Returnee from Another World - Chapter 16: Negative Emotions

Chapter 16: Negative Emotions

My assault on Sakaki flickered in the light of a portable LED lantern, casting monstrous shadow puppets on the factory walls. It felt like those shadows mirrored my inner self.

Sakaki, taking the full brunt of my attack, collapsed backward.

My knee strike had precisely hit his left jaw.

He tried to stand, but a mild concussion left his supporting arm trembling.

I’d held back, but he wouldn’t be moving properly for a while.

Even trained fighters can’t handle a jaw strike. The impact isn’t much, but the brain-rattling effect is universal, in that world or this one.

“Tominaga, hurry up and suck his dick.”

The me from that world was surfacing.

A terrifyingly cruel, sinister version of myself.

I’d sensed this coming.

Not some split-personality nonsense. Since returning to this world, I’d been suppressing it desperately.

Peel back the surface, and this is my true nature. Not much different from these guys—no, I’m far worse.

Knowing that, I couldn’t stop myself.

“Please, I’m sorry! I’ll do anything, even grovel!”

“I said suck, didn’t I?!”

I rushed Tominaga, kicking him like a soccer ball.

“Guh! …Please, really, spare me! I’m begging, Kaburaki-kun!”

Tominaga dropped to his knees, thoroughly cowed.

Honestly, I doubted he’d try anything against me now. Even if Sakaki forced him, he’d likely refuse.

There was little point in continuing.

Still, my anger didn’t subside. It was the way he looked at Kyouka.

That lecherous gaze.

Just imagining her in his twisted fantasies was unforgivable. Combined with his irritating attitude, it had become a sin I couldn’t overlook.

Recalling that look, my body moved on its own, kicking Tominaga relentlessly.

“Gah! Stop… ugh… I can’t… please!”

“If you can’t, guess your ass won’t stay a virgin. Plenty of tools around here for that. How about that spanner wrench?”

Hearing my words, Tominaga desperately covered his rear.

Did he think that’d help?

I could easily overpower him.

Sakaki, hearing our exchange, mustered his last strength to shout.

“You bastard, Kaburaki! You know what’ll happen after this! We’ve got yakuza connections. Look forward to it!”

“Sakaki, you’re so cool right now. Coming up with such a pathetic, secondhand threat.”

“Shut up!!”

I mocked him, but I was no better.

What I was about to do was no different from his words—just a matter of winner and loser.

Right then, a car horn sounded outside the factory.

Perfect timing, like clockwork. But it was also the signal to end my fun.

I’d expected it to take nearly an hour, so I’d timed it in advance, but they’d prepared faster than anticipated.

“Tominaga, you’re lucky. Looks like my time’s up.”

I approached Sakaki, grabbing his collar.

Despite his trembling legs and weak struggles, I forced him to stand.

“Stop squirming, Sakaki. I’m just gonna wake you up a bit. Show you how small your world is.”

“What’re you yapping about, bastard? Let go! I said let go!”

“Tominaga, you’re coming too. Don’t, and it’s the wrench treatment. Just a short walk outside, so relax.”

I dragged Sakaki out of the building.

Tominaga followed reluctantly, still covering his rear.

My threat about the wrench must’ve hit hard. It was mostly a bluff, but if I’d had time, I might’ve followed through.

Stepping outside, a car was parked near the rusted gate I’d seen earlier.

A man stepped out.

From a stereotypical black Mercedes emerged a man clearly from that world—Yasu from the Hayashido gang.

Yasu glanced our way while subtly scanning the surroundings.

We were about 50 meters apart.

We could see Yasu clearly. Sakaki and the others should see him too.

Despite the night’s darkness, the streetlights illuminated Yasu faintly.

From his side, we were barely visible—just shadows in the dark, as I’d confirmed before entering.

Releasing Sakaki’s collar, I stepped back slightly.

At a distance where they couldn’t overhear, I pulled a burner phone from my left jeans pocket and dialed.

From my right pocket, I took my smartphone, playing a pre-recorded voice through the burner’s speaker.

[“Hello, Mr. Masuda? It’s Yasu. I’m at the designated spot.”]

“Yes.”

[“It’s a bit dark, but there seem to be some kids around. Your people?”]

“Let’s ignore the brats.”

“I thought this place was empty, but it might be their hangout.”

[“Oh, not yours? What should I do then?”]

“Sorry, Yasu-san. I’m nearby but can’t come out with those brats around. I see someone who looks like you. Could you wave to confirm it’s you?”

[“Got it.”]

Yasu waved broadly. I raised my right hand lightly in response.

“Confirmed.”

[“If they’re not yours, should I go scatter them?”]

“No.”

“Let’s ignore the brats.”

“It’s not great to have our faces seen clearly during deals like this.”

[“Yeah, fair point. Should we move then?”]

“There’s a pier straight toward the sea. Sorry, but let’s meet there. I’ll follow quietly so the brats don’t notice. Please go ahead.”

[“Understood. You okay, Masuda-san?”]

“Oh, sorry. We might use this place again, so could you scare the brats a bit? No need to touch them—just say something like, ‘Keep acting tough, and we’ll snatch you all up.’ Sorry for the trouble.”

[“No problem, easy job.”]

“We’ll talk at the pier.”

Yasu took a few steps toward us, shouting.

I’d told him not to enter the grounds, but he seemed to forget.

“Hey, brats! Keep acting cocky, and we’ll snatch you all up!!”

With that, he returned to the car and drove off leisurely.

“That was Yasushi Sawai from the Hayashido gang. You’ve heard of them, right? You think I’m just a quiet, model student, but you’re mistaken.”

“…”

“I don’t like borrowing someone’s clout. It’s not my strength. But you guys won’t get it unless it’s made clear, so I had him show up.”

“…Sorry.”

“Huh?”

“Kaburaki-kun, I’m sorry. We’ll return all the money.”

“I said that’s for medical expenses. I don’t want it back. Take it and call it settled. And you better not blab about this to anyone. Make sure the guys inside get that too. Got it?”

“…Yes.”

The black (【Hostility】) aura around Sakaki was gone.

Despite showing him the clear power gap, it lingered—until the real deal showed up. I’d planned this as the final move, but it left me with mixed feelings. Maybe visible threats work best on guys like them.

But I felt an odd unease.

Maybe seeing Sakaki cowed made me lose interest. It wasn’t surprising to think this was pointless.

I should feel relieved they wouldn’t touch my girl anymore.

But something nagged at me.

I’d lost all emotion toward them.

The burning hostility, disgust, and anger had vanished cleanly, leaving an unsettling emptiness.

I couldn’t figure out why.

It was a first, and it felt eerie. No matter how I thought, no answer came. I could only abandon the thought, carrying that unease.

Turning on my heel, I left the factory silently.

Behind me, Tominaga’s relieved sigh and Sakaki’s faint tongue-click reached my ears, but I didn’t care anymore.

◇

“Sorry, Yasu-san, for calling you out so late and keeping you waiting.”

“No worries. Our business heats up at this hour. Making money like this, night or dawn, doesn’t bother me.”

“Glad to hear. Here’s the payment.”

I handed Yasu an attaché case with gold ingots.

The case was newly bought for trades; I couldn’t keep using my dad’s suitcase.

Yasu checked the three ingots, then handed me a thick envelope.

Inside was 3 million yen.

I’d asked Yasunaga for an urgent trade, needing 3 million immediately, with the rest later.

It was an excuse to get Yasu here to intimidate Sakaki’s group, not a real need.

But letting Yasu see Hiiragi Kaburaki’s face would defeat the purpose of my James Masuda alias. Hence the setup.

“Received the gold. They’d love it if you could deliver quickly next time. Also, you’re welcome to drink at the shop anytime. Yasunaga says the tab’s on him.”

“Thank you. Despite the inconvenience, you agreed readily. Tell Yasunaga I’ll prepare as soon as possible. I’ll visit the shop when I’m free. Oh, and here’s a little something for the trouble.”

I pulled 100,000 yen from my cash and offered it to Yasu.

It wasn’t gratitude or apology—just a move for next time.

“No, no, I can’t take that. We’re making good money on this deal.”

“Then how about this? Give it to Akari-san for me. I had a great time drinking with her last time. Buy her something nice with it.”

“For Akari? Alright, I’ll take it then.”

“Until next time. I’ll contact you soon.”

“Got it. Looking forward to it.”

Yasu’s Mercedes drove off.

Everything went as planned, but the fog in my chest wouldn’t lift as I headed to a nearby public restroom to revert to Kaburaki Shuu and started home.