EX rank supporting role’s replay in a prestigious school-Chapter 1045: Injection (15)

The ones who discovered the lotus petals were stunned.

Those who had been mocking and belittling the two of them were now disconcerted by the existence of Renzoin Karen.

“This is the ability used by the incarnation of the lotus...!”

“They must have been lying in ambush. Damn, no wonder those two students were wandering around in the middle of the night.”

“Don’t mess with the lotus incarnation. Just deal with these two. Let’s not aim too high!”

“Break the lights! The darkness will be an advantage!”

Crack!

The attackers broke all the surrounding lights at once, hiding their bodies in the darkness.

As the area darkened instantly, the vision ahead became unclear, but it seemed like the sounds were amplified.

Meanwhile, the attackers, flustered, began speaking in a non-Japanese language mixed with slang. However, Tomoaki Arihara understood everything.

Given Renzoin Karen’s accomplishments and influence, their reactions weren’t unusual.

But rather than being unusual, it was enough to provoke Tomoaki Arihara’s anger.

With a violent push, Tomoaki Arihara shoved the lotus blocking his path and shouted.

“Lady, get out of the way!”

The lotus petals, which had durability strong enough to block energy bullets, were crushed on their delicate backs as Tomoaki Arihara, infusing his explosive energy, made them crumple without any resistance.

Seeing the crumpled lotus petals and his childhood friend charging at the enemy, Hirano Seiji felt his fighting spirit reignite.

‘He’s still charging headfirst into combat despite being mediocre at close combat.’

Despite the urgency of the situation, Hirano Seiji couldn’t help but chuckle.

Tomoaki Arihara’s natural abilities and interests suited backline support, but when his temper flared, he would rush into situations like this, leaving Hirano Seiji to cover for him.

He’d done it before, rushing at upperclassmen who had taken over the playground, and when the neighbors, jealous of Dr. Arihara, spoke nonsense.

Each time, Hirano Seiji had stayed behind and helped him.

Swish!

Hirano Seiji threw dozens of shurikens toward the direction Tomoaki Arihara had charged into.

Since he kept the shurikens hidden in his sleeves or behind his tie, his throwing speed was far quicker than a typical player’s.

Not only the speed but also the accuracy was exceptional.

What appeared to be shurikens aimed at Tomoaki Arihara’s back suddenly curved toward the attackers.

Swish!

“Damn!”

“Ugh!”

The shurikens severed the tendons of the attackers who were distracted by Tomoaki Arihara and the lotus petals.

Because Hirano Seiji had chosen dark-colored shurikens to blend with the surroundings, many of the attackers didn’t notice them until they were struck.

However, it seemed that they didn’t just attack Japanese youth representatives with the smaller attackers—they had also protected themselves with abilities before the shurikens even touched their skin.

Seeing the shurikens bounce off the energy shields, the attackers openly mocked.

“What are you going to do with these toys?”

With the right skill, even a toy could be turned into a weapon.

Instead of answering in detail, Hirano Seiji infused energy into the shurikens that were lodged into the skin of the fallen or scattered attackers.

In an instant, the shurikens began to shine brighter than the streetlight that had been set up at the alley’s end.

Bang!

With a small sound, something exploded from the center of the shurikens.

It wasn’t a destructive explosion, more like a harmless burst akin to a balloon popping.

However, as the explosion spread, those who realized what had been released frowned.

The special fluorescent paint was sprayed from the shurikens.

When the shurikens had targeted their bodies, they felt the threat and immediately covered themselves with energy, but this time, they couldn’t avoid it.

While some had reflexively protected their vital spots, they couldn’t stop the tiny amount of paint from getting on their clothes.

‘What can I do with this? I can locate your positions. And...’

That wasn’t all.

The paint could also be used as a catalyst for an explosion.

It was something that had been prepared after Hirano Seiji and Tomoaki Arihara had fought together in the first round.

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Having jumped in first to engage in hand-to-hand combat with the attackers, Tomoaki Arihara quickly realized what Seiji was planning.

Tomoaki Arihara could see how many enemies there were and where they were located, as well as how to attack them effectively.

He smiled brightly.

KABOOM!

Tomoaki Arihara used his derived skill, "Remote Explosion," to trigger an explosion in the surroundings.

With the sudden blast, the attackers screamed as Hirano Seiji, coldly, began hunting those with less paint on them and less damage.

Striking the attackers’ necks with the back of his shurikens, Hirano Seiji thought.

‘With an explosion like this, even if we were far from residential areas, there should have been a ruckus, but it’s quiet. Could it be that the lady...’

Bang!

At that moment, a lotus petal covered the face of an attacker pretending to be unconscious and targeting Hirano Seiji.

The wide petal completely covered the attacker’s face, making it impossible to breathe. The attacker struggled, inhaled the scent of the lotus, and collapsed, losing strength.

It was a technique commonly used by Renzoin Karen to gently incapacitate those who targeted her, binding them peacefully while they were unconscious.

‘Tomoaki wouldn’t have said anything to make her back down. She must have set up a barrier to handle things quietly, keeping watch over this place.’

As Hirano Seiji looked around, he saw the lotus barrier spreading.

It felt like, despite having fought alongside Tomoaki Arihara, they were fighting on Renzoin Karen’s palm.

It wasn’t just Seiji who thought this; after taking care of all the attackers, Tomoaki Arihara clicked his tongue.

“It seems like she has no intention of backing off.”

Before Tomoaki Arihara could say something more provocative, a gap appeared in the lotus barrier.

At that moment, the space, which had seemed empty at first glance, bloomed with lotus flowers, and Renzoin Karen ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ appeared above them.

Despite clearly having expended as much energy as the two of them, Renzoin Karen smiled with her usual humble expression.

The difference now was the location and her attire.

Normally, Renzoin Karen would wear a team uniform inspired by lotus or branded luxury clothing bearing sponsor logos, something befitting her noble status, but now, she was dressed in simple sportswear from a trendy brand, popular among students.

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Even Hirano Seiji, who had many opportunities to be around her, was surprised, wondering if the lady actually had such clothes.

“Are you alright? Good evening.”

Renzoin Karen greeted them in a graceful voice.

Although her attire was that of a student, her voice and mannerisms were unmistakably those of the lady Seiji knew well.

Tomoaki Arihara looked at her in shock.

“Do you look alright? I told you to stay back.”

Despite Tomoaki Arihara’s threatening tone, Renzoin Karen’s smile didn’t fade.

Whether it was Tomoaki Arihara breaking his own creations or tearing apart the lotus-themed uniforms, Renzoin Karen had always treated everything with an even demeanor, as she did now.

In a calm tone, Renzoin Karen replied, “Tomoaki, you asked me to stay in the back. So, I came here to offer my help from the back.”

At her response, Hirano Seiji briefly thought, Did she really interpret ‘stay back’ like that?

It wasn’t impossible, but her interpretation seemed quite positive.

Tomoaki Arihara seemed to grow even angrier at her words.

“What the hell are you talking about? You think you helped Seiji?”

“I didn’t exactly say I helped him...”

“I’ll tell you. Wait.”

Hirano Seiji tried to intervene to ease the tension but was shut down.

Tomoaki Arihara said the words many students had thought but never dared to say.

“Do you have any idea what Seiji and the others are going through, just so you could become a star in Japan? If you knew, you wouldn’t be acting so shamelessly.”

Hirano Seiji had imagined countless times how Renzoin Karen would react if she heard such words.

Would she pretend not to hear? Act hurt? Get angry? Try to silence him? Or would she genuinely be shocked, not knowing anything?

But Renzoin Karen’s response was completely different from everything Seiji had imagined.

She smiled brightly, as if the lotus symbolized her.

“It seems you two have reconciled. Congratulations.”

“What?”

“Tomoaki was upset because his precious childhood friend became my servant. I’m glad to see Seiji’s true feelings. Was the first match helpful? Or was it the harsh discipline from the coaches that made you realize it?”

Her tone carried a sense of pure admiration and curiosity.

Hirano Seiji was confused, wondering if the Renzoin Karen in front of him was the same one he remembered.

Had the fox somehow disguised itself as her?

Even Tomoaki Arihara, who was furious, looked startled.

“Does she really think she can act like that even after what she’s done?”

“I’ll answer your question now. Yes, I know. I know everything, and I’m still shamelessly acting this way.”

She knew everything.

Of course, someone as smart as Renzoin Karen wouldn’t have failed to see what was happening around her.

If she hadn’t heard those words in this chaotic situation, Hirano Seiji would have genuinely gotten angry or despised her.

As energy surged in Tomoaki Arihara’s body, Renzoin Karen continued.

“Tomoaki, you were tracking me for Seiji, right? You broke my creations, and with Dr. Arihara’s technology, you could follow me. You’ll get what you want today. Let’s go.”

Was Renzoin Karen aware of Tomoaki’s actions? It seemed like she knew he was looking for her weakness.

Perhaps she had set a trap, but there was no need for her to do so.

Now, if people were called to search his body or anything else to find the cube containing Renzoin Karen’s energy, it would be over.

What was Renzoin Karen trying to do?

Before the two could respond, Renzoin Karen’s smile faded, and with a regretful expression, she spoke.

“However, if you can’t come with me, then I’m afraid you won’t be able to join me. It’s unfortunate, but if you lack the strength, I’ll leave you behind.”

At those words, Tomoaki Arihara’s face twisted in anger.