Chapter Fourteen

The next day.


I go to work at Heibon as always and look after the shop from behind the counter.

Ow, ow, ow...

I get my usual headache and massage the inner corners of my eyes with my index finger and thumb.

My head's felt heavy ever since this morning.

Even after I took my medicine after breakfast... Did I catch a cold?

ァィ・: "Aoba-kun, I'd like to ask you to do a little delivery."

Rattling noises come from the back of the store as well as Haga-san's voice.

Me: "Ah, I'll help, ...!"

My legs wobble when I try to stand up. I instantly push my hand onto the counter.

Haga: "Aoba-kum, are you all right?"

Me: "Sorry, I fell a little dizzy."

Haga: "Please sit down. I can do it. ... Huuun! Ha! Hiiya!"

Haga: "Phew."

Me: "....."

Haga: "Hm?What's the matter, Aoba-kun?"

Me: "Ah, no, I just thought that was pretty amazing."

Haga: "Oh, it wasn't anything like that. Hahaha."

ァヲ›: "Cleaning, cleaning."

Haga-san's Allmate Bonjin-kun comes up and whirls around him.

Haga: "Ah, Bonjin-kun. Please take care of the back."

Bonjin: "Back, back."

Bonjin-kun returns to the back of the shop.

Haga: "Ah, yes. Could I ask you to deliver this item for me?"

Haga-san takes a small paper bag out of this pocket.

Haga: "The order came in the middle of the night from yesterday's visitor, it's specified as a special delivery."

When I see the slip of the paper bag, I notice that the address is in the East District like we are. It would be faster to deliver this directly.

Haga: "Since one of out contractors is coming soon, I cannot leave the shop. I'm sorry."

Me: "It's okay. I'll leave right away."

Haga: "Thank you very much."

Haga-san smiles and walks towards the stairs to the basement.

My head still feels heavy. ...But it's my job. I'll have to try my best.

I tap my forehead lightly, get myself together, and let out a short breath.

I take my bag close to me with Ren in it and leave the shop with the paper bag.




Me: "Hmm, was it faster go this way?"

Ren: "Yes."

I walk through Aoyagi street while having Ren navigate.


In this quiet road between buildings, a familiar tag art is drawn here and there on the walls.

Beni-Shigure. Koujaku's team.

Ribs team claim their territory by drawing their tag art. This area was Koujaku's team's territory.

The size of Koujaku's team is not very big. Rather, not very many are aware of Koujaku participating in Rib.

He's popular among women, and therefore irritates many guys. he fights very often.

But he has never lost.

Before even he himself was aware, many male fans followed him because of his consecutive victories, and team was formed just like that.

Still, because he's taking care of them without being cruel, I think his character must also appeal to them.

If you rely on him, you can't really complain.

Lots of team members gather because they adore the leader, and they come to resemble the leader somehow.

Maybe because of that, here in Benishigure's territory there are lots of men wearing Japanese clothes without a hakama.

If you just glance at them they may look evil, but they're all good guys.

They help old ladies with heavy luggage, or look for a missing child's parents.

That's why Beni-Shigure's popularity is pretty high in the Old Resident District. That's also thanks to Koujaku... perhpas.

・・ヲ: "Yo, Aoba."

Me: "Hiya."

I exchange a greeting with a member I'm acquainted with.

Some other members are talking happily with a police officer.

The Old Resident District's police aren't the most honest bunch of people, but depending on money their mood may mingle with the islanders.

Some Ribsters use them to gain information or have things overlooked.

Well, whatever suits them.

As I continue walking down the street, I hear an awfully high-spirited voice come from in front of me.

A group of three with one man and two women walks towards me, the women snuggling up to the man and pushing and shoving while walking.

ヲ・・ヲ : "Oh, stop it, silly Koujaku-san!"

ィ・・ィ: "But I love that about you too!"

Koujaku: "Ahahahahaha!"

Me: "....."

...I knew it.

Of course, the guy walking sandwiched between the two women is Koujaku.

I didn't want to bump into him in this situation...

I want to avoid them, but they keep coming closer and I have no choice.

Koujaku: "Oh, well if it isn't Aoba!"

Me: "...Hi there."

Koujaku's face draws into a cheerful smile.

、、・・、、: " Aoba, Ren doing okay?"

Flying next to Koujaku is his Allmate, Beni. Ren's face peeps out of the Bag.

Ren: "I'm here."

Beni: "Hoo, I see."

ヲ・・ヲ: "Oh, Koujaku-san, is this your friend?"

The woman glances at me with judging eyes.

Koujaku: "Yeah, a childhood friend."

ィ・・ィ: "Oh, is that so? This boy?"

...Well then. I'm sorry that the amazing Koujaku's childhood friend doesn't measure up to the man himself.

Even though we call ourselves childhood friends, it's not like we were always together when we were small.

Originally Koujaku was from the mainland, and came to this island with his mother.

He was on the island for about three, four years, and then returned to the mainland with his mother again.

During that time was a little vacant period, and about three years ago Koujaku suddenly came back alone.

I was surprised when he came back because he had become quite sturdy, but he faces and gestures he made when he laughed and the way he spoke hadn't changed at all.

Then we started to hang out together again, and he ofter comes to visit my home to eat Grtanny's home made cooking.

Koujaku: "What now, what's the matter with you?"

Me: "What do you mean?"

Koujaku: "You don't look so hot."

Me: "! ...It's nothing, really."

Koujaku: "Really? That's good then."

I act calm, but deep down I'm actually surprised. I definitely still have a small headache.

Do I really look that sick?

Koujaku: "Are you working now?"

Me: "Yup. Unlike somebody else."

When I say this sarcastically, the women standing on both sides react before Koujaku can.

ヲ・・ヲ: "Well! It's not like Koujaku-san is playing around, you know!"

ィ・・ィ: "Yeah, even now he's only escorting us during his work."

Me: "....."

Koujaku: "Oh don't say that. Although, it's true that when I'm with such cute ladies, I can't get any work done."

ヲ・・ヲ: "Kyah!"

ィ・・ィ: "Oh, Koujaku-san!"

Every single time, when he says things like that, wouldn't anyone else just be completely on edge...?

Beni: "It's shameful for a man to refure a woman when she offers herself to him, right?"

Koujaku: "Exactly. Women are the treasures of the world. They're soft and tender, and will gently embrace a man. That's why cherishing women is a man's duty. Am I right?"

Koujaku puts his arms around the womens' shoulders.

ヲ・・ヲ: "Kyaaaaaah!!!"

ィ・・ィ: "I could die happily right now!"

.....

Me: "...Well then, I'll be going."

ィ・・ィ: "Hm? Wait a minute. Hey!"

As I stand completely disgusted and also completely ready to leave, one woman calls out me.

ィ・・ィ: "Here, I knew it. There's some dirt on you."

The woman's skinny fingers reach out and lightly dust the collar of my jacket.

Me: "...Ah, thanks."

Koujaku: "As expected. I love thoughtful women."

ィ・・ィ: "Hee hee. ... Oh?"

The woman who is happy about being praised by Koujaku suddenly looks at me as if she realizes something.

Me: "...?"

ィ・・ィ : "Now that I look at you, you have long hair, don't you?"

Me: "...!"

ヲ・・ヲ "Oh, that's true. I didn't notice."

ィ・・ィ: "Hee hee, that's kinda cute."

ヲ・・ヲ: "Looks like a woman's hair!"

While laughing teasingly, One of the women reaches out her hand.

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