Haruki sat in his dimly lit bedroom, the soft glow of his phone screen reflecting off his bruised face. His body ached with every movement, but his mind was sharp—focused.
The video playing on his screen showed a fight in an underground gym—two fighters exchanging blows, dodging, countering.
A deep, steady voice narrated:
"Strength alone doesn't win fights."
"Speed alone doesn't win fights."
"What wins fights—"
"—is knowledge."
Haruki gripped his phone tightly.
This was the same channel that had saved him against Kaito.
"The Art of Fighting – Learn to Fight, Anytime, Anywhere."
He scrolled through the videos.
How to Beat a Stronger Opponent (the one that helped him win)
The Secret to Fighting in Tight Spaces
How to Counter a Grappler
The Best Ways to Use Dirty Fighting Techniques
Haruki hesitated.
Was he really doing this?
Was he seriously thinking about learning to fight?
He had spent his whole life avoiding conflict, staying out of trouble, keeping his head down.
But for the first time—he had fought back.
And it felt right.
He clicked on the next video.
—
The Next Day
Haruki stepped into school, expecting everything to be the same.
That was a mistake.
The moment he walked in, whispers spread like wildfire.
"That's the guy who took down Kaito!"
"Did you hear? Kaito's not coming to school today."
"Wait, really? You think it's 'cause of him?"
"No way… wasn't Haruki a weakling before?"
Haruki paused for a second.
Kaito isn't here?
Was it because of him?
He kept walking, ignoring the growing murmurs. But as he made his way to his classroom, something felt off.
People weren't looking at him with pity anymore.
They were looking at him with curiosity.
Some with respect.
And some… with fear.
Haruki frowned. He wasn't used to this kind of attention.
As he reached his seat, he pulled out his phone and absentmindedly checked his messages.
Then—
"HARUKI, CHECK SOCIAL MEDIA RIGHT NOW!!"
His eyes widened.
Why was his inbox flooded with messages?
Confused, he tapped open a link someone had sent him.
A video began playing.
[Street Fight at ████ High! Underdog vs. School's Strongest!]
Haruki's blood ran cold.
It was his fight.
The video showed Kaito throwing brutal punches, Haruki barely dodging, the moment he landed that final counterpunch—
The exact moment Kaito collapsed.
It had over a million views.
Haruki stared at the screen, his heart pounding.
He had gone viral.
—
To be continued.