Yandere? Menhera? Bring It On, If You're Confident That I'll love You For Who You Are - Chapter 41

Composed Mental Strength

“Die!”

With a menacing battle cry, Asagami’s Father thrust the great sword he had directed at me. It was obvious at a glance that he was well-practiced with the sword, despite its considerable length and weight.

“Whoa…”

I crouched down, easily dodging the sword, and Asagami’s Father showed a faintly surprised expression.

“Good move. It’s clear you’re the one who defeated two of the Asagami bodyguards. But—”

Before he could finish his sentence, Asagami’s Father swung the great sword upward. The previous movement was just a feint, and he increased his speed, aiming the sword at my chest once again. Yet, he did not let up his relentless assault. Right, left, below, above, he continued to target my life from every direction.

As he skillfully and effortlessly swung the sword that must weigh tens of kilograms, a question raced through my mind.

“What’s the matter? You won’t stop my swordsmanship with evasion alone. Besides, with that injured arm of yours, can you even fight properly?”

Asagami’s Father, seemingly taking the upper hand against my apparently defensive stance, knew it was only a matter of time before he could predict my movements. And it was true, I couldn’t fully use both arms right now.

But there was a crucial difference compared to when I fought with Kanade and the sunglasses-wearing man in the alley. It’s time to respond in kind without holding back.

After dodging what felt like the umpteenth sword strike, I closed the distance in a single rush. In an instant, I delivered a roundhouse kick with my left leg to the right wrist of Asagami’s Father, who was wielding the great sword.

“Ugh…!”

Asagami’s Father twisted his face in agony. Despite my full-powered kick, he did not let go of the sword.

As I raised my left leg again, Asagami’s Father pulled the sword toward himself—but it was too late.

I planted my left foot back on the ground and delivered a right kick to the abdomen of the now confused Asagami’s Father.

“Gah!”

He dropped the great sword and doubled over, clutching his abdomen. I couldn’t help but let a smile slip through.

“I see… No wonder Akutsu and Kawada were no match for you. I must express my respect for your calm and collected mind and quick response.”

“That’s an honor.”

I kept my eyes on Asagami’s Father while maintaining a safe distance.

“You couldn’t have predicted this situation, could you?”

“Don’t worry, I was definitely surprised. I never imagined being targeted by Kanade’s father. But in the end, winning is all that matters, right?”

“Disrespectful brat.”

“I get that a lot. But you know, old man, it’s kind of ridiculous to expect manners from a kid you’re trying to kill for selfish reasons, don’t you think?”

Asagami’s Father stood up. My blunt words seemed to have hit a nerve, as I could see his hands trembling even from a distance.

“I apologize. But it’s unlikely that anyone could remain composed in this situation without any resolve. If you don’t mind, could you tell me how much you anticipated?”

“Was I that transparent?”

I had intended to take control of the situation, but it seemed he had seen through me.

There’s no advantage in hiding it, so I’ll tell him.

“The first time I suspected something was when you talked about turning Kanade over to the police. You said you were her father first and foremost, and that it was your duty to take responsibility for your daughter’s actions. That’s the way you and those who once loved her—me and Rio—would take responsibility after getting us involved. So I decided to test the waters.”

“Test the waters?”

Asagami’s Father frowned, but I continued speaking.

“If you were really committed to that, why then did you attempt to cover up the numerous tragedies your daughter caused from becoming public knowledge? Mio told me that Rio wasn’t seriously injured and had gone home, right? Then it’s strange that she would stay here. Even if you called her in advance, the only one who knew I would be here at this time today was that woman. Yet the nurse who led me to the infirmary seemed to expect me, and when I arrived, the very people involved in the incident were there as if nothing had happened. It’s too convenient, don’t you think?”

As I spoke confidently, Asagami’s Father quietly closed his eyes.

Of course, I never expected my life to be in danger.

Rather, since arriving at the Asagami Group, my focus was solely on how to convince Rio, Hina, and the Asagami couple… That’s why I was able to notice the slight contradictions and hesitations.

In short, I was lucky.

Of course, there was a good chance that Mio had been feeding him information, but there was no benefit for her to collaborate with this man who intended to take my life, especially after his true nature was revealed in his words.

Yet, just when I thought there might be a way to save Kanade, this happens… Life is indeed unpredictable.

“Ha… haha… hahahaha…”

After a while with his eyes closed, Asagami’s Father suddenly let out a dry laugh, as if he had realized something.

“Marvelous. Your mental strength, responsiveness, and insight are remarkable for your age. I had heard about you, but to think the ‘degraded copy’ had grown so much.”

“Degraded copy?”

“Oops, was that an unpleasant term? It’s a shame, really. Eliminating a talent like you. If you continued to grow, you’d undoubtedly become an unparalleled bodyguard. It’s truly regrettable.”

“Still up for it? I think you should stop before things escalate. Fortunately, there’s still time to remedy this.”

“Didn’t I tell you? I will eliminate anyone who stands in the way of my life. Let’s end the chatter.”

Without even glancing at the fallen great sword, Asagami’s Father drew a new blade from a black sheath behind him.

It was only about half the size of the previous sword, and it was obviously not as heavy.

After swinging it around to warm up, cutting through the air, Asagami’s Father positioned the sword at mid-level, readying himself.

I had a pretty good idea, but it seems he won’t be satisfied until he takes my life.

“No helping it, then.”

I had more questions, but if he was set on this, there was no choice but to act. As Asagami’s Father was about to charge, with the sword pointed at me—

“W-What are you doing!?”

A scream echoed through the training area, and Asagami’s Father’s sword halted.

I too turned to see what was happening and saw Rio and Hina, the very people involved in the incident, and Asagami’s Mother, who had shouted.

“Nii-san… what is this!?”

“Eh… Eh!?”

Rio and Hina’s eyes were wide open in shock. The word “astonishment” was clearly written on their faces. Asagami’s Mother moved to stand protectively in front of me.

“Sachiko, I told you to wait, have you gone mad?”

“That’s my line! How could you, even to save her, do such a thing…!”

Asagami’s Mother trembled as if electrocuted, trying to reason with her husband, who was on the brink of madness.

From their conversation, I could infer…

“Move aside. That boy has become an obstacle in the history of Asagami. He’s turned our daughter, who was supposed to inherit our glory, into a failure. Isn’t it the least we can do to remove the root cause?”

“Don’t joke! It was her who became an obstacle in his life! You said so yourself, we were the ones who made her that way! To think that we, who should take responsibility after our daughter wreaked havoc on his life, are now aiming for his life…!”

Asagami’s Mother, still struggling to accept reality, stuttered, trying desperately to persuade.

But her words fell on deaf ears.

As she timidly approached her husband, Asagami’s Father pointed the sword at her without hesitation.

“I’ll say it one more time. Move. If you continue to interfere, you’re complicit. I’ll deal with all of you right here, right now.”

“You…!”

“I’ve given you a warning.”

Facing the murderous transformation of her beloved husband, with whom she shared her life, Asagami’s Mother was engulfed in confusion.

His movements lacked even a drop of hesitation or doubt; the sword was undoubtedly aimed at the chest of the one he should call his wife.

Overwhelmed by the madness in his eyes and the pressure of his resolve, Asagami’s Mother collapsed on the spot. Yet, the advancing sword did not stop.

This mother tried to stand in front of her husband, dominated by insanity, and attempted to reason with him.

There was likely no act in her efforts.

If that were the case, I couldn’t just stand by and watch.

“What!?”

“Ah, my apologies. My foot just slipped.”

I dashed forward, intercepting the sword with the outer sole of my left shoe.

As expected, the sword wasn’t very heavy.

“To think you would shield Sachiko… I’m a bit disappointed. Are you just a child after all?”

“And you, willing to kill even your own wife for the sake of your accumulated status. Well, I don’t dislike it. It’s so refreshingly self-centered.”

Pushing back the sword with the outer sole of my shoe, Asagami’ Father took some distance. He then turned his gaze to Asagami’s Mother, who was crouching on the spot, completely dazed.

“Sorry to disturb you while you’re in shock, but this is the situation we’re in. However, I’ll be the one to stop your husband. In exchange, though—it’s a bit presumptuous to say—I’ll be expecting you to listen to some of my requests.”

Asagami’s Mother remained silent, her face a picture of absent-mindedness, but having at least one parent here who was sane might be the only saving grace.

I shifted my gaze again, this time to Rio and Hina.

“Don’t you guys get involved. Stay in the room for now. It’s not certain there aren’t other bodyguards out there who might be after us.”

“You sure don’t act like someone who’s had their life threatened with a sword. Really, you never lose your cool…”

Rio had a resigned look on her face, while Hina looked on with pure concern.

Perhaps there was still time to save Hina.

But all depended on whether I could dodge the man before me.

“Are the farewells finished? Then let’s bring this to an end.”

“You talk big for someone who couldn’t land a single hit before. Give it your best shot. Although, with your skills, even if you wanted to, you probably couldn’t do it.”

“…You’re an amusing guy, always.”

As I provoked him, Asagami’s Father charged with his sword pointed at me. Continuously mocked, Asagami’s Father’s anger was evident, and I couldn’t help but smile.

I hadn’t been able to move my body much recently. It’s time to cause a commotion without any reservations.

Translator’s Note : Bro really became Sanji from one piece. fighting with his leg. lmao.

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