Chapter 82: The Decisive Battle is on Sunday (5)

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Translator: Soafp

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Kyoko’s breathing began to grow irregular. With each strike she blocked from Akutsu, her arms grew numb and her legs slightly sunk. With every hit, she could feel her stamina being slowly drained.

“Ha! Are you already at your limit?”

Akutsu’s provocation made Kyoko grit her teeth as she desperately tried to keep moving. But only panic began to spread deep within her heart.

(I can’t hold on any longer…)

In that instant, the image of Hajime as a child flashed in her mind.

The park at dusk. By the time Kyoko rushed over, Hajime was lying on the ground, covered in mud. Surrounding him were several bigger bullies than Hajime. Standing to protect Miyabi and Aoi, Hajime refused to run, even though he was being punched and kicked.

“Why don’t you run?! You have to run!”

Kyoko had cried out that day, almost in tears.

“No! I don't want to regret running away!”

Hajime shouted, his voice trembling, his small body still standing despite the blood running from his nose. His figure, stained with tears and mud, was burned into Kyoko's heart.

That day, the frustration of not being able to protect Hajime, and the strength Hajime showed in standing firm despite being weak, changed something inside Kyoko.

(I will protect Hajime…)

That promise drove Kyoko to the dojo. She didn’t just train her fists, but also trained her resolve to stand her ground, no matter what. That resolve was what supported her now.

(That's what I promised back then…! Kyoko Aizawa!)

Kyoko slowly lowered her stance and brought her hands in front of her chest. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. The beginning of the 108-Hand Super Rinpai kata. Without thinking, her body instinctively moved, following a series of movements that had become second nature to her.

Her master’s teachings, Hajime’s tears from that day, and everything she wanted to protect—they all came together inside Kyoko.

“Ha…!”

With a sharp exhale, Kyoko's body began to move. In the next instant, Akutsu's eyes clearly caught the change in Kyoko's movements.

As her hands circled in front of her chest, she blocked Akutsu’s jab with a middle block. Turning her front foot inward, she swiftly pulled back and struck, blocked, and moved. Without losing her posture, Kyoko’s weight shifted smoothly, guiding her body forward. Akutsu, while blocking, narrowed his eyes at her smooth and precise movements.

Kyoko’s hand opened wide, and as if caressing the earth, she positioned it into a knife hand. In the next instant, her foot exploded off the ground, launching a blinding eye strike. Akutsu instinctively turned his head away.

In that moment, Kyoko’s body moved soundlessly, killing any trace of presence—Shukuchi. The flow from the eye strike seamlessly transitioned.

“Ooohhh!!!”

Kyoko's battle cry echoed through the underground parking lot. She put all her strength and will into a precise attack along the central line—her first punch struck Akutsu's jaw, followed by a strike to the throat, and then the Suigetsu (Water Moon) point. The three rapid strikes, sharp, heavy, and unwavering, pierced through Akutsu's massive body without the slightest error.

“Ugh…!”

Akutsu’s massive frame staggered, his knees creaking as he collapsed. Kyoko stood unmoving, still in the position of her punch, her breathing heavy but steady.

A sense of dizziness started to overcome her. Yet, her legs remained firm. The only thing holding her up was the unyielding will deep inside her, the will that refused to fall.

Out of the corner of her eye, Kyoko saw Akutsu's huge body slowly kneel. The man who had been looking down on her only moments ago was now lower than she was.

Still, Kyoko did not show a triumphant smile. Instead, what appeared in her mind was the image of Hajime, crying as he stood up that day.

(Hajime… I didn't run away… I kept my promise…)

Slowly, Kyoko lowered herself to her knees, her body leaning forward. The words that filled her mind were a final resolve, a promise she had made to herself—that she would never lose, never run away.

“You think just hugging is enough… Hajime…”

Kyoko collapsed, exhausted.

“Kyoko-san!”

From the shadows, Marin and Kagura rushed out, hastily lifting Kyoko's limp body. Her face, though tired, was gently smiling as if satisfied.