Chapter 28: A Father's Agony

[Skill [Push-ups] reaches LV5. Congratulations to the host for unlocking the talent: Iron Back] [Iron Back: Your back is as resilient as steel, allowing for 200% endurance] [Strength: 36->38] [Agility: 30->31]

[Endurance: 39->40]

Mulling over the effects of Iron Back and the impressive impact of Iron Fist, it was undoubtedly a formidable combination. Possessing a complete set might grant a physique akin to steel.

With endurance now at forty and the added benefit of Iron Back, Rei's defensive capabilities could reach eighty. For an average person, this would be considered an unyielding defense, but for Rei, it was just scratching the surface.

Fujio removed the stack of twenty-five-kilogram barbell plates from Rei's back. Rei was already numb all over. Regrettably, Fujio felt that he was dragging down the overall physical fitness of humanity. He even began to question if he was worthy of breathing.

One thought echoed in his mind: the gap between individuals surpasses that between man and pig!

"Thank you so much today, Brother Fujio. Machio, I'd like to treat you to dinner sometime," Rei expressed his gratitude as he stood up. However, as for the dinner, it could wait for another occasion.

Seizing the moment when Sakura was preoccupied, Akemi swiftly freed herself from her clutches, retrieved her unused towel, and rushed over to Rei. With an eager expression, she handed over the towel and said, "Coach Rei, please use this to wipe your sweat!"

Seeing this individual with what seemed like hearts in his eyes, Rei's lips twitched. He wasn't sure what to say, but he accepted the girl's towel. "Thank you."

While he had indeed sweated, it wasn't to the extent that would warrant such attention. However, Fujio, who was assisting him, was sweating profusely.

"No need to thank me. It's only right. By the way, Coach, can I get your contact information?" Akemi inquired, "Are you a High School student? What grade are you in? How old are you? Are you really one meter eighty-five tall? Do you have a girlfriend? If so, would you mind adding one more... Woooo, Sakura, let go... Phew..."

Sakura's face reddened with embarrassment. She wanted to find a hole to crawl into. Nevertheless, she managed to step forward and cover Akemi's mouth.

Allowing this guy to continue would just be considered harassment!

"Sorry! Coach Rei, she's a bit... enthusiastic," Sakura quickly explained for Akemi. Then, she stretched her hand in Rei's direction, beckoning for something.

After wiping his sweat with the towel and thanking her, Rei obliged, "Thank you for the towel. Until next time."

As Rei's figure vanished from the duo's sight, Akemi began to pat Sakura Hibiki's arm firmly.

Upon noticing, Sakura found that her arm had left a red mark on the fair skin of Akemi. Upon seeing that, she realized that Akemi was almost out of breath.

"Sorry, Akemi-san! You're not hurt, are you?"

Coughing, Akemi assured, then raised the towel in her hand to cover her face, emitting a sound of pure bliss. It was evident that she was inhaling the towel, "This is the scent of muscles! Even with just a towel, I can still detect the strong muscles on Coach Rei's body, pulsating powerfully."

Sakura remarked, "..."

She couldn't help but feel exasperated. What on earth does 'pulsating powerfully' even mean? Is that even a scent?

Nonetheless, it was truly astounding that Coach Rei is the same age as us.

"Indeed, to possess such powerful muscles at such a young age... If only my daughter could have a boyfriend like him." Fujio sipped his sports drink, gazing at Rei as he replenished his own.

When he thought of his daughter, Fujio suddenly became anxious.

"Rei, you're still young, so let me ask you: if your daughter, or rather, an eighteen-year-old girl, comes home every day talking about a guy who isn't her boyfriend, whether it's eating, doing homework, playing games, or even sleeping, what would you do?"

Hearing Fujio's question, Rei contemplated it seriously. Ultimately, he arrived at a straightforward conclusion, "Brother Fujio, this kind of relationship is very straightforward among young people. You need to be prepared."

"Brother Fujio, your daughter is basically obsessed with that guy."

Obsessed with that guy?

Fujio, who was almost forty years old and still not entirely out of touch with society, promptly grasped the meaning of the term.

Instantaneously, Fujio donned an expression as if the ground had collapsed under him. With the breeze blowing, he seemed on the verge of withering away, "No! I can't let her slip further down the obsession path! While she's still young, correct her behavior in time! That's my duty as a father!"

"I trust you, Fujio! Generally, if you can extract the merits of the object of affection from the girl's mouth, then use these advantages to find any shortcomings and even exaggerate them, it'll easily tarnish the person's image in others' minds," Rei proposed his advice.

Note: This advice comes from Motoharu, the love guru.

"So that's how it is. Rei, you really know a lot."

"Of course, as long as I can help Brother Fujio."

Meanwhile, Uzaki-san, who was at home doing homework, sneezed, "Sure enough, it's the senior thinking of me!" She couldn't help but think, 'He really can't live without me.' Hehe~~~"

"Take care and be safe on your way."

"No need to see me off."

...

Rei showered at the Silver Man Gym. Stripping off his shirt before working out, his clothes were now clean save for the dust from the scuffle with Spec.

Yet, before Rei could even step through the door, he spotted Umaru and Taihei waiting outside the apartment.

"Good evening, Taihei-san, Umaru," Rei greeted, "Are you two out so late to buy something?"

"Good evening, Rei."

"Good evening, senior."

Taihei gestured towards the upstairs and informed Rei, "Rei, is something wrong? An elderly man came looking for you, someone named Tokugawa Mitsunari from the Tokugawa Corporation. He had a group of men in black with him, carrying large cardboard boxes. There was also a student from your school covered in blood."

Drawing closer to Rei, Taihei lowered his voice and spoke softly, "Rei, you didn't possibly offend someone outside, did you?"

While the Doma Corporation was indeed a large conglomerate, it paled in comparison to the strength of the Tokugawa Foundation. If Rei had truly crossed paths with Tokugawa's people, not only would they be unable to offer assistance, but they might also find themselves in significant trouble.

After giving it some thought, Rei had already surmised the cause of this development. He addressed Umaru and Taihei, "I apologize. A classmate from my school came to find me with some friends. Umaru, would you like to come and see my gaming collection later tonight?"

"Gaming collection?"

"In any case, I'll head up first."

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