The door was slid open, unveiling numerous people inside practising Karate.
""Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!""
The concentrated shout of the many teenagers wearing the white attire resounded throughout the dojo. The punches they threw out contained the determination to become strong.
"Wow....."
I respected this scenery. I kept staring and it doesn't bore me of how much they can keep doing the repeated moves. It is because of such repeated moves that humans can move closer to perfection.
A calm and patient mind is needed to achieve such an idealistic result.
I couldn't move because of the pressure emanated from the focused members that won't get wavered from anything.
'I want to become like them.'
Those were not words that could be taken in granted. Simple but heavy.
A middle-aged man, supposedly the club's instructor, noticed me and met eyes with mine.
I could discern that he had a well-built body even though he wore the Karate attire. His black hair and brown eyes were accompanied with a well-positioned nose and a round short chin
I was flustered as I was nervously darting my eyes all over the places searching for an excuse. I have never been good with communicating with other people but now, I had to steel myself
As the instructor approached me, I was prepared for a new journey. He stopped and asked in a kind tone.
"Hello, are you a first-year?"
"Y-Yes!"
He smiled and continued talking to me.
"I saw you staring with admiration. Are you interested in joining the Karate club?"
"....."
I was becoming hesitant now that the main question was brought up to me. Seeing the turning point directly in front of me made me falter.
But I remembered why I initially came here. Why I even thought of stepping a foot here.
My resolve was made more inviolable. At this specific moment, I felt my confidence peaked. I looked straight into the instructor's gaze and spoke.
"Yes. I intended to join in the first place."
"...Hoo... Karate is going to be hard for you. I can tell that you haven't practised any sports or so." Intrigued, he waited for my response.
"Still, I want to take part."
The could not do anything to stop me now. He didn't have a reason to do so.
"Ok. You are going to need to register the club's application form to the student council. I am going to accept it."
He guided me through the procedure of joining this club.
"Thank you, sir."
The instructor was happy to gain another lover of Karate. I had resolved and made my decision. Upon seeing my firm stand, he was beginning to think that Karate won't be that hard for me since he smiled gently.
Suddenly, as though forgetting something major, he asked me in an apologetic tone.
"I'm sorry but I forgot to ask your name."
Well, I didn't think of what he did was severe since he didn't do it intentionally.
So, without hesitation or any stuttering, I uttered my name to the instructor.
"My name is Kaburagi Tenma from Class 1-1! Nice to meet you, Sir!" I bowed with the energetic words that exited my mouth.
That was the start of my downfall.
The end of my old yet good self and the beginning of my new disgusting self.
....
"I know that you are gorilla who likes violence but I don't seem to know the point in fighting me. I'm sure that you won't be that elated compared to the fights before."
Aki raised her head very fast in an attempt to stand up. But actually, she hit my chin during her quick action.
"Guh!!"
"Ah, sorry."
I spat on the floor and rubbed my chin gently. I felt the pain tingling continuously.
"I know that you do not mean it so stop acting."
She stared at me with discontent.
"Unlike you, I have manners."
"Oh wow. Should I pray to you for being a Saint for once? Don't make me laugh."
Aki stopped arguing with me and inhaled some fresh air. It was the first time that I saw Aki stopped verbally fighting with me, without anyone interfering.
"We digressed but I haven't forgotten what I want."
I scratched my head with annoyance. I looked up to Aki and helplessly rebuked her.
"Do you want to see me get beaten up this badly?"
Aki was now getting annoyed at how I kept dodging her request. But it can't be helped. Who would be willing to enter the jaw of death?
I definitely wouldn't without a good reason.
"Why do you always judge beforehand that you are going to lose?"
"Because it is obvious. In fact not only for me, but everyone could see the result so blatantly."
I announced so confidently about my weak self to her.
"I mean it's true but....."
Self-praising mixed in with the satisfaction she felt after I said a bitter fact, Aki slowly got into a fighting stance.
"Oi were you even listening to me?" I was getting worried about my situation.
"We haven't had a real fight, did we?"
".....This is pointless! We can't change the truth."
I was really against the decision to fight. So I adamantly tried to veer Aki's intention.
"Shouldn't I be the judge of that?" She smirked a little which seeped excitement.
At this point, she can't be stopped. Only if her objective is achieved that her exhilaration will die down.
"Oh boy....."
I had a helpless expression as I scratch my head in annoyance. I just stood there with a last persistent and opposing argument.
"Come on, I don't like pain."
She scoffed and sarcastically assured me.
"Don't worry, I'll just be 25% serious."
With that, she made a step forward and launched a high rapid kick to my stomach. It just missed me by an inch. The result would have been otherwise if my reaction time was slower.
"You! You lied! You are 100% serious!"
I stepped back hurriedly and got my bearings.
"Oya? Maybe you are kind of underestimating me if you think that 'that' is 100%."
"Kuh-!"
Her mischievous behaviour soon overwhelmed as she launched a frontal attack, directly towards my chin. Fortunately, I evaded that too.
She tried to knock me out!!!
That was dangerous. This is Aki toying with me which is embarrassing for me. A gorilla-like her that plays with someone weaker and enjoying torturing him, this was beyond humiliating.
"Come on, are you going to start to hit me?"
She taunted me as she didn't even let a second for me to initiate an attack. I couldn't do anything except evade.
"Tch!"
Frustration to not even think about attacking, the defence is all I could think of.
"What happened?" Aki teasingly struck a nerve, "You can't use your hands?"
Those same hands that she was talking about were parrying her attacks that kept coming ferociously.
I had to find it. An opening. At the very least I had to stay focused to even dodge the merciless oncoming attacks.
"You are good at running away as always."
"At least say that I'm good at dodging! KuK-!!"
She kicked me in the stomach decently aimed at the centre. I clutch my stomach as I retreated in a safe distance.
"What's wrong with your stomach? Are you pregnant?" She mockingly asked.
"I might be after you kick my ass this brutally."
"We might be seeing a miracle here. A boy getting pregnant. Shall I give you a miscarriage too by kicking you again?"
I laughed with contempt and replied.
"You are too cruel Aki. Maybe I should call the zoo to restrain such a wild gorilla."
"Be careful. They might capture you by mistake because of your stupid-looking face."
The sparks between us intensified as I was the one who started to approached Aki with the intent to attack.
She stepped back and planted her foot firmly as she was ready to counter-attack me. She was letting me attack so I dived in with the utmost concentration. I knew she wanted to counterattack, that's why I moved forward.
I threw a quick right punch but Aki skillfully pushed it away from her and threw her right punch. It was heading straight for the side of my head.
It had no intention of stopping. She wasn't playing!??
I felt the bloodlust coming right for me so I ducked below, falling because I had no balance. However, I did not go down without a present for her.
I tried a spinning kick while my back was falling to the ground.
Not expecting that, she evaded by doing a quick step behind. It seemed like she was not even fazed with the attack judging from her unconcerned expression.
I quickly retreated again after I broke my fall with my hands.
"Finally starting to get serious?" Her smugness took possession of her tone.
I smirked and lied to her, "Oh? Was I serious?"
"At least, keep it that way. Or else, I'm not gonna find any enjoyment."
She readied her again to lunge at me. Meanwhile, I was disgusted by her.
Was I some kind of toy? I don't want to admit it but right now, I just feel like that. This is so humiliating.
Aaah...I want to at the very least, kick her hard in the face.
How should I do it?
How should I accomplish this feat?
How should I proceed?
Aki came at me with a low sweeping kick. I had to jump backwards for better positioning. However, she did not let me off the hook as she continued pressing the charges.
It turned out to be just like before but more intense. The attacks that I dodged were filled with so much power. One hit and I will be, if not completely done, incapacitated.
So I evaded with the use of all my concentration.
"What now? Going back to being a dodging punching bag?"
"What now? Going back to not even hitting a dodging punching bag?"
I teased her while she revelled in the intense moments.
Her kickboxing skills escalated a notch as it got harder to dodge or parry.
'Shit. Just how much is she going to attack?'
Did her stamina increase? She wasn't this well in enduring her energy back when we had that hiking race at the Study Camp Program.
It was going on for about 10 minutes that she kept attacking me relentlessly. There's gotta be an opening at some point.
I could see Aki's frustration building up as she did not land a single hit on me. Her actions were becoming more rash. Openings would start showing up.
I steadily got used to her attacks. I could see her attacks well but that doesn't mean that I could go on forever.
Before that would happen, my stamina would hit rock bottom. So it had to be now. There needs to be some kind of catalyst to make her actions more reckless.
So I provoked her.
"Those assholes from Chiba High School were better."
It was a gamble and I tried to go with a big one. But it fuelled her energy. She remembered Ken's injured face covered with bruises and bandages.
Frustration changed into reproach.
"It's your fault to begin with!"
At first, I did not know what she was talking about. But seeing that she started to blame me, I figured it would be something about Ken.
I struck the wrong nerve.
Aki became even more reckless but it had the reverse effect of what I expected. Instead of blatantly showing her openings while attacking me, she did not even make me give time to exploit it.
She was quicker and more ferocious than before. I did not see her in this form.
"Fu-!"
My face was bathing in sweats, my body was reaching its limits. My gamble miserably failed.
Aki's ability is beyond what I anticipated. Just how much she has trained in kickboxing that she became this good. Or was I thinking wrong?
Was I the one who has completely become rusty?
Was that it?
Even though I avoided all the possible blows from Aki, now that it was even faster, I can barely stand my ground. All I could think of is how to defend myself, not even a tad bit of offence.
I cannot tell exactly how this situation came to.
Was Aki just stronger or was I becoming weaker?
The latter kept bugging my mind.
*Swoosh*
A punch that drove directly to my face, I got hit on my nose. I would have been knocked out if I didn't pull myself back in time. Although I said 'in time', my nose still got harmed.
I swept at the base of my nose since blood oozed from the inside of my nose. I sniffed and felt a little pain.
"Are you ever going to get serious Tenma? Take this as a joke and a nosebleed is not the only thing you should be worried about."
I looked down at my nose with no specific expression. Nevertheless, I pondered about being weak.
I stared at Aki which was getting ready to lunge at me.
Now that I think about it, I was jealous of Aki's strength.
........Tsk! Why do I have these thoughts!!?
I know that I won't be as strong as her since I do not know what was the motivation that drove her beyond strong. But I do know that I can't reach her.
Nonetheless, I want to prove something to her. Not only to Aki but also Ken and even everyone.
"You were right Aki."
"Hmm?"
"Back during Sports Day, when I helped you stretch, you said something about me."
"...?"
I stretched my arms and legs as if I was ready to do a final sprint.
"That I should do some exercise because my body is getting stiff."
"Yeah. Should I help you with that?"
She snickered and mocked me while she approached me with an astonishing speed.
With no intention to move, I replied,
"Yeah. I need it."
Aki threw an amazing right hook perfectly aimed at the side of my head. At the last minute, I ducked and grabbed her right hand.
"-!?!"
I pulled her closer and tried to punch her but she saw through it. Even though she was being pulled in my direction, she used the momentum and did a 180° turn, then tried to elbow me while still being grabbed.
I let go of her. Aki rapidly adapted to her dire situation and devised a plan to get out. She successfully carried it out.
This time, I did not let her escape for even an instant. As she tried to retreat, I lifted my leg and went for her head.
She was looking up to the looming danger that approached her. In my mind, I smirked at how I'm going to trick her. In fact, I'm not aiming for her head.
My foot was closer to her head. But at the last moment, the trajectory changed smoothly and went downwards, towards her defenceless neck.
"Wh-!?"
*Bam!*
My grins were wide as my feet made contact. I sarcastically called out to her...
"How was that you gorilla! Did you-!!!! What!?!"
I was perplexed. I did not believe it. She blocked it with her two hands. Although Aki did not expect this kind of attack, she still managed to stop it.
She proceeded to grab the same leg that I attacked and turned to the sides with great speed. I lost balance and tumbled.
"Gah-!"
I was forced to lay down on my belly and Aki was on top of me. The wrestling move she pulled on me was bold and perfectly executed. She still grabbed my leg and pulled it in an uncomfortable way for me.
"Akiiiiiiii!!!!!!! You gorillaaaa!!!!!!!!"
She pulled even harder.
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! I GIVE UUUUUUUUP!!!!!!!!!
I tapped the floor repeatedly and let her know that I surrendered.
"Hmph!"
She let go as she was disappointed in doing so.
"*Sigh* This is all you have got? Well, this is unsatisfactory."
"You wanted it! Tch!" I got up and checked my leg for any injuries.
"Nonetheless, I can at least say that was a good warm-up for me."
I glared at her furiously for humiliating me. I looked away and sulked at the results.
"You are too strong..."
Aki pondered on my assertion but in the back of her head, she thought otherwise.
"I wonder....."
She reminisced the moment that I almost got her with a Brazillian kick. She least expected for me to do such a move.
Aki felt a chill for a slight moment as she thought about what would the consequences be if she hadn't reacted a bit faster.
This was somehow terrifying
Meanwhile, a bit far from them, a spectator watched their fight with so much admiration.
"...Wow..."
The half-ghost member of the Literature Club was amazed at such a display of power.
He clenched his fist and declared to himself.
"I want to become like them."