Yachiho stood ready, fingers twitching at her side. This time, she had no doubts. Her trump card, Golden Hour, was fully prepared—the Peach-granted ability that could rewind or freeze time for five seconds in a confined space. In a proper one-on-one match, there was no reason she could lose.
This was going to be the moment she crushed Himari, dragged her back, and straightened her out—by force if necessary. A confident smirk curved on Yachiho's lips as the referee raised his arm.
"Go!"
Yachiho opened her mouth, intending to give one last warning—something dramatic before activating her power.
"Hi—"
CRACK!!
An explosive sound tore through the arena like a bursting cannon.
Yachiho's voice died in her throat as a blur crashed into her face. She didn't even see the fist. Her entire body went limp as her brain rattled inside her skull. Her eyes widened in shock, her pupils trembling. Blood and teeth flew from her open mouth.
THWACK—BOOM!!
She was launched like a ragdoll into the air and smashed against the arena's barrier. The shockwave rippled through the stadium.
And at the center of that punch—was Yuuki.
His arm was still extended, fist clenched from the follow-through, steam rising from his knuckles.
Behind him sat Himari, perfectly balanced on his back, grinning wide like a champion queen riding her war beast. Her legs squeezed around his torso, her eyes burning with a mix of pride and disbelief.
(So all that training… it really worked.)
(He actually pulled it off… just for me.)
That thought alone changed something inside her. Just a little. Her heart thumped, not with adrenaline, but something else. Something warm.
For the first time, she genuinely saw Yuuki not as a tool—but as a man she could trust.
And yet, the fight wasn't over.
She quickly composed herself. (She'll rewind time now. Just like we planned.)
But—Yachiho didn't move.
Not a twitch.
"Eh!?" Himari blinked.
Even Yuuki tilted his head slightly, mildly concerned. (Did I hit her too hard? I held back, right? Didn't blow her head off… but her jaw might be messed up.)
The entire arena went quiet.
Gina Bizen froze mid-commentary, mic held to her lips with her mouth still open.
Even Tenka and Sahara exchanged surprised glances. They had expected a solid hit, sure—but a one-shot KO?
But for those who understood the logic, the outcome wasn't so surprising.
Yachiho's ability was powerful—but only if she got the chance to activate it.
And the moment she hesitated to speak—was the moment she lost.
Speed. That was the weakness of time manipulation.
Kyouka understood it the moment Yuuki's fist made contact. (If he had held back even slightly, let her rewind or freeze time—this would've turned into a complex counter-ability battle. Good thing he finished it in one strike.)
"All's well that ends well," she muttered softly.
"Way to go, Himari! Yuuki!"
Shushu and Nei broke the silence with a cheer.
Snapping back into action, Gina raised her mic, coughing once before announcing:
"The first victory goes to the Seventh Unit!"
Crowd erupts.
---
A short break followed.
Yachiho had been knocked out cold but was quickly revived thanks to Gina's healing ability. Her teeth reformed. No scars, luckily. As consciousness returned, she groaned—then bolted upright.
"That's cheating! I want a rematch! I—"
Grab.
Her rant was cut short as Tenka gently placed a hand on her head and leaned close.
"Yachiho," she said with unshakable calm, "the result is clear. You lost. Now show some dignity—acknowledge it and reflect."
Yachiho froze.
She grit her teeth—not because of pain, but from the bitter taste of her own overconfidence. Deep down, she knew.
(All that boasting… and I didn't even get to use it once.)
(What's the point of an overpowered ability, if you can't even activate it?)
And honestly—only a fool would give her the chance.
---
After that, Himari released her ability and Yuuki returned to his human form. The crowd dispersed for the break.
Understanding what was next, Kyouka calmly stepped forward.
"Himari's still shaking. Probably adrenaline. She needs to calm down. Yuuki, help her back to the dorm and get her some water."
No one questioned it. Of course, after a sudden victory like that, things would be tense. The others nodded in agreement.
---
Inside the Dorm Kitchen.
Himari sat at the counter, her shoulders finally dropping as she drank straight from a cold bottle.
The moment had passed. Her heart was still racing, but now the tension gave way to realization.
(Yuuki did everything… He's the reason I won.)
She looked down at the bottle, her lips trembling. (If I had fought her alone… I wouldn't have stood a chance against her ability.)
Yuuki, who had been silently watching from the side, read her body language perfectly.
"That was your victory, Himari-san," he said. "You used your ability. You gave the command. I just followed through. You earned that win."
His tone was calm, casual—but honest.
What he didn't say was that he hadn't let her engage Yachiho for a reason. While she was preparing the match, Yuuki had felt three foreign presences from the far cliffs—just barely within detection range.
Being barefoot all the time, his body had developed a hypersensitivity to the ground. And the sudden vibration in the earth… was too familiar.
(Just like the manga… They're already moving.)
If that was true, then keeping Yachiho's power hidden for now was a smarter play.
But before he could finish that thought—
Chu.
A kiss landed on his lips.
Soft. Sudden. Wet.
And with it—water. Himari was kissing him and transferring water mouth-to-mouth.
Her arms wrapped around his back as her body pressed against his.
The reward had begun.
Yuuki blinked, realizing it only when the warmth of her lips lingered even after they parted.
Face bright red, Himari turned her head and muttered:
"D-Don't misunderstand. That was just the reward taking effect."
Yuuki didn't reply.
He only smiled dumbly.
And leaned in again—this time letting their lips and tongues do the talking.