In the end, as the crowd in the casino made way, Jabami Yumeko calmly walked out after leaving behind two IOUs.
Originally, the local thugs were itching to teach this troublemaking girl a lesson, but since neither Momo nor Takamine gave the order, they let her go.
"She owes you 20 million USD now," Momo frowned. "Should I have someone keep an eye on her?"
"No need."
Takamine chuckled and casually pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lighting it with ease.
"If she wanted to cheat, she could've just chosen the second contract. But setting morality aside, I do admire people who follow through on their convictions."
"Are you really sure she can come up with 20 million USD in a year?"
"Who knows? But if she can't manage it in the time limit," Takamine Rinji's eyes narrowed slightly, "then I'll just have to deal with both sisters according to the agreement."
Momo looked a little startled and glanced in the direction Jabami Yumeko had left.
"You've become a lot gentler than before… at least you know how to restrain yourself."
"Hmm?"
"Look at your eyes—they're red again."
She pulled a small mirror from who-knows-where and held it up to Rinji's face, revealing a pair of dull red pupils reflected in the glass.
"Huh? When did that happen?"
"Right when you slammed the toy gun on the table. I remember it clearly—when we were little, your eyes were always red, and bloodshed always followed. You really intended to kill Jabami Yumeko back there, didn't you?"
"I wouldn't say it was a killing intent exactly," Rinji smiled, "I just don't like gamblers, that's all."
He blinked, and his red eyes turned black again.
Rinji's "red-eye condition" was said to be congenital. His father told him it was a viral genetic disorder, but neither of his parents ever had it. To this day, he still didn't know why he was born with red eyes.
Thanks to his father's help, his eye color had turned back to black as he grew up.
"By the way, that girl added you on LINE, right?"
"Yeah. Said it was to help me keep tabs on her debt repayments…"
As soon as he said that, Momo suddenly placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You're not planning on doing anything indecent to her, are you?"
"What do you mean?"
"…Never mind."
Momo shook her head and gave a small smile.
"Anyway, thanks for saving the casino."
"It's nothing."
—
When Takamine Rinji walked out of the casino alone, he passed by a narrow alley.
His pupils once again turned red, glowing faintly in the darkness.
"Gentler? More self-controlled?"
Crack!
He placed his delicate-looking hand on the concrete wall beside him. With one squeeze, the wall cracked under his strength.
"I guess I really have changed… I have the student council to thank for that."
His red eyes faded back to black again, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
"Enjoying this kind of peaceful life once in a while… it's not bad at all. I think I finally understand why my old man gave everything up to go live in the countryside."
—
After a good night's sleep, Rinji spent the next few days supervising Shirogane Miyuki's special training at the research lab.
Wearing the exoskeleton for five hours of daily training, Miyuki began practicing without the gear during the last two days for real matches.
Despite his poor coordination, Miyuki managed to play normal matches after just two days of unassisted practice, relying purely on his talent and determination.
The research staff were honestly amazed.
So amazed, in fact, they decided to refine and package the exoskeleton for commercial use. After all, Japan's research institutions hadn't produced any decent consumer tech since the early 21st century.
The new product name: "The Idiot-Proof Athletic Genius Body Adjustment Exoskeleton."
The R&D team got busy with product planning and market research, while Rinji and Miyuki resumed attending classes.
Today, second-years had P.E., and the activity was volleyball.
Miyuki donned his gym clothes, tossed the ball lightly into the air, and then smashed it with full force.
Boom!
The ball exploded across the net before the opponents could even react—point scored.
"That was awesome…"
"As expected of President Shirogane!"
"Smart and athletic—he's the total package!"
"So handsome~"
The second-year students sitting on the sidelines clapped enthusiastically as they watched the match.
Outside the gym window, Takamine Rinji nodded in satisfaction.
"Looks like my efforts weren't wasted."
"Hey, which class are you from?"
"Huh?"
Rinji turned around to find a stern-looking P.E. teacher standing beside him.
"Teacher, I was just watching the game."
"I asked, which class are you in?"
"Class 3-B."
"Don't lie to me! You're clearly a first-year!"
"Wow, you figured that out?"
"Cut the crap. I know who you are—the student who got suspended for fighting. Back at school and already stirring up trouble?"
"You're reading too much into it. I really am just watching the game."
"It's class time."
"Exactly. I'm skipping class to watch."
"You little… so you don't plan on being a good student, huh?"
"Ah, sensei, look! Someone in the gym is playing on a game console!"
"Where—"
Thud!
Just as the teacher turned his head, Rinji chopped him in the neck, knocking him out cold, then dragged the unconscious man into a nearby bush.
"There. Peace and quiet."
Back in the gym, Miyuki scored another point with a powerful spike. The match ended with a 25:7 score. His team had won.
As a crowd gathered around him, Miyuki seemed to notice something and waved toward someone.
The direction he waved? Straight toward Class A, where Shinomiya Kaguya sat.
Kaguya blushed and waved back shyly.
What she didn't know was that behind her—through the glass window—stood Takamine Rinji, who had watched the entire match.
The person Miyuki had really been waving to… was him.