Arashi and Reiki slowly made their way back to the center of the ring while Asami watched them from above. Asami took a sip of her wine and thought. I wonder how long it’ll take for her to notice. The two were back in the center of the ring as Arashi slightly weaved left and right, she thought. Hmm… The best way to fight someone shorter than you is kicks… Reiki was perfectly mirroring her actions as he even copied her slight side-to-side weave. He took a deep breath and thought. Focus. Arashi slowly inhaled using her nose and continued her train of thought. Let’s start off with a light punch.

She threw a quick left straight while Reiki answered with a right straight as they felt the muffled impact from their gloves.

[System: User has received 5 Damage.]

The two of them retracted their fists while Reiki thought. One and a half steps back. He slightly clenched his right hand a few times and adjusted the distance between them. Asami’s lips curled into a smile with a hint of cruelty in them, she thought. He’s going to end up with a broken hand. Arashi’s eyes slightly widened as she glanced at her left boxing glove while maintaining her stance, she thought. … Coincidence… It’s just a coincidence

Arashi subconsciously clenched her left hand and threw a right hook at him. Reiki perfectly mirrored her actions as he did a left hook and easily deflected the punch as their forearms touched, the two of them went back to their peek-a-boo stance as they stood in the center of the ring in silence. Reiki let out a slow breath and thought. Now she’s either going to sucker punch me or the round continues… Arashi’s eyes turned slightly cold as she quickly threw a left hook followed by a right hook.

[System: User has received 8 Damage.]

[System: User has received 10 Damage.]

Reiki did a right followed by a left hook as the sound of the muffled impacts from their gloves reverted through the air. He thought. Not enough to bruise her ego. He clenched his right hand a few times and continued his train of thought. Maybe I might not need a stretcher after all. Reiki looked up at Arashi and thought. Or maybe I will. Asami let out a soft laugh as she stared at Arashi who was trying to feign a calm expression while gritting her teeth. Asami thought. I should’ve made bets… She took a sip of her wine while the anger in Arashi’s eyes slowly became apparent.

Arashi tried her best to speak in a calm voice but failed as she spoke with a hint of fury, she said. “Reiki… You’re pretty good at boxing…” Reiki let out a soft sigh and said. “What can I say? I learned from the best.” Arashi let out an indifferent laugh, she said. “Is that so?...” Reiki thought. Don’t get distracted-. Before he could finish his thought, Arashi suddenly threw an uppercut using her left hand, Reiki thought. Fast! He mimicked her actions and did an uppercut using his right hand as he managed to divert the punch.

While standing Reiki slid back a few steps from the force of Arashi’s punch as it made the air around her fist shake. He looked at Arashi’s foot and saw that she was wearing sports shoes, Reiki said. “Can I get a quick timeout?” Arashi didn’t bother to hide her annoyance and said. “What for?” Reiki pointed at his footwear, he said. “I’m wearing indoor slippers.” Asami let out a laugh which both of them heard as she shook her head and took a sip of her wine. Arashi glanced at his foot and saw Reiki had socks and a pair of white indoor slippers on, she let out a scoff and said. “Make it quick.”

Reiki let out a sigh as he made his way to one side of the ring while undoing one of his left boxing gloves, he thought. I wonder what I should make for dinner… He hastily took off his indoor slippers along with his socks as he gently threw them out of the ring and landed on the ground. Reiki made his way back to the center of the ring while barefoot Arashi stared at him as if she wanted to burn a hole through him, she thought. … Last chance. He was roughly arm's length in front of her as Arashi slowly lowered her left hand breaking her peek-a-boo stance while Reiki lowered his rand hand as the two did a low-hand guard stance.

Arashi’s eyes had anger written all over them, she thought. I’m going to send you to a hospital! She quickly went back to her previous stance while Reiki mimicked her, Arashi threw out a left hook followed by a right and left straight.

[System: User has received 10 Damage.]

[System: User has received 9 Damage.]

Arashi’s flurry of punches slowly got faster as she took one small step after another for each punch she did. Reiki felt the violent wind around each punch Arashi threw at him, he thought. Hook, straight, straight, and… Reiki’s eyes wandered onto Arashi’s right glove as she did an uppercut that was faster than the last one. He copied the uppercut as the back of their gloves touched along with their forearms, before he could rest Arashi hurled more punches at him.

[System: User has received 19 Damage.]

[System: User has received 20 Damage.]

[System: User has received 15 Damage.]

…….

Reiki was visibly being pushed as he took steps back while trying to copy Arashi’s punches while she only increased her tempo to the point he couldn’t keep up and started taking hits on his forearms and a few times on his face.

[System: User has received 42 Damage.]

[System: User has received 52 Damage.]

[System: User has received 77 Damage.]

[System: User has received 61 Damage.]

……

Asami shook her head sideways as she waved her hand as the opened bottle of wine appeared in her palm as she poured her glass with more red liquid. Arashi only stopped when Reiki’s back was against the ropes, she looked down on him and spoke in a slightly cold tone. She said. “Don’t even know how to throw a punch?” Reiki had a small cut on his lips with a couple of bruises on his face, he let out a chuckle and said. “In boxing, you have to give the crowd a show. Not unless you’re one of the greats, a one-hit knockout isn’t entertaining.”

Arashi’s eyes slightly narrowed as she glared at him, she said. “And not a single one of them watches the opponent.” She prepared for a big left hook while Reiki was observing Arashi’s every move, he thought. This is going to hurt. He gritted his teeth and slightly leaned on the ropes behind him, Reiki continued his train of thought. There. He threw out a right hook as Arashi’s left hand blurred.

[System: User has received 214 Damage.]

[System: User has 13 broken bones in his right hand.]

The sound of a loud thump reverted throughout the entire room. Asami who was watching from above sitting on her floating mana chair, raised a brow and thought. I bet at least half of the bones in his hand are broken. Arashi bounced a few steps back as she stared at Reiki who somehow still managed to maintain his peek-a-boo stance. Her gaze wandered onto his right hand which was visibly trembling, from the inside of the boxing glove something red was slowly seeping out of it. Reiki thought. I can still make a fist… Good.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

He clenched his right hand even tighter as more blood poured from the inside of the glove. Arashi was completely taken back from the boy as she felt something was off, she thought. I’m winning… I broke one of his hands… Why… Why hasn’t his will wavered?... Reiki was about arm's length distance from Arashi as the blood slowly traveled down his forearm near his elbow, he took a deep breath as he met her gaze without fear in his eyes. The two of them stared at each other in a few seconds of silence, Arashi said. “... Not going to throw in the towel?”

Reiki gave her a simple smile which only made her uncomfortable, he said. “Since you gave me a handicap of wearing 18-ounce gloves.” He slightly raised his right fist and continued. “This is yours.” Asami gently swirled the red liquid in her wine as she shook her head sideways, she thought. I take back about the bet… I would’ve lost money. She leaned on the backrest of the mana chair as she took a sip of her wine. Arashi clenched both her hands as she gave him a dangerous glare. The corners of Reiki’s mouth curved into a slight smile, he said. “Don’t get cold feet now.”

Arashi’s right hand blurred as she threw a straight hook at him followed by a left uppercut.

[System: User has received 32 Damage.]

Their two gloves produced a muffled thud that could easily be heard, Asami watched Reiki easily deflect the uppercut as Arashi started throwing a flurry of punches again.

[System: User has received 33 Damage.]

[System: User has received 92 Damage.]

[System: User has bleed 41 Damage.]

[System: User has received 86 Damage.]

……

Each time Reiki’s right fist collided with Arashi’s left, a gush of blood rushed out from his glove as he felt the bones in his hand move. Arashi paused for a moment as she glanced at the blood on her left forearm that came from him, she thought. … I should just knock him out-. Before she could finish her train of thought she heard Reiki intentionally let out a chuckle as he hid his mouth using both his boxing gloves. Arashi snapped as she continued her train of thought. Change of plans. I’m breaking his entire arm!

She pulled back her left arm as she prepared for a wide hook, her entire left glove was enveloped with a thin layer of mana as she threw the punch. The air around her fist trembled as Reiki used his right hand with the full intention of meeting her fist head-on, Asami’s dark brown eyes were glowing with light blue mana as the world around her seemed to come to a complete halt. She stood up from her mana chair that was floating in mid-air as it vanished, the soles of her indoor slippers had a visible glow of mana in them.

Asami let out a chuckle and said. “Heh, it was entertaining while it lasted.” She threw the glass of wine in her hands and it disappeared at the same time she did. Asami appeared in the middle of the boxing ring between Reiki and Arashi. She reached out her hand and used her index finger to stop Arashi’s fist as the mana in her eyes dissipated and everything started to move again. Arashi’s punch came to a complete halt while Reiki lost balance as he started falling face-first onto the ring, he thought. What just happened?

Asami grabbed the collar of his shirt as she gave Arashi a smile and said. “How about we call the match here? And as the referee, I’ll call it a draw.” Arashi’s entire expression turned into one of grimace, she pulled her fist back and said. “A draw?! I had him against the ropes!” Reiki got back on his own two feet as he looked at the blood dripping from inside of his glove, he thought. At least there’s no blood on my clothes. Asami let out a hearty chuckle, she said. “And you used mana on that last punch of yours.”

Arashi’s left hand blurred as her glove was half an inch away from Reiki’s face which didn’t even make him flinch, she said. “And he decided to take the punch head-on.” Asami’s lips curled into a slight smile as she spoke with a hint of mocking in her tone, she said. “Is that your way of saying you couldn’t beat him?” Reiki looked around the gym and thought. … I can go anywhere with her hand on my shirt… He tried to clench his hand as he felt a sharp pain while the inside of the glove became even more damped.

[System: User has bleed 41 Damage.]

Arashi was about to say something when Asami interrupted her and said. “If you’re only going to repeat how you cornered him, got a few hits in, and fractured at least half his bones in his hands. I said, this is a draw. Period.” Arashi’s expression turned dangerous as she glared at Asami while clenching her fist so hard that the joints made popping noises. Asami just smiled at her, she said. “What? Are you still aching for another round?” Arashi let out a scoff as she did a half turn and made her way to the ropes, she spoke under her breath.

She said. “His ego isn’t as fragile as you think.” Arashi swiped her right hand upwards as it hit two of the ropes. The two ropes were cleanly cut in half as she made her way out of the gym, Reiki stared at the the ropes that were cut as he saw faint traces of steam. He thought. At least I didn’t make her angry to the point she aimed for my face. Arashi slammed the door shut causing the door to visibly shake. Asami let out a chuckle and said. “Still can’t get a grip on her emotions.” She thought. That’s going to get her killed someday.

Asami let go of the collar of Reiki’s shirt as she looked down at him and said. “I’m just surprised she didn’t just bash your head in.” She let out a carefree laugh, Asami continued. “I would’ve.” Reiki rolled his eyes and said. “As if she’s fast enough to hit me in the head.” Asami raised a brow at him while Reiki undid the strap of the left boxing glove using his teeth. Her gaze wandered onto the two bruises on his face she thought. I highly doubt that. The bruises on Reiki’s face were already turning light purple as he somehow managed to get the left glove off.

The glove fell onto the ring as Reiki clenched and extended his finger a few times, he said. “These gloves are pretty decent.” He used his hand to scratch back while Asami stared at the right boxing glove and said. “Putting off removing that glove.” Reiki nodded in agreement, he said. “Yep, it’s stopped the bleeding.” Asami reached out her hand and said. “The first hook could’ve broken your hand.” Reiki lifted his right hand as he could barely feel anything while staring at it limp, he said. “No, it would've shattered my hand if I didn’t preemptively punch.”

The blood dripping out from the inside of the glove slowed down, he thought. Clotting is more or less done. Reiki undid the strap and slowly removed the glove as he felt it sticking to his skin. While trying to take off the glove he felt like some parts of his skin were being peeled off as he kept a straight face. Asami stared at him and thought. … Makes me wonder what’ll it take to make him scream. Reiki managed to get the boxing glove off. It showed his grotesque hand that had bits of flesh that looked as if it exploded off showing exposed bone underneath it.

The bones in his hand had visible cracks in them as some of the smaller fragments were stabbed deep into his skin. Reiki stared at his hand as it slightly bled and said. “Not as bad as I thought it would be.” He squeezed the boxing glove as a handful of blood seeped out of it and dripped onto the floor forming a small puddle. He tried to move a couple of his fingers but couldn’t while Asami stared at him with pondering eyes and thought. Not every day you see someone stay calm with a crippled hand. Reiki moved his broken hand closer to Asami and said. “I’ll take a heal to go please.” Asami’s lips curled into a slight smile.

She placed a hand on her hip and said. “If I told you I don’t know any healing spells?” Reiki stared at her for a few seconds, he said. “Didn’t you heal my back eye?” Asami nodded and said. “Main reason being I couldn’t stand the black eye staring at me.” He stared at her for a couple of seconds then said. “Fair point. But I did say please.” To his surprise Asami said. “Sure, but I need an answer to my question.” Reiki showed her his limping right hand and said. “Can you heal my hand while asking your question?” Asami moved her hand that she placed on her hip as she extended her index finger and touched his right hand's wrist. His hand was enveloped by a layer of light blue mana.

[System: User has been healed for 2,000.]

Reiki’s hand was completely healed as he clenched it a few times and thought. Magic is so convenient. Asami moved her hand away from him, she said. “Why go through all this? I know you’re smart enough to figure out you’ll be a lot closer with Arashi if you just let her teach you.” Reiki looked up to her and said. “If you were to measure our strength in the form of a mountain if I decided to climb up. Can you guarantee she won’t fall in love with someone else by the time I reach her?” Asami decided not to say anything.

She thought. Nope, knowing her I wouldn’t be surprised if she got bored with you midway. Asami pretended to think and said. “So you think infuriating her is the answer?” Reiki casually threw the boxing glove over his shoulder as it landed on the boxing ring with a loud squelching sound, he said. “No, I just like teasing her. Even though it always results in me getting a crippled limb. She needs to willingly climb down from her high mountain and see eye to eye with me.” He did some light stretches and continued. “Thanks for the heal, got any more questions?”

Asami had a pondering expression on her face, she thought. Now I get it… He’s trying to make her see him as an equal… Even if she only considers it through martial arts… She shook her head sideways and said. “Nope, my curiosity is more or less sorted out.”

________________________________________________________________________________

Ketsueki’s Apartment

Ketsueki was sitting in the middle of the couch with the remote in her hand while swapping channels on the tv. Shiro came back from the direction of the front doorway as she reached the couch and sat down beside her older sister, she said. “Onee-chan, found something to watch? Ketsueki shook her head as she lost her grip on the remote as it bounced off her chest and landed on the couch, she said. “Nope, nothing but the same shows being on repeat.” She placed a hand on top of her little sister's head and gently caressed the top of Shiro’s head.

Ketsueki continued. “How was seeing your friends off?” Shiro leaned on her older sister and said. “Mio was picked up by a car while Yuki ran toward the direction of her house.” Ketsueki continued to caress her little sister’s head, she said. “Did you remember to ask them what they wanted Reiki to pack for their bentos tomorrow?” Shiro nodded as she took out a couple of folded pieces of paper and said. “Yes, I even made sure to ask for their bentos.” Ketsueki ruffled her little sister's head as she slightly messed up her hair, she said. “Shiro’s the most considerate in the entire world.”

Shiro cutely puffed out her cheeks as she tried to fix her messy hair and said. “Onee-chan, how long until Onii-chan’s back?” From the direction of the stairway, the two of them heard a familiar voice, that said. “No need to worry, I’m already back.” The two girls turned their heads toward the direction of the sound and saw Reiki, he continued. “Did I miss anything?” He made his way towards the couch while Ketsueki’s eyes narrowed while Shiro looked up at him and said. “Onii-chan, welcome back.” He sat down next to his little sister and said. “I’m back, Shiro.”

Shiro passed the two pieces of folded paper to her older brother, she said. “Onii-chan, here you go.” Reiki unfolded both of them as his expression turned odd. Shiro leaned toward her older brother and said. “Onii-chan, what’s written on it?” Ketsueki’s gaze wandered onto the two pieces of unfolded paper her little brother was holding, Reiki said. “Judging from the writing, Yuki wrote. I want steamed chicken breast that tastes good…” He glanced at his little sister who wasn’t surprised at what her friend wrote. He read the other one and continued. “... Mio wrote. I want a balanced meal…” Reiki thought. … Well… That’s a lot of freedom.