The Rooftop Campaign

"Twenty million Points." Ryuuen spoke first. The exchange rate between Points and Yen was originally one-to-one, but in reality, no one outside the campus would recognize Points. Besides, Mizuno Kosei's only trading partner was Ryuuen. Seizing on that, Ryuuen, as a businessman, naturally wouldn't let himself lose out.

"Impossible. Five million." Mizuno Kosei slashed it by three-quarters.

Ryuuen had no mood to haggle with him. After all, the leverage was in his own hands, and he had a fight to attend that afternoon—he had even less patience to drag things out with Mizuno Kosei like an old woman haggling at a market.

"Ten million. That's the bottom line." Ryuuen tapped the table to show his impatience.

Ten million wasn't a huge sum—if things went smoothly, Shiina Hiyori could collect two million in class funds by tomorrow—but it wasn't trivial either, since Mizuno Kosei's class also needed Points to maintain basic living standards.

"Fine." Mizuno Kosei stopped bickering with Ryuuen. Ten million for ten million—neither side lost out.

A transfer notification soon popped up on Ryuuen's phone, and Mizuno Kosei took Ryuuen's check. Before leaving, he couldn't help but praise Ryuuen: "These new students really aren't simple."

"Aren't you worried the check might be fake?" Ryuuen's malicious streak surfaced again.

"I trust the character of the head of the Ryuuen Group." Mizuno Kosei left that remark and turned to go.

"Looks like our deal could continue. Add me as a contact—maybe there'll be a position for you in the group someday."

It was a blatant attempt to recruit, but Mizuno Kosei had no reason to refuse. One more friend meant one more path, one more choice. Ryuuen Kakeru's legendary entrepreneurial journey had left a deep impression on Mizuno Kosei. If he could really work for Ryuuen, his future would be secure.

Time came to the afternoon. The setting sun shone on the rooftop of the Teaching Building. Ryuuen stood in the sunset, waiting for his challengers.

Unexpectedly, Shiina Hiyori was also there. She stood to the side, holding a book. Ryuuen immediately figured out what she was up to. If he lost, she would leave on her own. If he won, she would tell him she didn't want to help collect class funds. In a way, she was the female representative, here to witness the victor of this battle.

After confirming several times that there were no cameras on the rooftop, Ryuuen watched as the crowd gathered and asked arrogantly, "Round-robin or gang fight? Your choice!"

The people who came made up nearly eighty percent of Class C's boys. The first to step forward was Yamada, the black guy. In the original story, Ryuuen couldn't beat Yamada in a fight either—he won him over through sheer willpower. But that was the original story. The original Ryuuen's fighting ability came from brawls in his childhood, with no formal training in any martial arts. The current Ryuuen, however, had undergone a qualitative change.

Boxing, self-defense combat, kickboxing—the current Ryuuen had truly trained in the octagon, learning only practical fighting techniques.

Facing Yamada, Ryuuen felt his blood surge. He had waited sixteen years—finally, he could cut loose!

Straight punch, straight punch, straight punch again! Ryuuen struck first, each punch heavier and faster than the last. Yamada's arms, blocking his chest, went numb, but he seized the moment to land a hook punch to Ryuuen's abdomen.

The pain sent Ryuuen's adrenaline skyrocketing, every muscle in his body buzzing with excitement. Ryuuen kicked Yamada in the shin. The sudden sneak attack made Yamada drop to one knee. Yamada seized the chance to wrap his arms around Ryuuen's waist and push him backward, but Ryuuen wouldn't let him. Clasping his hands together, Ryuuen's fists slammed down on Yamada's bald head—once, twice, again and again. By the sixth blow, Yamada let go. His head was already ringing, and tinnitus set in.

Watching Yamada collapse to the ground, the remaining boys swarmed in. Ryuuen had only just warmed up. Even though they were classmates, Ryuuen showed no mercy. Straight punches, hooks, shoulder throws, leg sweeps, front kicks...

Ibuki San-san arrived late. By the time she reached the rooftop, all she saw was a group of boys lying on the ground. Only Ryuuen stood in the sunset, laughing wildly. The evening wind lifted the hem of his jacket. "You want to challenge me too?"

Ibuki's response was a high kick. Ryuuen caught her leg—black safety shorts. How disappointing. He shoved her aside. "Get some girls from the class to take these boys to the infirmary."

With that, Ryuuen left without looking back. Shiina Hiyori quickly followed him.

Feeling a metallic taste at the corner of his mouth, Ryuuen frowned. He had only taken one punch from Yamada—why was he bleeding? Wiping his mouth, he realized it was nosebleed. It wasn't from being hit; it was from getting too excited.

Looking at the blood on his hand, Ryuuen shook his head helplessly. Shiina Hiyori handed him a blue handkerchief.

Without a moment's hesitation, Ryuuen pressed the handkerchief to his nose. He knew it would smell nice, but his nose couldn't pick up anything right now.

"Are you going to follow me all the way to the dorm?" Noticing that Shiina Hiyori had no intention of leaving him, Ryuuen asked.

"I have something to tell you."

Shiina Hiyori held her book, speaking slowly, her expression unafraid, as if the person standing before her was just an ordinary student.

"I know what you want to say, but I refuse."

Shiina Hiyori opened her mouth to speak, but Ryuuen cut her off.

"Do you think I won't hit a girl?" Ryuuen walked up to Shiina Hiyori, looking down at her. But with her handkerchief still pressed to his nose, it looked a bit ridiculous.

"I'm not afraid." Shiina Hiyori's answer was straightforward.

"This is for the class, not for me." Ryuuen knew violence wouldn't make this girl yield, so he brought out the greater good of the class.

"I don't care about moving up to Class A." The girl didn't seem moved by his words.

"No, you do care. It's your responsibility, and your duty."

Shiina Hiyori realized Ryuuen was being stubborn and unreasonable. Tilting her head, she asked discontentedly, "Why me?"

Ryuuen's nose had stopped bleeding. Carefully wiping his nose, he looked into the girl's brownish-yellow eyes and said, "I do whatever I want. I don't need a special reason."

That answer clearly didn't satisfy the girl.

Looking at the handkerchief stained red with blood, Ryuuen asked, "Are you going to throw it away, or give it to me?"