Chapter 69

After school. While waiting at the designated spot by Senior Hanazono, a tall, muscular man in a black suit and sunglasses came to pick me up. I want to run away.

"Are you Kousuke Yuuki? This way, please."

"Ah, thank you."

The black-suited man led me to a luxurious black foreign car. Inside, a woman in a kimono was seated.

"Are you the one Lisa introduced?"

"Yes, that's me."

I was then seated next to the woman in the kimono, and the suffocating drive began.

"I haven't greeted you yet. I'm Kurenai Hanazono, Lisa's mother."

"Nice to meet you, Kousuke Yuuki."

After the greeting, we exchanged some light small talk, and the main topic of the part-time job began.

"I'm sorry to have you come all this way, but would it be alright if we didn't go through with the part-time job?"

"Huh?"

No part-time job? No 10,000 yen per hour!?

"Of course, I'll pay you for the time you waited. Why not! I have the confidence that I won't lose unless it's to an incredibly powerful magician or a person with special abilities!"

"Magician or special abilities? I don't understand, but this isn't just a bodyguard job. Lisa didn't explain it in detail, so I thought it was a simple part-time job that a student could do, but it's a difficult job even for professional bodyguards or combat professionals with experience. It's not a job for just a strong high school student."

"Uh..."

No wonder it pays 10,000 yen per hour. I don't know what the job entails, but it must be quite harsh. However, I can't just give up on such an opportunity without doing anything. This part-time job is crucial for Kuro and the others' livelihood.

"At least let me show you my skills. I will definitely meet your expectations."

"Skills... Indeed, it would be too rude to reject you without seeing anything. Alright. Please drive the car to the office."

The car stopped in front of a huge commercial building in Susukino, and I was led to the basement.

"This is an office building I own. There's a training facility for my subordinates in the basement, so I'll have you demonstrate your skills there."

Wow, I've seen this building before when I was near Susukino. This is Ms. Lisa's mother's building.

"This is the simulation combat room in the training facility. What's your preferred combat style? Do you need any weapons?"

"I'm fine with just my bare hands."

It's a grand room, about half the size of a typical gym. Bamboo swords, wooden swords, and rubber knives are lined up on the walls. It seems to be designed for training in various situations.

"Then, you'll have a simulation combat with him. The goal is to restrain or knock out your opponent. Is that clear?"

"Sure."

My opponent is the tall, muscular man in the black suit who drove the car. Even through his suit, I can tell he's in great physical shape. He's almost twice my size.

"Then, let's begin the match!"

With Kurenai's call, the simulation combat started.

◇

(So he's the bodyguard... Lisa...)

Kurenai, who had confirmed Kousuke's appearance from inside the car, looked disappointed.

He had a medium build and height, and there was no sense of intimidation from him. His clean hands and face told the story of his lack of combat experience.

(I thought she would bring a professional fighter from her entertainment industry connections... That girl. I thought she understood how serious the situation is, but maybe I didn't explain it well enough.)

Kurenai had asked for a strong acquaintance to be brought in because the bodyguards were insufficient, but she never expected Lisa to bring a school junior.

As the conversation progressed, Kurenai learned that he had no combat experience and wasn't even in a club, which only made her more disheartened.

"I'm sorry to have you come all this way, but would it be alright if we didn't go through with the part-time job?"

"Huh?"

Therefore, Kurenai had planned to pay him for the time he spent waiting and send him home.

"At least let me show you my skills. I will definitely meet your expectations."

"Skills..."

Kurenai was reminded of her encounter with Dies at Kousuke's words.

Kurenai had been called to a commercial facility for a major business deal and planned to bring her daughter Lisa as a promotional figure.

However, during the car ride to the meeting place, they were ambushed by another vehicle, and about 50 thugs armed with iron bats and crowbars surrounded them.

There were only two bodyguards in the car. The car was surrounded by other vehicles and couldn't move. The mobile phone signal was jammed, and the road was cleared of pedestrians.

Thanks to the bodyguards' efforts, Lisa managed to escape the encirclement and call for help.

The person Lisa brought back was a large, foreign homeless man.

(I've been through many tough situations, but I really thought it was over that time...)

However, the outcome was beyond Kurenai's expectations.

"Did you hear that I'll get money if I take down all those guys? Is that true?"

When the homeless man asked, Kurenai nodded, and within 10 minutes, he had subdued all 50 thugs. Moreover, the homeless man was unharmed.

"Would you like to work for me?"

Of course, Kurenai couldn't let such a person go, so she contracted the homeless man, 'Dies,' as a bodyguard with a large reward and stable living conditions. He now leads the bodyguards and protects Kurenai and her subordinates every day.

(Lisa sometimes finds amazing talent... Although she often misses the mark.)

Thinking of Dies' example, Kurenai decided to conduct the test.

"Indeed, it would be too rude to reject you without seeing anything. Alright. Please drive the car to the office."

However, finding someone like Dies is a miracle.

(Finding such talent can't happen often.)

This time, Kousuke's opponent is 'Lloyd,' Kurenai's dedicated bodyguard.

He is one of the bodyguards who protected Kurenai during the fight with the 50 thugs and has experience as a mercenary, making him a professional in combat.

He is the top in terms of skill among Kurenai's subordinates, excluding Dies.

(It's impossible for him to defeat Lloyd, but if he can fight reasonably well, I might consider hiring him.)

"Then, let's begin the match!"

While thinking this, Kurenai gave the signal to start the match and witnessed an unbelievable scene.

"Don't hold back."

"Ah, yes."

The moment Kousuke's right hand wavered, Lloyd collapsed, unconscious.

The first volume of the manga adaptation has been reprinted!

Thank you to everyone who purchased it and to Mr. Kajuto Koushima for illustrating it!

Also, the manga adaptation is being uploaded on various manga apps (Niconico Manga, Pixiv Comic, Piccoma).

I often use manga apps, and it's exciting to see my work there!

Lastly, although updates are slow, I will never abandon the project. Thank you for your continued support!