189 What if I leave?

His anger is understandable. It's not like she doesn't understand. Indeed, it's like what Ran-chan said. Aki-san shouldn't be giving her such unreasonable tasks. Sure, she is higher in the hierarchy of the underworld. But her age should limit the level of dangerous work she takes.

However, the reason she is given such dangerous jobs is quite obvious. Other than the obvious reason for not giving it to Succhan to protect her, he wants to strengthen the people around her so they can defend her properly if needed.

'I will do anything to get stronger and protect her, and I am sure the same would go for the others.'

However, it seems like Aki-san doesn't trust anybody. Succhan isn't the only one with severe trust issues. Aki-san is. She wonders if Succhan understands that, and that's why she allows him to get away with everything.

'I have long stopped trying to analyze their relationship. For one, it makes no sense, and two, Succhan would probably say that there is no use doing so.'

Ran sighed deeply. It seems he must have reached his own conclusion. Before she could voice out her thoughts, he reached over and flicked her forehead.

"Protecting your friend is fine, but don't forget to tell me your location whenever you go on a job."

Right, the main reason she can go on dangerous jobs without batting an eyelid is probably because of this. Ran-chan insists that she messages where she is. Occasionally when she returned from those jobs, she would coincidentally bump into him. Since she came back from France, however, he isn't even hiding that he is deliberately waiting for her.

This person is one of the few she can confine in, the person she is closest to. Even more than protecting Succhan, if anything happened to Ran, she would certainly be more devastated. That's why when he suffered that leg injury from his recent game, she immediately reacted.

"Hey, Ran-chan, hypothetically speaking. What if you were injured and couldn't play basketball and be an idol anymore? What would you do?"

Ran-chan's specialty as an idol is dance. In fact, the media have labeled him as one of the best dancers in his generation. Ran didn't reply to her immediately, and yet Futaba caught him glancing over at her.

"What is it?"

"Hmm, well, I thought it would probably work out somehow." Ran trailed off and sighed. "I'm getting tired."

Futaba rolled her eyes. "How can you be tired when all you are doing is copying my homework?" She pouted. "Geez, that was a serious question, and you ruined it."

Honestly, it was hard for her to imagine it. But, her gaze drifted onto his leg. The image of what happened in the recent game had yet to leave her mind. She was quite sure she screamed when he got hurt, quite sure she was the one calling the ambulance before anybody else.

"Without basketball and being an idol, you're just a gangster-"

"The reason I said that is because I don't intend to not be able to play basketball or dance."

So, in other words, he will find a way regardless of being injured? She could actually imagine him doing that. That's so careless. What if he becomes crippled? Futaba paused for a moment as a theory came to mind. The reason he can say such careless words isn't it because he understands that she will never let it get that far. He knows that she will stop him. Even if it makes him angry, he understands that whatever she does is for his sake.

That must be why he came over here and apologized. He only said those hurtful words to her in the spur of the moment. Her gaze softened.

"Ran-chan, you don't think I'll ever leave you or disappear on you?"

Ran spins the pen around in his left hand.

"Well, this is just based on intuition, so I could be wrong. But, I've never once thought of you disappearing on me."

Futaba's eyes widened at his words. He said it so casually, and yet she could sense the confidence in his tone. The reason he can behave so recklessly is because he truly believes that she will always have his back.

....

At Tsukuhara high school. Monday 27th.

Futaba was on her way to the rooftop to meet Ran-chan and the other guys for lunch. Since Succhan and the guys in nanairofeather were busy, she decided to have lunch with the guys in Quatro light. As she was making her way, however, she remembered Aki-san saying that she had to greet the new delinquent who just came to town not too long ago. So, she sends a quick message to the person to meet her in the rooftop stairwell.

She was only waiting for a few minutes when she spotted somebody with their back turned and holding their phone out. Futaba glanced at her phone only to see a call. That must be him. Futaba walked over and tapped his shoulder.

"Hello, you must be-" Futaba paused in mid-sentence when the person turned around. "Hamano-kun?"

He looked equally as surprised as her. "Momoi-san?" Atushi turned to his phone, and right then, her own phone rang. "So, it's you? I thought so. They did say the representative would be attending this school."

"Well, yes, it's me but-" Futaba trailed off. "Hamano-kun, you're a delinquent?"

Atushi laughed. "I know it doesn't suit me. But, yes, I am part of the underworld."

"It really doesn't suit you," Futaba mumbled.

She still doesn't know much about this person. But based on what she does know. He appears to be the type who doesn't like violence or doing anything illegal. It's hard to believe that he belongs to the underworld too.

"Are you part of a group?"

Atushi nodded. "It's only a small group called akagumi, and our leader uh-" He trailed off. "-was someone from this town."

"So, did he tell you to come here?"

"Not quite. One of the cases I was investigating was coming to a standstill, but eventually, I found a clue that led me back here. One of the other leaders suggested that I go to star town. Coincidentally, my parents were calling me to return to Japan. So, I decided to accept their offer." Atushi explained.

He was investigating something abroad, and yet the clue led him back here? Futaba frowned. She wonders if it has anything to do with that mysterious guy who attacked Masaru-san.