44: Chapter 44: The Bandaged Man

Seeing Ikeda Chikako's furious reaction, Fujino frowned inwardly.

He finally understood why Takahashi Ryoichi was so determined to kill this woman.

She'd driven the girl he loved to suicide, yet showed no remorse. Instead, she flaunted her success, seemingly proud of her ill-gotten gains, and flew into a rage at the mere mention of the victim's name.

Even Fujino felt a flicker of righteous anger. In this world, where people seemed naturally more prone to action, it was no wonder Takahashi couldn't suppress his thirst for revenge.

Rumble...

A light drizzle began to fall, quickly escalating into a torrential downpour.

Suzuki Ayako went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Takahashi Ryoichi headed outside, supposedly to repair the villa roof – in reality, setting his murder plan in motion.

Ikeda Chikako, still upset from the earlier argument, went outside for air, trailed by the sycophantic Kadotani Hiroki like a lost puppy.

This left only Ran, Conan, Fujino, Sonoko, and the delinquent-ish Ohta Masaru idling in the large villa living room.

"Oh no, it's really pouring now," Ran sighed, looking out the window at the heavy rain. "Guess we can't go out and see the autumn leaves..."

"Yeah, stupid rain!" Sonoko echoed, pouting. She glanced towards Fujino, lamenting silently. Too bad, can't go for a romantic walk amongst the leaves with Fujino-senpai now. Nature's backdrop was perfect for sparking romance! Damn this rain!

Fujino, however, wasn't participating in the small talk. He stood silently by the window, gazing out thoughtfully at the storm.

"Care for a walk with me?" A man's voice suddenly interrupted.

Fujino turned to see Ohta Masaru attempting a kabe-don (wall slam) on Ran. He didn't quite make contact with the wall, but the intent was clear.

"But... it's raining outside!" Ran laughed awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable.

"A walk in the rain... isn't that even more romantic?" Ohta persisted, either oblivious to her discomfort or simply choosing to ignore it. Probably the latter – Fujino pegged him as a standard sleazy player.

Bastard! Conan, nearby, glared daggers at Ohta. If looks could kill...

"A walk in the rain sounds romantic, you say?" Fujino spoke up, stepping smoothly between Ohta and Ran. He offered Ohta a polite, yet challenging, smile.

"In that case, Ohta-san, how about you take a walk with me instead?"

"You run into guys like that often," Fujino remarked casually to Ran once Ohta was gone.

"Don't hesitate to shut them down firmly, Ran. If you give guys like that an inch, they'll take a mile."

"Thank you, Fujino-senpai," Ran sighed in relief, bowing slightly in gratitude.

Conan, meanwhile, was beaming internally. Nice one, Fujino! Maybe the guy wasn't so bad after all. He could be surprisingly reliable when it counted! Was I wrong about him?!

Fujino ignored Conan's shifting opinion. He waved dismissively over his shoulder.

"I'm going to step outside for some fresh air. If that guy bothers you again, Ran, just use your karate."

"Wait, Senpai! Maybe we could..." Sonoko started to suggest, finally seeing an opportunity, but when she looked up, Fujino had already opened the door and vanished into the rain.

"Aww..." Sonoko sighed, watching the spot where he disappeared. If only I'd thought of suggesting a walk in the rain first. Then, a mischievous grin spread across her face. Still... Senpai looked so cool just now!

Outside, deep in the rain-soaked forest surrounding the villa.

"Should be about time," Fujino muttered, holding an umbrella and scanning the gloomy surroundings.

If his deductions were correct, Takahashi Ryoichi – disguised as the bandaged man – should be coming to eliminate him around now... But there was no sign yet. Did the plan change?

The rain drummed steadily on the leaves, the wind rustling through the trees with a mournful sigh.

"Squish, squish, squish..."

Suddenly, footsteps sounded from behind him.

"Showtime."

Fujino tossed the umbrella aside. Activating his enhancements, he leaped forward, simultaneously drawing the Okamoto Momoka 0.01 pendant from his neck and concealing the now full-sized bokken behind his back.

Just as he moved, a heavy thud echoed from where he'd just been standing.

He spun around. The bandaged figure stood there, a large axe embedded in the muddy ground where Fujino had been moments before.

Seeing the missed strike, the 'Bandaged Man' quickly wrenched the axe free from the earth and swung again, aiming directly at Fujino.

Fujino activated a High-Grade Reaction Speed Enhancement Card.

[High-Grade Reaction Speed Boost Activated; Duration: 0:09:59]

Instantly, the world shifted. The falling raindrops seemed to slow, each splash in the puddles becoming distinct and clear. The Bandaged Man's axe swing seemed to move through molasses.

So this is a High-Grade card... Fujino thought, impressed. Way stronger than the regular ones. Definitely Purple quality...

The bokken pendant in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠his hand expanded rapidly, solidifying into its full form.

Mimicking the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū's signature move, Fujino met the incoming axe with a powerful counter-swing.

"CLANG!"

The jarring sound of wood striking metal echoed through the forest.

The Bandaged Man staggered back, his axe arm trembling violently from the impact. He stared at Fujino in disbelief. The force behind the blow seemed impossible for someone of Fujino's lean build.

He gasped for breath, then swung the heavy axe again in a wide horizontal slash.

Fujino narrowed his eyes, raising the bokken horizontally to block.

Another sharp clang reverberated.

Followed immediately by a heavy splash.

The axe flew from the Bandaged Man's numb grasp, landing squarely in a nearby puddle, sending up a spray of muddy water.

Weaponless, the Bandaged Man instantly turned to flee.

"Good chance!"

"Hokushin Ittō-ryū, Basic Strike!" (Okay, maybe just a standard powerful swing.)

Fujino wasn't about to let him escape. He adopted a quick-draw stance and surged forward, bringing the bokken down hard onto the back of the fleeing figure's head.