The next morning, the sun filtered through the classroom windows. Hinata was already seated at her place, silent, her gaze lost on the courtyard where a few students laughed. The calm before the usual bustle.
The door opened softly and Mayohi entered, her orange hair vibrant in the light. She immediately spotted Hinata and approached with her usual energetic air.
— Hey, Hinata! You won't believe what happened to me this morning!
Hinata looked up, half amused.
— You seem to experience something every day, don't you?
Mayohi laughed.
— I swear, this one was bold! He followed me all the way here just to tell me he "loved my way of walking."
Hinata furrowed her brows, a little taken aback.
— Your way of walking? Is that… a pick-up technique?
— Apparently, yes! replied Mayohi, throwing her arms up, exasperated. He thought I'd melt just because he looked at me like a hungry dog.
Hinata stifled a small quiet laugh, a rare thing.
— And what did you say to him?
— That if he kept it up, I'd make him taste my handbag! Mayohi proudly replied, laughing.
Hinata couldn't help but smile genuinely this time.
— Not bad. He must have got the message.
— Oh yes, he ran away!
Their light laughter was lost in the growing noise of the class filling up. But suddenly, the atmosphere tensed. A dominant shadow entered in turn.
Jack.
He walked slowly, hands in pockets, a mocking smile on his face. Seeing the two girls, he sneered.
— Well, well… my maid and my sister are friends now?
Mayohi clenched her fists.
— Jack, stop, please!
But Jack ignored his sister, leaning toward Hinata. His look grew darker.
— Don't think just because you're friends with my sis, you'll escape what awaits. You'll live hell, beautiful.
A murmur spread across the room.
Hinata slowly raised her eyes toward him. Her look was empty, cold, as if detached from all emotion. Not a word. Not a gesture. Just that icy silence that almost made Jack step back before turning away and leaving with a sneer.
Mayohi immediately put a hand on Hinata's arm.
— Hey… don't take it to heart, okay? He's just stupid.
Hinata breathed out softly and replied calmly:
— It's nothing. Don't worry about it.
Mayohi looked at her, a bit disturbed by this self-control. But she decided to change the subject to lighten the mood.
— So… what are you doing after class today?
Hinata looked up, thought for a moment.
— I'm going to the hall.
— Hall? repeated Mayohi, intrigued. Hall for what?
— Martial arts, Hinata replied simply.
Mayohi's eyes widened, suddenly excited.
— What?! You do martial arts?! That's so cool! Will you go assist your big brother?
Hinata shook her head, almost amused by the question.
— No, for myself.
— Wait, you mean you practice?
— Yes. For a long time.
— Wow! Mayohi exclaimed, amazed. Can I come with you? Just to watch? Promise, I won't make a sound!
Hinata shrugged slightly, a small smile at the corner of her lips.
— Why not.
Mayohi's face lit up like a child promised a party.
— Great! I want to see it with my own eyes!
Before Hinata could answer, the door opened again. Their teacher entered, placing his things on the desk in a quiet respectful silence.
— Okay, everyone in place, let's start class.
Mayohi cast one last knowing look to Hinata before sitting next to her, still excited at the idea of joining her after class. Hinata, however, remained focused, but her gaze slid for a moment toward the window—a slight breath of satisfaction on her face.
Maybe this day would also be "different."
Training hall — noon.
Hinata and Mayohi entered a vast room where hits, shouts, and the noise of chains echoed. Dozens of practitioners exercised there: boxing, karate, taekwondo, muay-thai… the diversity of styles gave the place an almost wild atmosphere.
The two young women, dressed in black tank tops and shorts, naturally caught some looks. Hinata, hands bandaged, headed toward the weightlifting area.
Mayohi, wide-eyed:
— How can you lift those huge things?!
Hinata, calmly lifting the dumbbell before putting it back down:
— I'm used to it.
She wiped her forehead, calm, while Mayohi stared at her, mouth agape. Then they moved to a hanging punching bag. Hinata gave a sharp hit. The 120-kilo bag swung like a feather.
Mayohi, shocked:
— That bag… how much does it weigh to move like that?!
Hinata, hitting again, wiping sweat drops:
— One hundred and twenty kilos.
Mayohi, nearly shouting:
— What?! No way!
She stepped forward, puffing out her chest:
— Step aside, watch the goddess at work!
Hinata, raising a hand:
— No, wait—
Too late. Mayohi hit with all her strength. The bag didn't move an inch. However, a crack was heard in her arm.
Mayohi, screaming:
— Ouch! It hurts! I feel like I broke a bone!!
Hinata, chuckling softly:
— I don't think so, no… but you definitely don't have the right posture.
Suddenly, a huge shadow fell on them. Seven colossi, all more massive than the others, had approached.
Mayohi swallowed and instinctively hid behind Hinata, who stood perfectly straight.
One of the men, with a big smile:
— Hey, Hina, you came today?
Mayohi, in her head:
Hina?… They know her?
Another added, amused:
— There's a newcomer acting all cocky. He thinks he can beat you one-on-one! Maybe you could put him in his place…
A third, tattooed, stepped forward, cracking his fingers:
— That's the "little one" I have to face? Seriously guys, I don't want trouble.
The newcomer took an apparently cautious air, exaggerating prudence to raise tension.
— Well… I'll go easy, huh. I might accidentally kill you with one punch, he said feigning stepping back, hands raised like a puppet.
The others began to sneer mockingly.
— Come on, stop the show! Soon you won't be so cocky.
— We want a show, not a comedy!
Irritated by their jeers, the newcomer straightened up, jaw clenched. He threw down a challenge:
— So, you want to settle this? 1 vs 1. Boxing. Your style, my fists. Winner keeps the respect of the turf.
Hinata slowly shrugged, as if the question was not worth more effort.
— Fine.
A murmur ran through the room. Some whistled, others already betting. Mayohi felt her heart jump in her chest; fear struck her suddenly. These colossi facing them didn't seem to want only words.
She whispered barely audible in Hinata's ear:
— Hinata… you're not seriously going to face that mountain of muscles, are you?
Hinata barely turned her head, expression impassive.
— Who told you I was going to face him?
Mayohi looked at her, relieved just for a moment, but Hinata cut her off, voice cold and sure:
— I'm going to crush him.
Mayohi shuddered, incredulous:
— What? Are you crazy?
One of the guys whistled in surprise. The newcomer sneered confidently. The tension rose, electric. An improvised ring was designated—two ropes, a square marked on the floor—and the crowd formed a circle to see better.
The newcomer stepped forward, cracking his fingers with a smirk.
— I'll try not to hurt you too much, little one. Don't worry.
Hinata remained still, arms down, bandages visible around her hands. No words, no theatrical gesture. Her posture was simple, almost disdainful. This worsened the group's mockery—but also chilled a few glances.
Outside the ring, Mayohi began to imagine the worst scenarios. Her mind created too fast images: Hinata collapsing from a hook, the silence after the impact, teachers announcing the news, the sorrow in her family's eyes. Her chest tightened. She joined her hands, almost in prayer, a hurried murmur:
— Please, may Hinata come out of this, almighty God… please.