Written By: DaisukiFox
DaisukiFox: I do own these characters and would like you to please support my official release!
I hope I captured your guy's interest with this chapter and the ones to follow because I have 5 chapters and then after chapter 5 that will be half the season! Then I'll see how it goes and see where we go from there! For now! Enjoy the chapter and let me know what you think in any way you can!
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Back at where Natsu and Ryuji met the two stubborn martial artists exchanged kicks and punches, every heated exchange erupting grunts and groans of effort as both struggled to land a single blow. At first, the two's expressions remained deadpan and focused, their eyes narrowing to dangerous slits, though the longer their encounter proceeded Ryuji's ironclad determination began to grow in utter frustration. His opponent could read and dodge his moves, that normally would have been fine but the redheaded beauty now stopped trading blows and seemed to be mocking him from the looks of how unapologetically cocky she appeared to be.
"Fight back! Dammit!" Ryuji roared as his redheaded opponent merely sidestepped his attempts, even closing her eyes during the last attack.
"Nah! I took you down already," Natsume's eyes softened as she jumped back from a leg sweep Ryuji almost landed.
"You were beaten just as much as I was so stop being so damn cocky!" Ryuji defended as his swing became more wild in their executions.
"Do I make you that sloppy, Snaggletooth?" She asked, making a cute puppy dog face.
"S-Stop looking at me like that! We're fighting, not cuddling!" Ryuji interjected with a bright blush, a look of shock strewn across his face.
"Of all the things you could say, cuddling is one of them?" The redheaded temptress questioned before getting close and wiggling her brows at him.
"W-What are you getting at Natsume!?" Ryuji took a step back.
"Do you only like me because you can't beat me?" Natsume practically purred as she wanted to know, tilting her head but smiling knowingly.
"W-What! N-no! Of course not! I-I had fun fighting you before, so I'd like to finish this one!" Ryuji stammered and shook his head, the instant he finished Natsume was already right in front of him with her shoulder pressed against his chest.
"Is that all?" Natsume asked quizzically, almost like an amused cat.
"I-I don't know, I haven't felt this way for anyone since her…" Ryuji answered her while leaning back with a look of terror.
"Me…?" A sudden but soft young voice asked from behind him.
Ryuji quickly turned around, eyes in shock as all he could make out was the vague image of a little girl-shaped shadow in what he could only guess was wearing what appeared to be a sundress and flip-flops.
"Why can't I remember you?" Ryuji questioned the spectator with a look of pain and longing.
The stranger in his mind only put a digit up to her bottom lip, looking to be thinking it over. Alas, she merely giggled though he could see no mouth so it was a strange sight for Ryuji to behold.
"Don't forget about me…" Natsume's voice echoed behind him.
"Can't it wa-" Ryuji got as far as saying before looking over his shoulder.
Natsume suddenly hugged Ryuji from behind, making a point of rubbing her chest against her rival's back.
Ryujia suddenly sat up in his bed with a bloody nose, his face flushed, his heart racing, he placed a hand over his chest and then blinked as the warm crimson fluid hit his upper lip. Reaching out to touch it, he inspected that he had had a nosebleed in his sleep.
"What was I…?" Ryuji questioned himself in a stupor as he stared at his blood-soaked finger tips.
From within his mind's eye, he saw a moment in his dream where he remembered Natsume and how she had rubbed herself against him. "I-I don't like her like that! Why did I think about that?" He asked himself as the memory of his dream slowly faded into the recesses of his mind.
The rest had become a blur to Ryuji, he looked ahead and into space as he tried to recollect anything he could about his dream but shook his head as if demanding it to answer him. "Why'd I have a dream about Natsume? Is she my type?" he questioned in disbelief.
Vrrr…!
Checking his phone the fang-toothed teen took his cellphone from the nightstand, the charger cord dangling as he looked at his alarm app. He saw that it was time to start his day.
"Course I wake up and it's already time for school…" Ryuji's voice trailed as he blushed lightly, hopping out of his bed he turned to his closest to ready himself for the day ahead.
Once finished his arm past his dresser and the mirror on it before he stood and blinked, he was in his typical school uniform all buttoned up and proper. "Maybe I oughta mix it up a bit…" Ryuji's voice trailed while he unbuttoned his uniform shirt.
Humming to himself with a quizzical look, that was until his expression suddenly lit up and he smiled as he took his bandanna off, wrapping it around his right bicep and sporting it in a different almost bad boy-esc style to him.
"So dear I think that's what we have tapped into, I think I can even topple a small mountain with just my-" Matsumoto went on to his wife, holding her hand as they walked side-by-side.
"Hi! Bye!" Ryuji shouted as he ran past the back porch while their backs were to him.
"Don't forget your lunch Ryuji!" The blind mother called over her shoulder with one hand next to her mouth as she shouted enough for her son to hear.
"He looked different like he was going for a delinquent look," The Proud flame remarked as his eyes went deadpan.
"Maybe he's just trying to impress someone," The blind master commented with a soft laughter emitting from her.
"Hopefully she's not a bad influence." The Father of the household slash dojo remarked with a stern look.
"I wish I could say I remembered you from back then but I remember that some people thought you were a bad boy too, always looking for danger…" His dearest mused with a soft but knowing hum.
"I gave off that kind of feeling?" He inquired of himself as he tried to remember what he wore when he was first getting to know his wife, a visual of himself in his red gi with torn sleeves hit his mind.
"Yeah, dear you did!" His wife stifled her laughter, almost biting her index finger before holding it back, listening as her husband chuckled nervously.
"A-anyways, now that we know this, I think it's time for Ryuji and us to schedule a family training trip. I want our boy to take the next step…" Matsumoto smiled warmly as he looked back out to the horizon.
"Didn't you always want to be the strongest?" Matsumoto's love inquired with an almost cat-like hum.
"He's gonna' be the first of many, for a new generation that can tap into their true power, so Ryuji will not only be able to fend for himself but achieve heights I could only have ever dreamed about at his age." The proud father remarked before closing his eyes.
"For now you're still the strongest man, and you've always been one for a challenge." The Blind Maiden said warmly.
"Says the world's strongest woman…" He muttered softly before holding her close, eyes closed with a big grin.
Sprawled out on her back was the redheaded beauty, a pleasant albeit goofy-looking smile as she slumbered on her bed. "Still the best I know," she muttered triumphantly and in a still-dreaming voice.
"Now get over here, Ryuji…" The girl in a muscle shirt and blue boxers said as she hugged her pillow, blushing as she held it closer.
All of a sudden her alarm for school went off on her phone. Natsume's eyes popped open as she sat up and yawned, before noticing she was holding the pillow in her hands and blushing.
"Why the heck am I holding this for?" The redhead mumbled at herself, tossing it aside as she got up and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, once she finished and her vision cleared she noticed first of all her buxom chest.
"How come I'm still a girl? I mean really, what gives? It's never taken this long! I hate being a girl!" Natsume complained as she moved to sit at the side of her bed before getting up and walking over to her closet.
For instance, the surprised look on Ryuji's face as she managed to get up caused a bright smile and a warm blush to come onto her face. "Well, maybe it ain't so bad…" Her voice trailed as she remembered how satisfying it felt to have such a strong but well-earned fight, 'Maybe I oughta ask the guy if he wants to spar sometime, hopefully I can beat him as a guy too…' the small beauty slipped into her male uniform's stretchy pants.
"Natsu! Breakfast is in the microwave! Remember to have a nice day at school!" His mother announced in Japanese as the sound of her departing echoed with the slamming of the front door.
"See ya later! Mom!" Natsume called out with a hand next to her mouth, then reached inside her closest and pulled out training bandages, though, rather than use them for that purpose she proceeded to wrap them under her muscle shirt and around her breasts, gritting her teeth as she tightened her hold over them and gave the illusion that her chest was smaller as the process made it seem as though she had a tank top on from how much her undershirt was being pushed up.
"Just a little more…" Her voice trailed as she heard the fabric of her bandages stretch before tearing.
Boing!
Thankfully she was alone but also feeling her eyes twitch. She looked down, "Did they get bigger or have I worn these bandages out?" she questioned, yanking the cloth out from her under her and getting a spare set she kept in a box.
Yet again starting to wrap them around her ample bosom, looking off to the side with an annoyed pout as she squinted her eyes as her impressive set was flattened down.
Natsume strolled along the edge of a concrete fence, her hands casually tucked behind her head, her bookbag hanging loosely from one hand behind her back. The warmth of the day, wrapped around her like a familiar blanket, though her thoughts were far from her present moment. Instead, they danced around the memory of her encounter with Ryuji. The rush of a well-earned victory brought back the sensation of her rapid breathing, her heart pounding with each exhilarating breath. The uncertainty of battle had made her feel both numb and anxious at the same time.
"Beat the son of a hero, huh? Now if I could just do it in guy form, then I could call it a real victory..." Her voice trailed as she closed her eyes. Two female pointed at her with confused looks before looking away and giggled at Natsume.
"Hey, Captain!"
Natsume opened one eye at the mention of a captain, her curiosity piqued. She looked towards the source of the voice and saw a girl with brown hair, an inch or two taller than Natsume, wearing her school's uniform.
"I saw your last match! Are you sure you're ready to take on Ryuji, again?"
"I've been training and following his style and if Natsu Honoki could find a way to hurt him then I'll find that way too."
"Ya sure you're on the same level as that guy?"
"I'm not sure, Chiyu. I wish I could challenge Natsu ahead of time and see what he knows."
"Why don't you?"
"He's not always around, and from what I hear, he doesn't even have many friends here."
"Well, he hasn't been here long so that makes a good sense," Chiyu confirmed, crossing her arms.
"I heard he has a sister or maybe a cousin?" Haruka tried to recall some of the gossip she'd heard. "Does she have any friends or know anything?"
"No one's sure. She's shown up but it's never for long and the only one she's been seen around is Ryuji."
"Girlfriend maybe?" Haruka suggested, raising a brow in speculation.
"Nah. Don't worry, he's still all yours…" Her friend teased, her hand over her mouth.
"W-What do you mean he's all mine!?" Haruka demanded, stomping her foot and addressing her said friend.
Natsume's eyes widened at the mention of herself being Ryuji's girlfriend, scoffing at the idea and rolling her eyes. As she continued along the fence, she casually leaps between the edges. The redhead tilted her head inquisitively at Haruka's sudden reaction to having a claim to be Ryuji's girlfriend.
"Haruka Takayama, the captain of the women's Muay Thai club, taking down the best fighter at the school…?" A pretentious voice called out to the raven-haired beauty.
"What's with the formalities? I don't need any introductions, and I don't have time for you to hit on me again." Haruka inquired closing her eyes, walking forward to get past Kumi.
"Though I would fancy a date, I'm actually here to request a duel…" Kumi remarked, his voice trailing in a calm intensity near the end of his words.
"So I reject you the other day and then you want a fight?" Haruka stopped with a cocky grin to ask when they were standing side by side.
"You'd be the first, though I admit your resistance to my charms merely makes you all the more alluring," Her would-be suitor replied, flicking his blonde wavy locks.
"Oh, I'm flattered, but we're not even friends, and you think we can take the next step?" she inquired, rolling her eyes as she then turned to face him at the same time he turned to face her.
"Then perhaps do me the honor of becoming friends with me should I win this match," Toru urged her as took a defensive stance, both fists up and at the ready near the sides of his head, his knees bent.
"How about I consider it if you actually win? But let me add my terms. Should I win, you have to leave me alone for at least five days," Haruka offered while taking her stance, though her leg was raised as an additional form of defense.
"Three, that's my final offer," Toru stated plainly.
"Five and I'll be impressed you got some level of self-control…" Haruka's voice trailed in slight annoyance, but three days sounded like a welcomed reprieve from the inflection in her tone.
Natsume rolled her eyes as she already figured out what kind of dynamic existed between Haruka and Toru. Reaching into her pocket, she took out her phone and checked the time.
"Should have enough time to watch one fight," the bemused redhead remarked, pocketing her phone before looking at the two combatants.
It was quiet in the sleepy town, early morning light casting shadows over the sidewalk they stood on. Haruka and Toru stood ready, save for Haruka's friend, a mostly empty battlefield.
Haruka's stance was firm and confident, her eyes sharp and focused as they began to encircle the other. Toru's face was arrogantly confident, almost as if he were treating this like some sort of school play.
Their steps were fluid and precise, where gravel or dirt could surely cause rustling noises, the two were almost deadly quiet. Natsume's eyes widened slightly at their fancy footwork.
"Are you ready, my soon-to-be dear friend?" Toru's voice held a teasing edge, but his eyes remained cocky.
Toru went in first, throwing a quick jab aimed at Haruka's face. She managed to dodge at the last second, her gaze affixed to his. He followed his attack with a swift kick, which she blocked with her shin, the impact caused an echo to hit the streets.
"Not bad. Now learn some discipline, and we'll have something to talk about," Haruka taunted, her voice almost eerily steady.
Toru grunted as his snarky look faded. He moved in again, doubling his efforts as best he could, managing to land a solid punch on Haruka's shoulder. The dazed schoolgirl stumbled back a step but immediately regained her footing.
"First point goes to me," Toru taunted, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
With her expression hardened, Haruka stepped forward, unleashing a series of rapid punches. Toru blocked them, though he noticed his confidence waning with the effort, leading to one elbow connecting with his rib, making him wince.
"Haven't you heard of 'ladies first'?" Haruka questioned mockingly, chuckling ever so lightly.
Toru feigned a kick before his eyes widened, changing his attack trajectory to perform a spinning back fist, completely catching Haruka off guard. His blow landed on her cheek, staggering her, a small cut opening at the corner of her lip.
"Third hit goes to me," Toru counted, his annoyingly arrogant face resurfacing.
"What was that? You're third rate?" she inquired, wiping the blood away with the back of her hand, her eyes narrowing. 'Can you handle a little taunt, especially now that I've got an even clearer understanding of your fighting style?' Haruka thought. As Toru came charging in for another attack, she feinted left, then right, keeping him guessing and even changing her defense pattern, her eyes fixed on his as she watched his patience wane.
Toru reeled his arm back for a powerful right hook, though before he could launch it, he saw Haruka's face soften romantically before winking mid-swing, disrupting his thoughts as he remembered the girl in front of him rejecting him. That was all she needed to claim victory.
"What the–" Toru started, only for his words to get cut short by Haruka's swift ducking and then leg sweeping. As he fell, she delivered a powerful elbow to his chest; knocking the wind out of him.
Hitting the pavement with a thud, the arrogant jerk gasped for air. Haruka stood over him, her hands on her hips with a calm smile. "Better luck next time…" Haruka's voice trailed before she crossed her arms and began to walk over to her nearby bookbag, slinging it over her shoulder and gesturing with her head for her friend to follow.
Getting up to a seated position, Toru clenched a fist over his chest, one of his hands reaching into his pockets and pulling out a yen coin.
Throughout their fight, Natsume's eyes darted between Haruka and Toru. Her eyes widened slightly whenever one got a hit on the other. "Man, these two look so even…" the redhead remarked, and to emphasize her point to herself she reached into her pocket and took out a coin.
"It's practically 50/50," The martial artist standing on a fence commented, not even having time to see the result as she noticed that Toru was readying to throw something.
Clink!
"Did you just!?" Haruka demanded, turning towards the source of the clinking noise.
Toru sat dumbfounded before he looked where the second coin had come from. When he did, he spotted the redhead; Natsume. In his eyes, the world became all hazy. Natsume's eyes fluttered like the most elegant butterflies, her hair the most stunning shade of red he'd ever seen. Although her mouth was moving, he couldn't hear a word as his eyes landed on her bosom.
Pow!
The last thing Toru heard was the sound of Haruka's leg striking his face, sending him to the ground, knocked out.
"Yeah! Teach that sore loser!" Natsume cheered as she watched Toru fall.
"I know I winked to distract you, but there was no reason for you to go that low!" Haruka alerted the unconscious Toru, realizing she spoke for no reason when her only response was a groan of pain.
"Yo! I admit, that was way more entertaining than I'd thought it would be," Natsume announced, vaulting over the fence and landing gracefully.
"Hey you! What's your name?" Haruka called out, eyeing her unexpected savior.
"Me? Natsume-Natsu Honoki!" The redhead corrected herself mid-introduction, a sweat drop forming on her temple.
"I'm Haruka, Haruka Takayama. Thanks for the assist," the raven-haired teen replied, crossing her arms with a nod of appreciation.
"No prob, I was in the area," Natsume shrugged, stuffing her pockets into her pants pockets.
"I heard you're the one who did the best against Ryuji," Haruka said suddenly. "Natsu Honoki…"
Natsume looked away, the praise feeling hollow since it wasn't for her male form.
"I admit, I thought you'd be taller," Haruka remarked, scrutinizing the redhead.
"Eh?" Natsume gawked, her eye twitching in annoyance. "I get that. Just like I get what you did to get the one-up on Goldilockes here," Natsume's muttered, thumbing toward Toru.
Haruka smiled, tilting her head and putting her hands behind her back.
Natsume glanced back at Haruka, her warm smile making Natsume blush slightly, a tightness forming in her chest.
The classroom buzzed with the usual morning chatter as Natsume slipped in unnoticed, still in her female guise. She settled into her seat, overhearing a group of boys whispering nearby.
"Did you hear about how close Natsu got to beating Ryuji?" one of them whispered among them, his voice in awe.
Natsume's ears perked up, and she couldn't help but smirk. "Ryuji just got lucky," she declared, loud enough to silence the group. They exchanged various glances, realizing the bad timing they had, for them to have been gossiping about Natsu when said person was already there. With a slightly miffed expression she scoffed, Natsume leaned back in her chair, kicking up her feet before placing her hands behind her head.
The classroom door creaked open slowly, and all eyes were on Ryuji as he entered, his head was bowed, eyes hidden beneath his fringe. Natsume lazily opened one eye, a smirk spreading across quicker than a forest fire. She expected to see a humiliated fang tooth teen still reeling from the other day she beat him.
As Ryuji got closer to her, he remained unsettling silent given who he was, stopping just short of her desk. Natsume seized the moment, her voice mocking. "Awww, in the dumps because my cuz put you in your place?"
Ryuji wouldn't take the bait. Rather, he chose to lift his head, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. His voice, when he finally spoke, was surprisingly earnest. "N-Natsu, could you have Natsume meet me during passing period or lunch in the courtyard near the entrance?" he asked, meeting who he presumed would be Natsume, which it was, though, that hadn't stopped Ryuji from gazing into Natsu's stunning eyes and soft complexion, 'Has Honoki always had delicate features? G-guess it might run in the family…' he deduced but noticed he was going to be accused of staring so he averted his pupils from his adversary.
Natsume blinked, momentarily taken aback. This wasn't the challenge she was expecting. "I think lunch could work, but why?" Natsume inquired as she tried to make her voice deeper for her reply, trying to mimic her guy form's voice to some success.
"Are you alright, Honoki? You sound off today…" Ryuji remarked as he scratched the side of his head.
"That ain't none of your business! I'll see ya later!" Natsume responded, seeming offended but it was to get Ryuji off her trail.
Ryuji blinked in confusion before closing his eyes and nodding, moving to take his seat. Leaving behind a puzzled Natsume, her mind racing to figure out what exactly he could want, 'The guy probably wants a rematch with Natsume, poor guy just can't help himself, not that I blame him…' Natsume thought as she crossed her while watching as Ryuji sat down.
Her confusion gave way to a competitive glint in her eyes. If he wanted to go another round then Natsu or Natsume would be more than happy to oblige, 'If I'm lucky maybe I'll be a guy again when we fight!' she pondered hopefully. This was another chance for Natsume to best Ryuji sounded like the perfect ego boost! Leaning back she thought about the way he gave his request, but one thing was sure– whatever Ryuji's game was, Natsu or Natsume were ready to play.
Ryuji stood under a tree in the courtyard, his hands buried in his pockets, replaying his fight with Natsume in his mind.
He kept trying to rise after he had lost, Natsume still shakily standing as she continued to smile triumphantly. Try as he might though, the closest he could get was clenching and lifting the upper portion of his back.
"Here…" Natsume had said, extending her hand. Ryuji tried to reject her help.
"I've got this! I just need to–" Ryuji had started but stumbled, only for Natsume to catch him by his hand.
"You lost, ain't no getting over that now," Natsume smirked playfully, her eyes gleaming with victory.
Ryuji stared deeply into Natsume's eyes, a blush spread across his face. His mind seemed to pause just long enough for it to almost get weird, he bashfully looked away. "Thanks…" He replied but knowing at the same time doing so meant that he had truly conceded their fight.
"Was that so hard, big guy?" Natsume asked, chuckling as she helped him up but noticed as soon as he was trying to stand up straight his posture came apart, making Ryuji gasp and fall forward.
Thud!
Ryuji's eyes widened when he felt himself being caught by Natsume, she struggled to bring Ryuji back to a proper standing position. Pressed against her, he was acutely aware of the warmth coming from her strong but small frame. Her arm slipped around his waist as she snaked his arm over her shoulder, supporting his weight. He remembered how hard it was to breathe at that moment, though, at the same time, there was a strange sense of calm, the pain of their battle. Still, the present seemed far less important in the closeness of their odd embrace.
As they slowly made their way to Ryuji's house, Ryuji couldn't help but feel incredibly relaxed when he was pressed up against Natsume. Her determination to help him, despite her exhaustion, struck a chord deep with him.
"It's getting kind of late, I'm sorry if this a bother, you see I've gotten bored lately and you and Natsu reminded me why I love practicing martial arts so much…" Ryuji apologized as he looked down at the ground he was being hobbled over.
"Ain't I the one carrying you for fighting? You're among company pal, especially 'cause this still means I won." Natsume replied, lording over the fact she was the better fighter between them because as far as Ryuji knew she had never lost between them.
"For now! Just you wait! And I plan on making this up to you for taking me home too!" Ryuji exclaimed at Natsume while she kept looking forward.
"Honorable sort, huh?" The redhead in a boy's uniform asked.
"Yeah, that doesn't mean I won't ever want a rematch but I wanna make this up to you…" Ryuji's voice trailed, he barely knew her so he wondered if he'd ever find the right way to make that claim come true.
"Yooo! Araya!"
Araya's attention was snapped back to the present, he blinked then turned in the direction of where he thought he heard Natsume.
Natsume called out to him, bandages having come undone as her bust hung freely. "Sorry for being a little late, I had to take care of something.." She commented as a memory of a hurried memory of herself undoing her quasi-girdle in front of the girl's bathroom mirror.
"That's fine," Ryuji responded plainly, meeting her eyes before looking away.
"Anyways, why are you so eager for a rematch that you had to have my cousin get in contact with me?" Natsume inquired as she radiated with confidence.
Shaking his head, Ryuji turned to face her with a shy expression, his fingers coming together in the middle as he twiddled them together.
"What with all the fidgeting, man? Just spit it out!" Natsume asked after feeling her eyebrow twitching, her patience and urge to fight controlling her mind.
"Natsume! Will you go on a date with me!?"
Natsume had been taken by surprise so much that she felt her mind spiraling, her brain couldn't help but try and reason this out and nothing came to her, 'What exactly bout us fighting made you think I'm girlfriend material?!' she thought, her eyes swirling in confusion.
"You can't even beat me in a fight, and you want a date?!" Natsume exclaimed, looking offended but also blushing furiously Unsure of how to handle this situation, she blurted out the first thing that came to her.
"Are you saying you need a strong man if you're gonna' have a boyfriend?" Ryuji asked, blinking in confusion.
"Exactly! If you manage to beat Natsu again or me, I'll consider going on a date with you!" Natsume said with a shaky and unconvincing voice. Lucky for her, Ryuji seemed so excited about the prospect of dating her that he seemed oblivious to it. She was calculating her chances against him, becoming more certain she could take him down again even if she were stuck in her girl form.
"I challenge you right now then!" Ryuji declared, determination setting his eyes ablaze.
"No! I shall!" Toru Kunomi interjected, stepping forward to make himself known. "I heard it all! You've bested our school's top fighter? If it's a strong man you require, then look no further…"
Natsume reached her hands up to rub the sides of her head, rubbing her temples as if a headache was coming on. Another guy got the wrong idea. She just wanted another shot at taking down Ryuji, but now she had to deal with his chump too.
"I'm the illustrious Toru Kunomi! Though, you've no doubt heard–"
"Who?" Ryuji questioned, raising a brow as he stared blankly before looking back at Natsume, who also shrugged.
"Your lack of foresight will be your downfall…" Toru's voice trailed in annoyance, his eye twitching.
Natsume only remembered Toru because he remembered that cheap shot he almost took at that Haruka girl from earlier. That's when it hit her– couldn't she kill two birds with one stone?
"Knock some sense into Romeo here and I'll more than consider going on a date with you. Heck, I'd practically guarantee it!" she offered, seriously not wanting to expend her energy on someone like Toru.
Ryuji saw this as a golden opportunity, he decided he wanted to show her how serious he was about dating her. Pumping his fists to his sides he narrowed his eyes and bent his knees.
"Prepare yourself…" the son of The Golden Sun warned as he faced his pretentious foe.
"Defeating the son of The Hero will only add to my many accolades," Toru alerted, putting his fists up close to his head, knees bent as he bounced on his lead leg.
Ryuji, ever the stoic and determined fighter, remained unfazed by Toru's remarks.
"Take this! Today there will be a new top fighter!" Toru declared, launching himself into a spinning kick with the grace and precision of a seasoned kickboxer.
As the spinning kick neared, Ryuji instinctively raised his forearm to block it, meeting Toru's shin with a solid, controlled force. The impact echoed throughout the area, drawing a look of awe from Natsume and some gathering students.
But Ryuji wasn't finished. Utilizing the momentum of the block, he swiftly pivoted on his back foot, his body coiling much like a spring would. In one fluid action, he unleashed a low kick aimed at Toru's supporting leg, targeting his thigh.
Caught by surprise Toru's eyes widened in pain, the stinging impact leaving its mark against his sore limb. The blow had been so precise, so powerful that it caused Toru's leg to buckle slightly. He staggered, his balance compromised as pain shot through his leg. He winced, the Charley horse setting in, making it bothersome to maintain his stance.
For a moment, it seemed as if Toru might fall, but his training and speed kicked in at the last moment. Managing to regain his footing, albeit unsteadily, by shifting his weight to his other leg and using his arms to counterbalance any other offsetting factors. His proud kickboxer face faded into a mix of embarrassment and determination as he glared at Ryuji.
"Very impressive… but I won't be defeated so easily!" Toru growled, attempting to mask his discomfort with bravado.
Ryuji, sensing his advantage, didn't relent. "Your fancy kicks are nothing if you can't stand on your own two feet," He responded, his voice calm but firm.
Natsume crossed her arms as she whistled, quite impressed that Ryuji was holding his own. Toru grew more cautious, repositioning himself, ready for anything Ryuji might throw at him next. Though both were driven for their reasons, Ryuji's heart sang at the idea of spending his time training with Natsume, imagining them both laughing after a friendly sparring match, Natsume holding his arm as he rubbed the back of his neck, 'I haven't felt this way since-since!' Ryuji thought back to that girl from his past, this time with her hands on her hips.
"You know we've fought before–" Toru began, though stopped short as he saw Ryuji close the distance between them immediately as he a flurry of kicks and punches, all of which followed the other without pause.
First came a right swing, followed by Ryuji deflecting a counter shin kick from Ryuji, who anticipated it and countered it with his leg hard enough to shove it back. Toru's eyes widened as he saw Ryuji standing next to him, but his right fist was slammed hard against the smart-mouthed noble.
"Hahhhh…!" Ryuji's roared as his punch pushed Kunomi into the ground, his fist sunk painfully inward.
Natsume stared in complete shock, she was sure he was trying even harder than when they had fought which caused her to lean her head back in shock, 'All cause he wants to go on a date with a fake girl like me? Poor sap's gonna' be hurting when he learns the truth…' the crimson warrior thought with a cracking inner voice, unaware of the blush on her face.
Ryuji stood back up cracking his neck in one direction, looking a little disappointed before he scoffed at Kunomi's twitching form.
"Now where's Natsu?" The Son of the Hero asked, grinning ear to ear.