The Unexpected Encounter

The next morning, Parvath woke up with a single thought—he was too weak in Taekwondo. The sparring match with Tahun had shown him how much stronger real martial artists were. He couldn't afford to stay at this level.

He pushed himself hard that morning, practicing the kicks he had learned. His legs ached from the endless repetitions of front kicks, low blocks, and roundhouse kicks. Every time he kicked, he thought of how Tahun's attack had nearly knocked him out. He had to get better—fast.

By evening, he returned to the dojo. The instructor nodded in approval, watching his progress. But just as he was starting to feel satisfied, he returned home and found his uncle waiting for him.

"Parvath, we found a tuition for you. You'll go there every afternoon."

Parvath blinked. "Tuition? For what?"

"Your grades are trash." His uncle didn't sugarcoat it. "No excuses. You're starting tomorrow."

Parvath sighed. "Fine." Another responsibility on his list. But he had no choice.

---

The First Day of Tuition

The next afternoon, Parvath arrived at the tuition center. He wasn't expecting much—just some boring study sessions. But when he walked in, he immediately noticed a girl with brown hair, about the same age as Mia.

She glanced at him briefly and said, "Sit there. I'll manage everything."

He did as she said, feeling a bit out of place. He wasn't great at studying, but for now, he just focused on the lessons.

That was until she left the room.

Parvath looked up—and standing in front of him was the girl he had fought earlier. The one who had beaten him in that street fight.

She stared at him with narrowed eyes, her voice sharp. "Where is the crystal?"

Parvath's brain stopped. "What? What the hell are you talking about?"

Her expression darkened. "Don't act dumb. I know you have it."

Parvath stood up, confused and annoyed. "How did you even get into my house, motherf—"

Before he could finish, another voice interrupted.

"What the hell are YOU doing here?"

Both Parvath and the girl turned their heads.

Standing there, looking just as shocked, was the brown-haired girl from earlier.

Parvath felt like his brain was about to explode.

This tuition center… was about to become something much more than just studying.

The room crackled with tension.

Parvath and the brown-haired girl stood face to face, their bodies bruised and aching, but neither willing to back down.

"You hit like a truck," Parvath muttered, wiping blood from his lip.

She smirked, raising her fists again. "You're still standing. That means I didn't hit hard enough."

Without warning, she lunged forward with insane speed.

Parvath barely had time to react before her jab snapped toward his face. He tilted his head back just in time—the punch skimmed his nose, missing by an inch.

But she wasn't done.

She followed up with a vicious right hook to his ribs, and this time—it landed.

BAM!

Pain shot through Parvath's side as he staggered back, his breathing ragged.

She was faster. She was relentless. And she fought like a pro.

Parvath clenched his jaw. He had to end this.

---

The Final Exchange

She dashed at him again, aiming to finish the fight.

Her fists blurred as she threw a flurry of punches, each one faster than the last.

Parvath blocked—barely. His arms felt numb from the impact, but he held his ground.

Then, he saw it.

An opening.

Her footwork was slightly off from throwing too many punches.

Now.

Parvath twisted his body, loading power into his legs—his strongest weapon.

Then—BOOM!

A spinning heel kick—full force—slammed into her jaw.

The impact sounded like a gunshot.

Her body staggered backward, her eyes wide in shock as she lost balance. Then—she fell.

Thud.

Parvath stood over her, panting. His legs trembled, his ribs screamed in pain, but—he had won.

She groaned, rubbing her jaw. Then, to his surprise—she laughed.

"Shit. That was a good kick."

Parvath smirked, wiping sweat from his forehead. "I told you—I don't lose twice."

Before they could say anything else—the door suddenly opened.

The brown-haired girl from earlier stepped in, her eyes widening at the scene.

"Idiots."

Parvath and his opponent just grinned at each other.

This wasn't just a fight.

It was a rivalry in the making.

Parvath stood there, still catching his breath from the intense fight. His muscles ached, his ribs were sore, but the real shock came when the brown-haired girl stormed in, her eyes flaring with frustration.

"Crestal, what the hell is he doing here?" she snapped, glaring at the girl he had just fought.

Heromi, still rubbing her jaw from the kick, barely looked bothered. "Relax, sis. Just a friendly fight."

Parvath's brain short-circuited. "Wait—sister? You two are related?"

Crestal crossed her arms. "Yeah. So? Why were you two beating the crap out of each other?"

Parvath blinked. "I don't know! She attacked me!"

Heromi rolled her eyes. "You were in my way."

Before Parvath could argue back, another voice cut in.

"Wow, you fought again?"

It was Ai, walking into the room with her usual amused expression.

Parvath sighed. "Ai, I don't need a commentator for my fights."

Ai smirked. "Then stop making them so entertaining."

As if things weren't chaotic enough, another figure entered.

A girl with blue hair, wearing a blue hoodie with matching blue straps in her hair, walked in with a lazy smile.

She glanced at Heromi. "You beat up another boy again, huh?" Then her eyes flicked to Parvath. "Wait... how did you lose?"

Heromi scowled. "Shut up, Yamada."

Parvath folded his arms. "Doesn't matter. Now everything is equal between us."

Crestal sighed, rubbing her temples. "Whatever. If this is done, then make sure to show up tomorrow, too."

Parvath raised an eyebrow. "Tomorrow? For what?"

Crestal just smirked. "You'll see."

Before he could question her more, the blue-haired girl, Yamada, grinned at him.

"Oh, by the way, my name's Yamada. I'm 21 years old."

Parvath blinked. "You don't look 21."

Yamada shrugged. "Good genes."

His head spun from all the new information. First, Heromi and Crestal were sisters. Then, Yamada randomly introduced herself. And now, Crestal wanted him to come back tomorrow?

After some more chaotic conversations, Parvath finally left and headed home.

Lying in bed, he stared at the ceiling, thoughts racing through his head.

"I need to get stronger."

The fights were getting harder. His opponents were getting better. And if he wanted to keep up—he needed to increase his training.

Tomorrow, everything would change.