Volume 1: Chapter 2 – Part 6Author: Geraint
Ever since the day Kaho-san found out I was her fiancé, things had been... tense. A few days later, when I returned to the dojo, she was waiting at the gate with a furious expression—and dragging out a massive truck tire.
"...Kaho-san, don't tell me this is about the engagement?"
She shot me a terrifying glare.
"It's got nothing to do with our engagement. I just think you need more... conditioning."
I sighed. "I was worried you'd be mad about me hiding my identity. I didn't tell you because I thought you'd reject me if you found out the truth."
I grabbed the rope tied to the oversized tire and wrapped it around my waist.
"Alright. I'm ready."
"Wait—Yuu-kun."
She suddenly hopped onto the tire and sat on top of it.
"…Really?"
"Okay! Let's go!"
With a groan, I took off running, dragging the heavy tire—and Kaho-san—around the park.
"Is it just me, or did you get heavier?"
"Shut up! I've been self-conscious about that!"
"Relax. You've just grown taller. And prettier. It's been a whole year since I joined the dojo."
"Eh…? Has it really been that long?" She looked up in surprise. "Hey, Yuu-kun! Want to hang out this Saturday? Are you free?"
"Yeah. I'm not doing anything. You treating me?"
"Of course! Consider it a celebration for surviving my intense training for a whole year."
Her face blushed slightly as she said it.
"You're not asking me on a date, are you?"
"H-HUH?! O-Of course not!! I told you—it's just appreciation!"
"Haha, I'm kidding. Sure, I'd love to go. I'm looking forward to it."
She smiled. I made sure to keep that day open—but when Saturday came, I was standing alone at our meeting spot. Then my phone rang.
My dad recently got me a flip phone in case of emergencies. I gave my number to Kaho-san, and it was her phone calling me now.
"Hello? Kaho-san? Where are you?"
"Huh? Onii-chan?"
It was her little sister, Nao-chan.
"Nao-chan? Where's your big sister?"
"Onee-chan wanted to go on the date, but… she's sick in bed right now."
"Huh? She looked perfectly healthy yesterday during training…"
"Mom said she was so excited that she didn't sleep at all last night. She got sick this morning."
I sighed, disappointed.
"Is she asleep now?"
"Yes. She's resting."
"Alright. Tell her we're canceling all plans today. She should focus on resting and getting better."
"Okay, Onii-chan!"
The call ended.
"…From now on, I'm calling her Aho-san."
I turned around and headed home.
Now that I think about it, Kaho-san is a year older than me—she's 15, I'm 14. She'll be graduating middle school soon and needs to prepare for high school entrance exams. I shouldn't burden her too much with training.
While walking home, I passed by a newly opened ramen shop with a sign saying Opening Soon. Curious, I peeked inside to check the menu.
"Welcome!"
A blonde girl with a ponytail, black jacket, and gray shorts walked in. She looked grumpy—until she saw me. Her face instantly brightened.
"Sorry, we're still closed today. Please come back tomorrow!" she said cheerfully, bowing.
"It's fine. I was just looking at the menu."
She looked oddly familiar, but the hair color was different from what I remembered.
"Wait, are you—"
Before I could finish, someone outside started yelling.
"Riko! I know you're in there! You think you can hide from me?!"
"Huh?! How did he find me?!" the girl—Riko—gasped in shock.
Outside, a group of delinquents on motorcycles pulled up. They had wild hairstyles and aggressive expressions—classic thugs.
"Riko! I've been looking everywhere for you!"
The guy in front, wearing black shades, got off his bike and walked toward her.
"Leave me alone already! I never agreed to date you!"
"Don't be shy. Your friends told me you like me."
"I don't! And they're not my friends—they've been lying to you!"
The guy suddenly grabbed her wrist and tried to drag her out.
"Hey! Let go!"
"Let's talk. Just you and me."
"Stop! You're hurting me!"
"You're cute when you're angry. I like you—"
"Move."
I stepped between them and kicked him square in the face. His sunglasses shattered as he flew backward, landing near the bikes.
"Aniki!"
"You bastard! You'll pay for that!"
The delinquents pulled out bats and pipes from their motorcycles and charged at me.
"Quick! Get inside!" Riko yelled. "They're dangerous!"
"Nah. They're not worth worrying about. Just call an ambulance—I'm putting them all in the hospital."
"HUH?!"
"What's this punk saying?! Get him!"
One of them swung a metal pipe, but I dodged and delivered a spinning kick, launching him into their bikes.
"Ugh!"
I grabbed two others by the face and smashed their heads together.
"Who's next?"
Another tried to hit me from behind.
"Behind you!" Riko warned.
I was already moving. I ducked, spun around, and lifted him by the neck with one hand. He gasped for air until I threw him onto the rest of his crew.
They were all moaning and twitching on the ground.
"You took down all of them… alone?!" Riko stared in disbelief.
I stepped on the chest of one who was trying to get up, grinding my heel down to make him regret everything.
"Stop it! If you go too far, they'll send more after you!"
"Let them. I'll be fine."
I looked back at Riko.
"Call that ambulance, Riko."
Then I turned around and walked away, waving.
"…He knows my name?" she whispered.
(To be continued.)