Chapter 9: "Hatsu vs Haru".

As soon as Akira-sama's shout was lost in the wind, Haru-san quickly lashed out at me with his fist to which I was able to react by deflecting it slightly to the right.

–– Tch… I see you react well, Hatsu-sama.

–– What did you expect, to win in one blow?

–– Maybe, but… Do you have time to talk?

–– Huh?

Haru-san rested the hand I deflected on the ground and with the momentum threw his left leg towards the direction I had moved.

Seeing that kick so close to my face, all I could do was to receive it and lessen the damage with my arms. That clash of limbs caused me to move a little away from Haru-san, who was already regaining his attack position.

–– Ha… –– Haru-san suddenly sighed. –– I haven't stopped yet!

He lunged at me again… I had no choice but to do the same, my decision led to an exchange of blows and deflections that lasted a good amount of time, until we decided to separate.

This was turning into a battle of resistance…

–– I'm not liking this at all… –– I know that if I play Haru-san's game I'll lose… –– I'll have to end this quickly.

–– I see you don't learn… Haru-sama.

–– Huh?

Out of nowhere, Haru-san appeared in front of me... When did this happen? If he was just a few meters away from me... How?

–– I'm sorry Hatsu-sama. –– Haru-san grabbed me by the collar of my kimono and pulled me close to his face. –– Rule number one for being Akira-sama's escort, always be aware of your surroundings.

Saying those words, Haru-san lifted me up a little, adjusted my legs and continued talking.

–– Rule number two, always be available at Akira-sama's call. –– After that he completely lifted me up in the air. –– And rule number three… Haru-san stared at me as if he wanted to kill me. –– Always… but always… look out for Akira-sama's happiness.

–– Tch… Do you think I don't know that?

This is bothering me… Who does Haru-san think he is? I don't care that I'm the closest person to Akira-sama right now… I… I… I…

As if on second wind, I grabbed Haru-san's arm and with a light movement, I let go of his grip.

–– Huh? –– Apparently I took Haru-san by surprise.

Before falling to the ground, I threw an upward kick trying to connect with Haru-san's chin, but this attempt failed when Haru-san moved away from my reach.

–– That was close… –– Haru-san resumed her stance.

–– Ha… –– I sighed while fixing my kimono collar. –– Haru-san. –– What you just did is another one of the things I detest too much about you..

I lashed out at Haru-san in such a way that he couldn't react.

–– But, what?! –– Haru tried to pull away unsuccessfully.

–– Oh no… this time it's my turn… –– I grabbed Haru-san's arm and pulled him against me. –– I'll tell you something Haru-san…

Before I finished my sentence, I connected a clean knee to Haru-san's entire stomach, causing him to spit out saliva from his mouth.

–– Don't take some things for granted. –– After connecting the knee strike, I spun on my own axis and with my open palm hit Haru-san's face sending him flying. –– I'm the first one to know such things!

–– Tch... Don't be so conceited… Haru-san managed to stand on the stage. –– You don't know anything about Akira… –– Akira? –– Takumi Hatsu!

Haru-san looked up showing me an expression of uncontainable anger.

–– I'll end this now!

Haru-san charged at me again, but this time with all the brusqueness in the world, his movements were crude and very predictable, for my analytical skills... these blows were easy to dodge.

We began an exchange of blows, where I only dedicated myself to deflect and dodge blows, and then launch one or another counterattack.

The anger already dominated Haru-san who was only dedicated to dodge my blows, rather than dodge only received them as a sign that his senses were affected by his current state.

I was starting to get tired of this, so much so, that I received one of his blows with my hands before it made contact with my face.

–– It seems I was right… I can't trust you with Akira-sama…

–– Shut up…

–– I won't shut up… That I don't know anything about Akira-sama? What right do you have to say that? You may have been the closest person to him because your father was Yuudai-sama's best friend, but don't forget that we are all childhood friends.

–– Shut up…

–– We may have gone our separate ways after Akira-sama's promotion ceremony, but that has nothing to do with the bonds we formed when we were kids…

–– Shut up…

–– If you want to keep walking by Akira-sama's side… wake up at once… Harucchi.

–– Huh?

Ha… How long has it been since I last used that nickname? But… this is the only way to do it, isn't it, Aki-chan?

I averted my gaze for a moment to the place where the Hoshinomori family was standing with the other clan leaders and their parents. And apparently I wasn't wrong… Akira-sama was smiling.

–– I'll regret this, but… –– I took a deep breath and raised my head. –– Wake the fuck up, Harucchi!

I dropped my head against Harucchi's head, causing both of us to recoil from the impact caused by that collision.

–– Ouch, why did I do that?! –– I crouched down a bit while touching the place where I hit Harucchi's head.

–– What were you thinking Hatsu-chan?! –– Hey, did I hear right? –– That hurt!

–– It was the only way to do it, ho! –– I got up little by little as the pain passed. –– You're still hard-headed… Harucchi.

–– And you're still not thinking things through… Hatsu-chan…

–– Hehe…

–– Haha…

A small fit of laughter came over Harucchi and me dispelling the atmosphere that had been created just now.

–– Ha… –– I sighed to calm down a little. –– So… Shall we continue?

–– Ha… Okay, but…

–– Huh?

–– You just made a mistake by not taking advantage of my stupidity Hatsu-chan.

–– And you're saying that because?

–– Because… –– Harucchi stared at me and smiled out of nowhere. –– I won!

Saying those words, Harucchi pulled out something from his back and threw it at me quickly, thinking it was something that could hurt me, I moved a little and caught it with my fingers.

–– Apparently you failed…

–– Are you sure?

–– Harucchi, are your eyes all right? Look bi-.

My mouth stopped the moment my eyes focused on what Harucchi had thrown at me.

–– Oh my god… this is… this is…

–– Haha...

–– Why don't I have this in my collection!

My scream made sense, what Harucchi had thrown at me was a picture of Akira-sama as a little boy… pouting…

–– Harucchi, where do you get-?! –– I looked up to talk to Harucchi, but in doing so, I had seen that he disappeared from my field of vision.

–– Sorry Hatsu-chan. –– I felt a shiver run down my back when I heard Harucchi's voice behind me. –– Do you remember the first rule for being Akira-sama's escort?

When he asked the question I felt like I couldn't stand on the ground, seeing what had happened, I realized that Harucchi had tripped me by sweeping my legs with his.

–– Oh, damn it! –– I tried to react somehow, but Harucchi had already grabbed my shoulder.

–– It's too late… I've won.

With a slight impulse Harucchi threw me to the ground, making my back touch... thus, fulfilling the conditions to end this fight.

–– This battle is over! –– The gong sounded upon hearing those words from Yuudai-sama.

The spectators of the battle began to clap and shout from the euphoria after the gong began to resound, while Harucchi began to catch his breath.

–– hat a way to end the fight...

Looking over to where Akira-sama was, I noticed how he was already standing up from his post and started to approach the battle stage.

–– So… I lost?

–– You just lack concentration, Hatsu-chan. –– Harucchi bent down and held out his hand to me. –– Come on get up, we have to greet Akira-sama.

–– Thank you… –– I took Harucchi's hand, who with a push got up, taking me with him in the process.

The moment we stood up, Harucchi came up to my ear whispering to me.

–– Don't worry, you can trust me with Akira… I promise I'll protect him with everything I have.

–– Hm… Okay, I'll give in for a while.

–– Thank you for trusting me.

After that we parted and looked ahead only to find Akira-sama slowly approaching.

–– Well, well… you two really showed us a good and fun match, it was a delight to my eyes and the spectators had fun, that was the goal and you two really exceeded my expectations.

–– Thank you very much for your noble words, Akira-sama. –– Together with Harucchi, we replied while bowing.

–– Takumi Hatsu.

–– Yes!

–– I was glad to see how you were able to turn the match around in the second half of this one.

–– Thank you very much Akira-sama.

–– Nevertheless… –– Ha… I saw that coming. –– Your lack of concentration in the final part made Haru take advantage of your weakness, you have to keep working on bettering yourself, okay?

–– Okay.

–– Furukawa Haru.

–– Yes!

–– Your speed and control in the first half of the fight was amazing, your accuracy is getting better and better.

–– Thank you for your words Akira-sama.

–– But… You lack more serenity, Hatsu took quite well the moment where your anger controlled you, and you should work more in that sense, OK?

–– I agree.

–– Now… –– Akira-sama put his hands on our shoulders and smiled gently. –– I hope to count on you from now on for whatever lies ahead in the future, I'm happy to have such skilled people in my team.

–– Yes sir! –– We both responded in unison to Akira-sama's words.

–– Then… –– Akira-sama grabbed Harucchi's wrist and raised his arm to the sky. –– I declare Furukawa Haru as the winner of this match and therefore retains his position as my personal escort!

The spectators shouted and applauded again as Akira-sama proclaimed the winner of this battle.

–– Hatsu-sama, we are proud to be disciples of your clan, you fought very well!

–– Don't worry, you will have more chances to achieve your goal, we will support you until the end!

–– Guys…

–– You have good disciples, Hatsu…

–– Yes… –– I couldn't speak well, in my mind there were many thoughts and feelings accumulated… I don't feel like I always do… I don't know the reason, but…

I bit my lips to hold back my urge to cry in that place…

–– Akira-sama…

–– Tell me.

–– Thank you very much for allowing this fight… This helped me a lot…

–– Don't thank me…

–– …

And that's how this day was coming to an end… I should be satisfied, but… something inside me is… a little disappointed with how it all ended.

With that feeling I left the Hoshinomori temple waiting for tomorrow, thinking and wishing that everything would return to normal…