The final bell rang, echoing across the school grounds like a starting gun. Students rushed out, chattering excitedly, their footsteps pounding against the pavement. But among the dozens of voices, one name lingered in the air like a rumor carried by the wind.
"Gray Aster."
Gray, of course, had other priorities. He stretched his arms, yawning so wide his classmates thought his jaw might unhinge.
"Finally, freedom," he muttered. "Home, sweet home… and my bed."
But before he could make it three steps toward the exit, Riku grabbed his sleeve. "Gray! Don't you dare run off. You heard them at lunch. Razor's waiting for you."
Gray slumped. "…Can I pretend I suddenly got chicken pox? Or… cutlet pox?"
"Gray!"
Hana crossed her arms from her desk, glaring at him. "If you avoid him, the rumors will only get worse. People already think you're fearless. Running away now will destroy your reputation."
Gray blinked. "Wait, I have a reputation?"
"Yes!" Hana snapped. "And you're too stupid to even realize it!"
Miyu, leaning casually by the door, smiled faintly. "I, for one, am curious to see how you'll handle this."
Gray pointed at her, panicked. "Don't encourage this madness!"
But it was too late. The classroom was practically buzzing with anticipation. Word spread like wildfire—Gray versus Razor, after school. By the time Gray reluctantly trudged outside, the schoolyard was already filled with students forming a wide circle.
The Stage Is Set
The setting sun painted the sky in streaks of crimson and gold, the perfect backdrop for a showdown. Razor stood in the middle of the courtyard, his hulking frame casting a long shadow, his lackeys circling him like wolves.
When Gray arrived, yawning with his bag dragging on the ground, the crowd erupted.
"There he is!""Gray Aster, the fearless!""Razor's gonna crush him!""No way, I bet Gray will pull off something crazy again!"
Gray froze. "…Why are there so many people?"
Riku whispered urgently. "Gray… this is it. Razor's gang against you. Just… try not to die, okay?"
Gray slumped his shoulders. "I should've gone home early…"
Razor's Fury
Razor cracked his knuckles, stepping forward with a predator's grin. His bandaged hand from before was still wrapped tightly, but his eyes burned with humiliation and rage.
"So you showed up after all, Gray," Razor growled. "Good. I was worried you'd run home crying."
Gray blinked at him, utterly unimpressed. "Run home? Cry? Sorry, I don't do cardio."
The crowd gasped. Razor's face twitched.
"Still mouthing off, huh? Do you have any idea who you're messing with?"
Gray tilted his head. "…A guy with anger issues?"
The students burst into laughter. Razor's jaw clenched so hard it was audible.
"You think you're funny, huh? You think humiliating me in the cafeteria was enough? No. Today, I'll destroy you. I'll crush that stupid face of yours until no one remembers your name."
Gray scratched the back of his head. "…Can we reschedule this? My cutlet's getting cold."
The Fight Begins
Razor lunged. His fist cut through the air like a hammer aimed straight at Gray's skull. The crowd gasped in unison.
But Gray—by sheer accident—tripped on his own untied shoelace.
"Wah—!"
He fell forward, his body collapsing like a sack of potatoes. Razor's punch sailed over his head, missing completely. Worse, Razor's fist plowed into the trunk of a nearby tree, splintering the wood.
The crowd roared."He dodged it!""What speed!""No way, that was intentional!"
Gray, still on the ground, lifted his head groggily. "…Did I… win?"
Riku slapped his forehead. "No, you idiot, get up!"
Razor yanked his fist free, eyes blazing. "Stop mocking me!"
He charged again, swinging his leg in a brutal kick. Gray scrambled to his feet, arms flailing—only to trip again, stumbling sideways. Razor's kick missed and instead slammed into a wooden bench, shattering it to pieces.
The crowd went wild."He's untouchable!""Is this some kind of drunken fist style?!""It's… beautiful."
Gray wheezed, clutching his chest. "I'm not untouchable, I'm unlucky!"
Gray's Accidental Counter
Finally, Razor grabbed Gray by the collar, lifting him off the ground. His eyes gleamed with bloodlust.
"Playtime's over, clown."
Gray dangled helplessly, kicking weakly. "Help… Riku… my mom's chicken curry isn't worth dying for…"
But then—by instinct, Gray's hand reached for Razor's wrist to push him away. Somehow, his thumb jammed directly into Razor's injured bandaged hand.
"AAARGH!" Razor howled, dropping Gray instantly.
Gray fell on his butt with a thud, groaning. "Ow… why does gravity hate me?"
Razor clutched his hand, pain flashing across his face. The crowd gasped again, whispers spreading like wildfire.
"Gray struck Razor's injury!""He knew where to hit!""What precision!"
Gray blinked, dazed. "…Precision? I literally can't even aim my alarm clock at the snooze button."
But to the audience, the scene was clear: Razor, the feared school tyrant, was being dismantled piece by piece by Gray's effortless, almost mocking movements.
Razor's Humiliation
Breathing heavily, Razor glared at Gray, his pride crumbling. He couldn't let this stand. With a roar, he charged one last time, aiming a full-bodied tackle.
Gray, panicking, tried to backpedal—but his foot hit a stray soccer ball someone had left near the courtyard. His leg jerked forward, the ball shot out, and—
BAM!
The soccer ball rocketed straight into Razor's face, smashing into his nose with a sickening crunch. Razor stumbled, clutching his face as blood poured out. He collapsed to his knees, dazed and beaten.
The courtyard went silent.
Then erupted into chaos."He did it!""Gray defeated Razor!""No way! He's unbeatable!"
Gray sat on the ground, completely dumbfounded. "Wait… I won? …Again?!"
The Aftermath
Razor's lackeys rushed to his side, but even they looked unsure now, glancing nervously at Gray as if he were some unpredictable monster. Razor, clutching his broken nose, snarled at him through blood.
"This… isn't over, Gray. You'll regret this. I swear it."
Gray raised a hand weakly. "…Can I regret it tomorrow? I'm really tired."
The crowd burst into laughter and cheers, chanting Gray's name. Riku sighed heavily, torn between relief and exasperation.
Miyu, watching from the edge of the crowd, smiled faintly. "Interesting. Very interesting."
Hana clenched her fists, her heart pounding. "That idiot… he's actually pulling this off."
And just like that, Gray's legend grew even larger.
End of Chapter 5