It’s been eight long years.

After having been gone to Tokyo, it’s good to be back here in my hometown, the simple town of Rura. It’s the place where I was born and spent the first eight years of my childhood.

As I peered through the forest-like scenery from my seat on the bus, I can’t help but smile at the precious memories I have made here. It appears that nothing remarkable has changed during my absence as the same old buildings, structures, and roads are what I have observed. In short, nothing has changed.

I wonder… are my friends from my childhood still living here, or perhaps they have moved on and transferred to another urban environment of their liking.

Speaking of childhood friends, I was told by Uncle Enji that during the whole duration of my stay, he and his family, the Amakusa family are the ones who will be taking care of me.

Right after my mother died from a car accident just recently in Tokyo...

The Amakusa is a family friend, meaning I wouldn’t have to worry about my board and lodgings. I knew them in the past, and Aunt Reina is a gentle soul who always took good care of me and two of her children, who are my dear childhood friends. The brother and sister twins' names are Ren and Rin, respectively, if I recall correctly.

I would be lying if I said that I’m not nervous about meeting them again. Hopefully, things won’t be awkward given my long absence, and they’ll be welcoming to me as they did before.

Eventually, I arrived at my destination as I told the driver to stop the bus. After thanking him, I went down carrying my backpack and proceeded to make my way to the Amakusa family home.

Fortunately, the trip from the bus stop is a short distance away, and the familiar subdivision area greeted my eyes right in front of me.

Before entering the subdivision, the guard at the entrance first asked my business here. I told them of my circumstances, and he asked for my ID.

“Hiro Nakamura.” The guard uttered my name and shift glances between my face and the ID. “So, you are saying that Mrs. Amakusa is expecting you, am I correct.”

“Yes, sir.” I nodded at his confirmation.

“Alright, let me confirm your statement, and I’ll get on with you shortly.”

And with that, the guard took the necessary protocol, and I waited patiently nearby. Thankfully, the wait is not long, and the guard gave his answer.

“Ah, Mr. Nakamura, yes, Mrs. Amakusa is indeed waiting for you. Do you need directions to her residence?”

“I’ll be fine.” I shook my head, appreciating his offer nonetheless. “I know my way around here.”

“If you say so.”

After thanking the guard, I entered the subdivision complex. Even after years, I’m still familiar with the place, and I maneuvered myself relatively quickly as if I’m a long-time resident. I’ve been visiting the Amakusas almost every day when I was a child, so everything was all too natural for me.

*Whimper*

While on my trek, I heard a loud voice of a child crying. Turning to look around at the voice source, I saw a young girl being harassed by two bullies of the same age as her in the playground nearby. The bullies did all sorts of things ranging from pulling her hair to childish insults. Being a person with a strong sense of justice, I quickly approached them and assumed an aura of authority to established my position firmly to these children.

The two bullies were undoubtedly intimidated by my presence, given that I towered leagues above them. I immediately approached the girl out of concern for her and kneeled to assure that everything would be alright. The girl gave me a pleading look, begging to save me from her harassers.

It would be going against everything I stood for if I’m going to refuse

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I then turned to the boys, mustering a grave look that would put the wits out of them. Then, I told them.

* “What are you two doing? Can’t you see that she is hurt by your selfish actions?” (Diplomatic / Gentle)

* “Well, well, two kiddies ganging up on a cute young lady. Kids these days… don’t you have better things to do like catching bugs or maybe playing some generic gacha game on your parent’s smartphone indoors?” (Comical / Charming)

* Utter even a single word to her, and I’ll make sure it will be your last.” (Aggressive / Blunt)

“Sheesh, we were just kidding around, mister, no need to be so serious.” One of the bullies attempted to reason with me with a nervous chuckle.

“But at the expense of the girl being hurt? It’s wrong to do such vile things, young men, and you have taken things too far. Tell me honestly if you truly enjoy her suffering, look at her crying.” I told them with sincerity, hoping that they would see reason.

Thankfully and much to my relief, the two boys saw the error of their ways when they saw the girl being utterly scared at them with a sorrowful expression while hiding behind my back.

“L-look, we’re sorry, Rei, we won’t do bad things to you again.” The boy said as he and his partner were filled with guilt.

The girl who I now know as Rei nodded in understanding. Even if she accepted the boys’ apology, she remained at my back, no doubt still terrified by the bullying that was afflicted on her.

“All well that ends well. Why don’t you kids run along to your homes, and we’ll consider all bygones be bygones.” I smiled proudly at their actions.

“But make no mistake, if I see any of you doing this sort of things to anyone ever again, I won’t be as merciful as I am now, do I make myself clear?” I added, still retaining my friendly grin.

“Yes, sir!!” The boys nodded in agreement and got the message clearly. Shortly after, they bowed down respectfully at me and left the premises of the playground.

A sense of fulfillment was filled as I smiled proudly at my noble actions. They were simply kids and are still learning in the ways of the world. Settling things peacefully is definitely the right option.

My statement somehow dumbfounds the bullies. No doubt, they were expecting me to be angry or at least lecturing in my tone.

Hehe, oh, how I love to betray everyone’s expectations of me.

I also took the time to see if the girl behind me is okay. From the looks of it, she appeared to be flustered with her face red as she attempted to hide her embarrassed expression by her face digging into the fabrics of my clothes with a whimper.

Yep, she was flattered by my compliments to her earlier. Oh, my sassy remarks are going to bite me in the ass one day, that I can very well see.

Anyways, I decided to face the issue while still retaining a smirk right on my face.

“Girl crying, bullies bullying, hmm, what to do...” I pondered, pretending to act all deep and sagely as I stroked my chin.

“Hey kids, ever heard of a wedgie? I haven’t tried it, so you’ll get the privilege of being my guinea pigs. What do you say?” I said all this while approaching them with a sinister smile and acting like a madman with my hands dangerously on the prowl for their backsides.

“S-stay away from us, you psycho!!!” One of the bullies screamed terrifyingly while he and his partner back off quickly.

“Alright, alright, we’ll never bother Rei ever again. Just leave us alone, you lunatic!!!” The other boy agreed with his friend, and the two of them hurried off away from a distance.

As I witnessed their disappearing act, I grinned in triumphant at fending off an innocent young girl against two bullies. Being a hero is kind of fulfilling if I say so myself. But if I’m going to rescue someone, then I might as well end it with a blast that would leave a lasting impression like a bang.

“Ah, young girls and bullies, just a typical Tuesday afternoon.”

The girl who I now know as Rei merely became dumbfounded at my last statement.

The kids are indeed terrified by my intimidating statement, and the deepness of my voice only served to heighten the tension between us.

The girl behind me was also scared but only by a small margin, seeing as my aggression was directed onto her bullies and not to her. I felt her hands clutching tightly at my clothes behind my back.

I looked at her in response and softened my gaze to assure her that everything would be alright.

If I wish to protect her from further atrocious acts, then these worms, children or not, must get a clear, direct message, whether they like it or not.

If words are not enough, then there are other ways to convince them otherwise.

Of course, they are still kids, so God willing, it won’t come to THAT.

“S-sheesh, we were just kidding around, mister, n-no need to be so angry.” One of the bullies tried to be the voice of reason in an attempt to reconcile.

“Kidding? Then why is she in tears if that’s the case? Are crying girls now a requirement for something to be considered a joke? If that’s the case, then kids like you two sicken me.”

I then cracked my knuckles and approached them menacingly while the two boys shivered and constantly step backward from my threatening appearance.

“It appears that your parents failed in disciplining you. Should I take their place instead?”

“We… we’re sorry!!! We won’t bother Rei ever again!!!” The boys bow down and succumb to their fear.

“Good, now run along to your homes. If I ever so much as to hear even a single rumor about you harassing her ever again, then I’ll make sure to discipline you once more personally, but this time in a more direct manner, UNDERSTOOD?”

“Y-yes, sir!!!” The boys nodded in agreement instantly, not wanting to instigate my further wrath. I then also did the same in response as I allowed them to walk free and told them to get out of my sight.

As I watched their retreating forms, I can’t help but think that maybe I have gone too far in intimidating them. Perhaps there are other ways to settle this manner. I supposed what’s done is done, and they indeed have gotten the message. The issue has worked out in the end, and that’s all that matters. Sometimes, you have to be harsh and uncompromising if you want to convey your point to others powerfully.

After the fiasco with the bullies, Rei finally faced me properly with a look of appreciation on her face.

“T-thanks for saving me, mister. Those two are mean and have gotten too far with their teasing.”

“It’s alright. I could not stand by while watching you being tormented.” I smiled gently at her.

Rei then assumed a curious look, no doubt interested at who I am given that my introductions did not exactly come with my name.

“May I ask your name, mister?”

“Hiro Nakamura.”

“N-nakamura?” The girl was surprised upon hearing my surname, much to my bewilderment. “Then, you are the one that mother is expecting!!”

“Your mother?” I asked in genuine confusion. I never recall meeting this girl’s mother at any point in my life.

Unless…

“Ah, my full name, yes!!” The girl was quick to realize my confusion and was slightly embarrassed by her shortcomings in the ways of introduction.

“I’m Rei Amakusa, and my mother, Reina Amakusa, is expecting you, Big Brother!!!”