That 96: Hello, robber guy.

Gururu, gurulululu!

A piercing, unpleasant sound came from ahead,

"——Everyone, get out of the car!"

Kio shouts.

What's going on...?

I couldn't help but realize I'd overestimated my own "Defense."

I reacted slower than anyone else to "it."

A truck charging straight down the slope, heading straight toward us.

Catch it at the edge of my vision.

"Wha—?"

I suddenly realize the ground is beneath my head.

Ah, this isn't good...

In an instant, I'm crushed flat by the truck flipping sideways, helpless to stop it.

"Hey, are you okay?!"

"Senpai!"

"Big sis!"

Above me, the voices of Hibiya Norio, Kōsuke, and Ayaka, who seem to have narrowly escaped the danger, ring out.

It would surely be a fatal hit in a movie, yet of course, it has not a single scratch.

The problem was, however, that I had become nearly immobilized.

It seems there's the weight of two vehicles pressing down on my back, including the truck that rammed into me.

I'm confident my defense is above average, but my strength hasn't gone beyond that of an ordinary person.

Just as I was wondering what to do, a voice came from outside.

"Yes, don't move, you lot!"

Peering through the gap, I could just make out several armed men surrounding us, holding light machine guns pointed our way.

Oh no.

My head ached from my own carelessness.

It seems we've been ambushed by someone—some group or individual, we don't know who.

Well, I supposed there are people like that around, I guess.

Since everyone near the school seemed generally polite, I let my guard down completely.

Hey there, little lamb! The wolf's attacking!

After such an intriguing self-introduction,

Everyone gather in one place! Then lay out everything you're carrying on the ground!

It seems the attackers were four in total.

The men were all covered in soot, wearing tattered clothes in various places, their appearance quite dreadful.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

As Saya waved her arms frantically,

"Shut up! Shut that kid up! I'll kill you!"

one of the attackers shouted angrily.

"Please don't shoot! You know zombies will come if you do—doesn't that bother you too? Huh?"

Actually, I wouldn't really mind that much.

Still, a gunfight would've been too dangerous. After all, there are people here like Matsuda Gōzō who aren't enhanced by the Domination skill.

This is clearly a moment to just obey orders.

"Got it! We'll follow your instructions!"

Kio speaks for everyone.

"Whoa! Wow! Old man's got some moves! Seriously, you dodged that well! You're part of a circus troupe or something?"

"I've handled stages like that before."

Kiou smirks confidently.

"Anyway, don't worry! We're gentle types, so as long as we get food and a woman, we won't kill anyone, okay?!"

"Of course, we'll share the food. But I can't hand over my companions."

"No way!"

As he says that, one of the attackers lands a low kick on Kiou.

"Father!"

Instantly, Kōsuke's eyes flash with murderous intent.

"Enough, Kōsuke."

Not yet, not this moment, his father's gaze seemed to say.

...Even if I say that, it's not like I'd be fine being stuck as a tiny thing... Yeah, just two people are enough to bring along!...Hey, you there!

The attacker designated Ritsuko and Asuka.

Ayaka, left out by her friends,

Hey, old man, what does "chinchikurin" mean?

I quietly ask Kenji.

"...means petite and cute."

"Hmm... Is that a positive meaning?"

"Shut up and stay quiet for now."

It seems like the two of them have grown close over spending time together recently.

"Hey, come on already!"

The attacker clearly doesn't like our lack of tension.

The man grabbed Asuka's shoulder, growling impatiently.

"Ah, help me~"

The delivery was anything but convincing—hardly the voice of someone aspiring to be a voice actress.

Asa-kou-san chuckled and spoke to the man.

"Come now, no need for violence—keep it restrained."

"What?!"

"I understand, being a man myself, how those emotions can take over. Let's settle this like adults, through conversation, okay?"

"We're forever in our teens! Too bad~!!"

Ugh.

Are you really pulling out Hanada Yōku's jokes these days?

I just can't seem to connect with these people on any level—especially when it comes to humor and other things.

"But listen. You can't keep living like this forever, can you? How about joining us, then?"

"...Joining us?"

One of the men mimicked Amaeda-san's tone with a comical gesture.

"No way, impossible!"

The attackers all burst into laughter at once.

"We're having a pretty good time, you know. Just give us something to eat, and it'll be even better."

At that moment, one of the attackers grabbed Asaka-san's rubber-like breasts.

W-wait a second...

Wow...

So that's what breasts look like when you grab them.

No way...

"Uwah, that's a bit too much, seriously."

Immediately after, a blue vein popped up on Masada Gōzō's forehead.

Perhaps, as a mother with a daughter of a similar age, she might have had something on her mind.

Stop it... I am speaking to your conscience.

"What? Are you kidding me?"

You're not listening, I see.

Asuka is also silently urging with her eyes, "Isn't it about time we struck back?"

"Ah... damn it. Guess there's no other choice."

A deep sigh from Asada.

One can sense their peaceful mindset in their attempt to include these people at this stage.

But it seemed his patience had reached its limit.

"...You know, I was a former police officer, you know."

"What? What does the police have to do with anything now!"

"I've got most of the firearms available domestically memorized....You guys, that thing of yours, is a model gun, right?"

"Wha...!?"

This was a message.

Not directed at the attackers, but at them.

Directed at all of us.

"Ahh, so that's it."

Asuka grabs the man's hand and crushes it.

A crisp, satisfying crack echoes through the air.

"!?!?!?!?!?"

All the attackers' expressions change instantly.

In the next moment, Kousuke's straight punch, Ritsuko's high kick, and Norio's knife-hand strike knock each of the men unconscious one after another.

The only attacker still conscious was the one who grabbed Asahina-san's breasts—disgusting fellow.

"W-what the hell is going on here...!"

"Just as you said. A lost little lamb."

Asahina-san responded with a wry smile.

"Any other allies?"

"N-no! Just us!"

"Asahina-san, please!"

Then, Asahina-san, gripping his hand tightly, squeezed with merciless force.

Creak, creak, creak—his hand cracked under her immense grip.

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I! It's true! Seriously! Just us!"

"Then, anyone else alive you know of?"

"I-I-I don't!"

"...Asahina-san?"

Creak, creak, creak.

"Get out! I got it! I got it! There are quite a few of them ahead—right under that overpass! It used to be a bicycle parking area! That's where we were kicked out from!"

"How many?"

"Fifty... no, maybe more."

"You said you were part of that group. Then, who's the leader?"

"It's that guy Okiita. He said he used to run a bicycle shop."

"Ah, I see. You're not lying."

Despite not seeming like someone from the general affairs department, Mashida smoothly extracted information with ease.

"Then, let me give you one final warning. If we hear that you're up to no good in the future... Got it? No matter how far you run, we'll track you down and feed you alive to those 'zombies.' Understood?"

"Y-yes... I understand..."

The man collapsed in defeat, utterly drained of strength.

Asa Ta Kōzō, still wearing a bitter expression, muttered to him.

"Then, have a good end."

▼

Well, then.

……Now that the situation has calmed down.

…………Um, could you please help me out soon?