Chapter 76: The Leader of Ouroboros
“My name is Aymock Hartor. I am currently the leader of Team Ouroboros. And I am destined to become the king of this country.”
Faced with that declaration, we were left frozen, not knowing how we were supposed to react.
“Aymock-san is incredible! When he says we’re gonna take over the world with Team Ouroboros, it’s not just talk! Don’t go looking down on us!”
First this country, now the world… this was starting to sound like something on a whole different scale.
“Souta, do you know this guy…?”
“No, never seen him before. Ouroboros was the name of one of the delinquent gangs I crushed… but this guy wasn’t part of it.”
If they’d met, Souta wouldn’t have forgotten him, that much was certain. Which meant this guy must’ve become the leader of the gang after Souta wiped it out.
Aymock, grinning fearlessly like a classic chuuni case, spread his arms and took a step forward as he spoke.
“Kamishiro Souta, was it…? Do you not wish to serve under me?”
“Aymock-san, why are you wasting your time on a guy like this?!”
“There can never be too much talent when it comes to walking the path of conquest. I’m sure there are some who still hold a grudge over what happened to the previous leader. However, we set our sights on far greater heights. Therefore, if he is willing to share in my ideals… I will welcome him as a comrade.”
“I was wrong… The world Aymock-san is seeing is on a whole different level from us. We’ll follow Aymock-san’s judgment!”
It felt like we’d been completely sidelined while they acted out their little play.
I exchanged looks with Souta. His face twisted into an expression I couldn’t quite describe—probably the same expression I was making myself.
“…Well then, Kamishiro Souta. What is your answer?”
“Not interested. I’ve got no time for delusions.”
Clearly fed up with the farce, Souta flatly rejected Aymock’s proposal.
“…! Kamishiro, you bastard…!”
The cronies stirred restlessly.
But Souta remained calm and collected.
“Hmph… To make a small-minded man understand my ideals, it seems I must first make him aware of his own insignificance.”
“You bastard, how dare you speak to Aymock-san like that!”
“Enough—very well then, Kamishiro. I challenge you to a duel.”
“…A duel?”
“On Christmas Eve, we of Ouroboros will be holding a gathering. There, I shall defeat you, the one who crushed the previous leader, and solidify my reign… but rest assured, I will spare your life.”
“I refuse. I’m not interested in taking part in your nonsense.”
“You would refuse my invitation…?”
“I’ve had enough of you people tailing me and making my life miserable. I have zero obligation to cooperate with you.”
“I see… you speak of obligations, of gains… but have you given any thought to the consequences? What if your refusal results in your way of life being threatened?”
“…So you’re resorting to threats.”
“Not just you. Even those precious to you might end up suffering. Among my subordinates, there are those who take particular pleasure in breaking in undeveloped little girls like that one.”
When Aymock cast a glance at me with his cold, emotionless light-blue eyes, a chill ran down my spine. It wasn’t the gaze you’d direct at a person—it was the way you’d look at a worthless insect.
“If you lay a hand on my friends, I’ll never forgive you.”
Souta spoke in a cold tone, laced with anger.
“Regardless of the outcome, I swear on my name that if you accept the duel, neither you nor those around you will be harmed. That is the benefit I offer.”
There was no reason to trust any promise made by a guy like him. Marching straight into their gathering just because of his words would be downright stupid.
『I’m not going to let things go your way! Souta, you don’t have to listen to anything they say!』
But no matter what I said right now, it wouldn’t reach Souta.
To Souta, I wasn’t the same Kisaragi Ikuto who once stood beside him—I was Kisaragi Alice, his junior in the same club, a girl… someone he felt compelled to protect.
“…Fine. I’ll go. Just don’t lay a finger on anyone else.”
“Souta!”
“You all heard him. Kamishiro Souta has agreed to be my opponent at the next gathering. Spread the word—no one is to lay a hand on my prey.”
“As expected of Aymock-san!”
The men roared with cheers.
In contrast, I was filled with frustration. I’d come here wanting to help Souta, and yet I’d ended up becoming a burden instead.
『I’m going too!』
Before I realized it, the words had burst out of me.
“Wha—are you insane!? What are you saying!?”
“…Oh?”
In response, the despicable negotiator Aymock grinned like he’d just found himself a fun new toy.
“I have no intention of breaking my promise to Kamishiro… but I will not stop others from getting excited during the gathering. If you’re fine with that, you may do as you wish.”
A girl barging into a delinquent gang’s gathering.
Normally, it would be nothing short of reckless madness.
Images of myself being assaulted by these thugs flashed through my mind, and for a moment, my body froze.
But… I couldn’t back down.
『…Fine. I’ll go.』
“Alice!”
Because I had the power to fight.
There was no way I’d let Souta go alone.
I glared at the delinquents who were laughing in their vulgar voices.
“Well then, I’ve said what I came to say. Time to leave.”
With that, Aymock turned and walked toward the wall that separated the school grounds from the road. The wall was about two meters tall, clearly not designed for people to climb over.
We watched, wondering what he was up to—then Aymock suddenly jumped and landed on top of the wall.
“What the—!?”
We couldn’t help but stare in disbelief at the incredible sight.
The delinquents let out wild cheers.
“Kamishiro… I expect you to put on a good show.”
Leaving those words behind, Aymock disappeared to the other side of the wall.
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