After a few more minutes of waiting, a speeding white car came into view from afar, nearly clipping another vehicle as it swerved toward us. My eyes widened in surprise at who could be behind the wheel. As it drew closer, it slowed to a stop in front of us.
Inside, the woman with blond hair and pink eyes was in the driver's seat. She lowered her window and smirked.
"Hop in, guys," she called.
Kagetsu slid into the passenger seat, and I climbed into the back. As we drove off, I glanced out the window and saw Jin chasing a butterfly down the street.
I let out a long sigh. "What a dumbass," I muttered under my breath.
"So… how did it go, guys?" the woman asked, her tone casual but curious.
"It was… fun," Kagetsu said, his serious expression softening into the familiar smile I'd seen before.
As we drove, I couldn't help but notice something odd. Kagetsu and his mom didn't look alike at all. Could he be adopted? I wondered silently, a confused expression on my face.
Then I remembered a burning question I had to ask him. "Hey, Kagetsu… What happened there? I thought you got eliminated. How did you still pass?"
"If you really want to know…" he began, settling into the story.
A while back…
"My arena was a replica of a forest. I was just walking around, looking for someone to fight, when I heard the bushes rustle. That's when I ran into a duo—one of them was a tall, muscular guy with short wavy black hair and golden eyes…" Kagetsu narrated.
"That description sounds like a guy I met while waiting for you guys," I cut in.
"Not surprising he passed," Kagetsu said, not the least bit shocked—probably a testament to how strong Kaguro really was.
"The other person with him was a girl with long silver hair," he continued.
"Surrender now, before we hurt you," Kaguro warned, his confident expression daring me to underestimate him.
"Nah," I replied, staring him down without flinching.
"Kaguro, let's go. We can get points elsewhere. Someone else will do," the silver-haired girl said calmly.
"Fine, he looks pitiful anyway. More trouble than it's worth," Kaguro said with a smirk, brimming with confidence.
"Do as she says, like a good little puppy," I teased, my grin widening.
"Quite the comedian, aren't you?" Kaguro said, his expression shifting from anger to calm.
"Sure am," I shot back, and he rushed at me, swinging a punch.
I dodged purely by luck, but another hit landed, sending blood into my mouth.
"That's all you got?" I spat, mocking him.
"Kaguro! Hurry it up already!" the silver-haired girl yelled impatiently.
"Can you shut up!" Kaguro snapped, his focus unwavering.
I readied myself and charged at Kaguro. I faked a punch, drawing his head down to dodge—but then I dropped low and delivered a powerful uppercut. His eyes followed my motion, but he wasn't fast enough. The blow sent him stumbling backward.
Just then, a ball of water shot past me, nearly grazing my face. The silver-haired girl had raised her hands, forming more spheres that whirled toward me.
"Mind your own business," I said, deepening my voice to sound intimidating. It worked; she paused.
But Kaguro's golden eyes were spiraling now. He had recovered, and suddenly his fist slammed into my face. I was sent flying, landing face-first with my rear in the air.
I pushed myself up, clapping mockingly. "Great teamwork,"
She launched four water balls at me, moving at incredible speed. I dodged each one and charged them both. Mid-air, I spun and kicked Kaguro square in the side of his head, sending him crashing to the ground.
"Damn… this guy's raw strength is insane. I thought I wouldn't have to use it," he muttered under his breath.
I aimed at the silver-haired girl, but a searing pain shot through my ribs. I was knocked back, every breath stabbing with agony. Looking up, I saw Kaguro's right leg glowing with a dark gold aura.
'I'll win. No matter what,' I told myself, slowly pushing myself back up.
"That all you got?" I mocked, my voice trembling with effort.
"You're strong, a worthy opponent, but…" he smirked—and then vanished. Moments later, he reappeared right in front of me, fist raised. I couldn't react in time. His punch flung me back, and I crashed into a tree. Every breath felt like I was dying.
"Come on, Kaguro—finish him off," the silver-haired girl groaned.
"Stop whining and wait," he said calmly.
The next few seconds were a blur—punches flew in every direction—but eventually, he pinned me down, pummeling me relentlessly.
"I can't lose now… I'm so close," I whispered, my voice thin and strained.
I couldn't rise. My muscles were giving out. Everything went black. The last thing I saw was his mocking grin.
"He was strong… just not enough," Kaguro said.
Darkness swallowed me.
Dozens of minutes later, I woke to the voice of the announcer.
"Yeah… that's pretty much how I got eliminated. The rest of the story will be told another day," Kagetsu finished, his narration complete.
"Dang… that's crazy," I said, my face lit up with awe and entertainment.
"Didn't know you could trash-talk that well," Kagetsu's mom remarked.
"Boys, we'll be home in a few minutes. As soon as you get home, please take a shower. My car reeks of sweat," she added.