After relieving himself of the pressure, Hajime ordered everyone to kneel in a row, and then, starting from the very edge, he shot through their male organs one by one. Hajime executed this devilish method without hesitation.
Hajime's counterattack was so inhumane that Guanghui and the others were completely terrified and retreated backwards. Especially Yongshan and the other boys, their faces were ashen and they were pounding their crotches with their hands.
Hajime glanced at the stunned Kouki and the others from the corner of his eye, then walked back. Yue and the others immediately approached and spoke:
"As expected of a master, you're still as ruthless as ever. Even though they're public enemies of women, I can't help but feel a little sympathy for them."
"It's rare to see you this angry. Looks like your overprotectiveness has reached a new level."
“…Well, that’s one of the reasons…but Hajime’s anger is also partly because of us.”
“Eh!? Including me too? Hehe, Hajime-san really… thank you~”
"... Yue always seems to be able to see right through me."
“…Yeah, because I was staring at Hajime.”
"moon……"
As a result, Hajime and Yue reentered their own world. Shia, upon seeing this, immediately complained. Myuu, unwilling to be left out, threw herself at Hajime. After Tio made a perverted remark, Hajime gave her a cold shoulder, which made her extremely excited. The scene woven around Hajime was reflected before her eyes.
Kaori stared intently at Hajime, who was holding Myuu in his arms, teasing and comforting him, while being surrounded by Yue and the others.
The picture just now——
As expected, Hajime resorted to violence without hesitation, which was the biggest difference between him and the past. At first glance, it seemed to negate Hajime's gentle and kind side in the past.
But what was the reason for Hajime's anger and violence just now? It was because of Yue and others who were snuggling beside him, smiling happily and joyfully.
After all, if a person had lost his tenderness, would he be able to be surrounded by such a smile? Could such a young child possibly regard him as a father and be close to him?
Furthermore, Kaori, shaken by Hajime's change of heart, forgets one thing: wasn't Hajime's intention to reassure Kaori that he was still alive, and that he had entered the labyrinth again? Furthermore, not only did he enter the labyrinth for Kaori's sake, he also didn't abandon others. He even saved the gravely wounded Captain Meld and instructed his companions to protect them.
Kaori realized that the reason Hajime didn't hesitate to use violence and strike his enemies without mercy was to protect someone important. Of course, this included his own life, but one thing was certain—every action of Hajime was filled with consideration for someone. The smiles of the girls surrounding Hajime were the perfect proof of that.
Xiang Shi tried to imagine—Hajime had lost his hair, right eye, and left arm. He must have struggled to survive in an unimaginably harsh environment, his body and mind must have repeatedly experienced moments of near collapse. No, perhaps... because he had already collapsed before, he had undergone such a drastic change. Despite this, Hajime continued on the path where he could be surrounded by those smiles.
This realization blew away the fog that had been shrouding Kaori's heart, like the sound of a final puzzle piece fitting into place. What was there to be lost for? Hajime was right before her eyes. The man she loved was right before her eyes. This man, despite being called "incompetent," had risen from the depths of hell, gained immense strength, and come to save her.
Of course, some things have changed, but some things haven't. This is perfectly normal. People naturally change over time, through experience, and through encounters. So, why be afraid? Why lose confidence? Why hold back?
If there's something I don't understand, I can just stay by his side and slowly figure it out. Just like what I've been doing in that classroom until now.
My feelings will never be defeated by anyone! Even if I join the circle surrounding Hajime, there is nothing wrong with that! I will never let anyone laugh at my love again!
Kaori's eyes held determination and resolution. Shizuku, standing beside her, saw the change in her friend and a smile spread across her face. She gently nudged Kaori's back. Kaori's eyes held a far greater resilience than ever before. She nodded gratefully at Shizuku and walked towards another battlefield. That's right, a women's battlefield!
Hajime and his group noticed Kaori approaching them. Hajime initially thought she was seeing them off, but Yue beside him muttered, "Hmm?" and raised an eyebrow, clearly wary. Shia also exclaimed, "Huh?" and looked at Kaori with interest, while Tio fanned the flames, saying, "Oh, this is a real battleground~"
It seemed like this wasn't just a simple farewell. Hajime suddenly had a bad feeling and frowned as he greeted Kaori.
"Hajime-kun, can you please let me go with you? ...No, I absolutely must follow you. Please give me your guidance."
"………………What?"
Her first words weren't a greeting or a request, but simply a statement of what had already been agreed upon. This turn of events left Hajime dumbfounded, and he couldn't help but ask back in a foolish voice. Yue, standing in for Hajime, who was momentarily stunned and unable to comprehend the situation, walked up to Kaori and spoke:
“…You’re not qualified.”
“What qualifications do I need? Is it about the depth of my feelings for Hajime? If that’s the point, I won’t lose to anyone!”
Kaori responded calmly, and Yue pursed her lips with a "hmm".
She fearlessly returned Yue's gaze. Kaori's eyes, blazing with determination, roared with fervor. With that blazing, determined gaze, she stared directly at the golden girl, who would undoubtedly be her greatest rival in life.
Seeing Yue narrow his eyes slightly at her gaze, Kaori suddenly looked away and turned to look at Hajime. Although the look in her eyes was unwavering, it also contained a bitterness that made the person who saw it feel heartbroken.
Then, Kaori clasped her hands together, as if offering a prayer, her cheeks flushed with nervousness and shame. She took a deep, long breath, just to tell Hajime something. This must have been the thought that had been brewing in her mind since the day she saw Hajime kowtow in the street.
Kaori tried hard to suppress her trembling voice and said clearly and distinctly:
"I like you."
"...Shirasaki."
Hearing Kaori's words, which were filled with awareness and sincerity, Hajime responded with equally sincere words:
"I already have a woman I like and I can't respond to Shirasaki's feelings, so I can't take you with me."
Hajime flatly refused, and Kaori was on the verge of tears. She pursed her lips and lowered her head. However, the next moment, she held back the tears that were about to fall, and raised her face with bright eyes.
Then, Kaori nodded vigorously, as if to show that she understood everything. Behind Kaori, Kouki and the others reacted in various ways, some in surprise, some in shock, and some in wailing. However, Kaori completely ignored them and continued to express her feelings in words:
"...Yes, I understand. Is it Miss Yue?"
"That's right, so..."
"But that's not enough of a reason for me not to stay by your side."
"What?"
"Because, including Shia-san, although it's a little subtle, but Tio-san should be the same, everyone likes Hajime-san. Especially Shia-san, she's sincere, isn't she?"
"That is……"
"Even though Hajime-san already has someone special, they didn't give up easily and stayed by his side, and he agreed. So, it's okay for me to have another one, right? When it comes to my feelings for Hajime-san... I definitely won't lose to anyone."
Kaori spoke thus, gazing at Yue with a gaze so intense it made one wonder if it held a flame. Her fierce resolve was palpable: "I will never lose to you in my feelings! I will never let you laugh at me again!" These words were a declaration of war. She expressed her resolve to secure the only available 'Special Seat'.
Yue met Kaori's piercing gaze head-on, and rarely raised the corner of his mouth in a curve that anyone could see at a glance, revealing a fearless smile.
"...Then come with me. I'll make you clearly aware of the gap between you and me."
"Don't call me that, my name is Kaori."
"...Just call me Yue. I'm willing to accept Kaori's challenge."
"Hehe, please give me some advice, Yue. You can't cry even if you lose, okay?"
“…Hmph, hmph hmph hmph.”
"Ahaha, hahahahahahahaha."
Yue and Kaori completely entered their own world, though the nature of it was completely different from what Hajime had imagined. Hajime stared off into the distance, feeling the need to be confessed to, despite being the one being confessed to. He even decided to let Kaori join the team without his knowledge. Shia and Myuu, watching Yue and Kaori smile at each other, hugged each other tightly in fear, their bodies trembling.
"H-Hashi-san! My vision is acting strangely! I think I see a dragon with dark clouds and lightning behind Yue-san!"
"...Isn't that normal? I also saw a Hannya holding a large sword behind Shirosaki."
"Dad~! My sisters are so scary!"
"Hoo-hoo~ Both of them are amazing... If I could just bask in their gazes... well, I can't bear the thought."
Yue and Kaori, hands on their hips, smiled at each other. A body double seemed to appear behind them. Hajime wanted to complain, "Are you guys really meant to be like this?" But he was afraid of adding fuel to the fire, so he comforted Myuu and Shia, who were huddled beside him, and waited for the situation to calm down. (Editor's note: A body double is a fictional supernatural power in "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.")
However, at this moment, someone jumped out and strongly opposed Kaori... Of course, it was the "Hero" Amanokawa Kouki.
"Wait, wait! Wait a minute! I don't understand at all. Kaori likes Nagumo? She wants to follow him? Huh? What's going on? Why did things suddenly turn out like this? Nagumo! What on earth did you do to Kaori?"
“…What?”
It seems that Kouki refuses to accept the fact that Kaori likes Hajime. This isn't something that happened suddenly, but Kouki himself hasn't noticed it yet. Therefore, in his eyes, the reason why Kaori suddenly went astray is Hajime's fault. How could he be so self-righteous? Hajime can't help but complain in his broken Kansai accent.
Guanghui was certain that Hajime had done something to Kaori, and angrily drew his holy sword and walked towards Hajime. Shizuku, pretending to suppress her headache, stopped Guanghui and said:
"Koki, how could Nagumo-san do anything to Kaori? Think about it calmly. You just haven't realized it yet. Kaori has been in love with Nagumo-san for a long time. It was already like this when she was still in Japan. Otherwise, why would Kaori keep talking to Nagumo-san?"
"Shizuku...what are you talking about? That's just because Kaori is kind and feels sorry for Nagumo, who's always alone. Nagumo isn't sociable, has no motivation, and is an otaku. How could Kaori possibly like him?!"
Hajime listened silently to the conversation between Kouki and Shizuku. Although the content was all true, being said so directly to his face was unexpectedly infuriating, and Hajime's cheeks twitched slightly.
At this time, noticing the commotion of Guanghui and the others, Kaori felt it necessary to come forward and put an end to it herself, so she explained to Guanghui and his companions behind him:
"I'm sorry, Kouki-san and everyone else. I know I'm being selfish... but I absolutely want to go with Hajime-san, so please allow me to leave the group. I'm truly sorry."
Kaori finished, bowing her head deeply. Suzu, Eri, Tsuji, Yoshino, and the other girls all exclaimed in high-pitched delight, offering their support. Nagayama, Endo, and Nomura had long since sensed Kaori's feelings, so they simply smiled wryly, telling her not to worry, and waved goodbye.
"No way? ...This is so weird! Kaori has always been by my side...and it should be like this from now on, right? Kaori and I grew up together...so...it's only natural that she'll always be with me. Right, Kaori?"
"Um... Kouki-kun, even though we're childhood friends... that doesn't mean we'll always be together, right? I thought that was just a matter of course..."
"Enough is enough, Kouki. Kaori is not yours, and whatever she decides is her business."
After hearing what his two childhood friends said, Guanghui was stunned and couldn't help but glance at Hajime who was standing beside him.
Hajime gazed into the distance with a nonchalant expression, flanked by a beautiful woman and a young girl. Seeing this scene, a tinge of irritation crossed his radiant eyes. The thought of Kaori becoming one of them brought a surge of negative emotions he had never felt before. His mind raced, impulsively interpreting everything in his own favor.
"...Kaori, you can't join them. I'm saying this for your own good. Look, Nagumo has so many girls serving him, even those as young as young... Not only that, the bunny girls are wearing slave collars, and that black-haired woman just called Nagumo 'Master'. He must have forced them to do that! Nagumo definitely treats women like collectibles. He's awful. Not only does he have the ability to take lives in a blink of an eye, he also wields powerful weapons, yet he never helps us, his fellow allies. Kaori, if you follow him, you'll only end up in misfortune, so it's best for you to stay. No, you should stay! Even if I'll hate you, I'll stop you! I won't let you leave!"
Hearing Guanghui's incoherent speech, Kaori and the others were speechless. However, the exasperated Guanghui had no intention of giving up. The gaze that had originally been directed at Kaori, as if a thought had occurred to him, turned to Yue and the others.
"You don't need to tolerate that man anymore. Come with me! You're so skilled, we're more than happy to welcome you. Let's save the world together! Your name is Shia, right? Don't worry, if you follow me, I'll free you from slavery! And Tio doesn't have to call him master anymore!"
Kouki said this with a bright smile on his face, and extended his hand to Yue and the others. Shizuku put her hands on her face and looked up at the sky, while Kaori stood there dumbfounded with her mouth wide open.
As for Yue and the others who were invited by Guanghui with such a smile...
“““…”””
They were speechless, looking away from Kouki, rubbing their arms with their hands. A closer look revealed goosebumps all over Yue and the others' skin. In some way, they seemed to have been traumatized. Even Tio frowned, muttering, "The truth is a little different than you thought..."
Guanghui, who had extended his arms, saw Yue and the others' reactions, and his smile twitched. Not only did they not meet his eyes, but they also hid behind Hajime with expressions of disgust. This sight seemed to have taken a toll on Guanghui.
The blow turned into anger, driving him to take the next step. He glared at Hajime recklessly, pulled the holy sword from its sheath—and plunged it into the ground. As if to show that he would never give in, Kouki thrust his index finger fiercely at Hajime and declared:
"Nagumo Hajime! Duel me! Throw down your weapons and fight with just your bare hands! If I win, you won't be allowed to get close to Kaori again! And I'll free those girls!"
"...Oh no, this hero is even more shameful than I thought. It's too shameful to bear."
"What are you still mumbling about? Are you scared?!"
After drawing his holy sword, Kouki must have realized that he was no match for Hajime, who was armed, and so he plunged the sword into the ground, suggesting a bare-handed fight. It wasn't clear whether this was intentional or not, but whether it was Yue or the others, or Kaori and the others, all felt unimpressed by Kouki's behavior.
However, Kouki, so convinced of his own justice, was completely obsessed with saving those poor girls and his childhood friend from Hajime's clutches that he was completely oblivious to the atmosphere around him. His headstrong, reckless personality, combined with the first stirrings of jealousy within him, caused him to completely lose control.
Before Hajime could say anything in response, Kouki suddenly rushed forward.
Hajime sighed and took two or three steps back. Seeing his movements, Guanghui became even more convinced that fighting without weapons was intimidating Hajime, and he stomped his feet a little harder. Even when the distance between them was reduced to a few steps, Hajime still kept his hands down and did not react. Guanghui thought that Hajime could not keep up with his movements, and at the moment when he felt that victory was in his grasp——
“Hmm!?”
The glorious figure disappeared.
To be more precise, he took his final, all-out step forward, concentrating all his strength on his fist—and fell into the hole. As Hajime began to retreat, he used the magic circle embedded in his shoe to create a hole about four meters deep.
After swallowing the light, the cave immediately returned to its original stone floor, and a series of explosions echoed from the underground. While crafting the trap, Hajime transferred flash grenades, stun grenades, paralysis grenades, and tear gas grenades from the "treasure vault" underground.
At this moment, underground, Guanghui, who was trying to escape, must have been hit by the explosion, his vision was taken away by the flash, his mouth and nose were tortured by the tear gas, and he was paralyzed so that he could not shrink his body and could only be frozen at the bottom of the pit.
Hajime silently refined it once more. After all, without air, it was still possible for Guanghui to die, so he did not seal the hole, but instead created a few small holes for ventilation.
In the eyes of others, Hajime didn't respond at all from beginning to end, just standing there; and Guanghui, who got angry on his own, rushed forward on his own, and disappeared on his own... looked very sad.
"Ah~ Yaegashi, I didn't kill that guy. Remember to dig him out later."
"...I have a lot to say...but I understand."
"Leave all the troubles related to Kouki to Yaegashi Shizuku!" Shizuku seemed to have accepted this unspoken rule in Japan. She turned to Hajime, who had pushed the troubles onto her, put her hands over her eyes and sighed.
Finally, no one was standing in their way... Just then, it dawned on them that it was Hiyama and the others' turn to stir up trouble. They argued that Kaori's departure would be a significant loss, and if she truly deserted the group, lives might be lost. So, they kept trying to persuade Kaori to stay. Hiyama was the most agitated of them all. He looked as if something he had longed for, on the verge of his grasp, had sprouted wings and flown away. He was visibly agitated.
Seeing Kaori's unwavering resolve and realizing they couldn't convince her, Hiyama and the other four changed their target, hoping to get Hajime to stay with their team. They shamelessly said, "We'll apologize for what we did in the past, and let's just get along."
Even though anyone could see they had no intention of repenting, the four of them shamelessly watched Hajime's reaction. This behavior not only displeased Hajime, but also Shizuku and the others. For the first time since their reunion, Hajime met Hiyama's eyes up close. Perhaps influenced by Kaori's desire to leave the team, from Hajime's perspective, his eyes gradually lit up with a maddened look.
Just as Shizuku and the others began to dissuade Hiyama and his group, and another argument was about to break out, Hajime, believing this was a rare opportunity, decided to speak to Hiyama in order to confirm the truth of that day and resolve the current situation, with a mocking smile on his face:
"Hiyama, have your fire magic skills gotten any stronger?"
“…Huh?”
Hiyama was stunned by the unexpected question. However, he seemed to hear the hidden meaning of the question and his face gradually turned pale.
"W-What are you talking about? I'm a striker... and my most compatible attribute is wind."
"Oh... I thought you were a fire type."
"Are you mistaken? What are you talking about?..."
"So you must be very fond of fire magic, right? Especially fireballs—after all, you've practiced it to the point where you can cast it reflexively, right?"
"..."
Hiyama's face had gone not only livid but now pale. Seeing his reaction, Hajime was convinced that his suspicions were correct. Furthermore, seeing Hiyama's panic over Kaori's departure from the group, Hajime understood his motives. Hajime glanced at Kaori and thought, "I'm glad he hasn't violated you yet."
For Hajime, the burning fire of revenge had long since died. While he wouldn't show mercy to anyone who turned against him, he wouldn't pay any special attention to anyone who wasn't deliberately antagonizing him. If he were to seek revenge against Hiyama, he'd risk creating a grudge against Kouki and the others, and Hiyama wasn't worth the effort. To Hajime, Hiyama and the others were worth less than a pebble on the roadside.
Hajime left the silent Hiyama and spoke sternly to Kondou and the others:
You'll Also Like
-
An ordinary profession creates the world's strongest
Chapter 860 20 minute ago -
Equipment Printing School Mage
Chapter 478 20 minute ago -
1932: Playing with the Japanese Communist Party with a doll
Chapter 711 20 minute ago -
Ikari Shinji's Harem Comedy Daily Life
Chapter 122 20 minute ago -
Connect to Yuan Tiejue's chat group
Chapter 69 20 minute ago -
As a commander, I will never meet a heavy female ship girl
Chapter 290 20 minute ago -
Why wasn't I the one who got the male lead's script?
Chapter 189 20 minute ago -
This second dimension is too immortal
Chapter 580 20 minute ago -
Terra Succubus Development System, but calm office workers
Chapter 101 20 minute ago -
I'm collecting in the Pokémon world
Chapter 377 20 minute ago