I approach Arata and sit on the chair next to him, I look at him and he's going to be unable to sleep tonight because his face will sting when he hits the pillow. Togawa-san is furious and there's no way he would let Sando and his friends enter the gym anymore, he's banning them from entering the gym and Togawa-san is a very respected person in the city, so if he wants Sando to not be able to train in other camps, he could just by telling the owner of the camps about Sando's behavior to them, but I guess he doesn't want that and let Sando free.
Sando is being carried by his friends and he can't even lift his head and just walk downstairs with his head down, and I was being merciful toward him because if not, he won't be able to walk with his own two feet. Togawa-san looks at Arata and he orders one of the guys to bring ice from the fridge downstairs, but I interfere and let me grab it myself since I want to apply vaseline and coagulant on his bruises first to stop the bleeding. Togawa-san tells me that the vaseline and the coagulant are at, and so I go downstairs and hurriedly grab those things.
I grab the vaseline and coagulant on Togawa-san's desk then grab the ice from the fridge. I go upstairs and mix the vaseline and coagulant on the back of my hand, I rub them onto Arata's bruises on his face, Arata is screaming in pain but I tell him to hold it a bit longer because it's necessary to stop the bleeding and clean the open wounds. After I'm done rubbing those things on his face, I put the ice on his bruises. Arata is finally able to sigh with relief because his face is not stinging anymore and going numb because of the ice. Togawa-san is clicking his tongue and shaking his head while staring at Arata, I just chuckle and keep pressing the ice.
Arata is holding the ice and he looks at me.
"I'm sorry..."
I shake my head.
"No, it's okay, you learn the harsh way but I like your guts, Iesada-san. It's rare to see anyone who doesn't know how to fight to immediately jump into a fight to train, but still, you're stupid from doing so."
Arata is laughing but his mouth is stiff so he just opens his mouth to laugh. I'm pointing at Togawa-san and looking at him.
"This old man here is the best coach you will ever find in this town, he has produced so many fighters and his method is the best. You will be training with him from now on, once you have forged your mind and body, you will start to spar with the people in this gym."
Togawa-san is nodding in agreement, Arata is looking at him but then he seems nervous and looks at me. I scoff and shake my head while leaning on the chair.
"Don't worry, you won't be beaten like this because these people are good people, you were just unlucky to meet Sando on your first day."
Arata believes me and nods with understanding, I look at Togawa-san and raise my eyebrows.
"So, physical training for his first day?"
Togawa-san nods in agreement.
"That's right. Iesada-kun, let's start your training now."
Arata is confused and seems surprised, he thought that he's done for today, but turns out it's just the beginning. Before he can open his mouth to complain, Togawa-san is smirking and raises his eyebrow.
"What? You came here to become stronger, right? Do you think you can become strong after you get beaten up like that? No, it was just an introduction. Now, get your ass up and start to push up 50 times then sit up 20 times. We are going to do that until you can't feel your stomach and biceps, let's go!"
Arata gets up and walks to the middle and immediately starts his push-up, I'm smiling, and rather than just watching him training, I'm going to train as well and play with the punching bag.
I'm sweating like hell and out of breath, I'm not the only one who's out of breath because someone has been screaming and yelling in pain in this room. The guys who are training next to me are chuckling and laughing at Arata but they're not mocking him, instead, they're encouraging and supporting him under their chuckles and laughs. Togawa-san is enjoying this moment, he loves to torture a new guy who joined the gym and it makes him proud for some reason when he manages to make a person suffer, he's kind of a sadistic person not going to lie.
I look at the sky outside the window and it's getting dark, I don't realize that it's been 3 hours since I'm playing with the punching bag. I'm stretching my body to cool down my muscles while looking at Arata who has been doing 500 push up and 200 sit up, I'm amazed by his will because oftentimes I saw people are giving up after that harsh training. Togawa-san has finally had enough to torture Arata, and he let him rest for today, Arata is laying on the ground and he's about to vomit but before he does that, he runs with all his might to the bathroom to vomit.
I look at Togawa-san and shake my head.
"You're sadistic, old man. You never done that to me before, is that a new method or something?"
Togawa-san approaches me and sits on the chair while crossing his legs.
"I know what kind of person he is, and you knew about it as well. This isn't just about giving him a harsh exercise but building up his mental state, he has a weak mind and body, so even if I trained him with all my heart and teach him how to throw punches, he won't be able to clinch his fists when he's in a trouble. It will be pointless to train him for now, and I want to make him a better person first and that's my plan for him."
I'm humming in agreement.
"Still, you have to appreciate him. He did a great job for someone like him, right?"
Togawa-san is nodding in agreement while crossing his arms and looking at the bathroom.
"That's right, this kid must have someone to protect, huh? That's why you brought him here in the first place."
I sit down next to him after I'm done stretching my body.
"Yeah, I threatened him that I would take his girlfriend to give him a push."
Togawa-san is laughing so hard and looking at me with disbelief.
"You're evil, Norl-kun."
I scoff and shake my head.
"Said the guy who forced him to do hundreds of push up and sit up."
Togawa-san is chuckling mischievously, then he clears his throat and looks at me.
"So, do you want to tell me what happened to your back? That looks serious."
I look at my back and sigh.
"I got scratched by knife by those people after school."
Togawa-san is furrowing his forehead and he looks so concerned when he heard it.
"Are you okay? Do you need my help? I know some people that can help you with it."
I shake my head.
"No, it's already been resolved. I heard the guy who did this to me lose a finger because of this."
Togawa-san is scoffing.
"Served him right, but that doesn't mean you can be at ease because someday you might be in that kind of situation again and I want you to be careful. You're playing a dangerous game, Norl-kun and I don't know what you were or are doing, but don't underestimate your own safety. Anything can happen even if you want it or not, and that's when you have to make the right decision which is the safety of your life."
I nod with understanding.
"Yeah, I know that already. This happened because I'm trying to run away for my life, but it was unfortunate for me that he managed to scratch my back, that's all."
Togawa-san is humming with understanding, then he furrows his forehead while staring at the bathroom.
"Your friend seems to take a lovely time in there, should we check on him?"
I look at the bathroom.
"You're right, I think he passed out in there."
Togawa-san sighs while standing up, we both walk to the bathroom and as soon as Togawa-san opens the door, we see Arata is laying on the floor. We both are chuckling and carrying him out from the bathroom then put him on the couch to let him rest for a bit, then he's giving me another lecture about life while waiting for Arata to wake up.
Arata wakes up and groans in pain, I look at him and smirk.
"You're finally awake, let's bring you home because it's already late."
Arata is opening his eyes and looking at me.
"What time is it?"
I look at the time.
"It's already 7 P.M., aren't Tamamiya-san is waiting for your call or reply?"
Arata jolts from the couch and grabs his phone, he sees so many messages and miss calls. He looks at me with his eyes wide open.
"I have to go back home!"
I chuckle and nod.
"Yeah, let's go."
We go downstairs and when Arata is about to pay for today's training, Togawa-san is giving the money back and says that it's free for today and he can start paying him for the next session and onwards. We both thank him and then Arata is going to use a cab to go home, we are going to where the cab is at, Arata is looking at the sky and sighs.
"Thank you, Norl-san, I somehow feel like I have become someone that I can be proud of."
I look at him and scoff.
"Well, your path to becoming strong is still far away, but if you keep doing it step by step, you will become a great person in no time."
Arata nods with excitement.
"Yeah, I won't give up. This is for my own sake as well."
I just smile and nod in silence.