Kenichi found the next day after his fight with Daimonji a bit weird. Several students' conversations grew quiet as he neared them. Renka and Miu seemed unfazed by the atmosphere. He supposed as a generally normal guy he was more sensitive to the dramatic change. They both were A class beauties with superior martial arts skill. They were simply in a league of their own. However, that familiar chill that announced Nijima started to set in. He quickly looked behind him and saw nothing. Then anxiously moved his head from side to side, still nothing.
"Kenichi you alright?" Renka was concerned her boy rarely looked so out of sorts. "If your looking for a chance to show some affection no need to be shy. It's just Miu and I."
A slight red tint colored the blonde in question's cheeks. That Chinese girl needed to work on her filter. Some things she said and did were just so embarrassing. Honestly, were did she find the courage all the time. Though something she spoke did grab her attention. Where were all the other students? The road to school was always more crowded than this.
"Extra, Extra the Karate clubs Daimonji has suffered a crushing defeat! Who do you ask beat the brute, details inside today's school paper!" Haruo happily scattered surplus papers on the wind as kids eagerly snatched copies. Then he saw the brunette that had him curious. Kenichi looked nervous as readers looked his way.
The expert runner seemed to disappear and reappear leaning on the other males shoulder. "Heya buddy, I gotta say you surprised me yesterday. You've got the heart of a powerhouse when cornered huh. As a friendly warning. Sakuba, the guy that called your match is looking to fight you now. He's on a different level than the rest of the Karate club. According to my data you have no chance against him. I suggest you be careful." The demon journalist left laughing gleefully after that.
Renka and Miu shared a look of concern. The boy was now looking like a hunted animal. They both weren't sure what to say as he backed a few feet away from them.
A voice quivering with fear spoke up to his best friends. "Listen girls, I ah have something to do at the gardening club before class starts. So you two go on ahead without me." Thankfully they complied with little more than worried glances. Once they were out of site he dove into some nearby bushes. He assured himself he wasn't terrified just taking a strategic approach to school. There were Karate club goons stationed at every entrance. He soon found an aptitude for climbing fences. He reached the greenhouse as his club president finished her morning routine.
Izumi suddenly heard a stick break. She looked around and fearfully spoke. "Who's there?"
Realizing the jig was up the only other member stood up from his hiding spot.
"Sorry about startling you Izumi-san. I was just looking for a comfortable place to ponder things. I didn't realize you visited the club so early." He was attempting to hide his depression about his current circumstances.
Miss Yuka's heart was pounding. She enjoyed his company so much. Though he was usually trailed by Furinji, Renka-san, or both. It was hard for a normal girl to even try with them around. However, the fates had granted her time alone with him. He needed cheering up and she was the girl to do it. "I'm so use to being the only member, I usually stop in twice a day." She approached him and blinked her beautiful eyes prettily she hoped. "Sometimes it helps to talk, when you feel heavily burdened. I'm here if you need anything Kenichi-kun."
"Thanks Izumi-san. I will if I think I need to." He clenched his fist and told himself he shouldn't quit without trying.
End of school day...
He had successfully avoided the Karate club scouts all day. The teenager felt like he was in the clear. Now he just had to pick up Renka from her Cooking club. He knew gymnastics ran long today so he might have to wait on Miu though.
"Shirahama, I want to fight you!" Sukuba smiled menacingly at his targets back. Nijima was right he just had to wait by the gardening club and all would be right.
Kenichi slowly turned around and took in the brawny older student. "Listen Sukuba, I don't have a reason to fight you.
"Reason hah, the only reason is the fight itself. Now come on kid let's do this!' He took up a defensive stance and started bouncing in place.
The younger boy tried to act cool as he turned to walk away. "I already said I won't fight you, goodbye."
"Nothing but a coward huh, pathetic." The black haired fighter laughed.
Everything he had done at Ryozanpaku and with Renka to train. It all flooded his mind at once. He stopped his retreat and turned to face his accuser. His eyes were full of anger at the words. "I may be a lot of things, but that I'm not. Take it back! Take it back now!" For the first time he could remember he felt angry before a fight. He adopted a basic Kenpo stance for atrack and defense.
"Oh, sombodies had a few lessons in the Chinese style. Not good enough to learn in Japan huh. Alright Shirahama, here I come." Sukuba charged with a grin on his face.
'So fast! I see it coming, but my body won't respond fast enough.' Solid punches and kicks impacted as he did what he could to lessen the damage.
'Damn, it's like hitting a tree! What has he been doing lifting boulders? No matter I've broken wood before this is no different.' In the end the kid held out for a few minutes then crumbled. "Is that all you got Shirahama. What a waste of my time." The weakling tried to stop him from leaving. A few kicks put him out even though he bruised his leg.
Renka pouted a little that Kenichi was late. Until she thought he might give her another hug by way of apology. She figured checking at the Gardening club would be her best bet. Rage filled her when she spotted him beaten into the dirt. Thankfully, he was coming awake. Her purple gaze was filled with a promise of payback. "Kenichi who did this to you? I swear I'll make them regret every single scratch!" She gently helped him to his feet.
"No Renka, this was my failure not yours." He fought down his sadness as best he could for her sake. "He called me a coward and all I wanted to do was prove him wrong. However, all I did was tell him I couldn't show him."
She hugged him close with care. "Tell your masters what's in your heart . Then they won't be able to refuse technique training. I'll be bringing today's cooking results to your house later to celibrate. So don't be late alright." As she moved from the hug she kissed his cheek. "For Luck."
Her parting words in Chinese stirred his memory. Unfortunately, he couldn't recall why at the moment. "Thanks Renka, you've always believed in me since I first met you." Soon she left and he picked up Miu. Then together they headed for Ryozanpaku.
