Chapter 31: Battle over Sakurako

I put on my open-fingered gloves and step into the ring.

　In this arena, all types of attacks are allowed except blindfold and deadly blows, so I have to wear gloves that show my fingers so that I can use throwing, clinching and joint techniques.

This is going to take some getting used to…….”

　I can only punch anyway. If that were the case, I would have preferred to use regular boxing gloves.

“Listen, Yagami, don’t let him grab you. You don’t have the skill to escape now. If you get knocked down, it’s over.”

“Yes!”

　From outside the net, Sakoda-san, who was on the second row, gave me some advice.

　In other words, the only thing to do was to sink him to the mat before Saotome could grab me.

　With Saotome having destroyed many striking fighters, it would be insane to go for a one-shot KO. –But it had to be done.

“I heard you’re on the track and field team. Moreover, I heard that the inter high qualifiers are coming soon.　That’s why Sakurako-san told me to make sure you don’t get hurt.”

Sensei…… is thinking about me that much …….

　I was looking for Sensei. –I found her. She’s looking at us with a frightened expression on her face.

“Sakurako-san seems to like you a lot. I really don’t like it. That’s why I’ve decided to take one of your legs.”

“Thank you very much. Thanks to you, I can do it without hesitation. I’ll make your sweet face look like a mess.”

“I’m going to make you regret for the rest of your life that you talked down to this Saotome Ryoichi…….!”

　Saotome glared at me with eyes full of murderous intent.

DING!

　The bell rang with no introduction of the players.

　This is probably because personal information should not be disclosed at a place like this.

　According to Sakoda-san, Saotome is not very good at striking. He only uses them as a check. This is not surprising, since Jiu-Jitsu does not use punches or kicks.

　He said that when he comes to finish me off, he’ll either grab me and throw me or tackle me, so I’ll aim for that.

　Saotome gradually comes closer as he prepares.

“Fufu?　What’s wrong?　Are you nervous?”

　He grinned and ticked off a step, hitting me with a light right jab.

　I guess it’s because my concentration is at an all-time high. I started to see his movements in slow motion again.

　Saotome’s jab was not very sharp. I had no trouble guarding it with my left hand.

　However, I was a little surprised because I had expected him to tackle me immediately after his first move.

　–Before I know it, I’m throwing a straight right hand.

　My punch slammed into Saotome’s face.

　The slow motion ended.

　He staggers back, and I throw a left hook into his jaw.

　Saotome lost all his strength at once and collapsed on the spot.

　Boom, boom, boom!　The bell rings.

　It’s a one-shot KO in the opening seconds.

“Winner, blue corner!”

　The referee grabbed my arm and I raised my right hand.

“Yagami!　You’re really awesome!　You just countered a jab!”

“Hahaha. Yeah, well, ……”

　Sakoda-san waved his towel around in delight.

　I didn’t aim to hit that counter. It was a natural movement of my body.

　Is it instinct or intuition?

“The reason for Saotome’s defeat was because he used a lazy jab against you!”

　That’s true. If he had tackled me sharply at the start, the result might have been different.

　I guess he was trying to scare me with his jab and then tackle me, but in the end he just gave me a chance to counter.

“The winner will receive fight money.”

　A round girl in an incredibly lewd outfit hands me my prize bag.

　Hmm, this is so erotic. Just like the underworld.

　Just as I’m about to accept the prize, the entrance door is violently thrown open.

“ITS THE COPS!!!!　THE COPS ARE COMING IN!!!!”

　KE!?　Seriously?　…… Well, disaster has befallen us!

　The attendant opens the back door.

“Ladies and gentlemen!　Please get out of here!”

“Yagami, we’re leaving now!”

“Where’s Sensei?”

　I saw Sakurako-sensei coming towards me.

“Yagami-kun!”

“Sensei, we have to run!”

　We ran away from the underground arena at once.

　We ran through a narrow corridor and up a narrow ladder to a construction site.

　With the other spectators, we blended into the city under the cover of darkness.

　We reached a deserted park a long way away.

　It seems that we have successfully escaped.

“It’s a shame …… that I almost ruined your life. Sorry, Yagami.”

“No, thanks to you, I have a large sum of money, but I didn’t get any prize money!”

　Sakoda-san pats me on the shoulder.

“In times like these, it’s like it never happened. Just consider yourself lucky that you didn’t get caught, and give up.”

“NOOOOOO!”

　I’ve fallen into the world of darkness, but this is too much. It’s too much to ask. ……

　But I guess it’s better if the disaster is only this bad. The last time it happened, I lost my house.

　And …….

“Yagami-kun!”

　Sakurako-sensei is staring at me with her cheeks puffed up. –Cute

　Yes, I was protecting something far more important than money.

“Why didn’t you listen to me?”

“I’m sorry, Sensei …… But I just can’t stand the thought of losing Sensei to someone like that. ……”

“Yagami-kun ……”

　Sensei’s eyes are bugging out. –Cute.

“Thank you ……, but don’t ever do this to me again …….”

　Sensei hugged me tightly.

“Yes, I promise.”

　I hugged Sensei back.

　Somehow, I even feel like we’re the only two people in this world.

“…… Well, I’m going home first, Yagami. Good luck.”

　Right. It was Sakoda-san who was here too. I’m so embarrassed.……

　I held Sakurako-sensei in my arms and watched Sakoda-san leave.

“……Gone?”

“Hmm?　Yeah, Sakoda-san is gone”

“You are not going to do it…..?”

“Eh?　Do what?”

　The teacher is annoyed.

“I don’t know!”

　I continued to hug her, smiling at the teacher’s adorable angry face.

---