The school ground buzzed with excitement.
Students speculated loudly:
"Who's the opponent?"
"From another school?"
"Maybe a senior fighter?"
Ren stood at the corner, stretching. His grin remained, but a thrill danced in his eyes.
"President, come on, just tell me! This suspense is killing me."
Souta clasped his hands behind his back.
"Hm… wouldn't it be better to see him face-to-face?"
Ren groaned dramatically. "You'll never tell me, will you? Damn you, President."
The ground laughed. Souta flicked his sandal at Ren's head.
"Show some respect to your senior!"
Ren rubbed his head sheepishly. "If you weren't an elite fighter, I'd…" He trailed off, grinning. "Never mind. I'm ready."
Souta looks at Ren with a bit of a suspicious look.
"What are you thinking?"
Ren makes a nervous chuckle to hide his sarcasm.
"Nothing. I am just preparing for a fight."
---
The atmosphere shifted. Students grew quieter. Tension built.
Every gaze turned toward the gate.
Footsteps. Slow. Heavy.
A boy entered — Navy blazer, blank face, steady walk. His presence and the crowd.
Shion Amano.
Gasps. Whispers. Awe.
The boy who always stayed in the corner was now stepping into the center.
Souta placed a hand on his shoulder and announced proudly:
"Here's your opponent. His name… Shion Amano."
Ren's eyes narrowed, the fighter in him awakening and suddenly whisper.
Never underestimate an opponent… Today, I can already feel it.
Souta raised his voice for everyone.
"Listen up! This is Shion Amano. A former black belt in martial arts. Respect both fighters — and enjoy the match!"
The crowd erupted. Cheers. Whistle. Excitement everywhere.
In the corner, Kasumi's eyes widened in shock.
"Shion?! He's… fighting?! My heart is pounding He'll give me a heart attack someday…"
Before fight Kasumi...
Kasumi sat in the classroom, her head resting on the desk. A faint blush stained her cheeks, her eyes clouded with unease.kasumi mutter something.
"Ugh… I actually hugged him? What must Shion be thinking of me… Am I insane?"
The memory replayed in her head — that awkward hug on the buliding entrance. Each time it resurfaced, her heartbeat quickened until she felt she might collapse.
Just then, her friend Youri burst into the room, full of excitement.
"Kasumi! Did you hear? The president just announced a fight — Ren versus a surprise opponent!"
Kasumi lifted her head, dazed.
"I don't want to see it. You go."
Youri grabbed her arm.
"Come on! Stop acting. The whole school is watching. You can't miss this."
Kasumi tried to resist, but Youri's insistence dragged her toward the ground.
After ground...
The sports field was alive with cheers, chatter, and restless speculation. Students laughed, shouted guesses, filled the air with energy. Everyone thought it was just another friendly match.
But when Shion walked through the gate — Navy blazer, measured steps, expression unreadable — crashed down on the crowd.
Kasumi had just stepped into the ground. The instant her eyes caught Shion, her body froze.
"S-Shion?! He's fighting?! —…"
Her heart pounded. A storm of shock, fear, and something she couldn't name swirled inside her.
The cheers returned, louder now. Souta stepped forward like a referee, introducing both fighters.
Ren strode up, casual grin on his lips.
"Hi, Shion. I'm Ren Fujimiya."
"Shion Amano." His voice was flat, calm.
A spark flickered between them. Silent, sharp. The crowd hushed, all eyes fixed on the two.
Souta raised his hand.
"This is a friendly match. No reckless injuries. Only skill and respect. Remember — both fighters deserve equal honor."
Ren wasted no time. His right fist shot forward in a fast punch aimed straight at Shion.
Shion stepped aside with effortless precision. A clean dodge.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Nobody expected it to be that smooth.
Fast… but predictable, Shion thought.
Ren struck again, faster, but this time Shion spun, lifted his leg, and landed a sharp kick to Ren's chest. Ren staggered back, only to back flip and recover with ease.
He wiped his cheek and grinned.
"Nice. You're skilled."
Their fight exploded into a flurry of movement. Punches, blocks, counters. Sidesteps and clashes. Every move sharp, disciplined.
The crowd, once noisy, fell into stunned silence.
Watching from the side, Souta whispered under his breath.
"Shion… so you'd been hiding this all along."
In the corner, Kasumi held her breath, eyes wide.
"This boy… this is Shion? The same silent, awkward Shion? Who… who is he really?"
Ren lunged with another powerful punch. Shion blocked, then both leapt back, distance separating them once again.
Ren cracked his neck, his grin widening.
"Looks like the real fight starts now."
Shion reset his stance, expression calm, but a strange intensity lit his eyes.
Ren charged, his speed doubled. A heavy punch slammed into Shion's chest, forcing him back a step. Cheers erupted.
Another blow landed on Shion's face. His head jerked, his eyes pain.
Then Ren spun, delivering a kick to Shion's side. Shion hit the ground, dust rising.
Gasps swept across the field.
Shion slowly pushed himself up, breathing hard. His eyes shone darker now, sharper.
Ren is strong… If I drag this out, it'll only benefit him. His stamina is higher. I need to end this here.
He raised his fists again. His voice was steady.
"Come. Try again."
Ren rushed in, confident grin flashing. But this time, Shion was ready.
A wrist caught. A sharp twist. A clean counter.
A punch to Ren's face.
Two jabs to his chest.
And then — a spinning kick.
Ren flew back, rolling across the ground before skidding to a halt.
The crowd froze. Even the wind seemed to stop.
Ren groaned, pushing himself up, bruised but grinning.
"Not bad… Shion."
Shion breathed evenly, his tone calm.
"Sorry, Ren. I'll stop here. The fight's over. It was good… but I can't continue."
He paused,and Ren laughed softly.
"No problem. I won't force you… unlike someone else."
Souta's eyes widened.he sat in bench and say.
"Oi! I didn't force anyone!"
Ren only scratched his neck and grinned. "Who knows~"
Laughter rippled faintly through the students.
Shion turned and began walking off the ground. At first, silence followed him. Then — slow claps. One by one, they grew into cheers.
The students weren't impressed because he won or lost. They were impressed because of how he controlled the fight against a skilled player. and ended it with dignity.
Inside, Shion thought quietly:
If I had fought any longer… I might've lost control. That's why I left martial arts behind.
---Chapter 5 end---