[Ding! When yellow-haired Masaru Ooshika tried to make a move on the pure heroine, he was stunned and suffered a minor urinary accident due to the host's roar.][Congratulations, host! You have successfully defended true love! Reward: Pure Love Points +20!]
Seeing Masaru's dazed expression and the slight damp patch forming in his jeans, Rai Hikaru raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.
"Even sound waves can amplify an attack against yellow-haired idiots?"
His shout just now had been meant to intimidate Masaru, and while he had put a little force into it, there was no reason it should have caused such an extreme reaction.
Then the system pinged in his mind:
[Ding! "Explosive Kill: Minotaur" skill activated! Critical hit on yellow-haired target triggered! Damage amplified by 500%!]
And just like that, Masaru froze, dazed from a single shout—and even wet himself a little.
Rai Hikaru stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the purple-haired girl leaning against the lamppost, her hands tightly clutching her chest.
Shinonome Natsuka's display had been… unexpected.
Before entering the bathroom, he had noticed Masaru sneaking behind them. With him around, Masaru hadn't dared make a move. But one can't always guard against a thief forever, and eventually, the yellow-haired delinquent had tried to pounce once Rai Hikaru "left" the scene.
Everything that followed had been under Rai Hikaru's careful observation.
Originally, Rai Hikaru hadn't expected much from Natsuka; he assumed she would crumble under Masaru's aggression. He had been prepared to step in and thoroughly crush the delinquent.
But to his surprise, Natsuka had resisted for a while—even daring to throw a water bottle at Masaru.
A normal woman? Expected.But for the original heroine of this series? Truly remarkable.
So Rai Hikaru had watched quietly, and Masaru hadn't even been able to get within five meters of her. When he crossed that boundary by just a centimeter, Rai Hikaru's fearsome "Lion's Roar" had left him dazed and incontinent.
Now, standing between them, Rai Hikaru hesitated for a moment… then stepped toward Natsuka.
According to his calculations, the best way to increase Masaru's hatred—and thus earn more system rewards—was through interaction involving the heroine.
Directly "exploding" Masaru for points? Less efficient. Points skyrocketed when female allies were involved.
"Are you okay?"
Rai Hikaru approached, standing beside the half-leaning Natsuka, his voice calm and concerned, though his expression remained blank. He extended his right hand.
"I'm… I'm fine…" she said, clutching his hand tightly as she rose to her feet. "Don't worry… I didn't give in to him!"
Her words made Rai Hikaru's face twitch slightly.
Damn it.He had only meant to steady her, not…
She shamelessly clung to his arm, pressing herself close. Her hands gripped his small arm, trapping it between her chest, forcing him to endure the humiliating pressure.
"Mountains rise, waves rage, rivers twist through treacherous passes…"
"Rai-kun, what are you muttering?" Natsuka asked, curious.
"Nothing… just rhyming in my head," Rai Hikaru said, shaking his head.
"You know, holding my hand this tight is making my head spin," she said.
"Ah! Sorry, Rai-kun…" She stuck her tongue out in a cutesy, anime-style apology—but she clearly had no intention of letting go.
And could she blame her? Masaru had put enormous pressure on her just moments ago. Rai Hikaru's timely appearance had been a huge relief, and she couldn't resist clinging just a little… it wasn't like the sensation of his arm brushing hers was unwelcome or anything…
Meanwhile, Masaru, still dazed, gradually regained awareness. Seeing Natsuka cling to Rai Hikaru, leaning most of her body against him, he felt his eyes bloodshot with envy—like a bull seeing a red flag. Madness sparked in him.
Rai Hikaru had allowed Natsuka to cling to him precisely to provoke Masaru; otherwise, he would have brushed her off instantly.
This pathetic display… impressive, yes… but still nowhere near Mrs. Mira's level.
Even Rai Hikaru's indifferent tolerance drove Masaru into a jealous frenzy. After all, even a yellow-haired delinquent had limits.
Masaru's reddened eyes shot daggers at Rai Hikaru. "Hikaru! What gives you the right to shove me away from Shinonome?!"
"What's your relationship? Shinonome's boyfriend isn't Yamano Yuta, is it? Not you, so why are you sticking your nose in?" Rai Hikaru said, his tone lazy but provocative.
Go ahead, try to fight me.
Honestly, if it weren't for the extra Pure Love Points earned by letting Masaru make the first move, Rai Hikaru would have flattened him by now.
Still, Masaru was cautious. Rai Hikaru's fearsome roar earlier—and the faintly visible muscle under his uniform—had made the delinquent hesitant.
If it had been Yamano Yuta instead, Masaru would have already slapped him.
Now Masaru was stuck: let them pass and lose face, or attack and risk serious harm.
And Rai Hikaru? He was irritated. You're supposed to be a delinquent, yet you're acting like a coward. So tempting…
Just as tensions peaked, Natsuka did something neither man expected. She leaned against Rai Hikaru's chest and declared, "Rai-kun is my boyfriend. Masaru, back off!"
"Huh?! Rai-kun?! Your boyfriend?!" Masaru's eyes widened. He scanned Natsuka, then Rai Hikaru.
He wanted to call her out—it was a lie! He'd been observing them for days; they barely interacted beyond walking to and from school. And now suddenly they're a couple?!
But Masaru didn't dare argue. Not now. Not with the fear that Rai Hikaru could easily crush him and with his own backup waiting nearby.
"Fine… if he's your boyfriend… whatever." Masaru stepped aside, creating a path. Natsuka exhaled in relief.
She had only done it to prevent a fight. She didn't truly know Rai Hikaru well, but he had saved her today. Despite his usual annoyance, she didn't want him to get hurt.
As they passed, Rai Hikaru extended his left hand and pushed Masaru lightly on the shoulder, his tone sharp:
"Listen, kid. I don't care who you are. Stay away from Shinonome. Understand? If I see you near her again, I won't hesitate to hit you."
He had been waiting for this moment—there was no way Masaru would escape unscathed.
Natsuka's cheeks flushed slightly. Pretending it, but her heart felt oddly thrilled.
Masaru, hearing Rai Hikaru's tone—more delinquent than himself—was confused.
The commotion had drawn attention. Around them, three or four colorful delinquent boys and three "gal" girls were watching.
"Did you hear that? That guy's talking to Masaru like that!""Crazy! Masaru isn't just a womanizer; he can fight too!""You don't understand! Shinonome is skilled in Aikido, and Rai Hikaru is hiding his strength—otherwise, we wouldn't still be watching."
The delinquents were Masaru's crew; the girls were just bystanders. But Rai Hikaru's presence kept them at bay.
One blonde gal piped up, eyes on Rai Hikaru: "I don't care. He's mine!"
"No way! He's way more interesting than Imaizumi-kun!" argued a redhead.
The silver-haired twin-tail gal murmured, "He's like a prince… I want to be a wild horse… ridden by him…"
Back in the center, Masaru had had enough. He had been restraining himself, but Rai Hikaru's provocations were too much.
"Takeya, you guys watching or what? Come out if you're my friends!" he shouted.
His delinquent crew reluctantly emerged, forming a loose ring around Rai Hikaru. Masaru's confidence surged.
He shoved Rai Hikaru's left shoulder with his backhand. "Don't underestimate me. I can fight. And you'd better watch your girl… ah!!!"
Before he could finish, Rai Hikaru's foot shot up, striking Masaru in the groin.
CRUNCH! A scream of agony followed.
[Ding! Host dealt a brutal blow to Masaru Ooshika's "weapon"! Achievement unlocked: "Deadly Strike"!][Ding! Congratulations, host! Reward: Pure Love Points +100!]
In an instant, Masaru was sent flying five or six meters, crashing through several bushes along the way.
"Playing tit-for-tat like children? Enough of this," Rai Hikaru said coldly."I hate threats… especially from yellow-haired punks."