Haruki's legs felt like they could give out at any second. His ribs ached, his breathing was unsteady, but his fists remained raised.
Kaito's smirk returned. "Damn, you're stubborn." He cracked his knuckles. "But this is over."
He dashed forward.
Haruki barely reacted in time. He tried to dodge, but his body was too slow.
BAM!
A fist slammed into his cheek, sending him stumbling back.
Kaito's too fast.
Before he could recover, another punch crashed into his stomach.
Haruki gasped, nearly collapsing.
The crowd was silent now.
No one was laughing.
Even the students who came expecting a quick beatdown were watching with tense expressions.
Haruki had landed a hit. He had dodged. But the difference in power was too big.
Kaito's just stronger.
Haruki wobbled, trying to stay on his feet. His mind screamed at him to fall. To give up.
"If you stop now, the pain ends."
But then—
He remembered that night in the park. The way he trained, pushing his body despite the pain.
The video's words echoed in his mind.
"The weaker fighter can't win with brute strength. But if you read your opponent—if you endure—"
Haruki clenched his fists.
I can't beat him in power.
But I can make him lose control.
—
Kaito threw another punch.
Haruki moved.
He twisted his body, letting the fist barely graze his shoulder. He could feel the force behind it—it would've knocked him out if it had landed clean.
The crowd murmured.
"He dodged again…?"
Kaito narrowed his eyes. "Lucky bastard."
He threw another punch—faster, harder.
Haruki barely ducked under it.
Kaito clicked his tongue. "Tch."
He swung his leg for a kick—
Haruki stepped back.
Kaito's expression changed. His movements became more aggressive. More rushed.
The crowd noticed.
"Wait… is Kaito getting annoyed?"
Haruki panted. His vision was blurry, his body sluggish, but—
It was working.
Kaito was getting impatient. His usual smirk was gone, replaced by frustration.
Haruki had no strength advantage. No speed advantage.
But he had this.
If he could just endure a little longer—
—
Kaito's fist suddenly stopped in front of Haruki's face.
Haruki froze.
What—?
Then pain exploded in his ribs.
Kaito had faked the punch.
And while Haruki flinched—
Kaito's real attack landed.
Haruki crashed to the ground.
His vision spun. His body refused to move.
The crowd gasped.
Kaito stood over him, wiping sweat from his forehead. "You got better." He rolled his shoulder. "But you're still weak."
Haruki coughed, blood dripping onto the ground. His body screamed at him to stop.
But his fingers dug into the dirt.
He refused to stay down.
Kaito's expression darkened. "Seriously?"
Haruki shakily pushed himself up. His legs wobbled, his breath ragged.
But he stood.
The crowd held its breath.
Even Kaito looked surprised.
Haruki lifted his fists again.
His voice was hoarse, but steady.
"I'm not done yet."
—
To be continued.