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Hinata leaned toward one of the girls in class, her voice low but firm.
"Why are you saying these things?"
The girl looked at her, wide-eyed, almost hesitant to speak.
"You don't know who Saki's boyfriend is?" she whispered, as if even saying his name might summon something terrible.
"He used to be a fourth-year at our school. A boxing champion. Went to nationals three times."
Hinata blinked. "That sounds impressive…"
The girl shook her head.
"It was... until last year. At nationals, his opponent abused him mid-match. He didn't just fight back—he beat the guy to death."
Hinata's breath caught in her throat.
"W-What's his name?"
The girl hesitated before replying.
"Bakiyo Mantari."
Hinata froze. "What...?"
The girl leaned closer.
"People say he leads all the local gangs in the city now. It's a rumor, but… I think it's true."
Hinata stared at her, shaken.
"They say Bakiyo's killed more than fifty people just to become who he is today," the girl added.
Hinata's heart raced. She could barely speak.
"What's your name?" she asked quietly.
"Rika Tomoyo," the girl replied, looking just as scared.
Just then, the lunch break bell rang.
It snapped Hinata out of her daze. Her eyes darted across the room, and then she ran toward Akira, who had just stood up from his seat.
"Akira!" she shouted, grabbing his wrist.
"You need to hide. Right now."
Akira raised an eyebrow, calm as ever.
"Why?"
Before Hinata could reply, a cold voice interrupted from behind.
"Yes, Hinata. He's here."
It was Saki.
Hinata turned, horrified.
"Someone—please call the police!"
Saki smirked and held up a bunch of phones.
"Too late. All phones are with me."
Then the school speaker crackled, and a terrifyingly deep voice filled the room.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Bakiyo. I'm here to meet someone. His name is Akira, first year. Please come to the basketball court. I a—"
Before the message could finish, Akira had punched the speaker, shattering it into silence.
Suddenly, the air was filled with the sound of motorcycles revving and men shouting outside the school walls.
Akira turned to leave.
"Akira—!" Hinata called, her voice cracking.
Akira looked back at her once, eyes steady.
"Don't worry, Hinata."
"Let me fix this."
And with that, he walked out the door.
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