Chapter 04 — New Meetings & Schemes

The cafeteria buzzed with noise, but Jerry sat alone at a corner table — black hair and pupils reflecting the noon light, his posture calm, detached.

【Hmm… will Emiko actually show up tonight?】 he wondered, chewing thoughtfully.

Before he could finish, Renji and Mikado approached hesitantly.

「Hi there, Jerry,」Renji said, scratching the back of his neck.

Jerry tilted his head slightly.「Yeah. You need a seat?」

「No need to be hostile,」Renji chuckled awkwardly.「We’re not here to fight. We just… wanted to ask if we could be friends?」

Jerry paused. Haruka did want me to make friends this year…

He sighed softly.「Alright. I don’t mind.」

Renji’s expression brightened instantly.「Really?!」

「However,」Jerry cut in sharply, voice even but cold,「if you start dick-riding or acting like yes-men, you’ll leave me alone. Understood?」

Renji stiffened.「Got it…」

Jerry’s gaze shifted to Mikado, studying him in silence.「So… what’s your deal?」

Mikado straightened.「The name’s Kojima Mikado. I’ll ask straight—what are your intentions with Hana?」

Jerry’s brow arched, amused.「Wait… you one of her secret admirers? Childhood friend, maybe?」

「Right,」Mikado replied firmly.「Our group’s been together since kindergarten.」

Jerry smirked faintly.「I see. Don’t worry—your little head. I’ll only do things she’s into.」

Before Mikado could respond, a sharp, confident voice cut in.

「Oh? Is that so?」

Jerry’s pupils flashed brown — JJ surfacing, his tone now dripping with command and charisma.

「Hana,」he said smoothly.「‘I won’t bite, unless you like it.’ That’s how I live.」

「Hmph. You won’t get a single nibble out of me,」Hana replied flatly.

「Alright, that’s your stance… for now.」

Hana turned, beckoning.「Sakura, Riyuka. We’re leaving.」

Riyuka glared back.「He’s not worth it.」The girls walked away, their footsteps echoing against the cafeteria floor.

Sakura hesitated near the door.「Just know Hana’s a good girl. I won’t appreciate it if you hurt her.」

Jerry gave a small nod.「That’s all?」

「Yeah. That’s all,」she said, then followed the others.

Jerry’s eyes lingered on her for a moment.

【Rare to find women like her these days… maybe I—】

He stopped himself, exhaling.【Nah. Never mind.】

Mikado leaned closer.「See? Hana has friends who care about her.」

Jerry’s black pupils returned — now present. His voice grew quieter, colder.「I understand. But if I wanted to hurt her, I wouldn’t be talking to you.」

Mikado blinked, unsettled.「What do you mean by that?」

Jerry smiled faintly.「Nothing much.」He took another slow bite, swallowed, then fixed his gaze on Mikado.「Hypothetically… what would you do if someone threatened someone you loved?」

Mikado froze.

Jerry’s tone deepened.「You’ve never taken a life to protect someone dear to you, have you?」

Mikado’s voice faltered.「Wh-what are you talking about—」

「Never mind,」Jerry interrupted, standing abruptly. He tossed his tray aside and walked out, leaving a tense silence behind.

Renji whispered, watching him leave.「Those eyes… they looked like someone who’s seen war.」

Mikado clenched his fists.

【What kind of life would someone live… to have eyes like that?】

◽Later That Day — Hana’s House◽

Hana sat on her bed, arms crossed, mind swirling.

【Tsk… I can’t believe that guy just walked out halfway through class.】

Her eyes narrowed.【Well, he did say if I disinterest him, I’ll win five million yen… Maybe Father will finally notice me for that.】

◽In the Dining Room◽

The warm scent of dinner filled the air. Yui, her mother, smiled across the table.「So, Hana… how was your day?」

「Great, Mother,」Hana replied, her voice unusually calm.

Yui leaned closer.「Anything interesting happen?」

「Well… there was this one guy. Jerry-san. No last name.」

Instantly, both parents’ expressions shifted.

John’s tone hardened.「How’d he—」

「Did he have dreadlocks? Really tall?」Yui interrupted, eyes lighting up.

「Uh… y-yeah, he did,」Hana said slowly.

Yui’s smile widened.「Ahh… finally! I’ll get to see the perfect child again.」

John glared.「No, you are not.」

Hana blinked, watching the tension rise.

【They know him…】

「He said,」Hana continued carefully,「if I could disinterest him in three months, I’d win five million yen.」

Yui chuckled softly.「That’s something he’d do. Wish I were in your place. Would’ve made sure he keeps his interest in me.」

Hana’s jaw dropped.「…What?」

John’s glare sharpened.「Oh, is that how you feel?」

Yui sighed, crossing her arms.「Yes. Hana was lucky to find him in her class.」

John’s anger simmered.「I see.」

Yui’s tone softened, though her words carried weight.「If it weren’t for you and your friends, Jerry-chan wouldn’t be the… complicated man he is today.」

John tsked loudly.「Still mad about that? It failed anyway. Why bring it up?」

「Because he’s a person, not a project,」Yui shot back.「Don’t forget that.」

She exhaled, regaining composure.「Anyway, Hana, let’s go to your room. Tell me more.」

Hana followed her quietly, eyes downcast.

【They don’t just know Jerry-san… Father must’ve done something to him.】

◽In the Dining Room — Moments Later◽

The air thickened as John slammed his hand against the table, fury boiling.

「That bastard is ruining everything again!」He grabbed his phone, voice sharp.「you there?」

⟦Always, Mr. Allen. What’s the job?⟧ PG#01 answered.

John smirked.「I’ll send you a photo. You and your team are going to run a smear campaign.」

A laugh echoed through the receiver. ⟦Got it. You got their address too?⟧

John’s grin widened.「Yes. I’ll send everything later.」

⟦Don’t worry, Mr. Allen⟧ the man said darkly. ⟦We’ll make sure to ruin this person.⟧

John ended the call, leaning back with a cruel smile.

「This is what you get for thinking you can come into my city… and not suffer.」