King

Matsumoto Rei's POV

Akio-kun really received a clean blow enough for him to get knocked out. But it's amazing how he had held up against a Seishin King. I've been worried bout how Akio-kun would fight against him since I know Akio-kun doesn't give his all every time.

As long as he won't get serious injuries or worse, die, I would be fine him not trying his best. You cannot force him doing something he doesn't like.

I ran towards the unconscious Akio-kun on a stretcher. I looked at him and studied the condition of his body.

Rei: Will he be alright? Is it something serious?

The medics ignored me and I suddenly felt someone grabbing my wrist.

I turned around and saw Tatsuo-kun and he shook his head, closing his eyes.

Tatsuo: He'll just be fine. You saw what happened, right? You still have a fight. We'll go visit him later.

I sighed and looked back at the medics carrying Akio-kun to the ambulance. I then saw Saito-san heading towards Akio-kun's direction while calling somebody using her phone. She immediately rode the ambulance together with Akio-kun and the medics.

Since when was Saito-san was this concerned about Akio-kun?

I didn't mind about the thought of Saito-san going with Akio-kun and went along with Tatsuo to the inspection area.

This isn't the time to let one's hair down. I exerted joules of energy from my body to warm myself up. Akio-kun was lucky that the King did not make him suffer a severe injury.

I haven't studied enough on how to counter the Kings' moves. Nevertheless, I will try my best to not just avoid injuries but also winning the fight.

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My fights were won smoothly. Bets were on me. More people started to cheer for me.

I saw my parents from afar. I can see their happy faces from winning a lot of money. I looked way from them as to not to ruin my mood.

My next fight will be against one of the Kings. Only a King can kill a King, they said. But I don't want to settle as someone who would never try to beat a King. These five students who were named Kings were people who won a lot of tournaments and showed their expertise in their martial arts. They have showcased their strengths, making the students afraid to fight against them. A lot have tried to defeat them but only a King can beat a King and the person named, Hara Ichigo, is the King of Kings. The person who was also known as the undefeated.

We are already on the eight-finals of the single-elimination tournament. Akio-kun's opponent, has already lost to the King of Kings in this round. He really overpowers the person who beat Akio-kun, Oto Itsuki. I really admire his strength.

The King I am about to face is Yamaguchi Kiyohiro. A fighter who specializes in boxing. His jabs are deemed the fastest in Seishin High. I really need to watch out for this guy. How can I maximize my skills into beating him?

I took my shirt off and began warming up my body Tatsuo-kun assisted me by helping me stretch and holding the kicking pads for me. Tatsuo-kun has already lost against Kai-senpai that's why he really helped me prepare for my fights.

Few moments later, we were called to the ring. Yamaguchi Kiyohiro has a huge muscular build not fit for a high schooler. He looks more like a college student. He has this lightly tanned skin and a dark brown hair. His gold fierce eyes screaming that he is a strong fighter.

As we positioned ourselves with our stances, he cracked his neck to the right then to the left. Even his appearance screams his power, he doesn't look arrogant. It is rare to find humble fighters, nowadays.

The fight began. I took deep breaths and waited for him to make the first move. He did feint punches just to test my reactions. I was aware as to what he was doing so I just stayed and prepared for his real attack. The crowd started jeering because none of us initiated to attack.

The referee gave us a warning. This time, I tried to initiate using my leg. It would be dangerous if I would fight him with my fists. I will become the one at disadvantage.

As I raised my leg, he blocked it, slid forward and gave me a jab that almost landed on my chest. Good thing I had my arm immediately covering my body.

We exchanged kicks but I really kept my distance where his fists won't reach me easily. I know I can't keep it this way forever. I gotta do something with his punches. They are way too powerful. That's a Seishin King for you.

It will not be easy entering his punching range but I got to have to face him head on. Grappling him might be dangerous also. I might faint, the instant I try to approach him. He knocked all his opponents with a punch to the face especially the jaw part. He is too quick to attack once he sees even a little opening. He grabs the chance to knock them out. His punches are faster than Taichi, Tatsuo-kun's opponent before.

After all the dodging and studying his moves, I didn't notice the time was up not until the timer rang. The scores were shown and we're on a tie. The crowd were surprised because a freshman had a tie with a King.

I glanced to Yamaguchi-senpai's side. His face didn't show a single emotion. He looked unbothered that we tied.

We went back to our positions. The same thing happened in the second round. Just exchanging kicks and punches and dodging every single attack. I quite got used to his speed. Now, I plan to find his openings while attacking him.

And again, The time was up for the second round. I let out a deep exhale and drank water. The score was shown and we're tied again. The crowd became rowdier than on the previous round.

Still, Yamaguchi-senpai's face haven't changed. I can't read what's on his mind. Is he okay with losing? Or is he confident with his skills? Or what?

The third round began. And this time I really need to bet him. He really is so good that I can't land a clean hit on him.

I waited for him to attack first. I pivoted as fast as I could to his blind side before he extended his leg as he kicked. I know this was dangerous but this was the only choice I had to win.

When I reached my desired position, I then kicked to the head but unfortunately, he was quick on the uptake and had immediately covered his head while pivoting facing me.

He was on guard now that I tried to aim his blind spot. He may be fast on punching but his leg speed is the same as mine. If I want to beat him, I should make my leg speed faster. That way, he cannot land a punch on me or counter me with a kick. It's easier said than done, though. It is already the third round and my stamina is not at its peak.

I repeated my pivoting technique until he got used to it. Now that he is focused on me pivoting, I will try to aim for the front without pivoting. I need to surprise him.

I faked pivoting and then finally landed a kick to his face. The crowd screamed as I was able to give a clean hit on him.

He then desperately moved towards me, starting to use his large and fast fists. I hurriedly defended myself by moving back and diagonally, alternately. I kicked his shin making him lose focus with punching but it didn't work.

I firmly positioned my arms covering my jaws. I resisted his punches. I felt a lot of pain on my arms. HIs punches are really something. I might brake a bone in no time. I cannot catch up with his speed when dodging everything. So, I used my arms to cover my face. I crouched, waiting for him to stop punching.

When he finally stopped. I tried to do an uppercut but as I did an uppercut, he also gave me an uppercut making the both of us receive each other's hit together. We both took a few steps away from each other, recovering from the punch. I tried my best not to get the dizziness the best of me so I recovered fast in just a second and rushed to him and took him down.

He immediately got out from my grasp. We backed away and stood up, returning to our fighting stances. I found an opening and landed another clean hit to the body with a turning kick. My heel hit his solar plexus.

As he was about to get back at me, the timer rang. The crowd grew silent. Everybody did not expect that kick.

As the judges discussed the outcome, the crowd started to chitchat, making the whole arena noisy. Moments later, the referee returned to the ring and called the both of us.

The referee raised my hand, declaring me the winner. My eyes widened and saw Tatsuo-kun jumping with joy.

Surprisingly, Yamaguchi-senpai showed an emotion. It was so unexpected. He smiled at me and reached out his hand. I held his hand with both hands.

Kiyohiro: Congratulations. You really are a good fighter. I had a hard time, Matsumoto-kun.

He smiled at me gently and I opened my mouth.

Rei: Thank you, Yamaguchi-senpai. I had a hard time, too!

I bowed at him while holding his hand.

He chuckled, patted my head and messed my hair. He quietly got out of the ring.

As I went out the ring, Tatsuo-kun collided with me and hugged me.

Tatsuo: That was so cool! Rei-nii! You are the best.

(Note: Nii - shortcut for Nii-chan)

Rei: Don't call me that! And keep your voice low. You're embarrassing me.

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I won on the quarter-finals against one of the top 100 strongest in Japan MMA but lost in the semi-finals against another Seishin King, Shimizu Suijin. It ended with him dominating me the whole three rounds. At least, I didn't get knocked out or something. Shimizu-senpai didn't talk as he won our match. He just walked away.

As I got out of the ring, Tatsuo-kun patted my back to comfort me.

Tatsuo: One king at a time. You held up well. You endured enough pain from your injuries from Yamaguchi-senpai. Let's head to the medics to put ice on your injuries.

When we reached to the medics booth, the nurses congratulated and called me, Rookie King.

Rei: Rookie King?

Nurse: Yes, because it is your first tournament in this school and you already beat a king. That's why you are called Rookie King.

The day ended with a Seishin King candidate, the Rookie King.

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End of Chapter 15