Volume 1. Chapter 69

After bowling, we moved on, exploring the entertainment center. Bright lights from arcade machines flickered around us, tokens clinked, and excited exclamations echoed from players nearby. Our group headed to the next challenge — the batting cages.

First up were Saito and Hayato. They took turns stepping into the cage, grabbing bats, ready to hit. The machine clicked mechanically and launched the first ball. Whoosh — miss. Second — miss again. A few more attempts, same result.

— Man, that speed’s crazy… — Saito muttered, resting the bat on his shoulder.

— This is impossible! — Hayato laughed. — Who can even hit in here?

Then it was my turn.

And again… those expectations.

They were already waiting for me to step up and start hitting ball after ball with perfect ease. I saw it in their eyes. In their words.

— Okay, Ken, your turn! — Saito cheered.

— If anyone can do it, it’s definitely him, — Naoko smirked.

— Come on, amaze us! — Sayaka winked.

I sighed and stepped into the cage.

Of course. As always.

I picked up the bat, felt its weight, took a few practice swings. I watched the balls carefully as they launched. The machine whirred to life, and the first ball flew toward me.

Click, whoosh… BAM!

Home run.

The machine lit up. A short victory jingle played.

Second ball.

Home run.

Third. Home run.

I found the rhythm, figured out the mechanism — how the balls flew, their height, their tempo. Then the show began.

Fourth. Fifth. Sixth.

— Holy… — Hayato whispered.

— He… he’s not missing?! — Ayaka exclaimed.

Seventh. Eighth. Ninth.

— NO WAY! — Saito shouted.

— Insane… — Naoko breathed.

Tenth. Eleventh.

The group was losing their minds.

Twelfth. Thirteenth.

Fourteenth.

Fifteenth.

Silence.

And then… the entire mall erupted in applause.

I blinked. What?

The entertainment center manager came down personally.

— This… this is unbelievable! — He stared at the scoreboard, slack-jawed. — Young man, you just set a record!

I set the bat down, still a bit dazed.

— A record?

— The previous max was three home runs in a row. Even pro players barely manage two! And you — fifteen!

I didn’t know what to say. The crowd was cheering wildly.

— Ken, what ARE you?! — Saito clutched his head.

— This is just… — Naoko muttered.

— A GENIUS! — Ayaka yelled.

I just sighed. Yeah, of course. “Genius” again. Was there any point telling them I played baseball a lot in middle school? That I’d trained like crazy to perfect my swing and reflexes, practicing at batting cages until I nearly passed out? No one would care. It’s all “natural talent,” right.

The manager handed me a coupon for a meal at the local café. The amount was impressive.

— This is for you! In honor of your incredible skill! — he beamed with excitement.

— Oh… thanks.

— May I… take your photo for our Hall of Fame?

I hesitated, but he looked so thrilled I couldn’t say no.

A minute later, we were standing in front of the machine, and he held a sign: “New Record — Ken Yanami.”

The crowd was still going wild.

But Sayaka… she completely lost it.

— That! Was! UNREAL! — She was practically jumping with excitement. Her eyes were glowing, cheeks flushed, breath quickened.

— Are you even human?! — Saito shouted.

— He’s… freaking awesome! — Hayato added.

I just gave a tired smile.

And then… Rin started crying.

— Hey, what’s wrong? — I looked at her in surprise.

She just shook her head, wiping her tears.

I didn’t get to ask — the girls were already pulling her toward the café.

They went ahead, while Saito, Hayato, and I stayed back to claim our meal vouchers. The euphoria from my record was still in the air, but inside me… a strange sense of foreboding.

As we exited the arcade area, we saw them.

Three guys. Tall. Built. Probably college students.

They were approaching our girls from behind. One of them already had his hand out — likely to tap someone’s shoulder. He reached between Sayaka and Rin, clearly not thinking about his actions.

But I understood.

And I was instantly pissed.

I darted over, grabbed his wrist, and squeezed.

— Take your hand off the girls. Or I’ll break it.

My voice was colder than absolute zero.

The guy froze, as if doused in ice water. His pupils shrank. Slowly, he pulled his hand back and stepped away.

He was taller than me. Much taller. Built strong, but didn’t look like a fighter.

I wasn’t huge, but I had some martial arts training. Not much, but enough. In a fight, the key was resolve and confidence.

He mumbled something, trying to save face.

I cut him off harshly.

— Apologize. Now. Or you’ll be spitting teeth.

He got mad.

— Who the hell are you?! — he growled, stepping forward.

Stupid mistake.

I didn’t hesitate.

One move — grabbed his arm, shifted my weight, and threw him over my hip.

CRASH.

He slammed face-first into the ground.

I heard a crunch. Broken nose.

Probably scraped his jaw on the pavement too.

Right. This wasn’t a gym mat.

Crap, maybe I went a bit too hard.

Yeah, that throw might’ve been overkill. But I always lose control when someone threatens people around me. If it’s me, fine — I can talk my way out. But if they target someone else? I snap.

For a moment, the world fell silent.

I twisted his arms behind his back and sat on top of him.

— One last chance. Apologize.

He hissed, grimaced, but stayed silent.

Then yelled at his buddies:

— What are you standing around for?! There’s two of you!

They hesitated.

Then one straightened, glared, and said:

— You better run, kid. There’s three of us.

I laughed.

Loudly. Slowly.

Raspy.

— Run? Why?

I paused, turning my head toward them.

— There’s only three of you. Apologize now, or I’ll break each of your noses.

Every word hit like a verdict.

They exchanged glances.

— Fine, you asked for it! — one shouted, charging at me.

Another stupid mistake.

I blocked his punch with my left hand.

Then slammed my right fist into his nose.

CRUNCH.

He flipped back, crashing into a bench.

The third guy rushed me with a shout, but I spun and hit him head-on.

He slammed into the wall.

Both were on the floor, clutching broken noses.

Their leader, the one I’d pinned, scrambled up while I was busy, and bolted.

The other two sprang up and fled after him.

I watched them go.

— Don’t let me see you again, — I called after them. — Next time, I break your arms.

Silence.

I was still breathing heavily.

And then I realized…

I must’ve scared the girls.

Damn, I usually solve things with words, but I jumped straight into a fight. Though with guys like that, there’s no talking. Still, would they think I’m a thug now? Avoid me?

I slowly turned around.

My mind raced with worry.

But when I saw them…

They looked at me in awe.

Like I’d just saved their lives.

Sayaka was glowing with joy.

— That was… — her voice trembled. — Ken… you’re amazing.

Rin… was crying again.

I exhaled slowly.

Well, at least they’re okay.

Right then, Saito and Hayato ran up.

— What the hell happened?! — Hayato gasped.

— We got delayed… — Saito said guiltily.

They looked at me.

— Well, we figured you could handle it, — Saito chuckled.

I rolled my eyes.

Sure. Was there any point explaining those guys were just big but weak? That I had some martial arts training? Not really.

The girls chimed in:

— Ken, are you even human?

— Thanks for saving us!

— You’re a beast!

I sighed again.

I was used to those lines.

But one thing bothered me more.

I looked at Rin.

Her eyes were full of tears.

— Hey, are you okay? — I asked quietly.

She quickly shook her head.

Not now.

Alright.

As long as they’re safe.

I shook out my hands, flexing my fingers.

— Alright, let’s hit that café, yeah?