The gym was apparently quite popular.
It was bustling with people, including a fair number of women with impressive physiques. However, there were hardly any JK girls Toa's age—almost none.
Then again, Toa wasn't exactly a normal girl anymore.
With her superhuman monster traits, would she even be interested in fitness? Seeing her curiously tinkering with the equipment, Muxiao shrugged, his gaze scanning the crowd of exercising men and women. Soon, he spotted a familiar figure.
Long, flowing hair, a refined yet aloof face, and a charm rivaling Natsumi's. Still young, dressed in a school uniform, the JK beauty was lifting dumbbells with intense focus.
Muxiao's eyes nearly popped out.
Most girls came to the gym to tone, as did men. But her… that resolute expression, so out of place, lifting weights for muscle.
It gave Muxiao déjà vu, as if it wasn't a girl training but Saitama-sensei.
Wakumaku-san, are you training to become Saitama? Planning to go bald, get strong, and slaughter all the tentacle monsters?
Yes, the lone figure training was none other than Wakumaku, a survivor of the school invasion.
It had been a while since the monster attack, but Wakumaku couldn't forget that day—the blood, the terror, the despair.
The trauma was indescribable, not just for her but for all survivors. Houichi had been hit hardest, while Natsumi had fared better.
Her own powerlessness during the incident drove Wakumaku to vow to get stronger. Even after transferring to a new school, the bone-deep fear lingered.
Even if things were peaceful now, who could guarantee safety in the future? That sense of crisis fueled her decision.
It was laughable, even futile—no amount of training could let her kill those monsters. But she had to do something. Even a 0.1% better chance of survival might save her.
As the captain and ace of the archery club, Wakumaku wasn't weak. Skilled in archery, she knew techniques were useless against monsters—only raw strength mattered.
Of course, she'd learn techniques once her strength improved.
The invasion had changed the survivors' lives. Wiping sweat from her brow, Wakumaku thought of Houichi, her junior in the club.
They'd had mutual feelings, but after escaping, their contact dwindled. At the new school, he hadn't joined any clubs, always chasing Natsumi, trying to win back his childhood friend.
After what happened, it's impossible… My best friend plotting against my childhood friend… And Natsumi seemed drawn to that tentacle monster…
"It's for the best. In this dangerous world, without strength to protect yourself, even love is…"
Muttering, her ears caught a familiar voice. Looking up, Wakumaku's eyes locked onto a familiar figure, her pupils trembling.
"Toa?!"
Her soft exclamation was caught by the now-superhuman Toa, who turned and met Wakumaku's shocked gaze.
Toa: "…"
Why is Wakumaku-senpai here?!
After a brief stun, Toa snapped back. This was a classic rival-meeting scenario, but oddly, she didn't feel the same hostility toward Wakumaku, the "real" threat to her brother.
Toa's gaze softened as she exhaled, calming herself. "Tentacle-kun, let's…"
Turning, she caught Muxiao's playful eyes roving over Wakumaku, his expression… off. Toa's face turned green.
"Muxiao-kun, you—"
"What?"
"…Come with me!"
Grabbing his arm, she dragged him out, regretting her choice to come to the gym and run into Wakumaku.
"Wait!" Dropping her towel, Wakumaku rushed to block Toa, her sweaty, athletic aura striking. "Toa, who's he?"
Muxiao: "???"
Wakumaku studied the unfamiliar boy, not recognizing him. "If you've got a grudge, take it out on me, not an innocent person!"
Muxiao: "…"
Am I being misunderstood?
"Wakumaku-senpai, what are you talking about? I'm just out on a date with my boyfriend. Can you not say weird stuff?"
Toa blinked innocently.
"Date? Boyfriend? Don't joke," Wakumaku said, knowing Toa liked Houichi. She turned to Muxiao, serious. "This girl's not as simple as you think. She's dangerous. If you can, I hope you'll steer clear and not be deceived—"
Muxiao found this amusing, rubbing his chin. "Hmm, is Toa-chan dangerous? But wasting such a cute, pretty girlfriend would be a shame, no?"
Before Toa could smile, Muxiao added, "If this lovely lady wants to be my girlfriend, I'll dump Toa in a heartbeat!"
Toa: "…"
Wakumaku: "…"
Stunned.
"Muxiao!!" Toa exploded, yanking his cloak and dragging him out, her face dark with fury.
When Wakumaku came to, they were gone. She stood there, dazed. "Those two… what's going on?"
Was that boy teasing me? No way he was serious.
Bang—
Toa dragged Muxiao around a corner, slamming him against a wall in a classic kabedon, her sharp eyes locking onto his, their faces close, breaths mingling with her faint fragrance.
Muxiao blinked innocently.
"Muxiao, you were just joking, right? You didn't actually fall for Wakumaku-senpai, did you?"
"Why a joke? She's gorgeous—liking her's normal," Muxiao said earnestly. "That Yamato Nadeshiko grace mixed with sporty energy—she's Houichi's old crush for a reason."
He winked at Toa. "Toa-san, didn't you say you'd help me win those girls, including her? This clears a rival for you, doesn't it? Perfect, no?"
Not perfect at all!!!
Toa felt an inexplicable irritation, her mood sour.
I said that back then, but I took it back!