I Just Wanted a Peaceful Life After Transferring, but I Fell into a Rom-Com Trap and a Hidden Battlefield No One Knows About - Chapter 36.1: Prologue: After the Fight

Chapter 36.1: Prologue: After the Fight

“E-Ehhh?! Wh-What happened to you?! Your face is all bruised again! And you’re covered in mud… Did you get into another accident?”

Lifting my weary arms, I slowly pushed open the front door. The moment Umika saw me, her face twisted in shock.

“…Yeah, well, something like that. Just bad luck, I guess.”

In reality, it wasn’t an accident. I had just finished a duel with Asakawa down by the riverbank.

It was to settle things once and for all regarding that fight with the DEMON crew.

But the outcome was nothing like two years ago.

Back then, we were evenly matched. But this time… I lost to Asakawa.

“Geez, you really need to be more careful, you idiot Onii-chan! You’re always getting into trouble, and it makes me worry so much…”

“I’ll be more careful next time…”

“Alright, go take a bath first. I’ll get the medicine ready.”

“…Thanks…”

Dragging my exhausted body, I made my way to my room, grabbed a change of clothes, and headed for the bath.

× × × ×

“Misaki… you bastard… you’ve gotten pretty damn strong…”

“Hah! Of course I have!”

Our duel had started after sunset, and even now, deep into the night, it was still going.

Even Asakawa admitted it—I had gotten stronger. But at the same time, he had also improved far beyond what he was two years ago. Right now, I could feel it… he was stronger than me.

As the fight dragged on, our stamina kept draining, and at last, I could see the end in sight.

“Hah… Hah… Damn it…”

“Heh… Asakawa, you’re at your limit too, aren’t you…?”

“Shut up… I can still… keep going…”

We stood five meters apart, panting, locking eyes, both of us barely able to stay on our feet.

I already knew—I was at my limit. From the way things were going, the next attack would decide everything. Asakawa probably realized the same.

Which meant… the last one standing would be the winner.

So, who would it be?

A few seconds later, Asakawa raised his fist and charged at me once more. I did the same, dashing straight toward him.

As the gap between us shrank to just half a meter, we both swung our fists down at the exact same moment.

Too exhausted to dodge, I took Asakawa’s punch straight to my face. But he also took mine head-on.

In that instant, we both landed a clean hit and collapsed onto the ground.

I had no strength left to get up. My consciousness blurred, and in the next moment, everything faded to black.

By the time I came to, Asakawa was gone.

…Looks like I lost.

Damn it, that guy really is the strongest delinquent around.

Tonight’s fight made one thing crystal clear—he had definitely grown stronger since two years ago.

At least now, everything was finally settled.

But honestly… I feel like I got the short end of the stick here.

Sure, I admitted to punching one of DEMON’s guys, but I ended up getting beaten to a pulp too!

How the hell did this even happen…? And man, these injuries seriously hurt. Asakawa’s punches are no joke…

× × × ×

(Meanwhile, Asakawa Makoto…)

“Shit… that hurts…”

Slowly opening my heavy eyelids, I felt the cold glow of the moonlight washing over me.

At that moment, I realized I was lying on the rocks by the riverside, my body soaked to the bone.

Damn… my head is killing me. Wait—why the hell am I even here?!

…Ah, right. I was fighting that guy Misaki, wasn’t I?

Looking at the situation, I can guess what happened…

I must’ve fallen into the river and drifted all the way here.

…Which means I lost.

Heh… As frustrating as it is, there’s no denying it. Misaki really did get stronger.

That brat may act all childish and goofy, but in a fight, he turns into a terrifying beast. Losing to a guy like him really pisses me off!

Well, whatever. I’ll let it slide for now.

I’ve got something important to take care of tomorrow, and I don’t wanna waste my energy sulking over this.

Misaki Nagisa…

Hah, I’ve never lost before, and yet you… you’re the first one to ever take me down.

What an interesting guy.