6 Chapter 6: Troubles and Relocation

Three months later.

Mid-spring had arrived, painting the streets with vibrant cherry blossom hues. Tree branches adorned with lush flowers created an airy lace canopy over the heads of passersby. During this time, when my peers headed to school, I stood at the entrance of the club, watching the crowd with a stoic expression.

"Listen, Toji," Akira addressed me, monotonously checking each visitor with a metal detector. "Can you lend me ten thousand?"

"Sorry, I've got next to nothing in my pockets," I replied quietly, sighing. My finances were stretched thin. "I'll have to make it to the next paycheck myself."

"Again?" He looked at me with bewilderment. "You keep misplacing your money. Maybe stop buying unnecessary stuff?"

"But that gadget was really necessary," I defended, recalling my latest purchase, an unnecessary electronic device that promised to simplify life but ended up unused. "One day I have money, and the next day, it's gone. Maybe someone is stealing?"

"I doubt it," he yawned. "Your apartment is not noteworthy, not worth the risk."

"Maybe install cameras?" I suggested, already envisioning a sophisticated security system.

"That's what I'm talking about," Akira slapped his forehead and shook his head. "You spend money on unnecessary things."

"Alright, alright, I'll be more careful," I replied, distracted by the noise of several approaching cars. "Who's coming now?"

He looked attentively in that direction.

"Boss's partner," he explained. "Haven't seen him for a while, so you're not familiar with him."

"Got it," I shrugged, showing little interest. "Is there always so much security with him?"

"Usually no, just a couple of people," Akira frowned. "Stay alert."

A dozen people in tightly fitting black suits emerged from three cars. Each of them moved synchronously and decisively, leaving the impression of a well-coordinated team. With each step they took, my intuition signaled an increasing threat, so I prepared myself.

"No weapons," my companion whispered to me.

He had an X-ray quirk that he developed to detect metallic objects and such. A pretty handy quirk for a security guard, although it would be more useful in medicine, but my partner preferred simplicity.

"Hello, Taichibana-san," he greeted with a friendly smile, passing by us. He glanced back at his guards. "Wait here; I'll be back in a moment."

At that moment, I felt someone invisible following him. My reflexes kicked in instantly, and I grabbed the invisible intruder by the throat.

"Hey, I said stay here," I hissed.

Everything around froze for a moment, but then actions unfolded at a furious pace. I struck the invisible intruder in the solar plexus and attacked the others.

"Akira, catch the bastard!" I yelled, heading towards the group.

My partner quickly ran into the club. One of the enemies, possessing a stone quirk, delivered a powerful blow, but I managed to block it.

"Out of the way!" shouted another, launching a fireball in my direction.

I dodged and was about to counterattack, but several people attacked me simultaneously. I found myself surrounded, but did it even matter?

"I suggest you surrender; I promise not to beat you up too much," I smirked, pulling out a collapsible iron truncheon.

They glanced at each other and began to laugh.

"I was about to suggest the same..." one of them began to say, but his words cut off when I accurately hit him on the temple.

Another tried to attack from behind, but I sensed his movement. Turning, I met his blow and, grabbing his arm, twisted it behind his back, applying pressure until I heard a crunch. He fell to his knees, screaming in pain.

Two more tried to attack simultaneously. One threw another fireball at me, but this time, I just lunged through it and, at the same moment, made a lunge forward, hitting the opponent in the nose. A momentary disorientation, and he was already lying on the ground.

I jumped to the side to avoid the stone user's attack. Landing, I threw my truncheon at him. It hit him on the head, and he collapsed unconscious.

The remaining opponents seemed disoriented by my decisive attack and speed. I didn't give them time to think. With a swift motion, I grabbed one of them and threw him into another, knocking them off their feet.

Throughout this time, I was in the heat of battle, relying on my instincts and reflexes. I could feel adrenaline coursing through my veins, providing strength and confidence.

When the last of the opponents fell, I looked around.

It had all ended as quickly as it began. I stood amidst defeated enemies, slightly catching my breath.

"Well, got what you deserved, losers," I grinned, kicking one of them in the head. "Know your place."

Taking a deep breath and wiping the sweat from my forehead, I headed inside the building. My steps echoed in the empty corridors. When I reached the VIP area, a scene of havoc unfolded before me.

The first thing that caught my eye was the lifeless body of the club owner lying on the floor. Next to him, with a shattered head, lay a man who had likely infiltrated.

"...Toji," a familiar voice wheezed.

I turned and saw Akira sitting against the wall, clutching his neck with his hands. Judging by the amount of blood, things were not looking good.

"You're not on the list," I grimly remarked, carefully moving Tachibana's body off him.

The man coughed and looked at me, his eyes calm.

"These bastards... they came... for the documents," he groaned, struggling to speak. "Tachibana... traitor."

I nodded, already understanding the situation. It wasn't just a raid; it was betrayal and conspiracy.

"Got it," I replied, surveying the wreckage around. "Stay here; I'll call for help."

It was clear that quick action was crucial. I pulled out my phone and called an ambulance, explaining the situation. Then I left the room and headed to the boss's office.

Since he was no longer alive, whoever was responsible for all this would soon take over the club and everything the previous owner possessed. Therefore, the best decision was to disappear while I still could.

In the boss's office, I quickly located the safe. Wearing gloves, I entered the pin code, guided by the scent. The safe door clicked open, revealing a stack of banknotes.

"I'm just taking my salary," I whispered to myself, eyeing the bills. "Well, and a bonus, along with vacation pay won't hurt."

I quickly stuffed a million yen into my pockets and, hearing the approaching ambulance, exited the building through a window. Jumping down, I swiftly headed to my temporary home to gather my belongings.

Staying in the Shinjuku area was now dangerous. I decided to move to another district, Edogawa, which Akira mentioned as a calm place.

Having gathered all the essentials, I boarded the subway. The journey was quiet and serene, giving me time to contemplate. I pondered the possible options for my next steps.

When I stepped out at the Edogawa station, the alarm subsided. There was less noise and hustle here. I found a small apartment near the subway station and rented it, realizing it would be my new home for the foreseeable future.

Standing by the window of my new apartment, I looked at the streets of Edogawa, imprinting them in my memory. Now I had money and a new sanctuary. Just had to start job hunting again.

"Heh... damn burns, still stinging," I muttered, feeling the unpleasant burning sensation on my skin.

The day ended with my first visit to the pharmacy in the new area. With the help of a consultant, I picked a few ointments for treating burns and bruises, feeling slightly awkward about such purchases.

Returning home, I carefully treated the wounds, experiencing relief from the cool cream on my skin. Sitting in the dimly lit room, I contemplated my next moves. Life in Edogawa promised to be different, more peaceful, but I knew that calmness could be deceiving.

As I pondered the future, the lights of nighttime Tokyo peacefully twinkled outside my window. Life continued, and I was ready for changes.

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