Chapter 25: You’re panicking
The group of young men before them seemed cheerful and easygoing, all smiles and laughter.
But Haru knew better—appearances could be deceiving.
There was no guarantee they wouldn't turn violent at any moment.
This kind of crowd typically found amusement in bullying others. And right now, it seemed Haru and Yukino were their targets.
Haru cut straight to the point. "Let's not waste time. What do you want?"
Their smiles didn't falter.
The man with black hair chuckled. "Oh? Sounds like you're up for some fun. Here? Right now?"
"Anytime." Haru's tone was as direct as ever.
The group hesitated for a split second, seemingly caught off guard by Haru's confidence.
The black-haired man stared at him and said, "If you're really up for it, I don't mind. After all, this is why we're here. But…" His gaze flicked to Yukino. "You're outnumbered, and you've got a girl with you."
He smirked and continued, "How about this? Apologize to my friend, let me land a punch, and we'll call it even."
Before Haru could respond, a sudden flurry of footsteps echoed behind him.
The young livestreamers from earlier had hurried over.
Haru was surprised but didn't have a chance to say anything before the guy named Koji spoke up. "Big bro, do we need to throw down?"
Koji was already typing on his phone, and moments later, a group of workers from nearby stores came rushing out.
Haru blinked in surprise. They all work in this area?
He decided not to correct the "big bro" title this time and instead flashed Koji a grateful smile. Then, he turned back to the now-stunned black-haired man.
"Looks like I've got the numbers after all."
Including Haru and Yukino, there were seventeen people surrounding Takano Hiroichi and his crew.
The scene looked like something out of a popular high school brawl movie.
The only amusing detail was that the reinforcements still wore their work uniforms—dessert shops, convenience stores, and even an adult store.
The group was a colorful, chaotic mix.
Takano and his lackeys immediately froze in place, their bravado crumbling.
Only the black-haired man kept up his smirk, though it seemed a bit strained. "Hey now, I was just kidding. No need to take it so seriously."
"You're panicking."
It was Yukino who spoke, her cold voice cutting through the tension.
Her serene, elegant face betrayed no hint of fear, only calm control.
"What did you say?" The black-haired man's smile wavered, though he tried to keep it up.
Yukino's tone was ice cold. "You're their leader. You can't afford to show weakness now, or you'll lose their respect."
She paused, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "Unfortunately for you, fear has a way of exposing itself. Your trembling fingers, your darting eyes, and that forced smile of yours—they all betray your cowardice."
"Shut up!"
The black-haired man's grin vanished in an instant.
Yukino remained unbothered. "You're desperately trying to mask your weakness, but it's all too obvious. You're nothing but a bully who preys on the weak."
"I told you to shut up!"
His shout was loud and angry, but the damage had already been done.
The other members of his group were now glancing at him with uncertainty, their faith in him clearly shaken.
Yukino's words were like a blade, slicing through the façade he had worked so hard to maintain.
Faced with his growing frustration, Yukino suddenly remembered a playful line Haru had once teased her with.
This seemed like the perfect moment to use it.
So she delivered it lightly, almost casually: "You're panicking."
Her words hit him like a hammer, and the black-haired man's face turned a deep shade of red.
The livestreamers watching the scene couldn't help but murmur among themselves. They were thoroughly impressed. No wonder she's his girlfriend—her presence is unmatched.
"Dammit, I said shut up!"
Fueled by rage, the black-haired man lunged forward, throwing a punch at Yukino.
His movements were quick and sudden, but his judgment was poor.
Haru stepped in smoothly, intercepting the attack with ease. He caught the man's arm, twisted his body, and delivered a precise, forceful sidekick to his stomach.
The kick sent the man flying backward. He crashed to the ground, writhing in pain, unable to get back up.
The sudden burst of action stunned everyone, even the reinforcements who had come to back Haru up.
[You're in fighting. (Fitness) experience +26.]
[You're in fighting. (Combat) experience +23.]
The low amount of experience earned proved one thing—the black-haired man was a weakling.
"Wow, that was amazing," one of the young bystanders exclaimed, a touch of awe in his voice. Haru's kick had been clean, precise, and brutally efficient.
Yukino remained where she was, calm and composed, as if standing apart from the world. Her serene demeanor didn't change—she hadn't even flinched during the attack.
She knew, with absolute certainty, that as long as Haru was there, nothing could harm her.
"You bastards! I'll kill you!"
The black-haired man, still crumpled on the ground, gritted his teeth in rage. Struggling to sit up, he pulled a spring-loaded knife from his pocket.
The faces of his companions turned pale. They knew the situation had escalated—using a weapon changed everything.
Haru's expression darkened as he rolled up his sleeves and began walking toward him.
The black-haired man panicked at the sight. "Stay back! Don't come any closer!"
"Relax. I'll make sure to cover your medical bills."
Before the man could react, Haru's foot struck him again.
With a sharp scream, the knife flew from his hand.
The black-haired man curled up on the ground, gasping in agony, unable to make another sound. He resembled a broken, defeated dog, whimpering pathetically.
Koji, the livestreamer, exchanged a quick glance with his companions.
The group instinctively tightened their circle, completely blocking the view of curious onlookers who had started to gather nearby.
With his strength carefully controlled, Haru delivered three more kicks, each strike landing with precision. By the time he was done, the black-haired man lay curled up like a shrimp, cradling his head, too terrified to make another move.
Haru calmly pulled out his phone and made a call—to the police.
After hanging up, he turned to Koji and the others. "Thanks for your help today. You can head back to work now. The police will be here soon."
Koji hesitated. "Why don't we stay? If it's just a fight, the worst we'll get is a few days in detention."
The others nodded in agreement, clearly prepared to take responsibility for their part.
Haru smiled. "It's fine. Just leave it to me. Oh, by the way, I'm Amamiya Haru. Let me get your contact info."
Koji's eyes lit up with excitement as he handed over his number. He understood that Haru wasn't just thanking them—this was an acknowledgment of their character.
As they exchanged numbers, Koji couldn't hide his grin. He had just gained Garu's trust.
Before parting ways, Haru said to him, "I'll reach out in a couple of days when I have time."
"No problem! Anytime!"
The group left, smiling brightly, but they didn't go far. Koji and his friends lingered nearby, while the rest returned to their respective workplaces.
It was clear they were still keeping an eye on the situation.
Once they were out of sight, Takano Hiroichi and his remaining lackeys took the chance to quietly slip away, leaving behind only the black-haired man, still lying on the ground, his face a mask of despair.
The man hung his head, his expression twisted with rage. You think you'll get out of this unscathed after reporting it to the police? Dream on.
Realizing that revealing his identity wouldn't help, he decided to bide his time and wait for the police to take him away. Then, he'd plan his revenge.
Haru walked back to Yukino's side. "You should head home. I'll handle the rest."
Yukino shook her head. "I'll stay with you."
"Alright," Haru agreed without further protest.
While they waited for the police, Yukino made a quick call to her sister.
It wasn't long before the officers arrived.
Two young policemen stepped out of the car, their eyes moving from the black-haired man on the ground to Haru and Yukino.
"Did he call this in?" one officer asked, pointing to the man on the ground.
Haru shook his head. "No, I did."
The officers blinked in confusion. "So… you beat him up and then called the cops on yourself?"
"No," Haru replied calmly. "He attacked me first. I just defended myself."
"Then why's he the one on the ground?"
"Because I was born with supernatural powers."
"…???"