Chapter 140

Chapter 140 – My Uppercut for Your Sake (8)

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“Kunpei! Wait! Where are you going? Come back, Kunpei!”

Without listening to Mom, I ran out of the apartment room barefoot.

I was hurt by the meaning of the words I had said, but my childish stubbornness got in the way and I was afraid of getting angry even though I could have just apologized.

I would get caught if I waited for the elevator, so I ran down the emergency staircase, crossed the entrance lobby, and just ran without a destination in the pouring rain.

“Aaah! Aaahhhh!”

I was shivering partly due to the freezing rain, but it was also because I was crying without caring about being seen, with regret welling up inside my chest and a sense of disappointment in myself that exceeds that.

It’s not that I don’t like her.

I love my mom.

I admired my father.

I cared about my brother more than anyone else.

The one who was most surprised by the words of rejection that came out of my mouth was, of course, me.

I was so worried that I might have hurt my mother with those words that I couldn’t stand it.

For the first time in my life, I escaped from reality. I couldn’t stay in the room like that.

So I just kept running, looking for a place to escape.

There was no such place.

My family is all I have, my family is my world.

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“… Your Highness?”

With her eyes wide open, Kayone was staring straight at Prince Atol.

It seems that she did not understand the meaning of my words and has not yet caught up with her thoughts.

Utai, who was standing next to her, closed her mouth tightly and looked at Kayone with concern.

“U-um, the interval is over?”

The minute between rounds had already passed.

The Paradise siblings were the witnesses of this duel. Nanairo-san, who was the judge referee, asked me with hesitation.

“I’m sorry, Nanairo-san. Can you wait just a little longer?”

I replied without turning around.

“Ah, I don’t mind, though?”

“Aneki, this is where you be quiet.”

“Ah, un.”

She nodded her head in agreement with Gasara and stepped back to the rope.

“I’m sorry, Gasara. I might cause you trouble.”

I looked at Gasara and saw that he had crossed his arms while holding the drumstick.

“… Well, I was afraid it wouldn’t end well. It’s just like Makio said it would be.”

“Makio?”

What did Makio, who had been asked to refrain from coming today because it would be rough, say?

“He said, ‘Kunepi-kun, doesn’t seem to think when he gets fired up, so please stop him.’ He was really spot on.”

“Guh.”

I couldn’t say anything because I felt like he saw right through me.

I mean, I’ve been told similar things by Shouhei, Aoi and Mikuma, haven’t I?

I usually try to keep my cool.

“My brother and I are standing by to make sure nothing happens to you. No one is going to complain or make you complain about how you ruined this duel that you had no choice in the first place. Do what you want. Right, Aniki?”

“Leave. it. to. me.”

Seijitsu-san nodded and spoke slowly as Gasara spoke to him.

Oh, you were awake? I thought you were asleep because you didn’t move at all.

These fluffy brothers are really dependable.

“Ah, I’m counting on you. Thanks.”

I smiled and bowed slightly.

“Don’t worry about it.”

I’m really glad you said that.

“I’m sorry, Dad. You’ve come all this way to be my second, but maybe we’ll just end up in a fist fight.”

When I looked at my father, he crossed his arms and did not look amused.

Well, that’s expected.

If it was a sport that followed rules and formality, he can understand it.

I’ve never had a fight in front of my dad, no matter how unfilial I am.

“… Is this for Jaja and Nana?”

“Uh, no. This is…”

This duel has nothing to do with Jaja and Nana. I don’t want them to be involved.

It’s going to be a very violent and barbaric reason, simply because I’m pissed off at the prince.

I don’t think I can take much more of this.

“… No. It’s because of my beliefs and my will.”

So I answered like that.

“… Okay. I’ll overlook it this time.”

He let out a deep sigh and shook his head.

I’m really sorry for being such a stupid son. One day, I’ll be the eldest son that my father can proudly show off.

Without fail.

“Kunpei-san…”

“Are you going to continue the duel?”

Aoi and Mikuma looked at me with concern.

“I’m really sorry, okay? I’m going to go teach that stupid prince a lesson.”

I wonder how many times I have to make these two look at me like this.

Aoi and Mikuma looked down, swallowing the words they were about to say.

The pain in my heart constricted my chest. But I can’t stop now.

It’s just my nature, I was born this way. Someday, you may be disgusted with me.

But for now.

“… Now then, Prince Atol. No, Atol. Let’s start over. But this time, let me set the terms of the duel.”

As if to shake off my guilt, I turned back to Atol with great vigor, glared into his eyes, and said.

I don’t even want to call him by his honorific title or anything like that anymore. In the first place, why should I humble myself to this guy who is the same age as me?

The stage of respecting status has long passed.

It’s enough to call him by his name.

“Y-you! What are you doing as you please!”

Dismayed, Ator stepped forward, then hesitated and stopped.

I don’t want to hear that from you.

I’m not going to let you say that now, after you’ve taken away our options and dragged us all into this.

I’ll say it again.

“I’m going to make you pay for what you did.”

Yes, it’s not just our family.

But also Kayone and Utai who are behind you.

“You can use magic, wings, or whatever you want. I’m not going to complain about flying. But we’re going to settle this right here in this ring. No intervals. If you can get your opponent to admit defeat, you win. Simple, right? If I lose, I’ll take all of your complaints. I’ll get down on my knees, or whatever, and do whatever you want. But if I win…”

“W-wait. Just wait a minute!”

No, I won’t. I won’t wait. I won’t wait for you.

“Confess everything to Kayone and Utai, apologize, and then get married.”

Isn’t that what you should be doing?

I know you. I know your twisted and distorted true feelings.

“Y-you… are you an idiot? What’s in it for you? What’s… your goal? Why are you doing something like this!”

There is no reason.

I’m not a fan of the idea of using violence to win something in the first place.

I’ve never picked a fight for my own sake before.

That’s something I’m proud of.

But, well, this time.

“No reason. No goal. It’s just that you’re the most frustrated, and it makes me feel a little better. That’s all.”

You’ll have to forgive me for this level of harassment.

“What the hell are you talking about… I don’t understand.”

The prince was so bewildered that he retreated involuntarily. When he put his back against the corner post, he noticed Kayone and Utai right behind him, and he tensed up.

Kayone’s sad eyes and Atol’s frightened eyes.

As their gazes crossed, silence fell over the ring and its surroundings.

“… Kunpei-san is just that kind of person. There is no reason.”

Aoi’s voice cut through the silence.

“Yeah. That’s right. If Kunpei-kun is this angry, we can’t stop him with reason.”

Mikuma’s voice was in sync with Aoi’s.

I look at the two of them.

The face that had looked so worried and downcast just a moment ago was now filled with a kind of strong determination.

“It’s okay, Kunpei-san. If that’s what you’ve decided, then please fight to your heart’s content. I will respect Kunpei-san’s decision no matter what. If I’m wrong, I’ll definitely stop it.”

“He’s cool in the weirdest ways, reckless in the weirdest ways. It’s our bad luck to have fallen in love with someone who’s bad for the heart.”

Mikuma smiled as she said this.

Aoi also smiled next to her.

“You guys…”

What’s with this atmosphere?

The atmosphere of the place between Atol and me, which had been bleak, changed completely.

“I’m sure, but… You can’t leave that Kayone-san woman alone, can you? That’s just like Kunpei-kun.”

Mikuma nodded and looked at Aoi.

Aoi met her gaze and nodded in the same way.

“Kunpei-san. Kunepi-san doesn’t seem to understand what’s going on.”

Aoi’s eyes caught mine.

I flinched a little when I saw those powerful eyes that seemed to be sucking me in.

“W-what?”

When I asked them back, Mikuma and Aoi smiled.

“To just try to help someone in need without a reason, without a goal.”

“It’s just a ‘really kind person’, you know?”

“Yes.”

The two of them talked happily.

What’s with that combination?

Isn’t it too effective on me?

Can you please stop trying to grab my heart like that?

Isn’t it a little unfair that it takes two people to do it?

“Ah, yes.”

I didn’t know what to say, so I unintentionally affirmed.

They are really good women.

No, seriously, there must be some mistake or something if they fell in love with me.

But, well.

“… Ah, Atol. Sorry.”

“W-what?”

I’m not sure if it’s because he’s a little confused about the atmosphere of the place, but Atol jerked as he reacted to my sudden words.

The girls who trust me so much.

They respect my intentions, approve of me, and support me.

“I’m sorry, but I’m motivated. If you don’t give it your all, you won’t be able to beat me easily.”

A man who doesn’t get excited by this is not a man.