." Hamlyn and Ullmar kept their calm smiles.

"Let's make our way home.” Hamlyn calmly proposed, prompting everyone to walk.

While walking, Hamond, Henry, and Fredy lagged behind Hamlyn and Ullmar, their confusion clearly visible.

"Hamlyn, what happened?” Henry, clearly confused, inquired, “How did you end up breaking your promise and getting into a fight with those boys?" However, Hamlyn chose to remain silent in response.

"Regardless of the reasons," Hamond interjected, "those guys must have gone too far by targeting Hamlyn. Now, Hamlyn will likely hand over the recordings to the police and Kenshin.”

"But why did you step in to help Daigo?" Fredy chimed in, "He was on the verge of being arrested.”

A confident smile graced Hamlyn's face. "I didn't break my promise," He responded chillingly, "I didn't resort to violence, and they didn't betray me.”

The trio exchanged puzzled looks, leading Fredy to ask, "Ullmar?”

"Nope, I didn't touch them either." Ullmar clarified.

"Everything went as I planned.” Hamlyn proclaimed, his grin staying firm. "It was a complete success."

"What do you mean by 'plan'?" Hamond interjected.

As they reached a nearby bench, Hamlyn gestured for them to sit down. Once everyone was seated.

“Listen carefully.” Hamlyn began to explain "Earlier, during school hours, I arrived late because I was at the park with those boys. I had asked them to meet me there. When they arrived, I explained that I wanted to talk to Daigo. However, speaking to him directly was difficult. So, I came up with a plan involving a staged altercation. I asked them to stage a fight among themselves. Then, I instructed them to approach Kenshin and falsely accuse Ullmar's younger brother of attacking them and speaking ill of Kenshin and the Red Evil gang.”

Hamlyn leaned back, his smile triumphant, "it was obvious that this would anger Kenshin. I knew he'd want to scare me a bit, and would probably send some members to come after me."

"That's when I foresaw Daigo's involvement. Kenshin got convinced to send Daigo after me, when the boys depicted me as a clever and formidable opponent who could handle 25 gang members alone. They even convinced Kenshin that I had allies."

"Knowing Kenshin's fondness for psychological games, I was certain he wouldn't let me die so easily. I anticipated he would instruct Daigo to simply scare me. However, my refusal to show fear only provoked Daigo's anger, resulting in violence. And that's exactly what I wanted.” Hamlyn concluded.

"But what was the point of all that?" Fredy asked.

Hamlyn's smile broadened as he looked at his friends, a knowing look in his eyes.