To his credit, Kuwabara waited until the first week of school was over before challenging Yusuke to a fight. Kuwabara came off worse, going home with a black eye and bloody nose.
So Kuwabara challenged him again, and lost, again. And again, and again.
"That makes it eighteen to zero," Okubo told him after his latest failed attempt to defeat Urameshi.
Kuwabara pushed himself up off the ground, wincing in pain. "I'm pathetic," Kuwabara said, fighting back tears of frustration. "Dad's been training me, and I still can't beat Urameshi! I'm such a loser!"
"That's not true!" Kirishima said.
"Yeah, you're great!" Sawamura told him.
Their words didn't make him feel any better; praise was meaningless if he hadn't done anything to earn it.
"If you're done making a fool of yourself, it's time to go home," Shizuru called. She was getting impatient with his fights, as Kuwabara wasn't allowed to walk home by himself yet.
Kuwabara obediently followed her, shoulders slumped with defeat. He should probably quit fighting Urameshi. It wasn't like it was getting him anywhere.
"You know," Shizuru said, "Dad says you're only a loser if you give up. That means Urameshi can't beat you unless you quit fighting."
Kuwabara stopped walking as her words sank in. "You're right! I can't give up! I just have to get stronger, and then I'll beat Urameshi."
Shizuru shrugged. "If you throw a pebble at a wall long enough, eventually it'll go through. Or so says my science teacher."
Kuwabara's step had a new spring in it, despite his aches and pains. Eventually, he would win.
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