Chapter 168: Sudden Death Run-Off Election (2)
~Mash B. POV~
[12:00 PM, Honnouji Academy, Courtyard]
Status.
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Name: Mash Bastion
Class: The Gamer
Race: Demi-Servant
Title: Wandering Vagabond
Level: 55 Exp: 0/65%
HP: 2750/2750-> 2875/2875
MP: 7790/7790->7915/7915
STR: 100 (+65)
AGI: 100 (+65)
VIT: 100 (+50)
INT: 100 (+50)
SEN: 100 (+65)
LUCK: 165
Stat Points: 5-> 30
Cash: Gilgamesh Rich.
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I could only smile a bit raising my levels. Sadly, though the students lack a better word disappointing opponents.
Currently, I'm eating lunch in another part of the school with the group. Ryuko was eating more than usual, preparing for her fight as Mako lent her some of her mom's box in an excited tone prepared for today, "Here, Ryuko! Eating mom's boxed lunches gives you 1 million horsepower!"
I couldn't help but comment all that food is going in a mischievous tone, "And 1 million calories. You know you'll get fat if you keep eating so much."
She sent a glare at me taunting the fabled woman's weight in an angry tone ignoring my words of wisdom, "Shut up! I'm gonna burn it all off in my upcoming fights. Starting with kicking your ass!"
I merely expressed a smug grin as I spoke in a calm tone, "Two words. Muffin. Top."
*Bam*
Smacking over my head I deserved that one as she hmphed away from me as Mako asked a curious question, "Say if my besties are fighting how do cheer for you guys?"
I off-handedly replied with a raised hand with a cheerful tone, "Why not both of us?"
Mako grinned happily at the idea –
*Pew*
Till I got shot with a needle as did Mako with the teacher talking to Ryuko while giving me a glare assuming I wasn't listening to him in the slightest. Must be pissed that his friend is gone because of me only to hear he managed to pull some strings to get him out.
But all in all, it didn't matter. Not after that Rambo Mohawk tried to go after my friend. Did he expect me to stand still after that stunt?
The sheer audacity of that man's foolishness baffles me. However, when he took out the needle, I decided to ask in a curious tone startling Ryuko when he was gone, "So… was that guy just flirting with you throughout or just being a prick."
Ryuko jumped back a bit surprised as she asked in a startled tone, "Eh?! Mash! You're ok!"
I grinned at her worried concern for me as I nodded my head responding in an annoyed tone to our homeroom teacher, "Yeah. Never was paralyzed, to begin with just playing along. So… he the guy you've been getting info from huh?"
Relieved as a sigh escaped her breath she nodded her head with an obvious frown crossing her arms in a serious tone, "Yup. That's the asshole. Despite being my father's friend, he hasn't told me jack shit that I didn't already know. Doesn't help he didn't try to stop his friend from hurting Senketsu having the gull of me to drop out when I'm so close to my father's murderer."
Tapping her over the shoulder I simply tried to help her out the best I could in a comforting tone losing the playfulness, "Then I'm here to help you all the way just like I promised. What are friends for Ryuko?"
She smiled genuinely thankful punching my shoulder lightly helping her mood up in a grateful tone, "Yeah, yeah cheesy Romeo. But still thanks for helping me out sticking this close to me. No matter what happens friends till the end?"
She raised her fist clenching it as I gave her a fist bump in return in an understanding tone nodding, "Yeah. But first, let's see you win against me before making any promises you can't keep Gear Eyes."
She snorted at my words but the smile on her face made it worthwhile. Having enough time to chill in the schoolyard it will be time for us to fight. Gazing at her level I can see she's still a long way ahead to be a serious threat to Satsuki.
[Ryuko Matoi Lv.40 Life-Fiber Hybrid]
Till she completes her revenge I'll stay by her side just like I promised. No matter what happens she has my full support.
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~Ryuko M. POV~
[1:00 PM, Election Arena]
About time this started. I'm feeling restless as is. Still bullshit I had to wait fucking 5 hours to fight but whatever at least Mako's mom's lunch tasted great even though I didn't know what they were made of.
I glared intently at Satsuki as she commanded us at the ready, "Combatants, prepare yourselves."
Pft, like I needed an order in the first place. But then again, I was up against Mister Mysterious over there considering our time together.
I'll be frank though I don't want to fight him. But I also know given the circumstances he wasn't given much of a choice unless he fought me where I stand to lose everything. And no doubt Satsuki might pull an excuse to force him under threats which isn't that low for her how she turned Mako against us.
This wasn't going to be easy, but like I said coming to this crazy town I'll fight anyone who comes knockin' because Ryuko Matoi doesn't know to give up. I'm not backing down today or anytime soon.
A set of stairs emerged from each tower that led the combatants to the battle arena. I kept my eyes trained on Mash who casually walked his way over as I mutter to myself with Senketsu listening in a calm tone, "He's got no Goku Uniform, but he's still tough as shit. Fucker's probably gonna throw hands like no one's business along with that cross of his that can change weapons on the fly."
Senketsu heard my voice as he began to analyze the situation against him in a stoic tone his eye trained on him, "Given how he casually handles a Kamui wearer without going full-strength he won't be by any means an easy opponent."
I nodded, agreeing to grip my Scissor Blade tightly acknowledging that fact in a serious tone, "Believe me, I know we're in for a helluva fight. Let's keep our heads in the game, yeah?"
Senketsu agreed with a brief response, "Got it."
We soon arrived at the arena. He stood not much further away from me, already holding his cross in hand. Shit. He's serious about this huh?
I had much more important matters I wanted to discuss with him after my revenge quest. But even so, I can't help but been looking forward to using my sword on him for quite some time.
After all his comments in the past and teasing, I say karmas about due. And I'm going to enjoy this very much as he spoke carelessly, "Ready, Gear Eyes?"
I responded with a cheeky grin to him in a confident tone, "Bring it on pretty boy."
Satsuki soon announced the match in her annoying stoic tone, "First match, begin!"
*Vooooo*
A loud horn blared through the courtyard, signaling the start of the match. I began to reach for the pin on my glove to trigger my transformation, "Life Fiber Synchro – ack!"
*SWOOOSH*
*BAM*
Catching me off guard I soon found Mash jabbing his fist into my stomach as he responded in a neutral tone and with his free hand stopping my other hand, "Now, why should I let you transform?"
Winding up his fist after feeling the pain through my mid-section Seketsu yelled at me in a rushed tone, "Watch out!"
*Swooosh*
Immediately I followed my guts ducking down just in time. I felt the wind roar above where my head had been. Damn it, that punch would've seriously done major damage if it connected. No time to dwell on that now.
Snarling, my attention shifted to Mash swinging my scissor blade in a wide arch toward his head trying to get him to back off. And it worked as he disengaged from me quickly gathering my thoughts together.
[ADD MODE: GRAPPLING CHAIN GUN]
*Klang*
But even that seemed to be too much as I saw his cross change into a… chained grappling gun?! The chain soon wrapped around my leg as he began to pull me over yelling, "Get over here!"
Seriously a Mortal Combat reference! This asshole is pissing me off. Being dragged in with his strength as I yelled out loud in an annoyed tone, "What the hell was that for?!"
Drawing my Scissor Blade using the blunt end I managed to feel the force of his punch as he connected. Fuck… I even felt my bones go numb a bit from the shockwave impact gritting my teeth.
I'm pretty sure I would've gotten a fracture from this but strangely enough, though it would heal in a few minutes if not a few hours. I've always recovered from injuries unusually fast which sometimes I think it's a gift or a blessing.
However, I soon heard my friend's voice as he spoke in a mocking tone with a raised eyebrow at my question, "What the hell was that for? Seriously Gear Eyes? Are you an idiot to believe I would allow my enemy to transform to beat my ass in a skanky get-up? OR in general, beat me? You've walked into this one Gear Eyes."
I opened my mouth to argue but soon died when I thought about it in a sheepish tone his words having logical sense used against me, "I… That's…. Okay, fine, I'll give you that one, fucking asshole."
… Okay now I felt like a dumbass walking into that one. Of course, it would be the smart thing to do to go for the kill while your opponent was at their weakest or mid-transformation. Lesson learned.
Now new objective find a fucking way to transform safely because clearly out of all the thugs I fought against this kind of fight feels way off and out of my depth of fighting style. But hasn't stopped me before.
Soon I got an idea, but it was risky. But I don't want that fucker to win just to give him the satisfaction so here goes nothing as I spoke in an angry tone, "Okay, smartass, you wanna play like that? Let's fucking go!"
With the chain finally untangling my leg I began to swing my arm overhead as he dodged with ease. Soon I focused on my swipes seeing how this bastard moved. Then it hit me when I did.
My eyes widened briefly for a moment, but I saw it. Subtle afterimages as I focused more on my senses specifically my eyesight able to see his next move as I dodged narrowly missing anticipating his moves.
I felt a shiver, or goosebumps run across my body reacting to his actions and improving. It's like something instinctual made my body move. Or it's just the adrenaline pumping.
It finally clicked in my head what I was doing with an eager grin having a plan of attack seeing I managed to learn that kendo punk previous technique the [Higi Tengantsu]! Bout fucking time!
Viewing his going for a punch I went ahead for a punch at the same time. We both retaliated going for the same blow, but I knew if he could handle Satsuki in her transformed state, I had no snowball chance in hell of landing a blow.
But I know I'm going to fucking trick him to do it. Within the timeframe, I managed to direct my punch to the left side allowing both fists to pass harmlessly by each other in the last second however I only gritted my teeth for what was to come next.
*BAM*
While mine managed to harmlessly hit him his punch managed to hit my cheek – fuck this bastard has a mean right hook. But using the momentum of his punch I jumped back as I saw my pin was clean off grinning as when we exchanged fists that mine harmlessly redirected was all in hopes he would pull off my pin instead of using [Higi Tengantsu] to follow his movements.
He seemed to tilt his head before his eyes widened slightly as I spoke out loud transforming, "[Life Fiber Synchronize: Kamui Senketsu!]"
*SHIII*
This time there was no flashy theatrics since we just transformed instantly not letting him get the opportunity since I didn't want to give him any openings. Bout fucking time something goes right now at full power, I pointed my scissor at him grinning in a cautious tone, "The real fight starts now!"
Despite saying this Senketsu warns me in a serious tone making sure I'm aware of what's he capable of, "Remember, he took on Satsuki with Junketsu and emerged unharmed. Don't think you can overpower him now that we've synchronized."
I'm aware of that. And the worst part of it was that he had no visible weaknesses or gimmicks to exploit like the rest since he doesn't rely on Goku Uniforms for his power. That he was a simple enough fighter didn't mean that it would be easy.
[ADD MODE: HAMMER FORM]
No words were needed as he suddenly blurred with my eyes now enhanced thanks to Senketsu using [Higi Tengatsu] to narrowly avoid being slugged in the face with a fucking hammer of all things.
*Wooosh*
Feeling the air passing through my hair I couldn't help but shiver lightly as he spoke in a casual tone, "You know Gear Eyes a thought just occurred to me. You know that you're here to search for your father's killer, hm? The likely outcome of that will be that they'll want you dead at first sight will you kill them before they kill you?"
I frowned trying to come up with a counterargument, but I couldn't find any reasons to oppose this morbid, yet reasonable statement before finally replying, "Fuck right the hell off with that. I'm pissed like you won't believe it, but I'm not out to kill anyone."
He only had an unreadable expression on his face. But it was enough for me to raise my leg and strike a high-heeled kick at his chest hoping for some damage. But he didn't so much as move much to my frustration.
Trying again I applied more force for this kick and kicked him. This time, however, he avoided it as he got near me grabbing my body as he pinned me down to the ground groaning in a stunned tone locking me in place, "Wha-What the hell!! Damn it!! Get off me you fucking pervert!!!"
Trying to move I soon found out I couldn't with the way his locking me down. He only tightened his body further making me feel constricted as he spoke in a calm tone, "I will once you surrender. No way you're getting out of this Gear Eyes. Transformed or not this is now over."
Damn it… I tried to wiggle out of this bind but instead only got tighter as he pinned me in place. Even with my transformed state, I couldn't do much and the fucker still has me pinned down. Seriously how the hell is he this strong?
But before I could try faster or power my way out he soon spoke in a neutral tone hearing his voice near my ear, "You do know I'm your ally in this right? You don't have to waste more energy on this than necessary. Remember you still have to avenge your father and I promised you I'll be by your side no matter the outcome. Don't lose your way, right?"
Hearing that my memories of what happened that day emerged recalling them so vividly stopping me why I went on this revenge quest in the first place. Then my father's last words echoed in my head...
'Listen to me, Ryuko… if you want to live a peaceful life, then just walk away.'
'But if you're going to fight in my place, then take this scissor.'
'If you take that scissor, you're sure to find the person who killed me.'
'If you take that scissor, you're sure to find the person who killed me.'
Right… I still have my quest to do, and I'll do it no matter how it gets done. Stopping myself feeling my blood calm down I spoke in a calm tone, "Right… almost forgot why I started this…"
He let me go after I said that as I spoke to Satsuki announcing my defeat after remembering why I started in my revenge quest, "… We're done here. Hey, Kiryuin! I'm throwing the match!"
The student council president gazed at me impassively before she simply slammed the bottom of her sheath on the floor, signaling the end of the match. Seeing a hand in front of my face I looked up to see Mash with a nervous grin and spoke in a nervous tone, "Sorry about manhandling you their Gear Eyes. Couldn't think of any better way to disable you without being too rough."
I only smirked grabbing his hand and standing up rubbing my face from his punch groaning in an annoyed tone, "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Not much of a choice but damn you hit well with a mean right hook. But also, thanks for reminding me that not all is lost yet. Now we simply must get you to keep winning."
He merely laughed at my words making me frown till he spoke in a confident tone with his hands in his pocket, "You mean when you win. I'm just the sidekick in all this miss exhibitionist."
I rolled my eyes groaning utterly annoyed I lost to his asshole. But I couldn't help but thank him because he helped me remember the reason why I'm here only more determined than ever before to find my father's killer… and possibly talk more in the future after giving some thought what to do in the future…
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A/N: Hey guys how did you like the fight with the MC against Ryuko? Was it good or could've been better?