Chapter 63: Unspoken Confessions
As Michan and Izumi walked home together after school, a flurry of emotions swirled within Michan's heart. She couldn't help but wonder when Izumi would finally confess his feelings. She had dropped countless hints, but it seemed like he was completely oblivious.
Lost in her thoughts, Michan's face turned a bright shade of red, which didn't go unnoticed by Izumi. Concerned, he turned to her.
Izumi (curious): "Michan, what's going on? Your face is all flushed. Are you okay?"
Michan felt her cheeks heat up even more, flustered by his question. She stammered, trying to hide her true feelings.
Michan (nervously): "N-nothing, Izumi. I'm just... thinking about something, that's all."
Inwardly, Michan sighed, wondering just how dense Izumi could be when it came to matters of the heart. She hoped that one day he would realize her feelings for him, but for now, she continued to wait for the right moment.
As Michan and Izumi walked home, enjoying their conversation despite the earlier awkwardness, their peaceful moment was abruptly shattered when a group of 40 menacing gangsters surrounded them. The gangsters were sent by Lawrence, and their intentions were far from friendly. Panic washed over Michan as she realized the danger they were in.
Izumi, on the other hand, remained remarkably calm. He turned to Michan, his expression determined but reassuring.
Izumi (whispering to Michan): "Michan, don't worry. I'll take care of them. Just stay behind me."
With those words, Izumi stepped forward to confront the gangsters. His posture exuded confidence, and he radiated an air of calm despite the overwhelming odds. His eyes locked onto the leader of the gang, a burly man with a sinister grin.
Gang Leader (smirking): "Well, well, what do we have here? A young hero trying to save his damsel in distress?"
Izumi (firmly): "I don't know about heroes, but I won't let you lay a finger on Michan."
The tension in the air was palpable as Izumi and the gangsters faced off, ready for a showdown. Michan, though terrified, couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for Izumi's bravery. She knew that he would do everything in his power to protect her from harm.
Izumi squared off against the 30 gangsters, his adrenaline surging as he prepared to defend Michan and himself. The gangsters, while numerous, couldn't intimidate him. He had been trained well by his father Amane and family friend Fuji in various martial arts disciplines. With their teachings in mind, Izumi was ready to face this formidable challenge.
As the gangsters lunged at him from all directions, Izumi moved like a whirlwind, his movements fluid and precise. He dodged their punches and kicks with grace, countering with swift, powerful strikes of his own. His fists and legs moved with incredible speed and accuracy, landing precise blows that left his opponents reeling.
Gangster 1 (frustrated): "He's just a kid! How is he so good?"
Gangster 2 (gritting his teeth): "Don't let him intimidate you! We've got to overpower him!"
Despite their attempts to overwhelm him, Izumi's training and natural talent prevailed. He disarmed several gangsters with ease, using their own weapons against them. His agility allowed him to evade their attacks effortlessly, while his well-placed strikes incapacitated his adversaries one by one.
Izumi (calmly): "You should have picked an easier target. Now, stay down."
As the dust settled, the gangsters lay defeated on the ground, nursing their injuries. Izumi stood tall, a testament to his training and determination. Michan, who had watched in awe, couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for her courageous protector.
As the remaining 10 gangsters closed in, five of them took the strength enhancement drugs, their muscles bulging as the potent substances coursed through their veins. But Izumi was not fazed. He had one more trick up his sleeve, his unique domain.
With a focused gaze, Izumi activated his domain, causing his eyes to glow with a darkish yellow hue. The aura he emitted sent shivers down the spines of all who witnessed it, including the gangsters. The sheer intensity of his domain's power was enough to make even the most fearless among them tremble in fear.
Gangster 3 (panicking): "W-what is that? Those eyes... I've never seen anything like it!"
Gangster 4 (nervous): "We should've never messed with this guy! He's not human!"
Izumi's domain emanated an aura of dominance and control, instilling terror in those who dared to challenge him. The enhanced gangsters, despite their newfound strength, found themselves unable to move, their bodies frozen in fear.
Izumi (with authority): "I suggest you rethink your choices and leave before things get worse. You won't stand a chance against me."
As the remaining gangsters, desperate and fearless, closed in on Izumi, one of them brandished a menacing chainsaw, its roaring engine filling the air with a terrifying buzz. This bold move took Izumi by surprise, but he quickly recalled the advice his uncle Itsuki had given him.
Izumi knew he had to act fast, so he unholstered the knife he always carried with him. With a swift and precise motion, he lunged towards the gangster wielding the chainsaw, aiming to collide his knife with the chainsaw's spinning blades.
The moment their weapons clashed, a deafening screech filled the air as sparks flew. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through both Izumi's arm and the gangster's grip on the chainsaw. The chainsaw's blades were damaged and jammed, rendering the menacing weapon useless.
Izumi swiftly disarmed the gangster, taking away his damaged chainsaw, and the would-be attacker retreated in defeat, realizing that he had underestimated Izumi's resourcefulness.
Michan (impressed): "Izumi, that was amazing! You really are something else."
Izumi (smirking): "Just remembered some advice from Uncle Itsuki. Always have a backup plan."
As Izumi swiftly took down the remaining gangsters with his impressive martial skills, Michan watched in awe and admiration. When the last of the gangsters fell to the ground, defeated, Izumi turned to Michan with a determined look in his eyes.
Izumi (breathing heavily but resolute): "Michan, there's something I've been meaning to tell you for a long time now."
Michan, her heart racing from the adrenaline of the confrontation and Izumi's confession, looked at him with anticipation.
Michan (curious and eager): "What is it, Izumi?"
Izumi took a deep breath and stepped closer to Michan. His face was flushed, partly from the intense fight and partly from the confession he was about to make.
Izumi (nervously): "I... Michan, I care about you so much. You mean everything to me. I've been really dense about it, but I can't deny my feelings anymore. I... I love you, Michan."
Michan's eyes widened, and her heart skipped a beat. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. A wide smile slowly spread across her face.
Michan (teary-eyed and overjoyed): "Izumi, I've been waiting for you to say that for so long. I love you too!"
Izumi and Michan shared a heartfelt and passionate kiss, sealing their love amidst the backdrop of their recent adventure. The challenges they faced only strengthened their bond, and from that day forward, they knew they would face whatever obstacles came their way together, as a couple deeply in love.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone