Chapter 2: Sharp Wit Breaks the Villain’s Words, Unmasking the Resilient and Shattering Defenses

“…Huh??”

This counts as a reward?

What kind of reward is this!

And what’s with that ability I got!

[Ability: One Carrot, One Hole]

[Description: Carrots are great, but rabbits don’t like carrots—they prefer leafy greens.]

[Don’t force rabbits to eat carrots! That’s super rude!]

[Details: Designate one item as a carrot and a hole no larger than the carrot as a pit. When activated, it teleports the user near the pit and places the carrot in it.]

…What a garbage description, pure bullsh*t!

Looks like even the system’s unreliable these days.

Guessing he’d have to start by approaching Shizuku Sakurai.

But before Su Buyu could step forward, someone else beat him to it, rushing toward Shizuku Sakurai with concern from the alley’s entrance.

“Shizuku Sakurai, are you okay?”

A voice thick with worry and anxiety squeezed from his throat.

He adjusted his slipping gold-rimmed glasses, struggling to suppress his panic, glancing at the thugs around the girl while speaking softly with a trembling tone.

“I heard from a classmate you were fighting, so I rushed over.”

“Seeing you’re fine is such a relief!”

He rolled up his sleeve, forcing a smile.

But no matter how caring his tone, Shizuku Sakurai just gave the boy a flat look, a flicker of confusion in her eyes, her mind brewing with distaste.

This feeling made her part her lips slightly, raise a delicate brow, and ask,

“…Uh… who are you?”

The boy froze at her words, his smile stiffening.

He met Shizuku Sakurai’s gaze, his heart jolting.

Cold and sharp, her agate-like eyes glinted in the dim alley, like the chilling light of an interrogation room, making his skin crawl.

Even so, he forced a smile, quickly regaining composure, pointing to himself as he explained.

“Me? I’m Hideo Saiki, your classmate from the next class!”

“When I heard you were surrounded, I came to help right away.”

“But looks like you didn’t need any help… heh.”

He stepped closer, revealing his face.

Under the noon sunlight, Su Buyu finally saw the boy clearly.

And… his disgust.

Don’t let the gold-rimmed glasses, tousled hair covering his eyes, and standard anime-protagonist look fool you.

Quite the opposite.

Hideo Saiki was an utterly despicable creep.

First, that stone meant to hurt Shizuku Sakurai? He threw it.

Second, he was secretly tight with those thugs, scheming to get his hands on Shizuku Sakurai’s body, craving a taste he’d never had.

Lastly, he colluded with the Lustful Defiled Gods’ followers, offering Shizuku Sakurai as a vessel for their spread.

Throughout, he never treated Shizuku Sakurai as a person, just a tool for his pleasure.

And to think Shizuku Sakurai gave Hideo Saiki gifts every holiday.

What’s the point?

No matter how many gifts, would the piercing pain of the Lustful Defiled Gods’ tentacles stabbing her spine make him feel a shred of guilt?

Not a chance!

Su Buyu couldn’t forget the tragedy and chaos on Shizuku Sakurai’s youthful, beautiful face when Hideo Saiki revealed the truth.

Tears streamed down her cheeks like a broken dam, staining her clothes, mixing with the dust’s murky hue.

Everything was ruined in this alley.

And now, Su Buyu stood here, at the story’s start, with a chance to change it!

He couldn’t stand this guy achieving his vile goals!

Nor could he allow him to live peacefully after such wrongs!

He’d expose his lies.

Stepping forward, the clatter of a kicked soda can echoed through the alley, the cool breeze sweeping away his frustration.

Su Buyu emerged from the shadows, the rustle of his plastic bag drawing Hideo Saiki and Shizuku Sakurai’s eyes to his face.

His sharp jawline tightened like a blade, the shadow of his brow casting a faint menace over his blazing eyes.

His tousled hair shaped into sharp angles by the wind, the pale veins on his neck like unripe almond shells, evoking a hot-blooded manga protagonist.

But unlike those heroes, this boy carried a touch of solemnity and anger.

Hideo Saiki, startled by this unexpected figure, bit his lip and instinctively stepped back.

“You…”

He barely pointed, half a sentence out, when the figure cut him off sharply.

“Hideo Saiki… I remember you’re in the baseball club, right?”

“What’s your angle? Why were you standing behind Shizuku Sakurai? Planning to sneak attack her?”

Hideo Saiki didn’t answer Su Buyu’s question directly.

Instead, he turned the suspicion back on Su Buyu, casting a kind glance at Shizuku Sakurai.

“That guy’s dangerous, come here quick.”

His tone was gentle, as if afraid to startle her.

Hideo Saiki spoke slowly, each word clear, echoing in the alley as if carved into its walls, lingering until only their faint breaths remained.

Shizuku Sakurai’s skeptical gaze swept over both boys.

Finally…

Her eyes settled on Hideo Saiki.

“Exactly! Shizuku Sakurai, that guy’s a nobody, holding a shady black plastic bag, looking all cold—not a good guy at all.”

“So come to me. Aren’t I the safer choice? Trust me, Shizuku Sakurai!”

Seeing her look his way, Hideo Saiki felt victory within reach.

After all, he’d played his part so well, while this guy was just some sketchy stranger.

Plus, that black plastic bag—by all accounts, he looked like a creepy pervert.

But Hideo Saiki was different, sweating and rushing over, with the added credibility of being her classmate from the next class, far closer than this guy.

So, in the end, any normal person would choose him!

You lose!

Suppressing a smug grin, Hideo Saiki confidently wiped the sweat from his brow, certain the outcome was sealed.

Until he saw Shizuku Sakurai walk toward the other boy, his confidence faded, replaced by confusion.

“Wait… wait!”

“That guy’s a stranger!”

He panicked.

Hideo Saiki moved to stop Shizuku Sakurai from falling into a trap, but her impatient tone cut him off.

“Ugh, you’ve been yapping nonstop, it’s driving me nuts—shut up already!”

Her pale hand rubbed her slender neck in irritation, shooting Hideo Saiki a sidelong glance as she clicked her tongue.

“But…”

“What ‘but’? Of course I know this guy’s suspicious!”

“Only…”

Shizuku Sakurai paused, turning to Su Buyu, her gaze softening suddenly.

“Compared to you, I trust this weird guy more.”

Her baseless judgment caught even Su Buyu off guard, and he blurted out,

“You’re so reckless.”

After all, to outsiders, he was exactly as Hideo Saiki described—just some oddball.

Appearing out of nowhere.

Rudely interrupting Hideo Saiki.

Naming his identity without proof.

No matter how you looked at it, Hideo Saiki seemed more trustworthy.

But… what did Shizuku Sakurai think?

Arms crossed, she tilted her head, grinning at his dark eyes.

“Hey, don’t call me reckless. After all, just now…”

“You’re the one who blocked that stone for me, right?”

“After something like that, what, you’re secretly plotting to harm me or something? No way, right? Hm?”

She squinted her right eye, stuck out her tongue, and gave him a thumbs-up from under her arm.

Her lively demeanor was less delinquent, more like a sunny girl next door, radiating sunflower-like energy.

This sight reminded Su Buyu of Shizuku Sakurai at the game’s start.

Youthful, vibrant, always fighting for others.

At the chapter’s opening, the developers went out of their way to highlight her cheerful moments.

Back then, Su Buyu didn’t get why they spent so much effort on it.

But now… was it to make the sweet sting sharper?

Su Buyu exhaled softly, giving a bitter smile.

Seeing his downcast look, Shizuku Sakurai seemed surprised.

“Hey, hey, hey! What’s with you? I chose you over him, and you’re not happy? Don’t look so glum—did picking you disappoint you or something?”

She reached to tug at Su Buyu’s cheek.

But before her hand moved, she remembered something.

“Right, what’s the deal with Hideo Saiki being in the baseball club? Why’d you ask?”

“That…”

Su Buyu gazed at the distant street, then up at the alley’s dappled light, before silently pointing at the shocked face.

“Because…”

“The one who tried to hurt you…”

“Might be Hideo Saiki.”

His eyes fixed on the other’s sleeve.

The stains on the rolled-up school uniform sleeve were proof of a baseball club pitcher.