My New Life

Chapter 92: The Great Koenji

On receiving the order, Ishizaki moved in the way of Koenji's path, blocking him, and he stopped as a result.

He looked back at Ryuen and I, before carefully looking at each of Ryuen's subjects.

I gave a little wave as he linked eyes with me.

"They just want to talk for a bit Koenji-kun."

"Indeed, even if only to humour us, do hold on for just a moment." Ryuen called out.

"Hmm, I don't recall doing anything to make you hinder me like this. However, since a friend is calling to me I may as well make the time to listen."

He spoke with that same tone as always, but did say the word 'friend' just a little softer.

It was clearly a topic he didn't have much experience with.

Friends were people he considered worshipers, people who adore him, but what we hold is a mutual respect.

A true friendship.

Ryuen stepped forward.

"You remember me, don't you?"

I noticed he was trying to provoke Koenji, but decided to let it be for now.

Koenji can handle himself, I'll only need to step in if someone makes a move in the literal sense.

"Of course I remember you. You're class C's delinquent-kun, aren't you?"

"Heh, I turned a blind eye to you back then, but I've decided that this time you're coming with me, freak."

Koenji brushed his hair back, since we had stopped he took the time to check his appearance once more.

"Apologies, but I was quite busy that day. However, I can't pretend I didn't hear that, did you perhaps refer to me when saying 'freak'?"

"Who else is that supposed to refer to?"

"I do not intend to stay here for long, more so if you are only here to insult me. Because I am a tolerant person who respects the wishes of his friends, I had decided to stay and listen to you, however if that is all you have to say I will leave, I have a date planned after all."

"That's a shame, but you're going to have to reschedule that."

"So you won't withdraw?"

"What'll you do if we don't?"

Koenji crossed his arms as if thinking up an appropriate answer, but this only lasted a moment.

He snapped his fingers, pointing towards a rest area further down the path.

"Then I suppose we'll have to finish this business over there."

"I couldn't care less where it is."

"Then you may follow me."

Koenji started leading the group to the rest area, and I took this moment to run up to his side.

"Hehe, sorry about this Koenji-kun."

"People judge you by the company you keep, Shizukana-kun, however I can only assume you see something in the delinquent that I myself can't."

I smiled cheerily at Koenji's understanding of my friendship with Ryuen.

"Yup! Believe it or not he has one of the highest max potentials here. I'm carefully watching him so that I can cultivate that, but I also learned he's not bad around those he cares about. In a sense the way we act when it's just the two of us is alike to how you and I act together."