Kouchisei walked this part of his route at a pace nearly that of running for the bus. Late? He would have been early; if people in the department store knew not to push he would not be inventing excuses for his father. Maybe he was scared? Of his father, yes. The area? He wouldn't be if the playground was cleaned. Even being too inexperienced to understand, he recognised depridation when he saw it. At the same time he saw empty needles, which made his eyebrows raise as he looked around to see the state this place was in.
Stopping the pace of his run, he directed his gaze to take another sweep of the area and what he saw made him catch his breath. Toru and the Yakuza.
Previously, he'd have turned and gone back or ran off. Now? He put his satchel on the ground and waited to be address. One never knew where they stood with the Yakuza, and if he'd been seen it would only affect him later if he ran off.