Shichido Yukino is a romantic quote-monger!

The pink-haired girl’s name was Rikuhachima Aru.

"I-I… I’m going to become an amazing person like you, onee-san!"

"Good. But if you want to be like me, first, you need to become strong."

"Huh?"

"Justice without strength is useless. And strength without justice is nothing but violence. To become someone admirable, you must always pursue justice. And to do that, you must become stronger."

“…Okay!"

Honestly, though, saying something like that… I wasn’t exactly strong myself.

Each academy had its strongest fighters—the C&C leader from Millennium, the Justice Task Force leader from Trinity, and the Disciplinary Committee leader from Gehenna.

I didn’t need to fight them to know. Just watching them on MomoTube was enough to see the vast difference in power.

If I were to fight any of them, the match would be over in less than ten seconds.

Still, I was strong enough to take down a few delinquents.

And at the very least, I could say something inspiring to the girl gazing at me with admiration.

Just as I was about to leave before Gehenna's Disciplinary Committee arrived—

"Ugh, those damn delinquents… Alright, it's over! The Disciplinary Committee is— huh?"

A twin-tailed girl with gray hair appeared, looking stunned at the delinquents lying unconscious on the ground.

Judging by what she just said, she was definitely part of the Disciplinary Committee.

She glanced between Aru and me, then let out a deep sigh before speaking.

"Sigh… Cleaning up these thugs is fine, but we need a report. Come with me to the Disciplinary Committee office. Oh, and refusal isn’t an option."

I had to catch the Millennium-bound flight from Gehenna, which was departing in 56 minutes.

Fortunately, Kivotos’ departure process was simplified, so it wouldn't take too long.

But to board safely, I needed to get to the airport as soon as possible.

I had no obligation to follow this gray-haired Disciplinary Committee girl.

Besides, I wasn’t even from Gehenna. I was a student of SRT Special Academy.

"Unfortunately, I don't have time to entertain you."

"Then I have no choice but to take you down and drag you with me."

"However, I refuse."

"...What?"

"One of my favorite things… is telling some bastard who thinks they’re strong— ‘No.’"

Before she could react, I fired a barrage of bullets at her forehead and dashed toward the main road.

"Stop right there! You just attacked a Disciplinary Committee member— you’re finished!"

I flagged down a taxi, offered double the fare, and told the driver to get me to Gehenna Central Airport 1 as quickly as possible.

…Oh, right.

I never told that Aru girl my name.

Well, if fate allows, we’ll meet again someday.

*

Rikuhachima Aru was completely captivated by that black-haired girl.

Helping her when she was being shaken down for money in lawless Gehenna— 10 points.

Easily taking down a group of delinquents— 50 points.

And most of all…

The words she spoke that made Aru’s heart race once more— 1,000 points.

Total score: 10,000 points.

Aru thought back to what that girl had said.

It was so cool.

And she wanted to be just like her.

"Everything I do is justice."

"I am… someone who once pursued justice."

Someone who once pursued justice… Does that mean she no longer does?

But that couldn’t be right.

Didn’t she just step in and take down those delinquents herself?

Aru wasn’t sure.

But there was one thing she could say for certain.

When she became a high school student, she would start her own company—something she had dreamed of for a long time.

And that company… would carry out justice.

Someday, she would meet that unnamed onee-san again.

And until that day came… she would wait.

---

"Justice without strength is useless. Strength without justice is tyranny. Since we cannot make what is just strong, we have made what is strong just."
—Blaise Pascal

"However, I refuse."
—"One of Kishibe Rohan’s favorite things… is telling some bastard who thinks they’re strong— ‘No.’"
—JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure