Chapter 34: Kaijo High

Remembering his past experiences, Rei didn't want to agree. However, observing Shizuka's two small fists, Rei only felt a sense of vulnerability. In the end, Shizuka was just an ordinary person, and her physique hadn't even reached the ten-point mark of an average person's limit. Thus, she could only be considered strong among ordinary people.

"I'm really not interested, and I have much better things to do at noon." Rei declined once more. Joining the Service Club? He'd rather join the basketball team and use Kagami to practice his skills.

"Participating in a club can actually be quite meaningful," Shizuka said quietly, unable to threaten Rei with her fists.

"I decline."

Everyone knew that the Service Club was notorious for its thankless tasks. Offering free help to others? Rei wasn't that benevolent. If they really were so helpful, why didn't they intervene when he was bullied before? They only helped in situations where talking with a student and providing advice from a different point of view would be effective.

Seeing Rei's repeated refusals, Shizuka also dropped the idea. As long as Rei's daily life continued to improve, there was no need for her as a teacher to push the matter.

"Well, it's your choice." Shizuka took a deep breath, took a puff on her cigarette, extinguished it in the ashtray, then waved her hand at Rei, indicating he could leave.

"Thank you for everything, Hiratsuka-sensei. You're truly a very kind person."

As Rei left the office and closed the door behind him, Shizuka was left stunned for a moment. Soon after, her cheeks reddened. To be called kind... she stood frozen in place for quite some time.

As Yukinoshita Yukino (OreGairu) walked into the office holding some documents, she looked at Shizuka and said "Shizuki-sensei, these are the documents you asked me to fetch."

Hearing Yukino's voice, Shizuka snapped back to reality. "...That guy even dares to tease his teacher now. I really wonder what happened to Rei."

"Rei? Did something happen with Rei?" Yukino asked instinctively.

***

As soon as he entered the classroom, two hands silently clamped down on his shoulders from behind, and two faces appeared on either side of Rei.

"Rei, have you heard? There's a death row inmate loose in Tokyo."

"These death row inmates don't hesitate to kill; each one of them can take on over a dozen armed men."

"I've heard that some police officers have been killed trying to apprehend them, and even their cars have been destroyed."

"According to the news, 'Martial God' Doppo Orochi and 'Master' Gouki Shibukawa both went to deal with these death row inmates."

Huh? 'Master' is already in his seventies, and even 'Martial God' is in his fifties. Can they really fight at that age?

"So the rumor goes that these death row inmates are just a bunch of ruthless old men." The two commented by Rei's side.

It wasn't gossip; this was true.

Very few civilians were involved. It was mainly a showdown of old men which had gone wrong.

The strong always remained strong, and there was no truth to the belief that a fledgling young man could surpass seasoned individuals.

Talent, on the other hand, was a different story.

"What does it have to do with us if they fight?" Rei asked nonchalantly.

"What if we get caught in the crossfire? These killers don't think twice!"

"That's right. If I accidentally run into them, you won't see a handsome guy named Kitahara Iori the next day."

The corner of Rei's mouth twitched, and he inquired, "What are your plans after school?"

"Head home." "x2" 

"Why?"

"Play games!"x2

"Watch anime!"x2

"Are you going out?"

"Why go out?"x2

"Isn't it cozy to stay home?" School is already tiring enough; once I enter college, more responsibilities will fall on me.

Rei nodded, then added, "So both of you are going to head home to play games and watch anime as soon as school ends. The shut-in life suits you, and those death row inmates won't be visiting your homes."

The two of them suddenly felt enlightened.

"As long as I'm in seclusion, I don't even have to swing a fist!" Seeing them invigorated, Rei nodded in satisfaction and returned to his seat.

Baki was already seated, a brand-new textbook untouched on his desk. He turned to Rei and grinned. "When I was leaving your apartment last night, I saw the lights go out."

The corner of Rei's mouth twitched. Just as he was about to utilize the game capsule installed in his apartment, the power went out abruptly. He was stuck in there for over half an hour, eventually rescued by Taihei. It was all Baki's fault for jinxing it. Though he didn't admit to it, it was his fault that he didn't check the power requirements of the capsule yesterday.

"Yesterday, you guys nearly killed me. I didn't expect karma to come around so quickly." Baki spoke without any restraint. Among men, relationships were simple. If there was a scuffle, and they could reconcile, they were good buddies. If not, they were enemies.

Clearly, Baki fell into the former category.

"Indeed." Rei replied and was about to engage in a playful tussle with Baki.

But the next moment, the teacher entered the classroom, forcing Rei to halt the playful skirmish.

[[Mathematics] proficiency 1%] [[Language] proficiency 1%] [[Geography] proficiency 1%] [[History] proficiency 1%]

At the conclusion of the morning classes, Rei had just stepped out of the classroom door when he spotted Riko nibbling on a piece of bread, skipping down the corridor. Spotting Rei, she halted and greeted him with enthusiasm. "Good afternoon, Rei."

"Good afternoon." Rei replied. Having heard Rei's response, Riko didn't continue walking. Instead, she stood in place, tilting her head up to look at Rei with an expression that seemed to say, 'Come and ask me why I'm so happy.'

The corner of Rei's mouth twitched. This girl clearly displayed her thoughts on her face: "Why are you so cheerful today?"

"Hehe, I managed to arrange a friendly match with Kaijo High School, which one of the Miracle Generation members, Ryota Kise attends (from Kuroko No Basket)! They're willing to play against our High School!" "The match will take place in our school's basketball hall." Riko shared the news.

"Rei, you should come and watch too."

"Alright."

Rei didn't decline; he had nothing else planned after lunch.

******

Merry Christmas

And, hey guys.