Returnee from Another World - Chapter 33: The Bandit King

Chapter 33: The Bandit King

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“Yuuichi’s totally chickened out. He’s still holed up at home, saying he’s suddenly scared of people’s eyes.”

In a corner of the classroom, Sakaki Shintaro, arm still in a cast, glanced at his phone before blurting this out to Higuchi Nobuo and Tominaga Kenji.

“What? Seriously? That Yuuichi?”

“But his face wasn’t even that messed up, right? Sure, it was swollen like crazy, but the docs said no bones were broken.”

“Probably not about that. I get why Yuuichi’s so freaked out. That guy’s eyes were insane back then. I’ve never seen someone look so thrilled while beating the crap out of somebody. Yuuichi legit thought he was gonna die.”

“Makes sense. If you’re saying that, Shintaro, no wonder he’s scared. But man, Yuuichi, of all people?”

“I was acting tough, but if I’d been alone, I’d have run for it. And don’t you think it’s weird? We got pummeled that bad, but the injuries weren’t even that serious.”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

Kenji, who’d been quietly listening, finally chimed in.

“That psycho was holding back.”

“No way. Didn’t look like it to me. Maybe he’s just not that strong?”

“Kenji, you messing with me? You saying a ‘not that strong’ guy did this to me?”

“No, I didn’t mean… Sorry.”

Shintaro’s glare silenced Kenji, who probably regretted his words.

Among the three, Shintaro and Nobuo were equals, but Kenji was clearly a step below.

Even so, Kenji was still someone other students feared. Even classmates familiar with them rarely approached these notorious delinquents, leaving their corner of the room like an isolated bubble.

But Shintaro’s raised voice—or maybe their conversation—caught the attention of one curious student.

“Hey, what’re you guys talking about?”

“What’s it to you, Kenzhi? None of your business.”

“Come on, don’t be like that. Let me in on it a bit.”

“Shut up and get lost.”

“Jeez, scary. Oh, by the way, don’t you think Kato’s gotten even hotter lately? You hit that, Sakaki?”

Only Yumitsume Kenzhi, part of the popular crowd, could talk to them so boldly.

Unlike the fear Shintaro’s group inspired, Kenzhi was respected for different reasons—decent looks, smooth talker, and popular with girls.

Even Shintaro’s crew avoided antagonizing the girls, and Kenzhi knew it, letting him talk to them almost as an equal.

“Huh? What’re you on about? I haven’t done anything with Ayano. In fact, I cut ties with her.”

“Really? No wonder I haven’t seen you two talking lately. So, you won’t mind if I make a move on her, right?”

“Hah, on Ayano? Interesting. Do whatever you want. Just don’t mention my name. If you spread that I gave you permission, I’ll kill you.”

“For real? Cool, I won’t say a word. That’s all I needed to hear. Thanks!”

Kenzhi strutted off, pleased with himself. The three left behind smirked, thinking him a clown. They knew the real situation.

“Kenzhi acts like he’s a ladies’ man, but I bet he’s still a virgin.”

“Right? Thinking he’s got a shot with Ayano after how she’s been acting? She’s clearly head over heels for some guy.”

“Could be fun to watch, though. Shintaro made it clear he’s out, so Kenzhi can’t complain to us. Let’s sit back and watch him crash and burn.”

“As long as it doesn’t blow back on us, he can do whatever.”

“Still, it’s kinda unfair, isn’t it? Monopolizing the hottest girls in school. Sometimes I’m like, what’s with that guy? Don’t you guys think so?”

“I mean, I’m not thrilled about it either, but what can you do?”

“You and Nobuo don’t care ‘cause girls flock to you anyway.”

“Hey, isn’t that Kaburaki?”

“What? Where?”

Kenji, startled by Nobuo’s words, scanned the room frantically.

Nobuo, the one who said it, was stifling laughter, hiding his face.

“Haha, Kenji, you’re freaking out! Kidding, man, kidding.”

“Ugh, Nobuo, cut it out. That’s bad for my heart.”

“Forget that, look over there. Things are getting interesting.”

“Huh, what?”

Shintaro nodded toward a spot, and the other two turned.

Ayano was there, looking listless, chin on her hand, sighing.

Or so it seemed to them. In reality, she was struggling to hide the gentle waves of pleasure from the semen still being absorbed in her anus.

Of course, Shintaro’s group had no clue. Nor did Kenzhi, who was desperately trying to talk to her.

“Damn, Ayano’s straight-up ignoring him. Won’t even look at him.”

“I’d be crushed if a girl did that to me.”

“Serves him right.”

Their mocking laughter filled the corner.

But it was short-lived. A man’s voice from beyond the classroom door cut it off. Ayano twitched, almost standing, but stopped herself, suppressing something.

“Shit, Kaburaki’s actually here? I thought he was absent today.”

“Wait, isn’t he beckoning us?”

“Kenji, you’re in his class, right? Maybe he wants you?”

“Nah, it’s not me. Didn’t he say ‘Higuchi’?”

“Yeah, sounds like it’s Nobuo he’s after.”

“Seriously? Why me? I didn’t do anything!”

“Dunno, but you better go before you piss him off.”

At Shintaro’s words, Nobuo, pale, reluctantly got up.

He hurried to the entrance, exchanged a few words with Kaburaki Shuu, bowed repeatedly, and returned.

“Man, that scared me.”

“So, what’d he want? Girl trouble, knowing you?”

“Nah, not that. Well, kinda girl-related. Apparently, my sister showed up at school, and Kaburaki ran into her at the gate. She asked him to fetch me.”

“That’s it? Got me worried for nothing.”

“Your sister’s that Yukari, right?”

“You know her, Shintaro?”

“Yeah, I used to hang at Nobuo’s place a lot when we were kids, and Yukari was in high school. She was already crazy beautiful, super famous for it.”

“Jealous. I want a hot sister like that.”

“It’s just her face. Once guys see her personality, they run for the hills. Anyway, I’m gonna go see her.”

“Alright.”

Nobuo left, leaving the two behind.

Kenzhi, rejected by Ayano’s clear dismissal, had slunk back to his seat. Every time Shintaro’s group laughed, his shoulders twitched.

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“So, what’d Yukari want?”

“Dunno, some old relative died, I guess. Said I gotta go straight home after school for the wake. Like I’m going to that.”

“She’s gonna be pissed.”

“That’s why I’m not going home. I’ll crash at some girl’s place. Once Yukari’s back at her apartment, she can’t do much.”

“Hey, is your hot sister really that scary?”

“Kenji, ever heard of the Maihime gang? The all-girl one? Yukari’s their third-generation leader.”

“No way, really?”

“Oh, speaking of Yukari, remember Yasushi Sawai, that yakuza we met?”

“Yeah, I remember him.”

“He’s apparently a big deal, same age as Yukari. She knew his name, of course. He’s infamous in the gang world. They call him the Bandit King.”

“Pfft! What’s that? Come on, Nobuo, that’s ridiculous. Sounds made-up.”

Kenji, who’d been listening quietly, burst out laughing, thinking it was a tall tale.

“But it’s true, or so I heard. Apparently, he strips his opponents bare. Not just wallets or valuables—clothes, underwear, everything.”

“What’s he do with that stuff? Come on, make up a better lie.”

“It’s not a lie. I heard it from Yukari, and she hates lies, so it’s probably true.”

“It’s not about keeping the stuff. My guess? He does it to crush their spirit, so they never challenge him again.”

“Yeah, I think Shintaro’s right.”

“That’s brutal.”

“That’s what real yakuza are like. Maybe Kaburaki’s headed that way too.”

Nobuo lowered his voice, and their talk turned to whispers.

“But Kaburaki’s always been the perfect student. Maybe he’s hiding his true self?”

“Let’s hope so. I’m terrified he’s got his eye on me because of Yukari. What if he threatens me even as a yakuza?”

“Why not offer Yukari to him? You said her personality’s why she can’t keep a guy, right?”

“No way. Call Kaburaki my brother-in-law? My family’d be full of crazies.”

Their corner erupted in laughter again.

Some students glanced over, curious about the noise but unable to hear the details.

Ayano, oblivious to Kenzhi’s earlier attempt, was engrossed in drafting a text to Shuu.

The classroom flowed with its usual, unhurried daily life.