Chapter 138: Takamine Rinji Can’t Let Go of Muscle

"Huah—"

After finishing the call with Shirogane, Takamine Rinji pocketed his phone and continued bench pressing on the training bench.

It was a rare summer break—of course he was going to spend it working out at the gym.

"Hmm, 600 kg still feels too light for you," said Coach Machio, standing beside Rinji and watching him push the massive barbell like it was nothing. "Might need to add more weight."

"Can we still go heavier?"

"Any more and this bar might snap. We might have to move you to the parking lot and start lifting trucks instead," Machio laughed. "Though lifting trucks has a downside—vehicles aren't evenly balanced, so the training effect isn't symmetrical."

Neither of them thought that lifting trucks was out of the ordinary.

Rinji sat up from the bench, slightly flexing his arms before suddenly tightening them.

"Oh? My biceps are a little bigger," Rinji said in surprise.

His arms used to look slim, but now... he actually had some visible muscle.

"Congratulations, Rinji. But remember, fitness is a long-term commitment."

Right after saying that, Coach Machio placed his hand behind his back and struck a bodybuilding pose, flexing his triceps to the side. With a loud rip, his training suit burst open, revealing terrifyingly large muscles beneath.

"This is just the beginning, Rinji. Let's keep it up!"

"Oh!!"

Every time Rinji saw Machio's massive build, he couldn't help but admire it.

Just then, the gym door opened and two female high schoolers walked in.

"Coach Machio, we're here—oh? Rinji, you're here too?"

The one speaking was Hibiki Sakura, and next to her was Akemi Soryuin.

Rinji had met these two energetic, attractive girls over a month ago. Since he hadn't come to the gym often since, they'd missed each other until now. This was only the second time they'd run into each other.

As soon as Hibiki saw him, she jogged over, just in time to notice the barbell on the floor.

"Wow... Your training gear is still as terrifying as ever."

"Sakura-san, Soryuin-san, long time no see," Rinji greeted them with a smile.

"It really has been a while. By the way, when do you usually come to the gym? We never seem to run into you."

Ever since she added him on LINE, Hibiki had been sending him messages now and then. And Rinji always replied.

After all, it wasn't every day a cute high school girl texted him.

Among the women on his LINE, aside from Sagara Kaya, there were only Fujiwara Chika, Ryuju Momo, Shirogane Kei, Hibiki Sakura, and recently added Hayasaka Ai.

Fujiwara hardly ever messaged him—when she did, it was usually mass-sent. Shirogane Kei only contacted him occasionally. As for Ryuju Momo... her texts were mostly along the lines of "Club activities. Get to the rooftop."

Only Hibiki chatted about casual, everyday stuff.

"I come at different times, so it's normal not to run into me."

"That's a shame~"

Hibiki really wanted to train alongside Rinji. It was rare to meet a pretty boy with such a unique vibe, and she didn't want to miss the chance. But every time she came, all she found were smelly, sweaty musclemen.

Akemi, meanwhile, noticed something else—Rinji, who'd been skinny two months ago, now seemed to actually have muscle.

"You've made progress, Rinji?"

"Still a bit early to say 'success,' but there's been some improvement."

"That's great! Keep it up and you'll have muscles like Coach Machio someday," Akemi encouraged him.

Hibiki: "No no no, Coach Machio is way too much."

She definitely didn't want this handsome guy to turn into something so extreme.

"Rinji, if you don't come to the gym often, do you train at home?"

"At home? Just some push-ups at most," Rinji said. "Got any suggestions, Soryuin-san?"

"Actually, I do. One of our university professors has done research on home workout videos. I could introduce you."

"A professor, huh... That'd be someone from your academy's college division, right? You know someone like that?"

"Well, not exactly."

Akemi smiled sweetly.

"But my sister is the chairwoman of the academy."

"Oh..."

---

Takamine Rinji stood outside the gates of Sakura Girls' University after leaving the gym.

"Ozu Toshio, huh? He's an Associate English professor at Koyo Girls' University. Has a pervy-looking face, but his muscles aren't bad at all."

Soryuin Akemi had helped Rinji by calling her older sister and saying that a friend wanted to meet Ozu Toshio. Her sister initially refused, but the moment the video call switched to show Rinji's face, she suddenly agreed to let him come.

Just as Rinji was about to walk into the university, he was stopped by the security guard at the entrance.

Seeing the guard block his way, he quickly realized—this was a girls' university after all. It made sense that random male visitors wouldn't be allowed in casually...

"Student, high schoolers aren't allowed in the college division."

"..."

Apparently, the guard hadn't mistaken his gender.

"I was invited by your director. If you don't believe me, feel free to call her."

"Please wait a moment."

The security guard immediately pulled out his phone, made a call, described Rinji's appearance, and then received orders. Putting the phone down, he said politely:

"Mr. Takamine, please go right in."

"Thanks."

After entering the campus, Rinji found the designated location—a large auditorium that looked more like a coliseum. He pushed open the doors and stepped inside.

The moment he entered, he was met with a chorus of yelling and fighting.

"What's going on in here?"

"You've arrived, President of Amane Pharmaceuticals—Takamine Rinji."

Following the voice, Rinji looked over to see a mature woman with a cigarette in her mouth.

"...How did you know I'm from Amane Pharmaceuticals?"

"I happened to attend the Kengan match two days ago—the one between Tokita Ohma and Sekibayashi Jun. I saw how close you seemed to be with Chairman Katahara, so I looked into it and found out you're a Kengan Association member too."

"I see. So, you're also with the Kengan Association?"

While speaking, Rinji glanced toward the center of the auditorium, where dozens of shirtless men were beating the crap out of each other, with blood spraying everywhere.

"What exactly is going on here?"

"A fighter selection."