We spectators move back to make room for the two men. Arashi is the first to charge at Nishi, knife in hand. Nishi dodges and grabs him from behind, choking him. Despite the pain, Arashi smiles and says: « You're stronger than that bunch of losers. »
Arashi still manages to stab him in the right thigh. Nishi, in pain, lets go but doesn't scream — his face remains calm and serene. How did he manage to keep that expression? I was impressed.
Nishi decides it's his turn to attack first. He uses a kick called « Yop Chagrin », a Taekwondo move. Arashi grabs his leg and twists it. Nishi grits his teeth but throws his knife toward Arashi's throat. To dodge it, Arashi is forced to release him.
After Arashi lets go of Nishi and dodges the attack, both men step back and stare straight into each other's eyes. Nishi is bleeding from his right thigh, while Arashi is only out of breath. Arashi laughs and says: « You really make me laugh. Too bad I have to kill you. »
Nishi replies: « Shut up! I could never be friends with a sadist. »
Arashi picks up Nishi's knife from the ground and says: « Now I have your knife and mine. What are you gonna do? »
Nishi takes an Aikido stance. He manages to disarm one knife, but Arashi stabs him in the left flank. Nishi steps back a few paces, touches his wounded side, and mutters in irritation: « Damn it. »
Arashi says: « What's wrong? Don't tell me that's all you've got. »
Nishi smiles coldly and answers: « Shut your mouth. Unlike you, I use martial arts — you fight like a brute. »
That hurts Arashi's pride. He frowns and says: « I'm gonna kill you. »
Enraged, Arashi rushes at Nishi without thinking, ready to punch him. But suddenly, Nishi pulls out a small sharpened stone he had picked up earlier when he stepped back. With incredible speed, he stabs Arashi in the stomach several times. Arashi falls to the ground. Before he can get up, Nishi stomps on his throat. Arashi screams in pain. Nishi is about to pierce Arashi's skull with the sharpened stone when suddenly Ishiro arrives and shouts: « That's enough! »
Nishi stops and looks at the director. Arashi gets up and says: « Why did you stop our duel? »
Ishiro replies: « I'd rather see you die fighting another inmate than die fighting a guard. And I've learned that you killed some guards, so you'll get a punishment. »
Arashi asks: « And what's my punishment? »
With a psychopathic smile, Ishiro answers: « You'll see. But for now, apologize to the guards. »
Arashi laughs mockingly and says with disdain: « I'll never apologize to the weak. »
Nishi goes to the prison infirmary, and I decide to follow him. But he notices me immediately and says coldly: « What do you want? »
I reply: « Since the program is suspended for three days, I want you to train me. »
Before I realize it, a knife is already pointed at my face.
Nishi says: « If this were a real fight, you'd already be dead. »
After those words, he walks away.
In the director's office, Arashi says: « So what's my punishment? »
With a psychotic smile, Ishiro replies: « I'm going to torture you mentally until you become an obedient little dog. »
In the hallway, screams of agony could be heard coming from the director's office. When Arashi came out, his eyes were empty of all emotion, and his personality had vanished. Now, whatever Ishiro said, he obeyed without question.
In my dorm, I couldn't stop thinking about what Nishi had told me.
I murmured: « Am I really that weak? »
I opened my laptop and watched videos about martial arts.
The next day, after finishing all my chores in Block C, I reviewed the basic martial arts techniques I had seen the night before. Suddenly, Mrs Nishi said: « Wow, you're so serious. Why are you so serious, my cutie? »
I replied: « I want to become stronger. »
Mrs Nishi said: « But there's the program. »
I answered: « Yeah,but it's suspended for 3 days. »
She smiled and said: « True, martial arts aren't really my specialty, but I know the basics and I can help you. But if you want a pro, I suggest you ask Maku. »
I said: « Yeah, but he'll probably refuse. He's always cold. »
She laughed and, in a mock authoritative tone, said: « Are you a man or not? Show you've got some guts and go ask him! »
Her words really encouraged me, and I thanked her before leaving.
I went looking for Nishi and found him in the prison gym. He was lifting weights. I gathered my courage and said firmly: « Please, train me so I can become stronger. »
After a long silence, he said: « Tch, even if I refuse, you won't give up, huh? Fine. You win. Come join me. »
Nishi and I spent three hours in the gym, and I was completely exhausted. As soon as I got back to my dorm, I took a bath and went straight to sleep.
In a cell in Block B, a prisoner had a phone and was talking to someone.
He said: « Where are you right now? »
On the other end, a man replied: « We're almost there, boss. »
The prisoner said: « Come quickly and get me out of this prison. »
The man replied: « Yes, boss. »