Kaito sat on the stone steps, breathing slowly.
His chest still hurt from the last hit.
His shoulder hurt.
His legs hurt.
Everything hurt.
"…I just fought," he muttered.
Tanaka stood beside him, arms crossed.
"You'll fight again."
Kaito didn't even look up.
"I knew you were gonna say that."
"You need the experience."
"I need a hospital."
"You're fine."
"That's easy for you to say."
Kaito leaned his head back against the wall and looked at the ranking board again.
His name was still near the bottom.
ARATA KAITO - Rank 312
He clicked his tongue.
"…I hate that number."
Tanaka glanced at the board.
"It will change."
"Yeah, after I get punched again."
Tanaka didn't deny it.
The bell rang across the courtyard.
CLANG.
CLANG.
CLANG.
More names appeared on the board.
More matches.
More movement.
The instructor's voice echoed again.
"Next round for new entries."
Kaito froze.
"…No way."
Tanaka looked at him.
"Yes."
"I just fought!"
"You're not done."
"This place is evil."
Tanaka almost smiled.
"Yes."
Kaito groaned and pushed himself to his feet.
His legs protested.
His ribs complained.
His shoulder felt like it got hit by a truck.
But the vibration in his chest was there.
Stronger than before.
He clenched his fist slowly.
"…Okay… I still feel it."
Tanaka nodded.
"Good."
"That's your answer for everything."
"Yes."
Kaito shook his head and walked back toward the field.
The crowd was smaller this time, but still watching.
People recognized him now.
"That's the loud one."
"He fought twice already."
"He's still standing?"
"He's stubborn."
Kaito frowned.
"…I heard that."
A few people laughed.
He stepped onto the field again.
The ground felt heavy.
The vibration hummed louder.
His body reacted faster this time.
Like it already knew what was coming.
The instructor looked at the tablet.
"Next match."
He paused.
Then spoke.
"Rank 312… Arata Kaito."
Kaito sighed.
"…Of course."
The instructor continued.
"Against… Rank 305… Hikari Mei."
Kaito blinked.
"…Hikari?"
A girl stepped forward.
Short hair.
Sharp eyes.
Calm expression.
She looked about the same age as him.
But the pressure around her felt strong.
Not as strong as Ryo.
Stronger than Daisuke.
She stepped onto the field without saying anything.
Kaito scratched his cheek.
"…You talk?"
She looked at him once.
"…If I need to."
"…Cool. That's also scary."
The instructor raised his hand.
"Begin."
Hikari moved first.
Fast.
Not rushing.
Not wild.
Precise.
Her punch came straight at his guard.
Kaito reacted.
Block.
The impact hit his arms.
Hard.
But he didn't slide as far as before.
Hikari's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Better."
Kaito smirked.
"I'm learning."
She attacked again.
Kick.
Turn.
Step.
Kaito focused.
The vibration hummed.
He moved with it.
Block.
Step.
Punch.
CRACK.
The air trembled.
Hikari blocked.
But her arm moved back slightly.
The crowd murmured.
"He improved again."
"That was cleaner."
"He's adapting fast."
Kaito heard that.
"…Yeah… I like that."
Hikari stepped back once.
Then nodded.
"…Good."
Kaito blinked.
"…You're nicer than the last guy."
"I'm still winning."
"That's less nice."
She moved again.
Faster this time.
Kaito followed.
Step.
Turn.
Block.
Punch.
CRACK.
Louder.
Stronger.
The vibration surged.
For a moment...
He felt it clearly.
Like the energy moved from his chest to his arm.
His fist shot forward.
THUD.
It hit her shoulder.
Clean.
The entire field went quiet.
Hikari blinked.
Then smiled slightly.
"…That was real."
Kaito blinked too.
"…I did that on purpose."
She nodded.
"I know."
Then she moved.
Too fast.
Kaito saw it...
But couldn't react.
BAM.
Her kick hit his side.
He stumbled.
Almost fell.
But stayed up.
The crowd reacted louder this time.
"He's still standing."
"He's tougher than yesterday."
"He's learning fast."
Kaito gritted his teeth.
"…Not done yet."
He stepped forward again.
The vibration roared.
Punch.
CRACK.
Kick.
Turn.
Block.
He moved faster.
Better.
Cleaner.
Hikari's eyes narrowed.
"…You really are improving."
Kaito smirked.
"…Yeah."
Then she stepped in.
Close.
Too close.
Her hand shot forward.
BAM.
The hit landed in his chest.
All the air left his lungs.
His legs gave out.
He dropped to one knee.
Tried to stand.
Couldn't.
The instructor raised his hand.
"Stop."
Silence filled the field.
Hikari stepped back.
"…You'll pass three hundred soon," she said.
Kaito coughed.
"…I'll take that."
The board flickered.
His rank changed slightly.
ARATA KAITO - Rank 309
His eyes widened.
"…Wait… it moved."
Tanaka nodded.
"You improved."
Kaito smiled through the pain.
"…Good."
He slowly stood up again.
His whole body hurt.
But the vibration inside him felt stronger.
Clearer.
Like it was finally listening.
He looked at the ranking board.
Then clenched his fists.
"…I'm climbing."
Across the field, Ryo watched from the steps again.
He smirked.
"…He's getting used to it."
The girl beside him nodded.
"…Too fast."
Ryo's smile didn't fade.
"…Good."
He turned away.
"…That makes this interesting."