The Story About How I Was Fired From My Company and Then Picked up by a Possessive Streamer With Over 5 Million Subscribers - Chapter 120-121

Chapter 120: The Coward

“…W-What’s going on here?”

I ran until I couldn’t feel my legs anymore, reaching the destination that must have been shown on Haruka-chan’s phone. But…

“Take this!! Die, you damn Kitsune-gumi!! We’ve been waiting for this day!!”

“An ambush, huh?! You’ve got guts, but eat this!!”

It was absolute chaos. Around the ruins, people were fighting everywhere. Flames were spreading through the building, making the scene look like a picture of hell.

(Why… why are yakuza here…? No, this isn’t the time to think about that!)

“You two…!”

Determined, I tried to step into the battlefield—but a man blocked my way.

A uniform…? A high schooler? The guy kept staring at me. As I tried to pass him,

“Hey, wait.”

He grabbed my arm and called out to me. I tried to shake him off, but his grip was strong, and he didn’t let go.

“This place is dangerous, old man. What are you trying to do?”

“…And what are you doing here at this time of night?”

“I’ve got some personal business. I just happened to stop by here, and look at this mess. It’s all gone to hell.”

“…I see. Well, I’m in a hurry.”

I tried to shake him off again. But this time, his grip tightened even more, and I winced. Was there more he wanted to say?

“I said wait. Can’t you at least tell me what you’re trying to do?”

“…There are two girls inside that building. I need to save them.”

“Why don’t you leave it to the cops? You think one old man going in there will change anything? You’ll get caught up in the fight and die.”

…What he said made sense. Kanna-san had already called the police. Normally, it’d be best if I didn’t interfere. But still…

“I have to go. Please, let me through.”

“…Are you ready to throw away your life?”

His expression sharpened, and his piercing gaze bore into me. Honestly, he looked like a real yakuza, and it was terrifying. But I didn’t have the luxury of being intimidated.

“I’m not ready to throw my life away.”

“…Coward.”

“That’s right. Because I’m going to survive and come back.”

I need to make sure Rinmei eats plenty of meals. And there’s something I need to talk about with Haruka-chan.

“…Tch. Fine, whatever.”

The blond high schooler released my arm.

“You see that warehouse next to the ruins? Rinmei’s in there. Go.”

“What?! You know about Rinmei?!”

“…Yeah, a little. Now get going already.”

I was curious about him, but I decided to trust his words. Doing my best to avoid getting caught up in the fight, I headed toward the warehouse he pointed out.

(You two, wait for me!)

“…He called me a coward.”

…He’s right. Compared to that guy, I’m less than a coward.

“Young master. Reinforcements have arrived for the enemy. It’s probably because of that woman.”

“I see… Tch, what a troublesome woman.”

I thought I could use this chance to take out that party-girl woman with a surprise attack, but… it looks like that won’t happen.

I’ve been blackmailed and forced to follow that woman’s orders countless times, but… her words woke me up, just a little.

“…For someone who always obeys others, I’m not weak enough to need your pity…”

“…Tch. Fine then, Rinmei. I’ll prove it to you.”

Unbuttoning my uniform, I revealed the shirt underneath with the word “Yakuza” printed on it, along with the tattoo on my neck.

“I’ll show you I’m not just someone who blindly follows orders.”

To crush the Kitsune-gumi and that party-girl woman, I stepped into the battlefield.

—

Chapter 121: The Worst Outcome

“Rinmei! Just a little more, just hold on a little longer! I’ll get these off now!”

“…Haruka. It’s fine… Forget about me… The fire… It’s spreading.”

“What are you saying!? There’s no way I’d abandon you! Stop talking and don’t move!”

“Ugh…”

Overwhelmed by Haruka’s usual forceful attitude, Rinmei fell silent.

Haruka was desperately trying to cut through the chains of the handcuffs binding Rinmei. However, the cuffs were incredibly sturdy, and Haruka’s lack of strength, among other factors, made it nearly impossible to break them.

(What’s happening outside? There was a sudden explosion… The fire is spreading… The smoke is seeping in…)

“Argh! What kind of person even manages to get handcuffs this tough!? Aren’t handcuffs supposed to be hard to come by in the first place!?”

“…Haruka… Run away.”

“What? …!?”

Someone appeared at the entrance. Haruka couldn’t tell who it was, but she instinctively knew they wouldn’t be on their side. Just as she braced for the worst, the figure dashed toward them.

“Rinmei!!”

“! Eiji…!!”

Rinmei’s face lit up, while Haruka stared at him in astonishment.

“Rinmei! Hang on, I’m getting you out of here!”

Eiji inserted a key he had into the handcuffs. The moment he turned it, the seemingly indestructible cuffs clicked open and fell from Rinmei’s wrists as if they were never a problem.

“They’re off…”

“So it really was that guy who handed you the key.”

Keisuke, whom Eiji had encountered earlier, had secretly given him the key to the handcuffs.

“Yu…Yusuke… Why…?”

Haruka, dumbfounded, questioned Eiji. He responded as though it was the most natural thing in the world.

“A kid was trying to save someone. How could I turn my back on that?”

“! …You’re always like this…”

“Rinmei, can you stand? The fire is spreading through this building. We need to get out immediately.”

“…Yeah… Ah…”

Rinmei tried to stand but lost her balance. Before she could fall, Eiji caught her.

“…Sorry… I have no strength left.”

“It’s fine. I’ve got this.”

Eiji couldn’t imagine what kind of life Rinmei had been leading, but it was evident she hadn’t been eating properly.

“Yusuke! I’ll lead the way! Please take care of Rinmei!”

“Got it. Let’s move quickly…”

“You think you’re just going to walk out of here?”

“!?”

A voice came from the entrance. Standing there was a high school girl, her body streaked with black soot.

“Paripi…!”

“Haha! Of course, the moment I check in, it’s this mess! You people are so infuriating! That idiot betrayed me, and now… Ugh! Why is nothing going my way!?”

Throwing a tantrum, Paripi stomped her feet in frustration. But her expression soon shifted to a sinister smirk.

“…With all this commotion, the police will come. Everything about me will be exposed. Haha! It’s all ruined! But I’m not going down alone… I’ll take you with me.”

From her pocket, she pulled out a sharp knife and aimed it at Rinmei and Haruka. Seeing this, Eiji turned pale but quickly set Rinmei down and sprang into action.

“Eiji…!?”

“First, I’ll deal with you, glasses girl!”

“!?”

Laughing maniacally, Paripi charged at Haruka, knife in hand. Just as the blade was about to pierce Haruka’s body, she was suddenly shoved aside. In her place, the knife sank into someone else’s body.

“Ugh… Gah…”

“…Huh?”

“What…?”

Everyone froze in disbelief, as if the air itself had been stolen from the room—except for one person.

“…Ugh…”

“!? W-What… What is this!?”

Terrified by Eiji’s unwavering glare despite being stabbed, Paripi dropped the knife and fled the scene.

“…Why?”

“…Rin… Haruka… Are you safe? And… I’m sorry.”

Eiji managed a faint, apologetic smile before speaking his final words.

“…Call an ambulance… too.”

With that, Eiji collapsed to the floor.

“…Eiji?”