Due to the aftereffects of the simulation, Fu Li couldn't sleep a wink all night. When the first light of dawn broke, he headed to Senba Academy on his own.
Perhaps because he had died too many times in the simulations, even he felt mentally and emotionally exhausted.
It was only seven in the morning when he arrived at school. Fu Li bought some snacks and a bento box on the way, then ambled into the classroom.
However, upon entering, he found several delinquents furtively gathered around Mei's desk.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
Fu Li frowned at the five students—three boys and two girls.
When they heard his voice, one of them, a short gangster girl, flinched. She spun around, and upon seeing who it was, she let out a visible sigh of relief.
They probably thought only a teacher would be at school this early, hence their nervousness.
The tall "gal" who seemed to be the leader shot Fu Li a glance, her tone dripping with annoyance. "None of your damn business, transfer student. You'd best act like you saw nothing. Otherwise, hmph hmph."
?
Are you trying to threaten me?
His gaze sharpened. Fu Li saw clearly what they had been doing to Mei's desk.
"Daughter of a criminal," "Pathetic loser," "Serves you right for being so stuck-up"...
And those were the nicer things written on it.
A cold smirk touched the corner of Fu Li's mouth. "And what if I not only saw it, but I'm also going to tell everyone?"
Hearing this, the delinquents' gazes immediately turned hostile.
"Heh, I originally thought a transfer student from China would be decent, but now I see you're not too bright."
"What? Are you one of her lapdogs too?"
The tall gal looked at him as if he were an idiot.
Schools in Japan were all about the atmosphere. When Raiden Mei was at the height of her popularity, they were jealous but couldn't say anything.
But now, they could finally vent their jealousy. How could they not seize the opportunity?
"Your surname is Fu, right? I'll give you one last chance. Scram, and do it quietly. Otherwise!"
"Otherwise, you'll beat me up?" Fu Li sighed. "If drawing my sword to help when I see injustice on the road makes me a lapdog, then I guess I have no choice but to agree with you."
After speaking, Fu Li turned around, closed the door, and then used his jacket to cover the security camera in the back.
This sequence of actions was so practiced that it left them staring, dumbfounded.
Having done all that, Fu Li clapped his hands together and smiled amiably. "Five of you, right? Come at me together. Don't say I'm bullying you."
"Damn it, this guy is so arrogant!"
Feeling his contempt, especially in front of the girls, the male delinquents couldn't hold back any longer and charged forward.
Five minutes later...
"Big Bro, we were wrong!"
The five delinquents clutched their swollen faces, kneeling neatly in a row.
God only knew what they had been through in those five minutes. It was supposed to be five against one, yet they felt like they were the only ones getting hit.
Right now, all they wanted was to get out of here as fast as possible and never provoke this demon again.
Fu Li, however, sat on a chair with his legs crossed, looking rather bored. "Scram. If there's a next time, be prepared for broken bones."
He had been very measured with his blows, inflicting enough pain to make them breathless without causing any real injury. But if they remained unrepentant...
Hearing that they were allowed to leave, expressions of relief washed over their faces, and they scrambled out of the room.
Only after they had all left did Fu Li get up from the chair and look for a rag to wipe away the vile insults.
"Hmph, what kind of pen did these people use? It's so hard to erase."
He had originally told them to scram because they were an eyesore, but now it seemed he should have made them stay and clean up.
Just then, the sound of the door opening came from behind him.
Fu Li turned his head and saw Mei, also holding a rag, looking at him with a complicated expression.
"Um... hello?" Fu Li gave a tentative wave.
He couldn't shake the feeling that Mei held a strange, inexplicable fear of him.
This was not conducive to his plan of blending into the plot and then punching Otto's Soulium face in.
"Um, thank you..." Mei's expression was complex. After giving a bow, she sat down opposite him and began to wipe the desk with him.
Judging by how damp her rag was, she must have been standing outside and watching for a while.
Fu Li rubbed his nose. "This isn't the first time they've done this, is it?"
Hearing this, Mei's expression darkened. "No. It's been going on for some time."
No wonder she came to school so early, and with a rag.
He didn't bother asking why she hadn't told a teacher. Even if she had, it probably wouldn't have done any good.
"I taught them a lesson. They shouldn't dare to bully you again."
After they finished cleaning the desk, Fu Li washed his hands and added a word of comfort.
He had no intention of using this as leverage to make her do anything for him. He simply couldn't stand by and watch.
"...Thank you." Mei's expression was still complex. She looked at Fu Li, seeming to want to say something but hesitating.
Fu Li was confused. "What is it? If you want to ask something, just ask."
After hesitating for a long time, Mei seemed to make up her mind. "Um... are you a yokai? Or are you just cosplaying?"
"You might not have noticed, but I live right across from you. I woke up the other day and just happened to see horns grow out of your head, and then retract..."
So that was why she had been so scared of him the first day.
But now, it seemed Fu Li-san wasn't a bad person, so...
After mustering up the courage to ask the question that had been weighing on her mind, Mei saw Fu Li freeze solid.
WTF, how does Mei know?!
In the middle of the classroom, Fu Li felt his entire world descend into chaos.