A Match Before a Battle

''Oui! Ashito mentioned that if he emerged victorious, it would be essential for us to create an opportunity for him to confess his feelings to Sei,''

Kenjuro expressed this with a tone filled with distaste and growing anger directed at both Jin and Kenya, making his frustration clear. He couldn't hide the irritation in his voice as he spoke, emphasizing how much he disliked the situation and the idea of facilitating Ashito's intentions.

Upon hearing the proposal, Jin and Kenya were momentarily frozen in shock. The three of them had always shared an unbreakable bond, fiercely protective of Sei and standing guard over her more diligently than any other relatives ever would.

"Hah!" Jin exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face, though his voice had an undercurrent of irritation. "Maybe he actually wanted to die young or something."

He quickly glanced at Kenya, only to realize that the other boy was no longer standing next to him. Confused and concerned, Jin exchanged troubled looks with Kenjuro, their expressions mirroring the unease brewing within them.

In unison, they turned their heads to watch, their eyes widening slightly as they saw Kenya confidently making his way over to Ashito's group.

Hic!!

Both of them come to a sudden halt, their expressions frozen in disbelief at what just happened. However, their shock quickly turns into urgency when they see Kenya unexpectedly deliver a punch directly to Ashito's face.

This violent moment leaves not only their group but also the nearby students utterly astonished and taken aback by the sudden escalation of events.

"Whoa! Hold on a second, Ken! Wait a moment," Jin and Kenjuro quickly intervened to stop him.

"Just take a breath and calm down," Kenjuro said firmly, trying to diffuse the tension in the air.

"Calm down?" Kenya shot back, clearly perplexed as he turned to Kenjuro. "Are you really okay with this? They were the ones who argued with us and instigated a massive fight, and now suddenly one of them is showing interest in Sei. You can just stand there and accept that?"

He pulled away from Jin and Kenjuro, visibly agitated, and faced them directly, demanding an explanation with his frustrated question.

"Okay?" Kenjuro responded to the questions, then added with a grin,

"Dream on!" Jin continued, "I think I could kill him instead."

''Oui! Just a relative, didn't mean I took your part of your body!'' Ashito Aoi said with a grin and angrier after getting punched by Kenya. 

"I have a fantastic idea!" Tachibana Miruto, one of Ashito's close friends, exclaimed excitedly as he burst into the room, his voice filled with enthusiasm. His eyes darted between Ashito and Jin as a grin spread across his face.

"How about we organize a marathon match?" he suggested, his energy palpable. "This could be a much better plan than having a straightforward battle, especially with Kyudai Erabi Day just around the corner. Both of you and us definitely wouldn't want to inadvertently reveal our techniques or strategies to the enemy, or to anyone else who might be watching. We must keep our plans under wraps."

He nodded firmly to emphasize his point, then began to walk around the space, adopting a stance reminiscent of a referee overseeing both teams, ensuring that everything remained fair and fun.

"We currently have five people in our group. How about you and your team? It would be great to know how many you have!" He smiled brightly and made his way over to his designated stand, which was conveniently located near the rest of the team.

"If you decide to let us join you, that would actually bring our total to five as well!"

Just then, a voice that sounded remarkably similar to the one that had just spoken chimed in, effortlessly capturing everyone's attention in the area.

Haruto, who had been deeply engrossed in a book just moments before, and Keigo, who was diligently working on fixing a machine stone nearby, both looked up and decided to walk over. They headed to where Kenya's group was gathering, eager to join the conversation and be part of the action.

"Yo!" Keigo greeted them, while Haurot exchanged a sly smile with Kenya.

"I heard it all already!" Keigo exclaimed, then fell silent, waiting for Kenya's response. 

'Maybe that girl has something special that makes people fight over her,' he pondered in his mind, remaining quiet.

''Sei is our sister!'' Kenjuro said, turning to look at Keigo. 

''Hah?'' Keigo froze for a moment. 

''I'm a mind reader,'' Kenjuro remarked, confirming Keigo's shock. Then he continued, ''That's okay, right? That's why we fight over our sister'' 

"Let's have a match now," Edou Fuji, one of Ashito's friends, said as he made his way to the court for the first round of the match.

"Who will be first?" He turned to glance at them and asked.

"It's me," Haurto replied with a cheerful smile, but Fuji hated these types of people the most.

"Who do you think will be the first to go?" He turned his head slightly, casting a curious glance at the group gathered around him as he posed the question.

"It's definitely me," Haruto responded eagerly, a cheerful smile lighting up his face. However, Fuji couldn't help but feel an intense dislike for people like Haruto, who always seemed too upbeat and self-assured in every situation.

"Hah, alright then!" Fuji replied with a broad grin, his enthusiasm piquing as he made his way towards the starter stand stationed on the court. He felt a mix of excitement and determination building within him. In the meantime, as Fuji walked away, Haruto's smile began to fade gradually. 

It was replaced by a sly, cunning look that danced in his eyes, hinting at something more devious beneath his previously cheerful facade.

"And I will be a referee," Shinji said, stepping forward and adjusting his glasses. 

Haruto and Fuji are positioned at the starting line, their bodies leaning slightly forward in anticipation, resembling marathon runners who are primed and ready to launch into a full sprint at any moment.

Their focused expressions reflect their determination, as they prepare themselves to give it their all in the race that lies ahead.

The starting gun cracks sharply, jolting everyone into motion. Haruto propels himself forward with powerful strides, his feet pounding rhythmically against the pavement. Fuji trails closely, laser-focused on the path ahead.

As they burst past the starting line, the world blurs into a swirl of colors and sounds—cheers from the crowd, and a distant hum of excitement. The two runners navigate through the initial crowd with unwavering concentration, weaving through competitors like dancers in a grand ballet. But Fuji is a bit fast-forward. 

''He's so fast'' Jin said, watching them having a match deeply. 

''Well, Fuji is a lightning bender!'' 

''What?''