Ryunosuke Sato

Hikari High School was immersed in perfect silence. Everyone knew: when Ryunosuke Sato walked down the hall, it was best to freeze against the wall and lower their eyes. He wasn't just a bully—he was the king of this concrete hell. His gang, the "Dogs," always stayed one step behind: three thugs with identical vacant eyes, ready to twist the arm of anyone who dared to disobey them at the snap of a finger.

Ryunosuke hated newcomers. To him, they were weeds invading his territory. Every first of September, he held an "introduction ceremony": the newcomer was called to the gym, where, under the spotlight, Sato would smile and offer a "friendly greeting." This meant kneeling and shouting three times, "I'm nobody." Those who refused were forced to "spar" with Ryunosuke, after which the victim was carried off to the infirmary with a broken face and a suspected concussion.

The teachers pretended not to notice. The principal feared Sato more than any inspections from the ministry—once, a bully single-handedly took on five high school students from a neighboring school simply because they stepped on his sneaker. He fought dirty, painfully, and with frightening composure. His fists were tattooed with scars, and his reputation stained with blood.

Everything changed in mid-October. A new student entered Class 3-C. An ordinary guy with glasses, a backpack on his back, and a completely calm gaze. Sato grinned—today would be fun. The ceremony began at lunch. Ryunosuke approached the desk, rested his hands on the tabletop, and leaned close to the newcomer's face.

"Listen, 'fresh meat.' Do you know the rules? " he whispered, and the 'Dogs' had already formed a circle around them. The class held its breath.