Chapter 9: The male protagonist in the inner world shows his power
The man was of sturdy build, wearing a black suit and shiny leather boots.
This middle-aged man had a square face and a resolute expression, and the wrinkles on his face were full of experience.
Judging from his familiar movements, this guy was at least very familiar with this mansion.
Either he was Cocolia's subordinate, or...
"Are you Raiden Ryoma's bodyguard?" Subin asked.
The man sat down opposite Subin, his tiger-like eyes revealing an unconcealed fatigue.
"Yes, I am the bodyguard that Mr. Raiden Ryoma arranged for Miss Mei. Since Mr. Raiden Ryoma was arrested, I have been secretly protecting Miss Mei's safety."
This explanation made perfect sense.
A down-and-out young lady with billions in wealth would definitely attract the covetousness of hungry wolves.
The reason Mei Raiden had been able to live safely in Chiba Academy for so long was not because of Kiana's extraordinary strength.
The adult world is much dirtier than you can imagine.
But…
"Since you've been secretly protecting Raiden Mei, you should know that you shouldn't be looking for me. I'm just a passerby who's staying here temporarily."
Subin didn't believe that this guy was unaware of the current situation.
Although he was the only man in this family, he was not the one who had the closest relationship with Mei.
Kiana, that noisy girl, was the one who gave Mei the most warmth.
And on the surface, he was just an ordinary person, so if anyone should be asked to help Mei, it should be Kiana.
The man in the black suit sighed, his eyes unusually serious: "My identity is quite sensitive, and it may bring some unnecessary danger to Miss Mei."
"You also know Miss Mei's current situation. Although her life is safe for now, her mental condition has been very unstable since Mr. Raiden Ryoma was arrested."
As everyone knows, the existence of pets cannot solve real problems.
Ever since Raiden Ryoma was arrested, the Raiden family was deserted by relatives and friends, forcing the eldest daughter, Mei Raiden to start learning how to cook.
Kiana, her junior schoolmate, helped Mei Raiden during her loneliest and saddest moments, preventing her from falling into despair.
But Kiana was still just Kiana, and she could only give Mei Raiden a little warmth in her clumsy way.
If one wanted to truly heal Mei Raiden's psychological wounds, they had to start from another angle.
As a bodyguard, he lacked the identity and qualifications, let alone the ability to do so.
But Subin…
"Although you and Miss Mei have only known each other for one day, I can see that Miss Mei has different feelings for you."
"Please, please help Miss Mei."
Just from the fact that Subin looked like an innate cowherd who could become the top star in Ginza, the man was confident in his judgment.
The man in the black suit used the most solemn etiquette of the Far East—kneeling to the ground!
If he added a line like "My Lord," it would have been a sure win.
Subin's eyes flickered. The information gap allowed him to analyze several possibilities for why the man in the black suit appeared here.
Raiden Ryoma might have indeed left a bodyguard for his daughter, but based on what he knew about Cocolia, she would never allow such a glaring loophole.
In other words, the man in the black suit was most likely Cocolia's subordinate.
He appeared under the guise of "Raiden Ryoma's bodyguard" only because Subin had entered Cocolia's radar.
Cocolia thought he was in the basement, but he was actually on the second floor!
Taking advantage of the situation was the best move right now.
"Leave the matter of Mei to me."
…
Chiba Academy.
"Hey, daughter of an embezzler, today's hygiene duty is on you."
Several female classmates surrounded Raiden Mei, and without any regard for past friendships, they forcibly dumped their tasks onto her.
"Isn't that your job?"
The girl lowered her eyes, trying to hide the sadness and pain in them.
She had treated them so well in the past, but once she was no longer a wealthy young lady, they became her bullies.
It was incomprehensible—and utterly unacceptable.
One of the prettier girls said as if it were only natural, "As the daughter of an embezzler, shouldn't you feel ashamed and contribute more to us?"
She looked arrogant and self-righteous.
It was as if they weren't bullying a classmate, but punishing a criminal.
"That's right. As the daughter of an embezzler, don't you feel ashamed of who you are?"
"Forget it. I feel like the air gets dirty just being around her."
"…"
The girls jeered among themselves, belittling Raiden Mei, trampling her dignity into the dirt.
Raiden Mei said nothing—just stood there, wordless.
She knew that if she protested, they'd only bully her more viciously.
"Hey, what are you still standing there for? Go clean already."
Teachers passed by the noisy classroom but showed no intention of intervening.
The girls tormenting Raiden Mei were either wealthy or powerful people the average teacher dared not offend.
They might feel pity for Raiden Mei, but no one would risk their salary over it.
Inside the classroom, the last shred of self-respect kept Raiden Mei rooted to the spot.
She resisted the urge to run away, not because she wasn't hurt, but because she didn't want to become tomorrow's gossip.
The girl lowered her head, hiding tear-filled eyes behind her bangs.
The venomous words spewing from her classmates only grew harsher. They weren't satisfied just attacking Raiden Mei anymore.
Just as her crystal tears were about to fall, a male voice suddenly cut in.
"What do you think you're doing?"
The bullies turned, visibly unimpressed when they saw Subin in his casual clothes.
Why should some outsider meddle in their business?
"Who the hell are you?"
"Are you this bitch's boy toy?"
"Look at this handsome guy—bet this embezzler's daughter wrung him dry already."
Raiden Mei kept her head down and said nothing.
It seemed that if she dared open her mouth, her voice would give away her breakdown.
Her shame felt heavier than the floor beneath her. Her dignity was crushed under these people's feet, and she felt utterly humiliated in front of her peers.
The warmth she'd felt during her encounter with Subin yesterday only deepened her pain now.
She didn't want anyone, least of all her friends, to see her like this.
The pressure on her heart was reaching its breaking point.
But her tormentors still weren't done.
Just as one of them was about to speak again—
"You bunch of sows—Know your place." Subin's voice cut through, calm and cold.
Hypnosis.