Ibuki Mio shot Hikigaya a sharp warning glare, clearly signaling him not to mention what had happened earlier that morning.
Excuse me?
Miss Stubborn Girl herself?
Don't tell me she actually went and looked me up?
Even running into her once already felt like a curse—being challenged again was the last thing he wanted. Getting involved with someone this troublesome could only end in pain.
"Hmph~ Just take it as a thank-you for earlier… Hikigaya Hachiman!"
Ibuki released his collar and muttered her thanks, gritting her teeth and turning slightly red.
She actually investigated my name? Talk about obsessive…
Hikigaya sighed internally and decided to steer the conversation elsewhere.
"Um, Muto, can we begin?"
"Oh, anytime."
Muto looked almost disappointed, as if his afternoon entertainment had just been cut short.
Don't look at me like you haven't had enough of the drama.
"You also practice martial arts?" Ibuki asked, tilting her head curiously.
"No, I want to learn." Hikigaya's tone was blunt and to the point.
"Ha~ You can't just learn martial arts on a whim." Muto chuckled, though his voice carried a trace of concern. He clearly wanted to discourage the first-year from rushing into something so demanding.
Still, the two stepped onto the ring.
Muto stood casually, raising a hand to signal that Hikigaya could attack whenever he wished.
"Hah…"
Hikigaya exhaled slowly, recalling the movements he'd used when sparring with Horikita Manabu—in that dream he'd rather not admit felt a little too real.
He took a stance: right palm open and forward, left fist drawn back to his waist, knees bent in a solid lunge.
"Tang Hand?" Muto's eyes narrowed slightly.
That was the precursor to karate—an ancient martial art from a certain Eastern region.
"It's just for show," Hikigaya admitted honestly.
"Then come at me," Muto said with growing interest.
"Then… here I go."
Relying on instinct rather than training, Hikigaya stepped forward and kicked.
Minister Muto blocked easily, his posture steady and unmoving. He nodded.
"The form's decent, but you lack power."
"That's why I have to train," Hikigaya replied. "Muto-senpai, I don't really know any proper moves. Could you teach me a few?"
"Of course."
Muto, being straightforward himself, couldn't turn down such a request from a sincere student.
He swung his left arm forward.
Hikigaya blocked, sensing that his opponent was holding back. "You dont have to hold back that much."
"Then be ready."
Muto suddenly brought his arm down in a knife-hand strike. Hikigaya crossed his arms to block, feeling the heavy pressure bend his stance slightly—but still within his limit.
"Huh? You're tougher than you look…" Muto muttered.
"No way around it," Hikigaya grunted. "I'm used to being hit."
"Haha! You've been bullied, huh? Want to hit back? That's the spirit of a real man!"
With that, Muto launched a flurry of punches. His movements grew faster and heavier. Hikigaya barely kept up—parrying left, deflecting right, countering with a quick front kick that sent Muto stumbling back a few steps.
"There's something special about this year's first-years!"
"He's actually trading blows with the Captain!"
The other club members whispered in awe. Hikigaya's unexpected performance had clearly exceeded everyone's expectations.
Then, in one fluid motion, Hikigaya grabbed Muto's wrist and waist and threw him down in a clean Aikido-style sweep.
"This kid's moves… they mix in some Aikido?" Ibuki said with interest from the sidelines.
"Bang!"
Muto landed safely, bracing his arms to absorb the fall, then sprang back up with a swift high kick that forced Hikigaya to retreat several steps.
"Well done—keep going!" Muto called, grinning.
The movement—a step-and-change kick, or "Brazilian kick"—was precise and fast. Hikigaya blocked it with his elbow, though the impact left it tingling.
Muto's kicks came again and again. Hikigaya focused hard, narrowing his eyes to spot an opening. When Muto's foot rose for another strike, Hikigaya countered with a punch straight to the abdomen, breaking his opponent's rhythm.
"Guh—!"
"Let's stop here, Senpai." Hikigaya quickly raised both hands in surrender.
"Why surrender already?" Ibuki protested from the side, clearly enjoying the fight. "You can keep going!"
If I keep going, I'll be a pancake by the end of it.
Hikigaya rubbed his sore elbow with a grimace.
"Heh, I'm a bit tired myself. Let's call it a day," Muto said with a good-natured laugh.
They bowed respectfully to each other, keeping proper etiquette.
"Hm, Senpai, can I ask you something?" Hikigaya asked.
"Sure, go ahead."
"Between you and Horikita-senpai, who's stronger?"
"Ah… that's a tricky question." Muto scratched his cheek with a wry smile. "If we don't consider weight classes, I'd say I have a slight edge."
He explained further, "I'm heavier and built for endurance, while Horikita-senpai's more agile and lean. In an even match, we'd probably be close."
"I see… then how long do you think it would take me to defeat Horikita-senpai?"
Muto blinked, surprised. "You're aiming to surpass the Student Council President?"
"No," Hikigaya replied seriously. "I just want to punch him once."
Muto stared for a beat before bursting out laughing. "You've got guts!"
He nodded approvingly. "Hikigaya, you've got natural potential. With training, you might actually pull it off someday."
He didn't promise anything, but his words were encouraging enough.
"Then… how about joining our Martial Arts Club for real?" Muto offered. "As a full member, you'll earn 20,000 personal points each month."
Hikigaya thought for a moment, then nodded. "I'll join."
Training and income? That's what I call efficient self-improvement.
"Welcome aboard!" Muto shook his hand warmly. "I'll be waiting for the day you challenge President Horikita again!"
"I will," Hikigaya said firmly.
"I'm joining too!" Ibuki suddenly declared from the side.
"Goji, spar with her—but don't go all out," Muto instructed the slightly chubby senior.
"Hmph! Don't hold back! Come at me with everything you've got!" Ibuki snapped.
And then—
She got utterly demolished.
"Pah! This little blue-haired gremlin's got some fight in her," Goji panted, a cut on his lip as he wiped away sweat.
"Uhh…" Muto rubbed his forehead, clearly troubled. "Beating up new recruits during club orientation again… the Student Council's gonna love this report."
"I… haven't… lost yet…" Ibuki gasped, clutching her chest but still forcing herself upright.
Hikigaya stared blankly at her stubborn figure. This girl's made of pure spite and muscle memory.
"Hikigaya…" Muto gave him a pleading look, as if to say: Please deal with this walking disaster.
"…Yeah, I'll take her to the infirmary." Hikigaya sighed.
The same girl, to the infirmary—twice in one day.
Just what kind of bizarre high school experience am I living through?
***
Guess they didnt fight after all 🤧