Scene 1: Welcome to Hell
The underground gym smelled of sweat, metal, and blood. The walls were lined with old punching bags, dented lockers, and a single, elevated ring at the center—where monsters were made.
Yuuji Kisaragi stood inside the ring, rolling his shoulders. The fluorescent lights flickered above him, casting long shadows over the men who had gathered around to watch.
His opponent?
A beast of a man named Gorou.
Six feet five. Built like a tank. Scarred knuckles. A reputation for breaking ribs like they were twigs.
Yuuji glanced at Aoi Kanzaki, who leaned against the ropes, arms crossed. "You really picked a fun first opponent for me."
She smirked. "What, scared?"
"More like wondering if you want to kill me."
Aoi shrugged. "Only if you disappoint me."
Yuuji sighed. No turning back now.
The large man in front of him cracked his knuckles, his deep voice rumbling.
"Kid, let's make this quick."
The bell rang.
Gorou moved first.
A fist like a wrecking ball came straight at Yuuji's ribs.
Yuuji barely dodged, twisting his body, but the sheer force of the punch sent a gust of air into his chest.
Shit. He's fast for his size.
Gorou smirked, adjusting his stance. "That was a test."
Then, he lunged.
Yuuji didn't have time to react.
A punch slammed into his stomach—his vision blurred as pain erupted in his gut. His feet lifted off the ground, and his back crashed into the ropes.
The audience murmured.
"That was one hit."
"Damn. He's not gonna last."
Aoi's expression didn't change. She just watched.
Yuuji gritted his teeth, forcing himself up.
His legs trembled. But he wasn't going down yet.
"Not bad," he muttered. "But I'm still standing."
Gorou raised an eyebrow. "Tough kid."
Yuuji exhaled slowly, focusing.
His body screamed, but he forced himself to move forward.
Gorou smirked. "That's more like it."
They clashed again.
This time, Yuuji dodged by a hair's breadth, stepping inside Gorou's reach. He aimed for the ribs, launching a sharp hook—
THWACK!
Gorou grunted, but his body barely moved.
Shit. He's too tough.
Gorou's counterattack came instantly.
A hammer-like fist slammed into Yuuji's temple.
His head snapped to the side. His vision blacked out.
Then, the ground rushed up to meet him.
Scene 2: The Taste of Defeat
Yuuji woke up on the cold floor.
His body ached like hell, and his breath was shallow.
Above him, Aoi's face hovered.
She sighed. "So. You lost."
Yuuji groaned. "Feels like it."
Aoi crouched beside him, her voice softer than usual.
"Welcome to the Underground, Kisaragi. No one wins their first fight."
Yuuji turned his head slightly. Gorou stood by the ring, watching with a neutral expression.
"You're not bad, kid," the big man said. "But you're still weak."
Yuuji clenched his fists. Weak… huh?
Gorou exhaled. "You want to win here? Then train. Bleed. Suffer. If you survive, maybe you'll get strong enough."
With that, he walked away.
Aoi offered Yuuji a hand. "Can you stand?"
Yuuji gritted his teeth, pushing himself up. His legs shook, but he didn't fall.
Aoi smirked. "Good. Training starts tomorrow."
Yuuji exhaled.
"If I want to survive this world… I have to become stronger."
Scene 3: The Predator Watches
Far away, in the dimly lit corridors of Shiroyama Academy, Hiragi Kaito leaned against a window, watching the rain fall.
He had heard about Yuuji's defeat.
He chuckled to himself.
"This is getting interesting."
A girl stood beside him—long black hair, sharp violet eyes.
Izumi Sayaka.
A second-year student.
And the deadliest fighter among the girls.
Sayaka glanced at him. "You think he'll last?"
Kaito grinned. "I hope so."
Sayaka frowned. "Why?"
Kaito's golden eyes glowed.
"Because breaking someone is only fun if they're strong first."
Scene 4: A Sudden Confession
The next morning, Yuuji arrived at school covered in bruises.
He barely made it to his desk before collapsing into his seat.
"Jesus," a familiar voice said.
He turned.
Sakura Minami, his childhood friend, was staring at him with wide eyes.
"What the hell happened to you?!"
Yuuji sighed. "Got into a fight."
Sakura scowled. "Again?! Yuuji, you're going to get yourself killed at this rate!"
She grabbed his face, checking the bruises. "You're an idiot, you know that?"
Yuuji blinked. "This is new."
"What?"
"You fussing over me."
Sakura turned red, immediately pulling away. "I—It's not like I care or anything!"
Yuuji smirked. "Sure."
She crossed her arms. "Just… be careful, okay?"
Then, before he could respond—
She leaned in and kissed his cheek.
Yuuji froze.
Sakura immediately turned away, her face burning. "I—I'll see you later!"
She ran off, leaving Yuuji completely stunned.
Aoi, who had been watching from the doorway, smirked.
"Looks like someone's popular."
Yuuji sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"First fights, now confessions. What the hell is my life turning into?"
Aoi grinned.
"Something very, very interesting."
Scene 5: The Second Fight is Coming
As the day ended, Yuuji found another note in his locker.
No name. Just a time and place.
The Underground fights weren't done with him yet.
He clenched the note in his fist.
"I won't lose next time."
Because if he wanted to survive—he had to become the strongest.
No matter what it took.