"Now, it is the time that we have been waiting for! Ikki Kurogane against Iinuma Isao! The fight that we have been waiting for!"
"I am not sure whether this can be called a fight."
"What do you mean by that Saikyo-sensei?"
As expected, before the match, the MC started a talk with Nene, who was a teacher and commentator for this match. The two exchanged their opinion about the fight between Ikki and Isao since, strangely enough, the popularity of this match had gone higher than they had expected.
"Instead of a fight, it will be a one-sided battle," Nene said.
"But Kurogane participant had many records, and he also had defeated Stella Vermillion in the past."
"....." Stella.
"Yup, I can't deny that Kurogane is interesting, but there is something that he can't reach no matter what. It's like when an ant can win against a human. It is just impossible."
"...your words are so cruel, Sensei. But many thought that Ikki Kurogane might win."
"It's because they don't know the real power." Nene wondered why so many had such a fantasy that Ikki would win. "Replication. This is Isao's power. With this power, he can replicate any abilities, including mine or Ku-chan. Do you think that Ikki Kurogane can win against me or Ku-chan?"
"Err...."
"Some might say the original might be stronger than the fake, but that guy can combine all of the powers he replicated. Anyway, he is strong. This match will end shortly with his victory. That's it."
While Nene said so, she wanted everyone to know about Isao's power so she could give him a stumble, but then, she felt that it was too childish, and she also felt that no matter how hard they tried, they really couldn't defeat him.
'Sigh...'
In the end, she knew that to separate Isao and Kurono, she could only wait for Isao to get bored of Kurono, yet when she thought about Kurono's reward to Isao when he won this match, she felt like... it might be a little hard.
Or rather, impossible!
The thought of a beautiful, lewd married woman doing something like that... even Nene had to admit that she was also tempted.
Still, she wouldn't let them play around, and she thought she would be present when they did the deeds since this was her duty as a friend!
"Saikyo-sensei? Saikyo-sensei?"
The MC was speechless when she saw Nene appear to be in a daze, clearly ignoring her or the match that was about to happen.
Still, in this match, it was really hard for one to think that Ikki could win. Even if someone asked this question to Ikki's little sister, Shizuku might not be able to answer this question confidently.
Nevertheless, even with so much happening, Isao didn't seem to be unperturbed, and he was so calm.
"Are you ready, Isao-kun?"
"Touka-senpai?"
Isao looked at Touka Toudou, who came to his waiting room. "What's wrong? Do you need anything?"
"No, I just wonder how you are doing. I have heard you are troubled by the Kurogane Family, right? Are you okay?" Touka asked worriedly, wondering why she had been busy for the past few days. If she wasn't busy, then she could be by Isao's side and his help, right?
"It's fine. It is just a small family, after all."
Isao didn't care much about the Kurogane Family since, in the end, they were just a group of weaklings in his eyes. Even if the legendary hero of this family, Kurogane Ryouma, came out, he would still be at ease. After all, unlike before, he had grown stronger, especially after he gained Nene's DNA, the DNA that gave him access to the power beyond the Blazer.
'Desperado...'
This was a power beyond the Blazers, a power that allowed one to break away from their fate and grow into a monster-like existence.
With his talent, even without Nene's help, he should be able to reach it shortly, but as he had gained it, then he would just welcome it. At the same time, there was also the power of Kurono, who allowed him to manipulate time, and Stella, who gave him the power to manipulate the concept of a dragon.
"You sure talk big."
Isao turned his attention to Touka's friend, Totokubara Kanata. 'If we're talking about something big, then yours is bigger.' Shaking his head, he said, "Anyway, you don't have to worry about me."
"But if you are really troubled, please tell me, okay?" Even so, Touka was still worried.
Watching this expression of hers, Isao asked, "Are you worried?"
"Yes." Touka nodded.
"Well... I might be lying if I don't feel a little tense during this match."
"Then..."
"But I won't step back."
For some reason, Isao felt like he had been the villain in this world, especially when Ikki and his group kept troubling him for the past few days, but now, he wasn't.
"Isao-kun..."
"But... can you give me some encouragement?"
"Encouragement?"
"Yeah... like a hug."
"H-Hug?!" Touka blushed and felt her face was hot.
"Is that not fine?" Isao asked sadly.
"No-No! That's fine! Come here! I will hug you!" Touka opened her arms wide, ready to give him a big hug with a gentle and warm smile on her face.
Isao appeared hesitant, but Touka jumped directly into him and hugged him tightly. "How do you feel? Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah... it feels nice..." Isao knew that Touka wasn't a wife or a mother, but even so, her hug was nice.
"Hehehe..." Touka felt that it was nice to hug him, and she even patted her back softly, feeling nice when Isao depended on her like this. He was strong, but after all, he was still a young man, and she also understood that many pressures had come to him due to the trouble he encountered with the Kurogane Family.
If she could ease the pressure on him, even if it was just for a moment, she would be more than happy to do it.
Isao had to admit that being hugged like this was enjoyable, especially when Touka had this motherly aura around her. More importantly, she had no relationship with Ikki and the others, which made her less troublesome. Frankly, he wished to take her to the empty room immediately, but he couldn't, especially when Kanata kept staring at him.
Unlike the silly yet gentle Touka, Isao could feel that Kanata was suspicious of him.
"How long are you going to hug each other?! Come on! His match is going to start soon!"
Kanata directly pulled Touka away from Isao.
"Ah...." Touka was disappointed since she wanted to hug him for a longer time, but she thought that she could do it again later after the match ended. "Then, Isao-kun, do your best!"
"Thank you, Touka-senpai." Isao thanked Touka sincerely.
Touka waved her hand excitedly, thinking of getting into a good position to watch Isao's match, but Kanata approached him secretly and whispered, "Don't you dare play around with her, okay?"
Isao felt his ear was ticklish since Kanata blew hot air into his ear, and her pleasant scent invaded his nostrils.
As he didn't say anything, the two stared at each other for a while, but suddenly, he felt his legs weak since Kanata suddenly brushed over his nether region with her palm.
"I will watch over you."
Leaving those words, Kanata quickly chased after Touka so her best friend wouldn't be suspicious of anything.
"....."
Isao fell in silence and looked at the bright ceiling, thinking that many people in this world were perverts.
Nevertheless, his match started soon, and he was called onto the stage, surrounded by many students who watched the match and faced Ikki, who had been waiting for him.
The two faced each other, yet while Ikki appeared solemn as if he was ready to give his everything to this match, Isao was as calm as ever.
It could be seen from his expression that Isao didn't appear to care about this match. He seemed relaxed and even nonchalant.
"If I win, return Shizuku's power," Ikki said with a serious expression.
Isao didn't really want to talk with Ikki, but since Ikki kept provoking him, there was nothing he could do except answer this provocation. "If you lose?"
"If I lose?" Ikki was stunned and stumped by this question. What if he loses? What would he pay?
"What about leaving this school and stopping being Blazer, then living as a normal person?" Isao asked.
"..." Ikki.
"You don't want to?"
Ikki struggled and couldn't answer him.
"Then, no bet?"
"....." Ikki.
What was the point of their bet when Ikki didn't even dare to put his life at stake then?
While Isao knew that it might be a little rude, Ikki had no value within him. Even his living expenses were received by the scholarship of this academy, so he was practically a pauper.
"Well, I guess your little sister isn't as important as you think, right?"
Still, this guy talked big, but in the end, Ikki didn't dare to make a bet with him, which disappointed Isao.
"Shut up!"
Watching Ikki, who suddenly got angry, Isao became bored. "Just start the match. I am getting bored here."
Ikki took a deep breath and faced Isao.
He knew what to do, and he was going to win this match!
Then—
"Let's go ahead!"
The match started, and Ikki—
"ITTOU RASETSU!"