The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind

Sudo Ken roared, his face darkening completely.

Taking a beating without fighting back had never been his style. Since those Class 1-C guys had deliberately picked a fight and thrown the first punch, he saw no reason to hold back.

Years of basketball training had given Sudo a physique and explosive strength that ranked among the best in his year.

Ishizaki tried to press his advantage and drive another fist into Sudo's face. Sudo dodged sideways, then met his forward rush with a brutal counterpunch to the face.

Bang!

Ishizaki had no time to react. The blow sent him staggering backward into a row of metal lockers, which rattled with a deafening clang.

A short while later.

Of the three who had come looking for trouble, two lay on the floor rolling and groaning. Ishizaki slumped against the lockers, clutching his bleeding nose and gasping for breath. All three were bruised and battered, with no fight left in them.

Sudo wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and spat toward Ishizaki from where he stood over him.

"You three losers thought you could corner me? Go on, get up and try that again!"

Ishizaki Daichi lay slumped against the lockers, wincing from pain all over. But at the sight of Sudo flying into a rage and fighting back, a sly smile tugged at his lips. His plan had worked.

"Sudo... you hit us. You're finished..."

Clutching his bloodied nose, Ishizaki forced out the threat through gritted teeth.

"You deliberately started a fight and injured students on school grounds. Just wait for the school to expel you!"

With that, the three helped one another to their feet and fled around the corner.

"Tch. What a fucking pain!"

Sudo cursed irritably and strode away down the corridor, his face