Chapter 20: 500,000 Yen for Compromise

At that moment, a woman's sharp voice rang out from outside the infirmary.

"Seriously! What kind of attitude is that!?"

A second voice chimed in, equally loud and irate.

"Exactly! He refused to give us directions when we asked! How is someone like that supposed to keep our children safe?"

Everyone in the infirmary turned toward the door in confusion. Akira was reminded of a female boxer from his previous life who went viral online.

The two kids who had been sitting near Principal Takakura suddenly stood up, running out the door while crying.

"Mom!"

Principal Takakura immediately followed them out in a hurry.

Outside, one of the women called out again, her voice dripping with concern.

"Oh my! My precious baby! Let Mommy take a look—are you hurt?"

Inside, Shizuka Miyamura and Yaeko Nishimiya made no move to go out and argue. They were both adults, and neither wanted to make a public spectacle. It would be better to settle things privately.

But that hope didn't last.

"What! That damn brat kicked my child?!"

Shizuka, who was holding Yuzuru in her arms, took a deep breath, trying to remain composed. But before she could calm herself, another woman's shrill voice burst in again.

"You better pay compensation! My baby's face was kicked!"

Principal Takakura returned quickly, trying to keep the situation under control.

"Let's talk inside. The other guardian is already waiting."

The two furious parents came in with their children. Akira turned to look at them. One was a sharp-faced woman with a mushroom-shaped haircut, the other looked a bit more plain, but just as thin as her crew-cut-haired son.

The two mothers looked Shizuka and Yaeko over carefully as they entered. The mushroom-haired woman's eyes lingered on Shizuka Miyamura. Her clothes were modest, but her poise and demeanor screamed elegance—and money.

Smirking, the mushroom-haired mother slammed her hand on the nearby table and snapped.

"Well? What are we going to do about this?! Your little brat attacked my precious baby!"

The other mother joined in, emboldened.

"That's right! He kicked my son right in his handsome face!"

Shizuka didn't say a word. She simply raised an eyebrow and gave them a cold, amused look. Yaeko opened her mouth to retort, but Shizuka subtly signaled her to hold back, handing Yuzuru into her arms.

At that moment, Teacher Yoshinaga hurried forward to mediate.

"Let's all calm down. Takeo and Riku parents—please take a moment and review the security footage."

She brought over Principal Takakura's phone and started playing the video from earlier.

It played at double speed. After watching it, the mother of the crew-cut boy looked visibly hesitant. But the mushroom-haired mother wasn't backing down.

She paused the video and pointed aggressively at Glass, who was lying on the bed.

"Look right there! That brat must've said something nasty when he passed by my baby! That's what started it!"

Shouko blinked from the bed, clearly having no idea what was being said. But Shizuka and Yaeko both had veins popping in irritation. Akira clenched his fists in anger, though he knew he couldn't physically challenge adults yet.

Shizuka finally let out a breath.

"Fine. Then how do you want to resolve this?"

Yaeko and Akira both turned to her in surprise.

The mushroom-haired woman clearly hadn't expected such a direct response. She raised her hand with five fingers extended.

"500,000 yen! Pay that, and we'll let this go!"

Shizuka nodded calmly.

"500,000 per child? And in return, you won't pursue this?"

The crew-cut boy's mother quickly interjected, afraid the offer would be rescinded.

"Yes! If you pay us 500,000 each, we won't go to the police!"

The mushroom-haired woman gave her a dirty look for jumping in, annoyed that she hadn't been the one to negotiate it fully. But deep down, she didn't think they'd actually get paid.

Shizuka studied both women's faces for a moment, then asked, still calm.

"You're not pregnant, are you?"

The crew-cut mother's husband pointed accusingly.

"Don't change the subject! 500,000 per person!"

Yaeko and Akira tried to stop Shizuka, sensing something was off. But Shizuka ignored them and walked forward.

SLAP!

A clean, crisp sound echoed through the room. Everyone stared in shock. Shizuka had slapped the man straight across the face.

Then, smiling slightly, she turned to the crew-cut boy's mother.

"Sure, 500,000 each."

And with that, she punched her hard in the stomach.

The mushroom-haired mother was stunned. Her face throbbed. For a moment, she didn't even realize the 500,000 yen was compensation for the beating she was now receiving.

The crew-cut mother bent over in pain, groaning.

Shizuka pivoted, avoiding a desperate swing from the mushroom-haired mother, then—SLAP!—another hit landed cleanly.

Principal Takakura turned to Teacher Yoshinaga.

"Please! Try to calm down Akira's mother—I can't stop her!"

Teacher Yoshinaga hesitated. Even she was intimidated.

Yaeko stood nearby, holding Yuzuru nervously. She wanted to help, but there was little she could do now.

Meanwhile, the two boys backed away from their mothers, afraid of being caught in the crossfire. Akira noticed—and grinned.

His mother had made the first move. How could he fall behind?

Besides, she could take on the adults. He'd deal with the kids.

Akira bolted toward them, fists clenched.

Ms. Ueo jumped up in panic.

"Akira! Stop! They're still children—you can't—!"

But Akira didn't slow down.

Shizuka noticed him in her peripheral vision and smirked with pride.

That's my son.

She yanked back the mushroom-haired woman's ponytail and—SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!—delivered three more clean hits.

The two boys shrieked and ran for their lives as Akira chased after them.