Golden Festival Day 3
Chifuyu has embarked on a new journey. Today in District 1, special edition volumes of Shioto's best-selling manga are being sold. Fans all over want to get their hands on this no matter what. The signed volume is over 400 pages long including the top 5 fan favorite chapters, exclusive art and interview questions, and much more. However, there are only 10 copies. The only way to acquire them is to purchase it from a bookstore in District 1. There are hundreds of them, and the volumes could only be at 10 of them. As this is in another District, Chifuyu needed a means to get there. So he text a good old friend.
-Hey, Shoyo. Can you teleport me to District 1? I wanna buy a book.-
-Ok.-
Thus, he got there at 6 a.m. sharp and called for an Uber to get to the nearest bookstore which opened in 2 hours.
Chifuyu was dropped off at approximately 6:49. To his surprise, there was only one other person waiting before him. He looked to be his age. The stranger who's been sitting at the front entrance for several hours glances at the boy who just arrived. Only for a second though before closing his eyes back without not so much as even acknowledging him. This ticks Chifuyu off somewhat, but he lets it go. The bookstore he happened to choose is way on the outskirts of the town. But still he would've thought there'd be a few dozen people even at the least popular bookstore. Instead, it's just one boy there who is the same age as him. Could this be fate?
Chifuyu sits down and asks the guy his name.
He glances at him again for a few more seconds before answering and closing his eyes yet again, "Yuji."
"I'm Chifuyu. If the volume's here, may the best man win."
"…."
'Yep. Mr. Edgy over here is getting on my nerves.'
'If the volume's here, then I'll come out so we can jump him and make sure he doesn't get it.'
'I don't think that'll be necessary…'
The next hour goes by in what feels like an eternity. After playing mind rock paper scissors over and over again, the doors finally open. The two stand up synchronized. Taking one last look at the other, they walk in and search the building for the volume. Despite the location, the bookstore is quite large with thousands of books and no manga section. If the volume is here, then it's been hidden among the rabble. They realize this and hasten their search.
It was a miracle.
After over 10 minutes of looking, the book was spotted.
It was actually at this bookstore.
Of course, the two lads find it at the same time. This was bound to happen. An inevitability.
They grab it off the bookshelf together and tug it back and forth a few times before stopping so they don't damage it.
"So, what're we gonna do?" asks Chifuyu.
"How about you both pay me for it and decide what to do afterward." The shop owner greedily gives her suggestion, anticipating this would happen. The special edition volume is $70. Seven times that of a regular volume but still not overpriced given that there are only 10 copies.
They go along with it and both pay her.
"So, what're we gonna do?" Chifuyu asks again.
"Let's do this the old-fashioned way."
"And that is?"
"We fight for it."
"Are you serious?"
"The first one to land a clean blow wins.
"Heh. Why not, you're on."
Chifuyu agrees to it since he was pissing him off a little. He figures one good hit on him should be enough to satisfy himself. But Yuji knows who he is. He knows him a bit more well than other strangers who haven't met him. Although Chifuyu doesn't know him in the slightest. One thinks this is going to be an easy win. But the other knows.
"Come at me whenever."
'Don't cry to me after pal.' Chifuyu runs in.
'Get 'em, master!'
Chifuyu has no intention of going easy on this guy. Hand-to-hand combat isn't his specialty, but he knows how to throw down. He goes in with a fury of blows at the torso, but Yuji blocks them all with the palm of his hand. Chifuyu is then met with a heavy right hook which he blocks with his left forearm last second. Shaking it off, he smiles and continues on with the relentless punches. However, Yuji hasn't even broke his relaxed expression as he continues to block it. Chifuyu attempts to sweep his legs from right under him but he leaps over it and delivers a turning kick mid-air in retaliation. The swift attack is narrowly avoided by falling backward. Chifuyu pushes himself back up with his hands by his head which lunges him forward for a double kick. Yuji blocks it, but this moves him from his position that he's been in since the fight began. The attack isn't finished though. Chifuyu wraps his legs around Yuji bringing him to the ground. This catches him off guard. As if caught in a web, Chifuyu was his fist to land the finishing blow on his ensnared foe with a devious smile. This whole time, the shop owner has been recording them. She plans to post this online and caption it "Two otakus fighting for a special edition volume". Yuji stops Chifuyu's blow and busts out of the leg lock with sheer strength. Laid on the ground, the next thing Chifuyu sees is a foot about to stomp his skull. He rolls over and over to avoid the 4 stomps aimed at his head.
"Hey! How are those clean hits?!"
"The clean hits would come after."
"After you squash my head?!"
This is how serious obtaining exclusive volumes of your favorite series gets.
'Master, let's jump him.'
'Doesn't sound like a bad idea now. But nah, he's mine.'
An exchange of blows from the two ensues for several seconds. No hits are landed though, they're either blocked or avoided. Both are going all out, at least that's what it seemed like. Yuji picks up the tempo and begins pushing Chifuyu back. He starts getting overwhelmed by the heavier and faster attacks, even the blows he blocks are leaving some lingering damage. He tries to counter with a kick but its easily grabbed and gets him thrown to the floor. He recovers fast and backs away to breathe for a moment.
'What's with this guy, why is he so strong?'
'Your getting your ass kicked. Are you sure you don't wanna—'
'No. I have an idea.'
Chifuyu stances himself to make Yuji think he's coming back in for an attack. With no shame whatsoever though, he runs to the bagged volume on the ground and takes it, disregarding their fight.
It takes a few seconds to Yuji to process what he's doing. He clearly sees it, but just can't believe it.
"Oi! Get back here!!"
And so, the battle turns into a chase.
Chifuyu laughs maniacally with his tongue sticking out of his mouth, "Ahahahaha. Catch me if you can."
Yuji is beat if it comes to a long-distance race, so he exerts every ounce of energy he can to catch the rat in front of him as soon as possible.
'Haha. Look at his face. Guess he's serious now.'
'True. Haha.'
'HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.'
'HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.'
Yuji doesn't know it, but he's being laughed at by 2 people.
'Oh. He's getting close.'
'Not for long.'
Chifuyu accelerates even more, but so too does his pursuer. A few minutes pass, and Yuji remains on his tail.
'He's putting everything he has into catching you. If you don't pull something, he'll get you soon.'
'Crap. If I had a bit more initial space between us, I'd have already lost him.'
When things are looking grim, an 18-wheeler approaches them which gives Chifuyu a very dangerous idea. Right as it passes, he hops onto the back. Sticking his tongue, he believes he's escaped him. It was a premature taunt. Yuji hops on the next 18-wheeler that passes.
"Is this guy crazy?!"
'Hahaha! He's not making it easy for you.'
"Even if he's a good fighter, he's a civilian. I don't need him dying trying to get this from me."
'Well, he's already on the truck. Look, he even climbed it.'
"Crap. We're going on the freeway."
Without fear, Yuji crawls to the front and hops in the passenger seat through the open window.
"What the?!"
"Hey pops, can you catch up to that truck for me."
"Are you some kind of assassin?"
"Can you do it?"
"Whatever you say, man."
"Thanks."