Stealing Spree

Was it underhanded? Of course, it was. However, that’s not something to regret about. Even if I had a chance to beat him fair and square, I know for myself that I wouldn’t go unscathed.

I’m aware of my own strength and no matter how great I am at fighting – which I won’t say confidently – there will always be a situation where it won’t matter how much of an expert you are; especially in a closed space like this bus where one’s movements are restricted.

I might be the one knocked down if I let him get close to me.

There’s a reason why boxing and other fighting sports have weight classes. You can’t simply send a flyweight against a heavyweight. It’s like sending a cow to the slaughter.

Anyway, like I mentioned, I didn’t stop after he was down. I made sure that the man wouldn’t be able to retaliate at all even if it became a horror to watch for the other passengers. The men covered their crotches while the women turned their heads away as the man’s pained groans filled the silenced bus.

I also couldn’t let him see Juri clearly or he might come and find her after this day. And if he’s going to exact revenge on me, I’ll be vigilant and take him down again if ever I spot him again.

In the end, the man could only crawl while protecting his groan and his other vulnerable parts. He begged the driver to open the door and let him out.

The bus driver turned to me for my opinion on whether to let him go or not. Acknowledging that there was a slim chance of me being charged with assault instead of ruling it as self-defense if ever the police got involved, I allowed him to roll out of the bus in the middle of the road.

No. Even if it could eventually be ruled as self-defense if they took the victim and the eyewitnesses’ accounts, it would be a hassle to involve the police and derail our plans for today. I had no time for that.

From start to finish, we only exchanged one line. He also had little to no opportunity of cursing properly because every time he would open his mouth, my foot would either stomp his head or kick him between his legs again. Lying prone on the floor of the bus also didn’t help him. In fact, it was easier for me to kick him when he tried that.

Before I returned to Juri’s side, I only said one thing to those who were trying to praise me for stepping up or criticize me for going too far, “Please, I don’t need any of it. I understand that it’s difficult to confront and be a hero against someone as buffed as that guy but let’s just agree that nothing happened and continue on our way, alright?”

I intentionally glared at those who had loud voices, shutting them up in the process.

The middle-aged woman who tried to stop me earlier apologized to me but well, I didn’t need it at all.

And when I reached our seat, the victim who was now taking up my spot couldn’t stop thanking me.

I could’ve said that I didn’t step up to help her but that would be tasteless, right? That’s why I had no choice but to accept her gratitude and let Juri handle her.

Minutes later, when the woman eventually calmed down and she managed to narrate what led to that situation, Juri let her take the window side.

Then, while anxiously biting her lips, the cool fashionista turned to my side and pushed us to the other end of the backseat before throwing herself at me and embracing me tightly.

It was as though she was doing her best to protect and check on me if, by some chance, I got injured from that scuffle. Then, when she didn’t find me groaning in pain, she looked up and stared at me with clear guilt and concern on her face.

“Ruki, I realized that I acted hastily and put you in that situation… I’m sorry.”

“Mhm. I won’t say it’s fine but I’m glad you realized it. I thought of scolding you later but I guess there’s no point in it anymore. Among all the passengers here, including me, you’re the only one who didn’t think twice about helping her. That’s commendable.”

“It’s hardly commendable when you’re the one who resolved it in the end. If you’re not here… I…”

Looking at how troubled she was as she continued to dwell on the ‘what if’ scenario, I placed my hand on her head and caressed it before sliding it down to her cheek.

After giving it a squeeze to bring her back to the surface, I replied, “Like I said… It’s great that you realized how reckless it’s. That’s more than enough. I just hope that if you witness an incident like that next time, you think about yourself first. I’ll be sad if I hear that you got caught up in an incident…”

Sense of justice was great but it had to be backed up by the necessary strength to resolve the situation. Naturally, physical strength was just one thing as there were other methods to help someone. But if someone put themselves in a situation that was impossible to resolve by talking and got mixed up in it, there’s no one else to blame there but themselves.

“I understand… I’m lucky to have you by my side. Last time, you defended me against that man. This time, you pit yourself against someone like that because of my recklessness… I… I’m ashamed.”

Upon saying that, Juri hugged me tighter, and soon enough, she buried her face in my chest.

Of course, the nearby passengers could hear us but well, I couldn’t care less about their reaction. It’s actually great that no one was meddling or speaking up. Or else, I would be shutting them up.

Anyway, knowing that words would have little to no effect at the moment, I didn’t say anything else. I moved my hand to Juri’s back and started caressing her like that, hoping to calm her down.

When my gaze somehow landed on our previous spot, I saw the woman bowing her head at me in gratitude. I smiled and gestured to her that it was fine.

Thankfully, she acknowledged it, giving me one last bow of gratitude before turning to the side, leaving us alone.

I didn’t get a good look at her earlier but clearly, she’s also attractive in a way. That man got tempted, for sure.

I wouldn’t compare her to the adult women in my life, I would be biased with that. But let’s see… maybe she’s at the same level as Elizabeth’s mother, Auntie Claire, and Yua’s mother, Auntie Misora.

Anyway, I stopped paying attention to her soon and simply focused on the woman in my arms.

Fortunately, nothing else happened until we reached our destination.

As expected, the woman thanked us one more time before we got off the bus. The bus driver also saluted me with a look of respect in his eyes. And quite possibly, my charm worked once again for the other women on the bus who took their shot in trying to ask for my name.

Thanks to Juri still clinging to my side, she became a deterrent that stopped them from pursuing me when I refused to say my name.

Well, I don’t need the attention, and the same as before we boarded the bus, my focus lies solely on the woman I’m accompanying.

Several minutes later, our plan for today went back on track and we soon arrived at the Greenwood Forest.