I Came to Protect Them But Now I Only Corrupt Them (R-21)

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==============

In the air-conditioned room, the four of us gathered as usual.

"I touched Yamashita's glasses." I quietly began.

Misaki re-seated herself on the sofa.

"You saw it with psychometry?" Reiko asked, offering me an iced tea.

"Yeah." I nodded and took the glass. "I was also able to see Momota's memories, the one who gave Yamashita his ability. It originally belonged to Momota."

"What kind of memories were they?" Ryoko, who had just finished volleyball practice, leaned forward, wiping her sweat.

"He was a man with the power to bestow abilities upon objects people possessed." My voice was cautious. "Yamashita's hypnosis ability was also given by him. When we met in the hospital room, you see."

"Preaching revenge for the weak..." Misaki frowned. "You mean he instigated Yamashita?"

"Yes." I nodded heavily. "He entrusted his own glasses and gave him the power of hypnosis. That power was within Yamashita until I broke it."

"That's why Yamashita..." Reiko's voice trailed off.

A heavy silence fell over the reception room. The memory of the hypnosis incident caused by Yamashita was still vivid.

"But that's not all," I continued. "Momota also gave various abilities to many other people. All those memories were also in the glasses."

The cicadas chirped outside the window. Our four shadows stretched long in the summer sunlight.

"Is there anything we can do?" Ryoko looked at me with direct eyes. Misaki and Reiko also looked at me with the same expression. I felt the strong will of my loved ones.

"Yes." I slowly nodded to the three of them. "First, I think we should go meet Yamashita's victims."

This summer would be the beginning of a long battle. We understood that better than anyone.

"The victims I know are two," I quietly began. "Karina Jozenouchi and Dr. Mai Oyama."

The three's expressions tightened.

"Karina-chan..." Misaki said worriedly. "She still can't touch the piano, can she?"

"No." I nodded heavily. "Someone with such talent canceled all her competitions. She couldn't even go to cram school."

"Even though she's my junior," a hint of regret colored Reiko's voice. "Her musical talent was far superior to mine."

"How about Dr. Oyama?" Ryoko asked.

"She keeps canceling surgeries." I frowned. "Even though she's one of the top orthopedic surgeons in the prefecture, she keeps using her paid leave."

"It's the influence of the hypnosis, isn't it? I think she's probably shocked now, knowing all her actions while she was hypnotized," Misaki said quietly.

"What Yamashita did to them..." My fist trembled. "You know without me saying it, don't you?"

"Even so, you're going to meet them?" Ryoko asked with direct eyes.

"Yes." I nodded. "I'd like Reiko to contact Karina-chan. Through your music connection."

"Understood." Reiko replied.

"As for Dr. Oyama..." I thought for a moment. "Could Misaki's father introduce me? Through his medical association connection."

"I'll talk to my father," Misaki nodded.

"But before that," I looked at my body. "I need to train this body more."

"Train this body... specifically?" Ryoko leaned in.

"Yeah," I continued, a little embarrassed. "I have superhuman strength, but I don't have the stamina or technique to utilize it."

"Oh," Reiko smiled. "Unusually humble of you."

"If it's running practice," Ryoko's eyes sparkled. "How about with me? I'll join you for morning practice!"

"Ryoko..." Misaki said, exasperated. "From 5 AM, right?"

"Besides," Reiko added. "Running alone isn't enough."

Misaki's expression became serious. "How about swimming? It's a full-body workout."

"You can use my family's pool," Reiko said naturally.

"Ah! And," Ryoko remembered. "The karate dojo near my house has a national tournament champion as an instructor!"

I nodded deeply at the three's suggestions.

"I want to do... everything."

"Eh!?" Ryoko's eyes widened. "Seriously? Morning practice, swimming, and karate?"

"Yes." My voice was filled with conviction. "Everything I can do during summer vacation."

"Then, let's make a schedule," even Misaki looked a little surprised. "Morning running with Ryoko, swimming in the morning, karate in the afternoon..."

"Are you sure you'll be okay with all that?" Ryoko asked worriedly.

"I'm fine," I smiled at the three of them. "Because... you'll be by my side."

The summer sunlight streamed into the reception room. The special training days that were about to begin would surely be arduous. But—it was a necessary trial.

To protect my loved ones. And to face a greater darkness.

Tachibana Dojo

In front of an old wooden building, Ryoko pointed at the signboard.

"This is the dojo where national champion Anri Tachibana-senpai practices!"

As we got out of Reiko's car, powerful shouts of "kiai" resonated. Inside, a girl in a white gi was practicing kata. Her movements were flawless, her presence dignified. Her brown semi-long hair tied into a single ponytail was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Anri-senpai!" Ryoko waved.

The girl who had finished her kata—Anri Tachibana—looked at us from beneath her sharp brows.

"Ryoko-san." She bowed politely. "Unusual time today."

"I brought a friend," Ryoko pointed at me.

At that moment, a small voice echoed from the back of the dojo. "Big sister, look!"

A short-haired elementary school student, with an adorable smile, burst out.

"This kata, perfectly... Oh." Noticing us, she suddenly straightened her back.

"Kokoro," Anri gently admonished. "Greetings to our guests?"

"My apologies." Kokoro bowed deeply. I couldn't help but smile at the politeness of both sisters.

"I am Anri Tachibana. This is my younger sister, Kokoro," Anri introduced herself again. Her gaze seemed to assess my physique. "You have a wonderful physique."

"Are you hoping to join?"

"Yes." I bowed deeply. "I'd like to train intensively this summer vacation."

"Are you... serious?" Anri's voice held seriousness.

"Ryuji-kun is a very serious person," Misaki encouraged.

"He's also a very kind person," Reiko continued.

"He always cheers for us during volleyball matches too," Ryoko appealed strongly.

Anri looked thoughtful for a moment.

"I'll go consult with my father."

After a while, Anri returned with a dignified man beside her.

"I am Masato Tachibana, the master."

I bowed deeply again. "Nice to meet you."

"Anri told me about it," the master's eyes looked at me warmly. "If you're prepared to learn thoroughly from the basics..."

"Yes!"

"Yay!" Kokoro gave a small jump. "A new friend, big sister!"

Anri also smiled slightly.

"If you'd like, why don't you come watch the tournament this weekend?" The voice of the dojo master, Masato Tachibana, made us exchange glances.

"There's a summer tournament at the Prefectural Martial Arts Hall," Masato-san continued. "Anri and Kokoro will also be competing."

"I definitely want to go!" Ryoko replied immediately. "Right, everyone!"

Misaki and Reiko nodded.

"I'll drive," Reiko said naturally. "Let's go cheer them on, all four of us."

"Um," Anri said, a little embarrassed. "To go to all that trouble..."

"Fun!" Kokoro happily jumped. "You absolutely have to watch big sister's match!"

"Then, Saturday morning at 9 AM," Masato-san smiled gently. "We'll be waiting at the main entrance of the Martial Arts Hall."

Weekend—

Reiko's car was driving through the city early in the morning.

"I'm nervous," Ryoko, in the passenger seat, clasped her hands on her lap.

"We'll get to see real karate," Misaki murmured in the back seat.

I silently looked out the window. The sight I was about to witness would surely strengthen my resolve.

The Martial Arts Hall appeared, bathed in the morning sun.

In front of the athletes' waiting room at the Martial Arts Hall.

The Tachibana sisters, in white gis, appeared before us.

Their aura was clearly different from their usual selves.

Kokoro's adorable smile had vanished, and she stood ramrod straight. A tension unbefitting a 12-year-old emanated from her small body.

And Anri—

Within her usual politeness, she held something like a cold flame. Her brown semi-long hair was solemnly tied up, and her eyes held unfathomable strength.

"Thank you for coming." As they bowed simultaneously, we instinctively straightened our backs. The girls we usually saw at the dojo were no longer there. Here stood true martial artists, inheriting the blood of karateka.

"Good luck!" Just as Ryoko was about to cheer, Misaki quietly shook her head.

Such words were unnecessary for them now. We just needed to quietly watch their backs as they left.

"Excuse us." The sisters bowed deeply and disappeared into the waiting room. A dignity that seemed to guarantee victory already hung about their retreating figures.

"Amazing..." I found myself muttering. This might be true strength.

Kokoro advanced with unstoppable momentum. The four of us watched the elementary school division final from the spectator seats.

"It's starting," Misaki whispered softly.

Kokoro, in her white gi, bowed deeply on the tatami. Her dignified posture was unbefitting a 12-year-old.

On the tatami, two contrasting athletes faced each other.

Her opponent was a boy. A well-built 6th grader, about 170 centimeters tall. Standing next to him, Kokoro looked as small as a doll.

"I'm worried..." Ryoko instinctively clasped her hands.

But there was no hesitation in Kokoro's stance. Rather, a quiet fire resided in her clear eyes.

"Begin!"

The opponent quickly closed the distance. A large front kick aiming to utilize the height difference.

It was then.

Kokoro's body moved like flowing wind.

Evading the kick, she simultaneously executed a widely arcing trajectory—

"Crescent..." My words trailed off.

A splendid crescent kick pierced the opponent's solar plexus. A perfect balance of beauty and power. It was like a graceful dance, and a strike that fused the essence of karate.

The opponent fell directly onto the tatami. After a moment of silence, the venue erupted in cheers.

"Ippon!"

"Winner, Kokoro Tachibana!"

I saw Anri nod slightly. She couldn't hide her pride in her sister's perfect victory.

"Was that... Kokoro-chan?" Reiko's voice trembled.

"Truly the Tachibana style," Misaki murmured admiringly.

I was speechless. Witnessing the true strength hidden within the adorable girl.

"Isn't that the younger sister from Tachibana Dojo?"

"She's cute, but incredibly strong."

"Did you see? That crescent kick."

The venue was abuzz with talk of Kokoro.

Even the elderly judges nodded in admiration.

"It was like a dance."

"Where did such power come from in that small body..."

"No, it was the precision of the technique. Not a single wasted movement."

Young female athletes looked on with admiring eyes.

"Cute!"

"But her gaze during the match was mature, wasn't it?"

"I want to be strong and dignified like that."

Even the male athletes had to acknowledge her skill.

"The size difference didn't matter at all."

"With that technique, even we couldn't avoid it."

"She's amazing," Misaki smiled. "Kokoro-chan is captivating everyone in the venue."

Ryoko's eyes were moist with emotion. "She's cute yet strong, and strong yet cute."

Reiko quietly nodded. "The dignity of a martial artist and the cuteness of a 12-year-old girl. Conflicting elements are beautifully harmonized within Kokoro-chan."

On the podium, Kokoro showed a radiant smile. In her gi with a gold medal on her chest, she looked like a fairy.

Her presence was a perfect prelude to the high school division, which was about to begin.

"This is... too much." Misaki's voice trembled.

The semifinal match-up. Anri Tachibana vs. Yuji Yamaoka.

A 30-centimeter height difference, a 40-kilogram weight difference.

"Clearly trying to crush Tachibana," Reiko frowned. "Mixing genders and setting up a match like this..."

The two faced each other on the tatami. Yamaoka's huge 185-centimeter frame completely dwarfed Anri.

"Big sister..." Kokoro murmured softly.

The signal for the match to begin. Yamaoka's giant body attacked with a heavy thud.

Anri's nimble block. But I could see her arm trembling from the impact.

"The difference in strength is too great," Ryoko gritted her teeth.

Anri's kick connected with Yamaoka's flank. However, it seemed to have no effect. Instead, his large fist passed perilously close to Anri's face.

"Dangerous!" I almost cried out.

Anri was cornered near the edge of the mat. Sweat glistened. Her breathing was ragged.

Still, her gaze never wavered. Instead, it held an even stronger light.

"Not yet..." I heard Anri's small whisper. "It's not over yet."

Tension ran through the venue. This battle might just be beginning.

It was then.

Anri's body, cornered near the edge of the mat, suddenly arced. As if dancing—

"Roundhouse kick!?"

"From this position!?"

Her brown semi-long hair cut through the wind. Her 168-centimeter body leaped to an incredible height.

Yamaoka's large frame couldn't react to this unexpected attack. A momentary opening. It was less than 0.1 seconds.

A flash-like strike caught Yamaoka's chin.

"It was like... lightning," one spectator later described it.

The large body slowly fell to the tatami. The venue held its breath.

"Ippon!"

The moment the referee's voice echoed, the venue erupted in a roar of cheers.

"Amazing!" Ryoko jumped.

"Superb technique," Misaki's voice trembled with emotion.

"As expected," Reiko smiled proudly.

"Big sister!" Kokoro was crying tears of joy.

Anri quietly bowed. Her posture, without being carried away by the elation of victory, was dignified and beautiful.

Advancing to the finals. It meant more than just a victory. Anri had embodied the true essence of the Tachibana style.

"Anri-senpai, good luck in the finals!" It was when Ryoko cheerfully called out to Anri as she was leaving.

The sound of four people walking echoed from down the hallway. The members of Katagiri Dojo.

Leading the way was Takeshi Katagiri. An air of余裕 hung about his 180-centimeter tall frame. His short, brown-dyed hair shone strangely under the fluorescent lights.

Behind him was the large figure of Yuji Yamaoka, who had just lost in the semifinals. Beside them, Kohei Tanaka, with a sturdy build, and Shinji Teramoto, slender, stood firm.

"Well, Tachibana-san." Katagiri spoke with a friendly tone. "That was a splendid match."

His smile was perfect. But there was a manufactured coldness about it.

"Don't worry," Yamaoka continued in a low voice. "In the finals, Katagiri will be your opponent."

A tension that seemed to freeze the air.

"Excuse me." Anri quietly bowed and tried to leave.

"Oh, Tachibana-san," Katagiri called out. "In the finals, I will crush you with all my might."

The last words lost their previous friendliness and revealed cold hostility.

"...I understand." Anri's reply was short and dignified.

After the four passed, a heavy atmosphere remained in the hallway.

"Those guys..." Ryoko gritted her teeth.

"Katagiri Dojo," Misaki observed the situation calmly.

"The finals don't seem like they'll be easy," Reiko's voice held a hint of anxiety.

I silently watched Anri's back. It seemed as if an immense pressure rested on her small shoulders.

The final match. Two people faced each other on the tatami.

Cheers erupted from the audience for Anri's dignified stance. Her brown semi-long hair, tied into a single ponytail, was so beautiful it captivated those who watched.

Opposite her, Katagiri. His 180-centimeter height stood over Anri. A somewhat confident smile played on his face.

The venue fell silent.

"Begin!"

A moment of silence—

And then, Anri's body sprang into action. A flash-like roundhouse kick aimed for Katagiri's chin.

However.

"Naive." Katagiri's arm blocked the kick with perfect timing. Katagiri smirked. He had completely read Anri's decisive move from the semifinals.

It was then—

An unconventional move no one expected. Using the blocked leg as a pivot, another kick was unleashed. A two-stage kick, as if dancing in the air.

Katagiri's expression froze. His smirk turned into a look of astonishment. Anri's heel perfectly caught his chin.

"It was in an instant," one spectator later recounted.

The large body slowly fell to the tatami. The venue gasped.

"Ippon!"

The moment the referee's voice echoed, the martial arts hall was enveloped in a roaring cheer.

"Amazing..." Tears glistened in Ryoko's eyes.

"A brilliant combination," Misaki's voice trembled with emotion.

"As expected," Reiko smiled proudly.

"Big sister!" Kokoro jumped with joy.

On the tatami, Anri quietly bowed. Her figure looked the most dignified and beautiful she had ever been.

A roar echoed down the hallway in front of the waiting room.

"What are you doing!" Takeshi Katagiri's voice vibrated through the walls. "To lose to such a simple technique!"

Takeshi, kneeling on the floor, trembled.

"Father, I apologize..."

"No excuses!" The surrounding athletes awkwardly averted their gaze. Yamaoka, Tanaka, and Teramoto could only hang their heads.

"He's still young," a gentle voice interjected. Masato Tachibana quietly faced Takeshi Katagiri.

"Master Masato..."

"Young athletes grow stronger through defeat," Masato's voice carried weight. "Today's defeat should help him grow."

At that moment, Anri bowed deeply.

"I am still immature myself," she said. "I learned a lot from the match against Katagiri-senpai."

At her humble demeanor, Takeshi Katagiri's expression softened slightly.

"...Is that so." Takeshi Katagiri sighed deeply once. "Takeshi, stand up."

Takeshi, who had been kneeling, looked up. Tears of frustration still glistened in his eyes.

"Next time... definitely." Anri only nodded quietly at Takeshi's murmur.

"Master Masato, I'm sorry. Let me buy you some coffee."

"No, no, I was the one who was presumptuous. My apologies." The two walked away as they spoke.

"A practice match..." Katagiri approached Anri after his parents left. "Would you consider it?"

His voice, having lost its previous humility, took on a sweet tone.

"And, Anri-san," He moved closer. "Next Sunday, if you'd like..."

Katagiri's hand was placed on Anri's shoulder.

Anri's eyes widened in surprise at the sudden touch. Just as his fingers were about to touch the chest of her gi—

A flash.

"Don't touch my big sister!" A small shadow leaped from directly below, unleashing a brilliant kick to the groin.

"Ugh...!" Katagiri fell to his knees. His sweating face contorted in pain.

"Ko-Kokoro..." Anri exclaimed in surprise.

"A date with big sister?" Kokoro glared, hands on her hips. "There's no way she'd go on a date with someone like you!"

Her voice was filled with adorable anger.

"Right, big sister?" Kokoro turned back with a bright smile.

Anri couldn't help but burst out laughing. Her younger sister, who was supposed to be protected, was protecting her. Her heart warmed at this adorable strength.

Behind Katagiri, Yamaoka and the others wore complex expressions.

"If you're so strong," Katagiri said provocatively, still enduring the pain. "Why don't we have a practice match?"

"Okay!" Kokoro replied immediately. "Big sister will definitely win!"

"Hmph," Katagiri smirked defiantly. "A four-on-four tournament. How about it?"

"Kokoro," Anri tried to stop her, but—

"Let's do it!" Kokoro's eyes sparkled. "Me and big sister... and two more people..."

At that moment, Katagiri's eyes turned to me.

"That fatty over there should participate too." A mocking gaze. "Since you're here to watch, you must be interested in karate, right?"

"Ryuji-kun..." Misaki said worriedly.

"It's fine," I replied calmly. "I'll participate."

"One more person..." As Kokoro pondered.

"Me," Ryoko stepped forward. "I'm in the volleyball club, but I dabbled in karate a bit."

Katagiri looked at the four of us, "Next Sunday. At Katagiri Dojo." He wore a triumphant expression.

The promise was made. What results it would bring, no one knew yet.

============

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