Taimanin: The Weakest's Resolve

Five Days Break - 09

On a certain night at the gym.

"Put on your gear, Fuuma."

"Eh? Murasaki-sensei, what's this about?"

Kotaro stared wide-eye at Murasaki, who was putting on the boxing gloves.

"Don't worry. I won't break a bone. This is just to demonstrate a close combat technique. Your self-defense needs more work, it's clumsy and full of openings. To make up for that, this is something you should learn."

"But the gym is almost closed." He turned to the clock.

Only ten minutes left before the building officially closed for the day. Plus, he was ready to go home.

"Alright, forty laps with me around town. Early morning."

Hearing that nightmarish exercise, Kotaro shot up from the bench in panic, his bag thrown back into the closet and rushed back to where Murasaki was waiting with a grin.

"I'll do it! Please teach me!"

"Good. That's the spirit I've been expecting. Step on the stage and try to attack me. Put all your weight into it. Don't you dare hold back midway."

"O-Okay."

Inside the ring, Kotaro brought up his arms and took a battle stance.

"Now that's a good posture. Ready when you are." Arms folded, Murasaki nodded. Her body relaxed and showed no sign of tension.

He charged at her, right arm cocked back, elbowed twisted and immediately straightened. Kotaro launched the first hit.

"Too slow!"

Having the superior strength and speed, she easily caught his fist. But Kotaro didn't feel any restraint in his speed. In fact, it became quicker. Murasaki was pulling his arm towards her side as she used his momentum to her own advantage.

"First, distract your opponent! Lure them in by letting yourself wide open!"

Kotaro couldn't stop his body from leaning forward, his posture broke.

"Next, you destroy their balance!"

Murasaki kicked back his leg. It was a simple swipe of her feet, but the minimum force she put into the kick was similar to a solid whack of the ninja bear's paw. Kotaro slipped off the ground, having nothing to hold his balance together. With her other hand firmly placed on his shoulder, Murasaki spun around.

"Ah!" Kotaro weakly uttered in shock when he found himself staring at her upside-down.

"Lastly, make full use of your enemy's momentum, tighten your hold on their body and throw them over the shoulder!"

Kotaro braced himself, his jaw clenched to brace the impact. A crash into the landing mats outside the ring put a sore on Kotaro's back. There was no mercy in Murasaki's demonstration, she bluntly hurled him to the other side of the big room.

"Did that beat the laziness out of you yet?"

It was done on purpose!

"I forgot to tell you, Fuuma. I made a reservation today, just for this lesson. The whole gym is ours until ten."

"WHAT?! B-But what about my curfew!? Tokiko will scold me if I come home late!"

"I've already told her beforehand." Murasaki struck her palm with her fist. "Now get your butt off the floor and don't keep me waiting."