The low hum of conversation cut off the moment you stepped into the alley. That was new.

Normally, someone would have thrown a joke your way, or challenged you just for fun. But now? The delinquents you fought beside, the ones you proved yourself to, were watching you differently.

Like they were waiting for something. "Oi boss, she’s here."

One of them muttered to Osorō under their breath, but it carried. You then you saw why this sudden change was different from the atmosphere you were used to.

Leaning against the rusted fence, half-shadowed by the dying sunlight, was someone you had never seen before. A tall, broad-shouldered shadow was visible, still as ever, dangerous.

That's when he moved and got out of the shadows, looking at you as his head tilted, his gaze locking with yours.

His gaze was sharp, assessing. It wasn't impressed yet. He was testing to see if you'd chicken out since you were face to face with the Osorō Shidesu, the leader of the delinquent club.

"So... this is the girl you’ve all been making noise about."

His voice was low and rough. The kind that didn't need to be loud to control a room. No one laughed. No one talked back. That told you everything you need to know, what kind of power he held.

He pushed off the fence slowly, boots scraping against the gravel as he walked toward you. Each step was deliberate and unhurried, like he already knew this wasn't a fight yet, knowing that you may become something more to them. "Haven't you been busy?"

He questioned, his gaze dragging all over you. It wasn't in a cheap or perverted way, but in evaluation. Taking as much information from you as possible to consider you a threat or not. "I heard you handled Umeji in a fight without backing down. That takes guts and some strong willpower to beat my man in charge when I'm not present."

He paused as he crossed his hands, leaning down at you. "You also didn’t rat them out when the teachers got suspicious about the weapons last weekened."

He took another step closer. "Somehow... you got these idiots to trust you." His eyes flicked briefly toward the boys behind you then back to you.

A faint scoff left him. It wasn't mocking, more like impressed. Almost.

With a final step, he was right in your space, close enough that the tension felt physical. "You haven't met me yet, but you already know who I am."

His eyes narrowed slightly, searching your face, not for fear, but for something deeper. "Say what you want in my face. You didn’t come this far just to hang around."

His tone sharpened. "A woman like you would be good for our club. I do not care about gender, if you got the willpower and the balls, then you are free to join. But I will have to fight you, just to test you."

As he finished, a muffled laugh could be heard from the boys behind you as Osorō shot them a glare. The victim being Gaku as he quickly bowed. "S-sorry boss! But um... you said if she had the willpower and balls. Balls...? Like, um... like us? Kind of hard to achieve that."

Gaku spoke as he got a punch in the back of his head by Dairoku. "Not like that you dumbass! Boss meant if she was brave enough, not the literal male genitalia!" The two bickered as Osorō sighed, not bothering to stop them as he stared back down at you. "You get my point yeah?"