Haruki Takahashi was used to it. The shoves in the hallways, the mocking laughter, the occasional "accidental" bump that sent his books flying. He was Nakano High's favorite punching bag. The weak kid. The loser.
But today, something felt different.
It started in the morning when Kaito Nakamura, the school's star martial artist and self-proclaimed king of the classroom, leaned over Haruki's desk with a smirk.
"Yo, Punching Bag, you ever think about fighting back?" Kaito asked, his voice dripping with amusement. "Oh wait—forgot, you're too much of a coward."
Laughter followed, sharp and cruel, but Haruki didn't react. He never did. He just stared down at his desk, pretending the words didn't sting. Pretending it didn't matter.
At lunch, he hid under the stairs, scrolling mindlessly through his phone when something caught his eye—a ITube channel. The title of the latest video read:
"How to Fight – Episode 1: The Basics of Street Combat."
Haruki hesitated. Fighting was pointless, wasn't it? But curiosity got the better of him. He tapped play.
The screen lit up with a masked fighter demonstrating simple but brutal techniques—blocking, footwork, counterattacks. The voiceover was calm and confident:
"Fighting isn't about strength. It's about knowing how to react. Even the weakest person can take down a stronger opponent if they use the right moves."
Haruki swallowed. Could that really be true?
As he walked home, lost in thought, he heard familiar voices behind him. His stomach dropped.
"Yo, Punching Bag. You didn't think we'd let you leave without saying goodbye, right?"
Kaito. And two of his friends.
Haruki turned, forcing himself to keep his face neutral. "I don't want any trouble."
"You never do," Kaito chuckled. "That's what makes it fun."
One of his friends snickered. "I heard your mom left because she couldn't stand having a weak son like you."
Haruki froze.
Something inside him snapped.
His mother had left when he was young, but that didn't mean—
Before he could think, his fists clenched. His body felt hot, like an unseen force had grabbed hold of him and refused to let go.
Kaito noticed and grinned. "Oh? You wanna fight back, Punching Bag?"
Haruki's breathing was heavy. He remembered the video. The stance. The techniques.
Kaito moved first, a casual punch aimed at Haruki's stomach. Haruki stepped back—too slow. The impact knocked the wind out of him, and he staggered, barely staying on his feet.
"Fear is natural. Use it."
He tried to punch back, but his form was sloppy. Kaito easily sidestepped and grabbed him by the collar.
"That all you got?" Kaito sneered before driving his knee into Haruki's gut.
Haruki collapsed, coughing, pain spreading through his ribs. He was a fool to think he could win.
Kaito crouched next to him. "See? You're nothing, Haruki. You'll always be nothing."
That word. Nothing.
It echoed in his head.
Haruki gritted his teeth, forcing himself up. His body ached, but something in him refused to stay down. He wasn't thinking anymore—just moving.
He remembered the masked fighter's lesson. A quick jab to the ribs—aimed right where Kaito had left an opening. It wasn't strong, but it made Kaito stumble back slightly, surprised.
The other two goons stepped in. Haruki barely dodged a punch but took a kick to the side. He fell again, but this time, he caught himself before hitting the ground.
Pain burned through his body. His vision blurred. But he refused to let go of this feeling.
He wasn't winning. Not even close. But for the first time in his life—
He was fighting back.
Kaito sighed and cracked his knuckles. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But guts won't save you."
The bullies left him in the alley, bruised, bleeding, but not broken.
As he lay there, staring at the sky, a notification lit up his phone.
"How to Fight – Episode 2: Overcoming Fear."
Haruki wiped the blood from his lip. He wasn't strong. Not yet.
But he had taken the first step.