The Lazy Prisoner and the Sazanami Strike

Reikou tried to squirm, but it was no use. The school guards had him zip-tied to a library chair, his arms and legs secured as if he were a high-level supervillain.

One guard shoved a phone in his face, displaying the viral video. "Is this you?"

Reikou’s eyes narrowed into a terrifying, soul-piercing glare. "Are you blind? I’m right here in front of you, and you’re asking if the guy on the screen is me?"

The guards both swallowed hard. The kid looked like a demon. But as soon as the tension peaked, Reikou’s energy evaporated. He slumped back into the chair, his eyes half-closed.

TIP! TIP! TIP!

The library doors swung open. Akihiro-san Meiyu’s elite handler strode in, his black coat fluttering. The sound of his dress shoes echoed against the quiet bookshelves. He pulled off his sunglasses and stared at Reikou. Then, he did something unexpected.

Akihiro-san began to chuckle. Then he started laughing, slapping his legs like a man who had just seen the funniest comedy act in history. "You... you look way more ugly in person than in the video!"

The guards joined in, the library filling with the sound of their mocking laughter. Reikou, insulted, twisted his face into his most grotesque, "Donkey-Monster" expression. "What did you say?"

Akihiro-san flinched. ‘That face is actually terrifying,’ he thought, but he quickly went back to laughing. "Still funny!"

Back in the classroom, the final bell rang TONK TONK TONK!

The room turned into a playground of buzzing students, but Meiyu sat like a statue. Shiori and Ryuuto watched her from a distance.

‘Akihiro is here for the inquiry,’ Meiyu thought, slamming her hand onto her desk in frustration. ‘What do I do? Should I help that idiot or let him face the consequences?’

She stood up, her face twisted in an angry pout. Shiori and Ryuuto froze. ‘She looks beautiful even when she’s mad,’ they both thought simultaneously before blushing and looking away.

Meiyu didn’t care. She was losing her "Ice Queen" composure. ‘Why can’t I hide my emotions anymore? That fool... he’s actually changing me.’ She stormed out of the room toward the library.

Akihiro-san pulled up a chair, sitting inches from Reikou’s face. Reikou just closed his eyes and leaned back.

"I’ve told you a hundred times," Akihiro-san growled. "Stay away from Sazanami-sama. You’ve brought trouble to her name. It’s time for legal action."

Reikou didn't even blink. Akihiro-san got frustrated and shook his shoulder. "Say something!"

Reikou opened one eye with such extreme laziness it was almost impressive. A small string of saliva trailed from the corner of his mouth. "Don't you think... talking like this is boring? I'm too lazy to even reply to someone as loud as you."

Akihiro-san jumped back, frantically cleaning his hands. "This kid... he’s truly irritating!"

SLAM!

The library doors flew open again. Meiyu marched in. Ryuuto and Shiori hovered at the entrance, peeking through the bookshelves.

"Sazanami-sama, you shouldn't be here," Akihiro-san said, standing straight. "I am handling the legal proceedings for your father."

"There is no need for legal action," Meiyu stated coldly.

"But the order—"

"He is not a threat. He is the one who helped me," Meiyu interrupted, her face flushing pink.

Behind the books, Shiori whispered, "Is she... saving him?"

Meiyu continued her defense, her voice rising in anger. "When you were in your meeting, I walked alone. Some boys tried to harm me, and he intervened. Someone edited the video to make him look like the villain. Am I right, Reikou-kun?"

She looked at Reikou, who just sat there with a dazed, lazy smile. Meiyu’s eye twitched. ‘This annoying man!’

"How can I believe this?" Akihiro-san asked.

"Are you calling me a liar?!" Meiyu snapped.

Akihiro bowed his head instantly. "My apologies."

The Final Strike

"Untie him," Meiyu ordered.

The guards freed Reikou. The moment he was loose, he didn't run. He immediately dove into his "Scorpion Bow" face to the floor, hips high in the air, swaying back and forth.

"Ignore him," Meiyu sighed. She turned to leave, Akihiro-san following. As Akihiro passed, he pointed two fingers at his eyes and then at Reikou. I’m watching you.

Meiyu stole one last glance back. Reikou was still on the floor, smiling lazily and giving her a big thumbs-up.

That was the final straw.

Meiyu slipped off her designer shoe and hurled it with the precision of a professional athlete.

WHAM!

The heel hit Reikou square in the forehead. He toppled over backward, completely out cold, but still wearing that lazy, goofy smile.

"Well done, Sazanami-sama," Akihiro-san smirked, finally feeling some satisfaction.

As they left, Ryuuto and Shiori rushed over to the fallen "hero." Reikou lay on the carpet, a shoe print on his face and saliva dripping onto the floor.

Shiori put her hand to her forehead. "I'm so disappointed... why is this our friend?"

[End of Chapter 18]