Chapter 141 - My Uppercut for Your Sake (9)

“Come on, get ready. No more gongs, okay?”

“Kuh!”

Atol glared at me hatefully, and hurriedly took off his gloves.

I’ll wait, let’s do this fair and square.

The bandage wrapped directly around my fist was still in place, and I positioned myself as I normally would in a fight.

With the right half of my body in front of me, my stance emphasizes ease of movement, and although not as much as Atol, it’s a stance I’ve acquired through experience.

Now, let’s go wild.

“You bastard!”

Finally taking off his gloves, he threw them out of the ring and held his fists in front of his face as he stared at me.

See, the stance is different from before.

This is your real stance, isn’t it?

I’ve given Atol a reason for why he must win.

If he loses to me, there’s no way out for him.

The original purpose of this duel is to break off his engagement with Kayone.

Because the people around him wouldn’t allow it, he tried to do it by lowering his own rank and honor to the bottom by suffering a shameful defeat in the duel with me.

You’ve got to be kidding me. You’re using people and their families as pawns.

I know. This guy never hated Kayone.

In fact, he’s probably in love with her.

As proof of this, during his first year in Japan, Atol did not keep Kayone away from him.

He was a prince, after all, and he could have made up any number of reasons to distance himself from Kayone.

That’s why he acted in a way that made Kayone dislike him.

He acted in such a way that Kayone would be disappointed and naturally leave him.

What a coward.

That’s not kindness. It’s a betrayal of the people who believe in you.

I’ll never accept that.

“Let’s start, shall we?”

I whispered to Atol as I lowered my waist.

Atol, on the other hand, dropped his hips to match mine.

I could see Kayone still in a whirlpool of confusion, and Utai looking at her with concern.

It became completely silent, both on and out of the ring.

It’s not an uninhabited wilderness, and it’s not rule-free, but it’s like a scene out of a movie.

Neither Aoi nor Mikuma made any attempt to cheer aloud.

They had made up their minds to watch over me, so they must have decided to push their worries aside until the moment I collapsed.

I felt sorry, but at the same time I felt grateful and ready.

Don’t worry. My father is watching me. I’m not going to let him down.

“Kuh…”

Atol growled with a grim face.

The turmoil caused by the fact that his plan was seen through seems to be having a major impact on Atol’s condition right now.

Serves you right.

I chuckled a little and calmed myself down.

We looked for an opportunity as we stared at each other.

It’s not that I’m scared or nervous.

Just one shot.

We are timing our first shot to make the most of it.

Both Atol and I know the weight of a blow.

It’s not the physical weight.

It’s about how important the first shot is when you decide to beat up your opponent.

I know that in a one-on-one fight, the result of ‘hitting the first shot’ will have a heavy impact later on, both in terms of controlling the flow of the fight and in terms of damage.

The only sounds were the scraping of the surrounding trees and the distant chirping of birds.

Not then. Not now. Don’t be in a hurry. Don’t panic.

“A-Atol…”

Move.

We stepped in at the same time at the sound of Kayone’s voice, who couldn’t endure anymore.

I put all the strength I had into my right foot and took the fastest step I could just to close the distance between me and my opponent.

Faster than that guy, stronger than that guy!

“Uraaaaahhh!”

“Wooooaaaaaah!”

There were two savage beasts on the ring.

With their muscles bulging all over their body, they only wanted to deliver this one shot to their opponent.

With that as their sole purpose, the savage beasts rushed across the ring at a furious pace.

“Buh!”

“Guh!”

My right fist struck Atol’s face with all my might.

But Atol’s right fist also struck my left cheek.

The result was a mutual strike. It was like something out of a manga.

My vision wobbled and my body lurched. But I didn’t care about that, I clenched my left fist tightly and swung it out wide.

Atol, who knows that both of us received damage, looked at me sideways and was astonished.

He shouldn’t be able to move, that’s what you thought, wasn’t it?

“I’m proud of my durability!”

And the expectations and the spirit that we’re carrying are different!

“Uraaaaah!”

As if scooping up from underneath, I swung my fist at Atol’s chin, who was still in a slumped position.

The white wings that quickly tried to guard were obstructed by my body and could not be folded.

No matter how thick those big wings are, when infighting, the conditions are the same!

A dry, pleasant sound rang out in my head.

I’ve got a good response! I’m going for it!

“I’m not done yet!”

I put all the strength I could into my hips, which was twisted from the recoil of the swing.

I opened my sides, dropped my hips, and my calf and hip muscles screamed so loudly that I thought I was going to explode.

Then I swung my right fist immediately after.

Fuuhn!

My fist, riding on the centrifugal force, hit a layer of air.

In that instant, the calm part of my mind reminded me.

My fists are now wrapped tightly in the bandage that Gasara and the others have prepared for me, and they are hard enough to beat a man to death depending on where I strike.

But the die is already cast.

There’s no stopping it.

For me.

I can’t stop.

For Kayone.

I can’t stop!

For the sake of the stupid prince himself, right in front of me!

“Don’t look down on me, you idiot!”

“Woah, gah!”

Prince Atol, his mouth bleeding, slammed his knee into my abdomen.

My right fist, killed by the momentum, cut through the air in vain.

That’s right! It’s not boxing anymore, is it? Legs are also allowed!

“You think just that much is going to make me falter?”

The dull pain in my abdomen made me bend over and my lowered head was grabbed by Atol’s hands.

“Lie down!”

“Gah!”

A headbutt.

Atol’s forehead, with its magnificent horns, struck the back of my head.

“Ow!”

It pricked me!

It’s not just painful. It’s hot!

The sharp tip of one of Atol’s horns pierced my scalp!

My vision flickered.

The shock and sharp pain spread instantly as if on fire.

I was in so much pain that I almost fell down, but I held on and took a big step with my left foot.

I kicked my right foot and rammed it into Atol’s stomach.

“Guh!”

Surprised by my unexpected behavior, Atol took two steps backward.

“Ow! That’s a lethal weapon!”

I jumped up and rubbed the back of my head with both hands.

Aah, it’s a little dented!

”Don’t be absurd! This is part of my body, human! If you’re so frustrated, why don’t you grow a horn or two!“

“Kuh! You’ve been talking a lot.”

But I’m frustrated, I can’t retort!

“You’ll be sorry you ever allowed me to fly!”

Aah! Oh, no!

With a flap of his large, white wings, Atol rose up.

Damn it! I was closing the distance to keep him from flying away, but I pushed him away from me!

“Ha, ha! It’s no big deal! Bring it on!”

He smiled at my appearance and words and flew even higher.

“Kunpei! Concentrate! If there are no long-range attacks, that means you should be aiming for a counter!”

My father’s precise instructions instantly calmed the thoughts that had begun to rush through my mind.

That’s right. I’ve heard from Kayone.

Atol can’t use magic.

Then he’s going to have to come down here to defeat me no matter what!

“I’m coming!”

Atol’s figure blurred for a moment as he flapped his wings vigorously with words of enthusiasm.

“Hah?”

The next moment when I was still dumbfounded by that scene…

“Oof!”

I felt an unusual pain in my abdomen, and the scenery changed.

The scenery was changing at such a rapid pace that my mind could not process it.

“Hah! Aghhh!”

Something hit me hard, and knocked all the air out of my lungs.

What the hell? What happened?

“Kunpei!”

“Kunepi-san!”

“Kunpei-kun!”

Dad, Aoi and Mikuma’s voices sounded awfully close.

“Ha! Goha!”

The bitter taste of gastric juices looming in my throat made me nauseous. A few moments later, a heavy, intense pain tormented the area around my stomach.

“W-what…?”

I shook my head, trying to find Atol, who I’ve lost sight of, and saw what looks like a black bar next to my face.

Ah, this.

Ring rope…?

Oh, come on.

All I could do was laugh.

I mean, I was almost in the middle of the ring, and in an instant I was blown to the ropes?

“Seriously…? I didn’t even see that?”

I was surprised at the words that came out of my mouth.

The only thing I can think of is a dive attack from the air.

Are you saying that Atol attacked my stomach with the same momentum as he was falling at breakneck speed?

“Where is he? Aah… seriously?”

When I finally found Atol, he was standing far above the ring with his arms crossed.

He’s at a higher altitude than before.

He looked down at me and gave me a bored look.

“So this time, from over there…?”

Hey, I’m probably going to die, aren’t I?

It was so powerful even at the height it was at earlier, but a blow at even greater speed would without a doubt be overkill.

“Kunpei! Hang on, Kunpei!”

“A-ah.”

I can hear my father’s panicked voice.

It’s okay.

I was blown away, but I’m still conscious.

I just don’t know what to do.

Earlier, I was thinking of punching him when he descended, but Atol’s flight speed was several times faster than I imagined, and I’m not confident I can see him.

That’s the limit of my perception.

What should I do?

“Hey, dad. do you have any plans?”

Without taking my eyes off Atol, l asked my father for help.

Since I’m this close, so just a bit.

I’ll cheat a little bit.

“…No, I can’t think of anything.”

“Yeah, I know, right?”

No, no, no. I’m so desperate that I’m starting to get a little naïve.

This is a fight between me and Atol.

It’s too lame to get your parents involved in a child’s fight.

Even if I lose, I’m going to fight as hard as I can.

“… All I can say is, good luck. Sorry.”

From behind me, across the ropes, my father muttered in a dejected tone of voice.

No, no, no, don’t apologize. It’s not your fault.

“Oh, no. I’m sorry, too. I’ll figure it out. You see, I still have mother’s spell.”

Oh yeah, I forgot the most important and most reassuring thing.

Mom taught me a spell to encourage me.

The most important words she left for me.

Without it, I can’t say I’m going all out.

“… Is that so?”

“Hmm. Now, what should I do?”

I’m not sure if he’s waiting for me to get up, but he hasn’t moved from his position.

It’s not cool to buy too much time, so let’s stand up for now.

I hit my trembling knees and sluggishly stood up.

It hasn’t even been five minutes since we started again.

I can’t afford to lose so easily.

It was obvious to me that I was at a disadvantage because of my race.

Then, I’ll just have to do whatever I can.

In my uselessly positive judgement, it’s not considered disgraceful to scramble for survival.

“She’s amazing, your mother.”

“Hah?”

My father said in a tone of voice that was weaker than usual.

What’s wrong with you all of a sudden?

Such a tragic air doesn’t suit you and it’s still too early for you.

I turned my head slightly and looked at my father’s face.

The self-mocking smile on his face is not the same as my father’s smile when he’s making fun of me.

“… You and Shouhei, everything important was prepared by her. How pathetic is that? There really isn’t much left that I can do for you guys as a father.”

Ah, this. I’ve never seen this side of him before, but this guy’s no good.

“… Are you an idiot?”

“Ah?”

I’ll clearly deny it.

I can’t let Shouhei see him like this.

So I’m going to say something pretty embarrassing now.

I’m sure I’m going to bury my face in my pillow tonight and scream, it’ll probably be traumatic and embarrassing for the rest of my life.

I turned my face away from my father as much as I could and took a deep breath. My face was hot. It’s not pain or excitement, but a flushing heat that comes from embarrassment.

But it’s the truth, my honest truth. It’s our feelings. I’m sorry for dragging you into this, Shouhei.

“I’m telling you! Me! And Shouhei too! Have a lot of respect for you!”

“Ha?”

He responded with a idiotic tone.

Stop it. Don’t give me that kind of realistic response! I don’t think it’s fair!

“Ever since mom left! You’ve been working hard! We know it! Well, you know! We think you’re so cool!”

Aah! I can’t do it anymore! I’ll die of embarrassment!

“That’s why! We’ve been watching your back very carefully! Shouhei and I!”

I couldn’t take it anymore, so I stepped away from the rope.

My face was probably red up to my ears right now.

I feel like my consciousness was getting a blow by something other than the damage I received from Atol.

Damn it, that bastard! You made me say something I shouldn’t have!

I’ll never forgive you!

“Hey, I kept you waiting you stupid prince! Come and get me!”

I’ll take it out on you! This is all your fault!

“Kazamachi Kunpei! Waits for the wind!”

I screamed out loud to drown out my embarrassment.

Far up in the sky, Atol spun around in a circle and faced downwards.

“Smell the wind!”

I spread my legs in an open stance and held my hands tightly in front of my hips.

“Anytime! Anywhere!”

The more I yelled, the more strength I felt in my body. It might be an illusion.

Maybe it was because I was so worked up.

“When I want to fly!”

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Maybe chanting these words is a habitual way of self-suggestion.

But there were no lies in these words.

“Fly with a bang!”

The chanting of the last words and the blurring of the prince’s figure occurred almost simultaneously.