Fight to Change (Part 2)

"56.....!"

"78....!"

Counting like my life depended on it. Sweat fell like crazy, heat surrounded my body like a coat. I felt like dying already!

"Keep up! Keep up! With your weak body, you won't achieve anything! Of course I'm not just saying the physical concept!"

Kuro-san, who has been helping me work my body out. Making sure big changes actually happen. Even if I have to suffer for it.

I need to change at all cost.

"98...!!"

And a hundred push-ups. I was told to at least maintain my body thrice a week. Kuro-san was kind enough not to kill me while working out every day without rest but his smile when he told me about my schedule gave me an uneasy feeling.

It's as if, my schedule will change if I change-

"I-I! Haah!...I can't go on!!...."

I kept panting, inhaling big breaths and exhaling as if I just drowned. I can't breathe as if I was sent to space.

"Still weak.. but regardless you did a good job! Good job Shonen-dono!"

Kuro laughed with pride in his voice while I was dying and drenched in sweat. If I keep this up, I'll definitely die soon

The next schedule of my so-called "Grand Glow up" training, was with Ryu-san. Honestly speaking, he's kinda scary-

Bleached blond hair, handsome face, average model build, definitely a player too. Kuro-san told me that he has a sister too and they even match in certain things. You'd mistake them as twins if you're dumb.

Anna-san, same features with her brother. Voluptuous body and definitely enticed a lot of men.

Women are scary-

"Oh! Shonen-kun!!!"

Ryu-san, who was playing a street fighting game in the arcade, was waving his hands while smiling like an idiot at me. It's embarrassing.

"You're here, jeez you look like you went to hell and back, man."

It was hell and I kept going, Kuro-san's training is so harsh I wish I declined his offer at the bar back then.

But I was told, the moment I accepted it, I can never leave.

"Well, regardless of that. You'll be having you're awesome session with me."

He pointed at himself, smiling with pride. At some point if I was a dumb person, I'd be clapping. But I'm so fucking embarrassed-

We decided to eat after that arcade. Ryu-san wanted to discuss the things he plans to contribute in the training session.

Though along the way, every damn women kept asking for his number and photo. Damn I'm so jealous.

All handsome men will die!

"Right back to what I'm saying, you. You really suck at handling yourself."

He said with a serious face. Quite serious that I think his first intention was to insult me until we finish our time.

"...."

What was I supposed to say? No excuses can actually return that insult.

"Honestly speaking, if you know what hair or what skin care or what you should actually be doing to take care of your body. Plus your personality. You'll be quite popular. You have a good face after all. Personality? You're a pushover, no wonder you got cuckold."

Despite his hurtful critics, he's not wrong.

"But don't cha worry, I'll be helping you. Starting with your damn hair! Aren't your eyes hurting from those prickly bangs?!"

Ryu-san complained.

I went to the barber with Ryu-san, tho I chose what I like. Ryu-san denied them, do I really suck at choosing things for myself?

"Should we just go with an undercut?"

"No-"

The next few days with Ryu-san was hectic. From changing hairstyles to changing fashion sense.

"Now I understand why you look like an idiot"

"Excuse me?!"

Ryu-san looked at me with disappointment as I wore the outfits I chose.

Perhaps maybe my fashion sense is a bit outdated.

By then, Ryu-san managed to fix my own fashion sense, at the same time he taught me things like proper flirting and socializing. Ryu-san felt like a social teacher at some point.

"Listen kid, this world is really shitty. Especially, since you already know what it feels like being taken something from you."

Ryu-san started to speak differently as if the playfulness of his is gone.

"To be taken something from someone and to take something from someone. That's how it works now. So our job is to make sure you can't and don't have both."

Ryu-san looked at me with a sad smile. As if his smile tells me that he as well had a heavy past or maybe a heavy guilt.

"I understand."

Even though I replied with that. I never understand what he actually meant. Why did the vibe feel different when he started to speak something like that. It was weird at the same time he said something like a heartfelt advice.

I got back home, the newly bought clothes are placed back at my closet. I lay down and thought about my progress. My body being trained by Kuro-san. My fashion sense being updated by Ryu-san.

My next training would be with Anna-san. Though is till don't know what I'll be doing with Anna-san for a whole day.

Things that have happened today were still stuck in my head. I decided to just do some small warm ups to relax my mind.

Surprisingly, training with Kuro-san made my body feels lighter than before. At the very least I know my hard work has been paying off. But I would rather not look like a buff man like Kuro-san.

"Will I actually be able to change? Be someone more different the one I am now?"

My own self-esteem lowers as I thought about my past, my mistakes, and I couldn't stop it from making me overthink.

In the end I couldn't sleep at all. Not when a wink, I was overthinking too much at night that I couldn't to force myself to sleep. As planned, I met with Anna-san at the train station entrance. She was actually waiting for me meanwhile, she was being surrounded by men.

Most likely trying to hit on her.

Should I even bother?

"Oyah? It's Shonen-kun?? Took you long enough!"

Anna-san quickly went away from the crowd as she ran towards me. While I greeted at her, the men behind her just stared at me like I'm the shittiest guy in the world.

"I'm sorry, did I make you wait for to long?"

"Not really, was bored and just went early than planned. Well then shall we start?"

"Pardon?"

She then held my hand and gave me a smile, a smile of reassurance.

"Of course, your third training! With me of course!"

That's how I end up with Anna-san and how she managed to help me recover what made a big change for me.