Something New

Parvath woke up before dawn, determined to push himself harder. Yesterday's fight was still fresh in his mind. He wasn't weak anymore, but he still wasn't strong enough. He had to keep training.

He started his morning workout with push-ups, sit-ups, and squats, pushing past the pain, feeling his body grow stronger with each rep. Then he started jogging.

Parvath's breath was steady as he ran through the empty streets. The early morning air was cold, and the sky was still dark, only a faint glow on the horizon hinting at the coming sunrise. His legs burned from the effort, but he kept pushing forward, determined to become stronger.

Then, suddenly—

"You again?"

He turned his head and saw her.

The brown-haired girl was running alongside him, her expression as sharp as ever. Sweat glistened on her forehead, but her breathing was controlled. She wasn't struggling—she was keeping up with him.

Parvath smirked. "Didn't expect to see you here."

She didn't respond, but there was something in her eyes—a silent challenge.

Without a word, they both started picking up the pace.

Their footsteps echoed through the empty streets as they ran faster and faster, pushing their bodies to the limit. It was no longer just a morning run. It had become a competition.

Neither of them wanted to lose.

Their speed increased. The cold air burned their lungs. The wind rushed past them as they sprinted through the quiet roads, refusing to slow down.

Then—

Thud!

Parvath tripped first, landing on the hard pavement. The brown-haired girl staggered a few more steps before collapsing beside him.

They lay there, exhausted, breathing heavily as the first rays of sunlight stretched across the sky.

For a few moments, neither of them spoke.

Then, they both turned their heads slightly, looking at each other.

"...That was crazy," Parvath muttered between deep breaths.

The girl just gave a small smirk but didn't say anything.

A few seconds later, they heard footsteps.

They turned their heads and saw Ai walking toward them.

She looked completely exhausted, dragging her feet, her body swaying slightly as if she would fall at any moment.

"I… I can't run anymore…" Ai mumbled, barely able to lift her arms.

Parvath and the brown-haired girl stared at her.

Then, from a distance—

Thud!

A body hit the ground.

They turned their heads and saw Isen, the red-haired kid, lying face-first on the pavement halfway through the run.

For a moment, everything was silent.

Then, Parvath and the brown-haired girl burst into laughter.

The sky turned orange as the sun finally rose, marking the start of a new day.

The morning run had turned into a full-on rivalry.

After catching their breath, Parvath and the brown-haired girl silently agreed that this wasn't over. If running wasn't enough, they would compete in something else.

So, when they passed by a small convenience store, Parvath smirked. "I'm getting some chocolates."

She crossed her arms. "Hmph. I'll get some too."

Parvath casually grabbed two chocolate bars and placed them on the counter.

The girl narrowed her eyes and grabbed four.

He stared at her. She stared back.

Parvath grinned. "Oh, that's how it is?"

Without hesitation, he grabbed an entire handful of chocolates and slammed them on the counter.

The brown-haired girl didn't even flinch. She turned, grabbed even more, and added them to the pile.

They locked eyes.

Neither of them wanted to back down.

Parvath smirked. "Alright, let's see who wins."

He reached for even more chocolates—

But the girl was faster.

With a confident expression, she pulled out her card and held it up for the cashier. "I'll pay with this."

Parvath laughed. "Nice try. I'll pay in cash!" He pulled out a thick wad of bills.

At that moment, the shopkeeper's face turned red with frustration.

"ENOUGH!" he shouted.

Before they could continue their ridiculous battle, the shopkeeper grabbed them both by the collars and threw them out of the store.

Thud! They landed on the pavement outside.

Parvath dusted himself off, looking at the girl. She was sitting beside him, holding in laughter.

Finally, she let out a chuckle. "You're an idiot."

Parvath grinned. "So are you."

They sat there, the morning sun warming the street, both of them realizing neither had won.

The great chocolate war had ended in a draw.

Parvath thought he was finally done with her.

After their ridiculous competition, they had silently agreed to stay out of each other's way.

"Cool. Now I don't have to see her face again."

He walked home feeling victorious.

But fate had other plans.

As soon as he got home, his aunt handed him some cash. "Go buy a cake."

Parvath groaned. "Why do I have to—"

"Just go!"

So, he went.

The Fight in the Alley

On his way back, cake box in hand, he spotted Isen.

The red-haired kid was leaning against a wall, his face covered in fresh bruises.

Parvath raised an eyebrow. "You got into a fight?"

Isen smirked but didn't answer. Instead, his eyes flickered toward a nearby alley.

Parvath followed his gaze.

And there she was.

The brown-haired girl.

Fighting.

Alone.

She was surrounded by a group of guys, fists up, holding her ground.

Parvath sighed. Why is she always getting into trouble?

Still… something about the way she fought made him pause.

She was good.

No fancy martial arts—just pure, raw street-fighting skill. She dodged, countered, and sent a guy flying with a brutal hook.

But the fight wasn't over.

"Are you gonna help?" Isen asked, his voice teasing.

Parvath clenched his jaw. This isn't my problem.

But then he saw one of the thugs smirk and crack his knuckles.

He was bigger. Stronger.

And from the way he moved, he knew how to box.

The brown-haired girl didn't hesitate—she went straight for him.

At first, she was winning.

She was faster, landing clean punches.

But then—

The boxer smirked.

His next punch landed straight to her weak spot.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips.

She stumbled.

And just like that—

She was out of the fight.

Parvath moved before he could think.

He dropped the cake box.

Stepped forward.

The brown-haired girl looked up at him, confused. "Huh? What are you doing here?"

Parvath cracked his neck. "Just do your job."

Then he raised his fists.

And stepped into the fight.

Parvath didn't like how the boxer took her down.

There was something cheap about it.

Hitting someone's weak spot just to win…?

He clenched his fists.

"Fine. I'll handle this."

The Fight Begins

The boxer smirked. "Another one? Fine. I'll break you too."

Parvath rushed in.

He opened with a low kick, trying to disrupt the guy's stance.

But the boxer barely flinched.

Instead, he countered with a fast jab.

Parvath barely dodged.

Another jab. This one landed.

Pain exploded in his face.

Parvath staggered back. His vision blurred for a second.

"Damn... He's good."

The boxer kept coming. His punches were too fast.

Parvath tried to kick, but—

BAM!

A hook slammed into his ribs.

He gasped. That one hurt.

"I'm losing…?"

And then—

Time Stopped.

Or at least, it felt like it.

The boxer's next jab was coming straight for his face—

But Parvath suddenly had time to think.

"Wait… what is this? Did I just… pause time?"

It wasn't like a superpower. More like—

A mental space.

A moment to analyze.

"If I dodge, he'll adjust mid-move. But his head is slightly lower than usual…"

He saw the opening.

A perfect target.

"If I front kick his head first—before he recovers—then follow up with a roundhouse…"

Time resumed.

Parvath moved instantly.

His front kick snapped up, hitting the boxer right under the chin.

The guy's head snapped back.

Before he could recover—

WHAM!

Parvath's roundhouse kick crashed into his skull.

The boxer's eyes rolled back.

He collapsed.

Silence.

The brown-haired girl, still holding her side in pain, stared.

Even Isen looked impressed.

Parvath stood there, breathing hard.

What… was that?

Something inside him had awakened.

But he still didn't understand it.

The brown-haired girl slowly stood up, still holding her side.

She looked at the knocked-out boxer, then at Parvath.

"Not bad," she muttered.

Parvath wiped some sweat off his forehead. "You okay?"

She didn't answer. Instead, she pulled out a marker and—

DREW ON HIS FACE.

"What the hell!?" Parvath shouted, trying to push her away.

She smirked. "That's for stepping into my fight."

Parvath grabbed a small mirror from the ground and looked at his reflection.

A messy mustache and a pair of cat whiskers decorated his face.

"...Are you serious?"

She shrugged. "You still won, didn't you? Consider it a reward."

Parvath groaned. "I should've let you lose."

She smirked but didn't deny it.

Buying a New Cake

Then she looked at the destroyed cake on the ground—the one Parvath was supposed to take home.

"...That was yours, huh?"

Parvath sighed. "Yeah, and now my aunt's gonna kill me."

She rolled her eyes. "Fine, I'll fix it."

She grabbed his wrist and dragged him toward a nearby bakery.

Before Parvath could even protest, she had already paid.

"Here," she said, handing him the cake.

"Uh… thanks?" Parvath said, confused.

"Don't mention it," she said casually. "Oh, and by the way—"

She leaned in slightly.

"You still have the mustache."

Parvath turned bright red.

Back Home

By the time he got home, his aunt was already waiting.

"Where were you?" she asked.

Parvath placed the cake on the table. "Uh… long story."

He quickly ran to his room before she could ask any more questions.

Lying on his bed, he stared at the ceiling.

He had won that fight. But how?

That weird pause in time…

"What the hell is happening to me?"