"Don't touch her. This is between you and me."
"Heh. So noble. Boring." The call was cut off.
I ran. I was pushing my body to its limit. That bastard could kill my aunt just like that, for no reason at all. I felt powerless. There was nothing I could do for her. If anything happened to her, it would be entirely my fault.
SHUT UP! I shouted out loud, trying to silence the mess in my head.
I made it through the forest, then past part of the city until I reached a tall building with the sign: "City Hospital."
Reception.
"Tomo Takeda! What room is Tomo Takeda in? I'm her relative, her nephew. Isao Takeda."
The hospital staff member checked the records."Room 406. I need to see an ID, please."
Hearing the room number, I sprinted to the fourth floor without waiting for her to finish.
Bursting into the room, I saw Aunt Tomo lying on the hospital bed.
She was alive.
"Isao. So you finally decided to visit your aunt. Took you long enough."
"Aunt Tomo. Your phone, do you have it? Where is it?"
"You're scaring me, boy. It should be on the nightstand."She opened the drawer, rummaged through it in a hurry, then scratched her head in confusion.
"It was here. But… I can't seem to find it. Isao, what's going on?"
"When was the last time you saw your phone? Who was the last person to come into your room?"
"Oh, well… A nurse came in about half an hour ago. Right before I left for lunch. Wait… Are you saying someone stole my phone? Someone called you?"
I stepped out of the room and looked around. Every hospital worker was wearing a medical mask. Killy could be anywhere.
I had to stay with Aunt Tomo. I'll call Coach Namura—why didn't I think of that sooner?
I pulled out my phone, ready to dial, when I suddenly heard a familiar laugh.
I turned around.
Standing behind me, dressed as a doctor, was Killy. It was easy to recognize him by his eerie white contact lenses.
"HAHA. You got here fast. So, what's your move, hmm?
I can tell you what I'll do. We'll go into the room, I'll strangle the old hag first, then you. AHAHAHAHA! How's that for a plan?"
I exhaled.
"What we'll do is leave this place. Somewhere quiet. The forest. Where no one will see us. And I will kill you, Killy." I said, dead serious, locking eyes with him.
"Heh. Someone's grown a spine. Funny, though. Last time, when you were gasping for air while I was choking you, I didn't see that confidence. Looking into your eyes, I only saw fear… and death. Hahaha!"
I swear, if I hear that stupid, senseless laugh one more time, I'll end this right here.
"Fine. Let's go."
We left the hospital.
"Isao. I'm not bored anymore. You've become such a badass. Can't wait to beat the life out of you. Wipe that confidence off your face. And just so you know—once I'm done with you, I'm coming back for your aunt. I won't even get paid for it, but I'll enjoy every second of it. Hehehe."
He sounded disturbingly excited.
"Yeah, whatever."
I slipped my hand into my pocket, pressed the speed dial, and sent a random-text message to Coach Kojo. But I don't think He would get here in time. There was only one option:
I had to win.
If I lose—Aunt Tomo will be dead.
We crossed the road from the hospital and went deep into the forest.
I stopped, threw my school bag aside, and turned to face Killy.
"I'm going to kill you, Isao. Don't even think you have a chance." He grinned, flashing his signature twisted smile.
"Enough talking. You're exhausting."
From what I remembered—he was fast. His strength was in his agility. He wasn't muscular. If anything, he was lean, almost scrawny. Even under his suit, it was obvious.
I had gained strength in the past month. And Physically, I was way bigger than him now. I'd focus on precision and brute force.
While I calculated my strategy, Killy pulled out the same telescopic baton he had used to beat me last time. Can't let that thing touch me again.
He rushed at me.
Before he could even swing, I lunged at his legs, grabbed his torso, and tackled him to the ground. In a grappling fight, his baton was useless.
I flipped him over my shoulder, slamming him into the dirt.
"Aaaah… What?" Killy stammered in shock.
His baton flew from his hands and disappeared into the grass.
He managed to slip out of my grip and scramble back to a safe distance.
Good. He's now unarmed.
I got to my feet.
For the first time, I felt it—I could beat him. I wasn't powerless like before.
My heart pounded with excitement.
I want to destroy him. I want to kill Killy.
"What? Not so funny anymore?" I shouted, unable to control my emotions.
Killy dusted himself off, grinning.
I charged.
As I got close, he unleashed a flurry of rapid punches.
But after dozens of sparring matches over the past month, I could see them. I blocked, dodged—most of them missed. The few that landed barely hurt.
Speed was his strength, but if I was prepared—his hits were weak.
I waited for my moment—Then—
A clean uppercut to his jaw.
Killy, too focused on his rapid strikes, never saw it coming.
He collapsed, clutching his jaw, screeching in pain.
"WKhat the Khell did you do?"
For the first time, his voice carried no trace of amusement.
One kick to his face—and it would be over.
I stepped toward him.
Deep inside, I felt anticipation.
Even… pleasure.
"You're just like me... Heh… ghkk… heh…"
I swung my leg for the final blow—
A sharp, searing pain exploded in my gut.
Killy had dodged. He was back on his feet.
In his hand—
A bloodied knife.
I looked down.
My shirt—stained red.
He had a knife hidden away. He really was just playing with me all that time.
Fear gripped me.
This was just like last time. Helpless. Terrified.
Is this it?
I looked at Killy.
He was smiling again.
Laughing.
"Ahaha! ThiGHs is so muGHch FUN!"
He charged at me with a knife.
I stumbled back, dodging his wild knife swings.
I'm bleeding. Time's running out.
What do I do?
Backing away, I felt a tree behind me.
Nowhere left to run.
Killy lunged.
I felt he stabbed me with a knife, at that moment I grabbed his wrist, twisted him around—and locked my hands around his throat.
I put every ounce of strength, all energy I had left into choking him.
"Mmm... err… khhh..." He thrashed, trying to stab my legs.
I held on.
Endure the pain. Don't let go.
Some time passed.
His struggling weakened. His gasps faded.
Trying to catch my breath, I shoved his body off me.
Did I… win?
I tried to get up but quickly realized that I couldn't.
I looked at my shirt. My school uniform was soaked in blood.
He sliced me good.
And my consciousness…
was slipping away.
Before my vision went black, I noticed that my phone was ringing all that time.