Chapter 29

“Excuse me…!”

Before long, the minor misunderstanding and the ensuing commotion ceased. After swiftly dealing with and attempting to reason with the delinquent students, Fuuka seemed to come to her senses, her face flushing a deep red as she apologized.

After hearing the gist of the matter, it seemed she had run out of cooking ingredients and had come to buy more, only to get caught up in the harassment of the delinquent students.

Since Silk’s existence was already known to her, it seemed that the shock of the ingredients burning had caused Fuuka to lose the ability to properly distinguish friend from foe.

“Still, not all the ingredients are burned. It’s fortunate that some are still fine.”

“That’s true. I’ll have to buy the burned ones again, though…”

“Hmm. What will you do if you get attacked again?”

“Well, I’ll have to do my best to avoid them. That’s how it’s always been here, haha…”

“…”

What a crazy city. Really.

Sane people tiptoe around, while the crazy ones roam freely. It’s a den of devils, and it feels kind of normal, but even so, is it right for someone as kind as her to suffer?

There was no brighter reality than this.

Is this Gehenna’s ‘common sense’? I didn’t want to know…

“…You work hard.”

“I think Silk works harder, dealing with bad people every day. Especially since you’ve only just arrived in Gehenna.”

“…”

What is she? Why is she this kind?

Would calling a Gehenna student an angel be an insult here?

‘I will definitely protect you, Fuuka.’

Fuuka seemed burdened by the pitiful look I was sending her and sheepishly smiled as she fiddled with the back of her hair. Dressed in a layer of dust, she looked unbearably pitiful.

Maybe that’s why I impulsively brought up the subject.

“Fuuka, I will guard you for a while.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Would it be alright if I stayed with you for a while at the cafeteria?”

“Really?! In our club…?!”

[What?! Hiiro, what do you mean by that…!]

Even Himari was shocked by the decision.

But I didn’t regret it. After all, I came to Gehenna to punish the evil and save the good, didn’t I?

If there is a student as kind and far from demonic as Fuuka, then that student deserves to be protected closely.

Moreover, using the cafeteria as a base would allow me to operate in Gehenna more conveniently.

This wasn’t just about extending kindness to Fuuka; there was also a benefit for me, so it was a calculated decision.

But with my question, Fuuka was evidently confused and asked me why she was being helped.

“Why are you suddenly…?”

The meaning was clear: Why was she being helped?

I simply replied,

“Just because I’m concerned for you, Fuuka.”

“Wha, wha, what…!”

[Hiiro? Did I hear that wrong? Right?]

Two flustered people.

Ignoring their reactions, I continued speaking,

“I want to change things so that someone as kind as Fuuka can walk the streets in peace. This place.”

“Ah…”

[Pfft. I’m mistaken again…]

I want to create a place where the good can walk freely while the wicked are the ones looking out for trouble.

It might sound impossible in Gehenna, but my initial goal wasn’t to change the entire Gehenna.

What did I really want to achieve in Gehenna?

Simple. To imprint my existence on Gehenna, instilling a little fear and some hesitation.

Through that, to prevent the delinquent students and criminals of Gehenna from acting on impulse.

That was my current goal.

Like how Batman became a symbol of fear in Gotham City at night.

“I will become the nightmare of these people.”

Can’t solve all of Gehenna’s problems instantly?

Then there’s no need to solve them all.

Just reducing crime will already improve the situation for the guidance department and ordinary people like Fuuka.

That was enough.

“Please let me, Fuuka.”

After hearing my goal, Fuuka seemed to think for a moment before nodding decisively.

“Yes. Please take care of me, Silk.”

Thus, an unexpected journey began between me and Fuuka in Gehenna.

—

“This is the Cafeteria Club room. Technically, it’s more of a cafeteria room, but haha…”

“I like it.”

“Really? That’s good.”

After buying ingredients with Fuuka and arriving at the cafeteria,

As the cafeteria club responsible for the meals at the Gehenna Academy, they had the familiar exterior of a cafeteria serving as their club room.

Each time it was referred to as the cafeteria bursting at the seams due to various reasons like the gourmet research club’s influence, the building where I arrived had unexpectedly maintained a normal appearance.

“The building is clean.”

“Yes, we clean it often. And recently, the guidance department rebuilt it for us…”

“Ah.”

Had you blown up once already?

With a chuckle, I headed inside the building.

Indeed, inside it also resembled a familiar cafeteria shape. Only, it was empty due to the afternoon hour.

Fuuka mentioned that a member named Juri was part of the team but had been taken to the emergency medical ward a few days ago because she got involved in the disorder caused by the delinquents.

“…So you were alone.”

“Yes. If it wasn’t for Silk, I might have been in danger today as well. Oh, by the way, are you hungry? Let me repay you for saving me with a meal.”

“Ah. I’ll take you up on that.”

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