"Phew, this is the second time you helped me give some scary elites the slip. I mean, you technically started that second one, but…"
"『Tell me, Mako. Who would you say are the most powerful people here?』"
"The most powerful?"
"『Mm, yeah. Strong. Powerful. Able to launch stupidly destructive attacks like nobody's business. That kind of thing.』"
"Well, if I had to guess, I'd say the Student Council is full of really strong people. And the student council president…"
"『Is the strongest among them. Yeah, I get the gist. The pecking order here is strongest at the top, weakest at the bottom. Yes, this is something I'm very familiar with.』"
"Why do you ask, if you don't mind me asking?"
"『I do. But I'll let it slip since you've been so helpful thus far. As for why I'm asking, I made a very important promise to someone—one that I intend to keep. That is all I can say for now. It's mainly the reason why I've been transferring all across the country.』"
"Wow, that must be a really important promise if you're doing all that!"
"『Yes, it is.』"
As the two continued walking, they eventually encountered a crowd of students standing parallel to one another. In between was a path leading up to a platform.
"『What's going on here?』"
"Shhh, Kumagawa, bow your head. Now."
"『Huh?』"
Turning to Mako, Kumagawa saw her bowing her head. Gazing back at the path, he could see five colorful figures, accompanied by a bunch of one-star nobodies, striding through. Each of them had an elitist air about them.
This was highly curious.
As soon as the five made their way to the platform, the students stopped bowing. Mako, in tandem, lifted her head.
"That was a close one," she whispered. "The student council doesn't take kindly to insubordination. Good thing we bowed our heads when we did. Right, Kumagawa?" Mako turned her head, expecting to see her friend standing next to her. "…Kumagawa?"
"Listen and pay close attention," announced Satsuki Kiryuin, who stood at the center of the platform. "I am sure you all aware that I place Honnouji Academy's prosperity as the highest amongst all others. As long as I reign supreme, order shall never yield to chaos. That is an absolute truth of this world!"
Satsuki allowed herself a brief pause before continuing.
"However, it seems that an interloper has defiled this sacred truth of ours. Upon my return, I discovered numerous one-stars beaten to near-death by an unknown assailant. This can and will not stand! As long as this villain goes unpunished, no quarter will be given. We will search every dorm. Every nook and cranny. We will not rest until justice is carried out! That, I can assure you."
As soon as she finished that last sentence, chatter erupted from the crowd.
"SILENCE!" Gamagori shouted at the top of his lungs. "Lady Satsuki is not yet finished, you pigs in human clothing!"
With that, the chatter died down. Satsuki continued.
"If you have any knowledge of this crime, then you must step up now. And if you are the perpetrator, then I implore you to step up. I can assure you that your punishment will be swift and pamphhmphmph-"
"—!"
At that moment, the expressions on almost everyone's faces could best be described by the following phrase: wide eyes and slack jaws. There were no other words to describe the absolute inanity of the scenery before them.
Before Satsuki could finish her sentence, someone managed to sneak up behind her (without anyone noticing somehow), pinch her cheeks, and pull them midsentence. The crazy bastard, in question, was not someone the majority of people were familiar with. Only Mako Mankanshoku, whose face was expressing a similar level of surprise, could say his name at that moment.
In that instance, Satsuki unsheathed her blade and swung it at the man who managed to sneak up on her. Dodging the exceedingly fast attack by a hair's breadth, Kumagawa took a few steps back and then stood still, smiling at the other with nary a hint of concern.
"How dare you touch my face, vermin. Speak your name now, and I might let you live!" Satsuki commanded, glaring at the other with her sword pointed at him.
"『So much enmity. I can see that your sense of humor doesn't match well with your talent for making long-winded speeches, Miss President.』" Walking past Satsuki, he presented himself to the rest of the crowd and said, "『Hello, people of Honnouji. My name is Kumagawa Misogi. I just transferred here, and I wanted to extend all of you all you people a warm greeting. I-』"
Before he could get another word in, a gigantic boxing glove catapulted his body off the platform.
"No one but her majesty and the chosen gets to stand on this stage," stated Takaharu Fukuroda, "you no-star welp."
"Thank you, Fukuroda," said Satsuki.
"It was my pleasure, ma'am. Just doing my duty as boxing club president."
"『Yes, thank you, Fukuroda. Your presence here is most appreciated.』"
"You're welcome. I- GAHH!"
Despite having been punched several kilometers away, Kumagawa appeared back on the platform without anyone so much as noticing. He was now leaning on Takaharu's head and appeared completely unharmed to boot.
Takaharu jumped and pointed. "You! How!?"
"『By the way, Fukuroda, how is the person you care about? She's my friend, so I want to know.』"
"What? You know her?"
"『No, not really. I barely know anyone here. However…』" Kumagawa placed his face close to Takaharu's and said, "『I now know that there is one girl you care a lot about. I'll be sure to put that information to good use.』"
"Bastard!"
Takaharu raised his fist. However, before he could, several giant screws appeared from the ground and blocked his path. If he had taken a step further, those things would've impaled him!
Upon seeing this occur, everyone's eyes widened even more. However, Satsuki, despite being the most surprised, maintained a stoic expression throughout.
"The hell're these things."
Looking past the screws, he saw his opponent was gone. Feeling the hair on his neck stand up, he then turned around and saw the other hovering over him, two screws in hand. In that split second, all the close witnesses could see that his previously jubilant eyes now lacked any emotion behind them; a stark contrast to his smile, which stretched further from ear-to-ear until it resembled a slasher grin.
At that moment, Takaharu felt it: fear. Legitimate fear. Something that only the impending reality of death could bring to a person.
Despite using a two-star Goku uniform against a mere no-star, Takaharu fought only to subdue. However, this no-star was not fighting him on those grounds. No, it was clear as day that this man was fighting to kill. Takaharu and all those on the platform, especially Satsuki, could see it clear as day.
Before Kumagawa could stab Takaharu with one of his screws, a whip flew into him and lassoed him into the ground.
"Stay out of this, Takaharu," said Gamagori. "This is no normal no-star you can contend with."
Wordlessly, Takaharu took several steps back and allowed the behemoth, known as Ira Gamagori, to walk through.
Satsuki continued observing closely. Though her face remained stoic, if one looked closely enough, they could see her bottom lip quivering.
This Kumagawa Misogi, as he called himself: the way he acted, the mannerisms, his character, everything about him… On their own, they could at worst be considered discomforting. However, to Satsuki Kiryuin, they had the added effect of reminding her all too well of another individual she had the displeasure of knowing. If she hadn't known better, she would've assumed that this "Kumagawa" was simply that person in disguise.
However, it wouldn't make much sense. When that person disguised themselves, they did their best to stay in character—to pretend they were someone else. If they didn't, that would defeat the whole purpose of the disguise.
So, if this Kumagawa were a different person, she would have to assume that there was another person in this world that could perform the feats he had demonstrated: appearing out of nowhere, pulling cartoonishly huge weapons from thin air, etc.
Perhaps he was another experiment. One that had been kept a better secret from her. This fell within the realms of possibility, though it would put a further dent in her plans than had already existed if that was the case.
Gamagori gazed down at the student, whose face had been smashed into the ground, leaving blood and noticeable cracks on the pavement. Gamagori's life-fiber reinforced whip now constrained this person's body. He couldn't move even if he wanted to.
"I was worried there for a moment." Nonon Jakuzure, who had kept quiet till now, was the second to break the silence amongst her fellow Elite Four comrades. "The last thing we needed on Lady Satsuki's return was another bloodbath."
"I concur," replied Houka Inumuta. "Though, I would've liked to gather some of his data. After all, this is the first time I've witnessed a no-star hold a fight against a two-star. Not to mention his apparent teleportation and pocket dimension abilities."
"Screw it," said Uzu Sanageyama. "Pardon the pun, but this guy had the audacity to pull such a tasteless prank in front of everyone. Not to mention he's most likely the guy Lady Satsuki was talking about in her speech. I say we let Ira take care of him and call it a day."
"Such insolence," said Gamagori, who hovered over the fallen Kumagawa. "Well, do you have anything to say for yourself?"
"『Mmphmphmpmpm.』"
Nonon chuckled. "He can't even speak. His face is full of asphalt."
"What? Lift your head and speak properly."
"『I said…』" Kumagawa lifted his head. "『It's not my fault.』"
"Huh?"
"『They were the ones who attacked first. I simply acted in self-defense.』"
"You expect me to believe something like that. After you so clearly attempted to murder Takaharu and made a mockery of Lady Satsuki's speech?"
"『I'll admit, I'm not very good at making first impressions. But if you untie me, I'm certain I can make up for it.』"
"I've had enough to hear of your drivel."
"『A shame.』" Kumagawa's grin deepened. "『I really didn't want to have to hurt anyone here.』"
"The only one getting hurt here," Gamagori said, lifting the other up into the air, "is you!"
What then transpired could best be described as a public lynching. Kumagawa was beaten at all sides by Gamagori's whip mid-air. For some, it was especially hard to watch. Others enjoyed the spectacle. After all, it was not every day that you got to see a member of the Elite Four doling out such a personal punishment like this.
At the end of it, Gamagori smashed Kumagawa into the ground, between the two crowds of students, doing his best to ensure the damage would be non-lethal (but still very painful). This should've been enough to send a message—not only to this fool but all those who bore witness.
Satisfied with his punishment, Gamagori turned around and began walking back to his original position. However…
"Oy, you've gotta be freaking kiddin' me," said Uzu.
Gamagori turned around. Kumagawa, whose clothing was in tatters and whose face was beaten to a bloody pulp, forced himself up from the ground.
"What a tenacious fellow," commented Houka.
"Getting soft, are we, Toad?" added Nonon.
"Hmph," said Gamagori. "Still haven't had enough, I see."
The other remained silent.
"Well then, let's see how you handle th-"
But before Gamagori could finish, Kumagawa started clapping. And clapping. He was the only one clapping throughout. He then slowed his clapping before stopping completely.
"『I must admit, I am quite impressed. Not just by your power, but your demeanor and resolution as well. It's all so very enticing.』"
"You think that flattery will get you out of this?"
"『But wait, I'm not finished. All through my life, I've been a good-for-nothing. I've never once won at anything. A natural-born loser is what they described me as.』"
"Trying to get pity from me now?"
"『That's why I'm so impressed by your resolve.』" All of Kumagawa's damage disappeared within an instant, much to the shock and awe of any and all onlookers. "『I feel like even if it's something as strong as that, even I can't make it into nothing.』"
"Y-you, how?"
As Kumagawa took a step forward, Gamagori found himself reflexively taking a step backward. Was this fear? Was he afraid? Of this nobody!? Him of all people!?
Pulling out two screws, Kumagawa eyed Gamagori with his same jubilant expression, marred by a hint of murderous intent.
"『If it's something like this, then I don't have any problem going all out.』"
The reality around Kumagawa began to distort, and everyone within proximity could instinctually feel like they were going to die at this very moment. And yet, instead of running away, all the students stood still, frozen like a deer caught in headlights.
Gamagori stood still as well and braced himself for what was to come.
The only one who didn't stay motionless was the very same person that abruptly rushed out of the crowd and got in between the two.
"Hold it!" shouted Mako, getting into a colorful pose. "My friend here may have a screw loose somewhere, but he isn't a bad person. Wanna know how I can tell? Because he's my friend. Yes, my friend! Yes, we just met a few hours ago. But he accepted my croquette and saved me from a bunch of bullies, and if that's not a friend, I don't know who is! And, speaking of which, I don't know what all the others say, but to me, Kumagawa is a winner. A grade-A winner. And you wanna know why that is? Because he's my friend! And everyone knows that if you win at friendship, you win at life!"
The rest of the crowd stood silent at the face of Mako's lengthy rant. Not a single individual dared to utter a word. No one, but…
"『Well said, Mako!』" Though his expression remained the same, tears were now bursting forth from his eye sockets. "『I couldn't have said it better myself.』"
"Enough!" The person to shout this was none other than Satsuki Kiryuin. "I've had enough of this insanity. Ira, retreat for now."
Gamagori turned to Satsuki. His pleading eyes met her fierce gaze, and he knew, at that moment, that this was an absolute order he could not refuse. Reluctantly, he moved back to his spot behind her, his head hanging low throughout.
"『Does that mean you're ready to talk now?』"
Satsuki eyed the other, contempt and scorn lining her features. Though it may not have been apparent to others, she could tell that this man would've killed everyone here without a second thought had his "friend" not intervened in time. She now knew that Kumagawa Misogi was an exceedingly dangerous individual who couldn't be left alone. She had to play her cards right if she wanted to gauge his intentions properly and decide whether or not he could be an ally.
Judging by his uniform, it seemed like he was a transfer. She made a mental note to ask Houka to run a background check, with a particular focus on his previous school(s).
"I have nothing to say to the likes of you. Know that if you continue to act the way you did today, I, Satsuki Kiryuin, will see to it that you are thoroughly expelled! Do I make myself clear?"
"『Of course. I love law and order more than anyone else in this world. I'll do my best to behave from here on.』"
"Very well."
And with that, the student council departed, leaving Kumagawa, Mako, and the crowd of remaining no-stars in the dust.
"『Well then…』" Kumagawa held his chin pensively. "『I think that went far better than expected.』"