The moment Genya Bu reached the entrance of Lavender Internet Cafe, he saw Takagi Yohei and Inoue Tatsuya dragging Mizuno Hina out. To him, she looked terrible—likely already unconscious.

The sight ignited a burning fury within him. He couldn’t bear imagining what might have happened had he arrived even a second later. One thing was certain: he’d regret it for the rest of his life—and beyond.

“Fuck!”

Rage boiling over, Genya Bu instinctively roared the Chinese curse. Before Takagi and Inoue could react, he lunged at Inoue with blinding speed. Channeling all his momentum, he threw a full-force punch that landed squarely on Inoue’s face.

A sharp *whoosh* cut the air. One of Inoue’s teeth shot from his mouth. Wracked by sudden agony, he loosened his grip on Mizuno Hina. Seizing the moment, Genya Bu caught her.

Only then did the three notice him. Inoue clutched his battered cheek, crimson blood dripping despite his efforts. His face twisted in pain, tears welling in his eyes. He tried to curse, but words came out slurred.

Genya Bu didn’t spare him a glance. He turned to Takagi Yohei, icy gaze locked, and coldly uttered two words: “Let. Go.”

Under that glare, Takagi felt a chill seep into his bones. Voiceless, he unconsciously loosened his hold on Mizuno Hina.

Genya Bu swiftly took her, checking her condition. No visible injuries. Her eyes were open but vacant. Her body trembled slightly.

“Did you drug her?”

This was his deepest fear—and her state screamed it. Suppressing the urge to strike again, he turned sharply to Inoue. “Answer me.”

“Why should I tell you—” Takagi began, but Genya Bu’s stare froze the rest in his throat.

“We… we just broke into her room. She was already like this…”

Takagi omitted the truth. Intimidated by Genya Bu’s presence, he left out how he and Inoue had deliberately provoked her.

Relief flickered in Genya Bu. Her collapse was likely a stress response—a body’s instinctive shield against overwhelming fear.

Unaware, Takagi now feared Genya Bu to his core. He knew he couldn’t win. He dreaded suffering Inoue’s fate. Unlike the trembling Takagi, Inoue had spiraled into near-madness.

“Genya Bu… I’ll kill you!” he snarled.

To Genya Bu, it was just the final, desperate snarl of a rabid dog—utterly insignificant.

“Brother Kameda! This is the guy! You must teach him a lesson!” Inoue cried, wishing he could tear Genya Bu apart barehanded. Powerless, he clung to his last resort. Only then did Genya Bu spot the third man—the “Brother Kameda” Inoue mentioned.

Mid-thirties. Flashy floral shirt. Tattoos peeking from his sleeves, marking his affiliation. Genya Bu understood instantly: this was their backing—a yakuza.

Honestly, Genya Bu only wanted to study hard, enter a top university, and live peacefully. If he could choose, he’d avoid delinquents and yakuza entirely.

But reality had no “ifs.” Regrettable? Yes. But no regret. Avoided? Yes. But not from fear. Alone? Yes. But unwavering. No reason needed. Killing requires motive; saving needs none. If forced to name one for his recklessness—it was this: he carried the Chinese spirit.

“So this is the guy who ‘dominated’ all Saitama’s high schools?”

Contrary to expectation, Kameda didn’t assert dominance. Cold sweat beaded his brow as he cautiously asked about Genya Bu’s background.

Genya Bu noted every detail. Inoue, sensing hesitation, blurted anxiously: “Brother Kameda! You’re yakuza! Why fear a high schooler?”

“Shut up!” Kameda snapped.

Inoue’s foolish words stung. Even if wary of Genya Bu, having it exposed wounded his pride. Better to discipline this traitor than confront a formidable stranger.

“Kid,” Kameda said, forcing calm. “You may rule high school delinquents. But can you really challenge the yakuza?”

Saving face, he played up his ties, hoping to scare Genya Bu off. Genya Bu, however, had already gauged their fragile dynamic.

“Brother… Kameda,” Genya Bu replied evenly. “We’ve just met. I’ve no quarrel with the yakuza. But if I’ve dominated Saitama’s schools, don’t I have the right to protect those under my watch?”

He chose reason over conflict. A slight concession—using “Brother Kameda,” like Inoue did—shifted his tone from aggression to respect. Kameda visibly softened.

“And since Takagi and Inoue fall under my jurisdiction, bullying this girl against my will makes disciplining them entirely justified.”

Inoue retorted instantly, blood still trickling from his mouth: “Genya, who are you to boss us? Brother Kameda, stop talking—just beat him!”

“I said shut up!” Kameda roared. “One more word, and I’ll knock out your remaining teeth!”

Fed up with this traitorous fool: ordering him to fight risked loss; calling backup felt shameful. Normally, flashing yakuza ties scared people off. But Genya Bu’s fearless stance—for a newly claimed subordinate—wasn’t worth the trouble.

“This is a personal matter between me, Takagi, and Inoue. Even as yakuza, Brother Kameda… you’ve no reason to interfere.”

Sensing hesitation, Genya Bu offered him a graceful way out.