Saeko seemed to take this as a cue to move as well. She stood right behind Tysone as he flung the bus door open. Kohta took one last look at Takashi—who remained glued to his spot, staring in disbelief at the corpses on the ground and their approaching aggressors—and with an uncertain smile, climbed down to join Tysone and Saeko.
Rei didn't stay idle either. Saya wanted to join in as well, but—"You stay here, Saya." Tysone made her stay put. Considering the type of conflict, he turned towards Miku and Mai. "You two stay here as well."
"Wait a sec-" Mai was the first one to speak. "Why can't we-"
Tysone's glare cut Mai off mid-sentence, his voice low and unyielding. "Because I don't want you to take a risk."
Before Mai could protest again, Saeko stepped forward. "This isn't the time." She said softly. "Nothing will happen."
Outside, the roar of engines grew louder, the two bikers flanking the sides of the bus revving their engines in unison, as some sort of crude intimidation tactic. Tysone narrowed his eyes through the helmet. "Kohta." He muttered, not taking his eyes off the nearest biker. "Cover me."
Kohta gave a stiff nod, gripping his modified nail gun like it was an extension of himself.
The first biker mounted off his bike and came in fast, his crowbar raised high.
Tysone read the timing and rushed forward to meet the strike. Tysone wouldn't go as far as calling himself a bonafide expert, but when it came to martial arts, he considered himself rather accomplished.
As such, when the crowbar was swung towards his head, Tysone maneuvered deftly to the left, allowing the incoming weapon to graze past him before it made impact with the ground.
Then, with the slightest of flexes, he shot forth his gloved hand and chopped the assassin right in the throat.
The biker stumbled back in surprise, reaching to cover his exposed neck, giving Tysone a chance to strike again, this time with his javelin. In a swift, yet efficient motion, his weapon plunged itself deep within the man's chest, skewering through muscle and tendon alike.
Another biker, from the sideline, dashed towards them in an attempt to provide assistance. But Saeko had always been lightning on her feet, and the first sign of movement from her opponents had already telegraphed his movements clearly in her mind's eye.
Saeko dropped her shoulders. Tysone read the cue instantly and got the hell out of the way, giving room for the princess of the kendo club to charge headfirst into the enemy's flank, her wooden sword arcing through the air.
What could the rest expect? That flimsy wooden weapon of hers? They had nothing to worry about.
Right?
WHACK!
Saeko's wooden weapon crushed down onto the biker's forearm, snapping the bone with an audible crack, eliciting a scream. She kicked him in the chest, knocking him back, and delivered another heavy stroke onto his left knee, shattering the kneecap and sending him sprawling with an agonizing shriek.
Behind them, Rei frowned as she retreated constantly to dodge a biker's ferocious charge. It didn't help that those bastards had placed their bikes in a way that the headlights were directed squarely at her. Blinding her with bright lights made Rei's struggle even greater, to the point where the girl wasn't given even a second of rest.
Rei's breathing quickened. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as sweat began forming on her brow. Her opponent charged towards her in a wild frenzy, brandishing a kitchen knife, of all things, in one hand, as if trying to intimidate her with his reach.
Rei waited until her enemy drew closer. With the motorcycle roaring mere meters away, Rei flipped backwards and narrowly dodged his slash, slamming down the hilt of her spear onto his neck, just below the helmet. With that hit, her opponent let out a painful gurgle and fell forward, his face hitting the asphalt hard.
However, there wasn't a chance of resting for the timid girl. Another enemy was fast approaching her position.
However, a swift projectile perforated through his thigh before Rei could even think of fending off her new attacker.
Rei turned and found herself looking at Kohta with her jaw agape. "Nice aim." She shouted, showing her appreciation.
"Kick their asses and make my job easy for me." Was Kohta's answer.
Tysone twisted his javelin free from the biker's chest, and the man crumpled to the ground with a guttural sound. Blood pooled beneath him, mixing with the streaks of oil and shattered glass on the pavement.
The rest of the bikers, however, didn't flinch. If anything, they seemed more enraged, revving their engines louder, forming a loose semi-circle around the bus and the fighters.
Saeko stood beside Tysone, her wooden sword resting against her shoulder, her violet eyes fixed on the circling men. She wasn't rattled. If anything, she looked… thrilled. The slight curve of a smile played at her lips, the same look she'd get when a battle was just beginning.
Rei gritted her teeth, shifting her grip on her spear. Kohta reloaded his nail gun with mechanical precision, his eyes darting between each target.
Tysone made sure to keep all of 'em in his peripheral. But those damn bastards kept popping out like pimples. The headlights on his face made it hard to see beyond a few meters, so it was possible there were others who were lurking beyond the light.
Then, a low voice cut through the noise.
"Enough."
The roar of engines slowly died down. One of the bikers stepped forward—the leader, judging by the way the others shifted to make space for him.
He was a tall man with a shaved head, a scar running down his cheek like a jagged bolt of lightning. His leather jacket bore a patch with a crude skull and crossbones emblem.
He tilted his head, a sly smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You've got guts, I'll give you that." He said, his voice rough like gravel. "Not many would take out my men and stand their ground."
Tysone didn't lower his weapon. "You left us no choice."
The leader chuckled. "Fair enough. But you're not exactly in a winning position, are you?" His eyes flicked to the bus. "You've got women and kids in there. Maybe we should have a little talk before more of my boys get hurt."
"Talk about what?" Saeko asked, her tone neutral but her grip on the bokken tightening.
The biker's gaze lingered on her for a beat too long. "Well now, sweetheart—"
"Don't." Tysone said sharply, stepping in front of Saeko.
The leader raised both hands, a mock gesture of innocence. "Relax. I'm just saying we can make a deal. I'm not unreasonable."
Before Tysone could respond, a smooth, familiar voice chimed in from behind him.
"Perhaps I could offer a suggestion?"
Shido.
Tysone's jaw clenched as the sleazy teacher sauntered down from the bus, his usual smirk plastered across his face. His glasses gleamed in the dim light, and he moved with that same snake-like confidence that made Tysone's blood boil.
"Shido, get back on the bus." Rei snapped, stepping forward.
"Oh, but why?" Shido said, feigning innocence. "I simply want to help."
The biker leader arched a brow, clearly amused by the new arrival. "And who's this?"
Shido adjusted his glasses. "Just someone with a… more diplomatic approach." He glanced at Tysone. "Unlike certain individuals who resort to violence without considering all the options."
Tysone's hand tightened around his weapon, but he forced himself to stay calm.
Shido turned to the biker leader, his voice a silky purr. "I'm sure a man of your stature has no interest in unnecessary bloodshed. Perhaps we could strike a mutually beneficial deal."
"Oh?" The biker leaned in. "And what exactly are you offering?"
Shido's smile widened, and his next words made Tysone's stomach churn.
"We have a bus full of young, healthy women." Shido said smoothly, his voice just loud enough for everyone to hear. "They'd be far more useful to your group than stuck with this lot. Consider them… a gesture of goodwill."
Silence.
A stunned, sickening silence.
Rei's eyes went wide with disbelief. Saeko's face hardened into a mask of cold fury. Kohta's hands trembled.
And Tysone…
Tysone saw red.
He moved before he even realized it, grabbing Shido by the collar and yanking him forward. "You son of a—"
The biker leader chuckled again. "Now, now…" He said, his tone mockingly gentle. "Let's not fight amongst ourselves."
Shido, still in Tysone's grip, didn't stop smiling. "I'm simply thinking of what's best for all of us."
Tysone's knuckles were white as he fought the urge to crush Shido's windpipe.
"Boss." One of the bikers muttered, shifting nervously. "We gonna take the deal?"
The leader didn't answer immediately, his gaze fixed on Tysone and Shido. A sick sort of amusement danced in his eyes.
"Let's hear what the man has to say," the leader finally said, still smirking. "But first… why don't we see how willing your girls are?"
The remaining bikers chuckled darkly.
Tysone felt his blood turn to ice.
Author's Note:
If you're enjoying the story and want to read ahead or support my work, you can check out my P@treon at P@treon.com/LordCampione. But don't worry—all chapters will eventually be public. Just being here and reading means the world to me. Thank you for your time and support.