Chapter 47: The Messenger of Justice

After a ridiculous night, colorful clothes were strewn across the floor – the playful costumes Nanao Akane and Kotonoha Katsura had brought.

To better please Asakura, they had gone all out the previous night, each trying to outdo the other in their efforts, barely managing to deplete two levels of his stamina. It was only their combined, enthusiastic efforts, a playful competition of sorts, that provided enough stimulation to offset this.

Their flawless, pale bodies gleamed in the warm sunlight. Asakura gently lifted the snow-white thighs and arms draped over him and covered them with thick sheets to prevent them from catching a chill.

Knowing the two girls wouldn't stir for a while, Asakura made himself a quick and simple breakfast.

Then, he prepared some braised pork, steamed fish, and seasonal vegetables. He carefully packed the dishes into lunch boxes. He also left a sticky note on the table as a reminder and sent a message on Line explaining his plans, urging them to remember to eat well after waking up.

With his schedule suddenly free, Asakura found himself at a loose end. His computer and games were in the bedroom, but going in to play would likely rouse the two girls, so he decided against it.

After some contemplation, he finally recalled his previous idea of finding a part-time job. So, after a quick change of clothes, he headed out to look for something suitable.

Asakura intended to check out Shinjuku, Akihabara, and Shibuya to see if any appealing cafes were hiring baristas.

However, fate seemed to have other plans. After wandering around Shibuya, he discovered that several coffee shops with "help wanted" signs had strict criteria and specifically sought female employees. Asakura didn't even get a chance to showcase his impressive skills before being politely shown the door.

Despite the unsuccessful job hunt, Asakura encountered many attractive women in Shibuya. Since he was out looking for work, he no longer deliberately downplayed his good looks. His fresh and handsome appearance drew the attention of many stylish women who approached him for a chat – a common predicament for good-looking guys in Tokyo.

After politely declining the advances of another heavily made-up woman, Asakura took out his ringing cell phone and saw it was Nanao Akane calling, so he answered casually.

"Hey, Akane, did you and Kotonoha enjoy the lunch I made this afternoon?"

"Yeah, Kotonoha and I devoured every bit of the loving lunch Asakura-kun prepared.

"Oh, by the way, I'm calling to let you know we're heading home this afternoon. My family is a little worried about my safety, so I can't keep you company tonight."

Nanao Akane's tone held a hint of disappointment, as if she regretted missing out on another night with Asakura, completely forgetting the rather compromising position she and Kotonoha, in their playful rivalry, had found themselves in the previous evening.

It was Kotonoha's turn to speak. Her soft voice conveyed her feelings, "Asakura-kun, my mother asked me to come home and help take care of Kokoro-chan. I'm sorry I can't be with you tonight."

"Ah, it's alright, Kotonoha. There will be another time."

"Yeah, Mom asked me to tell you that she and Kokoro-chan miss you very much and hope you'll visit again soon."

Mrs. Katsura, of course, wouldn't genuinely worry about Kotonoha's safety. After all, she had long known that Kotonoha was at Asakura's place, and in her mind, both her and her daughter were willingly "his," each perhaps trying to be the favorite. It was simply that Mrs. Katsura hadn't seen Asakura in a while and was feeling a bit lonely.

She wanted to use this as an excuse to see if there was an opening. What if she called her daughter home, and Asakura came along too? Wouldn't that offer another chance to experience the vibrancy of youth? Loneliness made people weary, and emptiness brought tears.

On the other end, Asakura couldn't help but feel a touch of wry amusement. Madam Katsura, do you really want me to "visit"? It's pretty clear you want me to come over and unclog your pipes again.

"Okay, I understand. Please tell Madam that I will find time to visit them."

"Alright then, I won't keep you any longer, Asakura. Bye."

Asakura hung up, let out a breath, and wondered when would be a good time to visit Mrs. Katsura and clear her blocked drain before it backed up too much and drove her to do something impulsive.

Since Kotonoha and Akane aren't staying over, there's no need for me to rush home and cook. I might as well just find a restaurant outside and grab a bite.

He stepped into a small restaurant that didn't seem too busy. The interior was dimly lit with warm lights and had a subtle, fragrant aroma, creating a soothing and relaxing ambiance.

Asakura randomly chose an empty table and sat down. He ordered a few of the restaurant's specialties from the menu and, while observing the interior, waited for his freshly prepared meal.

He hadn't paid much attention when he first spotted the place, but now that he was seated, he realized the surrounding area was quite close to the red-light district. Young women in revealing attire were frequently entering and exiting the brightly lit doorways, each seemingly trying to outshine the others.

Low-cut tops, barely-there shorts, and even tube tops were a feast for Asakura's eyes. He thought this place truly lived up to the reputation of Shibuya.

While savoring his hot and freshly cooked food, he watched the lively Shibuya streets. The welcome comfort and relaxation washed away the day's job-hunting frustrations.

After a satisfying meal and a drink, Asakura strolled leisurely down the street, treating it as a post-dinner walk to aid digestion. The glamorous commercial street was bustling and prosperous, though it seemed like a paradise reserved for the wealthy.

After a period of aimless wandering, Asakura passed by a bar with loud music pulsating. He happened to see a few people arguing at the entrance and then shoving each other into a dimly lit alleyway, seemingly trying to prove who was tougher.

Good words can't persuade a fool, and unearned mercy will only lead to further trouble. People who willingly descend into such places and cause disturbances aren't deserving of sympathy. Asakura had no intention of interfering in such common bar brawls, a petty contest of strength, but as fate would have it, his sign-in ability for the day was rather unique.

[Justice Messenger: As someone who actively upholds social justice, defends moral principles, and advocates for righteous behavior, your eyes cannot tolerate any injustice occurring before you. When you enact justice, your overall physical fitness will be enhanced, showing the wrongdoers what a true messenger of justice is. Upon successfully upholding justice once, you will receive a random reward or encounter an adventure event.]

If he had a choice, Asakura really didn't want to be this inconvenient messenger of justice. Wouldn't it be nice to just go home and happily play games, each match a friendly competition? But the unknown was already set in motion. When Asakura decided to take a post-dinner stroll, the gears of destiny had already begun to turn.

Feeling his physical fitness increase several times over, Asakura was slightly taken aback. Due to the various abilities he had acquired previously, his physique had already reached the peak of human potential.

After being designated the Messenger of Justice, he further broke through into the superhuman realm. This isn't so bad. At least as long as I don't go around causing trouble, no one will be able to overpower me in a straight fight.

Anger is like fire, if unchecked, it will spread and consume everything. Desire is like water, if unrestrained, it will flood the world.

"Hey, you thugs over there, looking to measure yourselves against Master Asakura?"

Asakura raised his eyebrows defiantly and strode towards them. His steps held a hint of arrogance, but he certainly had the ability to back it up.

"Hey, pal, what's your business? You're pretty cocky, trying to start something."

A few rough-looking guys glared at Asakura, clearly annoyed by his dismissive attitude and his challenge to their dominance. The young man, brimming with energy, gave a wicked grin.

"Instead of asking so many questions, why don't you start thinking about how you're going to beg for mercy later, seeing who's really tougher?"

"Ahaha, kid, didn't your parents teach you that discretion is the better part of valor, especially when you're clearly outmatched?"

The thugs calmly released the struggling Kyouko Yuuki and surrounded Asakura, ready to prove their superiority.