Jin's pov
"How's Blake and Jerzey doing? Any improvements?" I asked Briana, who had taken on the responsibility of training them. She assured me she had things under control, but as their leader, I couldn't just leave everything to her. That would make me incompetent—and I'm not part of the government to be incompetent.
"Jerzey is definitely strong. Honestly, he's at a Captain level," Briana replied, sitting beside me on a bench. "As for Blake, he's starting to build an even more solid offense. He even managed to break through Lim's defense."
I nodded, absorbing her words. Training was important, but right now, I was drowning in boredom, stuck lifting weights. What I really wanted was a fight. Then, an idea hit me, and I smirked to myself. Damn, I'm so smart.
"Briana, I have an idea," I said, turning to her. She raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Since we're both free, how about a two-round match?"
A small smirk formed on her lips as she stood and stretched. "Let's go. Let me test that strength of yours."
I followed her to an open training area where we both strapped on MMA gloves and protective gear.
"So, what are the rules?" she asked.
"Two rounds, three minutes each. You can surrender or get knocked out. No hitting below the belt or the back of the head. Other than that, use any style you prefer." I rolled my shoulders, making sure I was loose. Briana was a skilled fighter. I had to take her seriously.
"Is that all? We can start now, right? No holding back, Jin."
"Yeah, no holding back," I confirmed, setting the timer.
The moment the bell rang, Briana wasted no time charging at me, throwing a rapid one-two combination followed by a swift jab. I dodged, shifting my weight to counter with a heavy straight, but she anticipated it, ducking just in time. I aimed a low kick at her waist to disrupt her balance, but she closed the gap faster than I expected, landing a solid body blow that forced me back a step. Before I could fully regain my stance, she followed up with a powerful front kick that hit me square in the chest.
Damn! She's fast.
I needed to create space, so I took a few quick steps backward, but she was relentless, pressing forward and delivering a hook. My jaw snapped to the side from the impact. Shit, that one hurt!
I shook off the dizziness, deciding to go on defense for a moment while I analyzed her next move. Before I could react, she went for a leg sweep. I barely managed to jump back, but her attempt gave me an opening. I threw a light body blow to shake her balance and swiftly grabbed her, taking her down to the mat. Wasting no time, I locked her arm, attempting to force a submission.
She gritted her teeth and resisted, rolling over in an attempt to escape. Before I knew it, she reversed our positions and had me in a strong headlock. I struggled for a second, my breath slightly constricted.
Aight, I guess no more holding back.
With full force, I powered through, rising to my feet and lifting her off the ground. With one explosive motion, I threw her onto the mat. She barely had time to react before I moved in to finish her off, but she quickly delivered a kick to my stomach, forcing me to stagger backward.
Damn, she's good.
"You're stronger than I expected," I admitted, letting out a small chuckle. Briana smirked in response.
"Then stop holding back and fight me for real."
Before I could respond, the alarm rang, signaling the end of the first round. Saved by the bell. We both took a seat on the bench, catching our breath. Briana handed me a bottle of water, which I gratefully accepted.
"You were holding back, weren't you?" she suddenly asked.
I almost choked on my drink. "What? No way! You just caught me off guard!"
She scoffed, unconvinced. "Tch. Whatever you say. Ready for round two?"
I stood up and set the timer again. "Let's go."
As soon as the bell rang, she charged again—this time even faster. She threw a rapid one-two combination and followed up with an uppercut. I barely dodged, countering with a sharp elbow strike aimed at her guard. She blocked but stumbled slightly. Seeing the opening, I rushed in, attempting a spinning back kick, but she read my movements and ducked just in time.
Briana retaliated with a quick sidekick to my ribs, making me grunt in pain. I grit my teeth and pushed through, forcing her into a close-range exchange. Our fists flew at each other in rapid succession, trading blow for blow. I matched her intensity, knowing I had the upper hand in endurance and raw power.
After a few exchanges, I saw her start to slow down. I pressed forward, launching a devastating right hook that made her guard waver. She tried to regain distance, but I quickly closed in with a front kick, sending her back a step.
This is it. Her face is wide open—I can finish this with one solid straight punch.
I lunged at her, putting all my strength into my final strike.
You're done...
____________________________________
Briana's POV
"So you guys did some sparring, that's why your faces look like that?" Kai asks, and I just nod in response. My whole body still aches after my sparring match against Jin. He is indeed one heck of a fighter. "Who won, by the way?" she asks, making me pause as I recall our last exchange.
*Flashback to a few moments ago.*
After taking multiple punches from Jin, I stumbled back, trying to catch my breath. The blows had landed harder than I expected, leaving my body sore and my movements slightly sluggish. I needed to turn the tide before it was too late. Dropping my guard on purpose, I baited him in. Jin always seized opportunities, even when the risks were high. I could use that against him.
His front kick slammed into my midsection, forcing me to skid backward across the mat. Pain shot through my ribs, but I kept my face slightly open, coaxing him to commit to a strike. Sure enough, Jin lunged forward, his eyes locked onto me. He fell for it.
If he landed that straight punch, I'd be out cold. But I had a plan.
As his fist rocketed toward me, I twisted my body at the last second, letting his knuckles skim my cheek. Using the momentum, I pivoted on my back foot and countered with a spinning elbow aimed for his temple. Jin barely managed to duck under it, but I wasn't done. I planted my foot and launched a rising knee toward his jaw.
He reacted fast, tilting his head just enough to avoid the direct hit. His right hand shot up, catching my knee mid-air before I could retract it. He smirked.
"You're done."
Before I could react, he yanked my leg forward, breaking my stance. I felt the shift in balance too late. In an instant, he hooked his other arm around my neck and spun, flipping me over his shoulder in a lightning-fast throw. The impact rattled through my spine as I hit the mat hard.
I gasped, dazed. But Jin wasn't finished. He pinned my arm with his knee, locking me down as he reared back his fist for the finishing blow.
I clenched my teeth. He got me. I was the one who fell for the trap.
That's all I can remember because I passed out after that. Jin is, without a doubt, the strongest opponent I have faced so far. He turned my own trap against me, and honestly? It was brilliant.
"Jin actually got me. He's really good," I admitted, answering Kai's question. My gaze shifted to Jin, who was deep in conversation with Ryu, Kev, and Ken. "I didn't expect that he would throw that surprise attack. He seriously got me there."
I could actually learn a lot from his techniques. His way of fighting is risky, but there's a method to his chaos. It's like he sees ten steps ahead while everyone else is stuck reacting to the present.
"Yeah, Jin is pretty strong. I saw him go head-to-head against Akami despite already having some serious damage," Kai added.
I looked at Jin again. He was laughing with our team and his sister, his usual carefree demeanor making it seem as if he hadn't just fought like a demon hours ago. His eyes—those sharp, calculating eyes—reminded me of someone else. I could feel the corners of my lips twitch upward into a small smile.
"Yeah, he's our key to victory against Phantom Six after all," I said before finally taking a bite of the fish I had been cooking for a while.
Kai and I continued talking, mostly about my fight with Jin and how the team was improving. She also mentioned that she was training Atsushi now. Honestly, that kid was lucky—if there's anyone who could whip him into shape, it was Kai. She was the one who almost beat me in a match, after all.
While we were talking, Claine and Jin's sister, Jeanine, joined us.
I could tell Jeanine was still wary of me after what I had said to her before, and honestly? It made me chuckle a little. She had a serious brother complex, even if she tried to hide it. She might beat the crap out of Jin on a daily basis, but deep down, she adored him.
"Hi Sis! Hi sis Briana," Claine greeted, her energy as infectious as always. I smiled at her in response. Jeanine also greeted me, though more reserved, offering a polite smile. I simply nodded and smiled back. She hurried to sit beside Kai, a little too quickly. Yeah, she was still cautious of me. That was almost too amusing.
The four of us ended up having an unexpectedly fun time, engaged in a lively conversation. Jeanine, despite her usual serious demeanor, was hilarious when she talked about Jin. She complained about how much of a pain in the ass he was, yet somehow, even her insults sounded like backhanded compliments. Her words had me chuckling while Claine was full-on laughing her ass off.
Jeanine is a total bro-con.
Our fun was interrupted when Jin finally approached, looking utterly exhausted but still grinning like an idiot.
"Dang, I lost the freaking bet, now I'll be the one buying dinner," he said with an awkward laugh, scratching the back of his head. He looked so stupid like that, and I couldn't help but smirk.
"Hey Briana. Can you come with me? I actually wanted to talk to you as well," he added.
I excused myself from the girls and followed Jin to the market.
As we walked, I remembered that he had something to talk to me about.
"You said you wanted to talk about something, right? What's it about?" I asked, glancing at him.
"Actually, it's about our encounter with Phantom Six and Akami Army a few months ago," he said.
I narrowed my eyes slightly. "So? What about it?"
Jin let out a sigh. "I keep thinking about Akami. That stare of his—filled with pity—it makes me question, what's their real reason for fighting?"
I had been expecting him to bring this up again. To be honest, I already had my suspicions about the truth behind everything, but I wasn't about to voice them out loud. Not yet. Not until I was sure.
"That's something only Holmes knows the answer to," I replied, keeping my tone neutral. "I still don't have a clue about their motives, but I know we'll figure it out eventually."
Jin exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I hope so."
For a moment, he seemed deep in thought, but then, out of nowhere, he grinned like an idiot and said, "But man, I still can't forget how much you cried that time, you're that worried about me, huh?"
My entire body stiffened. My heart started beating faster than it should, my face heating up in embarrassment. This bastard! Did he have to bring that up?!
I grabbed him by the collar and forced him to face me, my glare sharp enough to kill.
"You'll forget about it right here, right now—or do you want to die?" I threatened, my voice colder than ice.
"Y-yes, boss!" he squeaked out, clearly regretting his life choices.
Damn it! I had buried that memory deep in the darkest corners of my mind, and now he had the audacity to dig it up! I was beyond pissed! I wanted to skin him alive! That was so humiliating! What the hell had gotten into me back then?! I completely lost my cool and acted like a stupid, emotional girl! Ugh!
"Come on! Let's finish shopping before I kick your stupid ass!" I snapped, stomping ahead.
Jin, wisely, just followed without another word.
Damn it. If he ever brings it up again, I swear, I will actually kill him.