A Cold Hearts - What we learned?

The next few days passed peacefully.

The only issue was that Coach Namura was seriously angry about me skipping practice. I apologized, but he took it much more seriously than I did. He made me stay longer after training sessions. Honestly, I didn't mind too much. He taught me various grappling techniques, wrestling moves, and advanced throws. Kojo Namura was a serious athlete in his time. The amount of things he managed to teach me in such a short time was incredible. I already feel comfortable in sparring matches focused on striking. I have a feeling I'll pick up wrestling quickly as well with a coach like him.

At the last training session, he said something that's been stuck in my head:

"When fighting opponents like Killy, you can't hold back. Act as if you have nothing to lose. Fight as if you've already accepted death."

It makes sense, but it sounds way too unsettling.

Classes ended earlier than usual today. I didn't have much to do since Aya was busy helping her parents at their small fish shop, so I decided to walk to the gym and wait for Coach Namura until it opened.

After that incident at the dog monument, it feels like a connection has formed between Aya and me. I don't know exactly what I feel, but when I'm around her—I feel at peace. The thoughts that usually plague my mind about my ex, about the issues with her father, don't bother me at all until me and Aya part ways. And judging by the way she sometimes looks at me with those bright eyes, she doesn't mind my company either.

I think I like her. And I mean not only as a friend.

"Hey... Is your name Isao?''

A silver-haired guy, about my age, stood in front of me. He wore a black tracksuit and had an athletic build.

"Uh... Yeah?"

He placed his foot on the bench I was sitting on.

''Wasting Coach Nomura's time, aren't you? Your training is about to start. Get inside, quick."

Who the hell is this guy? What's it to him if I'm training or not?

I stood up, shot him an irritated glare, and walked into the gym. Coach Kojo was there, scratching his beard with a stern expression.

"Kid...'' he breathed heavily

''I don't like the way you've been lately. Your head's in the clouds, you're not giving it your all during training. Are you testing me?"

He placed a heavy hand on my shoulder and squeezed hard.

"C-coach… I'm here. I'm ready to train," I muttered through clenched teeth, trying to ignore the pressure on my shoulder.

"Oh yeah? Maybe you've found yourself a girl, huh? Did you forget what kind of people are after you? They won't give a damn about your love life, and when you meet them, it'll be just you and them! What, you wanna die here, huh? What a disgrace that would be for me."

As always, he was right. I didn't like his tone, but I had nothing to say in response. I felt weak.Aya… what am I even doing?

"Coach. Spar with me today. I'm ready to give it my all."

He let out a short chuckle and silently looked past me.

I turned around and saw that silver-haired guy from earlier standing right behind me.

"Hey, what's your problem? Get lost, I'm not in the mood for this."

I said maliciously

A bottled-up rage that had been building inside me these past weeks started to stir. I could barely contain it anymore—I wanted to punch this asshole who had been staring at me since I entered the gym.

Without showing a single emotion, he shoved me back.

Alright, you asked for it, prick.

We both took our fighting stances. I kept a close eye on his hands. That cold smirk of his was unsettling. It reminded me a little too much of Killy.

I closed the distance and unleashed a flurry of punches, mixing in elbow strikes and kicks. The silent guy dodged everything effortlessly.

Basic attacks won't work on him.

I waited for the right moment, suddenly went for a takedown, and threw him over my shoulder onto the mat.

A second later, I realized—I wasn't the one who threw him down. He threw me.

Who is this guy? 

He locked me in a chokehold. My breathing became strained. I was losing the ground game.

Not today, dammit.

I sank my teeth into the arm he was using to hold my head and bit down with all my strength.

A sharp scream erupted from behind me. His grip loosened. Taking advantage of the moment, I freed my left arm and drove my elbow into his head before quickly getting back on my feet.

"Agh… You bastard! You bit my arm, you little shit!"

I didn't wait for him to finish whining—I went back on the attack while he was still rattled.

I struck him again and again, targeting different areas of his body.

BAM!

A precise hit landed in my stomach. A sharp pain shot through me, freezing me in place for a few seconds. He didn't waste the opportunity and followed up with a couple more blows to my torso. Then, it seemed like he was going for another chokehold, diving straight for my legs.

Not this time.

I caught the moment he tried to grab me and kicked him in the head.

Seconds later, I found myself on the mat again.

He didn't even flinch from that kick. He still took me down. This guy is a monster. 

But it seems that kick damaged him a bit.

We both lay on the mat, staring at each other, trying to catch our breath.

He looked exhausted—his face was covered in scrapes, and blood dripped from his nose.I was tired too, but I still had enough strength to end this fight. One precise strike to his jaw…

Noticing me rising to my feet, he got up as well.

I rushed at him, faking a punch with my left hand to distract him, while preparing a decisive strike with my right.

At the last moment, Coach Namura stepped between us.

"Enough!This is a sparring match, not a death match!"

"You were gonna go for the finishing blow, huh? A shot to the jaw?My father trained you well," the bloodied guy muttered, extending his hand toward me.

"I'm Kosmo. Kosmo Namura."

…Father?

Wait—I was about to take out his son? Damn.

"Isao. Isao Takeda." I shook his hand.

"That was a clever move. I didn't expect it."

He showed me his bleeding arm—the one I bit.

"Sorry about that. Honestly, I thought you were about to choke me out for good."

"Both of you, clean yourselves up. Isao, you're done for today. Go home," Coach Namura ordered in his usual strict tone before walking into his office.

Some time later…

I sat on the bench outside the gym.

I remember Kojo mentioning something about his son. He said… he was the district champion.

Damn. I just went toe-to-toe with a champion.

"Hey. You at the clouds again, aren't you?"

Kosmo walked out of the gym, interrupting my thoughts. Half his face was covered in bandages, and his arm was wrapped up.

"Ah… Just thinking about our spar. If you can even call it that. Tell me, were you fighting at full strength?"

"At first, no. I was just playing with you. But after you bit my arm, I made a goal. To KILL you. When you ran at me before my dad stopped the fight, I knew exactly what you were about to do. I saw through your feint. The moment you got close enough, I was gonna strike your Adam's apple with my palm."

A chill ran down my spine.

He wanted to kill me? A deadly strike? 

But wait...Then why didn't he do it earlier when I was beating him like a punching bag?

Some killer he is.

"See you around, Isao."

Kosmo patted my shoulder, grinned, and left me alone with my demons.

My phone rang. A familiar, soft, high-pitched voice.

"Isao. This is Aya speaking."

Yep, definitely her.

"Hey. This is Isao answering."

"IDIOT! DON'T YOU DARE LAUGH!"

Hearing her voice made something warm stir inside me.