Chapter 61: Futaba's Verbal Bullying, The Privilege Granted by the School
After the afternoon classes ended, it was finally time to leave school.
Futaba Rio stood at the door of the classroom, looking a bit nervous, with her head lowered looking at her feet...
Wait, her line of sight was blocked by a certain part, so she couldn't see her toes.
Anyway, she lowered her head and remained silent.
"Hey, hey, look at her. She's dressed in that weird outfit again today."
"Yeah, wearing a lab coat over her school uniform. Is she trying to be unique or deliberately seeking attention?"
"Maybe she looks aloof on the surface, but is actually quite ecchi inside? After all, with a body like that, you know what I mean."
"Haha, that makes sense."
...
Listening to the discussion of several male classmates in the distance, a look of pain flashed in Rio's eyes hidden behind thick lenses. Her hands hanging by her sides clenched involuntarily.
Just like in middle school.
Because her body developed faster than her peers, Rio was often discussed by boys in school.
Coupled with her personality, which wasn't the sunny and cheerful type that could easily blend into groups, her reputation among girls wasn't very good either.
There was no physical conflict.
But invisible bullying through atmosphere and words.
Rio originally thought that coming to a new school would mean a new beginning.
In the end... is it still the same?
Those boys laughed and pointed at Rio, completely unaware of the psychological damage their words brought to her.
Or perhaps.
They knew, but simply didn't care.
Just then.
"Excuse me, coming through."
Yoru yawned and walked straight into the group of boys who were whispering together.
"Hey, watch where you're going! Are you blind!?"
Being bumped into suddenly, the boys were naturally unhappy, and one of them immediately started accusing him.
Slap!
Unexpectedly, Yoru didn't say a single extra word. He directly raised his right hand and gave the guy a resounding slap on the face.
This crisp sound instantly silenced the lively corridor where many students were gathered after school.
Rio covered her mouth, surprise showing in her eyes.
Even the person who got slapped was stunned for a moment. After reacting, he covered his swollen left cheek and shouted angrily.
"You... you actually hit someone!?"
Several boys immediately surrounded him, looking aggressive and glaring at Yoru.
To their surprise, Yoru's response was simple.
Slap!
Another slap. It was the same person, but this time on the right cheek.
"You!?"
"You what?"
Yoru glanced at the boys surrounding him, his eyes revealing unconcealed arrogance and disgust.
"Who do you think you are to talk to me like that? I bumped into you, so what? What are you gonna do about it?"
The corridor fell silent.
This... isn't this too arrogant?
hitting someone first and acting so righteous about it?
The boys were in their adolescence, an age prone to arrogance and impulsiveness. Hearing Yoru humiliate them like this, they naturally couldn't endure it any longer.
One of them clenched his fist and punched towards Yoru's disgustingly handsome face, shouting angrily.
"Let's see you get arrogant now!"
Thud.
Before the opponent's fist could hit his face, Yoru lifted his foot and kicked him in the abdomen.
The boy was kicked back several steps by this powerful kick. He fell to the ground clutching his abdomen, curling up like a shrimp, his face showing pain.
"Don't even know how to fight?"
Yoru shook his head and spoke in a tone as if guiding a student.
"Before making a move, decide to hit hard so the opponent can't get up. Otherwise, don't fight at all. What do you think this is? Kindergarteners playing house?"
Immediately after, he clenched his right hand into a fist, with the knuckle of the middle finger protruding slightly. With a swift and precise movement that was impossible to react to, he struck the vital spot between the ribs of the people in front of him.
Once this spot was hit, the pain was indescribable, causing even breathing to stop temporarily.
The boys sat on the ground, beads of sweat breaking out on their foreheads due to the intense pain.
Seeing this scene, the students in the corridor started buzzing with discussion.
"Th... that's too harsh, isn't it?"
"Are those guys okay?"
"Hey, that guy... I remember he's the one from Class 1-A..."
"No wonder, it's that weirdo."
"Someone go get a teacher!"
....
Facing the students' discussions, Yoru just leaned against the corridor wall, looking like he hadn't woken up fully, standing there quietly.
The surrounding gazes and discussions seemed to have no effect on him.
"This..."
Rio didn't expect things to develop to this point in such a short time.
She wanted to walk over, but just as she lifted her foot, she saw Yoru give her a look and shake his head slightly.
"Is this... telling me not to get involved...?"
Rio stopped.
Based on her understanding of Yoru, unlike the rumors, he wasn't someone who liked to cause trouble deliberately.
He even gave her the feeling that he didn't care about these things in school or these students at all, focusing all his goals and energy on something of special significance.
Why would such a Yoru get into a physical conflict with others over a small friction?
The root cause...
Was it because he heard those people discussing me?
While Rio was thinking this, several teachers had already arrived at the scene and helped the injured students to the infirmary.
As the involved party and the aggressor, Yoru was dragged into the office by Hiratsuka Shizuka.
"You guy..."
Shizuka looked both angry and helpless. She clenched her fist and shook it, but finally released it helplessly. She sighed heavily, closed the office door, and then spoke seriously.
"Why did you do that?"
Yoru's answer stunned Shizuka.
"Because I wanted to."
You're surprisingly honest.JPG.
"Wanted to? Just because you wanted to, you can hurt other students? Do you know how much trouble this will cause..."
"Will it?"
Before Shizuka could finish, Yoru shrugged and interrupted.
"My image in school is already bad enough."
"You have quite the self-awareness."
"And the school administration won't give me any disciplinary punishment."
"What makes you so certain?"
"Simple."
Yoru sat down opposite Shizuka and said faintly.
"Worst case scenario, I'll just transfer schools."
Hearing this, Shizuka frowned slightly.
"Get your situation straight. You have a record of assault from junior high..."
Yoru interrupted her again.
"Compared to the achievement of being the number one genius in the provincial joint exam, a prior record of assault is negligible. Weighing my value against the value of those few ordinary male students, I believe the school administration isn't stupid enough to fail to distinguish this point."
Shizuka didn't know how to respond for a moment.
"This... really doesn't sound like something a high school student would say."
"That's how the world works. Capable people should enjoy distinct privileges. Otherwise, why did I take the exam to be number one in Sakura Prefecture? Wasn't it for this?"
Shizuka rolled her eyes helplessly, thinking this kid...
What he said actually makes sense.
It's just a bit too realistic. Hearing it from a high school student feels somewhat surreal.
"Let's put this aside for now."
Shizuka knew that, just as Yoru said, once the matter was reported to the school administration, the final handling result would likely be letting it slide.
In fact, Yoru had shown mercy.
If he made a fuss, maybe the administration of Sobu High would even give those male students a probation punishment.
The world was never fair.
"The club you established, if I recall correctly, should have four members now, right? Is there one from another class?"
"Mmhmm, what about it?"
Shizuka smiled, suddenly clasped her hands together, and looked extremely sincere.
"Teacher begs you, can you recruit two more people?"
Yoru looked like he expected this.
"Touma-san and Yukinoshita-san?"
"Eh? How did you guess? Yes, it's them."
Yoru thought as expected.
Does she really treat my Super-Quant Club as a gathering place for problem children?
Touma Kazusa, Yukinoshita Yukino—those were two heavyweights.
Their psychological problems were directly proportional to their looks.
"I refuse."
Yoru shook his head without hesitation.
"My Super-Quant Club has serious activities to conduct. Besides, when I founded the club, it was stated that I decide the members entirely. Shizuka-chan, you aren't trying to go back on your word, are you?"
Shizuka laughed awkwardly, looking embarrassed.
"Oh come on, help me out."
After saying this, she realized something and frowned.
"Shizuka-chan? What kind of way is that to address a teacher?"
"Don't mind the details."
Yoru waved his hand, not caring at all.
"Anyway, if they apply to join themselves, I might consider it. But at this stage, I don't see any value in them that would attract me to actively invite them."
"Alright then."
Getting such a promise was satisfying enough for Shizuka.
After all, given Touma Kazusa and Yukinoshita Yukino's personalities, if they didn't want to join themselves, it would indeed be difficult.
Shizuka's current thought process was somewhat similar to Yoru's initial one.
I see that Yukinoshita Yukino and Touma Kazusa can be considered two rare 'True Heroes' (Good Fellows). Why not think of a plan to trick these two into the Supernatural Quantum Mechanics Investigation and Research Club, so we can drink wine in big bowls and eat meat in big mouthfuls together from now on?
Gotta think of a way.
In a sense, Hiratsuka Shizuka was a conscientious and responsible teacher, just like Kirisu Mafuyu.
They just had different focuses.
After Yoru left, Kirisu Mafuyu, who had been sitting nearby and listening to the entire conversation, said faintly.
"Shizuka, you seem a bit too indulgent with this student."
Shizuka revealed a helpless smile, shook her head, and said noncommittally.
"What he did might be a bit too impulsive and violated school rules."
Immediately after, Shizuka changed the subject.
"However, the motivation of acting to help others has already met my initial purpose for letting Yoru-kun establish the club."
"Next..."
Shizuka looked down at the personal files of Yukinoshita Yukino and Touma Kazusa on the table, a complicated look flashing in her eyes.
"There are still many problem students."
....
After leaving the office, Yoru went to the door of Rio's classroom again.
After a while, the students watching the commotion in the corridor had mostly dispersed, since school was over.
Rio sat alone in the classroom, looking lonely.
"Let's go."
Hearing Yoru's voice, Rio looked up. A flash of surprise appeared in her eyes first, then she pushed up her glasses, restoring her usual calm and rational appearance. She walked slowly to the classroom door and said faintly.
"Handled it?"
"Sigh, nothing much to handle. Just a small matter."
Rio walked side by side with Yoru out of the school and reminded him softly.
"You should try to attract less attention in the future. Even if the school administration gives you some preferential treatment because of your grades, there is always a limit. There's no need to waste your privileges on sticking up for me."
"What do you mean waste? That sounds a bit unpleasant to hear."
Yoru shrugged.
"Rather, I think this is the most correct time I've used my privileges."
Rio pursed her lips, her eyes flickering.
"Then... how many times have you used them in total?"
"Seems like just this once."
"....."
Rio was silent for a while, then suddenly burst out laughing.
"Haha, hahahaha."
Watching her laugh so hard she couldn't straighten her back, Yoru looked speechless.
"Did you get sick?"
"You are the one who's sick."
Rio lifted her glasses frame with one hand and wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes with the other.
"Yoru-kun, you really are a weirdo."
"Right back at you, Futaba-san."
....
Meanwhile, inside the Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department.
"Are there any results from the investigation?"
Still the familiar Operations Conference Room, still those people, and still Criminal Investigation Bureau Chief Soichiro Yagami sitting at the head.
"This..."
Hearing his question, everyone looked at each other. One police officer looked helpless.
"We investigated the customer records of all specialty stores in Kyoto, but none match. Bureau Chief Yagami, should we expand the search scope to the entire Sakura Prefecture?"
"No need."
Soichiro Yagami never expected to find clues about the unidentified person relying on a so-called limited edition coat.
Even if they wasted manpower expanding the search, it would be futile.
Soichiro Yagami looked at the police officer sitting next to him and asked in a deep voice.
"Did the surveillance sweep of the nearby area yield any useful intelligence?"
"None."
The police officer sighed.
"We checked all surveillance within a three-kilometer radius. We found absolutely no trace of him. His movement trajectory is untraceable. It's almost as if... he fell from the sky and appeared directly inside the Kyoto Municipal Kindergarten."
Hearing this, the conference room fell silent.
Last time at the scene, under the gaze of all police members, Yoru left directly through the "Door."
This was like disappearing directly in full view of the public.
"Could it be... an Esper (Superpowered Individual)?"
If it were usual times, anyone saying such ridiculous words would definitely be mocked by colleagues.
But this time, the conference room was dead silent.
The term "Esper" was too absurd.
But aside from that, they really couldn't think of another explanation.
Killing over twenty armed kidnappers with bare hands was already unbelievable.
Add to that leaving no trace upon arrival or departure.
Does the world really have special ability users?
"How about... we seek the opinion of that person?"
Someone whispered this cautiously. It was like opening Pandora's Box, immediately meeting with opposition from everyone.
"The severity of the incident hasn't reached that level yet, right?"
"It's better for us to investigate ourselves."
"I really don't want to work with that guy."
"After all, it's an event limited to Kyoto, not a disaster endangering the whole prefecture. That guy wouldn't make a move either, right?"
...
Those sitting here were the backbone of the Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department, plus elites transferred from other places.
Even the few who were unaware understood after asking those around them.
The person everyone was discussing was the World's Number One Detective, known as L.
There were many legends about L, with varying opinions.
Some even said L wasn't a real person but an AI developed by the combined power of countries worldwide to reduce crime rates.
The only thing everyone acknowledged was that no matter how complex and incomprehensible the case, it would be solved once in L's hands.
This was the prestige of the World's Strongest Detective.
"But..."
A police officer sitting at the end looked hesitant.
"Did everyone forget one key question?"
Soichiro Yagami asked expressionlessly.
"What question? Speak freely, no need to hesitate."
The police officer swallowed nervously. Facing everyone's gaze, he spoke slowly.
"Can that mysterious person wearing a black mask really be considered... a criminal?"
This question landed heavily, silencing everyone.
Indeed.
Could the unidentified person they called "Mask" be considered a criminal?
Admittedly, he killed people and blew up the Kyoto Municipal Kindergarten building. These two points were indisputable.
Then the question arose.
If "Mask" hadn't appeared at that time, what would have happened?
As time passed, under pressure from the public and media, the police force would inevitably have resorted to a frontal assault.
The outcome would have been dying gloriously buried under the collapsed building.
No, failing to rescue a single hostage couldn't be considered glorious.
The police members represented the law, but they were also human.
Being human, they were swayed by emotions and couldn't maintain absolute rationality.
In the end, it was Bureau Chief Soichiro Yagami who took a deep breath and gave the final verdict.
"Regardless of who 'Mask' is, possessing such incomprehensible abilities makes him a security risk that must be dealt with."
"We, the police, as defenders of the law, cannot just pursue justice in the result while turning a blind eye to injustice in the process."
"Only power under control and supervision is the greatest guarantee of law and justice."
"As for requesting support from that person... not for now. Continue the investigation and don't miss any clues."
"Of course, while investigating 'Mask's' identity, don't forget that reducing Kyoto's crime rate and protecting citizens' safety is our primary task."
"That is all. Dismissed."
.....
On the other side.
On the way escorting Rio home, she suddenly stopped. A rare look of panic appeared on her usually calm face.
"Yo... Yoru, I feel someone is staring at me again."
Hearing this, Yoru kept his gaze fixed ahead of the two.
In Rio's eyes, there was an empty space ahead, nothing there.
But in Yoru's eyes, a girl who could only be described as beautiful was standing in front of them.
Sakurajima Mai glanced at the nervous Rio, then turned her gaze to Yoru, who was looking straight at her face. She parted her lips slightly.
"You... can see me indeed."