Koto Kazuya told his subordinates to enter for a mont.
Kaz~ Whos here?
Oh, so friends stopped by! Well be quick!
After offering a vague explanation to his mother, who remained oblivious, he entered his room and locked the door.
Then, seated on the bed rather than a chair, he inquired,
What happened? Mito betrayed us?
His subordinates, faces swollen and bandaged, spoke through tears,
Didnt you unexpectedly step down as leader two weeks ago and hand over the position to Mito, the vice leader?
Yes, I did.
It turns out Mito was in league with the Devil Riders. We, who attended the assembly unaware, were quickly encircled and beaten. It was definitely a trap set by Maou, the leader of the Devil Riders!
That Maou guy
Koto clenched his teeth as he rembered Maou, who was once his rival.
Brother! Please help us! Without you, theres no one to defend our Hyakki Yako!
But Ive already abandoned that life.
If things go on like this, the white special uniform passed down from the first generation will fall into Maous hands! Will you just stand by and let that happen?!
Koto felt torn.
He had put that life behind him.
Would he, just two weeks after stepping down, co back and get involved again?
Then, not only he but also the entire Hyakki Yako would beco a laughingstock.
And then there was the promise to his brother.
If he remained committed and followed him for three days, his brother would take him on as a disciple.
But he couldnt simply walk away, as the Hyakki Yako was filled with his dreams and mories.
His juniors were still there, and the thought of the Hyakki Yako na ending like this was unbearable.
Seeing the worried looks on his juniors faces, he suddenly burst into laughter.
When have I ever fretted over such matters?
Koto promptly opened his closet and retrieved his special black uniform.
It was a uniform he had planned to seal away forever.
But he realized he had to take it out just one more ti, for the last ti.
As he donned the uniform, he asked his forr subordinates,
Lets go. Where is that Maou guy?
Although it was past the 2 p.m. eting ti we had set that morning, Koto didnt appear.
Whats going on?
He didnt strike as soone who would falter.
Especially since today marked the last day.
Had he intended to give up, he would have done so well before now.
Pondering various possibilities, it beca evident that sothing must have happened to Koto.
Otherwise, he wouldnt have missed our appointnt.
I regretted not having obtained his phone number, having expected our interaction to be brief.
With his number, I couldve inquired about his absence.
But dwelling on regrets was futile.
I decided to busy myself with the stores work to clear my mind.
After all, there was nothing else within my power.
All I could do was wait for Koto to reach out to .
That was my thought as I wiped the tables with a dry towel.
Rattle!
Excuse !
Welco.
Expecting a custor, I turned and was taken aback to see a delinquent with dyed yellow hair at the entrance.
He exuded an air that hinted he was tied to Koto.
And, as though confirming my suspicion, the yellow-haired delinquent awkwardly averted his gaze and said,
Uh are you Kotos brother?
What was this brother of a brother business?
Normally, I would have outright denied such a confusing label, but my curiosity over Kotos absence led to nod ambiguously.
Right. Did Koto send you?
Yes. Koto I an, Kaz asked to deliver a ssage. He wont be able to make it to the store today.
It was clear sothing really did happen.
There must have been a significant reason for soone so earnest about becoming my disciple to suddenly not show up.
Well Ive delivered the ssage, so Ill be going now.
The blonde delinquent said, bowed slightly, and hastily tried to leave the store.
Wait a mont.
Yes?
Hearing my voice, the delinquent froze like a statue and turned around with a bewildered expression.
As I untied my apron, I asked,
Can you tell more about why Koto didnt co?
The delinquent bit his lip, hesitated, and then slowly nodded.
Alright.
So youre saying that Mito, the vice leader of Hyakki Yako, was actually colluding with Maou of the Devil Riders, and as soon as Koto retired from his position as the leader, Mito tried to rge the team with the Devil Riders?
Yes, thats correct.
The blonde delinquent sitting next to spilled everything, almost like soone being interrogated.
After organizing the story in my head, I casually asked,
What do you think is the purpose of this Maou guy?
Probably to make the Devil Riders the top team in Tokyo, right? Until now, they couldnt challenge Setagaya because of Koto and our Hyakki Yako, but if they rge now, they will beco the strongest force in Tokyo instantly.
So Koto got involved in the bikers power struggle even after retiring?
We feel sorry about that too. But without Koto, known for his bravery, theres no one else in Tokyo who can stop the Devil Riders and Maou. Especially since Maou considers Koto his rival.
I understand the situation now.
Given these circumstances, Koto couldnt have helped it.
He was simple-minded, a bit foolish, and hot-blooded, so he couldnt refuse when his old subordinates asked for help.
Having decided to give him a days leeway if he ca after everything was settled, I spoke to the blonde delinquent, who kept anxiously glancing at his watch.
Why are you in such a hurry? Do you have an appointnt or sothing?
No, its just the ti set by Maou is approaching. He said if Koto doesnt show up by then, he wont leave our mbers alone. I have to go, even if it ans borrowing a cats paw.
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