Chapter 6: A Second Chance to Win

Scene 1: The Fire Inside

Yuuji stood alone in the underground gym, staring at his reflection in the cracked mirror.

Bruises still marred his face, his ribs ached with every breath, and the dull pain in his fists reminded him of failure.

He clenched his jaw.

"I lost once. I won't lose again."

Behind him, Aoi Kanzaki leaned against the doorway, arms crossed.

"You look pissed."

Yuuji exhaled. "I hate losing."

Aoi smirked. "Good. Because you have another fight tonight."

Yuuji turned. "Already?"

She tossed a paper toward him. He caught it.

Another underground fight. Tonight.

"This is your chance to prove yourself, Kisaragi," Aoi said. "But if you lose again, no one will take you seriously."

Yuuji crushed the paper in his fist. "Then I guess I just have to win."

Aoi studied him, then grinned.

"That's the spirit."

Scene 2: The Second Opponent

That night, the underground fight club was even louder than before.

The crowd roared, the scent of sweat and blood thick in the air.

Yuuji stood in the ring, rolling his shoulders.

His opponent stepped forward.

A thin, wiry guy with short black hair and cruel eyes.

Hayato Renji.

Fast. Precise. A killer in the ring.

The announcer raised a hand.

"BEGIN!"

Renji moved first—faster than Yuuji expected.

A sharp jab whizzed past Yuuji's nose before he could react.

Then—a kick slammed into his ribs.

Pain shot through his body.

Damn. He's fast.

Renji smirked. "Too slow."

Yuuji growled, adjusting his stance. He couldn't fight Renji head-on.

He needed a plan.

Renji attacked again—Yuuji dodged, barely avoiding a sharp elbow.

Then he stepped in, closing the distance.

Renji's eyes widened.

Yuuji slammed his forehead into Renji's face.

A sickening crack filled the air.

Blood splattered from Renji's nose.

The crowd gasped.

Yuuji didn't stop.

He grabbed Renji's collar, twisted his body, and threw him to the ground.

Renji hit the floor hard, coughing.

Yuuji stepped forward. "Not so fast now, are you?"

Renji growled, wiping blood from his nose.

Then, he laughed.

"You're not bad, Kisaragi."

Yuuji frowned. "You sound too happy for a guy losing."

Renji grinned, his teeth stained red.

"Because now… I can fight seriously."

Scene 3: The True Challenge

Renji moved again—even faster.

Yuuji barely saw the punch before it crashed into his gut.

He gasped—pain exploded through his stomach.

Then, Renji's knee slammed into his jaw.

Yuuji stumbled back.

Blood dripped from his mouth.

Renji grinned. "Keep up, rookie."

Yuuji wiped his lips.

This guy… he's different from Gorou. He doesn't rely on power. He's precise.

Then, it hit him.

Renji's not invincible. He just expects me to fight on his terms.

Yuuji exhaled.

"Alright," he muttered. "Let's change the pace."

Renji charged in.

But this time—Yuuji didn't dodge.

Instead, he met Renji's punch head-on.

Fist to fist.

The impact sent a shockwave through the ring.

The crowd gasped.

Renji's face twisted in shock.

Yuuji grinned.

Then, he grabbed Renji's arm, twisted it, and drove his knee into Renji's ribs.

Renji choked on air.

Yuuji didn't stop.

He slammed his fist into Renji's gut.

Once.

Twice.

A third time.

Renji coughed violently—his legs wobbled.

Yuuji raised a final fist.

Then struck.

Renji collapsed.

The room went silent.

Then—the bell rang.

"WINNER—YUUJI KISARAGI!"

The crowd erupted.

Yuuji took deep breaths, sweat dripping down his face.

He had won.

Aoi smirked from the sidelines.

"Not bad."

Yuuji exhaled.

"One step closer."

Scene 4: The Wolf's Interest

Far away, in a dark corner of the underground club, Hiragi Kaito watched the fight with a sharp smile.

Next to him, Sayaka Izumi crossed her arms.

"He's improving fast," she muttered.

Kaito chuckled. "That's what makes him fun."

Sayaka glanced at him. "Are you going to fight him?"

Kaito's golden eyes gleamed.

"Eventually. But first… I want to see just how much stronger he can get."

He grinned.

"After all, breaking him now wouldn't be fun."

Scene 5: A Sweet Distraction

After the fight, Yuuji stumbled out of the club, exhausted.

A familiar voice called his name.

He turned.

Sakura Minami stood there, arms crossed, a frown on her face.

"What the hell are you doing, Yuuji?"

Yuuji sighed. "Not now, Sakura."

She grabbed his wrist. "No. You're going to tell me what's going on."

Yuuji groaned. "It's complicated."

Sakura bit her lip. "Are you… getting into fights for money?"

Yuuji blinked. "What?"

She looked away. "I just… I don't want you to get hurt."

Yuuji stared at her.

Then, he smirked. "You're worrying about me again."

Sakura turned red.

"I—I'm just—"

Yuuji leaned closer. "You're cute when you're flustered."

Sakura froze.

Then, before she could react, Yuuji kissed her.

Just a soft, teasing kiss—enough to make her eyes go wide.

When he pulled away, she just stared at him, speechless.

Yuuji chuckled. "Guess I won this round, huh?"

Sakura punched his shoulder.

"J—Jerk!"

Yuuji smirked.

Maybe this whole underground fighting thing had some perks after all.