CHAPTER 22: THE TITAN'S GRASP
A cool morning breeze was blowing outside the massive gym gates of Hoshigawa High.
All the students of Class 2-A were standing in a long, disciplined line.
The surrounding silence was broken only by a heavy, commanding voice.
"Stand straight in the line! I want a perfect formation!"
Standing right at the front of the line, the class's Iron Monitor, Tsuyoshi Taro, stood with his arms folded in an extremely strict and [Stern] expression.
His gaze was scanning every student like a radar. "Confirm your attendance. Is everyone here? Has anyone been left behind?"
Tsuyoshi glared angrily at the crowd.
A few students who had stepped out of the line to chat amongst themselves immediately scrambled back to their places out of fear the moment they heard Tsuyoshi's voice.
"I see a few people missing," Tsuyoshi said, narrowing his eyes with a [Displeased] expression.
"I will not tolerate this mockery of discipline in Class 2-A under any circumstances."
Standing right beside him, Girl Monitor Yoko Fujimoto let out a cold sigh.
She crossed her arms and looked toward the line with an extremely [Aloof] and [Cold] expression.
"Some idiots always get left behind, Tsuyoshi," Yoko made a brutally honest comment, as per her habit.
"Expecting discipline from them is a foolishness in itself.
Maybe they lost their way, or they simply don't care about time at all."
Just then, a very calm yet piercing voice came from behind them.
"Yeah... so am I one of those idiots, Yoko?"
From the back of the crowd, Satoshi Ichigaya slowly walked forward.
His eyes were closed as always, and a faint, mysterious [Amused] smile rested on his lips that could confuse anyone.
Right on the other side of the line, slightly away from everyone's gaze, Zixuan Lee stood quietly. His cyan hair was gently blowing in the wind.
While everyone was arguing about the new boy (Renjiro) arriving late, Zixuan's face was completely [Calm] and emotionless on the outside. He slowly adjusted his black gloves.
*"What the hell is this drama, what kind of place did I get admission in,"*
Zixuan thought in his mind in a cold, irritated manner.
*"They call this a school of discipline, but the entire school is just filled with idiots doing absolute fucking bullshit."*
Yoko immediately put on a [Cranky] expression upon seeing him.
"You should have arrived on time, Satoshi.
The discipline of the entire class gets ruined because of your attitude.
You need to start taking things seriously."
Satoshi casually placed a hand over his ear. His smile grew a bit more [Playful].
"Oh, don't be mad.
I just... got a little late.
What's the need to feel so bad about it?
Besides, rules should only be followed as long as they are fun."
Tsuyoshi cut into the conversation and asked, "Satoshi, fine, you're here.
But that new guy is nowhere to be seen.
Renjiro Hoshino.
Was he coming behind you?"
Satoshi shrugged.
"I don't know.
Maybe he went to drink water...
So perhaps he'll be late.
Or maybe he saw the standard of this place and ran away out of fear."
Hearing this, the class's top student, Honoka Aizawa, immediately stepped forward.
There was a dangerous anger and strictness in her eyes.
Showing an extremely [Offended] and [Angry] expression, she threw her hand forward.
"That new boy has finally shown his true colors!"
Honoka's voice held both justice and frustration.
"This is clear proof that he isn't eligible for our school! Someone who has no discipline has nothing inside them.
Weakness is a sin! Such a lazy boy shouldn't have been granted admission to this school in the first place!"
At Honoka's harsh words, the most cheerful girl in the class, Miyu Inoue, quickly stepped forward.
Miyu had a [Disturbed] and [Worried] expression on her face.
"How can you say that, Honoka-chan?!"
Miyu's voice carried genuine concern.
"He is a new student.
Maybe he doesn't know about this high school's strict rules and its massive campus.
We should help him, not judge him so harshly on his very first day!"
Honoka gave Miyu a [Cold Stare].
"You shouldn't show such useless sympathy, Miyu.
Discipline is equal for everyone."
Just then, the class's unofficial bully queen, Junn Tachibana, made her entry into the argument.
She placed a hand on her hip with an [Exasperated] and [Smugness] expression.
"So what did Honoka say wrong here?"
Junn said, glaring at Miyu.
"Even though Honoka's and my methods are different,
She is 100% right here.
That fat guy shouldn't have come here at all!
He should have known that Hoshigawa High isn't some ordinary school.
Getting admission here is like chewing iron pellets!
He only got in because of the Principal sir's mercy, which is why he is making up his own rules!"
Yoko Fujimoto, who had been listening quietly until now, made a highly [Disgusted] expression.
"Control yourself, Junn.
Don't forget that he is a new student of this class who was personally admitted by the Principal sir.
This attitude of yours won't work here."
Junn gave a [Sarcastic] smile.
"Hahaha... fine, fine.
I admit it.
But that loser arriving late is proof that—"
"QUIET, EVERYONE!"
Tsuyoshi's thundering voice silenced everyone.
Tsuyoshi extended his hand and looked intently down the long path toward the gym.
A strange, frantic noise was reaching his ears.
"It sounds like...
Someone is approaching us."
Standing in the other corner of the class, Sayaka Shirogane looked forward with a **[Mischievous]** smile. "Oh my... looks like some big drama is about to happen early in the morning."
Standing next to her, **Himari Suzuki** instantly got [Scared].
She hugged her book to her chest and said fearfully,
"W-What is that sound?
S-Someone is c-crying..."
"HEY TSUYOSHI MAN! SAVE ME, MY BROTHER!
THIS SIR IS GOING TO KILL ME TODAY!
PLEASE DO SOMETHING!"
The gaze of the entire class turned toward the path, and they couldn't believe their eyes at what they saw.
Yoshiro Kurosawa, who called himself the 'Boss' of the class, was currently running toward them crying like a terrified child in a [Crying ] and [Freaked] manner.
Cold sweat beaded on his head, his eyes were wide, and he was running for his life, flailing his arms and legs in the air.
"Somebody stop Sir!
He's going to kill me with his cycle !"
The class students were completely [Bewildered].
"Who is coming from behind?!"
Right behind Yoshiro, flying at double his speed like Death itself, was a metal bicycle.
And on that cycle was none other than their P.E. teacher, Takeshi Sakuraba!
Takeshi sir's face was completely drained with panic.
Making a [Bawling] and [Exasperated] expression, with wide terrified eyes, he was crying while riding the chainless cycle.
The most comical part was that one of his hands was still firmly glued to his perfectly set Pompadour hairstyle!
"GET OUT OF THE WAAAAAY!"
Takeshi sir screamed, crying into the wind.
"Oh man!
In my rush to reach school early, this damn cycle's chain broke!
And the brakes had already failed!
What have I done?!
If I fall, my hairstyle that took two hours to set will be ruined!
How will I face Miss Ryouko?!
What will she think of me?!
SOMEBODY SAVE MEEEE!"
The students of the class were in a [Jawdrop].
Everyone was shocked.
Sayaka Shirogane covered her mouth and started laughing loudly.
"Hahaha!
Oh my god!
This is epic!"
Himari Suzuki stepped further back out of fear, with a [Disturbed] expression.
"S-Sensei is actually going to crash into the wall!"
Running ahead, Yoshiro began begging the crowd while crying,
"SOMEBODY PLEASE SAVE ME BRO!
I DON'T WANT TO DIE!"
The cycle was now right near the gym gate, and Yoshiro's breath was catching in his throat.
Right in front of him was the solid gym wall.
A brakeless cycle and a wall ahead—a crash was inevitable.
Just then, pushing through the crowd, a tall and silent student stepped forward for the first time.
This was Junpei Kurodan.
He hadn't spoken a single word in class until now.
There was a calmness on his face that was the exact opposite of this chaos.
Without any fear, he stepped right into the path between the cycle and Yoshiro.
*"I have to save Sensei,"* Junpei thought in his mind.
He had nothing but a cold, **[Serious]** expression on his face.
As the crying and screaming Yoshiro rushed right past Junpei, he narrowly avoided bumping into him.
And exactly one second later, Takeshi sir's out-of-control cycle came flying toward Junpei at full speed.
Junpei moved his body in less than a second.
When the cycle was passing right beside him, he showed a left-clock reflex, giving the cycle a clear path to go ahead.
And as soon as the cycle came to his side, he executed a swift left-side spin in exactly 1 second.
His right hand shot forward with the speed of lightning.
He opened his fist and firmly grabbed Takeshi sensei, who was flying mid-air at full speed, by his tracksuit jacket (by the collar)!
SWISH!
The cycle sped forward, but Takeshi Sakuraba was left dangling mid-air by Junpei's single hand.
Seeing this superhuman catch by Junpei, all the students standing there were left [Shocked].
Everyone had incredibly strange expressions.
He lifted a human off a speeding cycle in mid-air
But the main comedy scene ahead was still left.
Yoshiro, who was still running at full speed, had the solid gym wall right in front of him.
To save himself from crashing into the wall, Yoshiro made a slight jump in the air in a panic.
But his speed was so uncontrollable, and he didn't know that Takeshi sir was no longer on the cycle.
Yoshiro didn't think about what would happen while jumping.
When he was mid-air, the same riderless cycle passed right beneath him.
Yoshiro landed straight onto the seat of that cycle!
"OH NOOOO! WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!"
Yoshiro screamed crying with a [Dread] expression as he realized that he was now sitting on that dangerous, out-of-control cycle.
"Why does every disaster always fall on my neck?!
Aaaaaaaa!"
The cycle rushed straight toward the gym wall.
CRASH! BAM!
Yoshiro, along with the cycle, crashed so brutally into the gym wall that the sound echoed throughout the campus.
"NOOOOOOOO!"
Dust began to fly.
When the dust settled, everyone saw Yoshiro lying upside down on the ground.
A huge, cartoonish bump had formed on his head.
He was seeing stars in broad daylight, and his face was locked in a completely [Dazed ] expression.
His eyes were spinning.
All the class students watched in silence at first, and then, clutching their stomachs, they started [Crying with Laughter] at Yoshiro's incredibly comical condition.
Honoka Aizawa crossed her arms, and with a [Disgusted] expression, thought in her mind: *"What an absolute idiot."*
Junpei Kurodan was still holding Takeshi sensei mid-air with his one hand.
Takeshi sir, whose eyes were still shut in fear, covered his face with both his hands while crying.
"OH WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME?!"
Takeshi began to cry with a [Bawling] expression, kicking his legs in the air.
"Why did I die?!
I haven't even gotten married yet!
Oh Lord, why did you call me to you so early?!
What will happen to my Ryouko?!"
Tsuyoshi Taro quickly stepped forward, went near Takeshi sir, and said, "Sir... are you alright?"
Takeshi kept crying while dangling in the air, speaking absolute nonsense.
Tsuyoshi started getting a little angry.
He shouted loudly with his loud voice,
"SIR! YOU ARE ALIVE!
Open your eyes!"
Hearing Tsuyoshi's thundering voice, Takeshi slowly opened his eyes.
When he saw that he was hanging in the air above the ground and his students were looking at him with weird gazes, a wave of happiness suddenly ran across his face.
Suddenly getting happy, placing his hands on his face, he said with relief and a [Happy] expression,
"Oh Lord!
Is this true?!
Am I really still alive?!"
As soon as he said this, Junpei quietly, without giving any expression, let go of his hand.
THUD!
"AAOUCH!"
Takeshi sir fell harshly straight onto the ground on his hip.
He took a heavy hit.
Takeshi got up with a [Grumpy] expression and glared at Junpei.
"Hey boy! Why did you drop me down so suddenly?!"
Yoko Fujimoto spoke from behind in her cold voice,
"Sir, it was for your own good.
He is the one who saved your life."
Takeshi made a grumpy face, dusted off his clothes, and said,
"Alright... alright.
You are forgiven, forgiven."
Just then, from down the path, Taiki and Daiki (Yoshiro's lackeys) came running.
They saw their boss (Yoshiro) lying unconscious near the gym wall.
Both brothers looked at each other and instantly began their overacting.
Both ran to Yoshiro, fell to their knees, and started acting like they were trying to wake him up.
Taiki made a [Whimpering] expression and started fake-crying loudly,
"Boss!
Oh Boss!
Why did you leave us and go away so soon?!"
Daiki also yelled while acting like he was wiping his tears,
"Oh Boss!
You can't leave us and go like this!
What will happen to us without you?!"
Making crying noises and overacting, Taiki said,
"Who will we call 'Boss' in school now?!
Whose fun will we make now, Boss?!"
Looking towards the sky, Daiki said while crying,
"And the biggest thing is...
Who will feed us for free now?!
Who will pay our canteen bill?!"
Suddenly, Yoshiro's eyes, who was lying on the ground, snapped open. There was a dangerous, demonic rage in his bloodshot eyes.
"YOU BASTARDS!"
Yoshiro sprang up from the ground in a flash.
"You motherfuckers,
I am still alive! I'm not dead!
And I heard all your fucking bullshit!"
Taiki and Daiki took a step back out of fear. Their [Uh-Oh] expression was worth seeing.
"Oh... Boss!
You are alive!
It's not your ghost!"
Yoshiro gritted his teeth with a [Vengeful ]expression.
"Before I die,
I'll fuck you both up,
you bastards!
You scumbags,
when trouble came, you left me alone on the path of death and jumped onto the grass yourselves!
And on top of that, just to mock me, you wished me 'All the Best', you jokers?!"
Yoshiro pounced on both of them, and an incredibly funny and cartoonish fight began right there.
(Scene shift to renjiro)
Far away from all this chaos and comedy, a lone boy was walking down a quiet school corridor.
This was Renjiro Hoshino.
There was a heavy sadness in his walk.
With his head bowed, he was immersed in a deeply Thinking] expression.
Yoshiro's words and his threatening demand for a protection fee kept circling in his mind constantly.
*"Should I think about it?"*
Renjiro thought to himself as he walked.
*"Should I just quietly accept what he says?
What he was saying... was it true?
If I don't meet his demand, what will happen to me?"*
As he walked, he stopped near a large window.
The massive campus of Hoshigawa High was in front of him, but it all seemed very terrifying to him.
*"I shouldn't have come to this school,"*
he took a deep, pained breath.
*"This school looks... even more terrifying than Hakuho High.
After all, what is my fault?"*
Renjiro looked at his reflection in the window glass.
*"Is it my fault that I look fat?
Is this the only reason I always see myself as weak in front of others?
Is this the secret of my insecurity?"*
He stood there in silence for two minutes.
All the bad moments from his past flashed before his eyes—when people had suppressed him, humiliated him.
But at that exact moment, the suppressed feelings inside him crossed a limit.
Suddenly, the clouds of fear and sadness began to clear from Renjiro's face.
A strange spark appeared in his eyes, a fierce gleam he had never felt before.
His expression abruptly changed to [Determined].
He clenched his fist tightly.
"No," Renjiro said in a low but incredibly firm voice.
"I don't want to bow down anymore."
He looked his reflection straight in the eyes.
"I want to change myself.
I need to find this weakness of mine, and prove to myself that I wasn't made to always get beaten down."
The 'Beast' inside Renjiro was now slowly opening its eyes.
"I will not accept any of his demands.
No matter what happens,
I won't back down now.
Just like last time,
I will not fall for someone's intimidation again.
Never again.
Never!"
He took a deep breath and looked at the large clock mounted in the corridor.
The time for P.E. class to begin had long passed.
*"I am late.
The gym class line-up must have already started.
Everyone must have reached there by now,"*
Renjiro thought in his mind.
*"The old Renjiro would have hidden away out of fear of being late to class and to avoid people's gazes.
But not today.
I will face it.
I will walk right onto that ground."*
He turned his steps back toward the gym ground.
This time, there was no hesitation in his steps, but a new confidence.
His head was held high.
This was a new beginning for Renjiro Hoshino, leading him right to that track where all of Class 2-A was waiting for him.
**[CHAPTER 22 ENDS]**