Kogoro Mouri clearly wasn't convinced by Hayashi Shuichi's words.
Still, this was between Shuichi and Eri, their own private matter. A word of caution was one thing, but meddling further felt like overstepping. With a quiet sigh, Kogoro changed the subject, steering toward memories of their childhood.
"Speaking of which, Eri's always been a bookworm," Kogoro said, a nostalgic grin creeping across his face. "I remember back in kindergarten, when I accidentally creased one of her books. She nearly decked me and stayed mad for ages."
"Back then, I barely spoke," Shuichi recalled with a faint smile. "You two were always bickering, and I was stuck playing messenger. Talk about a tough gig."
At that time, Shuichi had only recently arrived in this world, barely understanding Japanese. He'd had to guess his way through his friends' squabbles, leading to more than a few hilarious mix-ups.
"Don't girls who love books usually turn out quiet and refined?" Kogoro mused, shaking his head. "So why's Eri got such a fiery temper? Especially after you taught her those fighting moves—she's gotten downright vicious."
"Learning some self-defense isn't a bad thing for a girl," Shuichi said, shrugging.
"Maybe not for you," Kogoro grumbled. "But for me? It's no picnic. I've lost count of how many times she's clobbered me."
"You brought it on yourself," Shuichi chuckled. "Every time, you're the one who ticks her off first, and then Eri lets you have it."
…
Meanwhile, at the public restrooms behind the gymnasium, the six senior girls shoved Yukiko Fujimine and Yuka Takahashi inside. They began banging on the stall doors, clearing out the area to avoid witnesses when they started their "lesson."
Most students, eager to avoid trouble, scurried away.
But when they reached the last stall, a bespectacled first-year girl stepped out, looking prim and scholarly.
"Get lost! We've got business here!" the wine-red-haired girl barked.
The glasses-wearing girl tilted her head, glancing back at the scene. "So, you're planning to beat her up in the restroom?"
Yukiko froze at the familiar voice. Whipping her head around, she confirmed it. "Glasses Girl! What're you doing here?"
"I was borrowing books from the library, but their restroom's under repair, so I came here," Eri replied, adjusting her glasses with a smug, almost gleeful grin. "Well, well, Curly Fox. Looks like you're in a real pinch today."
"Hmph, what do you mean 'today'?" Yukiko shot back, refusing to back down. "There's only six of them. I'll have them all on the floor in no time."
"Oh, so you don't need my help?" Eri said, shrugging. "Guess I'll just leave then."
"Yukiko!" Yuka hissed, shooting her friend a desperate look.
Another pair of hands could make all the difference. They were no match for six seniors, and while Eri looked delicate, an extra person might at least give them a chance to escape.
Unlike Yuka, Yukiko knew exactly how formidable Eri was. Six senior girls? Pfft. Even six guys wouldn't stand a chance against her.
Catching Yuka's signal, Yukiko hesitated, then muttered, "Glasses Girl, I could handle them, sure, but if I hurt my hands, Shuichi'll be stuck running the izakaya alone tonight."
"The place has been packed lately," she continued. "Without me helping, Shuichi's gonna be swamped…"
"You're rambling," Eri cut in, rolling her eyes. "Just admit you want my help. Look, we go way back. Beg me, and I'll step in."
"Dream on!" Yukiko snapped without missing a beat. "I'd rather take a beating than beg you."
"Is that so?" Eri smirked, clicking her tongue. "Well, see ya."
She turned to leave, her steps deliberate.
"…Glasses Girl, you're really gonna abandon me?!" Yukiko blurted, panic creeping into her voice.
"I told you," Eri said, her smile sly and teasing. "Beg me, and I'll help."
"You—!" Yukiko gritted her teeth, fuming, while Eri stood there, savoring her rival's predicament.
If she had a camera, Eri would've snapped a picture of Yukiko's humiliated expression for posterity.
But the restroom wasn't just their stage. The wine-red-haired girl, fed up with Eri's lingering, snapped, "Hey, didn't you hear me? Scram!"
"They sound like they know each other," the dark-brown-haired girl said, eyeing Eri suspiciously. "Better keep her here so she doesn't go blabbing."
Yukiko's eyes lit up at that. "Run, Glasses Girl!" she shouted. "Get the dean! Have these delinquents expelled!"
That sealed it—the brown-haired girl wasn't about to let Eri walk away now. "Lock her in a stall!"
One of the seniors stepped forward to shove Eri back into the stall.
"Heh, Glasses Girl, if I'm going down, you're coming with me," Yukiko said, a triumphant grin spreading across her face.
"Yukiko…" Yuka sighed, exasperated. This is so not the time for your rivalry.
"Bunch of idiots!" Eri snapped, glaring at the six seniors. They'd just ruined a perfect chance to make Yukiko grovel!
"Who're you calling idiots?!" the senior pushing Eri barked, raising her hand to teach the insolent underclassman a lesson.
In a flash, Eri grabbed her arm, twisted it, and slammed her against the stall door with a resounding thud!
"I'm calling idiots idiots!" Eri retorted.
"Help me!" the senior wailed, her face contorted in pain, tears welling in her eyes.
"Still fighting back?" the wine-red-haired girl growled, charging to free her friend.
Before she could get close, Eri's foot lashed out, sending her crashing to the floor, clutching her stomach and unable to stand.
In mere moments, two of their crew were down. The remaining four froze, their bravado faltering.
Sure, they bullied classmates, but they were no street thugs. Their usual tactics—hair-pulling, slapping, scratching—were nothing compared to Eri's swift, brutal efficiency.
"What're you waiting for? Get her!" the wine-red-haired girl yelled from the floor, her voice shrill with fury. "No matter how tough she is, she can't take all four of you!"
The four exchanged wary glances, then released Yukiko and Yuka, advancing on Eri.
"Yukiko, should we help?" Yuka whispered, her voice trembling. "What if Fei-san can't handle them?"
"Relax, Glasses Girl's a beast," Yukiko said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "She's been training in martial arts with Shuichi since we were kids. A few girls? No problem."
True to her word, Eri made short work of the brown-haired girl and her three lackeys. In under a minute, all four were sprawled on the floor, groaning in pain.
Eri didn't know the full story behind their grudge with Yukiko, but their thuggish behavior was enough to mark them as troublemakers. She didn't hold back.
(End of Chapter)
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