The Eminence in Shadow (陰の実力者になりたくて！)

I must have fallen asleep.

Miss?

Huh?

Oh, it's nothing.

Let's go.

Good morning, Nishino.

Good morning to you, too.

Good morning, Senpai.

Thank you, good morning.

There was a boy that I despised.

Good morning, Kageno.

His grades are below average.

Athletically, he's below average.

And his looks are exceedingly ordinary.

Good morning, Nishimura.

Please, excuse me, Kageno.

What is it, Nishimura?

Well, it's my name, you see.

My name isn't Nishimura.

What's that?

What I said was,

my name isn't Nishimura.

What?

My name is not Nishimura.

Oh, I got it wrong?

Yes, but that's okay. My name is-

Ah, hold on.

I remember now.

You were technically a named NPC, weren't you?

Technically named what?

Sorry, talking to myself.

I'm actually pretty good at remembering the names

of all the important characters,

but I haven't been sleeping much,

so I guess I got careless.

You got careless?

You've been in my class,

sitting right next to me for three months.

Three months!

No biggie, everyone makes a mistake from time to time.

Yeah, sorry...

Nishitani.

It isn't Nishitani either, jerk!

It's Nishino. Huh?

My name is Nishino, Akane Nishino.

Oh, well see you later, Nishimura.

It's Nishino! You inconsiderate buffoon!

However, his most unforgivable crime

is not his failure to get my name right.

He never looks at me.

He will turn his eyes in my direction

but they're always distant.

Like he's looking through me at some different far off place.

When I realized that about him,

my hatred was complete.

Akane, you're playing the lead

in the Monday night drama, right?

That's so cool, Akane.

So, how many shows have you done now?

You're even busier than you were last year, huh?

Please, stop.

I'm so incredibly nervous about it.

I could just die.

I can't wait to see you act again.

I have done everything in my power

to avoid associating with Kageno.

If I had it my way, I would ignore him entirely.

But there are other reasons

that I wanted to avoid making a big deal of it.

20,553. 20,554. 20...

When I was in middle school,

I had to take a break from show business because of a scandal.

Ever since that incident...

I've been hiding behind a mask.

Nuclear...

The limits of living things...

More power...

Can I get a volunteer

to tally up the school festival survey answers?

Oh, me, Sensei! I can do it!

But, Nishino,

you still have makeup work to finish.

It's just because you've been so busy lately, right?

This is what makes you so darn lovable, Akane.

Come on, it's not that funny.

Then, um, you sitting next to her, if you would?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay, it's time to meet for our club.

Wanna stop by Mitsugoshi on the way home?

I play the teachers' pet,

so the teachers will like me.

I play the popular girl, so the students will like me.

I've been very careful to make sure no one hates me.

That's how I've lived my life up to this point.

Why isn't he answering?

I haven't walked home since the incident.

Hello, Akane Nishino.

Why? Help!

Not again!

No, please!

Come on, stop struggling!

It finally kicked in.

All right, get her in the car.

Don't order me around, outsider.

You know, you really shouldn't do that.

The head of the Nishino Zaibatsu's daughter,

wandering the streets alone at night...

You're such a foolish girl.

You might run into some unsavory characters.

Just don't try anything stupid. We sent the ransom note.

As soon as we get the money, you're free to go.

Or at least that's our cover story, anyways.

Seems like your old man's made a lot of enemies,

hasn't he, little missy?

Will you shut the hell up?!

Why don't you shut it, you outsider?!

Do you think you can talk down to me?

Who do you think you are?!

I said, stop talking,

you outdated, gangster cliche.

Ugh, this is so annoying.

I finally caught my lucky break and now it's all ruined.

Why don't you help me feel better?

Let's have a little fun.

I'll start with that pretty little mouth of yours.

Don't you dare fight me, you little whore!

This should be old hat for you, shouldn't it?

I mean, it is your second time being kidnapped after all.

And the last guy was a stalker, right?

I'll make this much more memorable

than that other guy did.

Stop struggling! You know you want it.

Huh?

What the...

Hold on, who's there?!

What the hell? Who do you think you are?!

Me? Well, I guess I'm just a Stylish Ruffian Slayer.

Stylish?

Ruffian Slayer?!

Don't get cute with us, goddammit!

Too much pointless moving.

Your guard is way down.

Well, well, it looks like you may have some skill,

Mr. Stylish Ruffian Slayer.

You know, I've been awfully bored

since I was booted from the army.

Doing these pitiful little abductions,

partnering with a lowlife amateur...

This country's just too damn peaceful.

I see, then this is perfect.

I've always wanted to fight a military man.

I welcome the challenge,

Stylish Ruffian Slayer!