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Liam Nakamura reclined in the school courtyard with effortless grace, his posture exuding a mix of relaxation and undeniable authority. He held a cold drink in one hand, swirling it lazily as if the entire world were his to control.
The hushed whispers of students around him grew louder when Ryu Kimura came barreling into view, his hurried footsteps clumsy and his face slick with desperation.
Liam's eyes flicked toward him, his expression a mix of mild curiosity and amused disdain.
"Liam!" Ryu's voice cracked as he called out, desperation dripping from every syllable. The crowd of students grew still, their gazes darting between the approaching figure and the unbothered Nakamura heir.
Liam finally deigned to acknowledge him, setting his drink aside with deliberate slowness. His smirk was sharp enough to cut.
"Ah, Ryu," He drawled, leaning back in his chair. "You're late. And, dare I say, you look positively dreadful. Did someone forget to iron your resolve this morning?"
Ryu stumbled to a halt in front of him, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps. "Nakamura, I—I'm sorry! I didn't know who you were. I made a mistake, okay? Please, let's just forget about this whole thing."
Liam rested his chin on his hand, his dark eyes gleaming with cruel amusement.
"Forget about it?" He repeated, his tone dripping with mockery. "Oh, Ryu. You don't just trip into the lion's den, kick the king, and expect a pat on the back."
"But—!" Ryu stammered, his hands trembling.
"But what?" Liam cut in, his voice calm but cutting. "You'll whimper at me some more? Pathetic. I thought you might have something resembling a backbone."
Ryu's fists clenched, his attempt to muster bravado landing like a deflated balloon.
"Y-You can't just destroy people for no reason!" He tried, his voice wavering. "I'll make it up to you. Anything you want."
Liam tilted his head, feigning consideration. "Anything? How about this: call your grandfather again. Maybe this time, he'll fully grasp how royally you've doomed your family."
The blood drained from Ryu's face, and he faltered.
"No?" Liam asked, his voice dropping into a silken tone that sent chills through the onlookers. "That's disappointing. I thought you'd relish the opportunity to dig your own grave."
Ryu's face twisted with desperation as he tried one last weak attempt at defiance. "You're going too far, Nakamura. You think you're untouchable, but—"
"But what?" Liam's voice snapped like a whip, silencing him instantly. He stood up, his towering presence swallowing Ryu's remaining bravado. "You'll try to threaten me again? Poor choice. Let me make this simple, Ryu: you don't get to speak unless I allow it."
Before Ryu could even process the weight of Liam's words, the Oga brothers came stumbling into the courtyard, their faces a mess of tears, sweat, and unbridled panic. Masaru tripped over himself, landing on his knees with a loud thud, while Sakazuki practically crawled behind him, gasping for air.
"Mr. Nakamura!" Masaru wailed, his voice cracking pitifully.
"Please, we're sorry!" Sakazuki added, his words muffled as he struggled to compose himself.
Liam turned his sharp gaze to them, his expression transforming into one of open disgust.
"And here I thought the day couldn't get more pathetic." He crossed his arms, towering over the sniveling brothers like a predator surveying its prey. "Stand up. If you're going to embarrass yourselves, at least do it on your feet."
"We can't!" Masaru choked, his voice wet with tears. "Our dad—he's being investigated because of you! Please, call them off. We'll do anything!"
"Anything," Sakazuki echoed, tears streaming down his face. "We're begging you. We'll never bother you again!"
Liam scoffed, his lips curling into a cruel smile. "Bother me? You couldn't even amuse me if you tried. Your groveling might as well be a bad comedy routine."
The crowd was silent, too entranced by the spectacle to even whisper.
Liam leaned closer, his voice soft but laced with venom. "Actions have consequences. You didn't seem to grasp that when you thought you could cross me. Why should I care now that you're crying crocodile tears?"
Masaru opened his mouth to plead again, but Liam waved him off dismissively. "Save your breath. It won't change anything."
With a final glance at the groveling trio, Liam turned on his heel and strode away, the crowd parting like the Red Sea to let him pass. His voice carried back to them, a lazy but cutting afterthought. "I don't have time to babysit clowns. Consider yourselves lucky I'm feeling generous."
The courtyard erupted into murmurs as Liam disappeared, his chilling dominance leaving an indelible mark on everyone who had witnessed it.
Liam made his way to the cafeteria, where his sister Sakura and three of his favorite companions awaited him: Mei Mei, Akane Nanao, his shy but sharp benchmate; and Akane Suzuki.
"Liam!" Sakura waved, her warm smile lighting up the room.
As Liam approached the table, the girls couldn't help but lean in, eager to hear about the latest drama.
"Liam, you've been busy," Mei Mei said, her grin cheerful. "Ryu and the Oga brothers looked like they've seen a ghost."
Liam smirked. "More like they've seen the future. And it doesn't include them."
Akane giggled, her ponytail bouncing. "I don't know whether to feel sorry for them or impressed by you."
"Both are acceptable," Liam said, sliding into a seat between his sister and Akane Nanao.
As they ate, the conversation flowed effortlessly, punctuated by Liam's sharp wit and the girls' laughter.
"You really know how to stir things up," Sakura said, shaking her head fondly.
"I prefer to think of it as managing the inevitable," Liam replied smoothly.
By the time lunch ended, news had spread across campus: Ryu Kimura's grandfather, the chairman of the school board, had been arrested on charges of fraud and embezzlement. The school's media feeds buzzed with updates, students whispering about how swiftly and thoroughly the Nakamura name had dismantled the Kimura dynasty.
Not long after, the Oga brothers' father faced a similar fate, being arrested for corporate malpractice. It was a clean sweep orchestrated with surgical precision, leaving no doubt about who held the reins of power.
Liam walked into the now-vacated chairman's office, accompanied by Bai Yue, his father's secretary and one of his closest confidantes. Her elegant figure was draped in a sleek black dress, her sharp eyes scanning the room with practiced efficiency.
"The paperwork is complete," Bai Yue said, handing Liam a folder. "The school is officially under Nakamura Industries' management. Congratulations, Liam—you're now the de facto prince of Nakahara Academy."
Liam flipped through the documents, nodding in satisfaction. "Efficient as always, Yue."
Bai Yue smiled, stepping closer. "Only for you, Liam."
Before leaving, she leaned in and kissed him deeply, her lips warm and insistent. The kiss lingered, a promise and a declaration all at once.
When she pulled away, her expression was a mixture of professionalism and affection. "I'll handle the rest. Enjoy your reign, Your Highness."
With that, she strode out of the office, leaving Liam to gaze out the window. The school, once a battleground for petty power plays, now belonged to him.
As Liam descended the steps of the administrative building, students parted to make way for him, their eyes wide with awe. Whispers followed him wherever he went, but he paid them no mind.
His phone buzzed with a message from Lena:
"The transition is seamless. You've made your mark, Liam. What's next?"
Liam typed back with a smirk:
"Next? We raise the stakes."
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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