I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 82 Is it too late to repent? (5000 words)

That's right.

Miura.

That's the kind of expression I have.

It's that desperate expression of someone deeply mired in a struggle.

It's like when you were asked to kill that stray cat, or like when you first dug up the bird's carcass. You have such a background, yet you possess the same conscience as ordinary people.

If you don't despair, who will?
If I don't bully you, who else should I bully?

Thinking of this, Takashiro Katsumi couldn't help but laugh.

But he couldn't laugh yet; he needed to plunge the boy into a state of utter existential crisis. He wanted him to understand that his so-called maturity, kindness, and sense of responsibility would actually destroy everything he valued. He was the very source of his own suffering!

As for whether it would ruin his life, Takashiro Katsuya didn't care at all.

It was just a bit of fun in his boring life. Maybe there will be a chance to mention Miura Akihiko in the future, but who cares if he's pitiful or not? The meaning of the existence of those unfortunate people and the weak is, of course, to provide them with fun and value.

This is a principle his father taught him since he was a child.

He felt incredibly powerful, his mind as clear as if Einstein were alive.

Therefore, he wanted to strike while the iron was hot and deliver a fatal blow to the boy who had begun to fall silent.

"Miura, I have nothing to say if you've gone this far. Anyway..."

"Snapped!!"

When Miura Akihiko had a terrifying premonition that Takashiro Katsuya's next words would drag him into the abyss.

Just when Katsuya Takashiro thought he could make a decisive choice, like those historical figures who would go down in history, and checkmate the situation with a single sentence, an unexpected event occurred—or rather, it wasn't exactly an unexpected event.

Because Tsukino Gen was standing there the whole time.

He slapped him, and Takashiro Katsuya's cheek instantly swelled up.

The words he was about to say were instantly swallowed back down his throat; he could even taste the blood in his mouth.

He suddenly raised his head, his anger uncontrollable, and glared at Tsukino Gen.

"you!"

Gen Tsukino didn't speak, but stepped forward and warmly grasped his hands, which were wrapped in gauze, as if it were a meeting of great historical significance.

Then push harder.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

A bloodcurdling scream, like a pig being slaughtered, erupted at the Waterfowl Park as the sun set. Usually, there are people strolling around the Waterfowl Park, but unfortunately, it was sunset, and everyone was going home for dinner.

His screams sounded particularly hollow.

The excruciating pain, as if it were tearing his flesh off, caused Takashiro Katsuya to kneel on the ground. The intense pain not only made him howl in agony, but the unprecedented treatment he received also caused him to lose control of his emotions.

Tears, snot, and even saliva were flying everywhere.

Katsuya Takashiro, who used to look respectable, now looks like a stray dog ​​that's not even human, worse than a beggar on the street.

"Victory? You, you bastard, how could you!"

"boom!"

Hirano also tried to muster the courage to prove how deep their brotherhood was.

But he forgot that Kimura, one of the trio, was still clutching his stomach.

Gen Tsukino's kick was just a light touch.

As the sun sets in the west, the clouds in the sky are ablaze with color.

When the time came, the fountain sprayed water.

In front of them were three boys kneeling on the ground in different postures, as if it were a pilgrimage that could not be more devout.

Miura Akihiko, who had just been building up his emotions, was now somewhat at a loss.

He had thought about what Tsukino Gen might be planning, but he hadn't expected him to be so direct and brutal.

Gen Tsukino calmly approached Akihiko Miura.

"Take a good look, are they that scary?"

Tsukino Gendo asked.

Looking at the people groaning in pain, Miura Akihiko saw that this was the most pathetic and humiliating moment of their lives. It was a sight he had never imagined, no, it was something he had never thought of.

I have wanted to see their repentance countless times.

But his own weakness, his own retreat, and his own self-righteous understanding gradually made his thinking change to: as long as he doesn't provoke them, as long as he lives his own life well.

Gen Tsukino's voice rang in my ears.

"There are many things that can be avoided, and that's not wrong or shameful. But you have to admit that there are some bad people in this world. They won't become kind just because others are tolerant and forgiving."

"They'll just see this as the best proof of cowardice. Think about it, even someone like you with such a background has been treated this way. What about others? Do you think they really mean it when they say they'll let us go? Do you think they'll really let this go?"

Gen Tsukino's casual words seemed to offer Akihiko Miura a glimmer of hope.

It was a bolt of lightning that pierced through the dark clouds.

That's right.

They will not back down.

They will not let this go unpunished.

They would only treat him, and Tsukino Gen, the same way they would treat stray cats, birds, or ordinary people in worse situations than themselves.

He seemed to understand why the boy had gone to such lengths.

Because he saw things more clearly than I did, he understood the wickedness of these people from the very beginning.

Gen Tsukino placed his hands on Akihiko Miura's shoulders, gently propelling him toward the three of them.

"Let's go over there and take a good look."

The three, who had recovered somewhat, realized that something was wrong.

They began to use every means at their disposal, because they had no idea what Tsukino Gen was up to. This orphan, this seemingly handsome boy, was now as terrifying as a demon.

How dare he attack them in a place like this? What is he trying to do? Where does he get his confidence from?

No, he's an orphan. Is he really going to fight them?
No way! What a pathetic life he has, how can he compare to them?!
All they could do was shout at Akihiko Miura.

"Miura! Don't believe him, we're childhood friends! Our parents know each other!"

"Yes, in the future we will each inherit our family businesses and still have to keep in touch. Are you going to ruin all of this?!"

"Think of your father. Are you going to ruin his hard-earned career? Don't come any closer!"

Even Takashiro Katsuya lost his composure. There was nothing he could do; the world he had imagined seemed different from the one he was experiencing now. Simply put, he discovered that some rules no longer applied.

But Gen Tsukino was still pushing Akihiko Miura, and he smiled.

"Look, isn't it funny now? Don't they seem to be begging for mercy especially sincerely now?"

"I"

"No, that's still arrogance. They're afraid of me now, not you. That's why they dare to talk to you but not beg for mercy from me."

Akihiko Miura's dim eyes brightened even more.

That's right, what they fear is someone like Tsukino Gen, who doesn't play by the rules and seems to have no worries whatsoever.

rather than myself.

Now, Miura Akihiko hopes they will beg for mercy, instead of continuing to use his parents as leverage, or even as a threat.

When he stood in front of them, Tsukino Gen released his hands.

He looked at Akihiko Miura.

"Now it's your turn to do it yourself."

Miura Akihiko looked at Tsukino Gen with some confusion.

"what should I do?"

Gen Tsukino shrugged. "The hardest thing in the world is creation. The easiest thing is an eye for an eye, as long as you haven't forgotten those memories. For example..."

for example?

such as
He saw the fountain.

He recalled a suffocating feeling he hadn't experienced in a very long time, and now it surfaced in his mind.

Miura Akihiko's eyes suddenly turned red. He rushed forward, grabbed Kimura, and dragged him towards the fountain.

"What are you doing! You bastard, let me go!"

Kimura tried to struggle; he was indeed very strong. Unfortunately, when Tsukino Gen slightly touched the back of Kimura's neck, Kimura felt an electric current pass through him, making his whole body numb and causing him to lose all strength.

Miura Akihiko was oblivious to all of this; all he knew was that this was the person.

This is the same person who once held himself underwater by the pool, experiencing the panic and suffocation he felt while laughing on the surface.

He even told himself afterwards, "I'm helping you learn to swim, you should thank me."

grateful?

Thank your mother's head!

"puff!"

“Gurgle!!”

Press this head down and submerge it underwater.

Kimura struggled frantically, and seeing this, Katsuya Takashiro and Hirano turned pale, almost forgetting their pain.

They couldn't believe that this man, acting like a mad dog, was actually Akihiko Miura!

Is he going to kill Kimura?!
Kimura occasionally managed to surface briefly, where he could hear Miura Akihiko's hysterical roar as he pressed his head against the water.

"I'm teaching you to swim! I'm fucking teaching you to swim!!" He had no idea what that meant, or rather, he had long forgotten what he had done.

He felt he might really die, and he felt he had to survive no matter what. He could only seize what seemed to be his last chance to surface and shouted.

"I'm sorry!! Miura, I'm so sorry! Please forgive me. Please forgive me!!"

Akihiko Miura stopped.

He let go.

Looking at Kimura, who was lying in the water like a drowning dog, he heard the answer he wanted.

But how many years overdue is this apology? How many nightmares has he had because of this? How much ridicule and mockery has he endured in private?
not enough.

Next up is Hirano.

Gen Tsukino made no comment on Takashiro's skipping of the middle section; he simply kept an eye on the scene, making sure no one escaped or died, and that was enough.

Compared to Kimura, Hirano was clearly more sensible. Upon seeing Kimura's miserable state, which seemed half-dead, he immediately begged for mercy.

This time, however, Miura Akihiko seemed not to hear him. He still pushed him into the fountain, listening to his hysterical roars, and finally, with some unknown strength, threw him into the fountain.

He felt numbness in his hands, feet, and scalp.

But the almost complete catharsis, the exhilarating feeling of pouring out years of pent-up resentment, made him feel full of energy.

Until he came to stand in front of Katsuya Takagi.

He was facing his true nightmare.

Katsuya Takashiro seemed to have foreseen the development of the situation and understood Gen Tsukino's intentions.

At this moment, he actually chose to raise his head and look directly at Miura Akihiko, as if using his extremely sinister gaze to express his determination.

"Unless you dare to kill me, I will absolutely not let you or your family have an easy time!"

It seems like a desperate act of giving up.

Having never considered this possibility, Miura Akihiko stopped, his eyes seeming to clear.

Yes, how could I possibly kill him? Killing him would make me a criminal! It would ruin everything my parents had. But what's the point of just venting my anger?
He will get better. He will tell his parents everything: his parents will be under pressure, his business will suffer a setback, but he will still be okay.
In his moment of confusion, he instinctively looked at Tsukino Gen, who was not far away beside him.

But Tsukino Gen just stood there, looking at him, without saying a word.

It seemed to be telling him that when he conquered his inner demons, no one could help him; only he could make the decision.

But what decisions can I make?
As if he had already foreseen the outcome, Takashiro Katsumi laughed.

"Hahahaha, I knew it! You coward, you can't do anything, you're just a piece of trash! You can't even bring yourself to help someone, what else can you do? Trash will be trash forever!"

He seemed completely unconcerned that the other party might become desperate and angry because of his words.

Because he knows that these kinds of people, because of their kindness and bottom line, simply don't dare to go all out. The more they worry and the more they abide by, the more vulnerable they become.

For example, his legs started to tremble, he wanted to back away, how many times had he looked at Tsukino Gen?

funny.

That's really funny.

Those who fail at the last hurdle after all this has come to this are the most laughable.

Gen Tsukino didn't say anything.

Miura Akihiko could barely control his instinctive physiological reactions. After the surge of adrenaline subsided, all that remained for him was a familiar fear and a desire to escape.

He even felt that everything today was wrong.

There shouldn't have been a PE class, these people shouldn't have been seen, Tsukino Gen should never have been dragged into this, they shouldn't have...
"Meow~"

Sudden.

The bushes nearby stirred.

Miura Akihiko's empty eyes seemed to be drawn to him by his very soul.

A thin, stray cat emerged from the bushes, unaware of what was happening.

It didn't know why this seemingly lost boy was staring at it with empty eyes.

It was just curious, so it looked over, tilted its head, and turned its head to the side.

"Meow~"

A soft chirping sound.

But it stirred up Miura Akihiko's most primal memories.

He turned his head stiffly and looked at Takashiro Katsuya, who was still smiling.

But with just one look, Takashiro found himself unable to smile.

What kind of look was that? Why was there such a desperate look in my eyes? Why did that look fill me with such deep-seated fear? I should be excited by that look, but...
Those eyes, seemingly devoid of soul or even life, stared at him.

Takashiro Katsuya also sensed something was wrong; he saw that pair of empty eyes seemed to be burning with flames.

He charged at us, roaring hysterically.

"I kill you!"

"boom!"

One punch shattered Takashiro Katsuya's last shred of luck.

Before he could even react, a frenzied, haphazard barrage of punches and kicks came hurtling at him.

Regardless of the part of his body, it seemed like he really wanted to kill him!
Katsuya Takashiro was no longer the same as before. He hugged his body in a disheveled state; he didn't want to die.

How could he die!

But the punches and kicks from his opponent became increasingly fierce, to the point that he no longer knew where he was being hit.

He could only desperately call for help in the gaps, abandoning all his dignity.

"Help!"

"Help."

"Stop, stop hitting me! I was wrong, I was really wrong, I really know I was wrong!!!"

"woo woo woo woo!!!"

When Katsuya Takashiro's dignity was shattered, the sense of superiority he should have had in front of Akihiko Miura naturally vanished.

He was as naked as a tree trunk without leaves.

The inside was eaten away by insects.

Only the bare skin and flesh remained, swaying gently.

And when his cries were heard, the tree collapsed with a crash.

His disheveled, tearful expression dispelled the images of the nightmare.

Miura Akihiko fell to the ground, his hands were scraped and bleeding, it was impossible to tell whether it was his own blood or the other person's blood.

He seemed oblivious to everything, staring blankly at the sky, at the magnificent sunset after the fire.

Tears streamed down my face without warning.

Lips quivering.

"I am not a piece of trash."

"Waaaaah, I'm not useless."

Tsukino Gen's face appeared before him.

She smiled and looked down at him.

“I told you, you weren’t.”

At this point, Takashiro Katsumi, who was already bleeding from his head, was also grateful that he had survived and seemed to have not died.

But it was at this moment that his heart was almost consumed by anger.

He will never truly repent or regret it.

His thinking was simple: no matter what, he would pay the price. He wanted Miura Akihiko to pay, and Tsukino Gen too; he wanted him...
Just as his mind was filled with the flames of revenge, he was also trying to suppress these emotions as if he were having a mental breakdown, and at the same time, he was showing a repentant expression.

"Tsukino Gen, what are you doing?"

A voice that sounded unfamiliar streaked across the horizon like a shooting star.

Several conscious individuals looked over at the same time.

Kaoru Morita followed beside the girl with long, ink-black hair; she appeared haughty and aloof, as if she were detached from the world.

"Morning mist?"

Katsuya Takashiro's lips trembled slightly. How could she have appeared?
Wait, whose name did she just say?
Wait! !
This is not right! !

He looked at the handsome young man in horror, hoping his premonition wouldn't come true.

However, all he saw was Tsukino Gen's beautiful and gentle smile as she spoke to the girl whom even Takashiro Katsuya considered unattainable.

"Sorry, something came up and I'm a little late. I'll come find you when I'm done. Please wait a moment."

What is their relationship?
The flames of revenge, which had been burning fiercely, now seemed on the verge of collapse.

Next came a casual remark from the girl.

"hurry up."

boom.

He heard the fountain erupt again.

This time, everything was extinguished.

He seemed to understand the real reason why the boy was so fearless, and he seemed to realize how terrifying the boy was.

Is it too late to regret now?
……

This little storyline is coming to an end today, and I want to write something different. Of course, if you don't like it, I'll write less of this kind of thing. If it's okay, I'll try to improve it further. Anyway, I'll try my best not to bore you, and I hope you'll be patient~
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(End of this chapter)