Chapter "Back In Time"

Flashback, (10 years back)

The stage was bathed in a single spotlight as 11-year-old Hisashi, dressed in a karate uniform, took his place. He began his routine with a series of erratic punches that lacked precision and technique. His movements were awkward and clumsy, each punch poorly executed and lacking any semblance of grace. His attempt at a high kick was particularly shaky, causing him to almost lose his balance. Despite his effort to regain composure and continue with a flurry of disjointed punches, the performance was painfully unrefined.

The crowd seated in front burst into mocking laughter. Amidst them, 11-year-old Subaru stood, his face reflecting deep disappointment.

“What is he even doing?” Subaru thought to himself, feeling disheartened. “This doesn’t resemble karate at all.”

The people around Subaru laughed uncontrollably. “Hey, was this kid here just to entertain us?” one of them mocked, chuckling as he spoke.

“Yeah,” another person chimed in, laughing. “Look at him—he’s even wearing a Ryu No Ikari badge and headband. Does he really think he belongs here or deserves to be part of Ryu No Ikari?” The laughter intensified as they continued mocking him.

“Seriously?” Subaru thought, disappointment evident in his eyes. “This is an audition to find the next karate prodigy. They say every Meijin (Master of Masters) watches these auditions to spot new talent—Ryouma Matsumoto himself was discovered here. And this boy really thinks he can catch Meijin Matsumoto’s attention with these pathetic skills?” Subaru’s gaze kept drifting back to Hisashi, who was ineffectually flailing about.

Hisashi attempted another kick but lost his balance and fell. The crowd’s laughter intensified. Undeterred, he quickly got up and tried the same kick again, this time executing it slowly and with painstaking care. He held his stance, his face set in determination. Despite his efforts, the audience’s laughter continued, and the judges watched him with visible disappointment.

“Why is this kid making such a fool of himself?” Subaru thought, just as a red light flashed, signaling the contestant to exit.

“Damn, that’s the first straight rejection of the audition,” Subaru thought. “The judges didn’t even give him a chance to introduce himself—that’s brutal and humiliating.” His eyes widened in surprise as he noticed Hisashi smiling, beaming with unexpected joy.

Seeing Hisashi smiling, Subaru was left speechless. “What is he smiling about?” he wondered. As he followed Hisashi’s gaze, he saw that it was directed at his parents, who were standing proudly with beaming smiles. Subaru was astonished by the sight.

Hisashi, radiating with joy, bowed to the judges and exited the stage with exuberant steps. Subaru remained stunned, unable to comprehend the unexpected expressions of happiness from Hisashi.

Subaru entered the waiting area and began searching for Hisashi, scanning the surroundings intently. As he stepped out onto the road, he saw Hisashi standing with his parents, beaming with joy while they surrounded him, showering him with enthusiastic praise. Subaru watched in disbelief. “Why are they so happy?” he thought. “His audition was a complete disaster—he was rejected outright.” Despite this, Hisashi’s family continued to celebrate with unabated enthusiasm. From a distance, Subaru observed them, bewildered.

The next day, Subaru walked down the road with a bandage on his forehead and a bag slung over his shoulder, his demeanor somber. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a Ryugari-Sha badge, and stared at it contemplatively.

“Subaru, enough of this nonsense,” his father shouted, frustration evident in his voice. “Stop wasting your time on this; study hard and join me in my business.” In a fit of anger, he threw Subaru’s Ryugari-Sha badge out the window. Subaru, his forehead bleeding, rushed outside the window with tears in his eyes, desperately searching through the mud for the badge.

Subaru walked down the road, clutching the badge tightly. He stopped in front of a Junior Ryugari-Sha dojo, where students under fifteen were trained. With a determined expression, he stepped inside the dojo.

A sensei was instructing a group of students, all practicing their front jabs with focused intensity. Subaru joined them, his own practice marked by determination and concentration. Suddenly, he noticed a movement outside the window. Glancing over, he saw Hisashi attempting to mimic the students' stances and jabs.

Subaru watched, intrigued, until Hisashi's eyes met his. Realization struck Hisashi, and he froze. The students, noticing Hisashi, burst into laughter, causing Hisashi to shrink back in fear.

“Hey, what are you doing?” The sensei's voice rang out with anger as he swiftly moved toward the door. Hisashi, clearly frightened, bolted away in a hurry. Subaru, still in shock, watched the scene unfold with wide eyes……

In the afternoon, Subaru walked toward home, deep in thought. “What’s with that kid? Is he so desperate to learn karate? Why? Why isn’t he just enrolling in the dojo?” He continued walking, his mind preoccupied with questions.

“I thought I was the most passionate one,” Subaru mused, his confusion evident. “I wish I could talk to him.” As he walked past a park, he heard the sound of someone practicing. Looking over, he saw Hisashi standing in a fighting stance, throwing front jabs into the air. Subaru was taken aback, his gaze fixed in astonishment.

Hisashi, drenched in sweat, continued to throw jabs with determination, counting aloud, “116, 117, 118.”

“Your stance is wrong,” Subaru's voice echoed.

Hisashi's eyes darted to Subaru, who stood nearby. Upon seeing Subaru, Hisashi's expression shifted to one of apprehension.

“I know you,” Hisashi said, his voice tinged with anxiety. “You’re from that dojo. You must be here to catch me.”

“Catch you?” Subaru replied, puzzled.

“Yeah,” Hisashi said, his determination unwavering. “Because I was peeking inside your dojo, trying to learn.”

“Why would I do that?” Subaru asked. “I just happened to see you here, and your stance is completely wrong.” He walked over and adjusted Hisashi’s stance. “This is the correct stance,” he explained.

Hisashi, visibly frustrated, asked, “Why are you helping me?”

“Why are you so desperate to learn karate?” Subaru asked.

“Because I want to become a Meijin, just like Ryouma Matsumoto,” Hisashi replied earnestly.

“Meijin?” Subaru echoed, his voice tinged with disappointment. “Forget about becoming a Meijin or even getting into Ryu No Ikari with the way you're training.”

Hisashi, irritated, asked, “Why’s that?”

“Your technique is worse than that of a rookie,” Subaru said bluntly.

“What?” Hisashi asked, taken aback. “I’m not that bad at karate.”

“Why don’t you enrol in my dojo?” Subaru suggested.

Hisashi's tone grew sorrowful. “My parents can’t afford the fees,” he explained.

“Oh,” Subaru responded, feeling awkward.

“Do you want me to help you correct some of your errors in stance and punching?” Subaru offered.

Hisashi’s face lit up with joy. “Yes, please! Thank you so much,” he replied eagerly.

Hisashi was in a fighting stance, throwing front punches as Subaru watched with a smile. “That’s much better,” Subaru said. “Keep practicing like this, and you’ll perfect it in no time.”

Hisashi, beaming with joy as he threw front punches, asked, “Have you ever met Ryouma Matsumoto?”

“No, why would you think that?” Subaru replied.

“Because you’re in his dojo, of course,” Hisashi said.

“What?” Subaru asked, looking puzzled. “I’m not in Ryu No Ikari.”

Hisashi appeared confused. “Then why were you at the Junior Ryu No Ikari dojo?” he inquired.

“It wasn’t Junior Ryu No Ikari; it was Junior Ryugari-Sha dojo,” Subaru clarified. Hearing this, Hisashi went silent, his eyes widening in shock.