NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15 - I'll Beat You Up
“So, Charlotte, what are your plans from here?”
When I asked, Charlotte put her hand on her chin and thought for a moment.
“Well, I’m thinking of attending the same school as Ryuji. Being a high school girl is perfect for hiding.”
“Indeed. Call me ‘Fushimi’ or ‘Jinta’ at school, alright?”
“At school, sure. But in private, I’ll still call you Ryuji. Your appearance may have changed, but you’re still Ryuji inside.”
“What’s with that… Also, be careful, okay?”
When I said that, Charlotte tilted her head.
“Be careful about what?”
“Because you might get a lot of attention at high school.”
“Because I’ll be popular?”
“…Strange guys might approach you.”
When I said that, Charlotte grinned wickedly.
“What’s with her?”
After finishing my canned coffee, I squeezed the can tightly in my hand. However, the can didn’t deform at all.
(I can’t even crush a steel can with one hand. I definitely need to train this body.)
“Charlotte, do you have any money?”
“Are you already asking for cash? I’ll expose it, you know?”
“You’re relentless. No, I want to do some strength training. Since I have the weekend off starting tomorrow, I thought I’d join a gym to work on this feeble body.”
“Oh, I see. So, you need money for that?”
“It’s more efficient with equipment.”
“Got it.”
Saying that, Charlotte handed me about ten bills from her long wallet.
I decided to comment on it.
“…No, no, this isn’t right.”
“Is it not enough? Hold on, I’ll withdraw some more money at the convenience store over there.”
“No, that’s not it. Listen…”
Charlotte looked puzzled, not understanding what was wrong.
Right, Charlotte used to work as a mercenary. She saved up a lot of money because she was always tinkering with computers and didn’t spend much.
She probably doesn’t have a good sense of money either.
“You shouldn’t lend money so easily. Be more hesitant.”
“I’m not lending it; I’m giving it to Ryuji.”
“It’s still not right! Don’t just give away money so easily!”
Charlotte replied with a bewildered expression.
“Listen, Ryuji. If it weren’t for you, I’d be dead. Do you think giving you some money is too much for what you did?”
“Th-that’s not the point! I’ve saved your life several times during our mercenary days.”
“But in the end, we need money, right? Just accept it.”
“Fine, but I’m just borrowing it, okay? I’ll definitely pay it back.”
“That’s fine.”
I noted the amount Charlotte lent me on my smartphone. This included the lunch and canned coffee expenses.
“Anyway, it seems like you’re really looking forward to strength training. It’s not just about hardship, is it?”
“Well, people who like strength training are said to be masochists.”
“I see. I’ll assist you, then!”
Saying that, Charlotte sang a tune while rotating her shoulders.
Stop it.
“…But, it’s nice to get beaten up.”
When I mumbled that, Charlotte’s face turned bright red, and she became flustered.
“Huh, really!? Wait, wait a minute! Can I do it as well to—”
“No way. Don’t get any weird ideas.”
I firmly denied it.
Why is she suddenly getting so enthusiastic about it?
Bam!
The sound, as if to drown out the laughter, echoed through the room. It was the sound of a boxer hitting a punching bag.
The boxer, veins popping on his forehead, stood in front of me, blocking my way.
“Hey, you brat, you’re not here to disturb our practice, are you?”
“I came here to be your practice partner. Isn’t that an honor?”
“A smart-ass like you isn’t welcome here.”
“Sorry, seems like I mistook this place for a fitness club. Your punches were so weak, I got confused.”
I cracked an American-style joke that Aaron taught me, and the boxer lost his temper.
“Fine, then. There’s no coach here right now. I’ll beat you to a pulp. And don’t tell anyone about this!”
He’s probably an amateur boxer who can’t make it pro. He wants to beat me up even if he has to make me promise not to talk about it.
“Hey, hey, hey, the guy’s dead serious. Aoshima lost it!”
“It’s a good thing! We can’t allow some nerd to bring such a cute girl here!”
“His girlfriend will be disappointed and dump him, for sure!”
“Aoshima, go for it! Gahaha!”
To make it more like sparring, I also put on headgear and gloves.
Charlotte, looking worried, whispered to me.
“Ryuji, be careful.”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
As I stepped into the ring and faced the boxer named Aoshima, Charlotte continued to speak.
“—Don’t hurt your opponent too much.”
“Sure, I’ll go easy.”
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