Chapter 2: A New King is Crowned

  Scene 1: The Morning After (And My First Big Problem)

  The following morning, I dragged myself to school feeling as though I hadn't slept in days. Maybe if I pretended nothing had happened yesterday, reality would follow suit and return to normal. Who am I kidding? After everything yesterday, normal isn't even an option.

  As I approached Fujihama High, I hesitated, my stomach twisting anxiously. Taking a deep breath, I stepped cautiously through the gates. Instantly, every head in the courtyard snapped toward me, eyes widening, whispers erupting like a startled flock of birds.

  Students parted hurriedly, forming a wide pathway, clearing my way to the entrance. I felt like Moses splitting the Red Sea—only this version was terrifying, unwanted, and entirely too public. The murmuring voices buzzed around me, louder than ever:

  "Did you hear? He took down Nakamura’s entire gang single-handedly!"

  "I heard he never even threw a punch—just shook Nakamura's hand, and he surrendered!"

  "His glare alone makes people faint—he’s practically supernatural!"

  My jaw clenched tighter with each absurd comment. Seriously, who even comes up with these stories? I thought miserably, fighting the urge to run straight back home and hide under the covers.

  From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Nakamura himself, leaning casually against the wall near the school entrance. He watched me closely, his expression unreadable but oddly respectful. My pulse quickened as he inclined his head slightly, a small but clear gesture of acknowledgment.

  I swallowed nervously, quickly averting my eyes. Don’t acknowledge me, please. Pretend I don’t exist.

  As I hurried toward the main entrance, another pair of eyes caught mine—sharp, judgmental eyes behind thin-framed glasses. Reina Kisaragi stood stiffly by the front doors, notebook already open, pen poised as if ready for battle. She glared at me with open hostility, her mouth forming a tight, disapproving line.

  "The corruption in this school is worse than I feared," she muttered loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear, deliberately scribbling something fierce-looking onto a fresh page.

  I gulped, my heart sinking further. Great. Now even the student council president thinks I'm some kind of mobster.

  My mind raced desperately for escape, but before I could even take another step, a voice—confident, cool, and unmistakably feminine—suddenly spoke up, cutting through the tense silence like a knife.

  "So, we finally meet, Ryuji."

  Startled, I spun around, coming face-to-face with a girl I’d never seen before. Dark-haired, strikingly beautiful, and radiating an intimidating confidence, she stood blocking my path, arms crossed loosely as she looked me over carefully, a playful smile dancing on her lips.

  I blinked, utterly bewildered. Who on earth is this now?

  "I...uh, think you have me mistaken for someone else," I stammered, forcing a weak laugh that sounded far too nervous.

  Her smile widened, eyes sparkling mischievously. "Still playing the quiet, mysterious act, huh? Fine. But don't think I've forgotten our past."

  "Our past"? I stared blankly. Is this a joke? Am I on a hidden-camera show or something?

  Around us, the whispers erupted again, even more feverishly excited:

  "Wait—is that Akari Tachibana? The daughter of the Tachibana Yakuza family?"

  "Are they old lovers or rivals?"

  "Is this some kind of Romeo-and-Juliet situation?"

  My head spun violently, blood rushing loudly in my ears. "Seriously, I really don't know what you're talking about!" I insisted, voice rising in panic.

  Akari leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "You better not disappoint me, Ryuji."

  My cheeks flushed hotly, frustration boiling to the surface. "But I'm not—!"

  She stepped back smoothly, turning away without another word, her dark laughter floating behind her like a taunt. The crowd burst into frenzied chatter, phones already out as they furiously messaged friends.

  Feeling dizzy, I glanced desperately around, catching Reina’s gaze again. Her expression was positively murderous now, pen scratching angrily across her notebook, eyes blazing.

  "Another problem to fix," she muttered darkly.

  I stood rooted to the spot, helplessly watching my life spiral further out of control. Yesterday’s misunderstandings seemed almost quaint compared to today’s madness. My stomach churned with anxiety, my limbs numb with disbelief.

  "I'm doomed," I whispered to no one in particular, my words lost amidst the deafening sea of whispers surrounding me.

  And worst of all, the day had only just begun.

  Scene 2: A Rival’s Daughter (And My First Dangerous Misunderstanding)

  I stood frozen in the hallway, still reeling from Akari Tachibana’s cryptic words. The surrounding students buzzed excitedly, whispering conspiratorially as their gazes darted from Akari’s retreating figure back to me. My face burned fiercely, the embarrassment and panic practically radiating from my skin.

  Who was that girl, and why did everyone seem to know her except me?

  Before I could fully recover, Akari suddenly stopped and turned gracefully, one delicate eyebrow arched. "You coming, Ryuji? Or do I have to drag you?"

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  My heart thudded painfully. "I—I think you're confused. I'm really not—"

  She smiled sweetly, cutting me off effortlessly. "Of course you'd say that. Still so shy around me after all these years?"

  The whispers escalated into excited murmurs.

  "Did she just say years? How long have they known each other?"

  "I bet they’re childhood rivals—or maybe even childhood sweethearts!"

  My vision blurred slightly from sheer anxiety. This can't be real.

  "I swear, we don't even—" I began desperately, but Akari had already looped her arm around mine with alarming ease, pulling me firmly toward the main entrance.

  My whole body tensed, every instinct screaming at me to flee—but I was helplessly caught in her grip, her soft perfume clouding my mind further. Every step felt like walking toward a firing squad.

  Outside, the morning sunlight was painfully bright, spotlighting us both as if we were actors on a stage. Students lingered nearby, clearly eavesdropping, phones ready to broadcast every detail to their eager friends. Akari stopped suddenly, leaning closer, her voice dropping to an intimate whisper.

  "I know you love playing games, Ryuji," she murmured softly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But it's time we finally settle our score."

  My pulse raced. Score? What score? I'm not even playing!

  "What are you talking about?" I pleaded weakly, desperation seeping into every word.

  She tilted her head, eyes glittering with playful challenge. "Oh, come on. You haven’t forgotten all our little rivalries, have you? Or maybe…" she added teasingly, her voice dangerously soft, "you prefer to remember the sweeter moments."

  I nearly choked, heat rushing furiously into my face. Around us, gasps erupted, the whispers reaching fever pitch.

  "Did she say sweeter moments?!"

  "I knew it—they definitely dated!"

  "Kenji is a legendary heartbreaker!"

  "I'm serious!" I insisted desperately, my voice cracking embarrassingly. "I genuinely don't know you!"

  But Akari simply laughed, lightly patting my cheek. "Always the comedian, Ryuji. Don't disappoint me—our families are counting on us."

  Her cryptic remark hit me like a punch. Families? Counting on us? My legs felt weak. What have I gotten myself into?

  She stepped back gracefully, finally releasing my arm, and gave me a lingering, knowing look before strolling casually away, leaving behind a stunned silence and a trail of gossip more intense than before.

  I exhaled shakily, feeling utterly drained. My head spun, and I pressed a trembling hand against my forehead. How could things possibly get worse than this?

  Slowly, reluctantly, I turned around—and immediately spotted Reina Kisaragi standing at the far side of the courtyard, eyes narrowed dangerously behind her glasses. Her notebook trembled in her grip, her face pinched with furious disbelief.

  "Another problem to fix," she repeated darkly, as though marking down yet another offense in my already substantial criminal record.

  My stomach twisted painfully. I think I’ve officially made my biggest enemy yet.

  At the far edge of the crowd, I glimpsed Tetsuya Nakamura leaning casually against the school wall, watching the whole interaction with amused interest, arms crossed confidently. When he noticed my gaze, he gave a small nod of respect, clearly impressed by the spectacle.

  "Seriously?" I whispered to myself, voice shaky with disbelief. "Even he thinks I did this intentionally?"

  Students began to disperse slowly, chattering eagerly about the dramatic confrontation they'd just witnessed. Phones buzzed everywhere, texts spreading rumors like wildfire.

  Helpless, bewildered, and completely overwhelmed, I stood alone in the courtyard, my heart sinking lower by the second. I looked upward, silently begging the universe to end this madness.

  Instead, the universe stayed stubbornly silent.

  "I'm doomed," I muttered again, a mantra becoming frighteningly familiar.

  And with that realization, I knew for certain that my quiet, peaceful life was officially over.

  Scene 3: The Challenge (And My Accidental Victory)

  By lunchtime, I’d had enough drama to last a lifetime. All I wanted was a moment of peace to clear my head and find some way to unravel the insane misunderstandings piling up around me. Unfortunately, fate had other plans.

  As I stood in the courtyard, cautiously eating my lunch away from everyone else, I suddenly sensed a heavy presence approaching from behind. Slowly turning around, my heart dropped straight into my stomach as I saw Tetsuya Nakamura walking toward me, his expression unreadable but strangely intense.

  A crowd instantly gathered, drawn like moths to a flame, whispering excitedly as Nakamura stopped directly in front of me, arms crossed imposingly.

  "Ryuji Sakamoto," Nakamura announced loudly, his voice calm but commanding enough to silence the crowd. "I challenge you."

  I nearly choked on my sandwich, panic flaring instantly through my chest. "Challenge? Wait—what challenge?"

  Around us, the murmurs rose in excitement:

  "It's finally happening!"

  "Kenji versus Nakamura—this is legendary!"

  "He’ll crush Nakamura easily!"

  Nakamura’s gaze never wavered from mine. He uncrossed his arms, stepping closer, his massive figure casting an intimidating shadow over me. "I want to see if the rumors are true—if you're truly worthy of leading us."

  My legs trembled, knees feeling like jelly. Leading? Worthy? I never asked for this! "Hold on, Nakamura-san, I think there’s been a—"

  But before I could finish my frantic protest, Nakamura suddenly thrust out his large, calloused hand toward me, open and clearly waiting for a handshake. The entire courtyard fell deathly silent.

  My mind raced in confused circles. Is this a trick? Is this a trap? Desperate not to offend him further, I hesitantly reached out, my hand visibly trembling, and gingerly clasped his outstretched palm.

  Instantly, Nakamura squeezed firmly, a fierce, challenging strength behind his grip. Reflexively, panic shot through my entire body, my fingers twitching in sheer terror, accidentally clamping down much harder than I intended.

  To my utter astonishment, Nakamura’s expression changed dramatically. His confident smile faltered, eyes widening in clear shock and pain. He grimaced slightly, visibly struggling against my involuntary grip.

  "What…what is this strength?" he gasped softly, voice filled with genuine disbelief.

  "What strength?!" my mind screamed desperately, unable to loosen my terrified grip. "I'm not even doing anything!"

  Finally, Nakamura released my hand abruptly, flexing his fingers painfully. He stepped back, eyes full of newfound respect and wonder. "Incredible…" he murmured softly, voice thick with admiration.

  The crowd erupted into stunned whispers, disbelief and awe mingling as they stared at me with newfound reverence.

  "He crushed Nakamura’s hand without even trying!"

  "He’s even stronger than the rumors said!"

  My jaw dropped, panic strangling my words. "No, wait! I swear it was just an accident—I didn't mean—"

  But Nakamura didn't hear a word of my frantic protest. Instead, he dropped suddenly to one knee, bowing deeply before me in solemn respect. "From this day forward, you are my leader, Ryuji Sakamoto."

  The entire courtyard exploded with excited cheers, students clapping, whistling, chanting my name as if I’d just conquered an entire army. My head spun wildly, nausea rising fast.

  Through the cheering, I spotted Reina Kisaragi standing near the edge of the crowd, her notebook tumbling dramatically from her shaking hands, eyes wide with horror. She stared at me as if witnessing the fall of civilization itself.

  "Kenji just took over the delinquents," someone shouted excitedly. "He's officially the king now!"

  I stumbled back weakly, my knees finally buckling as I sank onto a nearby bench, head buried helplessly in my hands. This is impossible. I didn't even do anything!

  But no matter how hard I wished for it, the cheering never stopped. Nakamura stood proudly at my side, arms folded in proud satisfaction. Reina stood frozen in shock, clearly plotting my immediate downfall.

  And me? I stared blankly at the bright sky overhead, resigned to my fate.

  "I'm doomed," I whispered yet again, voice barely audible over the roar of applause.

  Yet despite every protest, every effort to stop it, I had somehow become a legend—a leader, an unbeatable delinquent boss—against my will.

  My nightmare had officially become real.