The magical carriage rolled along the dusty path, pulled by Rhogan, the majestic earth spirit rhino. Its massive crystalline horns shimmered faintly under the blood-red sky, a stark contrast to the oppressive, dark aura that seemed to envelop the land. The road stretched ahead, winding through barren plains, leaving the party in tense silence as they traveled.
Iryoku, sprawled lazily in the carriage, broke the silence with his usual irreverence. “Ah, nothing like letting the beast do all the work. A true champion knows how to delegate.”
Alessandra shot him a glare. “You’re impossible, Taiyou.”
“Impossible? Or just efficient?” he countered with a grin.
Reika sighed, rubbing her temples. “Can you try being tolerable for at least one day? Just one.”
Iryoku’s smirk widened as he tilted his head toward her. “What can I say, Ojou-san? I was born to test your patience.”
“Stop calling me that!”
Yumi crossed her arms, her face already red. The leather armor Iryoku had picked out for her felt snug in all the wrong places, especially across her chest, even though he had chosen a larger chest piece to accommodate her. She shifted uncomfortably, huffing as her voice rose. “Taiyou, why can’t you act normal for once?”
“Normal?” Iryoku mused, his eyes flicking to her breast briefly before returning to her face. “Sorry, Shorty, but normal is overrated.”
Yumi turned even redder. “Stop staring!”
They arrived at a small, weathered town nestled in a valley. The buildings were made of aged stone and cracked wood, and the townsfolk cast wary glances their way. The group split up to gather information and rest, with the girls taking the lead in speaking to the villagers.
But Yumi had another goal. She’d had enough of Iryoku’s antics, his shameless behavior, and his constant disrespect toward her and her beloved Sensei.
Yumi’s hands trembled slightly as she approached Iryoku in an abandoned alley. He leaned casually against a crumbling wall, inspecting one of his daggers. His relaxed posture only added to her frustration.
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“Iryoku,” she called firmly, gripping the small dagger at her side.
He looked up, arching an eyebrow. “Well, well. What’s this? The runt’s come to scold me?”
Her grip tightened. Memories of her high school days flashed through her mind—days when bullies would push her around, mocking her for being quiet, short, or different. Since Sensei had become a teacher at her school, she had been there to protect her, standing tall like a shield against their cruelty. Alessandra had been her hero, her anchor.
And now this jerk comes along, thinking he can trample over everything, Yumi thought bitterly. Thinking he can disrespect Sensei—the one person who’s always been there for me.
She stepped closer, her heart pounding. “You need to stop,” she said, her voice trembling with anger. “Stop bullying Sensei. Stop harassing everyone. You’re nothing but a shameless, selfish jerk.”
Iryoku blinked in surprise, but his shock quickly melted into amusement. He leaned slightly toward her. “Oh? Big words, Shorty. And what exactly are you planning to do about it?”
Her heart raced as she drew the dagger and pressed it against his neck. “If you don’t stop, I’ll make you regret it.”
For a brief moment, silence hung between them, broken only by the distant hum of activity in the town square.
Then, Iryoku laughed softly, the sound low and mocking. “Really? You think you’ve got what it takes to follow through on that threat?”
Before she could react, he moved. His hand shot up, grabbing her wrist with precision and strength. With a twist, the dagger slipped from her fingers, clattering to the ground.
“Let me show you why you shouldn’t make empty threats,” he said, his tone light but laced with danger.
Effortlessly, he grabbed the front of her leather armor and lifted her off the ground. She gasped, squirming as his hand pressed against her clothes, the back of his fingers brushing against her Breast. Her face turned crimson, humiliation and fury mixing in a storm of emotions.
He brought her face close to his, his voice dropping to a low growl. “You don’t get to tell me what I can or can’t do, Shorty. You think so highly of your dear Sensei, huh? But she wasn’t always the saint you know now. She’s got her own skeletons, trust me.”
Yumi’s eyes widened, confusion mingling with her anger. “What... what are you talking about?” she stammered.
He smirked, releasing her abruptly. She landed hard on her butt, the impact jolting her and making her wince.
“Maybe someday you’ll figure it out,” he said, turning his back to her. “But until then, learn to pick your battles.”
As he walked away, Yumi sat frozen, tears pricking the corners of her eyes. She clenched her fists, glaring at the ground as she muttered under her breath, “Asshole.”
The sting of humiliation was sharp, but her anger burned even brighter. She wouldn’t let this go—not for herself, but for her beloved Sensei.
He doesn’t know what he’s talking about, she thought fiercely. Sensei saved me when no one else would. She’s nothing like him.