Come and Hit My Face

Hoshiharu turned around and saw.

About a dozen people, wearing crimson uniform tops, all males around seventeen or eighteen years old, entered the restaurant noisily, shoving each other.

The leader was about 180 centimeters tall, with dyed brown hair, and somewhat fierce eyes seen through brown sunglasses.

He also wore a crimson top, but it hung loosely on his body, revealing a menacing skull tattoo from his open chest.

Hoshiharu suddenly understood why Kanata was showing such a disgusted expression now.

This wild, reckless, and cruel person exuded a flamboyant and dominating aura at all times and places. Clearly, he was right in Kanata's minefield, being the type she utterly despised.

"I remember that guy. I saw him during last year's Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival broadcast."

Hoshiharu squinted and looked at the leading man, thinking.

The stylish crimson uniform top and the school crest on the chest clearly indicated he was from Donrou Academy, one of the Seven Star Academies alongside Hagun Academy.

In Hoshiharu's memory, this oppressive-looking man had participated in last year's Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival and was one of Donrou Academy's contestants.

Although he eventually lost in the quarter-finals, it showed he was at least in the top eight.

Especially his title, Sword Eater, which sounded too dominating and indifferent to the world.

"Not caring about our presence."

A dozen people went straight to the ordering area, pushing people in line rudely, making others angry but too afraid to speak, yet they themselves seemed indifferent.

"Uncultured people."

Kanata looked extremely displeased.

But she had no intention of stepping forward.

If students from both schools fought outside, it could easily lead to school conflicts, causing many problems later.

As a member of the student council, Kanata was already very busy during the selection battles and didn't want to mess around with men like wolves and selflessly take on more work.

"Right, let's leave as soon as we finish eating."

Hoshiharu didn't mind.

They gathered their food on the table and quickly filled their stomachs, trying not to attract attention.

But—

*CLANG*

The sudden sound of a plate falling to the ground came from the ordering area.

The loud, sharp noise made the whole restaurant fall silent for a moment.

Hoshiharu and Kanata frowned simultaneously.

"Let me go, bastard!"

Then came an angry roar from there, along with the sound of a physical altercation and the counter being knocked over.

The voice sounded familiar.

It was undoubtedly the angry shout of the girl named Ayatsuji Ayase from earlier.

Hoshiharu put down his chopsticks.

"Wait, what are you going to do?"

Kanata turned around, her eyes full of warning.

"If there is a private fight between students from different schools, it won't be easily resolved!"

Suspension from school was a small matter.

In severe cases, one could even be expelled.

"That's not something that can be resolved easily. It means it can be resolved, right?"

Hoshiharu stood up from chair. There was no emotion or anger on his face; he looked very calm.

"If a school cannot protect its students, it is not a competent school. I fully trust Director Shinguji's methods and character. She would surely do the same if she were here."

Hoshiharu took out the student handbook from his pocket.

Then he handed it to Kanata.

"Help me."

"...Just this once."

Kanata took the student handbook and sighed slightly.

This man actually liked to meddle in other people's affairs, which she didn't expect.

She didn't know how many troubles it would bring later.

But she didn't dislike such a person.

❀❀❀

"Isn't this Ayase? I didn't expect to see you here!"

A group of over a dozen people approached the ordering area. The leading man saw a familiar figure not far away. He couldn't help but curl his lips, revealing a mouth full of shark-like, sharp teeth.

He walked to the ordering area, approached the trembling figure, casually raised his hand, and draped his arm around her neck like two brothers.

"Hey, Kuraudo, who are you chatting with? Hurry and finish your meal, then let's play video games!"

"Isn't this Ayase? Haha, you haven't come to play with us recently!"

Several Donrou Academy students who followed the man like gangsters approached the two of them, laughing uncontrollably.

They seemed to know each other.

But Ayase still refused to lift her head to look at them. She only lowered her head, biting her lip and gripping the plate tightly, as if holding something back.

"Hey, Kuraudo is talking to you. How dare you pretend not to hear?"

"We haven't seen each other for a few days, and your arrogance has grown!"

Several followers immediately felt dissatisfied when they saw this. They approached Ayase and pulled her arm. With a mistake, the plate in her tray fell to the ground.

"Let me go, bastard!"

Ayase finally couldn't hold back, pulling the arm off her body and glaring at several people.

There was deep anger and reluctance in her eyes, especially when facing the shark-toothed man in front. Her eyes even showed hatred, as if wanting to kill him immediately.

"..."

The smile on the man's face, known as Kuraudo, gradually disappeared upon seeing this.

There was a sharp gaze hidden behind his sunglasses, which made Ayase shiver.

Passersby looked over, but were quickly rebuked by several followers. They didn't dare step forward. Ordinary people who wanted to fight a Blazer were essentially seeking death.

But just as Kuraudo was about to explode.

"Hey, bastards in front, get out of my way."

Someone spoke arrogantly in a calm tone.

Such a voice reached these people's ears, making them all stunned, and then their faces darkened. They cast violent glances towards the back.

Kuraudo also paused for a moment.

Turning around, he saw an exceptionally handsome man.

"Nangou-san? Why are you—?"

Ayase was surprised.

"Oh, a classmate? Are you a student at Hagun Academy?"

A follower with a mohawk approached and looked Hoshiharu up and down.

Not just handsome!

Mohawk hurriedly shook his head, changed his usual tilting posture, and deliberately put on a very arrogant expression.

"You don't look too strong. Do you still want to imitate a hero saving the beauty and stand out?"

After more than half a month of training, Hoshiharu's figure was much more symmetrical than before, but in the eyes of these gangsters, he was still no different from a pretty boy.

"Whether strong or not, you can try it."

Hoshiharu pointed to his chest with a warm smile on his face.

"Hit me, you weakling."