Chapter-03 · EP-053
Episode 53: Kyoya Murasakimura (Part 1)
Tuesday morning arrived.
Yesterday had been a very fulfilling day.
Observing the First Swordsmanship Club, and Takigawa-san fighting in my place after I lost the mock battle. Unfortunately, Takigawa-san also lost, but I was able to witness the skill of the First Swordsmanship Club's captain, Iwakura-san. Then practice and joining the Second Swordsmanship Club. It was truly a fulfilling time.
It was disappointing that I couldn't join the First Swordsmanship Club, but all the seniors in the Second Club were good people.
We didn't have a large training hall like the First Club, nor did we have prestigious instructors, but even though they complained, everyone followed through on my suggestions. I felt that with those seniors, I could do my best.
Thinking back, in middle school, even when I demanded the same level of effort from everyone, they would say "I'm not like you" and refuse. The only one who followed me was Mamoru; he was my only true friend.
But now, besides the Second Club seniors, I also have Ichinose-kun and Takigawa-san. Kujo-san and Kisaragi-san from Class A also joined practice. Maybe those two aren't bad nobles.
What Hayasaka-san said when we first enrolled—that not all nobles might be bad—might actually be true. I'll have to apologize to Hayasaka-san later.
Thinking such thoughts, I entered the classroom.
Come to think of it, Ichinose-kun went home early yesterday. I should ask him why. I looked for him, but he seemed to be talking with Hayasaka-san and the others. I'd try talking to him again later.
During lunch break, I ate lunch with Mamoru as usual, facing each other.
Our conversation was, as expected, about yesterday's club activities. Mamoru also seemed excited about working hard as part of the Second Swordsmanship Club.
I couldn't help but smile.
Just then, Ichinose-kun walked past nearby. I wanted to talk to him about club activities too, so I called out.
"Ah, Ichinose-kun! Want to eat together?"
But Ichinose-kun's response was curt.
"No, I always eat alone. Well, then."
"I see."
Time alone was also important. He must have his own way of spending his time.
Giving up on him joining us, I returned to my conversation with Mamoru.
—And then, after finishing lunch and returning our dishes, it happened.
"Are you Sendo-kun?"
An unfamiliar student spoke to Mamoru.
"Yes, what is it?"
"A teacher said they want you to come to the staff room."
"To the staff room? Which teacher?"
"No, I don't know the teacher's name either. You'll find out when you go."
"I see. Well then, sorry Kyoya…"
"Ah, shall I come with you?"
When I offered to accompany Mamoru, the unknown student answered.
"Ah, they said they wanted Sendo-kun alone."
"I see… Well, nothing we can do then."
"See you later!"
"Yeah."
And so, I parted ways with Mamoru.
Looking back, this summons was somehow strange.
After parting with Mamoru, as I left the cafeteria alone, people suddenly gathered around me.
One, two, three, four… five male students surrounded me.
"What do you want?"
When I asked, one of them answered.
"Could you spare us a moment, Murasakimura-kun?"
Hearing his mocking tone, I looked at his face and remembered.
"You're… Haijima-kun from Class 1-B, right?"
I was brought by them to a secluded area behind the cafeteria.
They were just smirking and saying nothing, so I asked again.
"What exactly do you want?"
Then Haijima met my gaze and spoke.
"We owe you for yesterday."
"Owe me? Yesterday, I was just unilaterally beaten by you."
"That's right. You should be grateful I even bothered to deal with a small fry like you."
"Haa… So what's your point?"
I didn't understand what Haijima was trying to say, and I was getting exasperated.
But apparently, he didn't like my response, as he suddenly got angry.
"Because of you, the club president got mad at us after you left! It's all your fault!"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
The club president… he must mean the second-year, Iwakura-san. He got mad after we left? Why would that involve us?
As I was confused by Haijima's lack of explanation, one of his companions began to clarify.
"Someone snitched to the club president about the enchanted wooden sword Haijima-kun used to beat you! Because of that, the club president told Haijima-kun that if he does it again, he'll be expelled! You were the snitch, weren't you?"
"Why would I?"
"You must have held a grudge after Haijima-kun beat you!"
"I've already forgotten about that. I'm too busy with Second Swordsmanship Club activities now."
"Liar."
One of Haijima's cronies grabbed my collar.
"Stop!"
"Do it!"
At Haijima's command, the four cronies ignored my protests and started hitting me.
"Stop!"
I couldn't escape with my clothes grabbed. The four took turns hitting me. Why were they doing this?
Before I knew it, I had been knocked down. The places they hit hurt.
I couldn't understand why I was being treated like this. I had no intention of hitting them back, but I'd have to report this to the teacher later.
As I was thinking that, Haijima gave an order to his underlings.
"You two, hold him down."
Two of them grabbed my arms and shoulders, forcing my upper body up.
Then, Haijima took out a wooden sword. It was the one he'd used yesterday. The dangerous weapon that supposedly had an "Impact Enhancement" enchantment.
"You might have survived yesterday because you had armor on, but what would happen without armor?"
Haijima's eyes were unfocused as he muttered.
"Stop it, Haijima…"
Yesterday, even with armor, I was doubled over in agony from a single blow to the stomach. If I took a hit now without armor…
"Hehehe, die!"
Bang!
A strong impact shot through my head along with a loud noise. The world went dark for a moment from the intense pain. A warm, sticky liquid trickled down my face… probably blood. I was bleeding from where I was hit.
This man, Haijima, was insane. Did he really intend to kill me? If he did, he'd be arrested by the police.
Haijima looked at me, limp and bleeding, with a pleased expression, then continued to beat my body repeatedly with his wooden sword. Each blow sent sharp pain through me, and I groaned. He probably enjoyed my reactions, as his face was one of ecstasy.
But it didn't last long. A student who appeared on the scene shouted.
"What are you doing?!"
"Huh? Shut up, mind your own business!"
Ignoring Haijima's words, the student called my name.
"Murasakimura! Are you okay?"
I recognized that voice. Through my fading consciousness, I looked at his face.
"Akaishi-kun…?"
It was my classmate, Tetsuya Akaishi. We hadn't spoken much, but seeing me being beaten, he became enraged.
"Let go of Murasakimura!"
Akaishi-kun punched and knocked down the two cronies holding my arms.
With his powerful punches, the two screamed and collapsed.
"Who the hell are you? You're on Murasakimura's side?"
The remaining two stepped in front of Haijima to protect him. But they were easily knocked down by Akaishi-kun's punches.
"S-stop, you! Do you know who I am? I'm Kouki Haijima, the heir to a barony! If you lay a hand on me, you'll be expelled from this academy!"
"Akaishi-kun, no fighting!"
Ignoring my plea, Akaishi-kun punched Haijima hard.
"Gyaaa! You did it! You actually hit me! Expulsion! I'll tell my daddy! You're all expelled!"
Haijima shouted loudly, drawing the attention of other students who gathered.
"That big guy over there attacked me! Help! He just suddenly came at me!"
"What are you saying? You attacked Murasakimura first!"
"Whose word do you think is more believable, yours or mine, a noble's? Dummy!"
This was nobility. They lied without hesitation and used their power to force injustice. Unforgivable.
Realizing he had fallen into Haijima's trap, Akaishi-kun looked dejected.
"Sorry, Murasakimura… I messed up…"
"It's not your fault, Akaishi-kun. The teacher will understand if we tell the truth."
"Dummy! Teachers can't go against nobles either!"
Haijima said this in a voice only we could hear, then again pretended to be the victim loudly.