Chapter 149: The Harm to Reputation
“There should be nothing to worry about anymore.”
Looking at Tsurumi Rumiko’s composed face, Yukinoshita Yukino felt relieved.
“Then let’s proceed?” After much effort explaining, Yui Yuigahama finally understood Yukino’s actions, and when she saw that Tsurumi Rumiko had overcome her troubles, a happy smile emerged on her face.
“Where are we going?” asked Hachiman Hikigaya curiously.
“We… we’re going to change into swimsuits,” said the girl with the braid, her face blushing faintly, “Ms. Hiruzen said we could play by the river.”
“Huh?” He was surprised, then moved his gaze to the black-haired young man.
“Lin Qi, why are you looking at me like that?”
“No, it’s nothing… Is Mr. Lin also going to change into a swimsuit too?”
“Why change into a swimsuit?” Lin Qi smirked at him. “Are you thinking of playing water games with me?”
“…Sorry, please forgive me.” Hachiman hastily bowed in apology.
“I didn’t realize you were such a playful student,” Lin Qi patted Hachiman’s shoulder, chuckling. “Alright, let’s go.”
“Um, no need…”
“Oh come on, why are you so distant with your teacher? Let’s go, let’s go.”
And so they walked along the riverside, arm in arm, presenting a harmonious picture of friendly teachers and students.
By the side of the river, it turned out to be just a slightly wider stream with water barely reaching halfway up their calves.
“Hold on, I did not bring my swimsuit!” protested Hachiman as they reached the streamside.
“Just take off your shoes and roll up your pants, what more do you need a swimsuit for?”
The fish-eyed boy’s nervous and reluctant appearance was reminiscent of an innocent and pitiful girl caught in a compromising situation.
Hesitantly, he took off his sports shoes and socks and rolled up his trousers. Lin Qi then nudged him into the stream, causing him to lose balance and fall into the water unexpectedly.
“So the meaning of taking off my shoes and rolling up my pants is…”
Seeing his soaked trousers, Hachiman dared neither argue nor show anger.
Standing up, he saw that Lin Qi had also removed his shoes, rolled up his trousers, and even taken off his shirt to reveal perfectly sculpted muscles.
“To practice combat.”
Lin Qi beckoned with his hand.
Suddenly feeling a tightening in his stomach, Hachigan stood ready, his fists high.
Avoiding the confrontation is impossible but at least there’s no need to be embarrassed.
Thus, he removed his shirt and placed it onshore, then lifted his hands into boxing stances, ready for any coming fight.
He hoped the martial arts techniques he learned online would appease Lin Qi.
However, seeing him sway and approach with a determined gait, Lin Qi had a puzzled expression. “This is not a ring match. What are you trying to prove?”
Before he had the chance to drop his arms, Lin Qi’s voice came from behind, followed by a sharp pain at the back of his head.
“Focus, fight seriously.” Lin Qi was not pleased.
“Okay…”
Hachiman touched the back of his head innocently.
When Lin Qi motioned for him to continue, he stepped forward, rushing toward the black-haired young man with a resolute look.
Lin Qi did not tell me to use any spells, he must want to enhance my physical skills.
But physical skill happens to be something Hachiman struggles with.
Lin Qi allowed Hachiman to approach and watched as he threw a punch infused with curse energy towards him.
Even using curse energy, the move looked quite hesitant.
Lin Qi casually raised his arm to block Hachiman’s hook, twisting his wrist, seizing control of his opponent’s arm.
Crap…
His arm felt trapped like a bear trap, causing Hachiman anxiety and foreboding.
A force beyond what he could resist dragged him over, destabilizing his stance, sending him tumbling into the water.
He yanked, tripped, and effortlessly put Hachiman down. Lin Qi stepped on his buttocks and lazily said, “Don’t hold back, use full strength. You’re not Superman.”
“Gurp, I understand.”
Bubbles appeared on the water surface. Hachiman stood up again and wiped the water from his face before charging once more toward Lin Qi.
This time, he was smarter, using consecutive jabs to test Lin Qi, who blocked with his palms. Without pressing the attack, Lin Qi merely kept blocking, allowing Hachiman to get used to his attack rhythm.
Once Lin Qi deemed appropriate, he warned, “I’m going all out.”
Immediately, Hachiman tensed up, expecting Lin Qi’s attack.
Instead, Lin Qi’s foot swept across the water, splashing Hachiman with a wave of water.
Instinctively, Hachiman raised his hands to defend but felt intense pain in his abdomen, bending his body like a shrimp.
A dark figure grew in his pupils, and out of desperation, Hachiman used both hands palm-to-palm to block Lin Qi’s knee strike, which caused him to fall backward. He staggered back two steps before falling onto his back, causing water to splash.
Oh no…
“How could Xiaoqi fight Lin Qi!”
At the same time, exclamations on the riverbank made him wish for a hole to hide in.
Yuigahama, who had changed into a swimsuit, covered her mouth in astonishment. She had just arrived with Yukino and Komachi to see Lin Qi slam Hachigan with his knee.
The black-haired girl showed a hint of embarrassment. Due to the many people downstream, they suggested moving upstream, not expecting to see Hachiman being trained by Lin Qi.
“Well, big brother got beaten again,” Komachi said casually, shaking her head as she remained calm despite the worried looks of Yuigahama.
“Yukisnow and Komachi seem so calm, but Xiaoqi was hit!” Yuigahama pointed at the fallen fish-eyed boy, showing worry mixed with confusion. “Although Xiaoqi gets beaten often by Ms. Hiruzen at school, this goes beyond play fighting.”
LinQi’s blow seemed too fierce, someone getting hit normally would probably break their nose or lose a couple front teeth.
Yuigahama, I appreciate your care, but it’s embarrassing enough now. It’s not helpful to dwell on how weak I am.
Hachiman Hikigaya stared lifelessly at the sky, floating clouds.
