Vol 1 Chapter 5: Start Over from the Amateur Level (Prologue: Encounters Arrive with a Sense of Déjà Vu)

“Oi, oi… A triple, huh? Are you a boxer, by any chance?”

A triple refers to a three-hit combo using the same arm. It’s a difficult punch to throw and carries a high risk of a counterattack, meaning it can only be used when there’s a significant skill gap.

You wouldn’t see it in kickboxing or MMA matches, and even in boxing, it’s a rarity.

“That’s right! Unlike that fake over there, I’m the real deal~♪”

There’s an oddity in that a boxer is wearing the kind of fist protectors you’d expect in full-contact karate, but her strength alone confirmed she was speaking the truth.

“These guys were still calling themselves boxers, though.”

“Well, these pathetic, ugly losers didn’t even know what a quick wrap was! That’s why it was obvious they were fakes right away~”

“Ah, I see. So that’s how it is.”

Now that she mentioned it, when I was using quick wraps, they mistook them for open-finger gloves.

Quick wraps are commonly used by boxing trainees, so it’s hard to imagine any experienced boxer not recognizing them.

Still, I’d never heard the term ‘mobusaiku’ before. Was it a portmanteau of mob and busai (ugly)?

“But their punching form was textbook perfect, you know? So I’m guessing they just dabbled a little, then did some solo training and thought they got strong enough? You can’t really get strong unless you train against actual opponents~”

In fitness gyms, there’s a workout where people perform martial arts movements to music, like aerobics. It might work against complete amateurs, but it’s obvious it wouldn’t hold up in a real fight.

The main problem is that you’re not practicing against a real opponent; you never learn to defend against an attack, so you end up clueless about distance and timing.

You might pick up some basic techniques, but a real opponent moves unpredictably, making it hard to land your strikes—and they’ll counterattack, too.

At least in those aerobics-style martial arts sessions, you learn some striking techniques. (Though, honestly, many of the moves are far removed from actual combat.)

Trying to get strong through solo training alone has its limits, and you might even develop bad habits that are hard to break.

“Now then… What should I do with this guy… Huh?”

When I turned to look at Aida Makoto, I saw he had stood up, clutching his side as he turned away from us.

“Ahaha! Does he really think he can just run off like that? What do you say—should we finish him off~?”

Rurei’s taunt was loud enough for him to hear, and Aida trembled slightly as he looked back at us with a frightened expression.

“Nah… Actually, Aida, there’s something I need to tell you.”

I’d been itching to say this ever since I heard the news of your pro debut.

“Hey, Aida— you should start over from the amateur level.”

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Vol 1 Chapter 6: I’m Full of Being Treated Like a Pet (Prologue: Encounters Arrive with a Sense of Déjà Vu)

“‘Start over from the amateur level!’ …Kyaa! That line is so cool! It’s not just that you’re strong-cute but also chic-cute, right? Onee-chan is totally smitten!”

Away from the fight, as I walked with Rurei, she mimicked my clumsy mannerisms and then praised me.

Or wait—doesn’t “chic-cute” refer to the skin on the inside of a chestnut?

I couldn’t make any sense of what this curvaceous gal was saying, but before I knew it, she clung to me and peppered my cheek with kisses.

Chu~♪ Chu~♪

“Wha—! What are you doing?”

I had been kissed on the mouth by Miyayuri and Katsuko before, but it was the first time I’d been kissed on the cheek, so I was a bit surprised.

…Well, I do recall Azuma-kun doing that once, but that doesn’t count, right?

“Fufufu… That oh-so-virgin reaction is just too cute—hey, hey, why don’t you become my pet?”

Just like Miyayuri, she started spouting that sort of thing.

“No… I’ve had my fill of being treated like a pet, so please spare me.”

“Hmm… Does that mean you’re already somebody’s pet?”

“No… It’s not like that.”

I nearly let slip something careless, but admitting it would only lead to trouble.

“So, does that mean a lover would be okay? Sorry, but I’m a lesbian—I’ve already got a woman in my heart!”

She went off on a tangent and, without me asking, spontaneously came out to me even though we’d just met.

I wasn’t exactly asking you to make me your lover, but your words piqued my curiosity, so I asked:

“‘The woman you’ve chosen’—what do you mean by that?”

“Hmm? You wanna know, kid?”

Since she seemed so eager to talk, I pressed on.

“I want to know.”

“Right?! You wanna know, don’t you? That’s why you came! My beloved woman is this super ridiculously handsome, badass chick who’s insanely good at karate, cool and stylish, and yet unbelievably cute—no guy around even comes close, y’know? …”

She began boasting about her chosen woman, interspersing archaic expressions that could appear in classical literature and even rambling about her subtle gestures and food habits, leaving me utterly baffled about her point.

“So, unfortunately, I can’t go out with you—sorry!”

“No… I’ve never even asked you to go out with me! Besides, we’re just meeting for the first time…”

And besides, if we did date, I have a feeling I’d seriously be targeted by that woman Kamiko who reeks of the same vibe as Katsuko.

“But earlier, you were checking out my oppai gun, weren’t you?”

“Ah… that’s just something called male instinct and sexuality…”

“Ahahaha! I kinda like that you won’t deny it♪”

Rurei had been holding the upper hand all along, but then I suddenly remembered that I’d forgotten to ask something important.

“Right, right. By the way, why were you giving me a lap pillow?”

“Ah… that? I thought you were one of those guys from earlier, so I ended up punching you—kinda thing♪”

Rurei stuck out her tongue without a hint of remorse, just like a certain cake shop mascot.

That wasn’t a “just punched you” situation!

Well, hold your fire—I held back my urge to yell, and since I got treated to a lap pillow, a glimpse of your cleavage, and kisses, consider yourself forgiven; be grateful for my generous heart.

“You were in a scuffle with those guys earlier, right? They were saying you were ‘Rurei’, weren’t they? Aren’t you all mistaken?”

“No. I’m not mistaken.”

Rurei lied with a nonchalant expression.

It was an expression that would have easily deceived anyone who wasn’t one of her crew.