Elysian's Monogatari

Chapter 160: Scandal Appears

The next day came as school at Yumenosaki went on as usual for the current 3rd year students. Meanwhile Shiro and Ito went shopping together. Ito went out to get materials for CRAFTMONSTER and Shiro went out to get ingredients for Niki's Kitchen.

While walking to the mall the two have been quiet so far. Shiro hasn't spoken since Ito invited him to go out together. Ito took a slight glance at his King and saw that his expression looks a little tired. ...King...he doesn't look good at all....it's because of yesterday right...? Ito thought.

...It's not the first time...but the second time...King released his...dark impulse...even though it has been a while....it's still scary to see it again.....and yet all I did....was stand there...and do nothing to help....I-If only I can do something...for him now....He then thought.

"...U-Ummm...King..." He then said. Shiro turned to Ito upon hearing being called and asked. "...What?" "....U-Ummm before we get our stuffs....l-let's get drinks....I'm a bit...thirsty...." Ito said. ".....I don't mind but I don't think you needed to tell me that beforehand." Shiro said.

"J-Just in case.....I don't want to...leave you by yourself after all...." Ito said worriedly. "....Sorry." Shiro suddenly said. "E-Eh?! W-Why are you apologising?" Ito asked.

"...I caused you four trouble yesterday. Even though it's been a while since I used my hands to fight the moment I saw Ren getting hurt and you about to get hit made me think I had to react fast no matter what." Shiro said.

"....Not to mention when the goon who had Hinata on the floor said something that triggered me, or rather one of my past memories, I just had the urge to really destroy him." He added. "....." Ito said nothing as he looked at Shiro with concern. He wants to comfort his king but he doesn't know what to say.

The two then continued to keep quiet as they walked to the shopping mall. As they were walking they saw a crowd of people at one area looking up. Curious they walked there and stopped. They then looked up and saw a big screen. To be precise, on the big screen there's a reporter who's currently talking about a recent incident that went viral. The words the reporter said shocked both Shiro and Ito.

At the same time at Yumenosaki Ren is having lunch with Tsukasa and Tetora as always. They were eating peacefully when Tsukasa's phone vibrated. He stopped eating and took out his phone to see a message from Arashi. It said: Ou-sama send this to Ren-chan immediately or if he's there with you show this to him now! Followed by a video.

"...Huh?" Tsukasa said confused. "...? Tsukasa-kun? What's wrong?" Ren asked. "It's a message from Narukami-senpai. He said to show this to Ren-kun as soon as possible." Tsukasa said. "Eh? To me? Why?" Ren asked. "I don't know but it may have something to do with this video." Tsukasa said as he shows Tetora and Ren his phone.

"This is...a video?" Tetora asked. "Hai. I will play it now to see what's going on." Tsukasa said as he pressed the video link Arashi sent. However since it's the lunch time they can't play it loudly so they go closer to the phone and up the volume for a little bit. Once the video plays, immediately it shows a news reporter talking about an incident and the caption shocked the three of them.

It read: 𝙍𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄𝙙𝙤𝙡 𝙏𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙨 𝙑𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙋𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙘 𝘼𝙡𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣

And in the video a person can be seen beating some other people badly. "This person is....Shiro-senpai?" Tetora said. "...! This incident...it can't be!" Ren said. "Ren-kun?" Tsukasa said. "...Damn it to think there was a reporter who saw what happened!" Ren said.

"Eh? What do you mean?" Tetora asked. Just then the news reporter started talking. "Yesterday, a disturbing incident involving a popular ES-affiliated idol trainee has begun circulating online, sparking concern among fans and the general public."

"According to multiple eyewitness accounts and leaked phone footage, Hanagaki Shiro, a well-known idol and model, was involved in a violent street altercation with several unidentified men near a closed shopping district. While initial reports suggest the confrontation began as a dispute involving his companions, videos show the situation escalating far beyond self-defense."

"Wha-?! What on earth is this?!" Tetora asked. The news reporter then continued. "In the footage, Hanagaki is seen single-handedly overpowering multiple individuals, delivering blows with alarming speed and force. One clip, now widely shared, shows him grabbing a man by the head and smashing it into the pavement, causing visible shock among bystanders. Shattered glass from a nearby storefront can also be seen, raising questions about property damage and public safety."

"What has unsettled viewers the most is Hanagaki's expression and demeanor during the incident. Netizens have described his gaze as 'empty', 'inhuman', and 'terrifying' with some claiming the violence appeared excessive even after the threat had subsided. Children were reportedly present nearby, with witnesses stating that several hid behind their parents after seeing the fight unfold."

"While supporters argue that Hanagaki was protecting his friends from potential harm, critics question whether an idol someone held up as a role model should ever resort to such extreme measures. The fact that multiple phones were recording before the confrontation ended has only intensified scrutiny, as clips continue to spread without full context."

"As of now, ES has not released an official statement, but insiders claim the management is treating the incident seriously. Concerns have been raised about Hanagaki's emotional stability, with some online commentators speculating about unresolved anger issues or a violent streak hidden behind his polished public image."

"What the hell? I don't get what's going on but are they implying Shiro-senpai has a mental problem?!" Tetora said. "Headlines are already forming like 'Idol's Dark Side? Fans Shocked by Violent Street Footage', 'Hero or Threat: Hanagaki Shiro's Brutal Fight Sparks Debate' and 'ES Under Fire After Idol Loses Control in Public'."

"Whether this incident will be framed as an act of protection or a dangerous lapse in judgment now depends on how ES chooses to respond and whether Hanagaki Shiro himself can face what the public has just seen." The news reporter then said before Tsukasa decided to close his phone.

"....Ren-kun explain please. Just what is going on?" He then asked. "....This is wrong." Ren said. "...? What is?" Tetora asked. "...True whatever happened in the video, Nii-san punching the gangsters badly, did happen. But they were the ones who started it." Ren said.

"Gangsters?" Tetora asked. "...The ones we met back when Nii-san first went berserk." Ren said. "...! You mean them?! The ones in the video Shiro-senpai was beating, was them?!" Tsukasa asked in shock. "...Yep." Ren said. "But we haven't seen them in a long time right? Don't tell me after all these time they still have a grudge of what happened back then?" Tetora asked.

"Sadly they did. We only happened to meet them again but we didn't think it would lead to this. That Hugo person was the one who wanted to pick a fight too." Ren said. "Hugo? Who's that?" Tsukasa asked. "...The gangsters' leader name. The one who once took Ito-senpai hostage and used Hinata-kun and Yuta-kun as a distraction to hit Nii-san." Ren said.

"Hinata-kun and Yuta-kun?! What did they do?" Tsukasa asked. "...Pinned us to the ground as if we were suspects." A voice said. The three turned to see the twins. "Hinata-kun! Yuta-kun!" Ren said. "...Good afternoon you three. Having a good lunch?" Hinata asked.

"...At first we were. But the damn scandal took it away." Ren said slightly annoyed. "Scandal....well I suppose it is one. The actions described about Shiro-senpai are true but..." ".....the way they said it is so exaggerating." Yuta said for Hinata with a sigh.

"....Those bastards...I'm so not forgiving them for this....!" Ren said angrily. ".....Ren-kun..." Tsukasa said. ".....We have a lesson as Elysian so once school ends I'm so going to see Nii-san's condition. Ain't no way he won't see this and feel okay." Ren said. "....I got it. I guess today no going back to Seishou Hall together then." Tetora said.

"....I do hope Shiro-senpai doesn't take it too seriously. If not it's going to be like two years ago with Akehoshi-senpai." Yuta whispered.