Aoki walked through the school courtyard, his ears catching the sound of mocking laughter. Turning, he saw Raizo and Nomi cornered by four Ryuji High gang members. Renji stood at the front, sneering. Daigo leaned casually against the wall, while Kenta and Hiroshi circled like vultures.
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"Look at this guy," Renji mocked, shoving Raizo. "Acting like he belongs here."
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"Why don’t you go back to wherever losers like you come from?" Daigo jeered, snatching Nomi's bag.
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"Give it back!" Nomi yelled, trying to grab it, but Kenta stepped in, blocking her with a grin.
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"Relax, princess," Kenta said. "We’re just having fun."
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Aoki’s blood boiled as he approached. "Hey. That’s enough."
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The gang turned, eyeing him with amusement.
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Renji smirked. "And who’s this? A kid?"
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"Just someone who doesn’t like cowards," Aoki replied coolly, his gaze sharp.
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Kenta laughed. "Big talk for one guy against four. You think you’re a hero or something?"
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"Let’s find out," Aoki said, stepping forward, fists clenched.
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Renji rolled his neck. "Alright, tough guy. Let’s see what you’ve got."
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Hiroshi lunged first, but Aoki moved like a blur, dodging and landing a precise punch to Hiroshi’s jaw. He staggered backward, clutching his face.
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"That all you got?" Aoki taunted.
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Daigo charged next, throwing a wild swing. Aoki ducked, countering with a sharp jab to the ribs. Kenta tried to grab him from behind, but Aoki spun, delivering a clean elbow strike that sent him sprawling.
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Renji, the last one standing, hesitated before charging. Aoki sidestepped and swept his legs out from under him, leaving him gasping for air on the ground.
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Renji spat blood, glaring up at Aoki. "You’ll regret this. Takashi’s going to deal with you personally."
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"Bring him," Aoki said coldly.
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The gang scrambled to their feet, retreating while muttering to each other.
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Raizo: "Aoki! What the hell was that?! You just took on four guys!"
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Nomi: "Are you hurt? Did they hit you?"
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Aoki: "I’m fine. You two okay?"
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Raizo: "Yeah, thanks to you. But Takashi… he’s no joke, man."
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Nomi: "Takashi’s their boss, right? The one everyone’s scared of?"
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Aoki: "Yeah, I’ve heard of him. Doesn’t matter."
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Raizo: "What do you mean it doesn’t matter? The guy’s a psychopath!"
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Aoki: "If he wants to fight, I’ll handle it."
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Nomi: "You’re crazy. But… thanks for saving us."
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Raizo: "Yeah, seriously, man. You didn’t have to, but you did. Just… be careful, okay?"
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Aoki: "Always am."
Aoki’s gaze lingered on the path the gang had fled. He wasn’t afraid of Takashi—but he knew this was just the beginning.
---
Scene: The Hideout of Ryuji High Gang
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The hideout was dimly lit, the single bulb overhead flickering as if afraid of Takashi's fury. Takashi stood at the center of the room, his knuckles white from gripping the back of a chair. His cold, piercing eyes scanned the gang members huddled around him. Renji, Daigo, Kenta, and Hiroshi sat on the worn couches, nursing bruises and egos from their encounter with Aoki the day before.
---
Takashi slammed his fist against the chair, the sound echoing like a gunshot.
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Takashi:
"Four of you… FOUR of you couldn’t handle one kid?!"
---
Renji, always quick with excuses, straightened up defensively.
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Renji:
"He wasn’t just some kid, Takashi. He was fast. And strong. He fought like he’d been in a hundred street fights before."
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Takashi:
(leans forward, voice low and menacing)
"Are you telling me you're afraid of one high school boy, Renji? Or is it that you're getting soft?"
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Renji clenched his fists but didn’t dare respond. Daigo, sitting beside him, spoke up instead.
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Daigo:
"It wasn’t just strength. He was protecting those kids—Raizo and Nomi. He fought like he had nothing to lose."
---
Takashi’s lips curled into a sneer as he paced back and forth.
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Takashi:
"And now the whole school thinks you’re a joke. We’re a joke. Do you know what that does to my reputation? To our reputation?"
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Kenta, the most hot-headed of the group, stood up, wincing slightly from a bruise on his side.
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Kenta:
"Then let’s take him down, Takashi. All of us. Right now."
---
Hiroshi, quieter but more observant, shook his head.
---
Hiroshi:
"Rushing in isn’t the answer. Aoki’s gang will be watching. And if we attack him at school, we’ll bring the teachers and the police into this."
---
Takashi stopped pacing and turned to face them, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
---
Takashi:
"You think I care about the police? This isn’t about Aoki anymore. This is about sending a message—to him, to his gang, and to everyone watching. No one crosses us and walks away."
---
The gang fell silent. Takashi leaned against the chair, a cruel smile forming on his face.
---
Takashi:
"We’ll lure him out. Make him think he’s won. And then we’ll crush him. But not just him—anyone close to him. They all pay the price."
---
Renji hesitated but asked cautiously,
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Renji:
"What’s the plan, boss?"
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Takashi walked to the table, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. He took a slow drag, the ember glowing in the dim light.
---
Takashi:
"First, we find his weak spot. Someone he’d do anything to protect. And then…"
(he exhales, smoke curling around his face)
"...we make him watch as we destroy everything he cares about. That’s how you break someone."
---
The gang exchanged uneasy glances but nodded. Takashi’s orders were never questioned for long.
---
Takashi:
(quietly but with finality)
"Renji, Daigo, Kenta, Hiroshi—you’ve already embarrassed yourselves once. Don’t fail me again."
---
Renji:
"You can count on us, Takashi. We’ll make it right."
---
Takashi smirked, his eyes gleaming with malice.
---
Takashi:
"Oh, I know you will. Because if you don’t, you’ll be the next example I make."
---
The room grew colder, and the tension was suffocating. As the gang began to strategize, a sense of dread hung in the air. The storm was coming for Aoki, and Takashi wouldn’t stop until his vengeance was complete.
---
To be continue . . .
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