Free Web NovelChapter 111: One Moment One Strike
Hajime’s outward reaction pissed the other guy off, causing him to grab Hajime’s hand and attempt to punch him. Without thinking twice, he strained his shoulders and threw his whole body for the punch aimed at Hajime’s cheeks. ’This kid, who does he think he is? Acting so smug and all?’ He said in his mind.
"Oi, what are you do—" the third guy called out, wondering why one of his partners lost his cool over Hajime’s reaction. Right now, they didn’t want to cause a scene since they were almost done with Keiichi.
But as soon as he turned around, Hajime was already flinging the back of his hand at his jaw. There was only a split second for him to react but he wasn’t able to do so since he saw his companion on the ground, knocked out cold.
The attack connected and he staggered, but Hajime made sure that he slipped into unconsciousness before he dealt with the third guy— the most muscular out of the three and the one who held Keiichi captive.
He didn’t think twice, twisting his body before planting his knee on the second guy’s jaw. He too slipped into unconsciousness before he realized what was going on. "That was easier than expected." Hajime heaved a sigh of relief. The most nerve-wracking part of his surprise attack was over, and now there was only one guy he needed to deal with. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Even Keiichi, who saw everything unfold in his very eyes, was surprised that Hajime could move like that. He had always assumed that Hajime was weak, not because he looked thin, but because of his social status in life. To Keiichi, social status meant power, and Hajime has very little of it.
But right now, in the face of adversity, Hajime didn’t back down from the challenge, even going as far as to get left behind just so he could deal with the three men who kidnapped Keiichi. As much as Keiichi hated to admit it, Hajime was mentally and physically better than him.
"You! What do you think you’re doing?" The muscular man who held Keiichi tightened his grip so Hajime wouldn’t approach him.
However, Hajime didn’t do anything to approach the guy. Instead, he pulled out the phone he got from Franz way back then and held it in front of the muscular man. Turning on the camera, he stabilized his hold over the phone so he would have a clear view of the man holding Keiichi hostage. "You do know what I’m holding right?" Hajime asked. "If you don’t let go of him, I’ll give this to the police so they can post your face up on every corner of the city."
Apparently, Hajime’s soft threat didn’t really mean anything, and even if he were to give the video to the police, it would still take them a considerable amount of time before they could track a single guy. At this point, there’s no use even if Hajime got a video.
Still, Hajime’s aim wasn’t to threaten the kidnapper, but rather, to confuse him a little bit. And once he hesitated, even if it was just a split second, then Hajime will make his move and bring him down before he could get away. He had seen a couple of scenarios in the news wherein the police would utilize that tactic, and ninety percent of the time, it worked, and the hostage situation will be dealt with.
Hajime relied on that ninety percent chance in hopes that the kidnapper was new to the job. And just as he had expected, the muscular man hesitated, momentarily loosening his grip on Keiichi.
It was just a split second, but it was all that Hajime needed.
"KEIICHI DUCK!" Hajime screamed, unleashing a merciless kick toward Keiichi’s chest. Now that the kidnapper loosened his grip, Hajime knew that Keiichi wouldn’t have any trouble ducking out of the way. But on the off-chance that he didn’t dodge, he’d just have to bear through the pain of the kick, and hopefully, the burly man behind him would also fall off balance.
Unfortunately, Keiichi’s reflexes were faster than what Hajime assumed, and he was able to cleanly dodge the kick. Because of that, Hajime’s attack planted itself on the kidnapper’s chest instead, knocking the air out of the muscular man’s lungs.
With a loud grunt, the man unwillingly let go of Keiichi as he clutched his diaphragm. He writhed in pain, squirming on the ground like a salted earthworm.
"You shouldn’t have dodged that," Hajime said as Keiichi ran to his side and hid behind him.
"What do you mean I shouldn’t have dodged that?!" Keiichi was about to thank Hajime for saving him when Hajime said something unexpected with a hint of malice in his words.
"Wait, did I say that out loud? I was just thinking about it, sorry," Hajime responded.
"In any case, thanks for the cover. You saved me, as much as I hate to admit it." Keiichi clicked his tongue in frustration, not because he was mad at Hajime for saving him, but because Megumi just had to see something so uncool and there was nothing he could do about it.
"Then don’t hate to admit it. What are you doing getting nabbed by three men though? And offering them money? Seriously?" Hajime didn’t want to bring it up, but something about Keiichi really irritated him so he just had to bring it up.
"I didn’t have much of a choice. Besides, I didn’t think you’d be able to deal with them. You’re a better street fighter than I thought." Keiichi continued.
Hajime didn’t say anything. Instead, he walked up to the squirming muscular guy and stared at him for a couple of seconds. After making sure that he got his attention, he gave him a nice kick on the jaw, knocking him instantly. "There, that should do it." He calmly muttered to himself while stretching his neck.
In Keiichi’s eyes, Hajime acted as if fighting was a daily event for him. And since then, Keiichi made sure to write a mental note in his head to not bother nor rile up Hajime ever again.
