Chapter Eleven: Saeko’s Turning Point

“So, when acting alone, you should first find a safe place as a base before making any moves,” Wisteria began brainwashing the background students once again. “For example, the safety of your family should only be considered after we've formed a group with proper rules of conduct. What we need to do now is—”

“Shut up!” Hao Ren, who suffered from mild low blood pressure, was woken by Wisteria’s droning. He immediately stood up and pressed his spear against Wisteria’s throat.

“Sato, this isn’t a joke,” Wisteria stammered, cold sweat beading on his forehead as the sharp tip pressed into a vital point.

“Shut up or die!” Hao Ren’s voice carried an unintentional hint of killing intent.

“I understand, Sato. Please put the weapon away,” Wisteria pleaded, his tone tinged with supplication.

“Hmph.” Hao Ren withdrew his spear, sat down, and promptly went back to sleep.

“So rude,” Wisteria muttered under his breath as he adjusted his clothes, relieved.

“Well done!—” the same thought flashed through the minds of Saeko, Takagi, Shizuka, Hirano, and the others.

About twenty minutes later, Hao Ren awoke and, stretching, noticed the approving glances from Saeko and the rest. What happened? Hao Ren was full of questions.

“Tch.” Wisteria, now cowering in the corner, dared not speak again, but glared venomously at Hao Ren.

———Innocent Section Break———

“The city is currently under traffic control. Attempting to cross the river by force will be severely punished. Of course, trying to bypass the barriers set up here is strictly forbidden as well.” The broadcast on the bridge rang out.

No sooner had the announcement ended than four teenage delinquents climbed over the guardrail.

That wasn’t the main issue—did you just knock over a cute young wife, you bastards?! Judging by appearance, she was about twenty-four, and her bust had to be at least a D-cup. With the improved vision granted by Ishii’s contact lenses, Hao Ren’s eyeballs almost popped out. Damn, that Shibuya-style girl being hosed off the bridge is actually wearing pure white underwear! This defies logic!

And the first thing you think to do after enhancing your vision is this...

Hopeless.

“It’s precisely in times like these that we mustn’t forget the pride of being Fujimi High students,” Wisteria announced, acting as though he’d forgotten his earlier humiliation. “Therefore, Miyamoto and Komuro, who left the bus, are unfit to be our companions. For survival, let’s cut ties with them. Let us unite—”

Honestly, Wisteria, you’re wasted as a teacher; you should be directing the drama club. His gestures were so exaggerated, he looked like the conductor of a grand orchestra.

“This is bad,” Takagi remarked.

“Indeed, it’s like the persuasion tactics of a new religious cult,” Saeko commented, as always nailing the analogy.

“It’s not just like, it is,” Hao Ren couldn’t help but interject. “Look at their eyes; they’re already religious fanatics. I hereby name it the Wisteria Sect. What do you think, Shiki?” He turned to Shiki with an expectant look.

“Boring.” Shiki’s response was cold and indifferent.

“You were supposed to say, ‘Master, something is fishy here,’” Hao Ren lamented, disappointed.

“Knock it off,” Saeko said, giving Hao Ren a light smack on the head. “With the road in this state, we’ll have to abandon the bus and find another way out.”

“I’m not thrilled, but I promised Komuro we’d meet at the East Bureau. We need to figure out a way across Owakibashi,” Saeko mused, rubbing her chin.

Saeko, I really like your sense of honor.

“Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I’ll stay by your side. I support your decision.” Hao Ren looked determinedly at the group of girls and women around him.

“Let’s hope you keep your word,” Shiki, ever the wet blanket, replied.

“Suddenly Hao Ren seems quite reliable,” Shizuka the school nurse pressed her hands together and her chest quivered.

“What a sap,” Takagi Saya said, still acting proud. “Well, I’ll reserve judgment based on your future performance.”

“Takagi, I also—” Hirano hastily tried to express himself.

“All right, all right, I get it,” Takagi cut him off, instantly switching to a look of impatience.

“I hope you’ll let me join you,” Ishii, barely noticeable, interjected. So you haven’t been brainwashed, huh?

“Let’s consider it a promise between us. We’re looking out for each other now,” Saeko said with a gentle smile, then leaned in to whisper in Hao Ren’s ear, “When we find a safe place, you’ll have to explain what happened at school.”

“Okay, that was my plan anyway.” Too close, way too close—Hao Ren felt the pressure.

“Where are your homes?” Shizuka suddenly asked.

“I live alone now. My father’s overseas at his dojo, so I have little to tie me down. All I need to protect is my life and my promise to Hao Ren,” Saeko replied calmly, her words nearly flag-like. “My father taught me that once you make a promise, you must keep it, even at the cost of your life.”

Hao Ren, both flattered and uneasy, thought, No way I’d let such a wonderful lady die.

“Really?” Takagi was taken aback by the bold reply. “Well, my house is also on the other side of Owakibashi.”

“Oh! My parents are gone too,” Hirano said weakly, raising his hand. “As long as I’m with Takagi, anywhere is—”

“Gross,” Takagi thought, black lines on her face.

“And your family?” Saeko kindly asked.

“My father’s a jeweler, off to Amsterdam for supplies. My mother’s a fashion designer, always in Paris,” Hirano began to show off.

“What era are you from?!” Takagi echoed Hao Ren’s internal exasperation.

Grandfather’s a cruise captain on international routes, grandmother’s a violinist. Fine, you win. By any measure, Hirano, you’d never become a military otaku. What happened in your childhood? Hao Ren couldn’t fathom it.

“My family isn’t from here, either—all my relatives are on the mainland. Right now, I have nothing tying me down,” Hao Ren lied.

“Huh? So you and Shiki live together?” Takagi looked at Hao Ren and Shiki in surprise.

“Well, it’s common for childhood friends,” Hao Ren replied, scratching his head and making things up.

“I want to go with you, too,” Shizuka interjected—nice save! “My parents are gone, and my relatives live far away. I shouldn’t say this, but I don’t like Wisteria either.”

“Ha—” Everyone laughed, sharing the sentiment. Hao Ren, having glossed things over, felt relieved.

“And Hao Ren will be with us too,” Shizuka murmured, blushing, her voice so soft only she could hear.

Hao Ren suddenly felt that joining this ‘game’ wasn’t so bad after all.

“So, what do we do next? I’m not familiar with the area,” Saeko asked after the laughter subsided.

“For now, let’s go check out Owakibashi.”

“What’s going on, everyone?” Wisteria, finally coming out of his trance, noticed the cheerful mood. “Right now, we need to work together.”

“No need, Mr. Wisteria,” Takagi replied with a flourish, her skirt swirling. Hao Ren’s gaze instinctively dropped, but he saw nothing.

“We have our own goals. This isn’t a school trip—we don’t need to play along,” Takagi said it well.

But the blond teacher behind Wisteria twisted his face into a fierce scowl. Clearly, he’d been thoroughly brainwashed.

“If that’s how you want it, suit yourself, Takagi. No matter what, Japan is still a free country,” Wisteria said, crossing his arms in a pose of command. “Hmph, but…” He then flicked out his tongue in a reptilian gesture.

He does have a bit of that Orochimaru flair.

“If you leave, it’ll be quite troublesome, Nurse Shizuka.”