"Today's my lucky day! I got a pretty boy's LINE~"
Sakura hugged her phone with a huge smile.
For a girl who came to the gym hoping to meet someone, getting the LINE of an ideal guy was definitely worth celebrating.
"Wait a sec… why is his LINE profile pic a muscle man?"
She stared at the new contact labeled "Takamine Rinji"—the avatar was the muscular back of a bodybuilding celebrity.
"Looks like he really wants to bulk up." Machio, still in his "Muscle Demon" form, laughed behind her.
"Please no. It doesn't suit him at all."
"Hahahaha…"
"Coach Machio."
A staff member at the gym suddenly called out.
Machio walked over, puzzled. "What's up?"
"That barbell earlier—the one stacked with all the plates—who was using it?"
"That was Rinji-kun. A new member today. Hardworking kid," Machio replied with a smile. "Why?"
"Well… just come take a look."
Confused, Machio followed the staff to the bench press area where Rinji had trained.
One look at the barbell and Machio's face turned serious.
"This… this is…"
The weight plates on both ends were fine—but the bar itself had been damaged.
The solid stainless-steel bar was bent on both sides, clearly warped by someone's grip strength.
"Coach Machio… this is kind of terrifying."
"I know… But nothing too serious. Just replace the bar." Machio forced a smile.
"Right. I'll get on that."
---
Gulp gulp gulp~
It was already late when Rinji left the gym. As he walked, he drank the protein shake Machio had given him.
Bench pressing 450kg had no effect on him. Even at 600kg, it still felt effortless. Machio said he'd look into equipment overseas for their next session.
After finishing the shake, Rinji pulled out his phone and made a call.
"Hello?"
"Hey, President? Sorry, my gym session ran late. Is it still okay if I head over?"
"No problem. Dad won't be home till late anyway," replied Shirogane Miyuki.
"You guys must be hungry too. Want me to pick up something? There's a supermarket nearby."
"I'll cook tonight. Just grab some bean sprouts and eggs or whatever. Try to keep it under 10,000 yen."
"10,000, huh…"
Rinji could tell Shirogane wanted him to pay this time. Usually Rinji bought the ingredients and cooked, and Shirogane probably felt guilty about it. But considering their family's financial situation, this was his way of contributing.
Given that Shirogane made 1,000 yen an hour on weekends, spending 10,000 yen on groceries was a big splurge.
"Got it. I'll keep it under 10k."
"Thanks. When do you think you'll arrive?"
"About 40 minutes after I buy the groceries."
"Alright."
After hanging up, Rinji looked at the darkening sky and headed toward the supermarket.
---
About 20 minutes later, Rinji walked out carrying a bag of groceries. Besides the ingredients Shirogane asked for, he'd also picked up some snacks for Kei Shirogane.
The sky was fully dark now, and the street lamps were lit.
Seeing that the Shirogane home was only 2 kilometers away, Rinji decided to walk there slowly.
As he strolled through a nearby dim alley, he checked the time on his phone.
"Should be enough time. But just to be safe, maybe I'll jog… Hmm?"
Suddenly, Rinji sensed something was wrong.
A faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the air. And faintly, he could hear screams—and the sound of shouting.
He followed the noise. It grew louder—along with the thuds of fists hitting flesh.
Up ahead, a short man was hiding behind a utility pole, peeking nervously.
"Sir."
"Eek!!"
The man jumped in fright. But when he saw Rinji—a high school boy—he sighed in relief.
"Scared me half to death…"
"What are you watching?"
Rinji was about to take a look when the man blocked him.
"Wait! Kid, don't look! You'll have nightmares!"
"That's a little dramatic, isn't it?"
Ignoring the man's panicked tone, Rinji stepped forward and looked toward the commotion.
Before he could get a clear view, a loud boom rang out. A massive shadow blocked out the streetlight above, casting darkness over Rinji and the man.
"AAAHHHH!!!"
The man dropped to the ground and covered his head, screaming. Rinji just frowned slightly—and raised his hand.
Boom!
Something massive crashed toward him. It was a hulking, two-meter-tall brute with massive muscles—but his face was bloodied and twisted as if smashed by a blunt weapon.
Rinji caught the 100kg+ man one-handed, then looked forward.
There stood a man in a hoodie, face splattered with blood.
"So it was just a street fight? I thought it was something more serious."
Casually tossing the unconscious muscleman to the ground with a dull thud, Takamine Rinji turned to the still-trembling uncle and said, "Call an ambulance, and if you're up for it, the cops too. I've got dinner plans at a classmate's place, so I won't get involved."
Without waiting for a response, he picked up his grocery bag and kept walking forward.
As he passed the man in the hoodie, the latter suddenly grinned maliciously and swung a palm toward Rinji's neck.
Smack!
But it didn't land. His hand was completely stopped—gripped tightly in Rinji's palm.
The man wasn't flustered. Instead, he smiled and said, "You're strong, aren't you?"
"I'm alright. So, can I go now?"
"Fight me."
"I'll pass."
Rinji turned to face him, his pupils glowing a demonic red in the dark alley.
"Young man, you should treasure your life. Don't go throwing it away."