Chapter 31: The Limits of a Weak Body
Rei stood in the training hall, panting heavily.
His arms felt like lead. His legs shook uncontrollably.
Kozuki watched from the side, arms crossed.
Kozuki (calmly): "Again."
Rei gritted his teeth and forced himself to move.
He threw a punch.
💥 MISSED.
Kozuki countered instantly.
💥 Rei was knocked down.
Again.
And again.
And again.
No matter how much Rei analyzed the movements,No matter how much he understood the techniques,His body simply couldn't keep up.
Rei (thinking, frustrated): I see everything… but I can't react in time!
Training with Kozuki – A Brutal Reality
After an hour of continuous failures, Rei collapsed onto the mat, staring at the ceiling.
Rei (panting): "I… I can't do this…"
Kozuki approached, looking down at him.
Kozuki (flatly): "Then stop."
Rei's eyes widened.
Kozuki: "This is the difference between you and me. No amount of thinking will change the fact that your body is weak."
Rei: "But if I just—"
Kozuki (interrupting): "You won't. Face it, Kurogane. You're not a fighter."
Rei felt the words cut deep.
Because he knew they were true.
Kozuki grabbed a towel and turned away.
Kozuki (calmly): "Figure out what you're actually good at. Otherwise, you'll waste your time chasing something you'll never have."
And with that—he left.
Rei stayed on the floor, fists clenched.
Rei (thinking): He's right… but I can't accept that.
Souta and Akari Find Rei – The Aftermath
Later that night, Souta and Akari found Rei in the dorm common area.
He hadn't moved from his seat.
Souta (concerned): "Dude… you okay?"
Akari (crossing arms): "Kozuki was too much, wasn't he?"
Rei didn't answer.
Then—he let out a short laugh.
Rei (quietly): "I knew I'd fail. But I still thought… maybe there was something I could do."
Souta and Akari exchanged glances.
Akari (calmly): "You don't have to fight like we do. Find your own way."
Rei (gripping his sleeves): "And if there is no way?"
Silence.
Then, Souta grinned.
Souta: "Then we'll carry you, dumbass."
Rei looked up.
Akari (sighing): "We're a team. You don't have to be strong alone."
Rei's chest tightened.
Even after repeated failure…Even when his body refused to improve…They still hadn't abandoned him.
Rei (softly): "…Thanks."
But deep inside, he still wondered—
Would he ever find a way to stand on his own?