Chapter 59: Chapter 18

The flashing red and blue lights painted the school courtyard in a haze of chaos and relief. Police cars surrounded the building.

Officers moved in coordinated rhythm, cuffing the dazed students who had been under Basuta’s control.

While Basuta himself, the once proud vice principal now looked pitiful, his wrists bound behind his back, his swollen face pressed against the hood of a patrol car as two policemen hauled him away.

Basuta mumbled weak curses, but his words were drowned out by the sound of radio chatter and sirens as the smell of dust and blood still hung in the air.

On the other side, Rei stood near the steps, trembling in her parents’ arms, her father’s white hair glimmered under the flashing lights as he held her tightly, his hands shaking.

Her mother stroked her hair again and again, whispering that everything would be fine now, causing Rei to finally broke down, tears soaking her mother’s shoulder.

A few meters away, Rindou was talking to a tall, broad-shouldered policeman, his sharp eyes softened when he saw his daughter unharmed and she spoke about her experiences.

"You did good," he said in a low tone, his voice full of restrained relief.

Rindou crossed her arms, pretending not to smile. "Told you I can handle myself. I’m not a little kid anymore."

"Still, you shouldn’t be doing this again." he said, putting a hand on her head. "You scared me, Rindou. Next time, call me instead of jumping head first."

Meanwhile, Suzune was being crushed in her mother’s embrace, Korukawa Aiko.

He elegant composure had cracked the moment she saw her daughter alive and well, her blue eyes shimmered with tears as she held Suzune tightly, refusing to let go.

"Mom, you’re choking me," Suzune mumbled, though her voice trembled with emotion.

Aiko exhaled shakily, pulling back just enough to see her face.

"You’re hurt," she said, brushing dust from her daughter’s hair.

Suzune smiled weakly. "I’m fine. Seiji protected me."

At that, Aiko looked up, her gaze landing on Seijirou, who stood quietly behind them.

He hadn’t said a word since the fight ended, his clothes were torn, his knuckles still bruised, but his eyes were sharp, watching the scene in silence.

When Aiko met his eyes, he straightened instinctively.

Korukawa Aiko. She is still as beautiful as Seijirou remembered. Her blonde hair was tied into a neat bun, her fitted suit and pencil skirt giving her an air of authority that only emphasized her elegance.

She placed a hand on Suzune’s shoulder and stepped toward him.

"Se—...Kageyama-kun," she said softly. "Thank you for protecting my daughter."

He bowed slightly. "I just did what I had to."

Aiko smiled faintly, a glimmer of surprised in her eyes. "You...You seems to have changed a lot, S-Kageyama-kun."

Seijirou froze for a moment, but quickly recollected himself. "Have I?"

Aiko nodded, "Hm. It seems like you’ve mellowed down."

Seijirou remained silent.

"Please, come stay with us tonight. I’ll cook for you myself. It’s the least I can do." Aiko smiled gently.

Seijirou finally nodded. "Thank you. I’ll accept your offer."

Aiko’s smile widened slightly before she turned back to hold Suzune again.

Just then, Rei and her parents approached them as Aiko stared at them, holding her daughter tightly.

"Mom, dad, these are Kageyama Seijirou and Kurokawa Suzune, they are the one who helped me out." Said Rei.

"Hello, I’m Tachibana Rito," the father said, his voice trembling. "And this is my wife, Mei. We owe you more than we can ever repay."

The two immediately bowed to express their thanks.

"If you two hadn’t been there, our daughter... we can’t even imagine..." Her words broke into quiet sobs.

They learned of the ritual done by Basuta’s cult, and their heart almost jumped out of their chest imagining the scene of their daughter captured by them.

Seijirou raised his hand, looking uncomfortable. After all, Rei was just a bonus. He truly wanted to save Suzune, "Please, don’t bow. No need for that gesture."

But they shook their heads, tears falling freely.

"A bow is nothing compared to what you’ve done," Rito said firmly.

Seijirou had no reply, so he just sighed and only nodded once.

Just then, the deep voice of someone with authority cut through the air.

"Kageyama Seijirou," said a man in uniform, his posture sharp and commanding.

He walked up beside Rindou, who looked slightly nervous now.

The man was tall, with a cleanly shaven head and a powerful build that made his police uniform strain slightly at the shoulders.

His eyes carried the cold calm of someone used to danger.

"This is my father," Rindou said quickly, glancing between him and Seijirou. "Kobayashi Ieyasu."

Ieyasu gave a short nod to Aiko and the Tachibanas before turning to Seijirou. "We’ll need you, Korukawa Suzune, and Tachibana Rei to come with us to the station. Standard procedure. Just statements and reports."

Seijirou nodded. "Understood.*

The parents all agreed without protest. Aiko placed a reassuring hand on Suzune’s back. "Jt’s alright. Just tell them the truth."

Rei squeezed her parents’ hands before stepping forward beside Seijirou and Suzune.

The night air was cool, heavy with exhaustion and relief, the danger had passed, but the aftermath was just beginning.

As they followed Kobayashi Ieyasu toward the police car, Seijirou cast one last glance at the school building.

The windows were shattered, the walls cracked, but inside was silence.

For the first time that night, he allowed himself to relax.

*

*

*

The moon hung high above the city when they finally stepped out of the police station.

The once-chaotic night had quieted, replaced by the hum of passing cars and the soft flicker of streetlights reflecting off the damp pavement.

Kobayashi Ieyasu stood by the door, still in uniform, his tone calm but commanding.

*Thank you for your cooperation," he said. His voice carried the same authority it did earlier, though there was a note of warmth this time.

Rei and her parents bowed deeply.

Her father, Rito, spoke first. "We appreciate everything, Officer Kobayashi. And thank you again, Kageyama-kun, for protecting our daughter."

Mei added softly, "We owe you our peace tonight."

Rei smiled faintly, her golden eyes tired but grateful. "Goodnight, everyone."

They began to walk down the quiet street together, hand in hand, their figures slowly fading under the streetlights.

Rei turned once more and waved, her expression bright despite her exhaustion.

Suzune smiled back, waving until they disappeared around the corner.

Just then, the faint hum of an engine drew their attention sleek black Rolls-Royce Cullinan stopped near the curb, it was polished so well that the city lights gleamed off its body like liquid silver.

Then, Korukawa Aiko stepped out of it, her presence as poised as ever that even in the dim light, she looked composed, her arms crossed as she waited for them.

Suzune turned to Rindou and her father.

"I’ll see you both later," she said with a small smile.

Rindou grinned and waved. "Yeah. Get some rest, Gorilla...not so funny being called that, is it?"

Suzune’s eye twitched, but she didn’t bother responding, she simply climbed into the car.

Seijirou gave a polite nod to both Rindou and Ieyasu. "I’ll be heading off too. Thanks for your help tonight, Rindou."

Rindou tilted her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You don’t need to thank me. You’ve helped me before, remember? Consider it payback."

For a brief moment, Seijirou looked like he wanted to say something more, his lips parted slightly, then closed.

Finally, he exhaled quietly and gave a small nod. "Still... be careful, alright?"

Rindou chuckled, brushing a strand of her brown hair aside. "You too, Seijirou."

Seijirou turned away and entered the Cullinan, the heavy door closing behind him with a soft click.

Aiko offered a polite nod toward Rindou and Ieyasu before sliding into the driver’s seat.

The engine started smoothly, the vehicle gliding away from the station like a shadow disappearing into the night.

Rindou watched the car until its taillights vanished, her expression softened, and she exhaled quietly.

Her father, however, wasn’t blind. Ieyasu glanced down at her, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Something tells me you’ve got a crush on that boy," he said flatly.

Rindou froze, her cheeks turning bright red in an instant. "W-what? N-no, of course not! I just—he’s—uh—"

Her words tangled in her throat as she waved her hands frantically, trying to find an excuse, but nothing came out coherent.

Ieyasu stared at her for a moment before sighing and resting a large hand on her shoulder.

"Listen," he said in his usual serious tone. "You’re in high school. You can like whoever you want. I just want you to be responsible and ...cherish yourself. I don’t want to wake up one day and find out my only daughter is pregnant."

"D-Dad!" Rindou yelped, her entire face red. "Why would you even say that!?"

He shrugged. "Because I’ve been in your shoes before. You may have heard from your mother, I was a complete scumbag in highschool. After all, the best time of ones life."

Before she could protest further, Ieyasu turned and walked back toward the station, his heavy footsteps echoing in the quiet lot.

Rindou stood there for a long moment, clutching her face, her heart pounding.

She watched him go, then muttered under her breath, her voice barely above a whisper.

"...Too late for that."

Her gaze drifted toward the empty street where Seijirou’s car had disappeared, and a faint, guilty smile crossed her lips.

"I already gave it to him."

Speaking of, thank god her father reminded her!

She hasn’t bought any pills yet. With how many times Seijirou came inside her, it would take a miracle for her not to get pregnant.

"Well, guess I need to stop by some pharmacy or something."