Level 4 – I Am (Not) Yukimiya Yuuya

A new day had begun.

Since it was a new day, it was time to start a new school semester.

I put on my new uniform since the old one no longer fit.

Hinami-san not only made us breakfast but also prepared our lunches.

I greeted Yukine, but she ignored me.

It hurts to be ignored, but I don't know what to do to make her see me in a good light.

◇◇◇

A Little Before School Started...

Kuugo and his group of friends were dragged into a dark alley.

Everyone watched as the usually fearsome Kuugo was hoisted up by his collar, held at the mercy of a mohawked man with face piercings.

"Hey. Where's this month's payment?"

"I-I'm sorry, Nakanomatsu-san! We didn't get any money last month!"

Kuugo was lying. The money in question was his gang's monthly dues—protection money paid to stay under their organization's wing.

He and his lackeys had shaken down plenty of students at their school to scrape together the cash. But the idiot had blown it all on pachinko and hostess bars instead.

Nakanomatsu's grip tightened, cutting off Kuugo's air.

"S-Sorry! I'll get the money—soon, I swear!"

"Double." Nakanomatsu's voice was icy. "You screwed up, so now you owe double. And don't forget—you still owe this month's share."

"I don't care how you do it. But if you don't pay..."

His bloodshot eyes bored into Kuugo.

"...I'll teach you why playing games with the Red Ogres is the last mistake you'll ever make."

"Now get lost. Next time I see you, you'd better have my money."

Gasping for breath, Kuugo suddenly remembered something.

"Wait—right!"

"There's this guy who owes us a whole month's worth! That should cover it!"

Nakanomatsu raised an eyebrow.

"Someone owes you that much?"

"Y-Yeah!" Kuugo nodded frantically.

"Fine. Get it from him. Contact me when you have the cash."

"If you wanna keep breathing under the Red Ogres' protection, you'd better not screw this up."

"Now scram."

"Y-Yes, sir!"

Kuugo and his cronies bolted like scared rabbits.

The moment they were gone, Nakanomatsu dropped to his knees and slammed his forehead against the pavement.

"My deepest apologies for my disrespect earlier, Captain!"

From the shadows of the alley, a towering figure took a slow drag from his cigarette. The ember's glow faintly illuminated a white flag—emblazoned with the snarling image of a Red Ogre.

◇◇◇

Students from Yukizuki High School were arriving from all directions.

Some by bicycle, others by car, and many on foot.

In one particular group, a girl was chatting with friends she hadn't seen in a while.

"Yuuki, what did you do during break?"

"Me? Uh…"

The short-haired girl with pink eyes fidgeted nervously at the question.

(What do I say? How do I tell them I just stayed locked up at home helping my mom bake cakes for her business?)

A cold sweat ran down the forehead of Yuuki Meguru, a second-year student.

"W-Well… the usual, I guess. Shopping, buying makeup… flirting with guys in Shibuya."

Her eyes darted around, searching for something convincing to add.

Her friends gasped.

"Seriously?!"

"I couldn't do anything fun. My dad dragged me on a trip to 'make up for lost time' because of work."

"Mine took me to the beach. It wasn't that boring, but I couldn't get away from them."

"I had to take care of my grandpa. Super dull, but he got me a new phone and an ERIKA fan club membership!"

"ERIKA's fan club?! Let me see!"

Meguru watched as her friends laughed, even though their vacations hadn't been exciting either.

(At least you all got to spend time with your families. All I did was lock myself in my room and never leave.)

She shook her head repeatedly, trying to shake off the depressing thoughts.

(Gotta stay positive.)

(Remember—you're a kogyaru now!)

Forcing her smile back, she suddenly heard loud squealing in the distance.

"What's going on over there?"

Her friends noticed it too.

"Weird. Why are all those girls crowding around?"

"Hey, maybe it's like in those dramas—did some super-hot guy transfer in?"

In an instant, all the girls bolted toward the commotion. Meguru just followed along.

"Hey, who are you? You're sooooo handsome!"

"I don't remember anyone this hot at our school!"

"Is this some kind of drama filming?"

"Kyaaah! He looked this way!"

When Meguru finally found a spot to see, she froze.

Standing at the center of the crowd was a guy nearly two meters tall, his lean but toned frame evident even through his uniform.

Naturally, she felt drawn to him too—but unlike the others, something about him felt… familiar.

"Why does he look so… recognizable? And more importantly—why does he have a magical girl anime sticker on his bag?!"

◇

(This is uncomfortable.)

After a month away, I was finally back at school.

The problem? Everyone was staring at me.

Their eyes followed my every move, scanning me from head to toe. It was unnerving.

Maybe they're looking at someone else?

I glanced around but saw no one else nearby.

(Stop staring. You're making me feel like a circus freak.)

I walked into the classroom, but the stares only intensified. I panicked, skipping any greetings and beelining straight to my desk—right in the center of the room.

Whispers erupted around me.

"Who is he? A transfer student?"

"Never seen him before. Is he some kind of celebrity?"

"Kyah! My boyfriend looks like an ogre compared to him!"

I slumped into my seat, praying for class to start.

Then I looked down.

My desk was covered in crude graffiti—insults, vulgar doodles, everything. I pulled out a handkerchief and started scrubbing.

(What the hell did you do, Yuuya, to deserve this?)

(Now the stares make sense.)

The door slammed open.

A group of rough-looking guys barged in. Their leader looked familiar, but I couldn't place him.

"It's Kuugo."

"He actually showed up."

"I heard he got into a fight with the cops at a bar when they tried kicking him out for underage drinking."

"I'm surprised he has the guts to come, knowing Kubodera hates him."

I ignored them, focused on cleaning.

"Hey, where's the pig? Anyone seen him?"

(Pig?)

(That nickname sounds familiar, but…)

I kept wiping.

"Pig! Answer me!"

Footsteps stomped toward me. I looked up—Kuugo was glaring down at me.

"Can I help you?" I asked politely.

"The hell are you?" he snarled. "Where's Yukimiya the pig?"

"Yukimiya the… pig?"

(Ah. I get it now.)

(Not surprising at all.)

The door opened again. A group of girls walked in, one with striking pastel-pink hair that matched her sweater.

"I'm Yukimiya. Yukimiya Yuuya."

Silence.

Then—laughter.

"PFFT—HAHAHA! He said he's Pigmiya!"

"C'mon, new guy, don't lie."

"Yeah, we all know Yukimiya's a fat, greasy pig. You're the opposite."

(Sure, Yuuya was short and chubby, but this feels excessive. Even if he was at fault.)

"No, really. Here's my ID."

I pulled out my adventurer card.

The laughter died instantly. Their faces twisted in horror.

"NO WAY!"

"That's really Pigmiya?! He's a completely different person!"

"This has to be a prank. I work out, and I could never get a body like that!"

"That's why he looked familiar…"

Kuugo's voice cut through the noise.

"YOU'VE GOT TO BE JOKING!"

The room fell dead silent.

Kuugo's eyes burned with rage. "I'll ask you once. Who. Are. You?"

"Yukimiya Yuuya. Did we know each other before?"

"Sorry, I don't remember. I was hospitalized after a dungeon accident. Some things—and people—are just… gone."

"What did you need from me?"

He slammed his fist on my desk, leaving a dent.

"No way a disgusting, short, fat, stinking pig changes this much in a month."

"Tell me—WHERE'S THE PIG?!"

This guy was really starting to piss me off.

(Maybe the reason I don't remember him is because Yuuya's subconscious deleted him out of sheer hatred.)

Kuugo grabbed my collar, yanking me forward.

"I don't know who you are, but tell the pig he's got until lunch to show up with the money—or both of you are dead."

He stormed out, his lackeys trailing behind.

"Ugh. He wrinkled my shirt. Hinami-chan ironed this with so much care…"

The bell rang.

Class had begun.

◇◇◇

A grumpy-looking man in his early 50s was muttering to himself as he left the teachers' lounge.

"That damn whore. Not only do I have to pay child support after the divorce, but I also have to fund her dinner dates with her new lover."

The pale, balding man with a beer belly—Kubodera Suguru, the math teacher—adjusted his glasses angrily.

"I'm in a terrible mood. Someone better give me an excuse to take it out on them today."

He slammed the classroom door open.

"Silence, everyone."

"Roll call."

Kubodera Suguru was the kind of teacher students hated more for his personality than his appearance.

Without a word, he wrote a math problem on the board and turned around.

"I'll call someone up to solve this."

"...Yuuki. Come here."

"Y-Yes."

Meguru stood up and walked to the front, trembling slightly.

"Solve it using last semester's methods."

"O-Okay."

As Meguru struggled to recall the solution, Kubodera pulled out his phone and opened a certain social media app.

Some students attempted the problem quietly, while others scrolled through their phones.

A few whispered among themselves:

"Hey, did you hear what happened to Kubodera on the first day of break?"

"No, what?"

"Rumor says his wife divorced him because she found out he was sugar-dating a high school girl and spent a fortune just to sleep with her."

"Seriously? That's hilarious. I thought the rumors about him groping girls on the late-night train were fake too—guess those were real."

Kubodera couldn't hear them, but their smirks told him everything.

(Disgusting brats.)

He ignored them, instead scrolling through Meguru's social media profile—photos of her friends, hobbies, and outfits.

His eyes lingered obscenely on her skirt.

(At the start of last year, she dressed like any other student. But then she changed her style entirely.)

(And what a change it was. That ass, those curves—she's got potential.)

(If she keeps failing tests, I might have an opening… but after what happened with that other girl, I can't risk suspicion.)

(Still, given her family situation, I bet she'd be easy.)

(Ah, it's been so long since I've had someone to hold at night. That last stupid bitch was this close—if only the cops hadn't gotten suspicious.)

(Now I'm even angrier.)

He stood abruptly.

"Yuuki. Still can't solve it?"

Meguru flinched.

"I-I'm sorry! I just don't remember how—"

"Are you stupid? This is basic."

"Did dyeing your hair pink rot your brain?"

Tears welled in her eyes.

"My hair's natural! And you never taught it well anyway!"

Kubodera's face twisted.

"SIT DOWN!"

"Next! ...Where's Yukimiya?"

"Here."

Yuuya raised his hand. The teacher ignored him.

"I said, where is Yukimiya?"

"That's me."

"Stop joking. Who are you?"

"Yukimiya Yuuya."

A student interrupted:

"Sir, it's true. He showed his adventurer ID—those can't be faked. I'm registered too; I know."

Kubodera's jaw dropped.

(No way.)

(That pig Yukimiya was a blubbering mess. Now he looks like this?)

(How the hell did he change so much in a month?)

(I'll grill the vice principal later.)

"Fine. If you're Yukimiya, solve this."

Yuuya walked up and glanced at the problem. A few seconds later, it was done.

"Finished."

Kubodera checked the work grudgingly.

"…Correct. But that just means you paid attention."

He erased the board and wrote another, harder problem.

Yuuya took longer but solved it again.

(Damn it. He's actually competent? But I won't feel better until I've crushed someone.)

A third problem appeared—this time, a near-impossible university-level equation.

(Try this, you little shit.)

"Solve it."

Yuuya stared, then turned to Kubodera.

"I can't. We've never covered this."

The teacher smirked.

"Really? Can't? How pathetic."

"It's simple. If you can't do it, you're worthless."

Yuuya's expression went flat.

"Then you solve it, Professor."

Silence.

"…What did you say?"

"If it's so easy, show us how it's done."

"A brilliant teacher like you must know, right?"

Kubodera's eye twitched.

"F-Fine! Watch and learn!"

He snatched the chalk.

One minute passed.

Then five.

Then fifteen.

Sweat dripped down his forehead.

(Shit. I can't solve it either—!)

The class erupted.

"Wait, he can't do it?!"

"Pathetic!"

"Tried to humiliate someone and humiliated himself!"

Laughter filled the room. Kubodera's face burned hotter than when his ex-wife had called him "impotent."

"G-Get back to your seat!"

As Yuuya walked away, Kubodera hid his face behind his desk.

(You'll pay for this, Yukimiya. I won't forget today.)

◇◇◇

After Kubodera's class, it was time for P.E.

The students headed to the schoolyard after changing. There, one student was already the center of attention—surrounded by adoring girls.

"Like I was saying, I spent break at a sports training complex. On the last day, the coach called me in to meet with sponsors."

"I was the only one invited."

"At this rate, I'll probably get scouted for the U-20 national team right after graduation."

"Kyaah! Kumagawa-kun is amazing!"

"No wonder they call him the future of Japanese soccer!"

The white-haired, brown-eyed Kumagawa Isami—the most popular guy in school—boasted about his skills while the boys watched in envy.

The teacher gathered two classes together.

"Alright, boys play first, then the girls."

Kumagawa's class was up against Yuuya's, whose team was already demoralized.

"Damn it, we're about to get humiliated by Kumagawa again."

"I hate this. That guy always rubs it in."

"Worst part? I was at the same training complex. Everything he said is true. We're just here to get stomped."

"Hey, who's going in goal?"

All eyes turned to Yuuya, who had no idea what position to take.

"If that guy really is Yukimiya, we should just stick him in goal again."

"Yeah, just 'cause he got taller and thinner doesn't mean he's suddenly good."

"Hey, Yukimiya. You're goalkeeper."

"Goalkeeper?"

Yuuya blinked in confusion before it clicked.

"Oh, right. The net."

"I just watched Captain Tsubasa, so I kinda get it."

"Is this guy serious?"

"Yep, that's definitely Yukimiya."

The match began.

Kumagawa dominated the field effortlessly.

"This is too easy."

His speed left Yuuya's team scrambling.

"Damn it, that guy's too fast!"

"I can't even track him with my eyes!"

Kumagawa broke through, lining up the perfect shot. He didn't recognize the goalkeeper, but it didn't matter.

He fired a powerful curving shot, aimed to dip sharply into the top corner.

(First goal.)

Or so it should have been.

But Yuuya leaped, snatching the ball mid-dip like it was nothing.

"Got it. Now, throw it to my team."

He kicked—way too hard.

The ball rocketed into the sky, vanishing from sight before landing far outside the field.

Kumagawa froze.

(What the hell was that?)

(That power… No amateur kicks like that.)

(Even pros can't launch a ball that high!)

(No. Impossible.)

(I'm Japan's future star. Everyone else is just a stepping stone. This can't be happening!)

The match resumed. Kumagawa stole the ball again, this time trying a knuckleball shot—unpredictable, spinning wildly.

"Let's see you stop this."

Yuuya dove, catching it mid-spin.

"NO WAY!"

No matter what Kumagawa tried—power shots, feints, even a coordinated team attack—Yuuya blocked every single one.

By halftime, Kumagawa's team was exhausted.

(How?! HOW is he doing this?!)

Yuuya's teammates swarmed him.

"Yukimiya, you were insane!"

"How'd you pull off those moves?"

"For the second half, play striker. Think you can do it?"

"Should be fine."

Kumagawa smirked—(Good. If he's not in goal, I'll crush him.)

(But the fact that he can play like this… pisses me off.)

(If I can't beat some amateur, my pro career is over before it starts.)

Second half.

Kumagawa locked onto Yuuya. The whistle blew—he stole the ball, charging forward.

(This time, I'll score. But first…)

(Where is he?!)

A shadow blurred past him.

The ball was gone.

"Huh?!"

"KUMAGAWA, BEHIND YOU!"

He spun—Yuuya was already sprinting like a bullet train.

One kick.

The ball blasted past the goalie, nearly taking his head off.

The crowd erupted.

Kumagawa's hands trembled.

(Impossible. No amateur moves like that.)

(I'm a junior elite, and I couldn't pull off that steal or that speed!)

"DAMN IT!"

The match restarted, but it was already over.

Yuuya scored 17 more goals in 30 minutes.

Final score: 17-0.

The teacher's jaw dropped. "G-Game over! Class 2-B wins!"

Kumagawa collapsed, pride shattered. The cheers that were once his now belonged to Yukimiya.

His own teammates glared.

"So much for 'future of Japanese soccer.'"

"Hey Yukimiya, join the soccer club!"

"You're world-class!"

"Are we looking at Japan's next star?!"

Yuuya, overwhelmed, bolted.

Kumagawa's rage boiled over. He kicked the ball straight at Yuuya's blind spot.

"Look out! I hit it too hard!" (A weak excuse.)

Yuuya dodged without looking.

But the ball kept flying—straight toward the stands.

Meguru had just stood up, preparing for the girls' match.

The ball slammed into the bleachers. The impact shook the structure—

She lost her balance.

Falling.

Three meters down, headfirst.

(This is bad—!)

Her eyes squeezed shut—

Then, soft arms caught her.

She opened her eyes.

Yuuya held her gently, his face full of concern.

"You okay?"

Meguru's face burned red.

The girls screamed—not in panic, but awe.

"THAT WAS INCREDIBLE!"

"Who IS that guy?!"

"He ran full-speed and JUMPED to catch her! Is he a stuntman?!"

"Yukimiya-kun, I'm your new biggest fan!"

Yuuya ignored them, still focused on Meguru.

"Can you stand? Does anything hurt?"

"Y-Yeah… I'm fine. Th-Thank you…"

She was flustered beyond words.

Meanwhile, the teacher hauled Kumagawa up.

"Kumagawa, you need to be more careful! You could've seriously hurt someone—"

"But damn, that Yukimiya kid… He used to be short and fat, right?"

"If you don't step up, he'll steal your spot—maybe even your future in the U-20s."

The words shattered Kumagawa's pride.

◇◇◇

Lunchtime arrived.

Yuuya headed to the school cafeteria, searching for an empty table to enjoy the bento Hinami had prepared for him. Just as he was about to take his first bite—

Kuugo slammed his hands onto the table.

"Hey. Heard from your class. You're really Yukimiya, huh?"

"I already said I was."

Kuugo still couldn't believe it, even if it was true.

"Doesn't matter. You're gonna answer."

"Remember the last day before break?"

"Sorry, but no."

Kuugo's fist cracked the table. The other students at the table immediately scattered as his gang took their seats.

One of Kuugo's lackeys grabbed Yuuya's bento—only for Yuuya to snatch it back before he could take a bite.

"I'm really sorry, but—what the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Who raised you to think stealing someone else's food is okay?"

"Even the orphaned kids I knew had better manners than you. You're a damn animal compared to them."

The cafeteria fell silent.

Kuugo ignored it, slinging an arm around Yuuya's neck and rubbing his fingers together.

"Don't care if you remember or not. Or if you humiliated this idiot earlier."

"All I care about is this. You owe me money."

"320,000 yen."

(Whistle.)

"That's a lot of money."

"Damn right."

"And who's supposed to pay it?"

"You. Obviously."

Yuuya laughed.

"Hahaha, good joke. What I earn in dungeons is pocket change—I can barely afford food."

"Look, I don't know what I told you before my accident, but there's no way I'm giving you that cash."

"If I borrowed money, I'd pay it back. But this? Nah."

He sat back down, ignoring Kuugo.

The insult was unbearable.

Kuugo smashed Yuuya's bento onto the floor.

"That was the lunch Hinami-san made for me."

"THE HELL DO I CARE?!"

"Listen, pig. No matter how much you've changed, you're still the same worthless trash."

"If you don't pay up now, I'll break every bone in your body and turn you into a damn umbrella."

Yuuya glanced around.

The teachers were pretending not to see anything.

"Ah. So this is bullying. And the teachers are either cowards or useless."

"Fine."

He gently took Kuugo's hand—then crushed it with enough force to make him yank it back.

Next, he grabbed a porn magazine from one of Kuugo's lackeys.

"Look, I know talking won't solve this."

"So here and now, I'll teach all of you a lesson."

"A lesson in humility."

"You think being fourth-rate thugs will get you anywhere in life?"

"Criminals are hated by society. If you want to be trash, then your parents failed you—and so did this school."

"But don't worry. I'll make sure you learn one thing today."

"When you pick a fight with a pack? Sometimes, the pack eats you."

"And I'm the predator here."

"COME AT ME."

Kuugo and his gang were stunned. Yuuya had just publicly humiliated them—no filter, no fear.

Some students stifled laughs, but fear of Kuugo kept them quiet.

Furious, Kuugo ripped off his shirt, revealing the gang tattoo on his back.

"YOU DARE MOCK ME, PIG?! I'LL ROAST YOU ALIVE!"

"GET HIM!"

His lackeys charged—

And Yuuya dodged every swing, smacking them with the porn mag like it was a weapon.

"You're slower than goblins and weaker than slimes. This magazine's all I need."

Each thug got whacked in weak spots before crumpling.

Kuugo's face was purple with rage. His gang—humiliated again.

He lunged at Yuuya with street-brawling techniques, the same ones that made him the terror of the school.

Born into a broken home, Kuugo had no choice but to embrace violence. And now? Yuuya was threatening his entire existence.

Jabs. Hooks. An uppercut meant to floor him.

But Yuuya blocked every strike with the magazine, sighing like this was boring.

Finally, he looked Kuugo dead in the eyes—pity clear in his gaze.

"Pathetic. This is the guy who used to bully me?"

That look—like Kuugo was nothing—shattered him.

"RAAAAAGH!"

Kuugo grabbed a chair, swinging it wildly—

Yuuya dodged, then smacked him across the face with the magazine.

SPLAT.

Kuugo spun mid-air before face-planting, out cold.

The cafeteria doors burst open.

Kubodera stormed in, roaring:

"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED HERE?!"

His eyes landed on Yuuya, calmly picking up his ruined bento, and the unconscious bodies of Kuugo's gang.

The sight was unreal.

"YUKIMIYA! PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE. NOW."

Yuuya blinked.

"Huh? What'd I do?"

◇◇◇

In the principal's office, a man resembling a boiled egg with thick eyebrows—Vice Principal Hakuba Katsuomi—greeted them.

"Ahem, Professor Kubodera, what's this about? Why have you brought this student here?"

Kubodera leaned in, whispering his version of events.

"I see."

The vice principal wiped his nose with a finger before addressing Yuuya.

"Student Yukimiya, violent behavior will not be tolerated at this school."

"Violent behavior?"

Yuuya's expression darkened.

"With all due respect, Vice Principal Hakuba, there seems to be a mistake here."

"I was the one being bullied."

"That's not what Professor Kubodera told me," Hakuba said, flicking away a booger.

"Excuse me?" Yuuya's voice dripped with barely restrained fury.

"Indeed. I saw it with my own eyes!" Kubodera interjected, fake tears welling up.

"Kuugo-kun and the others were peacefully studying when this... this delinquent assaulted them!"

He pointed a trembling finger at Yuuya.

"He attacked them during lunch! Then threatened the other students into silence!"

"But as an upstanding educator, I couldn't let such injustice slide!"

"Quite right, Professor Kubodera," Hakuba nodded. "We cannot tolerate this."

Cough.

"Student Yukimiya, your record will now reflect a violation for violent conduct."

"Three violations, and you're expelled. I suggest you cause no further trouble until graduation."

"Told you, didn't I, Yukimiya?" Kubodera smirked, jabbing a finger at him.

"You're worthless. And now? You're just a future criminal."

"Get out."

"..."

Yuuya said nothing.

But as he turned to leave—his eyes locked onto them.

A gaze of pure, unbridled rage.

The kind that promised blood.

The door clicked shut.

Only then did Hakuba sigh, loosening his collar.

"We're square now, yes?"

"Of course. But remember—that incident with the suicidal girl? That was your fault for harassing her."

"I never meant for that! I just wanted preschool cosplay photos!"

"Vice Principal... you have a problem."

"We both do. That's why we're allies."

"Ahahaha—"

Their laughter echoed in the office—where no one else could hear.

◇◇◇

Aftermath of the School Incident.

The members of Kuugo's gang woke up in the infirmary, their bodies aching—but their pride hurting even more.

They had been utterly crushed by someone they used to bully without a second thought.

As they left school, Nakanomatsu was waiting for them.

He dragged them to a secluded back alley, dumping their bags onto the ground before glaring at Kuugo.

"Sanpei. Where's the money?"

"Nakanomatsu-san, well, you see—"

Nakanomatsu wasn't in the mood for excuses.

"We need that cash now. The cops raided one of our stashes and seized our drugs."

"That money you owe us? It's our lifeline. So where the hell is it?!"

His rage was palpable—and so was Kuugo's fear.

Then, after a tense pause, a twisted grin spread across Kuugo's face.

"He has it."

"Who the hell is he?"

"A guy named Yukimiya."

"He beat the crap out of us today. Refused to pay up. Said we'd need an entire army to take him down."

Nakanomatsu's eyes narrowed. He didn't fully believe Kuugo—but the humiliation was undeniable.

"So this punk's got our money, huh?"

"I don't trust you, Kuugo… but letting some nobody stomp on our reputation? That I won't allow."

"CAPTAIN!"

Nakanomatsu and the others dropped to their knees as the leader of the Red Ogre Syndicate stepped forward.

Araki Taro.

A towering figure dressed in the classic Japanese gangster style—white pants, a bandaged abdomen, and a long white coat with "Red Ogres" emblazoned on the back in bold kanji.

His shaved head and piercing eyes gave him the true visage of an oni.

The headband across his forehead bore the same character as his motorcycle—"Death" repeated four times.

"Captain Araki. What are your orders?"

Araki's gaze locked onto the school in the distance.

"Isn't it obvious?"

A savage grin split his face.

"Tomorrow… we teach this fool what happens when you mock the Red Ogres."

"KORRRRA!"

◇◇◇

The next morning, Kubodera trudged toward the school in a foul mood.

(Damn that woman... Who the hell wears a hidden camera just to ride the train?!)

Last night's "incident" had been his first real groping accusation—normally, he only targeted girls too scared to speak up. Thankfully, Vice Principal Hakuba's police connections had kept him out of handcuffs, but now his name was on their radar.

"Today, I'll take it out on those brats. Hmph?"

A crowd of students clustered at the school gates, too terrified to enter.

(A student protest? Don't make me laugh—)

Then he saw them.

Motorcycle gang members lounged across campus like they owned the place.

Fueled by rage and stupidity, Kubodera stormed up to Kuugo and Nakanomatsu.

"Kuugo! What the hell are your friends doing here?!"

"I don't care what this is—if they're not gone in five minutes, you're all expelled!"

From the pack of bikers, Araki—smoking a cigarette—stood.

"This the guy?" he asked Kuugo.

"N-No! Definitely not!"

Araki grinned. "Good. Then he's my warm-up."

"Who the hell do you think you're talking to, punk?! I'm calling your parents—"

"Parents?" Araki's chain whipped out, lashing around Kubodera's waist before tying to his motorcycle. "Try surviving THIS first, old man!"

"GYAHAHA!"

The engine roared. Kubodera screamed as he was dragged like a ragdoll across the courtyard.

Students tried to flee, but Araki's men blocked the exits, herding them toward the spectacle.

After three brutal laps, Araki stopped. Kubodera lay twitching in the dirt.

"Hang him up with the other pig."

His goons strung Kubodera upside-down next to Vice Principal Hakuba—who'd also tried (and failed) to intervene.

"Kuugo," Araki growled. "I'm losing patience. Where. Is. He?"

Kuugo trembled. With the entire Red Ogre Syndicate mobilized—including their demon of a leader—there was no backing out now.

"Hey, what's with the crowd? Some festival?"

A familiar voice.

Yuuya arrived with Meguru's group.

Kuugo pointed instantly.

"Araki-san! THAT'S HIM! The bastard who humiliated us!"

Araki lowered his sunglasses, studying Yuuya.

"...Not bad." He nodded to Nakanomatsu. "Do it."

With a signal, the gates SLAMMED SHUT.

"LISTEN UP, MAGGOTS!" Araki bellowed. "From today, this school belongs to the RED OGRES!"

"Hand over your phones, wallets, and IDs—or we visit your families NEXT!"

Kuugo whispered: "C-Captain, this seems... extreme?"

"We were taking this school eventually." Araki smirked. "Consider your debt... prepayment."

Then, to Yuuya:

"YOU." Nakanomatsu swaggered forward. "Come here."

"Why? I don't know you." Yuuya kept eating Hinami's homemade sandwich.

Nakanomatsu backhanded him, sending the sandwich flying.

"When I talk, YOU OBEY!" He turned to Araki. "Let me EDUCATE this trash!"

Araki lit another cigarette. "Make it fun."

"Strip. On your knees."

(This freak gets off on humiliating men...?) Yuuya's eyes darkened as he recalled Nakanomatsu's infamous sauna incident—the one that drove a police chief to suicide.

Then—the final straw:

"Better yet, take me to that bitch who made your food. My boys could use a new toy—"

CRACK.

Yuuya's fist DENTED Nakanomatsu's stomach, lifting him clean off the ground before spiking him into the pavement.

The courtyard erupted.

Araki's cigarette fell. "KILL THAT SON OF A BITCH!"

50 bikers charged—chains, knives, even KATANAS flashing.

Yuuya unbuttoned his shirt, grinning.

(This feels like fighting zombies with the Saint...)

(You're not even a threat.)

He moved like an action movie hero— dodging swings, disarming attackers with their own weapons, even flicking buttons to sever motorcycle cables.

Students live-streamed the carnage as Yuuya wiped out the gang single-handedly.

Araki, veins bulging, shoved Kuugo's group forward.

"PIGMIYA!" Kuugo screamed, charging. "YOU WON'T WIN!"

Yuuya sighed. (Like watching a mountain of shit tumble toward me...)

He quickly approached and delivered a brutal beating to Kuugo's group, with Kuugo being the last to see Yuuya before a powerful punch landed squarely on his face. The fist sank deep into his face, Kuugo's teeth went flying, and he crashed into the ground—only to be stomped on by Yuuya, who then turned to look at Araki.

"Is that all? I guess you're the only one left now."

Araki really looked like a red ogre with how flushed his face was.

"Don't think you can defeat the captain of the Red Ogres! Araki Taro-sama!"

Araki's chain had a metal ball at the end. He threw it at Yuuya, but Yuuya was faster.

Yuuya thought, (They're just ordinary humans, but I can feel my reflexes getting faster and sharper. A sign that I'm fully adapting to this body.)

Yuuya slowly approached Araki, who launched another chain attack.

Everyone was stunned, watching how this could even be happening.

Yuuya didn't flinch at all, even at such close range.

Because of how furious he was, Araki's attack missed and nearly hit one of the students.

Yuuya got angry.

"Hey, leave the students out of this."

This time, Araki had an idea. He climbed onto his bike and from there launched his chain at Yuuya, who used his arm as a shield.

"Idiot!" Araki thought he had won.

Yuuya raised his leg and stomped on the chain, causing Araki to lose control. Both he and his bike went flying.

The bike crashed near a tree, and Araki landed close to the students.

As he got up, he grabbed the first student he could find—it was Meguru.

He pulled a small revolver from his pants and aimed it at Meguru's head.

"So it looks like you care about the students. Well then, if you don't do as I say, this pretty girl dies."

"No… help."

"Shut your mouth, you pig!"

Meguru was crying, and seeing her tears filled Yuuya with an even deeper rage.

(A firearm is something dangerous.)

(In my world, they were just starting to develop, but I understand their destructive power.)

Then something unexpected happened.

His status window popped up, and a message appeared: "You have developed a new skill: Time Alter. It allows you to slow your own perception of time, making everything else appear slower."

Yuuya didn't understand how he could learn new skills outside the dungeon, but he didn't care. This skill was a gift from the heavens.

"Time Alter!"

Yuuya's body felt like a great weight had been lifted off him.

He dashed toward Araki so fast that the thug didn't even register what had happened.

Yuuya struck his hand, knocking the gun away, and then delivered a powerful spinning kick that made Araki's body bend sideways and go flying, releasing Meguru in the process.

Araki's body spun like a boomerang toward a tree and crashed into it.

Araki was defeated—just like the rest of his gang.

At that moment, a familiar sound echoed in the distance.

The police were approaching.

◇◇◇

When the police stormed in, the scene was chaos.

Nakanomatsu was still breathing—but his neck was broken, his body twitching in pain.

Araki, the once-feared captain of the Red Ogres, lay on a stretcher, his spine shattered, arms bent at unnatural angles.

Kuugo and his gang were dragged away in cuffs—tried as adults for their involvement in organized crime.

As the officers secured the scene, Kubodera limped forward, his face twisted in fury. He pointed at Yuuya, who stood calmly beside a detective.

"Officer! Arrest this criminal!"

The cop glanced at Yuuya, then back at Kubodera, who was helping the vice principal (still dazed from the battle) stay upright.

"Why?"

"For complicity!" Kubodera spat. "This delinquent is responsible for all of this!"

His rage had no logic—he just needed someone to blame.

"He turned this sacred institution into a warzone! He's an accomplice to these thugs! This was a gang turf battle!"

The officer turned to Yuuya.

"Is this true?"

Yuuya nodded.

"It is."

"Good."

The cop pulled out his handcuffs—and Kubodera's face lit up with vicious glee.

But then—

Click.

The cuffs snapped around Kubodera's and Hakuba's wrists instead.

"W-What are you doing?! I didn't do anything!"

"Professor Kubodera, what's happening?!" Hakuba whimpered.

The detective showed them a video on his phone.

"Kubodera Suguru. Hakuba Katsuomi. You're both under arrest for sexual harassment of minors—including the attempted murder of a student who tried to report you."

"We have the evidence. You're going away for a long time."

"N-No…"

Kubodera's face drained of color as officers dragged him toward the squad car.

As he passed Yuuya, the boy leaned in, his voice a soft, icy whisper.

"You were going down today no matter what."

"But Kuugo taking the fall too? Two birds with one stone."

That night, every news channel ran the same headline:

◇◇◇

With the media frenzy finally dying down, students slowly returned to school. The atmosphere had shifted—especially toward Yuuya.

"Morning, Yukimiya!"

"Hey, Yukimiya-kun!"

"Yukki, good to see you!"

Yuuya blinked, baffled. Why is everyone suddenly so friendly?

During class, a classmate slipped him a note:

"Please meet me at the back courtyard during lunch."

It felt oddly familiar, but he couldn't place why.

At lunch, Yuuya arrived at the secluded spot. After a moment, a voice squeaked:

"H-Hi."

Meguru stepped forward, her face redder than a tomato.

"Uh… who are you?"

She flinched but mustered her courage. "I'm Yuuki Meguru. From your class."

"Oh! Nice to meet you, Yuuki-san. What's up?"

"W-Well…"

Her words tangled in her throat. She'd rehearsed this moment a hundred times—but her heart threatened to explode.

"Y-Y-Yukimiya-kun… do you have a girlfriend?"

"Nope."

Her soul soared. This was it. The moment.

"W-Would you…"

"…?"

"W-W-W-W-Would you…"

Just say it!

"…be my friend?!"

The word "boyfriend" morphed into "friend" mid-air.

Meguru wanted to vanish.

But Yuuya—genuinely touched—beamed.

"A friend?! Hell yeah!"

(I don't have a single friend in this world. Yuuya had no one—so neither do I.)

(She'll be my first real friend.)

Meguru was half-disappointed, half-thrilled.

"Okay. Let's start as friends."

"Can I… get your number?"

"My number? Sure, but… I don't actually know how."

His clueless grin made her burst out laughing.

And just like that—a friendship was born.

One that would change everything.

________________

I didn't have enough points to pull out more images, but here, Meguru-chan's fanservice.

I hope she will be the cute face of the novel: https://mega.nz/folder/HsREyZ5L#tKvkNE0Zmmb8VlBc1cK3bg