The two arrived at the stadium. It was a large building with a stadium-like structure. The seats around the arena looked like it could seat about 1000, the majority of which were filled with students waiting to see a fight. Above the arena stood a large holographic screen, Reito figuring that as big as it was, it would project the matches to the audience.
In front of people too... Okay, calm down, Reito repeated to himself, pacing his breaths.
"Here we are, Tochi. There's a hand ID scanner before you enter the simulation. From there, just head to the middle," she pointed further inside.
"Oh yeah, I remember this from when Shion dragged me to one of her matches. Don't suppose I could pick what's simulated, can I?"
"Bingo! It's your debut, so when you scan in, you should be able to pick the setting you'd prefer," she confirmed, "everything else is pretty simple, just fight and try to beat whoever's in front of you. You can give up at any time, so go get 'em!" She exclaimed, playfully punching the air.
"If that's all there is to it, then here goes nothin' I guess." He turned to the scanner and placed his hand on it.
"I'll be waiting, put on a show they'll never forget, kay?"
Reito turned to deny Evie. "Yeah, yeah, just don't expect too much-... Hmm? Where'd ya-"
Just as quick as she came, she vanished. He scoured the area around him, his brow furrowed in confusion, to make sure she wasn't just playing a trick on him.
Just like in the classroom... Is she a teleporter, maybe...?" He shook his head... Well, either way, guess that's not what I should be focusin' on...
Turning back with a sigh, Reito scanned himself and jumped back as it emitted a feminine voice. "Welcome, Reito Usodachi, rank bronze #852. Please choose your preferred simulated battlefield."
The scanner showed pictures of different areas, a forest, freight yard, and underground. There were others too, but frankly, even just three choices presented made him feel like his head was spinning.
"Well...if I had to choose, somethin' Urban. Liiiike, ah! Here we go!" he tapped the screen after swiping for a second.
"Choice confirmed. Enter the Simulation Space."
He clenched his fist, proceeding inside. Let's get this over with. I'm in the mood for a cold drink when I get home.
The crowd's cheers swell all around him as he approached Chikara, who stood confidently in the middle of the noise with his arms folded. Even though they were a similar height, Reito had the feeling that the boy was looking down on him.
"You've got my respect, Usodachi, you showed up. Not only that, but you've got some solid composure. I almost feel bad about having to make an example out of you," Chikara complimented, wearing a slight smirk.
Reito shrugged at him. "Bite me, musclehead." noticing his finger began to jitter and shake, along with the rest of his body. Shit...I thought I could beat back the feelin' until we were at least midway into it, I just can't get the thought of bein' beat to hell outta my head...
" Don't worry if you're getting cold feet...I can't really blame you... If I was in your shoes, I'd be twice as jittery. Remember that feeling, because a few blows in, all you'll know is pain." Chikara addressed him, the crowd of students cheers erupting from the stand
[ZENO'O, YOU'VE GOT THIS.]
[GIVE HIM HELL, ZENO'O.]
[SHOW THAT SLACKER WHY THEY CALL YOU THE BOTTOMLESS GLUTTON!]
Figures, so much for being the crowd favorite. Even if Shion and that half pint screamed their lungs out, I wouldn't be able to hear 'em, Reito thought.
The same feminine voice from the scanners alerted the two. "Participants, take your places. The simulation shall begin in 30 seconds," as quickly as it was said, Chikara took a basic kickboxing stance.
Alright Reito...like granny taught you, he thought to himself, taking up a stance similar to wing chun. His right arm pointing straight forward with his hand held out like he was accepting something. His left arm deviating to the left to make that hand hover over his right arm. He brought his right leg frontward and his left back a bit.
Where'd he learn that? Chikara wondered.
Slowly, the simulated battlefield began to build itself around the two players. While they were being shut out from the crowd around them, the two found themselves on a street in a deserted city block. Reito looked around, noticing a manhole in the middle of the space, buildings on both sides. It made him feel a little more confident, if not much, considering the only a streetway was something he's familiar with.
"Combat start!" exclaimed the same monotone feminine voice.
"Hmm, where to sit, where to sit~~?" Evie sang to herself, skipping around the noise filled stands. While doing so, she bumped into Shizuka with her hood up and her head tilted towards the floor. "Oh! I'm sorry, excuse me!" She bowed.
"No, no, it's my bad," Shizuka waved it off, "I should've been paying attention. I'm just...well...worried about that guy in the specs down there," she responded, pointing to the middle of the stadium.
Her eyes lit up while grabbing both of Shizuka's hands and bringing them to the front of her chest.
"You're really that friend Tochi was thinking about?! So it's not just a family member after all! And here I thought he was some sort of loner type, what a relief!"
Shizuka made a twitchy smirk. Tochi? She thought. "Erm...well...can't say that you're not mostly right."
All of a sudden, Evie began inspecting her closely up and down. "Hmmmmm... Y'know, getting a look at you, there's something off...like a weird vibe."
Crap, did she notice?! Shizuka panicked "N-Nope, don't think so. S-Sure you're not just seeing things? She replied, sweating, "matter of fact, I'd better be getting up to my seat-"
Evie pinned her sights on Shizuka's hoodie and pulled it back a little, revealing some of her two toned purple and yellow hair under her hat. She made a loud gasp. "WAIT, YOU'RE AN ON-MPMMH!" Shizuka swiftly covered her mouth, and brought her to one of the higher seating areas so she could whisper.
"Shhh, don't be so loud! If people here knew about me, they'd lose it! So please, keep quiet!"
As Evie nodded her head up and down to give her a yes, she was released. "Sorry, I'm just a little surprised. Usually, an Ono popping up means certain death for any person who sees them. But I guess you would've killed me as soon as I spoke in that case. Still, I almost had a heart attack."
Shizuka looked down, shaking a bit with a frown on her face. "...Look... I know my family might've put my last name on the map with their methods...but I'm not like any of 'em at all!" She said, putting her hand to her chest.
Evie's eyes narrowed as she cupped her chin. A moment later, she came to a consensus. "You don't seem to be lying... Well...alright, since you check out, I'll take your word for it. Although if I end up having my throat slit by you in the next minute, well, I guess I can't blame anyone but myself. Come to think of it, I have heard rumors about a pure blood Ono entering the Academies a while back.
"Believe me, I've got no malicious intent. I'm just here to support Rei. He's in this bind because of me in the first place, so it's the least I can do."
Evie smiled in retort. "Then I guess there's no worries after all! If you're Tochi's friend, you're probably not a bad person! So let's be buds, kay?" She raised a fist to the girl, hoping for a fist bump. "The name's Evie Tanaka, but just call me Evie."
Shizuka was taken aback at her friendly gesture. Seeing as the only person who'd shown her any kindness besides Reito, she didn't really know how to respond to it at first. Anyone else she approached would run from her, having seen her hair. It would usually be her seeking camaraderie, but this girl all of a sudden heard her out and believed her. Not only that, but she offered Shizuka friendship first. She didn't know if she'd get another chance like this again, so after a moment, she raised her own fist and met her halfway.
"Sure...and it's Shizuka, you can't really forget the last name." She said returning the gesture while smirking.
Evie squealed. "I can't believe I'm friends with such a cute girl, you're adorable~~!"
Shizuka jumped back and blushed. "M-Me? Y-You're joking, right?" She stammered.
Evie shook her head left to right. "No way, why would I?! Honestly you're exactly my type~!" She divulged, soon leaping forward to hug Shizuka while patting her on the head.
"H-Hey, calm down, I don't really swing that way!"
"Tochi was really holding out on me! He didn't mention anything about you being such a cutie~~!"
While Evie indulged in her newly found target, Shizuka began to get agitated at the attention.
Damn it, what the hell do you think yer doin'?! I'll bust ya face in!" Growled Shizuka as she grit her teeth and brought a fist down unto Evie's head, sending her to the floor. Crap! Did I knock her out?!
"Sorry, Shizu," Evie apologized, rubbing her head, "got a little carried away there. Guess I deserved that, although it didn't hurt that bad," she laughed, sheepishly.
"You're fine," Shizuka sighed, lowering her voice, "to be honest, it's really refreshing to be praised for something other than Yakuza or assasination work. Wait...did you just call me Shizu?"
Evie just laughed. "That signature nickname is a symbol that you're friends with the one and only Evie! Pretty cool, huh?" She proudly proclaimed a hint of wariness in her tone, holding her head high.
Shizuka rolled her eyes, pulling down her hat and turning to rest her arms on the railings of the stands. "We've got a fight to look forward to."
"Oh yeah!" Evie returned to doing the same, both their gazes fixed on the now forming simulation.
Chikara lunged forward, throwing a punch towards Reito, who smoothly deflected it, countering with a palm strike aiming towards his face. Chikara, raising his eyebrows and going wide eyed, blocked it with his forearm.
"You're not half bad, Usodachi," Chikara gave him an approving smile, padding around the city space like a cat. "Your technique is sort of bizarre though. Who taught you CQC?"
"Mr. Miyagi, obviously. Don'tcha watch any movies?" He snarked.
"Not gonna tell me, huh? Well, either way, this'll be more fun than thought!" Chikara retorted as he tried to drive a two fisted overhead smash into his opponent's skull.
Reito quickly backflipped to avoid the attack, making it smash into the ground where a small crater - sending broken pieces of street flying.
"Sheesh, do ya ever stop yappin'?" Reito replied, rolling his eyes as he landed, snatching a piece of rubble out of the air and putting it into his jean pocket. He then reeled back, jumped and delivered a fierce spin kick to Chikara's forehead.
That oughta at least give him a concussion, he thought.
Chikara had positioned himself so that he could catch the impact on his forehead, powering through it. He then grabbed Reito's leg and rammed a fist into his stomach, causing him to cough up some blood and fly back 20 meters. Falling on the ground with a thud, he held his stomach and tried to catch his breath as quick as he could.
"Going for the head? Not bad, but it's gonna take a lot more than that, Usodachi."
"What the?!" He said, almost cursing under his breath. Damn it, just my luck! He thought, wincing. I felt a few of my ribs crack! I can just ignore the pain, problem is, if I keep takin' hits like that, my body ain't gonna hold up!!
Reito got up and wiped the blood from his mouth, clicking his tongue. Obviously basic attacks couldn't scratch Chikara, and he knew taking one or two more hits would knock him out for sure. He didn't have the strength to throw anything too large, so that was out of the question. No matter how he looked at it, the only thing he could see working his Path, much to his disappointment.
"You're getting up?! Pretty impressive! You're a bit scrawny so I figured you'd be keeling over right now!" Chikara called out, half complimenting him.
[He actually complimented him?]
[Zeno'o's probably just being nice, even if Usodachi does suck, he's still a student. Guess it's sorta like supporting your peers in a way.]
[Oh, I get it! That's actually really Student Council like!]
As much as I wanna throw in the towel...a promise is a promise, Reito thought.
Having recovered from the previous blow, Reito dug into his pocket and pulled out the rock he'd picked up earlier. He tapped it in the front and on the right side. "50D 2.5S" He muttered under his breath. He then cocked back as if he was throwing a baseball. "All right, I CHOOSE YOU!! HOPEFULLY YA HURT AS MUCH AS THE REAL DEAL!!" He exclaimed, throwing the stone full force towards his opponent.
"Is this a joke?" Chikara thought with an extremely angered expression. He dodged the stone by tilting his head to the right.
Chikara scoffed. "You...can you even take this seriously?! This isn't the time to mess arou-!" While Chikara flew into a rage. The stone changed trajectory to propel it backwards and to the right, smashing it into Chikara's face.
As they witnessed this, the students in the audience had nothing but questions.
[Was that...his Path? Does he have telepathy or something?!]
[There's no way...I mean, if he had something like that, why was he shaking so much? It's gotta be some kinda mind game!]
[He was even keeping up with Zeno'o in a trade of blows for a second...who is he?]
Shizuka cracked a wide smile. "He used it."
"That's Tochi's Path?" Evie asked.
"Yup. he's an Impact human with the power he calls Delayed Impact. He's never really liked it, but it's pretty strong. He can state the amount of damage he wants to deal from 10 to 100, the difference between 90 and 100 being staggering. It's like setting a pitching machine's strength, and it's a lot stronger than if he just hit something with brute strength. Not only that. depending on the seconds with a max of 5, the strike becomes stronger." I guess you could sorta think of it like setting a timebomb with strikes or taps.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
"I don't get it... Tochi's Path seems really strong the way you described it, so why was he so scared to fight Kara?" Evie asked, tilting her head.
"It's obvious." She stated while observing the battle with a serious look of concern. "Being sure of himself...is a concept Rei's completely foreign to."
But he's so cocky, not to mention super sarcastic. Someone like that has confidence issues? Wonder why..., Evie thought, looking back at the projection.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT, BASTARD!? Chikara yelled, rushing to punch him as blood leaked down from the side of his forehead.
"I don't know why you're fumin'," he answered, backflipping out of the way with a smug smirk on his face. "Ya wanted me to take this seriously, right? Well, there ya go. Happy?" Actually, I didn't even think that'd work! If I knew that, I for sure would have grabbed some more ammo! He thought, backing to put space between them.
Chikara stopped and exhaled, assessing the situation, looking like he was holding his head down in shame. But, not a moment later, he laughed so hard that he started tearing up. "You've been holding out on me, Usodachi! I thought this would be a one hitter quitter, but all of a sudden, I'm starting to have a little fun with this!" He admitted, drying his eyes
"Wooow, tell me what else is on your mind..." Reito retorted, monotonously.
Chikara unbuttoned the pocket on the bottom of his blue cargo shorts and pulled out a huge drumstick. "Oh, nothing special. Just remembered something...I haven't eaten dinner yet," he smirked
Reito dropped his jaw. "Uhhh...wha- Ya kept that in your pocket?!"
"You're not the only person who can keep a secret," he said, taking a bite of the drumstick and speaking with his mouthful, [Bottomless Glutton] That's my epithet around here. Don't suppose you'd want to see why?"
"Do I really have any choice at this point?" Reito gave up.
"Looks like Kara's started to take this seriously." Evie said in a serious tone
"His Path?" Shizuka questioned.
"Glutton King, it's how he got the nickname in the first place. He's a Consumption human. Simply put, the more he eats, the stronger he gets."
Chikara finished his meat, slowly tightening his grip then shattering the leftover bone. Steam started coming from his body, along with his muscles swelling little by little.
When I said he was fumin', I didn't mean literally. What's he up to? Reito asked with a fixed gaze.
Chikara reeled back. "Peerless Quake!" He slammed his fist into the ground, causing it to shake. Cracks in the road formed one after the other, snaking forward straight towards Reito.
Reito realized that this wasn't just a small boost, Chikara became a lot stronger. He could only freeze up and stare as he began to stumble from the shockwave of the attack. Seeing an opportunity, Chikara dashed to close the distance between the two as Reito took note of his increased speed as well
Chikara revved up another punch aimed right at the side of his opponent's face, giving Reito barely any time to react. It's fine, Reito. Just pay attention, and dodge left. Then counter with Granny's style, in tandem with Delayed Impact!
The gap between them closed in no time. In an instant, the Treasurer let a punch loose, although, this time, he stopped short of connecting with Reito's face.
Reito blinked rapidly. "Come on, you didn't think I'd keep up that linear approach, did you?" Chikara said, changing his attack into a point-blank roundhouse kick. Reito quickly brought his right and left arm up, trying to adapt and guard, but Chikara hit him all the same, and knocked Reito away like a soccer ball sending him careening into the building they were next to.
Oh, no! Rei! Shizuka worried, tightening her grip on the railing she leaned on.
Reito was cast onto his back inside the building, a few meters from the gaping hole his body made. Rubble surrounded him, and blood ran down his face. Some dripped into his mouth, causing him to spit it out because it tasted like metal to him.
Ya know...if someone told me I'd be punched through the wall of a building by some meat obsessed musclehead, I would've flipped 'em off and went back to bed, he thought to himself as he grabbed the side of his forehead, ouch, damn it. That hurt...but my back's not broken...? The hell is my body made of? He asked, rubbing his back, hoping to quell the small aching.
He observed the new area he was forced into. It was an office. Above him were glass ceiling light fixtures placed above him in several rows. Rolling office chairs and desks were placed about, along with computers sitting atop them. The smell of cement hit his nose, making him sniffle a bit.
"I know you're still conscious, the A.I. would announce if you were knocked out! So just come out so we can finish this already, Usodachi!" Chikara yelled, sternly.
Why would I just come out? Do people even think when they say stuff like that? Reito wondered. From that engagement he knew for sure that he wasn't winning a straight-up brawl. His Path, Delayed Impact was at his strongest up close however, leaving him in a tough spot. I have to close the distance, and I'm not so well versed in Granny's style that I can deflect every strike he throws my way...
He's not just gonna sit there while I think up a strategy. Shoot. Guess it's time to hide, Reito decided mind as he grabbed some pieces of rubble and hid behind the desk furthest from the hole in the wall.
By that time, Chikara made his way into the building, scouting the area. "Oi, come out Already!" He shouted, his body hissing due to the steam it put out
Who in their right mind would fight someone like you head on? No thanks," Reito mumbled, before gasping.
All that power he got from the meat, can he turn it on and off? No, can't be. If the steam his body's producin', and the fact that he hasn't turned it off while I'm not in sight, it's something he has to stick with till it runs out.
Chikara got closer and closer, cracking his knuckles.
I remember a saying along the lines of, "Nothin' so overwhelmin' can be yours without tradin' somethin' for it." Not exactly a leap in logic, but it's still a gamble, Reito analyzed, taking a deep breath, Alright, here goes!
He slowly peered out from behind the desk while prepping one of the pieces of rubble in his possession. "40D 1.5S" He whispered, tapping the rubble on the bottom and threw it out of Chikara's view.
Like earlier, It shifted directions mid throw, only this time upwards, shattering one of the many ceiling lights. This got Chikara's attention as he turned his head toward the sound, checking the area where the light shattered.
Chikara peeked behind a desk, but he didn't find Reito there. He thought for a second. Not here, that guy. Did he-? He cut his thought short as he heard another light fixture shatter on his right. "If you're tryna drag this out, it's not gonna work. I've fought guys who've had a similar idea, it's not hard to guess that my power's got a time limit. But the reason I'm a Student Council Treasurer-" he raised his right fist in the air so that it was in position to strike the ground. His left hand opened, helping him aim, "well, it's because I overcame them of course. I'll give you an eight count, if you don't come out, actually, you should be able to guess the result."
Reito broke into a cold sweat, his stoicism began to shatter, as he clasped his arms over his head. Not good at all!
"Seven."
What the hell was I thinkin goin' into this!? I haven't even fought an actual opponent, maybe I should've paid more attention to Granny after all! He panicked
[Come on, Zeno'o! Nail that slacker already!]
[Yeah! Show him he's only been doing well because of beginners luck!]
Evie was sure the victory would go to Chikara right then and there. Guess Tochi couldn't cut it after all... Oh well, Kara is one of the strongest here after all. She assumed the outcome, before seeing Reito take action all of a sudden.
"Six, Five, Four, Three." As Chikara's count began to reach its end, Reito jumped onto an office chair and guided it into Chikara's view. He stood atop it with his hands crossed and looked toward Chikara with his chest puffed out.
"Wanted to see me that badly? I'm touched, thought ya couldn't stand the sight of me?" He snarked, trying to stall for time whilst his brain frantically thought of options.
Chikara didn't say anything, he just furrowed his brows and rushed at Reito while jumping into an axe kick.
"Woah, woah, woah!" Reito put his hands out in front of him, wishing he would stop. "You could really hurt someone like that!" He joked, hopping down and raising the chair in front of him.
The kick collided into it, smashing it to pieces and creating a gust that blew Reito back into a few desks, scattering them and leaving the smashed computers to litter the floor.
"How else do you win a fight?! Quit running!" Chikara demanded, gritting his teeth and sending a kick his opponents way.
[All that, and now he's running?]
[Did he figure out Zeno'o's ability or something?]
Reito scurried back, his eyes shifted around, hoping to find something to deter Chikara. His face lit up as he set his sights on one of the computers, throwing it toward Chikara only for him to ram through it all the same.
Reito confirmed based on Chikara's previous statement that all he had to do was turn the fight into a battle of attrition, so he flipped around like an acrobat at the circus, dodging every punch and kick that came his way. Chikara grit his teeth as he only came into contact with the desks and chairs, littering the floor with broken glass, wires and wood.
How long's this gonna take? Seriousl- wondered, being cut off by his back hitting the wall. Looking around, he noticed every distraction he could use was expended, leaving nothing to keep the two from CQC.
"End of the line, Usodachi," Chikara said, sure of his victory, "I kinda feel bad though, ending it, that is. To tell the truth, you're not half bad. I was even starting to feel a rush, if only for a bit. Guess you have a little something going for you after all."
Reito found himself smirking as well, despite trying to keep his legs from wobbling. "Funny, and here I thought you were just some straight laced brute, gotta say, didn't expect that outta ya. That bein' said, this is still a fight, so get ready, Meat Tank!"
Chikara blinked, then chuckled. "Guess you could call me a meat tank, huh? Either way, you took the words right outta my mouth, let's go!" He exclaimed, running towards his opponent.
As if his body responded to his opponents declaration of preparedness, Reito took off as well, clasping the last remaining piece of rubble toward his opponent. 40D 1S. He thought, hurling it forward.
Chikara recalled the earlier attack, thinking this attempt would play out in the same fashion.
He ducked, thinking something similar to the first occurrence would happen, seeing as the projectile had a straight trajectory. But unlike when he was hit upside the head, it veered up at the last second and shattered the ceiling light above him.
I get it, he's trying to block my vision with the glass, Chikara noticed, but it should be fine as long as I don't loo-
"Don't blink." Before he knew it, Reito was in front of him ready to deliver an attack.
Shit, I took my attention off of him for one second! He's quicker than he looks! Chikara paniced
Reito crouched, exhaling. "Retribution Fist: Crescent Moon Hunter!" he shouted as blue energy flared from his foot and he delivered a backwards facing somersault kick that nailed Chikara in the chin, causing blood to gush from his mouth. He concluded, recovering from the somersault.
Evie observed Reito's sudden turning of the tables, her interest being piqued by the energy he just emitted "When he revved up his kick, there was something weird about it," she assessed, "his foot gave off some type of weird energy. Hey Shizu," she asked, poking her friend's shoulder, "does Tochi actually have two Paths?"
"Exactly. It's something that exists within every living creature, but you could easily go through a lifetime without knowing a single thing about it," she explained, holding up a finger, "but Rei's Grandma actually studied it, and even went outta her way to create a whole new martial art out of it. A style that works on the principle of making your Aura visible for a moment to increase attack and defense, and what's more, it can be used to divert energy from not only physical, but energy based attacks. And any attack clad in Aura can have it's effects changed to either blunt, internal, or cutting damage, depending on the user's knowledge of course."
Wow, something like that actually exists?! Teach me, teach me, teach me!" She pleaded, grabbing both of the girls hands.
"Even if you asked me a billion times, I only really know how to explain it. I wasn't trained in it like he was. I'd say ask him, but to be completely honest, he barely has a grasp on it, and can only use a couple techniques derived from the basics, he can't even divert energy."
"Aww, that sucks...but I guess I can't ask for anything you can't give," she responded, letting go of both of Shizuka's hands.
"Either way, she's the one and only master of that style. She calls it, the Retribution Fist."
"Tochi's Grandma and master huh...?" Evie thought, returning her attention to the match.
The shards of glass from the earlier attack finally made their way to Chikara's eyes, some of them inflicting small cuts on his eyelids, making him shut them
Chikara threw a punch, but he wavered some, giving Reito ample time to dodge.
A huge openin'! If this doesn't put him down...I don't know what will! As quick as he could, Reito delivered swift punches to his Chikara's solar plexus, floating ribs and clavicle.
"Alright, Here goes nothin'!" His palm struck Chikara in the stomach, pushing him forward. These are really just normal punches with my power, but if I know anything from shounen, anything sounds better with a cool name! "On the spot Special Move: Stacked Impact, 70D 2.5S!" Just as he entailed, seconds later Chikara's body was showered with a second round of invisible blows across his vitals. The shockwave from the hits tore his shirt, forcing him out of the building.
That wasn't half bad... But don't get too cocky, Tochi...it may look like it's over, but Kara's as tough as they come!
[No way, is Zeno'o...done for?]
[Don't be stupid, he's probably just taking a breather...right?]
Seeing his opponent sprawled out on the street some meters away from him, Reito loosened his fist and started pacing his breathing. He's down...I...won...?
Before he could confirm that he had been victorious, Chikara slowly began to stand up. The steam he emitted moments earlier began to fade, along with his muscles returning to his original size, with his figure still retaining his defined musculature. Seeing as it was pretty much ruined already, he tore the rest of his shirt off.
"That's the spirit," The boy said, huffing and puffing, "you're kinda awesome, Usodachi! Man, I thought this would be a breeze, but you surprised me more times than I could count!
"Seriously? I guess the Bottomless Glutton fits him perfectly as a nickname, double meanin' wise. I'd be annoyed, but my heart's racin like crazy, and I can't keep myself from smilin'. What's wrong with me?" He thought. "Awesome?!! I kinda like the sound of that! In that case, come on then!!! I'm lookin' forward to relaxin' in my room after this, So let's get this over with already!!!"
The two rushed at each other. Reito executed a palm strike to Chikara's stomach, which hit its mark, causing him to reel for a brief second. Only for him to recover and headbutt Reito in the nose, causing his eyes to water, along, cracking his glasses lenses along with causing his nose to bleed.
Shoot, That's a bust, but he's gotten a little sluggish! He thought. Chikara then began a rush attack, which Reito blocked in response. He deflected a few of the strikes, but most of them forced him to guard. He tapped Chikara's wrist in between the barrage. "Startin to lose feelin in my right arm, so it's now or never, 20D 3S!" He thought. Reito's guard broke as he stumbled back a step. Chikara threw one punch with the intent to inflict serious damage.
"GLUTTONOUS CANNON!" He shouted as his right-handed punch started to head towards Reito's face. However, he found himself missing his intended mark completely by about an inch or so. The air pressure from the attack collided with a nearby building wall, making the whole thing collapse. "He deflected it?!"
My left arm's shot, but my right's rarin' to go! Now, with Retribution! He saw a chance, putting his hand flat and launching an Aura imbued elbow strike. "RETRIBUTION FIST: CANON BUSTER!" Striking Chikara in the stomach once more.
His eyes white, with injuries covering his body, Chikara fell. Reito sat down from exhaustion while putting his right hand over his right knee, his left hand limp, and his left leg extended.
"If he gets up again...I swear," But soon enough, seconds had passed, and the Chikara stood no longer.
"Winner, Reito Usodachi", the A.I. voice confirmed as the simulation began to fade, pixelating everything around the two. The crowd sat in awe and complete disbelief. The fourth strongest Pathos at Kita, sprawled out on the ground by the boy who wouldn't even read an English textbook correctly. All were silent, except the one who supported him.
"HELLLLL YEAAAAHH! THAT'S SHOWING EM, REI!" Shizuka cheered in her head fist pumping.
Reito Usodachi, huh? Evie thought to herself with a smile. "He's pretty impressive for a nobody lacking in feats. Of course, he couldn't beat me, but he went toe to toe with Kara and came out on top. Like I thought, he's pretty interesting...
The simulation faded. Leaving Reito and the incapacitated Chikara in the middle of the huge arena. The students spectating didn't take too kindly to the outcome.
[No way! That slacker beat the glutton!? He couldn't have, right!?]
[Zeno'o's the one of the student council! To a guy like him!!?]
[He must've used some cheat tactic, No way a low rank Boost type should be able to keep up with him!]
[He had to have cheated, I mean, he barely won! And he's more beat up than Zeno'o!] [You're right! First a nobody lazy ass, now a cheater as well! He's the worst!]
[Yeah, that blue energy he used must've been some kinda poison!That's why Zeno'o had a hard time! He couldn't even win without a trick like that? What a loser!]
[CHEATER, CHEATER, CHEATER!]
Hearing students jeer him in unison, Reito looked to the side, his eyelids drooping. "Of course...and here I expected a...standin' ovation," he mumbled, huffing and puffing, trying to pace his breathing while struggling to stay conscious. A few seconds later he fell onto his back, passed out from exhaustion.
Hearing the other's thoughts on her friend, Shizuka began to tighten her grip on the railing, gritting her teeth while looking down as her hat cast a shadow over her eyes.
The jeering persisted for, a yellow scythe with a red hilt came flying from the upper stands, embedding it's blade into the ground between the two unconscious combatants. One after another, the audience looked at the weapon and silence fell over the stadium. Everyone slowly turned their heads to the top seats to see who it came from.
It came from Shizuka, who looked like she was about to pop a vein. Unable to take it anymore, she screamed out at the top of her lungs. "SHUT YOUR ASSES UP ALREADYYYYY!"
"ALL OF YOU ARE BRAIN DEAD ASSHATS! IF ANY OF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WHAT HAPPENED HERE TODAY, THEN YOU CAN BRING THE COMPLAINTS TO ME!" She yelled, pulling down her hoodie and snatching her hat off to reveal her two toned hair.
[THOSE COLORS! SHE'S AN ONO! AN ONO, I THOUGHT THEY WERE ALL GONE!?]
[YOU'RE SPENDING TIME WORRYING ABOUT THEIR NUMBERS!? EVEN ONE IS BAD NEWS! RUN!]
The crowd scattered in a hurry, as if Shion's presence was a natural repellent for people. After 3 minutes, the building the four were in was as good as abandoned. After her outburst. Shizuka sighed and put her hat and hood back on.
"Even the medics got scared off...come on, she sighed. "I'm taking Rei to the hospital. Coming?" She asked Evie.
"As much as I'd like to, I can't exactly leave Kara behind. He's a passionate dummy...but he means well."
Hopping down from where they were, Shizuka moved towards Reito's unconscious body, picking up her sythe. "I'm planning on celebrating Rei's win with some drinks at his place. Don't know if you're into alcohol but, it'd be cool if you swung by," the scythe had dematerialized back down to the read hilt, letting her stow it away in her pocket."
Evie grabbed Kara and put his arm over her shoulder. "Sounds like fun, Shizu. I told myself that I'd give Tochi a reward if he pulled through, and there'd be no better time to give it to him." Evie pulled out her phone and handed it to Shizuka. "Here's my info. Let me know when Tochi's up and about. He already has a way to contact me." She looked at Reito a split second before leaving. What were you talking about? 'Don't expect much?' You put on a great show! She thought, smiling at him.
Shizuka typed Evie's contact info into her phone and gave hers back to her. Evie nodded to her and when she blinked, Evie and Chikara had disappeared in a flash.
Throwing Reito over her, she smiled, toting him out of the building. "Nice...," was all she said as she continued on her way.