The Story of Being Taught How to Fight by a Yankee Gal

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“I heard you’ve been taking care of our kids.”

　He understood that he meant Kawato and the others.

　Understanding that, he could not reply back.

　He could only let out a meaningless exhale while his legs trembled.

　In response to Shiki’s distress, Karin, with her unwavering gaze, spoke in a firm voice.

“Don’t pick a fight with my friend.”

　Instantly, Arai’s gaze shifted to Karin, and Shiki was relieved from the overwhelming fear.

　However, with Arai in front of him, he can’t be completely free of fear.

　Arai snorted and wore a mocking smile on his disproportionately large face.

“Didn’t expect you’d have a man around you.”

“Hmph, that’s only because you don’t know about me. It’s nothing new.”

　Behind her,

“It’s the first time, right?”

“It’s the first time, of course～.”

　 Chiaki and Touka interjected with small voices that Arai and the others couldn’t hear.

　Upon hearing this, Shiki momentarily forgot his fear of Araki and chuckled.

“Anyway, unlike you guys, we’re busy. So, hurry up and get our of our way. Because of the bunch you’re trailing along, we can’t pass through.”

“You want us to get out of your way? Do you want to be killed?”

“Do I want to be killed? “

　With a crisp crunching sound, the pineapple cigarette clenched between her teeth fell to the floor.

“Go ahead and try. If you can.”

　It wasn’t a provocation.

　It was an expression of her absolute confidence in her own strength.

“…tsk.”

　After a short silence, Arai clicks his tongue in displease and walks away, leaving the hallway half empty.

　Not wanting to make things worse than they need to be, Karin takes Arai’s concession and walks down the half-empty hallway.

　Passing by Arai and the others, who were walking in a group as they had appeared before, Shiki sighed deeply as soon as they turned the corner to their destination, unable to contain himself any longer.

“Are you okay, Shiki?”

　Karin worriedly asked while peering into his face.

　Due to the close proximity, Shiki exclaimed, [Y-Yeah, I’m fine!] as he recoiled.

“I hope so. By the way… “

　Karin, for some reason, covered her mouth, which seemed to be on the verge of smiling and asked the following question.

“Do I look like someone who used to have a man around…Do I give off that kind of vibe now? “

　While Shiki was puzzled by the question, Chiaki gave a merciless retort.

“Just from your smirk alone, you don’t give off that vibe at all.”

“Isn’t ‘at all’ a bit harsh!?”

“I see~, Rinrin, you’re at that age where you want to look like you’re used to playing around~, like you have a lot of experience~, and you want to be seen as someone badass~”

“Don’t twist it like that!”

“Aaah, ughh! Shut upーshut upー! “

　While covering her ears and screaming, Karin’s face turned subtly red.

　Seeing her like that, Shiki thought again.

　Karin may be a stronger fighter than Arai, but she is not a scary person like Arai.

“Leaving aside the question of whether or not you’re surrounded by men…we are attracting a lot of attention today, probably because we have a guy with him who doesn’t look like Touka’s boyfriend.”

　Chiaki said while scanning their surroundings.

　Shiki has noticed that students and teachers he has passed have been glancing at him while he has been here.

“Because Rinrin raised her voice, we’re drawing even more attention~.”

“Is it my fault? “

“That’s not important. At this rate, we might not find a place to eat peacefully and lunch break will be over.”

“I mean~, Chi-chan’s right…with all the attention we’re getting, there’s probably no place where we can eat peacefully~! “

　In response to Touka’s words, Karin and Chiaki made bitter faces together.

　Meanwhile,

“If you’re looking for a place where we can eat calmly, I have one place in mind…”

　Shiki timidly raised his hand and said to Karin and the others.

　That place was a secret spot for taking refuge from the bullying of Kawato and the others.

　Although they were delinquents too, Shiki thought that it wouldn’t matter if they were known by these girls who were different from other delinquents in that they weren’t intimidating. With that in mind, Shiki decided to guide Karin and the others to that place.