Chereads / "Kenji Ryuuken: The Hidden Years" / Chapter 3 - Shinji's Resolve

Chapter 3 - Shinji's Resolve

Kyosei tossed the coin for the second time. Shinji chose Kyosei's left hand, and with a malicious smile, Kyosei threw a strong blow into Shinji's belly. Shinji, already injured, fell to the ground.

Kyosei : Huh? You haven't lost consciousness yet. I'm very impressed with your endurance,

sadly, it will come to an end in the third toss.

Shinji, lost in his thoughts, barely listened. The pain made him daydream, reflecting on his past and hating violence. He always believed there was a way to solve problems besides brute force.

Weakly, Shinji stood up and said, "I have a suggestion."

Kyosei : Hahaha, you aren't in a position to do so, but because I am a good guy, I'll let you speak. Common, say what you have to say,

Shinji : We will add a new rule to the game, and the prize, in addition to what we agreed on before, will be 10,000,000 ¥

Kyosei : Interesting. Tell me, what is the rule you want to add?

Shinji : Okay, the rule is this: you can't choose the same hand more than two times. You are forced to switch to the other hand. But every three rounds, you can use a 'switch' to change the position of the coin and put it in any hand you want. While having a switch, if I guess it right, you won't switch with me, but you will lose your switch. What do you think, Kyosei?

"Damn, I didn't think you were that smart. Okay, I have no issue," Kyosei said, impressed by Shinji's intelligence.

In his mind, Kyosei thought, "Damn, I think he is willing to make me follow a certain pattern to avoid the first outcome of being forced to pick the same hand two times in a row. But I am not afraid of him. He is trying to outsmart me, but I am going to pick the first pattern and make him regret that he pulled that trick right on me."

"Okay, the third round shall begin," Kyosei announced as the coin was tossed.

Shinji : Left

"False. Take this!" Kyosei exclaimed, throwing a strong punch that knocked Shinji out.

Kyosei : this is your limit.

"Shinjiiii!" Kenji cried out.

"Shut up, Kenji. I am alright. Watch me as I am going to make him regret," Shinji reassured his friend.

As the fourth round began, Shinji guessed, "Right."

"False! I got you. You thought I would choose left to avoid the first outcome, but now you got caught in your own trap. Take this. I will end you with this punch," Kyosei declared, putting all of his energy into the punch, targeting Shinji's belly.

Shinji screamed out in pain and started bleeding heavily. Kenji began to doubt that Shinji would be able to continue.

"Kyosei, please spare..." Kenji started to plead.

"Kenji, don't plead with him to spare us. The scum stays a scum. The better thing to do is to destroy him. Let's continue," Shinji interrupted.

Shinji : lets continue 

In his mind, Kyosei thought, "Damn, I didn't imagine he would endure all of those punches. He must be able to defeat me in a fight, but why is he willing to put his life on the line for a stupid game? He is not winning anything back. Now he thinks he tricked me into choosing left, but I still have 'change,' so I am not at risk."

Shinji started smiling, a smile full of resolve and pride.

Kyosei thought to himself, "Damn, he has a plan. If the coin is on the left, he knows I won't pick left afterwards to avoid the same scenario. But this time, I won't have the 'change' ability. Wait... maybe I found the way out of this hell. I will use the 'change,' and he will certainly think there is a trick behind it, and that will keep the coin on my left hand. But in reality, it is in my right hand, and I will win and break the first outcome's hell."

"Let's go. I'll bury you," Kyosei declared as the fifth round began and the coin was tossed.

coin was tossed

"Right!" Shinji exclaimed.

"What?" Kyosei muttered.

"Oy, Kyosei! I have never lost in any game before. You thought you were planning, but you were just following my plan. You are just a piece in my whole image," Shinji declared.

Kyosei: You bastard ! 

Shinji : Now is my turn to settle things. You should know that my endurance is not the only thing strong about me. Neither my IQ nor my stamina is near to my punch's strength. Your only mistake is that you picked a fight with me. Now prepare yourself to get beaten up,

For the first time, Kyosei witnessed a soul reaper in flesh. He felt scared to death, thinking to beg Shinji to spare him, but his pride pushed him back. Kyosei closed his eyes out of fear. When he opened them, he saw that Shinji had failed to deliver his punch and had passed out on the ground.

Kyosei : You have lost, but i am not willing to continue further, i am leaving

The game ended with Kyosei winning, but his victory meant nothing. Shinji, on the other hand, won psychologically and protected himself and his friend, proving his ideals even though it cost him a few punches.

This day made Kenji recognize Shinji as one of the most admirable persons he knows, alongside his older brother. He is willing to become better to not be a burden anymore.