Yandere? Menhera? Bring It On, If You're Confident That I'll love You For Who You Are - Chapter 25

Overwhelming Force

As I released the bodyguard’s fist, I simultaneously took some distance.

Despite this, the man before me showed no sign of agitation.

“It seems your skills haven’t dulled. I’m relieved.”

The bodyguard with a fearless smile… his real name, Akutsu Kento. Given his position, he had a considerable connection with me, who once dated the girl he was tasked to protect.

While his primary role was that of a bodyguard to Kanade, he also took care of her personal needs and even picked her up during middle school, much like a butler.

Above all else—he was my nemesis and, at the same time, someone I should rightfully call my teacher.

“You’re still the same, aren’t you? I’d like to learn from your mercilessness.”

“What do you want? Surely you’re not thinking of seeking revenge after all this time?”

Even through his sunglasses, I could clearly see the man’s smirk.

“If that were the case, what would you do? Would you let me hit you a couple of times right here?”

“I cannot agree to that. However, the timing is quite good. It seems I can carry out my task without much trouble.”

“Task?”

“Yes, I hadn’t mentioned it. Then, let’s get down to business.”

Akutsu’s smirk didn’t fade.

It was likely caused by a message sent to me earlier when I unexpectedly ran into Sumire at the inn.

Along with it, just one photo…

“Have you figured it out already? The request from… Kanade-sama is to take you into custody immediately.”

“Just to confirm, do I have the right to refuse?”

“You’re free to resist if you wish. But you should already understand what that would imply, shouldn’t you?”

“Good grief…”

I sighed and opened Akutsu’s email again.

Displayed there was the image from that time—Hina and I kissing. Even if it was a false affection, the photo clearly showed the connection between us, with our tongues intertwined.

I lamented to my childhood friend and ex-girlfriend—whose location I did not know—for her cunningness, even though she seemed to be in a state of confusion.

“If you take me into custody, what then?”

“I’m not sure. My job is merely to bring you to Kanade-sama. For what happens next, you’ll have to ask her. Time is precious; let’s begin.”

Akutsu spoke as if nothing was amiss, and I was beyond surprised—I was utterly astounded.

In his hand was a stun gun, the same kind of madness Mio directed at me once.

“(The moment I called Akutsu out, this situation unfolded… It’s all too timely. What’s he aiming for?)”

Just as I understand Kanade, she understands me.

Honestly, I’m not fond of being made to dance to someone else’s tune… but I allowed myself a slight grin.

“Well, I suppose I can’t just stand by and let it happen, can I?”

“Hmm…”

I grabbed the wrist of Akutsu’s right hand, which was holding the stun gun aimed at my neck.

Akutsu remained unfazed and tilted his wrist, unexpectedly throwing the stun gun at my face.

I dodged it swiftly, but in that moment, Akutsu took the opportunity to put some distance between us.

“You’re pretty bold. A stun gun is an effective item to knock someone out, right? And you just throw it away? Normally?”

“What, it was merely a warm-up. Besides, I’m a bodyguard. I don’t need to rely on such weapons to secure you.”

“Nice of you to say.”

But maybe it was inevitable.

Back in the days when I was immersed in martial arts, it all began when Kanade introduced me as a sparring partner.

His judgment and physical abilities, unimaginable from his stature, were undoubtedly the strength I sought.

I lost. The next day and the day after, I kept losing.

No matter how well I did in martial arts tournaments, I couldn’t land a single blow on this man.

Until that time, when this man imposed the final trial on me.

“Well, let’s see how it goes this time.”

The fearless smile before me. I became aware of its true nature on the day I killed my uncle and aunt with my own hands.

This man named Akutsu would do any dirty job if the price and the request were right.

A merciless, cold-blooded monster without a trace of blood in his veins. The affair with my uncle and aunt explained it all.

I didn’t hate him. It was Kanade who started it, and Akutsu was merely following her orders.

Rather, I should be grateful. It was his guidance that allowed me to gain the “power” to stand up against them.

“(And sooner or later, I would have had to kill my uncle and aunt anyway, considering how my sister was…)”

“Enough talk. It’s time for you to sleep!”

Before he finished speaking, Akutsu charged at me. His movements were indeed fast.

But—that’s all they were.

“What…!”

“Is your bravado time over? Then, let me get serious too.”

I caught his thrown fist. My hand was numb, but the force transmitted to my palm wasn’t overwhelming.

I formed a fist with my right arm and aimed it straight at Akutsu’s face.

“Gu…!”

Akutsu tried to block it with his free left hand, but it was a naive idea.

I thrust my right fist powerfully into his now-exposed abdomen.

“Ga… Ha…!”

Akutsu stumbled. Though he still seemed conscious, he tried to distance himself from me.

But I wouldn’t allow it.

“Your reading is too shallow. Did you still hold a grudge for being defeated by a brat you treated as a failure at the very end? You’re surprisingly human after all.”

“Tch…!”

Until now, Akutsu had maintained his composure, but now he was easily provoked.

Now the pace was mine.

I tripped Akutsu’s feet, causing him to lose balance and fall to the ground. However, this only agitated him further, and he quickly got up.

“Not once, but twice. This should not be happening…!”

In a rush, he aimed for my neck. With such a straightforward movement, I easily caught his arm.

“That’s why it’s monotonous.”

“F*ck…!”

At my words, Akutsu hastily raised his free left arm.

Of course, my own left arm was also free to move.

But that too was a naive idea.

“Ga…!”

While Akutsu was distracted by his left arm, I caught him off guard with a headbutt. He lost his balance, and I grabbed his head with my left arm and slammed him to the ground.

It might have been a bit too much, but even against a bodyguard, if you don’t approach with thorough resolve, you could easily be swept off your feet.

“Gu…!!”

“Wow, you really are tough.”

Honestly, I intended that to be the finishing blow. Akutsu still had consciousness, weakly gripping my hand.

I lifted his head again and slammed it to the ground. Akutsu didn’t resist after that.

I lifted his head once more.

“Maybe it’s time for you to listen to my business. Were you the one who sent the photo of Uncle and Aunt bribing Saotome Hina? If so, why would you betray Kanade like that?”

Pain was shown on Akutsu’s face as I lifted him.

His sunglasses were cracked, and blood from cuts on his lips and nose was splattered across his face.

Since it could potentially be life-threatening, I decided to stop there.

“…She made her move, huh?”

Even in such a state, Akutsu did not beg for mercy or surrender. He truly wasn’t just a bodyguard in name.

“Her? Amano Mio?”

“Gu… Haha… Maybe. Unfortunately, I have no intention of saying anything more.”

“I see. Then I have no further use for you.”

Akutsu laughed uncharacteristically, and the resistance he had mustered weakened drastically. He must have realized any further resistance would be futile.

Confirming this, I threw Akutsu with just enough force.

“Guah!”

Unable to brace himself, he fell flat on his back.

He didn’t seem to be unconscious, but Akutsu showed no sign of trying to get up.

It was harsh, but with what was to come, having him incapacitated would make things easier for me.

The next battle had already begun…

“Wow, that was surprising. You really did surpass him, Minato.”

“Tch…”

I turned my back on those words, spoken as if they were someone else’s problem.

Before me stood the girl who was once the object of my affections, now silent and still.