With his vision, Hongshang Yu could only make out that there were four people, but not their faces. He glanced back at the girls' restroom door—silence. It seemed Kinugita Taoko would take a while.
His usually sluggish mind finally kicked into gear. He wondered if he should intervene. Tsun, with her temperament, would never get involved in such matters and certainly wouldn't let Hongshang Yu meddle. But he had his own nature. Before, he always stepped into others' problems, and even now, despite everything, he couldn't stay indifferent. Perhaps this was the real him. Even after girls had hurt him, in a critical moment, he'd still offer help.
Though all four were girls, Hongshang Yu already had a plan. Simple, but common. Moreover, he had confidence—the confidence of Tsun's younger brother.
He decided to act. Initially, he wanted to climb out the window, but noticed the drop to the ground was still high. Not too high, but not low either. Knowing his weak body, he didn't risk it. Besides, if he got injured, Tsun's wrath would be inevitable. She wouldn't scold him, but she'd nag and become even more clingy. Considering this, Hongshang Yu abandoned the idea of jumping.
Instead, he ran out of the corridor, left the lab building, and circled around to the back wall. Due to his poor health, he couldn't run fast—his pace barely qualified as a jog. So, by the time he arrived, it was already too late.
The three girls continued insulting the fourth, yanking her hair.
"You'll snitch! Tattle! Ugly! Get out of school!" the most aggressive one shouted, standing before the victim and landing blows.
The other two assisted, holding the girl and kicking her with hands and feet. After a while, the leader stopped, holding something crumpled in her hand.
"Ugly, and you dare wear this, slut? With that face, are you worthy?" she said, about to throw the item over the wall, but seeing the wall was too high, tossed it into the greenery by the building.
Hongshang Yu, just arriving, caught this moment. Due to the building's shadow, he couldn't make out what was thrown, but it seemed to be something from the victim's clothing. The girl herself remained silent, not resisting, her head lowered, enduring the humiliation and blows.
When Hongshang Yu appeared, they didn't notice him, continuing their harassment. His usually expressionless face involuntarily frowned.
"Stop," he said.
But the girls, engrossed in their shouting, didn't hear. His voice drowned in their insults. He stepped closer and, gathering all his strength, repeated louder:
"Stop!"
His voice wasn't particularly loud, but enough to be heard. All three flinched, clearly not expecting someone to approach unnoticed. They turned to Hongshang Yu.
His short stature puzzled them. What's a junior doing here? But noticing his school uniform, they realized he wasn't from the lower grades. All four girls were taller than him. Initially, seeing a boy, they tensed—even the boldest couldn't handle an average guy. But, seeing his frail body, they felt confident.
"Who are you? Where'd this kid come from? Don't butt into adult business, get lost," the leader mocked, releasing the victim's hair and stepping toward him.
Tanzawa Miyayo didn't get into this school based on grades. At first, she didn't want to attend, but it was a family decision, and she had to comply. She thought such a school would be full of nerds—getting in wasn't easy. But she was wrong. Every school has its types: those who got in through connections, like her; the poor but money-hungry; the bookworms who only knew study; the hypocrites found everywhere. The difference was that here, they might be smarter or more diligent.
Tanzawa quickly found two lackeys—girls greedy for money, hovering around her, hoping for handouts. They thought she, as a rich fool, would spoil them. Tanzawa occasionally tossed them something—old stuff or fakes—to keep them from leaving. She knew they only wanted profit and likely gossiped about her behind her back. Today, they were beating a girl for reporting them to a teacher.
Hongshang Yu anticipated this reaction. Such bullies, seeing his fragility, always felt bolder. He said a simple yet effective line:
"I already called a teacher."
As expected, Tanzawa and her lackeys' faces changed. Tanzawa paled. In school, they couldn't dismiss his words. If a teacher caught them, punishment was certain. But Tanzawa figured her family would likely bail her out. For now, she could teach this shorty a lesson.
She stepped toward Hongshang Yu.
"A teacher's a problem, sure, but I fear no one in this school. Why butt in, kid?" she said with excitement.
She was used to intimidating girls, but a boy was a first. His weak appearance excited her. The lackeys, initially panicked, calmed down, knowing Tanzawa would cover them.
But one of them, scrutinizing Hongshang Yu, paled. As Tanzawa raised her hand to slap him and leave, she was stopped.
"?" Tanzawa turned, surprised.
One lackey, pale, grabbed her arm.
"What are you doing? Let go!" Tanzawa frowned.
"C-can't, Tanzawa…" the girl stammered.
"Why not? Afraid I can't handle this kid? Or a teacher? What's there to fear with me?" Tanzawa mocked.
"N-no…" the lackey's voice trembled.
"Then what? Let go!" Tanzawa tried to pull free, but the grip was firm.
"He… he's President Tsun's brother…" the lackey finally blurted.
Tanzawa paled and turned to Hongshang Yu. Frail body, pale face, black-rimmed glasses, a shotacon look. The very boy always with President Tsun.
Though Tanzawa rarely crossed paths with Hongshang Yu, she recalled his face due to Tsun's prominence. Now she realized: he was indeed her brother.
With her status, Tanzawa feared little in school. She didn't know Tsun's family's influence, but who could beat five students into disability and return to school, still leading the student council? Clearly, Tsun's family was incredibly powerful. And Tsun was a known sister-obsessive. If she learned Tanzawa hit Hongshang Yu, she might end up in the hospital tomorrow.
Grinding her teeth, Tanzawa glanced at the victim, Hyakusa Aoi, sitting on the ground, and said to her lackeys with frustration:
"Let's go!"
They bolted faster than her, fearing consequences. Tanzawa, watching their backs, muttered:
"Two useless idiots!"
And hurried after them.
"…"
Hongshang Yu, seeing them off, approached the girl. Since his arrival, she'd sat on the ground, unmoving, not leaving or reacting. He stopped a meter from her.
Her long, naturally wavy black hair covered her face, hiding her expression. Her uniform was crumpled from the attack, a white bra strap dangling from her shoulder.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"…"
Hearing him, she stirred but didn't respond. Adjusting her uniform, she lifted her head and looked at Hongshang Yu.