章節 44: The Ruthless Kings of Third Year

Thud!

The two third years, now reduced to trembling shadows of their former selves, were known throughout the school as leaders of a notorious group of bullies. Their names—Kazuma and Daigo—struck fear into the hearts of many students, especially those in the lower grades.

They had built a reputation over the years as ruthless, unchallenged kings of the third-year wing. Their influence was like a dark cloud that hung over the school, an ever-present threat that most students were too afraid to confront.

Ryuji had known about Kazuma and Daigo long before today. Their exploits were well-documented—whispers in the hallways, horror stories exchanged in hushed tones during lunch breaks. But for Ryuji, the memories were far more personal.

It had started with one of his closest friends, a quiet, studious boy named Shun. Shun had always been the kind of person who kept to himself, avoiding conflict and staying out of trouble.

But Kazuma and Daigo had zeroed in on him, sensing his vulnerability like predators catching the scent of prey. They had made his life a living hell, bullying him relentlessly, both physically and emotionally.

Ryuji had tried to intervene back then, had even confronted Kazuma and Daigo a few times, but they were relentless. They'd brush him off, laugh in his face, and redouble their efforts to torment Shun. No matter what Ryuji did, the bullying continued, and Shun grew more withdrawn, more defeated.

Finally, it had become too much. Shun's grades had plummeted, his once-bright eyes dulled by the constant harassment. His family, seeing the toll it was taking on him, decided to transfer him to another school, far away from Kazuma and Daigo's reach.

Ryuji had never forgiven himself for not being able to stop it. He'd blamed himself, felt powerless in the face of their cruelty. After Shun left, Ryuji had considered giving up. There didn't seem to be any way to change things—Kazuma and Daigo were too powerful, too deeply entrenched in their reign of terror. What could one person possibly do against them?

But the bullying didn't stop with Shun's departure. If anything, it got worse. Kazuma and Daigo, no longer satisfied with their previous victims, began targeting others, spreading their influence like a plague. They were untouchable, and they knew it. The school's administration turned a blind eye, the teachers too overwhelmed or apathetic to intervene.

That's when something inside Ryuji snapped. He realized that trying to change Kazuma and Daigo with words was useless. They only understood one thing: power. And if he couldn't get rid of them, then he would use that power against them. He'd stick them so close to him that they wouldn't have any choice but to fall in line. If they were going to waste their lives terrorizing others, he'd make sure they wasted it on something worthwhile.

For the past year, Ryuji had thrown himself into strength training with a single-minded determination. He lifted weights, ran sprints, honed his body into a weapon. Every drop of sweat, every ache in his muscles, was fuel for his resolve. He knew that one day, he would confront Kazuma and Daigo, and when that day came, he would be ready.

And now, that day had arrived.

He had given them a beating they would never forget, leaving them bruised, bloodied, and broken. But it wasn't just about the physical pain. It was about establishing dominance, making them understand that they weren't the top dogs anymore. Ryuji was.

Kazuma and Daigo had never been defeated by anyone before. They'd never known what it was like to be on the receiving end of a beating, to feel the sting of fear and helplessness. But now they had, and that changed everything.

Ryuji didn't just want to stop their bullying—he wanted to reform them, to turn their strength into something productive. And what better way to do that than to recruit them into the flag football team? He knew that with their physical prowess and newfound respect for him, they could be valuable assets. More than that, by keeping them close, he could ensure that their days of bullying were over for good.

As he walked away from the storage room, leaving Kazuma and Daigo to nurse their wounds and contemplate their new reality, Ryuji felt a sense of grim satisfaction. His hard work had paid off. He had become strong enough to stand up to the bullies, to turn the tables and make them serve a purpose. It wasn't just about revenge—it was about control, about taking back what they had stolen from him and his friends.

The next morning, the sky was clear, the rain from the previous day now just a distant memory. The school grounds were bustling with activity, students chatting and laughing as they made their way to class. Aiko was standing by the entrance of the club room, going over some notes, her mind focused on the upcoming qualifiers. She hadn't slept much the night before, her thoughts consumed by the pressure of leading the team.

When she looked up, her eyes widened in surprise. Kazuma and Daigo were standing in front of her, their faces serious, almost apprehensive. They each held a piece of paper in their hands.

Aiko blinked, not quite believing what she was seeing. These were the last two people she'd ever expected to see here, let alone holding application forms for the flag football team.

Kazuma, his bruises from the previous night still visible, stepped forward and handed his form to Aiko. "We're here to join the team," he said, his voice steady but lacking its usual bravado.

Daigo nodded, his gaze dropping to the ground as he handed over his form as well. "We… we want to play."

Aiko, still processing the unexpected turn of events, took the forms from them. "Uh, okay… welcome to the team," she said, her voice tinged with confusion.

Kazuma and Daigo nodded once more, then turned and walked away, leaving Aiko standing there with the forms in hand, completely bewildered by what had just happened.

As she watched them go, she couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had just occurred—something that would change the course of the team, and perhaps, the school itself. And at the center of it all was Ryuji, whose influence was already beginning to reshape the landscape of Seiryuu High.