Chapter 248: Stalker Karuizawa Kei / Do You Want to be One-Punch Man?
Matsushita Chiaki didn't actually have much confidence.
She knew in her heart that Shimizu Akira likely didn't care about 200,000 personal points at all.
She wasn't stupid; on the seventh day of the island exam, she had clearly seen him talking privately with Class A's Katsuragi, Class B's Ichinose, and Class C's Shiina Hiyori for quite a while.
With Akira's capabilities, he had probably secured several point transfers through those conversations already.
She would never gossip about it. If someone earns points through pure skill, what right did she have to interfere? Besides, Class D had gained 255 class points during that exam.
Without Akira, she doubted they would have even hit 150. In her view, the strong deserved more resources because they were the ones leading everyone to victory.
But because Akira didn't lack points, she was worried.
What method could she use to get him to intervene fairly and reasonably?
She recalled the conversation Chabashira-sensei had with her during the island exam.
While the aftermath was a bit awkward, it confirmed one key piece of information: Shimizu Akira did not have a girlfriend yet. Being a high school boy, he had to have some desire for contact with the opposite sex, right?
Matsushita's original plan was to ask Akira out alone, make him happy with conversation and a little physical contact, and then supplement that with points to coax him into helping.
But after observing him for two days, she realized it wasn't that simple.
Karuizawa Kei and Sakura Airi in their group also seemed to have feelings for him.
Last night, she had subtly tested them. Sakura turned red and couldn't even speak properly. Her friend Kei claimed he was "just a club member," but her eyes betrayed a competitive spark toward Sakura.
Seeing this, Matsushita decided on a "choice of three."
He could choose one of them—her, Kei, or Sakura—for a date, plus the 200,000 points. She knew this was just a request.
With Akira's personality, he might not care at all. But what if? There was always a chance. If you don't ask, the possibility is zero.
Actually, Matsushita felt a bit guilty.
While the three of them were certainly beauties, Akira himself was exceptionally outstanding. Handsome, fit, the ace of the boxing club, and quick-witted. In terms of overall value, the three girls were actually getting the better end of the deal.
"Sorry, Matsushita-san, I can't agree to your request." A few seconds later, Akira's answer was exactly as she expected.
"Is it because the points are too low? Or... is one of us not enough?" she asked instinctively.
"Don't be so quick to ask," Akira waved her off, his tone calm.
"I just want to know: what is your standard for 'intervening'? Is it helping the class get 100 points? Is it ensuring our VIP isn't guessed? Or making Class D rank first? Regardless of the reward, you have to tell me what you are actually pursuing."
To him, "intervening" was too vague. If he did nothing but say "I tried," that was an intervention. Guessing one VIP was an intervention. If the goal wasn't clear, he'd be taking her 200,000 points and a girl's time for nothing. Akira wasn't the type to take advantage of people like that.
"Ugh... sorry, I was in too much of a hurry." Matsushita's cheeks flushed as she realized her oversight. She thought and then added, "Then... if I hope you can help the class get 100 points—meaning guessing two VIPs from other groups—is that okay?"
"Ah, if that's the case, please allow me to refuse," Akira answered immediately.
"Ugh..." Matsushita puffed out her cheeks, dejected. Once the terms were clear, he refused. She realized the "choice of three" date probably sounded more like a reward for the girls than for him.
Even she wouldn't mind a date with him.
She was surprised, though. She hadn't expected Akira to be so realistic. But this "realism" made him feel more human and strangely reliable. Class D had Hirata for warmth; Akira's bluntness was a nice change.
"By the way," Akira asked, "why are you so obsessed with finding me? Aren't Horikita and Hirata leaders too?"
"...I think they aren't as good as you," Matsushita said without hesitation.
"Thanks for the compliment." Akira felt a bit of pressure from her persistence. He remained silent for a few seconds before saying, "You don't need to offer specific terms. You remember you helped me twice in the first two months, right?"
Matsushita blinked and remembered. The first month, she helped him secure those four votes for Kushida. The second month, she helped resolve a dispute involving Kei.
Akira had a good memory for those who were kind to him.
"I will do my best to find the VIP in our group so the class gets 50 points."
He was in that group anyway. Finding and reporting the VIP would get the class points, net him 500,000 personal points, and fulfill Matsushita's wish. It was a win-win-win.
"I see..." Matsushita nodded. His refusal of the big request led to a smaller, more genuine promise. Being around him was unexpectedly comfortable. She took out her phone and transferred the 200,000 points anyway.
"Why did you send it?" Akira asked, surprised.
"Consider it the fee for the date," Matsushita said, hiding her hands behind her back.
Akira didn't push it. "Fine, I'll take it." It seemed she cared more about the date than the help. Is it my imagination? Regardless, he wouldn't refuse points from someone he knew. His first extra income of the exam had arrived.
"So, who are you going to go out with?" Matsushita asked hesitantly. Her heart tightened.
"I'll go with our boxing club manager, Karuizawa," Akira said without a second thought.
"Oh," Matsushita replied softly. She wasn't surprised; they were club mates and the most familiar with each other. But she still felt a tiny bit of disappointment.
"Do you need me to contact her?"
"No... she's my manager, I have her contact info. I'll tell her myself." Akira started to call her.
Suddenly, a familiar ringtone sounded nearby. Both looked toward a corner as Karuizawa Kei walked out, flustered and blushing.
"Cough... I just happened to be passing by. What... what were you talking about?"
Akira's lip twitched.
'Happened to be passing by?'
She had clearly been eavesdropping. Matsushita was also speechless. She had followed Akira, only to realize Kei had been following her. A double-tailing?
The atmosphere was too awkward, so Matsushita made an excuse and left them alone.
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Karuizawa Kei's face was still bright red.
She hadn't intended to stalk Matsushita; she just saw her friend acting suspicious behind Akira and followed out of curiosity. Hearing Akira choose her had made her freeze up, and then the phone rang, blowing her cover.
"I didn't think you had a hobby for stalking people," Akira noted.
"Wait! I told you, I wasn't stalking! It was a coincidence!" Kei argued. Then she caught his wording.
"Wait, 'also'? Are you saying Matsushita was stalking you too?"
She realized Chiaki and Akira had become strangely close since the island. Why hadn't Chiaki mentioned a word about it? Kei felt a bit annoyed.
"What was Chiaki talking to you about?"
Akira found it funny that she was asking when she had heard everything. He told her the truth.
"Why did you agree to help?!"
"Because I got 200,000 points. Think of it as a side hustle."
"Always so greedy for points!" Kei muttered. She remembered giving him 80,000 in the first month.
"Then... why me?"
"Because out of everyone, I'm most familiar with you," Akira answered honestly.
"Hey!" Kei glared at him. He was always so blunt, and it was always so irritating! She pushed it aside and asked, "The way you and Chiaki talk... it doesn't sound like the first time you've had a deep conversation."
"Yeah, we talked on the island."
"How did you meet?"
"Chabashira-sensei introduced us."
"What?!" Kei's eyes widened.
Akira explained the story of the questionnaire. Kei was stunned.
'Chabashira-sensei? What the hell?'
Compatibility? Questionnaire? Even with her grades, she knew the teacher was just playing matchmaker!
Then a memory surfaced. On the island, Chabashira-saeda had pulled Matsushita aside.
'So that's what it was!'
Remembering the teacher's look toward her back then, Kei finally understood: That wasn't a normal look; it was a 'you weren't chosen' look!
She felt a surge of indignation.
'Where exactly am I inferior to Matsushita?'
"Have you two been on a date already?" Kei frowned.
"No. We were on a deserted island; there was no time for that."
Kei felt a wave of relief. She knew Chiaki was a great girl, but she didn't want them getting close. Then she realized: in a "choice of three," Akira hadn't picked Matsushita.
He picked her.
Maybe she was more important to him?
Her mood brightened.
"Let's go... want to walk around the ship?"
"Sure." Akira was in vacation mode anyway.
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Kei took Akira to a teppanyaki restaurant on the ship. The sizzle of oil and the aroma of beef greeted them. They sat near the iron plate to watch the chef.
As the steak sizzled, Akira asked, "Those two from Class C... they haven't bothered you again, have they?"
Kei shook her head. "No! You warned them publicly; they wouldn't dare."
"You used to come to me immediately when you were in trouble. Why didn't you this time?"
"I can handle it myself," Kei replied seriously.
'Does he think I'm still a kid?'
She felt she had grown a lot lately. She wouldn't let people corner her in a bathroom and pull her hair anymore.
"I still don't quite understand," Akira mused.
"In the first month, why were you so obsessed with me protecting you?"
Kei's hand paused. After a second of silence, she whispered her secret: "...I was bullied in the past."
"..." Akira finally understood the "parasite" dependency. It was a victim's instinct for safety. He didn't say something dismissive like "Oh, is that all?" School bullying was a soul-eating pain, especially in Japan where it could be incredibly subtle and cruel.
"But... that's in the past," Kei said, her voice gaining strength.
"With you here... I'm actually doing quite well now."
Since entering this school and making that contract with Akira, her life had been reset.
The boxing club senpais were reliable; she had friends like Matsushita, Sato, and Mori.
Even Class D students stood up for her now.
It was a dream compared to junior high.
And it all started because she was brave enough to ask him for help—and he was smart enough to force her out of her shell.
Akira saw the light in her eyes.
She was growing. Not as fast as Horikita, but she was far more relaxed than before.
"When we get back, run with me," he said. "Huh?! Why?!" Kei groaned. "You run at 6:00 AM! I can't get up that early!" She was a notorious late sleeper.
"So! How do you know I run at six?" Akira narrowed his eyes. Another person caught watching him run.
"I... I happened to see it! And a good manager should know the athletes' schedules!" she argued righteously.
Akira got serious.
"No one can protect another person forever. The only one who can truly protect you is yourself. Exercise will give you confidence. You can learn basic self-defense at the boxing club. That way, if something happens, you can fight back instead of waiting for a rescue."
Kei listened. It wasn't a lecture; it reminded her of the helplessness in the bathroom and the potential strength in her own fists.
She poked her mashed potatoes. "But 6:00 is so early... If I can't wake up, will you call me to wake me up?" She looked at him with expectation.
Akira's lip twitched.
'A wake-up call? She's dreaming.'
He stiffened his face. "If you're late, you run an extra lap."
"Ehh?! So harsh!" Kei puffed her cheeks.
"I'm the manager! This is insubordination!"
Akira didn't bite. "Don't you want to be a 'One-Punch Man'? End the meaningless drama, stop being fake with people. If someone tries to bully you, you KO them with one punch and walk away while they're groaning on the ground."
That hit home.
She had fantasized about that—especially regarding Manabe from Class C.
She clenched her fist. "Then... how about 6:30? Just thirty minutes later, I'll definitely wake up!"
"No. 6:00 sharp. Not a minute late. And no more than two lates total. If you don't agree, forget I mentioned it." He knew if he gave an inch, she wouldn't stick to it.
"I agree! 6:00! I won't be late!" Kei panicked, seeing his serious face.
'Is he mad?' She felt a pang of fear. She quickly grabbed Akira's arm, pulling it slightly toward her, her voice softening.
"Sorry... I didn't mean it. I'll set an alarm for 5:30. I'll go to bed before 10:00. Please don't be mad?"
"...I'm not mad." Akira was speechless. Why the extreme reaction? "But why are you pulling my arm?"
"Last time I invited you to my dorm, I watched your expression when I pulled you. You looked like you liked it, so I remembered. You like this, right?" she whispered.
Akira reached a new level of wordlessness.
'She's saying it so straight... is she getting more airheaded? Or was the 'gyaru' look just a mask for a ditz?'
"Do you want to read more books?" he asked randomly. Kei perked up suspiciously.
"What does that mean? Akira, do you think I'm stupid?!"
"..."
"What does silence mean?!" she cried. "I'm not as smart as you, but I'm way smarter than Chiaki! My grades are better than hers!"
Akira couldn't hold it in; he burst out laughing.
"What are you laughing at?! What did I say wrong?" Kei glared, genuinely confused.
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