Chapter 46: I’m Just a Bystander

Sato Hayato crouched with his head in his hands while three girls kicked and punched him.

Truthfully, even if Sato Hayato appeared timid, the girls couldn’t have overpowered him so easily if he’d fought back. But he feared hitting girls or gaining a reputation as someone who fought them. If rumors spread, he’d never live it down at school.

So he took the beating silently, praying they’d leave Asaka alone afterward.

“Stop! Don’t hit him!”

Asaka Akihime rushed to pull the girls away. “Yoshiko-chan, please stop!”

The short-haired Yoshiko shoved Asaka to the ground. “Asaka, we’re not done with you yet!” She raised her foot to kick her.

Asaka shielded her head, bracing for pain—but instead heard a loud *crack*.

“Smack!”

Yoshiko clutched her buttocks, screeching. She staggered forward before whirling around to face her attacker.

The other two girls froze, spotting a stranger gripping a tree branch.

Yoshiko’s rear burned like fire—the skin had surely split. “Who the hell are you?!” she screamed, eyes blazing.

Fang Cheng leveled the branch at them. “Just a passerby who hates cowards ganging up on others. Fight me alone if you dare.”

Asaka blinked up in shock. “Fang-kun?”

Yoshiko’s gang instantly recognized another white knight. Enraged, they lunged at Fang Cheng.

He sidestepped their claws, whipping the branch like a propeller. *Smack-smack-smack!* It lashed their thighs, arms, and backsides.

The girls yelped and hopped like scalded cats under his onslaught. Yoshiko chased him wildly, only earning more stinging welts. Tears pooled in her eyes until she collapsed, wailing.

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“You… bastard! Don’t… run!”

Her friends glared through their own tears.

Sato Hayato stood awkwardly. “Fang-kun…”

Fang Cheng grinned. “Want mercy for them? Buy me lunch.”

Sato glanced at Asaka’s pitying face, then sighed. “Fine.”

Fang Cheng lowered the branch. “Now. Why target Asaka?”

Yoshiko sniffled. “She… hit me first yesterday! This was… payback!”

“Impossible!”

Before Fang Cheng could respond, Sato Hayato shouted, “Asaka Akihime is too gentle to hit anyone! You’re lying!”

Yoshiko snapped back, “Then ask her yourself!”

Fang Cheng glanced at Asaka Akihime, noting her pale face, trembling hands, and evasive gaze. “It wasn’t me… I didn’t fight…” she stammered.

Sato Hayato exclaimed, “See? She said she didn’t!”

Yoshiko pointed angrily at Asaka Akihime. “You coward! Admit it—everyone saw you hit me yesterday!”

“Not me! You’re mistaken!” Asaka Akihime covered her head and fled.

“Asaka?!” Sato Hayato tried to chase her, but Fang Cheng yanked him back.

Fang Cheng shoved the branch into Sato Hayato’s hand. “Handle these three girls. Buy my lunch too.”

“Huh?” Sato Hayato blinked, but Fang Cheng had already left.

Turning slowly, Sato Hayato faced three glares sharp enough to burn holes. “Fang Cheng, wait!” He dropped the branch and bolted after him.

…

Back in class, Asaka Akihime’s desk held only an empty space where her backpack had been. She skipped the afternoon lessons entirely.

Her panicked reaction at noon might as well have been a confession. Still, Fang Cheng struggled to picture quiet Asaka Akihime starting fights. Maybe even gentle people snap when pushed.

After school, Sato Hayato cornered Fang Cheng, worry creasing his brow. “What if something’s wrong with Asaka Akihime?”

Fang Cheng dialed her number on speakerphone.

“Asaka, you okay?”

“I’m fine, Fang-kun. Thank you for earlier.”

“No problem.”

“And… please thank Sato Hayato too.”

Sato Hayato’s ears turned crimson. Fang Cheng grinned. “Sato’s here, hopping around like a—”

Sato Hayato lunged to muffle him.

“What’s wrong with Sato Hayato?”

“Nothing. He just wanted to chat about small yellow comics.”

Fang Cheng didn’t press about noon, just as she’d never asked why he skipped school.

When the call ended, Sato Hayato exhaled loudly. “Fang Cheng! Let’s find out what happened to Asaka Akihime yesterday!”

Fang Cheng slung his backpack over one shoulder. “Go ahead.”

“But she’s your friend! Don’t you care?”

“I do.” Fang Cheng patted Sato Hayato’s arm. “But I need to work to eat. Can’t afford distractions. This mission’s yours now—don’t fail me.”

Sato Hayato stood straighter. “I’ll uncover the truth!”

“Good luck.”

Once Sato Hayato left, Fang Cheng ambled out. He’d help if asked, or if trouble happened nearby. But chasing drama? No thanks. Getting close to others risked complications—hostages, threats, melodrama. Staying detached kept him safe. Belonging to the orphanage meant emotional armor.

Near the subway station, Fang Cheng pondered dinner options. A female high school student leaped from an alley.

“Hey! We meet again.”