The beeping sound from an alarm disturbed Kyoya`s eyes. He tossed and turned, before finally getting up. The digital display showed 5:30, Saturday morning. In the bathroom, Kyoya eyed his muscles, flexing his arms and legs. Although slim, Kyoya`s shoulders bulged nicely, and a set of lines divided his abdomen into eight pieces. Kyoya was most confident of his legs. Every trainable muscle popped up in sharp lines. When he turned around, the mirror showed a 20cm scar running across his back.

At school, Kyoya handed in his homework, receiving praise from his literature teacher for improving from his mistakes. In lunch break, Kyoya didn`t come to eat with the other two, instead watched MMA videos on his phone [ey like me]. Going home early, he had time to cook dinner properly. Kura ate dinner with him before she went to work.

Looking left and right, Kyoya nervously waited for time to pass. Having done most of next week`s assignments, he had nothing to fear yet was trembling. From afar, the sound of a car was heard, becoming louder by the seconds. Night was coming, fast.

Demitri and Celestyna got off, knocked the door, and waited for a moment. To be precise, that moment lasted 0.5 seconds. The door sprang open, revealing a short shounen. He wore a full tracksuit, colored blue; on his neck hung a black bandana.

“Konbawa… Thank you for going all the way here.”

“Ah, it`s nothing. Let`s get moving.”

Kyoya timidly followed, but was blocked by Demitri. He took out a thick latex band and signaled Kyoya to put it over his eyes. The pair of eyes turned into circles while his mouth took the shape of a triangle.

“For security reasons.” Celes winked.

“H-Hai!” the boy submissively tied it on. The latex grazing against his skin brought back some unpleasant memories.

Only the low rumbling sound of the engine played throughout the journey. They got off the car, and he was led through various staircases. Kyoya felt something stuck hard in his throat, and swallowed. Eventually, he spoke:

“I-If I lose there would still be payment, right?”

Celes didn`t answer right away, but giggled. Then Kyoya heard:

“Yes, depending on how much the audience enjoyed your performance.”

“Hora, you can take it off now. We are here.”

Bright stage lights assaulted his eyes as the band slipped down on his cheeks. Chaotic noises entered his ears. The mini stadium was filled with people, ranging from as young as 20 to old people in luxurious tuxedos. Females were also there, chatting non-stop. At the center of attention, a cage situated on an elevated foundation, with huge LCD screens hanging down from the ceiling. Kyoya was then taken away from the balcony where he entered and into the preparation room.

“Are you sure you want to fight wearing all this?” the referee asked.

“Is it not allowed?” Kyoya fixed the bandana covering his face.

“Er… Ie, since I`ve made sure that you don`t have any armor or weapons underneath. Still, your opponent can grab these clothes very easily, so not many fight with so much on their bodies.”

“I`m fine.” Kyoya tightened the MMA gloves on his hand. Tasting the familar mouth guard he wore whenever they sparred, Kyoya warmed up.

Then, he waited at the fighter`s entrance to the stadium. A luscious MC in thin clothing stood there, preparing to scream into her mic:

“And now! For tonight`s main event, the battle of the challenger and the gatekeeper! From Northen Kyushu, Fukuoka, weighing 100 kilos, with the record of 20 KOs… Introducing first, FIGHTING! Out of the blue corner, ROKUDO the ASSESSOR!” [lame, ikr]

Screams resounded the building, as music from the side banged Kyoya`s head. The huge fighter waved to the applause he was receiving, laughing while flexing his steroid-based body.

The girl signaled and Kyoya hastily ran out.

“And from the red corner, introducing second, THE CHALLENGER!...” She whispered to him ”What do I call you?”

“Eh…”

The MC threw him an annoyed look, and yelled at the top of her lungs:

“THE SMALL GUY IN A TRACKSUIT!”

Many yelled “Boo!” and dissed the little fighter they saw. The ring models flocked to Rokudo, openly taunting Kyoya with rude gestures and scornful looks. The big fighter himself act baffled, and yelled “Really? Really?” to his audience.

Kyoya didn`t lock his sight on the guy, but busy reciting the techniques he saw in MMA videos.