The fierce war of words and territory concluded with Kotonoha Katsura incapacitated. Ryo Asakura supported the girl and hauled Ito Makoto, who resembled a discarded doll, to the teacher's office.
If evil remains hidden, how can just sanctions resolve suffering? Justice is neither proactive nor absolute.
Ryo Asakura chose to enact his own justice, even if it was flawed and narrow.
Be a good person among good people and a bad person among bad people, for that is how one survives best in this world.
The office door swung open, and the scene within captured the attention of all the teachers.
Shizuka Hiratsuka looked at her seemingly calm student and hurried forward, a headache brewing, to inquire about what had happened. Makoto Ito on the floor was still groaning in pain.
"Teacher Hiratsuka, today, Kotonoha Katsura was secretly photographed by this Ito-san on the train, and I intervened on the spot.
I didn't expect Ito to be unrepentant and retaliate by following and accosting Katsura at noon. I received her distress message and stopped the crime in time."
Ryo Asakura spoke calmly, and Shizuka Hiratsuka's face shifted as she grasped the gravity of the situation. She promptly called Mr. Watanabe from Class 2-A to discuss the matter.
"Teacher Watanabe, this is extremely serious. Let's quickly call both sets of parents to handle this."
Teacher Watanabe nodded in agreement, his expression grave. The two phone calls directly led to the mothers of both students, Moeko Ito and Manami Katsura, rushing to the school.
...
In the counseling room, Manami Katsura regarded Ito Makoto, whose wound had been crudely bandaged, with a cold gaze, while Ito Moeko beside him repeatedly bowed and apologized.
"Ms. Katsura, I am truly sorry that my child has caused so much trouble for you and your daughter.
Although it is difficult to ask for your forgiveness, as a mother, I truly cannot bear to see my child suffer imprisonment. I am deeply sorry.
"Makoto, you come over here and apologize to them."
Ito Moeko was exhausted and staggered, tears welling in her eyes as she pleaded for forgiveness. Ito Makoto numbly and mechanically bowed and apologized, his body still trembling as if he were reliving Ryo Asakura's brutal intervention.
Manami Katsura, like many mothers, deeply cared for her daughter and treated her well. However, when it came to matters involving outsiders, she was very strict and said with a stern look.
"Ms. Ito, I sympathize with your position as a mother, but I will never forgive anyone who harms my daughter. I can choose not to involve the police, but this Makoto Ito..."
"My daughter's reputation must be restored by her classmates, who must report his actions to the entire school, and he must not be allowed to approach her again."
Ito Moeko's face paled. Looking at that beautiful yet icily cold face, she understood that this was Manami Katsura's final ultimatum. She lowered her head in disappointment and said.
"Yes, this is the punishment that Makoto deserves. Thank you for your magnanimity, and I am very sorry for frightening Katsura-san."
Kotonoha Katsura helplessly observed the tense atmosphere in the room. Suffering from social anxiety, she instinctively moved closer to Ryo Asakura to find a sense of security. Ryo Asakura simply patted her shoulder gently, reassuring her that everything was alright. Only then did her emotions slowly calm, and she felt an indescribable sense of safety.
After apologizing to everyone, Ito Moeko took Ito Makoto to the hospital to treat his injuries. The atmosphere in the counseling room gradually eased. After the teachers of both classes apologized and offered assurances to Kotonoha Katsura and Manami Katsura, they also gave the mother and daughter some private time.
When Ryo Asakura saw that the situation was mostly resolved, he also intended to leave, but unexpectedly, his hand was held, preventing him from going. He looked at Kotonoha in surprise.
"Asakura-kun, please stay with me for a while. I'm still a little scared."
In reality, the girl's emotions had calmed down long ago, she simply wanted to spend more time with him.
Observing the scene before her, Manami Katsura wore an expression of indescribable tenderness. She was grateful to the young man for protecting her daughter, and her daughter had clearly developed feelings for him, so she might as well seize this opportunity to help her daughter take a step forward.
"Asakura-kun, thank you very much for standing up for my daughter. Are you free tonight? I would like to invite you to my house for dinner. At least allow me to treat you properly as a small token of my gratitude."
"Ah, that's too kind of you, Mrs. Katsura. Mr. Katsura and I are friends. This is nothing more than a small matter."
"Since you're friends, isn't it perfectly normal for you to come over for dinner?"
Words that brooked no refusal came from the mouth of the tall, smiling woman before him. Beside her, Kotonoha looked at Ryo Asakura with expectant eyes, and he scratched his head helplessly.
"Well, I'll accept your kind offer."
"I will be waiting for you, Mr. Asakura."
Manami Katsura smiled charmingly and waved goodbye. Ryo Asakura, unable to bear the increasingly satisfied look of the "mother-in-law" towards her "son-in-law," left after a few parting words.
"Student Katsura, I will meet you after I finish my club activities this afternoon."
"Okay!"
...
After all the commotion, he had already missed the afternoon classes. After some thought, he decided to go directly to the Service Club. By finishing the club activities early, he could make it to the appointment with Kotonoha Katsura's family sooner.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw a cool girl engrossed in a novel. Her upright posture accentuated her beautiful curves, and her crystal-clear, delicate skin shimmered in the evening light.
The gentle breeze stirred her long black hair, tied with a red bow, and beneath her plaid skirt were the alluring expanse of her thighs and black over-the-knee socks.
"Hey, Yukinoshita-san, I'm here to participate in today's club activities."
Yukino elegantly sipped her hot tea and let out a soft sigh.
"The purpose of the club is to lend a helping hand to those in need, but it is better to teach people how to fish than to give them fish. What is more important is to enable those who seek help to master the ability to solve their own problems.
Generally, when there are no requests, we are free to study or read to enrich ourselves."
"Oh, I guess that means volunteering. Yukinoshita-san has a kind heart that's different from what you'd expect."
Ryo Asakura took out his textbook and sat down, teasing her. Yukino continued to turn the pages calmly, but her tone held a hint of sarcasm.
"Ah la, that's not as impressive as the brave hentai Asakura-kun. Your heroic deeds of saving the damsel in distress have spread all over Sobu High School today."
"That's true. Good news travels slowly, but bad news spreads like wildfire."
Ryo Asakura frowned, recalling the commotion he had caused when dragging Ito Makoto to the teacher's office. He shook his head helplessly and focused his energy back on his homework. The girl next to him glanced at him and his phone from time to time.
On the screen was a post from Sobu High School's campus forum. At the top of the post was a photo of Ryo Asakura dragging Ito Makoto, who looked like a helpless maggot. Countless likes and comments had propelled it to the top of the forum.
His cold eyes seemed unfocused, his deep gaze filled with calmness, his black hair fluttering in the wind, revealing his smooth forehead. He supported the beautiful girl and carried his defeated opponent with a relaxed air, exuding an unparalleled domineering aura.
'The Ice Prince of Sobu High School,' 'The Awakening of the Demon King Asakura,' 'The Lonely King,' 'The King of Sobu High School,' 'The Knight,' 'Brother Asakura is mighty!' Countless praises rained down like raindrops, announcing his brilliance to the world.
Yukino stared at the photo in a trance and suddenly wondered if she had met Ryo Asakura when she was bullied in the past, would the girl in his arms today have become her, the her who had found her true self and was no longer distorted.
The girl couldn't find the answer, only her throbbing heartbeat could make her feel the truth she had been pursuing for so long.
So, she decided to move forward and chase after the real thing that belonged to her.