"..."
The man with glasses had spoken with such conviction that the atmosphere in the room fell still.
"..."
"No, that's not it..."
After opening and closing her mouth several times, Wawa finally managed to speak.
But she was so anxious that she could barely get the words out.
"They came in and started causing trouble... They..."
"The shopkeeper only went over to stop them."
"The shopkeeper..."
Wawa's eyes were red.
She didn't want the shopkeeper to go to jail.
"..."
How had this happened?
The shopkeeper hadn't done anything wrong...
The ones at fault were those troublemakers who'd come looking for a fight!
If only she'd known...
If only she'd let them punch her earlier. Then they'd both have thrown a punch.
Neither side could accuse the other!
"..."
The police officers' expressions darkened slightly.
What Broom Head and his group had said was true.
Regardless of who started it, regardless of the reason... the one who threw the first punch... was ultimately the one who suffered.
"..."
"Young man, don't be so impulsive next time."
The scarred police officer patted the shopkeeper on the shoulder. "If something happens, call the police."
"We'll help you resolve it."
The shopkeeper looked a little dazed.
"...Come on."
The scarred police officer gently nudged the shopkeeper.
"Come with us to the police station."
"..."
"Huh?!"
Wawa immediately grabbed the shopkeeper.
"W-wait a moment..."
"...It's fine."
The shopkeeper smiled at Wawa. "We're just going to the police station."
"I've been there before."
"..."
How could it be fine?!
Wawa was so anxious she couldn't get the words out.
How could this be anything like last time?!
Last time, the shopkeeper had been unquestionably the victim.
But this time...
The shopkeeper had become the aggressor!
"..."
If they really charged the shopkeeper as those