A Peaceful Academy City Without "Him". City. (Part 5)

District 10, in front of the cemetery in Academy City.

Just as Hamazura, Takitsubo, and Kinuhata were having their rather hollow conversation, the door to the graveyard opened. Hamazura and company turned to see Mugino walking towards them.

Her expression didn't change.

There was no sign of her crying, and her eyes didn't look red.

Even so, something had definitely happened inside.

And as for what had happened, she didn't want Hamazura and the rest to notice it.

"Is it over?"

Facing Hamazura's question, Mugino just gave a simple answer.

"It's over."

In reality, nothing may be over.

But Mugino still said it.

It was like she was trying to isolate it.

On a side note.

Though it was not suitable to reveal that they were remaining quiet, the land in District 10 was the cheapest in Academy City, and it was because this place was famous for having the worst security. The only graveyard was located there because many companies refused to set up shop there, and finally, after a long turnaround, it settled in this backdrop.

Thus, since he looked like he was bringing three youthful girls there (actually, it was the other way around), Hamazura Shiage-kun naturally became the bull's-eye for the delinquents gathered around.

"Which one would be faster: bus or train?"

Just as Hamazura was talking to them, five guys appeared in front of them, blocking them.

If this were a team of troopers, this group of delinquents would look like some hero fighter. The only guy facing them, Hamazura gave them a threatening look, probably to dampen their enthusiasm or gain the right to talk or something.

"Hooooollllld it right there, money kid. We're working right now, so can you please help us? Our work is just to beat people up badly and settle the debt, that's all."

"Whether you say anything or not as you hand your money to us, we'll beat you up good; whether you run or beg for mercy, we'll still beat you up. You understand the situation now?"

(Damn it… This is a huge problem.)

Though they were teenagers who were only treating death as something trivial, Hamazura himself wasn't some superhero, so his body trembled inadvertently. The second one was especially dangerous; from the way he looked and how he was squatting down, it seemed like he was a professional at this. To fight on the road, where there was no referee or soft mat, he was even more dangerous right now to toss people, strangle the enemy's neck, or wring the joints than those stupid amateurs who would use blunt weapons or knives. Hamazura understood that from firsthand experience.

Even so.

On the other hand, Hamazura was rather relieved. Since they relied on fighting techniques, it was likely that this group of delinquents were like him in that they became delinquents because they had no ability. If they weren't dirty people who could manipulate gravity such that they would increase the effect to ten times that of a wrestler's throw, they couldn't be considered the scariest kind in Academy City, right?

Besides, forget about Takitsubo; Mugino and Kinuhata, who were also with him, were of the scariest kind in Academy City.

Mugino was the #4 Level 5, and Kinuhata was a Level 4 who could even handle a sniper war. The delinquents were basically fighting against a stationary tank or bomber jet. No matter whether the enemy was the number one foul freestyle wrestler, or a judo master who could toss man-eating bears aside, they wouldn't even be opponents for Mugino and Kinuhata.

Thus.

"…Hey, don't be like this."

Hamazura was honestly trying to advise the delinquents who were looking to cause trouble as he said that with agony.

Naturally, he ended up in End of the Century mode as he continued.

"Kids. I'm sincerely saying this for your own good, so remember everything that I say, or else I can't guarantee that you'll remain alive… In this world, there are certain realms that you can't interfere with. You're already one step away from that guy. One more step, and that distance will doom all of you. If you can identify that person, hurry up and scram!"

However.

For some reason, Mugino and Kinuhata exchanged weird looks with each other.

"My. How terrifying~ Save me, Hamazura."

The meaning behind these charming voices was unknown.

Then, Mugino and Kinuhata grabbed onto Hamazura's arms, seemingly about to clamp them for some unknown reason.

Knowing what they intended, Hamazura suddenly felt goose bumps.

However, the five delinquents and Takitsubo Rikou seemed to believe in the performance, not knowing whether it was true or not. The girl in the sports jacket also seemed to get competitive all of a sudden as she grabbed Hamazura's neck from behind, causing Hamazura to end up lifting her.

"…Don't take him without permission. Hamazura is mine."

At that moment...

Hamazura Shiage definitely heard some important brain circuits snap. They belonged to the five delinquents.

"Uh-oh."

After a while, a certain delinquent whose mouth was half-open in shock said, "Ooohhhhhh!! What are you trying to pull here!? What are you trying to do by acting like a playboy, you bastard!?"

The shout he let out was somewhat like a seal or an otter, but it was obvious that the enemy's anger had reached its peak. He closed in and was getting read to personally beat Hamazura's face in.

At that moment, Mugino, who was deliberately holding Hamazura's wrist down through a delicate movement, twitched her body slightly. Because of the pain coming from his elbow, Hamazura had to follow Mugino's movements and turn around as if he was turning a door.

Thus, the delinquent's strike that was aimed at his head missed.

It ended up hitting his shoulder.

And the five fingers that he reached out just so happened to be in a grip state.

"Yaaaahhh, it hurts, damn it!!"

"Kyah~ Hamazura's super~ cool~"

Mugino let out an even sillier-sounding voice as she grabbed Hamazura's wrist, which stopped midway through, and kicked him in the waist. Hamazura was sent flying into the middle of the group of delinquents. On the other side, Kinuhata beautifully "pressed" Takitsubo down just as she was sticking to Hamazura's back.

"W-what…?"

Before he could understand what was going on, it seemed like the delinquents realized something.

"It's time to get serious, eeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!"

"You should say something to that demonic woman, eeehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!"

Hamazura had only one choice.

Escape. He decided to scatter some soil from the flowerbed to obstruct the fallen delinquents' view, and used that opportunity to get away.