The Case Where I, The Strongest Mercenary, was Reincarnated as a Bullied, Introverted High School Student - With My Unbeatable Fighting Skills, I Rule the School and Underworld - Chapter 24 - Unrivaled in battle

“Having survived the busy lunch rush until 3 o’clock, I closed the shop temporarily. At that moment, the high school girl staff members came running to me with sparkling eyes.

‘Jinta-kun, good job!’

‘Thank you so much for helping a lot!’

‘Jinta-kun, you can speak foreign languages, right?’

‘And you entertained the customers so well!’

‘Your working style was really cool and awesome!’

Their sweet voices, unlike anything I had heard before, made me grimace in discomfort.

‘…Did they call me ‘Jinta-kun’? I only remember being called ‘stupid’ and being ridiculed a lot.’

‘S-Sorry…’

‘Jinta-kun, you know, you seemed dull—quiet before.’

‘Yeah, your impression changed a lot today.’

‘We misunderstood you! Let’s take a break together in the dressing room!’

‘And hey, let’s hang out sometime! Jinta!’

‘Oh, maybe if I feel like it.’

Honestly, they suddenly changed their attitude. Couldn’t I have shared a bit of that kindness with the former me, Fushimi Jinta? Thinking so, I went to the kitchen, where Kanai was glaring at me with a sulky face.

‘Hey, hey, you’ve been snacking too much. Is your cheek pouch full? Are you a squirrel?’

Even when I cracked a joke, Kanai crossed his arms with a displeased look.

‘Oh well, that’s good for you. You’re quite popular with the girls.’

This guy, does he switch to polite language when he’s angry? It’s amusing how his personality comes through. And, it’s easy to see why he’s upset. Even though Kanai worked hard too, I’m the only one getting all the attention.

I sighed and went to the kitchen, standing next to Kanai.

‘W-What…? Aren’t you the one who’s the most tired? Go take a break already.’

‘What nonsense are you talking? You’re the one who worked the hardest.’

Kanai always seems to be enjoying herself while working at the shop. She sparkles with pride in making customers smile, and indeed, the reviews from customers often praise Kanai’s service.

“But my parents told me that working in the food industry is a low-level job, trying to make me give up! That really ticked me off.”

“You have every right to be angry.”

“Yeah, right? This morning, you let me have breakfast, and that made me realize that what I want to do is important.”

Kanai seems a bit pleased but quickly sighs and becomes dejected.

“However, I’ve been thinking that just working hard part-time might not be enough. I might not be able to get a job as my parents say.”

“It’s okay. Kanai is working hard, and there are people who appreciate it.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Today, Fushimi was watching over me. Maybe that’s enough for now.”

Saying this, Kanai smiles.

…Well, today, the president and vice-president, who were customers, were also watching you. And they were praising your work. They’ve already remembered your name and face, and they said they’ll come again. Kanai might be approached with something too.

“Now, it’s probably better to start preparing for the night business. Kanai, will you help?”

As I say this and try to leave the storage room, Kanai grabs my hand.

“Today, just go home and rest! We can manage tonight with just the two of us.”

Kanai’s suggestion is appreciated, but I wanted to work at night. Today is the first day of the international exhibition, focusing on ‘Japan’s cutting-edge science and technology.’ While working, I overheard conversations of foreign visitors, which turned out to be quite helpful for gathering information. Some people were discussing suspicious things. Even the ICBM I destroyed was using Japan’s cutting-edge technology. Even a mafia can create weapons. Mafias often use open establishments like this for their activities, so I might get a lead on the organization that crushed ‘SWORD.’

(But, it’s true that I’m tired…)

Thinking that, my phone vibrates. Looking at the screen, I see a LINE message from Ami.

“Yay! Jinta, are you watching? Look at what happened to Charlotte-chan, Jinta’s precious friend!”

Along with this message, a photo is sent. Ami and Charlotte are wearing yukatas, posing with peace signs in a selfie.

“We’re going to a festival now! Charlotte is enjoying, so don’t worry! Jinta, do your best at work!”

…

I save the image in a special folder and rekindle my determination.

“Kanai, it’s okay. All the tiredness has just disappeared.”

“Huh, what happened?”

“My sister sent me a message saying, ‘Do your best at work.'”

“Is Fushimi a siscon?”

“No, I’m just a good older brother who cares about his family.”

Feeling glad that I protected Japan, I head to the kitchen.

Before Saeda comes again, I help myself to about six portions of the shop’s food.

“…I was made an accomplice in ‘this’?”

Kanai glares at me as she continues to eat, but when I feed her the food again, she forgives me with an exasperated look on her face.

With the staff returning, the night business begins. The high school girls continue to praise my work while snuggling up to me, which Saeda and Kanai observe unhappily. I wish they would leave; they’re getting in the way.

Two hours into the business, the shop is overflowing with foreign customers.

Amidst this, a petite girl wearing a hoodie with her head covered arrives.

“Um… Can I have Japanese food here?”

“Yes, are you alone?”

“Yes! Um, I’d like to sit in an inconspicuous seat.”

From her voice, I could tell she’s a girl, and there seems to be some situation. I guide her to a seat at the back and take her order.

“Um, what’s delicious here? I can’t use chopsticks.”

“In that case, how about okonomiyaki? It’s easy to eat with a knife and fork.”

“Okonomiyaki! I know that; I wanted to try it! I’ll have that!”

She happily orders okonomiyaki, and as soon as it’s served, she starts eating, putting sauce on her cheeks.

—Within five minutes, ‘it’ happens. A duo of men who entered later suddenly pulled out survival knives and attacked the hooded girl.

(Jeez, they’re so obvious… They can’t hide their killing intent at all.)

Anticipating this, I quickly rush to her side.

I don’t know the circumstances, but I’ll deal with these guys first and then ask.

“Sorry, I’ll borrow this for a moment.”

“Huh?”

Taking it from her hands, I hold a fork in my left hand and a table knife in my right, intercepting their survival knives.

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