Inupi and Asuka were walking toward the school. A warm autumn breeze ruffled their hair; the path smelled faintly of chalk and cut grass.
Inupi stopped and looked at her with a kind, easy smile. "Asuka-chan, would you wait here till I come back?" he asked softly.
Asuka nodded and sank down near a tree, tucking her knees up. She watched him go with bright, trusting eyes.
Meanwhile, Inupi pushed open the school doors and walked in, his expression calm and confident. As he moved down the corridor he slipped into a classroom and froze at the sight of a boy asleep, head lolling on the desk as if the world could wait.
Inupi walked over and peered down at him. "Are you Shiba Taiju? I heard you're really strong," he said, studying the sleepy face with a hint of challenge in his voice.
Taiju's eyelids fluttered. He sat up slowly, towering over Inupi, and a cold, flat smile edged his mouth. "You better make it fun—or else you're gonna regret it," he said, voice low and dangerous.
A silent, prickly tension settled between them. After a minute of locked stares they began heading toward the empty schoolyard.
From under the tree, Asuka saw Inupi returning with Taiju beside him. Her heart thudded. Hey—Isn't that Taiju? she thought. Are they going to fight? she whispered, a worried frown knitting her brow.
Inupi glanced over at her and tried to ease her with a gentle grin. "This will be over in a minute, so don't worry, Asuka-chan." His voice was warm, meant to reassure.
Asuka returned his smile with a brave nod, though inside she was a storm: YEAH, IT WILL BE OVER IN A MINUTE—HE'S GONNA CRUSH YOU, YOU BOY, her inner voice roared.
Taiju sniffed and glanced at Asuka, curiosity and contempt flickering across his face. "Is she here to fight too?" he asked, half amused.
Inupi's eyes hardened. "Don't look at her. She's here to watch," he said curtly.
Taiju smirked and turned back to Inupi with a sneer full of sarcasm. "Yeah, at least you've got someone to carry you back to the hospital," he taunted.
Inupi's jaw tightened. "You don't have to worry about me," he replied, settling into a fighting stance as if to prove it.
Taiju remained oddly relaxed but undeniably powerful. Slowly, with a smooth, almost lazy motion, he removed his tie, folded up his sleeves, and met Inupi's gaze. "You sure you wanna fight me?" he asked, the question laced with amusement.
Irritation flared in Inupi's chest. He looked at Taiju one last time—an intense, simmering glare—and then launched forward, fist aimed for Taiju's face.
Inupi's punch flew—but Taiju countered instantly, a punch of his own that sent Inupi skidding across the ground. The impact knocked the breath out of him.
Inupi staggered to his feet, rage burning in his eyes. He threw himself back into the fight, attacks sharp and desperate. The skirmish didn't last long—minutes that felt like lifetimes—and eventually Inupi lay on the ground while Taiju stood over him, unmarked and composed.
Taiju's voice was cool. "So now what do you want to do?" he asked, almost bored.
Inupi stared up at him, pride bruised. "As I lost, I'll follow you forever," he said, the words heavy with pain he wouldn't show. He swallowed hard—it hurt to admit defeat.
From behind, Asuka ran to Inupi's side, worry splashed across her face. "Are you alright, Inupi?" she asked, helping him to his feet with trembling hands.
"You don't have to do this, Asuka-chan," Inupi murmured. "I lost, so I have to follow him—no matter what." He sounded resigned, as if the choice had been ripped from him.
Asuka's eyes flickered with fierce resolve. "You didn't lose, Inupi. You tried—that's not the same as losing. And if you really don't want to lose, I'll fight him," she declared, voice steady and suddenly very brave.
Inupi's hand shot out to stop her. "No—you shouldn't. He isn't just anyone. You can't defeat him. He's really strong… an actual demon," he warned, desperate, trying to protect her.
Taiju arched an eyebrow and smirked at Asuka. "So you wanna fight too?" he said, every word dripping with condescension. "If you both get disabled, who'll carry you to the hospital?" His sarcasm was a blade.
Asuka's face set. "If I were you," she shot back, "I wouldn't be worrying about that." She dashed forward and leapt, launching a kick aimed straight for Taiju's face.
Taiju barely shifted—just enough to avoid full impact. He thought, impressed even, That kick was strong—if I hadn't moved, it would've landed hard.
Asuka came back like a whirlwind, sprinting in for another kick. Taiju danced away, sidestepping the blows; she was powerful, and he was clearly taking her seriously now.
Then, finally, one of Asuka's kicks connected. Taiju's nose began to bleed. He blinked, a little surprised, then a grin crept across his face. "Interesting," he murmured, and the expression on his face turned sharp, hungry for the fight.
Inupi's stomach dropped when he saw the blood. Shock, then a rush of hope and fear—could she actually do it?
Not bothered, Taiju charged, slamming a punch into Asuka that sent her crashing to the ground. He stood over her, voice bored and cruel. "When things get fun, you show your real colors—just talk and nothing else."
Asuka lay still, pain radiating through her. Taiju looked over at Inupi and delivered another squeeze to his pride. "So here your game ends," he said, intent on crushing them.
Inupi watched Asuka on the ground, disbelief and hurt tangling inside him. Did she lose? He had always seen her win—how could this be true?
Suddenly Taiju felt a shadow behind him. He turned—and took a clean hit from Asuka.
"You jerk! Why did you punch my face? What if something happened to me?" she spat, fury fueling her as she stood, hair sticking to her cheek with sweat.
Taiju, who had just been hit hard enough to fall, looked stunned. "Is she for real?" he murmured, half-smiling as if the surprise pleased him.
"Let's take it seriously," Taiju growled, launching himself at Asuka with renewed ferocity. A punch landed in her stomach. "Give up, or you'll just die from my punches," he threatened, voice low and dangerous.
Asuka's lips curved into a stubborn smile. "Like hell your punches are doing anything to me," she said, breath steady despite the pain. "Unlike that so called god," she added, glancing at Inupi—an unspoken belief that steadied them both.
Taiju fought with relish, enjoying every blow, while Asuka refused to back down. The duel dragged on into evening; their breaths came in harsh, ragged bursts. Dust rose from their footsteps and the sun dipped low, painting the playground gold.
At last, with a final, powerful kick, Asuka knocked Taiju down. She collapsed moments later, spent and unconscious. Silence fell over the yard like a held breath.
Inupi raced to their side, heart pounding, helpless hope and fear tangled in every step—praying they were okay.