The Opening

Sakata Akio's POV

Since it's the tournament day, we had no classes on our martial arts class. Instead, it was made as the time to warm up for the upcoming tournament. Since Rei-kun and I aren't going to participate, we strolled around the school grounds. Students are busy preparing. They did their stretching with their personal trainers, kicking and punching their kickpads.

The air is so tense. Everybody is seriously preparing for this fight because they know it'll cost their lives. Watanabe-san and Saito-san are also busy preparing themselves. Saito-san's small face was full of sparkling sweat. My heart starts to pound.

Wait? What? Sparkling? Heart pounding?

Am I seeing and feeling things wrong? Everything around her seems like a blur except for her. I shook my head. I am just seeing things.

She is beautiful but ugh—What? Beautiful?

Pft. I don't even feel anything for her. Tss.

Well, whatever. I suddenly felt someone hitting my shoulder.

Rei: Hey dude. Do you like Saito-san already?

He smiled sheepishly. I turned my head to him and raised my brow.

Akio: Are you serious? Why would I?

Rei-kun chuckled.

Rei: You've been staring at her since forever.

I just rolled my brow, took a step backward then turned around. I accidentally bumped into someone.

She had her head down, shut her eyes and whimpered,

"Ah-ouch."

I was surprised then reached out to her shoulders and apologized.

Akio: I am so sorry. I didn't expect someone to be at my back.

When I looked at her, she's so beautiful. She had this green silky hair that emphasizes her glowing skin that is as white as snow. Her deep blue eyes that captures your heart.

She's blushing. Her lips were small yet seductive. Her lips opened a little, I felt the urge to kiss her. I was captivated by her.

Everything around is in slow motion. I can imagine hearts flying around her.

"Uh-uhm, excuse me, Akio-sama," she said softly.

I woke up in reality and immediately took my hands off her.

Akio: I-I'm sorry. Are you okay?

She gently smiled in reply.

HELP! SHE'S SO CUTE! Not like the watchdog that kept on glaring at me. My heart starts to pound.

Now this is the real heart pounding moment.

I suddenly felt a hand slapping my nape. I groaned in pain. I looked at the person who hit me and guess who.

The watchdog. Yep. Her.

Akio: What the hell is wrong with you?!

She just glared at me. What's her problem? It's not as if she was the person I bumped into.

I turned my attention back to the beautiful lady. I reached out my hand to her.

Akio: I'm sorry again. I guess you already know me. May I know your name?

She shyly reached my hand for a handshake and said,

"I am Hirai Asami, Akio-sama"

Asami. What a beautiful name fitting for a beautiful girl like her.

Akio: Just call me Akio. Nice to me—

Saito-san suddenly pulled my arm. Wait! What?! Why would she forcefully pull me off from Asami-chan?!

Akio: I am so sorry! Hope to see you again!

I yelled as I was pulled further from her.

Rei-kun just happily followed Saito-san and I as I was dragged in the back of the arena. I forced her to stop and roughly pulled my arm.

Akio: What's your problem?!

I felt so mad for her uncalled attitude.

Reiko: You are injured and you kept bumping on people.

I was completely puzzled as to what she is talking about.

Akio: I just bumped into a person just once and since when did you care for me?! Mind your own business.

Saito-san widened her eyes in surprise and looked down in disappointment.

Reiko: I am sorry, Akio-sama. I was not myself.

I just let out a deep sigh.

Akio: Yeah. Just do your own preparation instead of worrying about me. Good luck.

I turned my back on her and walked to Rei-kun. He just shook his head with a smile on his face.

What's wrong with them today?

Akio: Let's go, Rei-kun.

A sudden voice was heard on the school's speakers.

Announcer: Attention to all participating students! The fight diagram has been posted on the arena's bulletin board that can be found near the arena's main entrance. I repeat. The fight diagram has been posted on the arena's bulletin board that can be found near the arena's main entrance. For fights one to ten, please prepare in the inspection area. Again, for fights one to ten, please prepare in the inspection area. Major sponsors and government officials will be arriving soon. Ushers and usherettes, please proceed to the main entrance. Again, ushers and usherettes, please proceed to the main entrance.

Students came rushing near the main entrance.

Rei-kun and I was curious about who's gonna fight who. We inserted ourselves in the large crowd and made our way near the posted list of fight diagrams.

Girls versus girls and boys versus boys. We all know guys has much strength than girls.

So, obviously, they'll have different categories. The students were divided into different weight divisions. But unlike in the usual tournaments, the best player in each weight division is going to battle against each other, leaving one champion for the girls category and one for the boys category.

I read the fight diagrams to find familiar names. As I saw Saito-san's name on the fin weight category, I checked the people in Saito-san's bracket. No familiar names were seen even on the other bracket.

Then I found Asami-san's name on the flyweight category. I can't wait to see her fight.

After I have checked the fight diagram, Rei-kun and I inserted our way out of the crowd. It was too exhausting since students were bumping each other. Our injuries were even painful. When we finally got out, my head bumped into a body. I rubbed my head and raised it.

I was about to apologize when I saw Tanaka-senpai, Nakamura-senpai, and Kato-senpai. Tanaka-senpai glared at me.

Akio: Oh, hello, Tanaka-senpai. Ah-I'm sorry.

I said while awkwardly scratching my nape. Rei-kun just stared at them, placing his hands in his pockets.

Tanaka-senpai raised his eyebrow and drew his face closer to mine. I slightly tilted my head further from his.

Ko: Hey coward. I heard you're not going to participate and also you Matsumoto-kun.

His face still close to mine but his eyes are looking at Rei-kun on my right side. His eyes looked back at me.

Ko: Are you scared, daddy's little boy?

He smirked. Nakamura-senpai and Kato-senpai bursted into laughter. I slowly pushed him away.

Akio: I am not obligated to answer your question. Let's go, Rei-kun.

I need to pull myself together. I need to be tough to prevent from being a pushover. I am the founder's son, for Pete's sake. As I was about to walk away from them, Tanaka-senpai grabbed my wrists.

Ko: I am not finished talking to you, dimwit.

I looked at him blankly and pulled my arm from him and bowed to him just to respect him as my senior. I left him pissed and aggravated. Sorry but I don't want to be intimidated by you, Tanaka-senpai.

Minutes passed, the announcer called in all the students in the arena for the tournament is about to start. Rei-kun and I sat on a spot where we can see the stage and fights clearly.

Government officials were present and also the parents of students who aren't government scholars are present. Students who are from fight diagrams one to ten were busy stretching themselves in the inspection area with their personal coaches.

As the program started, we sang our school hymn and national anthem. The announcer then called my father for the opening remarks and everybody applauded. He climbed to the stage and cleared his throat.

Hiroto: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I am pleased to see a lot of people today especially our dear government officials and the parents of my adorable students. I am also glad that my son is a student in Seishin.

My dad really mentioned me. What is his intention? I feel happy yet embarrassed and angry at the same time. Is my father still proud of me? I am just a wimp. Or is it like announcing that he has a pawn?

Hiroto: I am greatly honored to have all of you here in the Seishin High's first tournament for this school year. I just feel sad my son is not able to participate. I am sure all of you who are here today are ready to fight and bet with your money and lives, right?

The crowd then screamed 'yes' in excitement.

Hiroto: Wow! Everybody's pumped for today's tournament. Don't forget to put your bets for your children every round.

He then laughed.

Hiroto: I have read a quote last night while preparing for this event's opening remarks. It said, "Sometimes we're tested not to show our weaknesses, but to discover our strengths." Nice right? Fitting for today's event. Today is every student's test to discover themselves. You're lucky if you can discover your weaknesses without dying.

He chuckled like no life was at stake. What a heartless dad I have there.

Hiroto: To end this speech, good luck everyone and stay alive for you and your family to survive.

He winked at the audience. The crowd cheered and applauded. And the tournament started.