Chapter 274: Machio's Surprise and a Call from the Queen
"Oh my," Kirari's voice was a silken murmur, her smile as captivating as it was unnerving as her gaze fell upon Kasugano Sora. "If it isn't little Sora. You're as quiet and well-behaved as ever, aren't you?"
Kasugano Sora flinched, her grip tightening on the black rabbit plushie she held protectively against her chest. Her usual aloofness, a defensive shell she wore around strangers, simply evaporated in the presence of certain people. With figures like Ren and Yumiko, who felt like true older siblings, her guarded nature softened into quiet obedience. She simply couldn't bring herself to be difficult with them.
And then there were people like Momobami Kirari—a terrifyingly sharp and unpredictable older sister figure. While Kirari had always treated her with a strange sort of kindness, the memory of being effortlessly outmaneuvered by that brilliant, predatory mind left a permanent chill in its wake.
A short distance away, Machio Naruzo turned, his ever-present, cheerful smile freezing on his face as his eyes landed on Ren. The sheer surprise was evident on the mountain of a man's features. Sakura Hibiki, noticing the sudden tension, quickly started an introduction. "Brother Ren, this is—"
Ren cut her off with a casual wave of his hand. "It's alright, I know Machio." He shot a grin at the bodybuilder. "In fact, I'd say we're quite familiar with each other. Isn't that right?"
Machio snapped out of his stupor, his expression shifting to one of pure, unadulterated excitement. "Sir! It's been too long!"
Ren chuckled, a hint of helplessness in his tone. "Easy there. All I did was offer a couple of pointers. I'm hardly your teacher." He added with a wry smile, "Besides, your own instructor has some pretty impressive muscles himself."
"Eh?" Sakura asked, her head tilting in confusion. "Brother Ren, you know Machio-san?"
Machio's broad smile returned, full of reverence. "Of course! A while back, when I was studying training methods abroad, I ran into Sir at a gym right after a competition. He saw me pushing through another workout and approached me. He told me that while building mass is important, integrating combat techniques would enhance muscle activation and bring out far greater definition."
Ren smiled, recalling the moment. "So, what did you end up practicing after that, Machio? Sanda? Muay Thai?"
"Sanda, Sir!" Machio answered with the crispness of a soldier reporting to his commander.
Ren nodded in approval. "Good choice. I can see it in the shape of your legs. The results have been even better than you expected, haven't they?"
"Yes, Sir!" Machio's voice boomed with gratitude. "Both of your lessons have benefited me immensely! But Sir, what brings you to the gym today? I had no idea you'd be here!"
Ren waved his hand dismissively. "Just here to have a little fun, not for any official event. If I happen to run into you, great. If not, no big deal. Besides," he added, "we'll have plenty of chances to meet. My shop is in this city, after all."
"Oh! You mean the restaurant you mentioned before, Sir!" Machio's eyes lit up. "I absolutely have to visit when I get the chance. I hear it's been packed with customers lately, though, so finding the time might be tricky."
"That's probably for the best," Ren teased. "If you came, Machio, you'd probably undo an entire day's worth of training in one sitting."
Machio just laughed, a deep and hearty sound. "I have faith that Sir would prepare a low-fat meal just for me. But even if I did ruin a day's progress, it wouldn't matter. I'd just double my efforts the next day. Didn't you also say that life is meant to be enjoyed, Sir? Surely taking a little time for pleasure now and then isn't a problem, right?"
"Naturally," Ren agreed with a smile.
While Ren and Machio caught up, Kirari's own "chat" with Kasugano Sora continued. Or rather, Kirari was chatting happily; Sora looked like she was on the verge of tears. The tipping point had come when Sōryūin Akemi, with the innocent enthusiasm of someone walking into a minefield, had cheerfully revealed everything about Sora moving into Ren's shop and transferring to Koyo Girl's Academy.
The briefest flicker of something sharp and calculating passed through Kirari's eyes before her smile widened, becoming a mask of gentle disappointment. "Oh my, Sora, you really are something else. To think you've recovered so well and didn't even bother to tell your big sister." Her voice dripped with false sweetness. "And transferring schools... Is Hyakkaou Private Academy not to your liking?"
Sakura Hibiki and the others exchanged helpless glances. It's your own school, don't you know what it's like?! They could almost picture poor, fragile Sora being swallowed whole by the den of sharks that was Hyakkaou. The thought alone was terrifying. 'Besides,'a stray thought drifted through their collective minds,'there's an unspoken rule: only one person with a signature plushie per academy!'
Kirari reached out and gently pinched Sora's pale cheek. "So, you little thing, you haven't even finished setting up your new home yet? Honestly, what am I to do with you? I do hope the person Shion found to help is reliable."
Sōryūin Akemi watched from the side, her lips sealed. She didn't dare utter a single word. Even her own formidable sister was no match for the smiling girl before them. For her to step in would be asking for a world of trouble.
Ren's gaze shifted to their little group, and he decided to intervene. "I have to admit, seeing you bring Sora along was a bit of a surprise." He addressed the quiet girl directly, his tone gentle. "Sora, how are you finding it? Getting along with Ayaka and the others must be a lot better than dealing with the people you were around before, right?"
Kasugano Sora considered this for a moment before giving a small, hesitant nod. "It is," she said softly. "But... I still feel like Koyo Academy is a very strange place. Overall, though... it feels pretty good."
"Strange? Did you meet someone in particular?" Ren asked.
"Oh..." Sora's voice was barely a whisper. "Aunt Yakusha..."
The moment the name left her lips, Sora, despite her fear, caught the barest, almost imperceptible twitch at the corner of Kirari's smiling mouth. In that instant, a revelation struck her with the force of a lightning bolt. A lifeline! 'That's it!'a desperate hope surged within her.'Aunt Yakusha... she's someone even Kirari-nee has to be wary of! She's too powerful! I have to stick close to her!'
Ren sighed, a helpless smile on his face. "Aunt Yakusha, huh... That explains it. But how did you all run into her? She should have been teaching a class around that time." He paused, then remembered. "Oh, right. Koyo Academy has open classes now. I suppose not many students actually attend those."
Sakura Hibiki waved her hand dismissively. "The top students all go find teachers to ask questions about things they don't understand, the average ones just want to pass, and the bad students just ditch to go have fun."
Ayaka chimed in, her tone laced with amusement. "Hibiki... have you forgotten that you only recently clawed your way up to 'average' yourself?"
"Details, details! That's all in the past," Hibiki declared, puffing out her chest. "It just proves that more exercise really does help the brain!"
Kasugano Sora fell silent, pondering this. She considered herself quite intelligent, but her academic performance had never been particularly stellar. Could it be, she wondered, that it was somehow connected to her sedentary lifestyle?
Ren clapped his hands together, the sharp sound cutting through their chatter. "Alright, listen up," he said with a smile. "While Kirari, Sayaka, and I are just here to have some fun, the rest of you need to train hard. Especially you, Sora."
A chorus of "Yes!" rang out from four of the girls.
A tiny, reluctant voice followed. "Ah? Do I... really have to practice?"
"Of course," Ren's tone was gentle but firm. "But we'll start you off slow. For now, just focus on your arms. It's a simple foundation. I remember Gina also specializes in arms, right? You two can be partners. Gina, I want you to guide Sora. For the weight, just use the absolute minimum. The rep count isn't high, just five sets. Once you're done with all of them, just take a light walk on an inclined treadmill."
"Oh..." Sora mumbled in acceptance.
"Okay! Leave it to me, Ren-ge!" Gina replied enthusiastically.
Sōryūin Akemi looked at Ren, confused. "Ren-ge, where are you going?"
Ren smoothly stepped over and looped an arm around Kirari's waist, pulling her away from the group. "I'm going to help this little shark stretch out her muscles," he announced with a wink. "You all get started on your practice. Machio, you should probably get back to your students, right?"
"Yes, Sir!" Machio replied, snapping a crisp salute.
Ren gently guided Kirari away, ignoring her playful pout that suggested she wanted to stay and chat more. He knew perfectly well that if she remained, her overwhelming presence would make it impossible for Sora and the others to focus on their workout.
"Oh my, Ren," Kirari purred, leaning into his side as they walked. "You're so impatient. I never would have guessed."
"Just trying to be a competent coach," he replied smoothly. "Is that so wrong?"
"And what does a 'competent coach' receive?" she mused, her eyes glinting. "A reward? Perhaps... a grand prize package?"
"Something like that," he admitted with a grin.
"Well now," Kirari's voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "That all depends on your performance, doesn't it? Hmm? Is your phone ringing?"
Ren pulled his phone from his pocket, his casual expression freezing the moment he saw the screen. The caller ID was one he hadn't expected to see again so soon.
It was a call from Lucifer, the Queen of Hell, and given how unyielding she'd been earlier that day, this was anything but a social call.
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