Chapter "Rising From Defeat"

Subaru and Hanae were both fixedly looking at Hisashi, who appeared confident. Hanae remarked, "Yeah, you should consider joining another dojo. The students at Ryugari-Sha are all jerks."

Subaru glanced at her and asked, "Hey, by the way, how do you know that? And earlier, you mentioned Ryugari-Sha kicked Hisashi out of the dojo, and I didn't do anything. How do you know about that?”

Hanae explained, "I happened to be passing by when I saw some boys tossing Hisashi out. They were saying things to him and then they started heading back into the dojo. I rushed to help Hisashi, but by the time I got there, he was unconscious, and the boys noticed me.”

In the flashback, Hanae rushed to Hisashi's side, her hand pressed against her forehead wound in an attempt to staunch the bleeding. As she looked up, she caught sight of Taiga and his friends, who wore smirks on their faces.

With anger burning in her eyes, Hanae glared at them and demanded, "What on earth was that about? Why did you beat him up like this?"

Taiga walked towards her and knelt in front of her, teasingly remarking, "Seems like this goofball has a girlfriend."

Hanae retorted angrily, "I'm not his girlfriend, and even if I were, you have no right to ask." Taiga smiled and explained, "This goofball tried to join my dojo and failed, so we kicked him out.”

Todoka called out, "Hanae?" All eyes turned to him as Hanae angrily exclaimed, "Todoka, did you do this deliberately to seek revenge?"

Todoka smiled and replied, "Taiga, this is Hanae, my friend from middle school, and the one this boy was trying to save." Taiga's smile widened.

Hanae's anger flared as she retorted, "Firstly, I'm not your friend." She then shifted her glare to Taiga, asserting, "And he's not a goofball."

Taiga smirked, retorting, "Then who is he? Just a weakling lying on the ground?" Hanae snapped back, "He's a man, a real man, unlike any of you."

Taiga's smirk faltered momentarily as he clenched his fists, but he quickly regained his composure, extending his hand towards Hanae's face, taunting, "So you want to see how manly I am?”

Hanae angrily swatted his hand away, pointing at him with disdain. "Don't you dare lay your filthy fingers on me, you impotent." Taiga's expression darkened with anger.

A voice calling "Taiga!" from behind redirected everyone's focus to Kosuke Sensei standing there. Taiga swiftly rose to his feet, meeting Kosuke Sensei's gaze.

With authority, Kosuke Sensei questioned, "Why are you wasting your valuable time on them? Get back in and resume your practice." Taiga quickly nodded in compliance.

Kosuke Sensei then returned to the dojo.

Taiga, without casting a glance at Hanae, stated, "You will regret your words." Ignoring his remark, Hanae concentrated on trying to rouse Hisashi by patting his cheek.

As Taiga and his friends proceeded towards the dojo, Hanae's gaze unexpectedly fell upon Subaru, who stood silently inside. Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she angrily called out his name.

Upon hearing Hanae's call, Taiga halted and remarked, "Subaru is Hisashi's friend, he's smart, not getting involved between us."

Todoka chuckled, commenting, "Yeah, he didn't even lend a hand to his friend," and they shared a laugh. Taiga smiled and resumed walking, while Hanae continued to shoot angry glances at Subaru. (End Of Flashback)

Subaru and Hisashi looked at Hanae, who still appeared furious. Her gaze then turned sharply to Subaru as she demanded, "Why didn't you help him? You claim to be his best friend, yet you act like a coward."

Subaru's anger flared as he retorted, "What? I did stand up for him, and I won't back down. I'll ensure Hisashi gets admission in Ryugari-Sha Dojo.”

Hisashi said, "Subaru, it's okay. I'll find another dojo to join.”

Subaru lamented, "But, Hisashi, we had dreams of hoisting the almighty trophy together as a team." Hisashi looked at him with a pained expression, sadness evident in his eyes.

Hanae turned her gaze towards Subaru and suggested, "Why not leave Ryugari-Sha? Then you could both enroll in the same dojo.”

Subaru's voice resonated with frustration as he responded, "I wish I could, but I'm bound by the agreement. It states that I must compete in this year's Almight tournament as part of Ryugari-Sha. If I break it, I'll forfeit my chance to ever participate in the tournament again.”

Hisashi smiled warmly and placed his hand on Subaru's shoulder. "Don't worry," he reassured, "fight as Ryugari-Sha, be loyal to your dojo. And I'll stay loyal to whatever dojo I choose. We're friends, and we'll always be. If one of us wins, it's a victory for both of us." Subaru smiled back, nodding in agreement.

Hanae glanced at Hisashi and asked, "So, where are you planning to take admission?" Hisashi pondered for a moment before replying, "I have a few dojos in mind where I'll give it a shot."

Hanae nodded approvingly, saying, "Great! Best of luck." Subaru chimed in, "Yeah, best of luck." Hisashi nodded in gratitude, appreciating his friends' support.

Then Hanae smiled and stood up, announcing, "I have to head off now. I've got university today." Subaru also rose from his seat, adding, "Yeah, me too." Hisashi smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

Hanae turned to Hisashi and insisted, "I'll visit you tonight with dinner." Hisashi shook his head, declining her offer, "You really don't have to do that.”

Hanae pleaded, "Please, Hisashi, let me do this. I want to change, to become a better person. Please, help me with that." Hisashi smiled warmly in response.

Subaru chimed in, "I'll come over tonight." Hisashi glanced at him, surprised. Hanae's eyes narrowed with anger.

Subaru then turned to Hanae and added, "I'll pick you up." Hanae and Hisashi eyes widened in disbelief,

Subaru explained, "I don't have a big car, just a bike. I figured if we're both heading to the same place, we might as well go together."

Hanae was momentarily speechless, but then a genuine smile spread across her face as she nodded in agreement. Hisashi smiled warmly at the gesture, while Subaru grinned back.

Later in the evening, Hisashi stood before the mirror, his face adorned with small bandages. With a determined gaze, he declared, "This isn't the end for me. I will claim victory in the almighty tournament, and I will save my mother, no matter the obstacles, no matter the sacrifices. Winning is my only option, no matter the cost." With resolve in his heart, he exited his apartment, locking the door behind him, and set off with purposeful strides.