So I decided to let Shinzaki beat me up.
Congratulations, Shinzaki, you get to beat me up for free, making you the second after Kirido.
With that mindset, I face him, but Shinzaki is rubbing the arm he used for defense.
“Whew, that was scary. They say a strong killing intent makes death loom, but I think I really thought I was going to die there. How can you have such crazy power with just your bare hands?”
“…Body enhancement, huh. I thought I’d broken it.”
At my muttered words, Shinzaki flinches a little. …It wasn’t said loudly enough for him to hear clearly, so his ability is likely a general body enhancement, including senses like sight and hearing.
But let’s assume it’s not just that and act accordingly. One should always consider the worst-case scenario.
“About the match you mentioned earlier…I’ll accept, but I want some benefit for myself in that case.”
“…Huh? Even now, you’re trying to negotiate?”
Of course. I’ll let you beat me up for free, so give me something in return.
Well, by demanding a price, it’s no longer “free,” but if I can get a victory concession that I’d normally lose, it’s practically free.
Silently, I continue looking at him.
Well, his future reaction will determine my assessment of this guy to some degree…
Going against my expectations, Shinzaki considers for a bit and then proposes:
“I see. How about this – if you win, I’ll [move Hoshina-san from Class B to Class C]?”
At those words, I couldn’t help but give a wry smile.
At the same time, I raised the man’s level of caution several notches. After all, in this exchange, he had managed to grasp my abilities at the bare minimum, and on top of that, he had presented conditions that I [would absolutely not be able to escape from].
If that’s the case, this man possesses a mind capable of quickly considering that much, and even after taking that blow, he has the strength to judge, “I can probably win.”
…Ah, I would have been happier if he had declined the offer.
But oh well. If he’s strong, then he can be useful.
“Wh-What!? Is that even allowed!?”
As my thoughts finished, a voice of surprise came from the nearby Karasuma almost simultaneously.
In terms of time, it couldn’t have been more than a second since Shinzaki’s statement.
Shifting my gaze, I see that Sakaki-sensei has come closer.
“There’s no problem. The battle request is an absolute law that supersedes school rules. If Class B thinks it’s good, then there’s no issue. …And Class C just happened to have an odd number of students, too.”
Oh dear, my apologies. I made it an odd number.
But it’s good, right? Instead of Kiridō, Hoshina-san will be coming.
If the result is good, then all is well. Thank you, Kiridō, your contribution will make the class more lively.
“If those are the conditions, then I’ll accept the challenge. But… it depends on the details. If the conditions for victory are too difficult–”
“–As long as you’re alive by the end of the class, you win. How’s that?”
His repeated words surprised me a little.
I look at the clock. …The hands are pointing to fifty minutes.
Even if we start fighting now, there’s not much time left.
With just that much time, it wouldn’t be too difficult to kill someone, but…that’s only if the opponent doesn’t move. Against an opponent who is frantically resisting, trying to stay alive, stopping their breath in just ten minutes would be quite difficult without a significant power difference.
…Is Shinzaki so dull that he doesn’t even understand that?
Or perhaps, he has the confidence that he can kill me within ten minutes due to his supernatural abilities.
“Anything else to say?”
“You still want something, huh? Okay, let’s add a pledge that I won’t lay a finger on Hoshina from now on. Was that what you wanted to hear?”
Spot on. As I take a step forward, Asahina-san raises her voice.
“Ah, Amamori-kun! This is far too dangerous! He is probably…no, undoubtedly stronger than Netsuhara-kun! And if it’s to rescue Hoshina-san, then I–”
“Get lost, you. I just want to punch Amamori for some reason. The reason doesn’t matter, as long as I can challenge him to a fight. And the reward I demand from you all for winning is [nothing]. I just want a situation where I can kill someone and get away with it…!”
Shinzaki never lost his smile.
With a voice trembling with delight and eyes distorted with joy,
he stated it without changing his expression at all.
Like a deranged child. This is why I can’t stand the likes of lunatics.
“…Ah, you know Amamori-kun’s abilities–”
“Nope, I don’t know. But he didn’t use them in the fight against Class A, so he’s probably not good at combat, right? But you know, in a pure physical fight, he seems to be skilled.”
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Saying that, Shinzaki glanced briefly at his own arm.
Judging from the impact, there must be significant damage to the bone.
It’s probably not a full-blown fracture, but cracks have definitely formed.
…Normally, one wouldn’t challenge someone to a fight with an injury like that.
“Amamori, huh. I’ve heard that name before, but maybe he’s a famous student somewhere. That level of physical ability… but still, it’s [within the realm of human knowledge]. He can’t defeat supernatural abilities.”
Fame…huh. Well, I’ll admit I was somewhat famous in certain circles, but I’ve changed my name a bit… and more importantly, it was my brother and sister who were famous, not me. My true identity probably hasn’t reached this far.
As I was thinking, Shinzaki started walking towards me.
“Well, you’ve stalled for time long enough, I suppose.”
…He noticed, did he. I managed to buy about a minute, I think.
I inwardly sigh and clench my fist, beginning to walk.
“Your arm looks pretty painful, too. You don’t have to force yourself, you can go back.”
“Haha, you’re pretty mean, aren’t you!”
Shinzaki said with a wide grin.
Soon, we approached within a meter of each other, stopping in that spot.
“Wh-What, Amamori…are you serious!?”
Karasuma’s voice suddenly rang out, and I turned to look at him. He was looking at me with a desperate expression.
“Your strength is recognized by everyone here! In fact, I don’t think there’s anyone in this class who could beat you in a pure physical fight! But this is an ability battle, a [supernatural battle]! Your power won’t be enough to–”
“Thank you, Karasuma, for your concern.”
Even though he’s a bit of a jerk, Karasuma is a good guy. I express my gratitude and tell him, “I’ll be fine.”
“Just ten minutes. If I can endure that long, I can rescue Hoshina-san. Compared to that, the risk to my life is a small price to pay.”
“Ah, Amamori-kun…”
Hoshina-san, who was trembling, managed to squeeze out the words.
If I just let her keep talking, she would say things like “You don’t have to fight, please run away, don’t fight Shinzaki,” and so on.
It’s not for nothing that I’m the vice-president of the literature club. I can understand what Hoshina-san is likely to say. But at the same time, I understand her. Hoshina-san is reserved, she cares more about others than herself, she’s natural and pure, and her heart never darkens even when bullied.
In other words, she is endlessly kind.
That’s why she can’t save herself on her own.
Unless someone forcibly helps her, she will always be trapped in unhappiness.
“Hoshina-san, if you’re trying to say something, let me tell you in advance that it’s useless. I’m sick and tired of not having a partner in PE. That’s the only reason I’m ‘accepting the challenge to fight.'”
Shinzaki looked genuinely happy at my words.
The reward is Hoshina-san’s transfer to Class C.
There’s no downside to losing… except that my life will be in danger during the fight.
“So, Amamori? Don’t you have any last words?”
“No, I’m fine.”
There are two teachers nearby as referees. So the match will be officially recorded. I absolutely can’t go back on my promise later.
I take a deep breath and look at the grinning Shinzaki.
Well, let me pump myself up a bit… As I’m thinking that, a presence approaches from behind.
“Amamori-kun. …It’s dangerous. You should stop.”
The one who said that was Asahina-san. It was so obvious and self-evident that I sighed in annoyance and turned to face her.
–But the Asahina-san standing there was smiling in a bemused way.
“But it’s useless for me to try to stop you. So I’m giving up on that.”
I’m a little surprised at those words. …What’s wrong? Did Asahina-san eat something strange?
A little while ago, she would have stubbornly tried to stop me without any flexibility.
…I see. She’s different from the you from a little while ago. The you now.
“–I believe in Amamori-kun. That’s exactly my strategy this time!”
How stupid, I laughed.
“How stupid, you are.”
When I sincerely said what I thought, she puffed out her chest confidently.
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