Of course, he had no idea that someone was already planning to do just that.

Renji had just gotten out of the Center and his mind was still boggling with the conversation he had just had with Mrs Hoshizawa.

He didn't know what to think about it yet but he was certain he wasn't fully all for it. He didn't want Mrs Hoshizawa or any of the other mothers cautioning their sons on his behalf.

The more Renji thought about it, he figured it was possible that Mrs Endo had also done the same. It was very likely that she too had scolded Haru and told him to stop bullying Renji.

Renji didn't really like that. Although he was all for mothers admonishing their sons and teaching what's right, the chance for that was already gone in Renji's opinion.

All he wanted now was his revenge and stuff like this only made it seem less deserving.

He let out a scoff, shoving both hands into his pockets. Still, he could tell that the bullies weren't really done with him. They wouldn't stop just because their mothers said so.

In fact, he imagined things would get even worse once everything cooled off and their mothers forgot about the bullying.

"Well, whatever," he said with boredom. "I can handle whatever they throw at me as long as they don't kill me."

Then he smirked. "I'm pretty sure they can't handle what I'm going to throw at them."

He adjusted his school bag and continued down the street. Walking felt really nice at times, especially when the late afternoon sun was so… nice, hanging low over the rundown neighborhood on the outskirts of Tokyo.

Elongated shadows were casted across cracked sidewalks and weathered apartment blocks that had seen better days. Graffiti-tagged walls and overflowing trash bins dotted the streets, where stray cats prowled and the occasional scooter buzzed by.

This place was what they would call the hood in the Western countries. Regardless of the watchful glares that followed him, Renji navigated the familiar turf with a purposeful stride.

He didn't care about these delinquents. He was here for only one delinquent, the one who blackmailed him earlier this morning.

Bunji.

The stack of 2 million yen was in his school bag. Renji had decided to give him the money early on, rather than hold back and continuously get harassed in the name of a reminder.

He wanted Bunji out of his sight and mind. And if this was what he had to pay for it, then fine.

Besides there was still enough cash to get himself a new laptop and a hard copy bundle of all issues of One Piece.

If Bunji double-crossed him after this, well... the Milf Note was his contingency, especially with that hot sister of his lurking in the background.

Bunji's house was a squat, two-story affair squeezed between similar ramshackle homes, its faded blue paint peeling like old skin, a rusty bicycle chained to the front gate.

Renji had been here before—back when he'd first enlisted Bunji for the fake bike accident gig—but showing up unannounced was a calculated risk.

He knocked firmly on the door, his expression neutral, ignoring the faint scent of fried food wafting from an open window.

Footsteps shuffled inside, and the door creaked open to reveal Bunji himself, his disheveled hair sticking up like he'd just woken from a nap.

As soon as he saw who it was, his eyes narrowed into slits of suspicion.

"The hell are you doing here, Renji?" Bunji hissed, glancing over his shoulder as if expecting spies.

He intentionally kept his voice low.

"I'm here to give you the money," Renji said plainly.

Bunji stared at him, surprised. "Already?"

"Yeah." Renji replied plainly. "You also didn't tell me where to drop it so I came here."

"The bridge would have been fine. Are you trying to get us both pinched by showing up at my crib?"

Renji shrugged and chuckled. "I didn't know you had that many opps."

Bunji looked angry. "Don't joke with me, Renny boy. You're hanging around with a cop and you expect me not to get worried when you just show up here?"

Renji kept his eyes steady, not backing down, knowing the pretense would irk Bunji but also disarm him. No point in escalating; he was here to pay and peace out.

"I didn't even think about that. Mrs. Endo is my friend, and I'm only here to get this over with."

Bunji's face twisted in frustration, a vein pulsing in his forehead. "You little shit—fine. Give it to me."

Renji raised a brow. "Here?"

"Yes here, come on!"

Suddenly, a voice called from inside. A feminine voice.

"Bunji? Who's that at the door?"

Bunji sighed with frustration.

A woman emerged, wiping her hands on a floral apron, her presence instantly shifting the room's tense vibe.

Mei, Bunji's older sister, was a striking contrast to her brother's scruffy delinquency. She was in her very early-thirties, with a hot, curvaceous build that caused Renji's brows to snap up.

Her dark brown hair fell in loose waves to her shoulders, framing a face with full lips and sharp, knowing eyes that sparkled with curiosity.

She wore a simple tank top that hugged her ample breasts and yoga pants that accentuated her toned legs and round ass, her skin glowing with a natural tan from whatever odd jobs she picked up to keep the household afloat.

Mei tilted her head, offering a friendly smile that revealed a dimple on one cheek. "Oh, a friend of Bunji's? Come on in, don't just stand there. I'm Mei, his big sis. You look like you could use a bite; dinner's almost ready."

Bunji hissed. "He's just leaving, sis. You don't need to bring him in."

"Nonsense," Mei said. "Stop being a grumpy friend and let him in right away."

Bunji looked at Renji, giving him a warning glare before stepping aside grudgingly, slamming the door behind Renji.

"Thank you, Miss Mei," Renji bowed.

Mei chuckled, her voice sweet. "Aww. Isn't that cute. Just call me Mei, okay?"

Renji nodded. "Okay."

The house was ordinary, cluttered with mismatched furniture: a sagging couch piled with laundry, and a small TV flickering static in the corner.

His eyes moved to Mei as she moved around, her body seductive in those tight clothes. Renji felt something trickle through his body.

Yeah, she was really sexy.

A potential Milf Note material, if things went south.

Bunji muttered under his breath, "Mei, this isn't social hour—"

She waved him off with a laugh, her curves swaying as she turned back to the stove. "Hush, little brother. Manners cost nothing. So… what's your name, Bunji's friend?"

"Renji," he replied.

"I'm surprised that my little brother has a friend that looks as mannered as you. I hope he isn't wrongfully influencing you?"

Renji chuckled. "No. Bunji's is cool."

Mei looked at him and flashed an astounding, mind twisting, stunning, beautiful smile.

Renji felt his body explode.

"That's nice to hear," she said.

Bunji watched the two of them with anger fuming within him.

She invited Renji to eat, despite Bunji's constant refusal. And moments later, they sat in the living room enjoying the nice meal she had made.

They talked about a lot of things. Most of it was Mei asking Renji about what he did. Renji explained that he was in school and sometimes did volunteer work in Sunshine Center.

"Volunteer work? That's sweet. Bunji could learn a thing or two from you," Mei teased, shooting her brother a sidelong glance.

Bunji hovered in the doorway, arms crossed, his anger simmering but held in check by Mei's presence.

"What do you do?" Renji asked Mei.

"Oh me?" She seemed uncomfortable when she answered. "I'm a bartender. It's not a very pleasant job but it pays the bills, and I get to meet many interesting people. If you ever need a job, swing by."

Renji stared at her. "Okay. Might just hold you up on that."

After the dinner, Renji pushed his empty plate away with a satisfied sigh. "That was killer, Mei. Thanks."

Mei smiled. "You're welcome, Renji."

Bunji jerked his head toward the back room. "Alright, enough chit-chat. Renji, a word. Alone."

Mei rolled her eyes but waved them off. "Boys and their secrets. Don't break anything back there."

Renji followed Bunji into a cramped hallway bedroom, cluttered with posters of motorcycles and empty beer cans, the door clicking shut behind them.

Bunji whirled, his face inches from Renji's, voice a low growl. "What the fuck, man? Coming here, cozying up to my sister? I hope you're not trying any funny business."

Renji held up his hands, calm as ever with an even tone. "Whoa, easy. No funny business. I really only just came here to settle up, like we agreed. Didn't mean to crash dinner, and I didn't know you even had a sister."

Bunji eyed him suspiciously for a long beat, then stepped back with a huff. "You better be straight with me, Renny boy."

"I am," Renji said.

Bunji ran a hand through his hair. "Fine. Hand it over."

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