Time: 1:27PM – Interrogation Room
At an interrogation room, there was a clean table, LED lamp, two chairs, and a computer. Autumn sat in her chair while an IS female staff gave her a plate of dozen donuts, followed by a cup of coffee. Was this a joke to role play as cops or show sympathy for the Phantom Task agent? Feeling insulted for being locked up by a young punk, Autumn refused to touch the donuts. The staff opened the door for Chifuyu, Tatenashi, Mattheus and Joel. While the staff kept an eye out on Autumn, Chifuyu had a folder on her left hand, and tossed it on the table.
Chifuyu played detective as she gave a humorless look at Autumn. While the surveillance camera recorded, Tatenashi smirked at the detained psychopath before Autumn slammed her fists, pointing at the Student Council President.
"Little bitch! Acting like you're superior to everyone else," Autumn shouted. "You won't get a thing from me at all."
"Ara, I am the almighty that thwarted you into your worst nightmare. Feel free to eat the donuts. It's your favorite kind, am I right?"
Tatenashi taunted the agent holding a chocolate glazed donut with sprinkles, treating her like an infant. Tatenashi intentionally gave Autumn her least favorite food in order to make her vent out anger. Autumn hissed as Tatenashi ate the sweet snack, licking the sprinkles all over her lips like a cat.
Autumn would rather die with honor than face the endless humiliation by Tatenashi or Madoka. However, the Brunhilde was just getting started as she continued to stare at her, clenching her left fist.
"Now you asked for it, Chinese eyes!" Autumn immediately stood up to intimidate the interrogators. However, the response she got was the staff forcing Autumn to sit down. Autumn read the files that had incriminating evidence against her, but the handwriting was too sloppy.
"Hehehe," Chifuyu chuckled at the insult before she turned serious. "You piece of shit, I'm getting tired of your mouth."
Mattheus folded his arms while Joel nodded while the interrogation is in session. Tatenashi walked around the table like a shark with Autumn the helpless fish. Chifuyu took the files to read it from top to bottom.
"It's long, so bear with me," Chifuyu said, pointing highlighted key notes. "Autumn the Phantom Task agent, you cannot deny the fact you committed murder, running a high scale smuggling ring, extortion, fraud, robbery, and…yadda yadda yadda so damn much. I'll need another page to keep up this list."
"Are you mocking me?" Autumn told Chifuyu. "I'm not telling you anything at all. Why don't you make a foursome right now? This is getting boring."
Chifuyu kept her cool, quelling her anger for that unnecessary remark. Mattheus and Joel wanted to knock Autumn out so bad for hearing her sassy mouth.
"It's simple because we're the good guys that stop bad guys like you. I want something from you, and it's the best that you cooperate with us."
"Fuck you, what you'll only get is a mugshot of my cum stain panties."
Chifuyu shook her head that it will be a long day. "I guess you're illiterate of what I just said. Maybe this will make your brain function properly with this."
Tatenashi revealed pictures of Autumn engaging in shady business activities. These hard proof pictures showed it all that can't be denied at all. Tatenashi folded her fan covering her mouth with the kanji translated 'Justice'.
"What do you know about Three Dragons and Kaori's motives to be associated with Phantom Task?" Tatenashi questioned Autumn.
"Be honest with us, Squall," Mattheus jumped in. "Who gave you get the device that tried to kill Ichika in order to steal Byakushiki?"
"Huh?" Autumn acted like she was deaf before she spit Tatenashi, but she quickly deflected it with her fan.
"What a naughty woman you are," Tatenashi replied, cleaning her fan.
"Where did you learn to run your dirty mouth like that?" Joel stepped up to play bad cop.
"I don't remember asking a half sized Leprechaun to ask me questions."
Joel lost his cool, and flipped the donuts away from the table. "What part of cooperation you don't understand? English, motherfucker, do you know how to speak it?"
"Kiss my right cheek."
"Let's try this again," said Joel, holding Arachne in standby mode badly damaged from the last battle, and slammed it on the table. "Who is Kaori Saito?"
"A girl."
"Does Kaori look like a bitch?"
"Huh?" Autumn gave him the 'I don't know' expression, much to his annoyance.
"You're asking to have your ass kicked right now," Joel warned the agent.
"You mean why are you trying to look like a bitch?"
Ticked off at Autumn mouthing him off, Joel was inches away from using his equalizer.
"I like to hear you say that in front of my face again…"
Autumn taunted the young punk. "Boy, it's too early for half-assed jokes with you nodding your head every time like a fucking eunuch."
Joel had enough of the joker, and aimed his customized M1911A1 at Autumn by the nose.
"Say 'fucking eunuch' again. I dare you, I double dare you muthafucka, say that shit one more fucking time!"
Autumn wasn't fazed at Joel's intimidation, and threw a middle finger. "Eat this, you fucking ball-less lapdog."
Autumn stood up once again to show Joel she's the boss, but the staff sat her down with a bigger push. Joel tried to squeeze the trigger to get this over with, but Chifuyu took it away with a disapproval look.
"She's just trying to push our buttons," Chifuyu warned Joel, emptying the clip. "That will only encourage her to be less cooperative."
Autumn was trained to resist interrogation while she glared as usual to remain defiant. Joel growled as Mattheus set him aside to take a shot to make Autumn crack.
"Let me handle this, Joel," Mattheus said. "We have to keep Autumn alive, dead suspects can't talk."
Mattheus dimmed the ceiling lights to turn on the table lamp, and shined it at Autumn.
"That wasn't nice of you to lay a finger on Joel at all," Mattheus said in a strict tone, putting more incriminating files against her. "Do that again, we're liable to forget we promised to keep you alive. You think we're joking? This Chasseur pistol on my hip will make you wish you beg for forgiveness. Why does Three Dragons want to steal Nightmare from Liu?"
As a sign of disrespect, Autumn wore a black ski mask, not before she responded in a Southern accent. "Aye listen here mane, y'all finna put some respeck on my name, you know what I'm saying? Stop playing with my fucking name, I ain't going to say it no mo'."
Confused of her sudden Ebonics talk, Mattheus cupped his forehead while his right hand was on the pistol. Tatenashi casually folded her fan to watch the interrogation.
"I bet everything on it, I'm gon' knock y'all stupid asses, watch!"
Autumn ended her short rant with her arms crossed, and no progress has been made since Autumn refused to cooperate with the enemy. Threatening her with words and weapons only made it worse. There's no way in hell she'll ever surrender to a bunch of teenagers and a Brunhilde while she's the notorious Phantom Task agent. The last thing Autumn wanted was a rope of life to escape this cubicle room.
"I'm Autumn, the almighty AUTUMN!"
Chifuyu had enough of Autumn playing around as she ripped the ski mask off her head. Mattheus and Joel were also losing patience with the psychopathic woman. As Chifuyu took a seat, she revealed a piece of paper from her pocket breast. Using a new approach, Chifuyu didn't hold back to use it that will make Autumn cooperate once and for all.
"Autumn, would you like to hear the bad news first or the good news?" Chifuyu questioned the prisoner.
"Do your worst," Autumn challenged her interrogators. "It's a mistake keeping me as a prisoner because my units will rescue me as planned, and Squall will be mine forever."
"Go ahead. While your underlings are on the way right now, the teachers neutralized all of them, and what would Squall think of that she also used all of her soldiers to save one lost soul? If I recall, Squall hates losing her expendable men and women."
Autumn slowly sweat that her tough character was crumbling. Mentioning Squall was the keyword to this case. Chifuyu's interrogation technique was the pride and ego to attack the self-image of an overconfident prisoner.
"That's a lie! Squall would never do that because she knows how strong I am to be next to her."
"I'm not done yet. Squall wasn't happy that you're detained here, so she gathered all the muscle she can to retrieve you one way or the other. While your units failed, her underlings took over, and failed too. Because Squall focused all of her manpower to get you, an assassin bypassed the security systems to go after Madoka and Squall…"
"Shut up! I don't know what you're talking about!" Autumn yelled, knocking the coffee over. The staff gave Chifuyu another cup of coffee while Chifuyu got the drop on her.
Autumn tried to maintain her rebel attitude, but it was clear she's about to lose the false mask. Tatenashi, Mattheus and Joel saw the body language Autumn lost eye contact. Chifuyu kept her cool she was getting there as she read the prop witness statement.
"At 10:50PM, four witnesses heard gunshots at an unknown high rise building on ground floor, and saw a blonde woman wearing a red dress lying face down with multiple gunshots…"
Autumn pulled her hair in frustration during an interrogation by the Brunhilde.
"Madoka sacrificed Squall to escape, and doctors said Squall is in critical condition in the ER," Chifuyu said, drinking coffee as Autumn was losing her cool. This was what they need to make Autumn cooperate.
"Sadly, Squall succumbed to her wounds from the fatal shootout from the unknown assassin. You announced Phantom Task loud and clear that you must be saved from the hands of IS Academy. The police saved the record that's now in my hands. With this, along with the heinous crimes you committed, it's enough dirt to put you in a death sentence for your heinous crimes."
One more push was needed to make Autumn shed tears.
"Before Squall passed away, she left her final words that Autumn would be a perfect candidate to be the leader of Phantom Task, and never yield to IS Academy at all. What a shame, Autumn that your carelessness got you into this mess because not only your IS was damaged, but you lost by a bunch of teenagers. What would you like to say to your deceased leader?"
Chifuyu's words struck Autumn in the heart, and she got a taste of defeat again by IS Academy.
"STOP IT, STOP IT, STOP IT!" Autumn yelled, pulling her hair. "WWAAAHHH!"
Like a banshee, Autumn shrieked all of her might, repeatedly pounding the table before tears shed from her eyes, and Autumn broke down. Mattheus and Joel covered their ears from the pitch screaming agent that Autumn finally cracked while Tatenashi took a box of tissues as a gesture of compassion.
Chifuyu was like a calm, stern mother towards the unstable Autumn losing her marbles. Chifuyu gave a tissue to Autumn, and she reluctantly wiped her face.
"What's wrong, Autumn?" Chifuyu whispered. "All we want is you to tell the truth, that's all there is to it."
Unable to cope with the death of her beloved lover, Autumn decided to leak some dirt against her allies.
"I-I want my Squall back p-p-please…!" Autumn blubbered, fighting through the tears and mucus. "Why Madoka had to do this? T-that hoe is dead!"
Chifuyu laid her finger on Autumn's lips to shush her. "Easy there, cowgirl, we can get you to Squall by answering us this simple question: Why Three Dragons and Kaori associated with Phantom Task? In fact, you can get Madoka the way you wanted without any interference."
"T-three Dragons seeks Nightmare in order to settle the score with Liu," Autumn said in a somber tone. "First, Three Dragons associated with Phantom Task to strengthen them in order to get influence. His primary motive to steal Nightmare was for Kaori..."
"Go on…" Chifuyu folded her hands.
"…He plans to use Kaori and Nightmare to build an ultimate IS combined with Phoenix. Three Dragons wanted to expand his criminal operations to rule the underworld. If that wasn't bad enough, Three Dragons also planned to form a new society for the sake of power. Only his followers agreed to it, but the rest of the members rejected because it emphasizes brotherhood and unity. Such a revolt would not be accepted by Righteousness Union that will make the civil war harder to contain."
The interrogators smiled that they got viable sources from Autumn. The truth behind this; Chifuyu told a false story to make Autumn believe it, and use it to gain the trust of revealing the truth. They left her alone while the staff resumed to guard the prisoner.
"Hah! That'll teach her not to touch us ever again," said Joel in a confident tone. "The look on that face was satisfying to watch her lose her shit."
"I agree," Mattheus replied, stretching his arms. "Perhaps we might have learned new methods of interrogation. Words make up everything that can change the playing field."
Chifuyu remained silent before she and Tatenashi went to the office for further discussions.
"We'll be busy for a while, why don't you and Joel take a rest for the day?"
"I need it to get away from that shithead Autumn," Joel replied, yawning.
Mattheus and Joel nodded as they head to their rooms. Before they take a nap, Mattheus left a voice message for his good friend Ichika.
"Hey there, are you ok out there? We took care of Autumn all thanks to your big sister Chifuyu. Don't celebrate just yet because my gut tells me this is the beginning of Phantom Task cooking up something to make us out of comfort zone again. Until then, be safe, and have a good one."
Dead tired from dealing with Autumn, they took a deserved long nap.
Unbeknownst to them, an IS student placed a bug inside the room the entire time. She could only give an emotionless expression as she collected the entire conversation, and walked outside of IS Academy. At a sidewalk, the student stood next to a yellow Aventador that belonged to Kaori. The driver side window rolled down that revealed no other than Three Dragons, Liu's hated adversary.
Three Dragons held a wad of yen wrapped in rubber band. "Did Autumn tell everything, and has the sports festival started yet?"
The student nodded her head, knowing she's guilty for doing this.
"See? I told you it wasn't that hard. Your parents will be back with you safely when we kept them in our hands for refusing to help us. Go buy something nice to reward yourself for doing us a big favor."
Three Dragons gave the student huge stack of money. As the student sobbed quietly holding dirty money, Three Dragons made a phone call to Squall.
"Autumn cracked, and the student confirmed there's a sports festival that starts tomorrow. When's the best time to rescue Autumn?"
"Do it after the sports festival," Squall replied. "Until the heat dies out, we're not allowed to take action. Don't rally up our ground troops because it's going to be ugly, and I'm not willing to waste those resources."
"Understood."
Three Dragons gunned the Italian supercar, and the Aventador screeched its wheels as it drove away. The twisted gangster not only found Autumn cracked, he kidnapped the student's parents to make her do the dirty work for him, one way or the other.
Time: 10:38AM – Stadium
Today was the day for sports festival, one of the highly anticipated events in IS Academy next to cultural festival that was held a few months back. Classmates were more than happy to showcase their athletic capabilities to make a name for themselves. This was Ichika's favorite event because it didn't require an IS to win.
First event was a 400 meter dash with Ichika, Liu, Houki, Cecilia, Charlotte, Laura, and Nagi Kagami, a classmate of Honne. Nagi was a pretty Japanese girl with medium length black hair, hair clips, and blue eyes. Wearing a white t shirt, and shorts, classmates cheered at their fellow athletes as they stretch to warm up.
Liu stared at Kagi that appeared shy from the sea of crowds cheering on before he stared at Ichika. He was pumped to blow his competitors into dust as the Japanese boy stretched his arms.
"Are you ready, girls and Liu?" Ichika said in a confident tone.
The girls were too focused on clearing their minds, and so was Liu. As they get to their starting blocks, Maya readied her starter pistol.
"Runners ready!" Maya shouted, pointing the starter pistol at the sky. As the competitors kneel, Maya squeezed the trigger, emitting a pop. The runners accelerated into the curve near maximum velocity zone to increase the gap from each other. Ichika was in the lead with Houki chasing, followed by Liu, and Nagi.
"GO ICHIKA!" Honne cheered, jumping up and down at the excitement. Halfway around the course, Ichika maintained its form to not go too fast or too slow in order to save energy towards the finish line. Rin caught up with Liu neck to neck as he tried to get away from her. Utilizing the momentum of the corner, Houki increased her speed, slowing catching up to her childhood friend.
The finish line was in their reach, and they went all out like pushing the accelerator to the floor in a car. Liu and Ichika ran as fast as they could, but out of nowhere, Nagi blew past them as if she used nitrous at the last minute. Nagi blew her competitors in the dust, leaving Liu and Ichika dumbstruck.
"How did she beat us…?" Ichika said in confusion. Nagi smirked, wiping her face with a towel. Normally, she was reserved and shy, but when it comes to competitions, Nagi turned into a different character. Nagi wiggled her finger at the competitors panting.
"Too soon," Nagi said in a confident tone. "I'm just getting started."
Victory goes to Nagi with Ichika in second place, and Liu in third place. As the girls head to the locker room to change, Ichika cleared his mind to not get nervous.
Don't get too overconfident now, Ichika…got to be careful next time.
Unfortunately, Laura didn't take her loss well, and slammed her fist at the locker with a deafening thump that startled the girls. The fact she came in last was an insult to her athletic skills.
"Nein! This isn't over yet," Laura growled, opening her damaged locker with rows of combat knives. "I will win no matter what."
Up next was 4x100 medley relay, and it couldn't get much more intensifying from the crowd. The girls donned in their dark blue swimsuits with swimming caps and goggles. Liu and Ichika drank their water bottles watching the swimming event about to happen in a few minutes.
Like an alley cat that magically appeared out of nowhere, Tatenashi appeared folding her fan.
"Hey boys! Enjoying the sports festival~?"
Liu and Ichika spewed their drinks and coughed from the water that went through their esophagus.
"You again-?!" Ichika pointed at the Student Council President. "Stop that, please! What do you want?"
Tatenashi gave a nonchalant shrug. "Ara, relax just for once, boys, I proposed to have you fight each other as a final event to end the sports festival, I'll explain the rules."
"You what?" Liu questioned. "That's not written on the list."
Ichika didn't know how to respond as Tatenashi folded her fan, giggling at the dumbstruck boys.
"I want to recreate a famous scene from a movie called Ip Man," Tatenashi said. "I'm sure you have seen it, right Liu?"
Liu had seen the film, but Ichika had no clue what she was talking about.
"What about it, Tatenashi?" Liu questioned the Student Council President.
"I have prepared a one on one fight between you and Liu bare handed WITHOUT using your personal IS. The rules are simple: if either of you surrender or unable to battle, the match is over with the last man standing."
Keywords without using personal IS shocked the boys. Recreating a dangerous scene made it worse for them. Because they're used to fighting with their personal IS, taking it away means stripping away their fighting sources.
"Fuck that," Liu said. "I'm not fulfilling your request to fight him bare hand."
Ichika couldn't agree with Liu's statement. "I don't understand what makes it great to see us fight?"
As expected, the cat knew the boys would reject her offer. Tatenashi giggled seeing their scowled expressions.
"Ah poo, you two are nothing but weaklings. Even though you endured tough times till now, it's still not enough to call yourselves stronger than last time."
These words triggered the boys in an instant. Ichika despised being called weak, especially Tatenashi when they first met. Liu didn't take it kindly either ever since he lost to Tatenashi in a fight. Liu's left fist clenched that he wanted to break Tatenashi's nose for her remark.
"You fucking chink," Liu said in a murderous tone. "I ought to break your face right now…"
Ichika felt the anger from the Chinese dragon, and he was also not happy.
"You just don't know when to take a break," Ichika folded his arms. "Sorry, but we're not fighting each other for the sake of ending the sports festival."
Tatenashi wasn't fazed at all because she had another trick up her sleeve to make them fight one way or the other.
"Fine, guess I'll have to find other people to replace you. After all, Ichika, you invited me to your room to do perverted things to me. I'm sure the girls won't be mad if I tell them again, hm~?"
Ichika's eyes widened in shock that Tatenashi still remembered the incident, and nearly received a divine punishment from Houki. Clearly, Tatenashi started it, not him. Tatenashi liked to see the looks on his face as she turned to Liu.
"Let's not forget you lost against me in a fight that I won't have to be your personal trainer. Would you like me to tell everyone you lost to a Student Council President, even though the boy used his IS and lost to a bare hand fighter?"
"Bullshit! I did not use my IS to fight you," Liu retorted. "You're telling fables on us to make it sound believable for the girls."
"Precisely," Tatenashi replied, "You're still weaklings that can't beat me in a fight. Just admit it, and get with the program, or I'll tell everyone right now~"
The boys were horrified of Tatenashi's threatening messages that were true. Refusing to fight each other could mean humiliation, or worse, being pummeled by the girls, especially Houki and Rin. Tatenashi locked the boys that they can't disobey her request.
"I have a counter offer," Liu retorted, walking towards Tatenashi. "Let's turn your head upside down-!"
Ichika realized Liu was going to fight Tatenashi, and quickly reacted by holding him back. He knows they'll be in trouble if they strike the Student Council President. Liu tried to break free as Tatenashi giggled that irritated them even more.
"Nuh uh uh, that'll have you two grounded. I suggest you be good boys, and accept my offer. There's a new set of clothes in the locker. Everyone will be there to watch you boys slug it out. Good luck~"
Tatenashi got away again that got the boys no choice but to fight each other. At the locker room, Liu and Ichika saw their new outfits, and slightly shuddered at Tatenashi's scheme.
"When Tatenashi said she wanted to recreate a scene, this is what she really mean…" said Liu, holding a black ancient Mandarin robe. Ichika shuddered, holding a white karate gi with his kanji printed on the black belt.
"Is this what I'm supposed to wear?"
Liu nodded, knowing that he has seen Ip Man, a famous biographical martial arts film. Liu sigh that Tatenashi wanted them to recreate a famous scene. Fearing for Ichika's lack of instructions given, Liu felt obliged to help him out.
"This won't be pretty because you'll be playing the bad guy, and I'm portrayed as the good guy."
Even though Ichika never heard of the famous film, he understood small hint of words Liu gave out, and shuddered.
"She can't be serious!" Ichika protested. "Tatenashi has gone overboard with this…"
"Me too, but you know what happens if we refuse? It's better to let our fists and feet do the talking than have the girls whip our asses from Tatenashi's fables."
A few minutes of silence, the boys went to their separate rooms to change their new outfits. Ichika came out with the karate gi, resembling a Shotokan karate master. Liu appeared in a black Mandarin robe, resembling the attractive version of Ip Man. Before Ichika opened the door, Liu grabbed him by the shoulder.
"If I were you, don't go outside with that outfit of yours," Liu warned the latter. "Girls will chase us to no end like we're celebrities."
Ichika looked at his gi, then at Liu. "You make a point, but we'll be safe inside the hallways because all of the girls are outside to see the sports festival."
The boys took a casual walk around the empty hallways. They enjoyed the silence to ease their nerves before the final event.
"Ichika," Liu said, breaking the silence. "I'm not looking forward to fight you, but whatever you do, don't hold back."
Ichika was caught by surprise. "I don't like the sound of it, but I can't hurt you."
"Me too, but it's the only way to not face the wrath of the girls should they hear Tatenashi."
Liu and Ichika continued to walk around, calming their minds while the event was still going strong with a sea of girls screaming and cheering. Even though Liu and Ichika barely hang out, they get along just fine as he warned Ichika of Tatenashi's schemes.
"Thanks, Liu for the warning," Ichika scratched his head. "If it weren't for you, I would have turned into a wooden dummy."
Liu chuckled as they look through the large windows of the event. Suddenly, a siren blared out that nearly shook the boys.
"Final contestants please report to the Stadium immediately," said Tatenashi via intercom. "I repeat, report to the Stadium immediately."
The final event was about to begin in the middle of a sunset, giving a colorful setting to the atmosphere. All the classmates gathered around the Stadium that had a makeshift scene of an ancient battlefield. Four wooden pillars stood on the corners of each side. The decoration included Ichika's face and name on banners and flags around the battlefield.
On the podium, Tatenashi stood proudly of her creation with Kanzashi by her side. Large speakers surrounded the podium while Kanzashi had songs on her iPhone 5S related to the film. Kanzashi played Ip Man Soundtrack Four - Arrogance to set the introduction of the fight. The girls, Mattheus and Joel sat front row seats, wondering where Liu and Ichika could have gone.
"Any of you seen the boys?" Charlotte questioned the girls, who in return, shrugged with no answer.
"Tatenashi, you always have something to pull off a stunt like this," Mattheus said, folding his arms.
Tatenashi opened her fan that snapped immediately to stop the commotion, given on how she controlled the audience.
"This day has been very successful with everyone giving their best to showcase their talent," Tatenashi said on her microphone. "What you're about to witness is a finale to conclude the sports festival. Two competitors in this very ring will outdo each other in hand to hand combat without using personal IS. Without further or do, let's give our welcoming hands to Ichika Orimura and Liu King-Sang!"
Less than three seconds, the crowd went frenzy, especially hearing Ichika as the final competitor. Given he's the most popular male student the girls cheered their lungs out to beat Liu with two punches to the head. On the left corner, Ichika walked towards the stage, waving his hands at his friends. Mattheus and Joel were stunned at his appearance that left them speechless. Houki was caught off guard while Laura grinned at her 'bride.'
"Tatenashi didn't tell us this," Cecilia said in confusion.
"Yeah, that was not on the list," Rin replied, folding her arms. "This fight will be anything but a friendly match."
In a seiza position, Ichika didn't appear surprised of the decorations dedicated to him. Ichika was focused to fight Liu while he patiently waited. Few seconds later, Liu calmly walked towards the stage. The two made eye contact, and bowed before getting into battle positions, and Ichika's knuckles cracked silently. No trash talk hurled, silence took over the fight between the boys.
I'm not holding back, Ichika, prepare yourself.
In Ichika's mind, he was also ready to slug it out.
No backing out, and I'm not going easy you on either.
The boys stare at each other, anticipating their moves for good whole fifteen seconds. To match the fighting atmosphere, Kanzashi played Ip Man Soundtrack 21 – Going Under. Ichika started with a double jump front kick, launching like a rocket. Liu blocked the sweeping upward kick before Ichika threw a spinning back kick. He parried in time, and Liu didn't expect Ichika using kicks in the beginning. The fight couldn't get more real with Ichika throwing barrage of punches.
Liu quickly blocked the meteorite punches while he simultaneously threw punches. Ichika used overwhelming strength to break Liu's defense. Ichika noticed his punches didn't score a hit as he threw a ridge hand strike. Liu ducked, and struck Ichika with tiger claws.
The twin jab stung Ichika like sharp paws scratched his cheeks. Ichika shook it off as he readjusted his composure. Liu moved his hands in a circular movement as a warning he means business. Ichika performed a jumping side kick, followed by a double round kick. His right feet jabbed Liu's forearms as Ichika used a crescent kick, jump kick, and front kick.
Ichika's powerful kicks pushed Liu back that his left foot was on the edge of the platform. Thinking he has the advantage, Ichika threw a straight punch, but Liu leaned back, grabbed his wrist, and kicked him in the stomach. Unfazed from the weak jab, the boys launched furious punches, kick while they simultaneously block with forearms and elbows. Like professional martial artists, they were going at it from basic to advanced strikes without a slipup. Ichika's powerful kicks ward off Liu's tiger claws up close, much to his dismay.
They both seem equally matched, with both being able to deliver blows to each other. The crowd went crazy every time Ichika scored hits at the Chinese boy. Liu struck a few hits, but he got too close that allowed Ichika to sweep his left leg, and threw him over the shoulder. The Judo throw caught Liu off guard that his spine slammed onto the hard wooden tiles with a deafening thud. Before Liu can get back up, Ichika stomp kicked him that knocked his sense momentarily, and Ichika performed a side snap kick to the chest.
Liu gasped for air from Ichika's kick as he used rising punch, his signature move. What appeared to be the end, Liu stepped forward at a 45 degree angle with his right feet first, then spun around with a kick to the chin. Ichika suffered a devastating blow that disoriented him from the initial shock to the system. The crowd gasped that they thought Ichika secured the match, but it wasn't over yet.
"No way!" Yuko exclaimed. "No one could have avoided Ichika's Sunday punch."
Cecilia and the others were surprised at Liu's lucky shot where it's nearly impossible to avoid the knockout blow. Ichika furiously threw punches and round kicks while Liu parried the strikes. Ichika attempted to use spring hip throw, but Liu wasn't falling for it again, and retaliated with swift punches to the solar plexus. Liu finished with an open palm strike to the chin. Ichika aimed to even the score with a triple punch, but Liu's punches were faster, rendering his counter useless.
Ichika threw a close short punch, but his range fell short by Liu's twin fist by raising his entire arm to strike his head while the other to the solar plexus. The result was a punch shaped like a U.
"What was that?" Joel said, trying to remember the techniques.
Ichika thought he had the winning advantage, but Liu's diverse techniques did him in. Ichika threw a hook, and Liu grabbed his left leg to lift him up. Ichika tried to break free, but Liu slammed him to the ground. Liu held his fists vertical to unleash chain punch to the face. Ichika quickly deflected against the bombardment strikes as Liu continued to pummel him.
Oh no, I can't go on like this! Got to think something to turn it around!
Thinking fast, Ichika grabbed Liu's right leg to throw him off balance, but that didn't stop Liu from throwing punches as Ichika was taking more damage. Ichika kicked him in the face twice to break free. Ichika earned a scratch on his forehead while Liu received a battered mouth. The boys were bruised, but that didn't stop them from fighting. Liu executed a spinning heel kick, and the force of the impact made Ichika staggering.
Ichika can't lose, especially in front of the girls and his male companions. In return, Ichika spun around to utilize a circular falling kick. Unfortunately, Liu saw an opening, and countered with a front kick to the butt.
No matter how hard Ichika tried to hit Liu, his attacks were rejected by Liu's faster strikes.
"Come on, Ichika!" Shizune shouted at her class hero. "You can't lose to this guy!"
The tables have turned with Ichika on the defense as Liu continued his assault. Liu kicked him towards the wooden pillar, threw a straight, and a hook before pummeling his chest. Somehow, Ichika countered with a hook, and turned around to execute a kneeling shoulder drop. Liu punched him repeatedly to release the grip, and threw him down. Liu locked Ichika's leg to prevent him from escaping as he grabbed his face, and punched him.
"Do you tap out?" Liu said, hoping to end it right away.
"No!"
Liu punched him again with greater force every time Ichika didn't surrender.
"Do you tap out?!" Liu warned, punching Ichika.
"NO!" Ichika yelled, refusing to lose to a Chinese boy.
"TAP OUT?!"
"NO!"
Liu didn't want to do it, but Ichika should have listened to his warning. Ichika elbowed Liu that forced him to knock Ichika out. The knuckles stabbed Ichika's cheekbone so hard it left a dark red bruise. The match was over with Ichika lying face down unconscious as Liu panted from the brutal fight. The crowd couldn't believe Liu made a comeback because they thought Ichika dominated the fight.
When Ichika regained consciousness, Liu offered his hand as a sign of sportsmanship. Despite the injuries Ichika received, he smiled, and grabbed Liu's hand. Even though the crowd wanted Ichika to win, they clapped at the fighters that fought brave, and showed good sportsmanship. Normally, the girls would not appreciate Ichika's loss, but his improvement of close combat skills impressed them as they smiled.
"Great show, you two!" Tatenashi clapped her hands, leaping off the podium. The battered boys groaned at Tatenashi's dangerous scheme that could have got them seriously injured.
"Never again going to listen to you…!" Liu pointed at Tatenashi. Ichika nodded at his companion, wiping small blood on his lips. Tatenashi tried to take Ichika away to do lewd things, and Houki partial deployed Akatsubaki, pointing her katana.
"I don't think so…" Houki said in a murderous tone. "Back up right now, or I'll slice you into ribbons."
Tatenashi wasn't scared of Houki's threat as blew a kiss out before walking away, much to the embarrassment of Ichika. The boys nodded as they walked towards the infirmary to treat their injuries. The girls, Mattheus and Joel tagged along to help the boys out. The girls won't bother them too much from the brutal fight.
"Are you all right?" Ichika questioned Liu that was clutching his head in pain.
Liu gave a thumbs up, smiling at his fellow male IS pilot. The boys did a fantastic job fighting each other with well executed techniques. They can learn a thing or two of learning new moves. The sports festival was finally over that ended with a bang.
The fight between Liu and Ichika was heavily inspired by Ip Man, primarily the final scene. Shouts out to TalonAlpha3 for providing some ideas to conclude the sports festival, and make the boys fight each other. Much appreciated from you!