Chapter 45: Shiyon's Past, Part 2 out of 500, By Sato Shizume
The young Sendo yelled in defiance against the hoodlums who were three times bigger than him off. None of them relented. Thus, began their fight. Sendo was the first to spring forth with a fist—"STOP, STOP, STOP."
Yuuto interrupted Sato with visible impatience.
"Look, I get that things were tough, and there was a lot of drama with Cuck getting bullied as a kid and Sendo's close calls, but can you get to the point already?" He rolled his eyes and sighed heavily, rubbing his hand across his face.
Sato, taken aback by the interruption, stammered in response.
"W-what!? But you need to appreciate the story's depth! Skipping details lessens its impact and—"
Sakura cut in, siding with the need for brevity.
"While I don't agree with Sakurai-senpai's impatience, diving deep into Shun-senpai's misfortunes isn't necessary... Can we just focus on the key points? We're short on time for this lesson."
Sato was quick to defend his approach.
"B-but the story loses its power if we don't cover everything! It's important to understand all he endured to fully appreciate Shiyon-san's journey—"
Kiriko, clearly uncomfortable with the level of detail, interrupted.
"Sato-san, I respect your passion for Shiyon-san's story and your meticulous nature, but your descriptions are quite disturbing... It's overwhelming. Please, can we just get to the main point?"
Yukito also joined in, "Man, I love you. But be sensible, please? You know why Kiriko-chan is here, right? Describing Riko-senpai's assault was just over the top..."
Reluctantly, Sato agreed, his frustration evident in his voice.
Sato, clearly frustrated, conceded. "Fine! But don't blame me if it loses its impact."
He then proceeded, "Sendo, severely beaten, was left bruised and bleeding. As the thugs prepared for another blow, Shun-senpai and Riko-senpai could only watch in horror. At that moment, Shiyon-san, the feared school leader, arrived. Taking control, he scolded his gang with a wooden kendo sword, ensuring they understood the repercussions of tarnishing his reputation. 'Don't cause any unnecessary trouble for me, or else,' he warned ominously. After addressing his gang, he turned to the shocked onlookers, Shun-senpai, Riko-senpai, and an injured Sendo-kun, who spat curses at him. Shiyon-san remained cold and detached, then left with his entourage, leaving a charged silence behind."
Sato continued, "Over time, Sendo-kun's resilience began to influence Shiyon-san, leading to significant changes in his character. Inspired by these changes, Shiyon-san founded The Disciplinary Committee to combat violence and gang activity in our school and neighboring ones. The club was effective, and after a year and a half, it was disbanded due to reduced violence, though it remains as a precaution, endorsed by the principal."
"There. Happy?" Sato finished,
Kiriko, Yuuto, Sakura, and Yukito: "YES."
Sato pouted, crossing his arms. "Hmmmph…!"
Yuuto leaned closer, eyebrows furrowing. "So let me get this straight. Everyone looks up to this guy just because he beats up any troublemakers? Basically, this school is full of weaklings who can't handle their own problems and need someone else to step in."
Sato nodded. "That's not quite right, Sakurai-senpai."
Yuuto raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"
"Most of the students here used to be bullies or troublemakers. I've been around since middle school, so I know. Even in your class, there are actually quite a lot of former troublemakers. Previously dangerous ones, too."
Yuuto blinked. "Seriously? They seem like a bunch of sheep to me…" He replied, recalling the faces of the students in his classroom in disbelief.
Sato leaned back, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Haha… I don't know where you're getting the sheep part from, but the fact you ran into Shun-senpai and Riko-senpai was quite the stroke of luck." His gaze flickered toward the window, as if seeking answers beyond the glass. "They're probably amongst the very few students here who were never violent to begin with."
Sato leaned in, his voice low, almost conspiratorial. "What Shiyon-san did was gather up all of the troublemakers. With Sendo-kun as his moral compass, he tried to rehabilitate them into better people." His eyes held a hint of admiration. "The school, teetering on the edge of closure, found a lifeline when those troublemakers followed Shiyon's example and changed for the better."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "And you know those hoodlums I mentioned—the ones who tormented Shun-senpai and Riko-senpai? They're right in your classroom. But now, they're a part of the students Shiyon-san transformed into better people. They were also here since middle-school, and Riko-senpai and Shun-senpai transferred to this school when they made it to first-year of high-school."
Yuuto remained silent, contemplating Sato's words and his explanation.
"Sakurai-senpai, I don't get why you hate Shiyon-san or think he's a bad guy. But try to see things from everyone else's point of view. I really don't think he's a bad person, and considering you're both the same age, I honestly believe you two would get along," Sato said with a smile. Kiriko, Yukito, and Sakura all looked at Sato, happy and relaxed.
But then there was Yuuto.
'If I was an idiot, I might've believed this bullshit,' Yuuto scoffed internally.
"I don't buy it. I don't trust him," he stated bluntly.
Everyone turned to look at Yuuto, shocked.
"Why!? Many students have experienced firsthand how—" Sato started, before being cut off by Yuuto again.
"I'm not saying your story isn't true. Your school might've been in deep shit, and this organ-harvester guy saved it with his supposed good deeds. As much as I hate that organ-harvester smooth-talker, I'm open to whatever you said he did in the past. What I'm saying is, I just don't trust him and his real agenda. Your words, in particular, don't mean anything to me, and can't convince me otherwise," Yuuto said casually.
"Why? Sakurai-senpai..." Sakura called out softly.
"Sakurai, seriously? You think you can just say whatever you want without consequences?" Yukito said, his tone aggressive.
"Shut up, Cuck N#2, I wasn't talking to you. Just stay in your little cuck chair and be quiet while the adult talks," Yuuto casually retorted, looking at Yukito with a nonchalant expression.
"What the hell did you just say!?" Yukito shouted, almost jumping from his seat.
Kiriko's eyes widened in shock upon hearing Yuuto's words.
"Sakurai, that's enough! Since you seem fine, I'm going to ask you to leave the infirmary and return to class," the nurse intervened as she hurriedly entered upon seeing Yukito ready to retaliate.
"Sure, the atmosphere was getting thick in here," Yuuto replied, glancing at the nurse and Yukito for a few seconds before getting up and heading towards the exit.
Sato clenched his fists tightly. "I'm truly... really sorry that you have such negative thoughts about someone as amazing as Shiyon-san, Sakurai-senpai," Sato blurted out, his gaze fixed on Yuuto's back. Yuuto paused just before leaving the infirmary. "He is a good person, albeit with flaws. I'm... I can just sense it. And I hope you'll see it one day."
Yuuto let out a sigh. "You can sense it? You?" He turned around to meet Sato's gaze.
Sato tilted his head a bit in curiosity, "What do you mean by that, Sakurai-senpai?"
"I don't know where you got the idea that distinguishing between good and bad people is so easy, but I'll admit that some individuals have a knack for it. Unfortunately for you, you're not one of them."
Yuuto casually blurted as he looked at Sato with a half-awake, annoyed gaze.
"I beg to differ. People aren't so complicated, Sakurai-senpai!" Sato replied, hopeful and confident of himself.
"Why do you distrust Sato-kun so much!? He is your club president! He took you into his club and he looks after everyone whenever he can!" Sakura said in defiance,
Yuuto let out a chuckle, earning a frown from everyone present.
"Look at that, Sato. You managed to fool just about everyone with your saintly acts and holy facade. But I know who you really are."
"Do you... Have something against me, Sakurai-senpai?" Sato asked reluctantly. Yuuto wasted no time in replying.
'He really does have a way with words, that Sato. If I wasn't who I am, I'd have fell for this fairytale.'
"Matter of fact, I do. One of those things are how you talk about how you sense goodwill, but you failed to see through the true nature of those male1 and— Ahem... What were their names again? Yato and Tatsuya, right? I noticed how you were all buddy-buddy with them, and look how that turned out. They turned out to be scumbags who harassed your Senpais and almost drugged one of them. So, either you're a goody-two-shoes, too much of a spineless coward who can only sweet-talk people stronger than you, or just plain stupid. One thing's for sure, I won't take your word for it when it comes to the organ-harvester and his supposed good character."
"Sakurai-senpai, that's too—" Sakura attempted to protest, but Yuuto swiftly turned around, his expression filled with annoyance, and he briskly exited the infirmary.
As Yuuto strutted out, Yukito immediately erupted, "That fucking bastard! Senior or not, how dare he talk to you like that?! I'll teach him a lesson—" Yukito passionately blurted, but was quickly calmed by Kiriko's gentle grasp on his wrist.
"It's just not worth it. Remember? Yukito... What Shiyon-san taught us?" she said, her tone heavy and her gaze piercing yet calm.
"I know... I know!!" Yukito replied, lowering his voice. "I'm just...!! I'm just so pissed! He's such a piece of trash! You went out of your way for him, and he just threw it all back in your face."
"It's okay, Yukito-san." Sato turned to him, wearing a casual yet solemn smile on his face.
"Why are you saying that?! That was anything but okay, Sato-kun!" Yukito replied, looking at Sato in confusion.
"It is. Even though he lacked finesse, it's Sakurai-senpai's opinion after all. I really do want to talk to him more about it if possible since we're clubmates... And at the very least, make it so that none of us has to enter the clubroom uncomfortably."
Kiriko finally spoke up, her voice laced with frustration. "Sato-kun... You're too damn idealistic. Some people are just born scum. This Sakurai guy flunked his senior year twice in his previous school. Can't you see it? He's a lost cause... I genuinely want everyone to get along in this school. But... I think it's too late for him to change."
They all hung their heads, even the nurse silently agreeing with the kids.
But Sato let out a sigh and grinned. "No worries! I don't believe Sakurai-senpai needs to change, honestly."
Kiriko & Yukito: "Huh?"
Sato then turned to Sakura and asked, "Somehow I feel like you know what I mean, right?"
"Huh...?" Sakura raised her head, her voice barely a whisper. "Know... What, Sato-kun?"
"That only bad people need to change! So, trying to reform someone who's already good is impossible from the start!" Sato explained with a smile.
Sakura's lips curled into a small smirk as her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Sakura...?" Kiriko called out, noticing her silence regarding Yuuto.
Yukito chimed in, a sense of resignation in his voice. "Sato-kun... I really don't want to argue with you about this, but where on earth did you get that dumb idea?"
"Well... Sendo-kun's face would light up whenever he saw him," Sato said, scratching his head.
"What? Seriously? That's your clue?" Kiriko exclaimed, utterly astonished.
"Why not? It was Shiyon-san's clue, after all."
They all burst into laughter.
"I don't know what I'm gonna do with you, man," Yukito playfully remarked.
"The Overly Hopeful Fool... Sato-kun, that suits you perfectly," Kiriko said with a resigned sigh, a tired smile stretching across her lips.
"Well! I'll leave you two to catch up. I have to get back to class," Sato said as he stood up. "Oh, by the way, who was it that saved you? I'd REALLY like to thank them on your behalf."
"Ahh... I..." Kiriko pondered, recalling the events in the bathroom.
"I honestly can't remember... His voice felt strangely familiar, and he was wearing a long-sleeved high-school shirt... Unfortunately, too many guys wear those around here... Other than that, he had short hair... I think," she trailed off, her voice filled with uncertainty.
"Hmph. Is that so? Well, that's unfortunate! But it's great to know that our school has someone like that! Our very own mysterious hero!" Sato exclaimed with a smirk.
Sakura lowered her head, a small smile playing on her lips, unnoticed by the others.
"Alright, take care and get well soon!" Sato said before strolling out of the room.
Meanwhile, in the empty hallways of the school, Yuuto walked alone, unknowingly being followed by three individuals.
"There's that pillow-fucker. See him, Konro?" one of them whispered.
"Yeah, I see him," the other replied.
"Mitsuki, are you ready?" the leader asked.
"Yes, Aniki!" Mitsuki responded eagerly.
"Let's show this bastard what happens when you mess with the 3Flash."
TO BE CONTINUED...
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Hazy_0832
Hazy_0832 BOOOOOOOOORNANA
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone