Kondo Dojo, reception room. Although Sogo Doma kept interrupting with wisecracks from time to time, Toshiro Hijikata still managed to learn some things about Sogo's situation at Toyogasaki before Shizuka Hiratsuka took her leave—he really was like an old mother!
"Doma's talent is indeed astonishing, but this world has no shortage of geniuses..." Even as she was saying goodbye, Shizuka Hiratsuka said, "Yet there are very few geniuses who actually succeed. If someone relies solely on talent without working hard, even a genius will become mediocre. If possible, I hope you can talk Doma into putting in more effort..."
"I understand. What Ms. Hiratsuka said makes a lot of sense..." Toshiro Hijikata nodded. "But..." He couldn't persuade him!
After all, Sogo understood those things better than anyone, but he simply didn't want to work hard. Of course, Hijikata would never say that out loud. "All I can say is that I'll do my best."
"Heh, hehehe..." Sogo Doma merely sneered when he heard that. That damned Hijikata really dared to say it!
And Ms. Hiratsuka too. He had only been too lazy to expose her, yet she had the nerve to push her luck?
If not for the trouble exposing her would bring, he would have long since—"Hiratsuka..." Ahem. Just as Sogo was about to subtly give Shizuka Hiratsuka a warning, several members rushed in in a panic. "B-bad news, Vice-Chief! Gor—Kondo, Kondo..."
"Ahem..." Toshiro Hijikata reacted remarkably quickly. With Sogo's teacher and friends still here, there was no way he would acknowledge titles like Vice-Chief or Boss Kondo. "What are you making such a racket for? Calm down. Can't you see we have guests?"
"B-but..." The man froze at first, then, after realizing something, hurriedly continued, "Director Kondo, h-he got beaten up..." Shizuka Hiratsuka was stunned. "..." Director Kondo...