First Tournament (2)

Matsumoto Rei's POV

Don't tell me...

He's the Yamazaki Tatsuo I know? My childhood friend? Since when did he even become that strong? It's been 5 years since I last saw him.

Woah. I can't believe it. It is a sight for sore eyes. I feel so happy to see him again.

We have the same age but when we were younger he kept on following me wherever I go and treated him like a young brother. He was so cute and short before but now, he has grown taller and became a handsome lad.

Is this how their parents feel when they see their child grow? My gaze followed Tatsuo-kun as he exited the arena. The school started already weeks ago. Why haven't I seen him even once?

But wait. Hold up! How did the cute and adorable Tatsuo-kun become so brutal like this? What happened in the past 5 years when I was gone?

I was lost in my thoughts. A slender hand was waving in front of my face.

Akio: Oi. Rei-kun? Are you okay? Oi! Rei-kuuuun?

I shook my head to cut off my thoughts. I looked at Akio with a confused look on his face.

Akio: Are you disturbed by what you saw? I cannot even stomach it.

Rei: A bit. I know that player who just won.

Akio: Really? Who was that guy? I never saw him at school. We are going to fight him sooner or later, right? I don't like it. I'm scared. I feel like I am going to die if I'm going to fight him.

Rei: Hey! You! Stop spouting nonsense about dying!

Akio: I'm sorry. It's just that I can't handle this kind of things well. I came here without knowing I would have my life to become like this.

Rei: Just don't think about anything about dying.

Akio-kun just nodded slowly with his pitiful eyes. He looked like a child whining. Of course, who would not be scared of having a broken bone or two? Especially when you don't know if you're going to die today or not. Official MMA tournaments are of course, not as dangerous as tournaments held in our schools.

Funny how parents in this country would love to make their children their own entertainment and only thinking about the reputations of their companies.

How cruel has the world become? Will someone come to rescue the poor innocent students like us? Or will we die like stray dogs on the streets? Can we overcome this? We still have three years to live this kind of life.

Will I last long? Of course I should. I have the right to live my life the way I want to. I'll just have to endure three years with Akio-kun. We're lucky to have not participated in the first tournament. I don't know how to deal the strong ones especially the Seishin Kings.

I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. I am well aware of my own abilities and my body is still not fully developed, suitable to brawl with the strong ones. But this is a bitter pill I needed to swallow.

Seeing today's matches made me realize there's no time to dawdle. I should train more. I don't know about Akio-kun. But he needs to pull himself together. I need to help this innocent kid to survive this hell. I don't care if he's Sakata-sama's son. I just get a feeling that I wanted to protect this kid.

I was drowned in my own thoughts again when I suddenly felt someone hugged me from behind.

Tatsuo: Rei-kuuuun!

Tatsuo-kun exclaimed like a child. I stood up from the bleachers and turned around to face him. Akio-kun had this surprised and confused look on his face while Tatsuo-kun showed his sparkly eyes like an innocent child. His aura totally changed like he never broke someone's bones a while ago.

Tatsuo-kun pouted.

Tatsuo: Say, Rei-kun. Are you just going to stare at me? Don't you remember me? Did I look cool a while ago? I can protect you too while I am at it Rei-kun! I will follow you anywhere you go like before. I am taller than you now, you know? I became strong for you, too!

Rei: Wait. Wait a minute. What happened to you in the last 5 years while I was away? Since when did you go to this school?

Tatsuo: Woah! You remembered me! I'm glad!

Tatsuo-kun hugged me again in relief. He ignored my question. He then broke off from our hug.

Tatsuo: Rei-kun, won't you introduce me to that guy beside you?

Akio-kun stood up and gave an unsure smile. He was confused as to what to do. I initiated the introduction.

Rei: Tatsuo-kun, meet Sakata Akio. He is my friend I met in this school. Akio-kun, meet Tatsuo-kun. He is my childhood friend.

Tatsuo-kun pouted and studied Akio-kun. I slapped the former's back.

Rei: Hey! Don't be rude to Akio-kun. Greet him properly.

Akio-kun's eyes widened and lightly jumped in surprise as I slapped Tatsuo-kun's back and then he nervously reached out his hand.

Akio: Hello. Pleasure to meet you. I am Sakata Akio.

Tatsuo-kun forcibly reached out his hand with his mouth twitching and shook hands with Akio-kun.

Tatsuo: Hmm. Why are you with Rei-kun? You are not strong, am I right?

Rei: Hey! Stop bullying Akio-kun. You are being a brat, you know.

Tatsuo: Fine. I'm sorry, Sakata-kun. But I will still be Rei-kun's number one friend.

Rei: You brat. Both of you are my friends. Both number one. So just stop being so childish.

Even Tatsuo-kun has grown into someone so strong and handsome, he's still like the child I knew before.

That's a relief. I lost contact with him after we moved here at Tokyo because of my family's business. We were still kids back then.

We sat back on the bleachers. As Tatsuo-kun sat, his facial expression turned serious.

Tatsuo: Rei-kun. Do you know how hard was 5 years without you? The kids bullied me again once you were gone. I cried every night. My parents still won't listen to my complaints about school. They kept telling me it was just nothing and told me I just need not to mind them.

He spoke facing the arena with a sad look on his eyes.

Yes. I remembered. When I first met him, he was bullied by the other kids because he was short and aloof. I don't know also why they are making fun of his mole below his lower lip on the left. It suits him. I was the one who defended him and then the kids never touched him again after I scared them off.

Tatsuo: But thankfully, because you came to my life, I tried to be as strong as possible. I wanted to be like you. I wanted to be brave. I don't want to worry you. I also wanted to repay you someday. I wanted to protect you, too. I cannot rely on you forever. So, I told my parents I'd learn martial arts. I trained nonstop until I was strong enough to defend myself. They were too scared of me after that.

He smiled faintly and looked at me.

Tatsuo: Thank you, Rei-kun. If you never came to my life, I'd have given up on my life already.

He let out a soft chuckle and covered his mouth with his hand.

Tatsuo: Pft. Am I being too cheesy? Hahaha.

I slowly shook my head and patted his black wavy hair.

Rei: No. You did well on your own. I'm glad I won't have to babysit you.

Tatsuo-kun pouted.

Tatsuo: I promise I won't be a burden from now on.

He said in a determined tone and raised his right hand.

Rei: Idiot! You were never a burden to me because friends are not burdens. I just did what I needed to do as your friend.

Tatsuo-kun cheekily grinned and stuck his tongue out to Akio-kun who was only listening to our conversation silently.

I smacked his head and Akio-kun just laughed shyly.

Rei: If someone sees you now, nobody would believe you were the cool-looking guy who broke the arrogant Taichi's arm a while ago.

The childish Tatsuo-kun's eyes sparkled.

Tatsuo: Really? Really? I was cool? Don't take your words back, okay? You already said I was cool.

Really. This kid. The personality he is showing right now doesn't match his height. He smiled from ear to ear. He looks like a huge dog wagging his tail in front of his master.

Tatsuo: By the way, Rei-kun, I just enrolled here yesterday when I heard you entered in this school.

Rei: Idiot! Why did you follow me here?! I don't even want to be a student of this school! This school is dangerous, you know?!

Tatsuo: That's why I'm here to help you. I'll also do my best to survive. And don't feel guilty. My parents would still send me here even if I didn't want to after they heard about this school.

Tch. Tatsuo-kun's parents are still so unconcerned about their child's welfare. I'm just so glad he have endured it until now. Their insensitivity never fails to knock my socks off.

I just let out a defeated sigh. This guy is stubborn anyway.

The crowd suddenly roared.

In the arena, enters the annoying Silent Killers. Ugh. What a tacky group name.

Let us see how they live up to their tacky name.

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END OF CHAPTER 9