Kaito Hoshino groaned as he rolled out of bed. His body felt like it belonged to someone else — arms and legs sore from yesterday's drills, back stiff from awkward falls, and pride… well, pride was still recovering from multiple humiliations.
I can barely move, and James says today we're doing offense?
Morning Training
James was already in the living room, bouncing lightly on his toes, like a coiled spring ready to snap.
"Today, we add a punch and a kick. You'll learn to react and respond, not just dodge."
Kaito's eyes widened. "Punch? Kick? I… I don't even know if I can hit someone!"
James smirked. "Good. Then you'll learn. That's the point."
The first attempts were… disastrous. Kaito's punches were slow, his kicks flailed like wet noodles, and more than once, he tripped over his own feet.
"Focus on form, not power. Step, twist, hit. Don't just flail!" James barked.
Kaito groaned, collapsing onto the mat. Sweat dripped into his eyes.
Why is this so hard…?
James crouched next to him. "Listen, Hoshino… nobody is born a fighter. You're learning. That's enough. One strike at a time."
Kaito nodded, silently promising himself he would get it right, eventually.
School Test
By midweek, Kaito returned to Shizuoka High, heart hammering. Today, the hallway looked different. Not because the hall had changed — no, it was the awareness in his own steps.
Ryo and his gang noticed him immediately.
"Well, well… Hoshino's back. Ready for another beating?" Ryo sneered.
Kaito froze for a second, hands twitching. Don't panic… don't panic…
Ryo's friend flicked a pencil at him.
Instinctively, Kaito sidestepped and, without thinking, pushed back lightly, using the momentum from the sidestep. The friend stumbled, tripped over his own feet, and almost fell into a locker.
Gasps echoed. A few classmates stopped, staring.
"Did… he just push him back?" Miki whispered.
Kaito's face turned red. He hadn't meant to do that — it was reflex, pure instinct. But something inside him… felt alive.
Ryo narrowed his eyes. "Huh… not bad. Not bad at all."
Step two… small strike. Not a fight, just… a little defense.
After School Reflection
Walking home with Miki, Kaito muttered, "I… I didn't mean to hit him. It just… happened."
Miki smiled. "Exactly. That's progress. You're starting to react, not just freeze. And it's still subtle — nobody can say you're reckless."
Kaito nodded, feeling a spark of pride.
Maybe this isn't impossible… maybe I can actually stand up for myself.
Evening Drill
That night, James watched Kaito practice his punches and kicks again.
"Better. Your timing's improving. Still sloppy, but improving. By the end of this month, you'll surprise yourself."
Kaito wiped sweat from his brow. "I… I just hope I don't embarrass myself tomorrow at school again."
James smirked. "Embarrass yourself? You already embarrassed yourself plenty. The trick is to turn that embarrassment into learning."
Kaito's lips twitched into a small smile. Learning… that's all this is. Step by step.
Night Thoughts
Lying on the couch, Kaito stared at the ceiling. His body was screaming in pain, his muscles shaking, and yet… he felt something new.
I moved. I defended. I even… struck. Not perfectly. Not strongly. But I struck.
For the first time in years, Kaito felt the faintest flicker of confidence. Not arrogance, not bravado — just… hope that he could change.
Step by step. One strike at a time.