Chapter 178: Day 2…

The gym was too loud for eight in the morning. Sneakers squeaked on the polished hardwood floor, basketballs thumped rhythmically, and people shouted out plays.

The team had gathered for their pre-festival match practice, and Coach Yamada stood at center court with his clipboard, whistle hanging from his neck.

Akira was stretching near the free-throw line when Coach called everyone in.

“Alright, listen up!” Coach’s voice cut through the noise. “Today’s exhibition match against Shibuya High is more than just a warm-up game. They’re well-funded, aggressive, and they play dirty when the refs aren’t looking. We need to be smart and disciplined.”

He started calling out defensive matchups, assigning guards to forwards, centers to their counterparts. Akira listened carefully, noting who he’d be covering.

Then something odd happened.

“Kenji,” Coach said, looking at his clipboard. “You’ll take their shooting guard. Keep tight on…”

“Actually, Coach,” Kenji interrupted in an unusually quiet voice. “Can I switch to the small forward matchup? I think my height advantage would work better there.”

Coach paused, frowning. “That’s out of your usual position.”

“I know. But I think it’ll work.” Kenji still wasn’t looking at Akira. His gaze was fixed somewhere over Coach’s shoulder, his body language stiff.

Coach shrugged. “Fine. Adjust accordingly.”

Akira’s eyes narrowed.

Kenji had just volunteered to guard someone on the opposite side of the court from where Akira would be operating. Deliberately removing himself from Akira’s perimeter.

“Darling,” Ai said quietly. “That’s not normal behavior for an alpha-type player like Kenji. He always wants to be in the thick of the action.”

“I know.”

“He’s avoiding you.”

“I know that too.”

Practice continued, but Akira kept half his attention on Kenji the entire time.

Every drill, every scrimmage sequence, Kenji stayed on the far side of the court. When they ran defensive rotations, he actively moved away from any scenario that would put him near Akira.

By the time Coach blew the final whistle, Akira’s suspicions had solidified into certainty.

Something was wrong.

—

Practice ended at 9:45. Akira grabbed his water bottle and towel, heading toward the locker room with the rest of the team when his phone buzzed in his bag.

One new message from Yuki: We need to talk. Now. Where are you? I’m outside your school gym.

Akira had expected Yuki to be present today… she had told him the day before that she was among those selected to accompany her school’s team to cheer and experience the festival too as per the invitation.

So that wasn’t a shock. The message though… it sounded urgent… kinda.

He changed quickly, pulling on his jacket and slinging his bag over his shoulder. When he stepped outside, the festival setup was already in full swing: booths being assembled, banners being hung, the smell of food vendors firing up their grills.

Yuki was waiting near the equipment shed with her arms crossed, looking nervous.

“Hey,” he said, walking over. “What’s wrong?”

She glanced around quickly, making sure no one was within earshot. “I overheard something. Last night, at the convenience store near my house.”

“Okay.”

“Takeshi.” She said the name like it tasted bad. “My school’s basketball captain. He was bragging to his friends about a ’paid hit’ during today’s game.”

Akira’s entire body went still. “A what?”

“A paid hit. To take you out.” Her voice dropped even lower. “He said someone on your team coordinated it with him. The co-captain.”

Kenji.

The pieces clicked into place instantly… Kenji’s avoidance, his repositioning, and the way he’d been acting all morning.

He had planned something and made sure he wasn’t in the way when it happened.

“Why are you telling me this?” Akira asked quietly.

Yuki looked up at him, looking serious. “Because I don’t want you hurt. And because…” She hesitated. “Because I owe you. After the park. After everything.”

Akira felt something tighten in his chest. He stepped forward and pulled her into a brief, genuine hug. “Thank you… seriously.”

She hugged him back, her arms squeezing tight for just a second. “Just be careful, okay? These guys aren’t playing around. Takeshi’s been suspended twice for dirty fouls.”

“I will.”

She pulled back, gave him one last worried look, and disappeared into the festival crowd.

Akira stood there for a moment, his mind running through his options.

Confront Kenji directly? Tell Coach? No. If he made accusations without proof, it would look like paranoia. He had to play it out. Stay vigilant. And if Takeshi or Kenji made their move…

He’d be ready.

—

By eleven o’clock, the main courtyard was packed.

Students, teachers, parents, and local press were all crammed into the space between the main building and the auditorium. The festival opening ceremony was about to begin.

Akira stood near the back with Mia, Rina, Ayaka and Aoi, watching the stage where Principal Yamada was tapping the microphone.

“Good morning, everyone!” The Principal’s voice boomed across the courtyard. “Welcome to Day 2 of the Kawakami High’s Annual Cultural Festival! Apologies for the delay due to the unprecedented incident of Day 1, but that’s in the past now. We have an exciting day ahead, but before we begin, I’d like to introduce a very special guest.”

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

“This gentleman has generously offered to support our school’s arts program with a significant donation. Please welcome Mr. Valerius Ashford!”

The reaction was instantaneous.

A sleek black Bentley pulled up to the curb at the edge of the courtyard. The driver stepped out, opened the rear door, and Valerius emerged.

He was dressed impeccably in a charcoal suit, no tie, collar open just enough to look effortless. His dark hair was brushed back, and his posture looked relaxed but still commanding. He moved like he owned the space before he’d even stepped onto it.

The crowd exploded. Girls screamed. Guys whispered and pointed. Even some of the teachers looked flustered.

Valerius walked to the stage slowly with a polite smile on his face. When he took the microphone from the Principal, the entire courtyard went silent.

“Good morning,” he said in a smooth, warm voice. “Thank you for having me. I’ve always believed that talent should never go unfunded. Young people with vision, with passion, with the courage to create… they deserve every opportunity to succeed.”

He paused, letting the words sink in.

“Which is why I’m pleased to announce a five-million-yen donation to Kawakami High’s arts program. For new equipment, materials, and scholarships for students who dream of pursuing creative careers.”

The courtyard erupted in applause.

Even the skeptics were won over.

Valerius handed the microphone back to the Principal with a gracious nod and stepped down from the stage, immediately surrounded by students and faculty thanking him, shaking his hand, taking photos.

Akira watched from the back with a tight jaw.

“That’s a power play,” Ai said. “He just bought goodwill from the entire school in under three minutes. If you try to expose him now, no one will believe you.”

“I know.”

—

Twenty minutes later, Akira was standing with Mia, Rina, and Aoi near the outdoor café, trying to ignore the way the entire festival had shifted its energy toward Valerius.

Everywhere he looked, people were talking about the donation, about how handsome he was, about how generous.

Then Valerius appeared.

He walked over to their table casually, like it was a coincidence, and seated himself at the empty chair without asking.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked, already settled in.

Mia blinked. “Uh… sure?”

Valerius smiled. “Thank you. The crowd is a bit overwhelming.” He turned his attention to Mia first. “You’re Takahashi-san, correct? I saw your name on the volunteer roster. Top marks for organizing efficiency. Impressive.”

Mia flushed slightly. “Oh. Thanks.”

His gaze shifted to Aoi. “And you must be the painter. I heard about your work for the festival… too bad it got destroyed in the gas fire. But I’d love to see your portfolio sometime.”

Aoi’s eyes widened. “How did you…”

“I make it a point to know talented people.” He said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Then he looked at Rina. His eyes lingered just a second too long. “And those eyes. Violet. Distinctive. Rare.”

Rina tensed immediately. Her hand moved under the table to grip Akira’s wrist. She didn’t say anything, but he could feel the tension radiating off her.

“He knows,” Ai whispered. “He can sense what she is.”

Valerius finally turned to Akira, his smile widening just slightly. “And you must be Kanzaki-kun.”

He extended his hand across the table.

Akira took it.

The moment their palms connected, an invisible wave of pressure erupted between them. Demonic essence clashed. It didn’t show on the surface. No visible sparks, no dramatic light. Just raw, compressed power pressing against raw, compressed power.

Valerius’s smile didn’t falter. If anything, it deepened. “Very strong grip.”

“You too,” Akira said evenly.

Valerius released his hand and leaned back in his chair, perfectly at ease. “I hear there’s a basketball exhibition today. Against Shibuya High, if I’m not mistaken.”

“That’s right.”

“I do love watching talented people perform under pressure.” His tone was light, conversational. But the weight behind the words was unmistakable. “It’s fascinating to see how they handle it when the stakes are raised.”

Akira held his gaze. “I’m sure it’ll be entertaining.”

“Oh, I’m certain it will be.” Valerius stood smoothly, adjusting his cuffs. “Enjoy the festival, everyone. I look forward to the game.”

He walked away, leaving the table in tense silence.

Mia let out a breath she’d been holding. “Was it just me, or was that… intense?”

“It wasn’t just you,” Rina muttered, her grip still tight on Akira’s wrist.

Aoi looked between them, confused. “What just happened?”

Akira didn’t answer. He was watching Valerius disappear into the crowd, every instinct screaming that the real game had just begun.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep