A trusting voice calls out, "Shiba! Hey, Shiba!" "Who's going to annoy me again?" Shiba grumbles inwardly. "WAKE UP!" Shiba wakes up in a panic. "It's you, big sister," Shiba realizes. "Have you looked at the time? You slept through your alarm! You still need to take the dog out!" Sora admonishes. "I'm on it," Shiba reassures her. "Mom's already made breakfast. Get ready," says Sora and leaves the room.

Shiba gets dressed, looks in the mirror, and Daiko's words echo in his mind: "Why can't these words just disappear? Were we really just a waste of time for Okuwa-Sensei?"

In the kitchen, his parents are waiting for him. "There's our brawler son," his father greets him. "You know what we talked about yesterday, Shiba? You're quitting that club! I don't want to see you come home with bruises again," his mother demands. Shiba nods indifferently and prepares to take the dog for a walk.

"Hey! You still need to eat breakfast, young man!" his mother calls out. "I'm not hungry. Maybe I'll take some food to school later," Shiba responds. "That's not happening," his mother insists. "Let him go," his father intervenes. "Shiba is in the middle of puberty. It's normal for the body to act up sometimes."

"Don't forget the bags, little brother! The neighbors will complain again about the mess on the path!" Sora shouts from a distance. Shiba grabs the bags and the leash and calls out, "Come on, Destroyer 3000, let's go outside."

He opens the door and walks his dog. "What will become of my life? Where will it lead me?" Shiba ponders. "I often ask myself such questions. Not just when I'm bored, but all the time. What's my purpose in life? Since I've been living here, my life has been very simple. Although I'm not hungry, I eat. Although I have no desire for education, I learn. Although I don't like the manga, I read it. It's as if I'm living just to wait for something specific. But what? Since that day I thought I had found the answer. On the day I saw Ryujin cheering, everything seemed to make sense. But since the sparring session, I was brought back to reality. To be the strongest, you have to sacrifice anything in your life. And I probably don't have what it takes to reach the top someday. I can't go back to Okuwa-Sensei. He should spend his time on talents like Daiko or Mei, not someone like me."

The dog starts to growl. "Hm? What's wrong, Destroyer 3000?" Shiba asks. At that moment, Shiba notices a group of young men threatening a boy. One of the bullies menacingly says, "You don't have any money with you and expect us to leave you alone?" The boy pleads, "Please! I'll have money next time!" The bully laughs mockingly, "We won't accept that. HAHAHAHA!"

Shiba intervenes, "Hey! What's going on here? Leave the boy alone, or I'll call the police." One of the bullies challenges him, "Hm? Who are you? What gives you the right to interfere in our private business?" Shiba holds up his phone, ready to call the police. The bully finally says, "Alright! Come on, guys, let's get out of here. But be sure this will have consequences!" Shiba retorts, "Then go already." The bullies disperse, and Shiba helps the boy up.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"Are you okay?" Shiba asks with concern. "Thank you for driving those people away. My name is Denji Kageyama," the boy replies gratefully. "Nice to meet you. I'm Shiba Nakamura. What are you doing here so early? School doesn't start for a while," Shiba inquires. "I go to a private medical school. Classes usually start earlier there," Denji explains. "Private school? Your parents must be really wealthy," Shiba is surprised. "The school invited me. I couldn't refuse that invitation, as attending a normal high school would be boring," Denji clarifies. "High school? How old are you, actually?" Shiba asks curiously. "I'm twelve," Denji answers. "Holy shit. You must be really gifted!" Shiba is astonished. "Yes, that's true. But it's quite annoying. People no longer see me as a child but as a machine without a real will," Denji admits. "So, you don't do what you enjoy?" Shiba probes further. "I wouldn't say I don't enjoy medicine, but I also have other interests. I'm a big fan of martial arts," Denji replies. "Really? What a coincidence. I also train in the martial arts club," Shiba shares, looking thoughtful. "What's wrong? You seem upset," Denji notices. "Oh, something happened that I don't feel like talking about," Shiba hesitates. "I understand. But let me tell you something. If it's your dream, then hold on to it," Denji offers comfort. Denji continues, "How often do I see people on the streets who have given up their dreams? Yet, that's what makes us human. All our innovation, whether it's technology or the next Shonen story, all come from a vision. No dreams, no vision, that's what I always say!" "But I don't know if I'll ever make it," Shiba counters. "Whether you make it or not doesn't really matter. You're doing it for yourself, and that's the most important thing, isn't it? A friend I always thought was simplistic once said, 'The main thing is we enjoy life. We're not getting out alive anyway,'" Denji encourages. "Your friend really seems to have figured it out," Shiba smiles briefly. In a brief moment of silence, Shiba smiles. "Are you heading this way? I can walk with you. Just in case those guys come back," Shiba offers. "If it's no trouble for you, then I'd appreciate it," Denji accepts.

Together, they continue their journey. "Come on, let's go, Destroyer 3000!" Shiba calls out. "What kind of name is that? It doesn't really fit a dachshund," Denji laughs. "I was just being creative when I named him. It's definitely better than my sister's suggestion to call him Cupcake," Shiba explains. "Wtf! You guys really can't name things," Denji teases. "What would you name him, you smart aleck?" Shiba challenges. "Heisenberg..." Denji answers mischievously. Shiba gives Denji a deadpan look. "OK! I'm just a fan of Werner Heisenberg. Can't help it... Hey, there's my school!" Denji points out and starts running towards the school. "It's about time. Next time I'm charging money!" Shiba calls out after him. "I'd rather give the money to the bullies! Having a bodyguard is totally pathetic!" Denji shouts back. "Paying protection money is more pathetic!" Shiba counters.

Denji disappears into the school, and Shiba heads home, pondering their conversation. "Denji Kageyama. He seems like a really interesting kid. I wonder if I'll ever see him again?" Shiba muses.