kscans

Chapter 166 - Locking Eyes

"Hero Uncle, is it really okay for us to just let ourselves in...?"

The place we teleported to was an old school building deep in the mountains. We landed on its rooftop, and as soon as she took in her surroundings, Sakuya-chan started getting jumpy. The other three didn't seem to mind, laughing and saying things like, "It looks like a place you'd see ghosts."

"It's fine, it's fine. This land is owned by the Mutual Aid Society."

This land and the building on it have a bit of a sordid history. It's too dangerous to let it fall into public hands, but resolving the underlying issues is also problematic. That's why the Mutual Aid Society owns and manages the property. They've even set up a teleportation portal here, and it’s the perfect spot for a showdown with him, which is why I chose it.

"Hm... someone's coming."

"Our guest has arrived."

A human presence suddenly appeared near the shoe lockers. Since that's where the portal is, it had to be him. I could tell he was slowly beginning to climb the stairs.

"..."

This time, it wasn't just Sarna-chan. All their faces stiffened. And who could blame them. The guy was making no attempt to hide his power, swaggering up the stairs while letting it all hang out. It was only natural they'd feel intimidated. In fact, I'd be more worried if they didn't react at all. Just then, the rooftop door was thrown open with some force.

"Wha!?"

"Yo."

I gave a casual wave of my hand, and he answered with that same old virile grin.

"Kept ya waitin', Hero! Are these the brats you're lookin' after?"

"Yep. A bunch of promising kids, every last one of them."

I could sense the four of them standing dumbfounded behind me. And who could blame them. There aren't many people who wouldn't be taken aback seeing this guy for the first time.

He’s got a perfectly coiffed pompadour, a long school jacket, and tall geta clogs. You don’t even see guys like that in delinquent manga these days.

And on top of it all, the guy wearing it is, by any and every definition, an old man.

"Let me introduce you. This is Yamada Hanao. He's seven years older than me and it's his unlucky year."

"What'd ya mean, unlucky year. If anythin', it just adds to my prestige."

"That's so like you."

You're definitely the type who'd never go for an exorcism. I laughed quietly and prompted the four to introduce themselves.

"Ah, excuse me... I'm Akatsuki Hikaru."

"I'm Saionji Rika."

"My name is Sarna Diadokos."

"I'm Ayase Sakuya. It's an honor to learn from you today."

"Well, well. This one was the epitome of rudeness when he was a teenager, but you lot are so polite."

Shut up.

"Hanao is a powerhouse who goes by the name 'Hana no Bancho,' the Flower Delinquent Boss..."

"Somehow, we could have guessed that nickname."

Don't interrupt me.

"He's not very well known because of his personality, but his skills are the real deal. If there were an underground ranking for humans in Japan, he'd definitely break into the top twenty."

It's no small feat to muscle your way in among those who you could call Majin, guys who have lived for hundreds of years. Yanagi and Onisaki used to be ranked high up, but not anymore. With the gap in their training, they'd probably be somewhere in the thirties or forties.

"Don't mean much comin' from the guy who's the undisputed number one in a rankin' that includes everythin' and everyone not just in Japan, but the whole world."

"Don't be like that. I'm complimenting you."

"More importantly, shouldn't we get started? Wouldn't be good to keep the brats out too late."

You're always on top of things like that, aren't you. But he's right.

"You've got a point. Give me a second to get ready."

I circulated my power, rejuvenating into my teenage Satou self and changing my clothes. This was the blazer I wore back in high school. But being all prim and proper wouldn't be right. I threw the blazer wide open and loosened my tie. Then I untucked my shirt, unfastening the third button from the top and the one at the very bottom. My pants, of course, were slung low on my hips. For the final touch, I took out some wax and slicked my hair back... completing the look of Satou-kun when he was feeling full of himself!!

"Whoa! He looks like such a punk!?"

"Alright now, watch closely, you hear?"

I stood in the center of the rooftop, staring down Hanao. We were so close we could have kissed... I urged him on with my eyes. Bring it on.

"You bastard!?"

Hanao shot me a ferocious glare, and an impact slammed into my face, sending me flying. I was driven back right to the edge of the rooftop fence... as expected of Hanao. But now, it was my turn.

"Take this, you punk!?"

I glared back, a searing look from below that snapped Hanao's jaw upward.

"Ghh~~ That's got a kick!!"

"So does yours!!"

We both broke out into raucous laughter.

"Wait, that's what you meant by fighting with your eyes!?"

That is indeed what I meant. Yeah, well, I can't deny it's a surreal sight. But when it comes to "eye power," Hanao is without a doubt a top class user. He wasn't born with special eyes. In fact, he was originally a normal person. But in a battle using one's eyes to project their "will," there's no man who can pierce his opponent as directly as this guy.

"You wanna go!?"

"Let's do this!!"

Menchi beams shot from both my eyes and Hanao's, clashing in the middle. The spectacle of sparks flying as they tore through the night's darkness was almost fantastical... if we weren't in it.

"This is the stuff, Hero! You're the best! I'm all fired uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup!!!"

In that instant, the rooftop was engulfed in hellfire.

"Kuh...? Look at you with that straight face... sends a shiver down my spine...!!"

This time, lightning rained down.

"...It can't be."

I heard Sarna-chan's voice, as if in a daze.

She's quick on the uptake, as expected. Yes, it's exactly what you think.

Hanao can take the state of his heart at any given moment and manifest it into reality right through his eyes. In theory, he can do just about anything... though in practice, that's impossible. He can't cause any phenomenon that doesn't align with his way of life, his style. For example, charming a girl and getting all handsy... something like that. That's impossible for him. It has to be a feeling that boils up from the very depths of his soul. I wanted to show the kids that this is what ultimate eye power can achieve.

Still, his ability is just too... abnormal.

Because of it, he's often been targeted by unsavory types. But this is the man who, time and again, has fought them all off with nothing but guts and grit. He's rugged and clumsy, yet there's a strange sort of grace to his bearing. Hence, "Hana no Bancho," the Flower Delinquent Boss. It's "flower" not just for "grace," but also as a play on his name. Not a bad moniker, is it. It can't even be compared to the litany of crappy nicknames I've been stuck with.

"...Phew. Let's call it a day here. Hate to cut it short, though."

About thirty minutes after our eye power battle began, Hanao spoke up. It was indeed a good time to stop. I had to get the kids home.

"Yeah. Thanks for today."

"Next time, I wanna go at it with these."

"Well, if the opportunity arises, I'll take you on."

I thrust out my fist, and Hanao mirrored the gesture, bumping his against mine.

"Heh."

"Heh."

With another one of those manly smiles, Hanao turned his back and left.

"Eh, what's with this vibe?"

It's the world of men, you see...