Rooftop Battle

"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 recognized points. And Mizuno Kosei had only one trading partner—Ryuuen. Seizing on that, Ryuuen, the businessman, naturally had no intention of taking a loss.

"Impossible. Five million." Mizuno Kosei immediately cut the price by three quarters.

Ryuuen had no mood to haggle with him. The initiative was in his hands, and he still had a fight to attend that afternoon. He had even less desire to chat with Mizuno Kosei at length like an old woman bargaining at a market.

"Ten million. That's my bottom line." Ryuuen tapped the table, making his impatience clear.

Ten million was not a small amount. If all went smoothly, Shiina Hiyori could collect two million in class fees by tomorrow. But it was not too much either, since Mizuno Kosei's class also needed points to maintain the most basic standard of living.

"Fine." Mizuno Kosei did not keep pulling at the price. Ten million for ten million—neither side lost out.

A transfer notification soon arrived on Ryuuen's phone, while Mizuno Kosei took Ryuuen's check. Before leaving, he even praised him. "Freshmen these days really aren't simple."

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

"I trust the character of the person in charge of Ryuuen Group." Mizuno Kosei left after saying that.

"Looks like our business can continue. Let's exchange contact information. Maybe there'll be a position for you in the group someday."

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

Afternoon arrived. The setting sun shone over the rooftop of the Teaching Building, where Ryuuen stood beneath the sunset, waiting for his challengers.

Unexpectedly, Shiina Hiyori was there as well. She stood off to the side with a book in her arms, and Ryuuen immediately understood what she intended to do. If he lost, she would leave on her own. If he won, she would tell him that she did not want to help collect the class fees. In a sense, she represented the girls, there to witness the victor of this battle.

After repeatedly confirming that there were no cameras on the rooftop, Ryuuen saw that almost everyone had arrived and arrogantly asked, "A gauntlet or a group beating? Your choice!"

This time, nearly eighty percent of the boys from Class C had come. The first to step forward was Yamada, a Black student. In the original story, even Ryuuen could not beat Yamada in a fight; he had won him over through sheer perseverance. But that was the original story. The original Ryuuen had built his fighting ability through one childhood brawl after another and had never professionally studied any combat techniques. The current Ryuuen, however, had undergone a qualitative transformation.

Boxing, freestyle fighting, sanda—this Ryuuen had truly been trained in the octagon. He had learned only genuinely practical fighting techniques.

Facing Yamada, Ryuuen felt his blood surge. He had waited sixteen years. At last, he could finally show what he could do!

Straight punch, straight punch, another straight punch! Ryuuen struck first. Each punch was heavier and faster than the last. Yamada's arms, raised to guard his chest, went numb, but he still seized the chance to drive a hook into Ryuuen's abdomen.

The pain sent Ryuuen's adrenaline soaring, every muscle in his body exhilarated. He kicked Yamada in the shin, and the sudden strike forced Yamada to one knee. Taking the opportunity, Yamada wrapped his arms around Ryuuen's waist and pushed backward, but Ryuuen was not about to let him have his way. Clasping his hands together, Ryuuen smashed his fists down on Yamada's smooth scalp, once, twice, again and again. Yamada finally let go after the sixth blow. His head was already buzzing, and his ears were ringing.

As Yamada collapsed to the ground, the remaining boys rushed him all at once. Ryuuen had only just finished warming up. They might have been classmates, but Ryuuen showed no mercy—straight punches, hooks, shoulder throws, roundhouse kicks, front kicks...

Ibuki San-san arrived late. By the time she reached the rooftop, all she saw was a crowd of boys sprawled across the ground, with Ryuuen alone standing beneath the sunset, laughing with wild arrogance. The evening wind lifted the hem of his clothes. "You want to challenge me too?"

Ibuki answered with a high kick. Ryuuen caught her leg and found black safety shorts underneath. What a disappointment. He pushed her aside. "Get some girls from the class to take these boys to the infirmary for treatment."

After saying that, Ryuuen left without looking back. Shiina Hiyori hurried after him.

Feeling a metallic taste at the corner of his mouth, Ryuuen frowned. Yamada had only punched him once, so why was he bleeding? He wiped at it and realized it was a nosebleed. It was not blood from being hit—it was a nosebleed caused by his excessive excitement.

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

Without hesitation, Ryuuen pressed the handkerchief over his nose. He knew it would smell nice, but his nose could not detect anything at the moment.

"Are you going to follow me all the way back to the dorm?" Ryuuen asked when he noticed that Shiina Hiyori had no intention of leaving.

"I have something to tell you."

Shiina Hiyori hugged her book. She spoke slowly and showed no fear, as though the person standing before her were merely an ordinary student.

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

Shiina Hiyori had just opened her mouth to speak when Ryuuen interrupted her again.

"You think I won't hit girls?" Ryuuen walked up to Shiina Hiyori and looked down at the girl before him, though the handkerchief she had given him still covered his nose, making him look somewhat ridiculous.

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

"This is for the class, not for me." Ryuuen knew violence could not make the girl before him submit, so he invoked the greater good of the class.

"I don't care whether I make it to Class A." The girl did not seem moved by his words.

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

Shiina Hiyori realized that Ryuuen was being unreasonable and impossible to argue with. Tilting her head, she asked unhappily, "Why me?"

Ryuuen's nose had stopped bleeding. After carefully wiping his nose, he looked into the girl's brownish-yellow eyes. "I do what I like. I don't need a special reason."

That answer clearly did not satisfy her.

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