Tigers, Holograms, and a Weird Ring Girl

Haruki ran back to his place in the VIP wing but didn't find his friends. Then he looked at his smartwatch for a message from them. He saw with relief that there was.

…...

[You Have 1 New Private Message (Open)]

…...

Haruki tried to open it to read, but another message popped up seconds later,

…...

[You Don't Have Credits Enough.]

[Recharge your Messenger App.]

…...

'What mercenaries, sons of b*tch! The other message was not charged. Of course, it wasn't! The first is always free, hm? You greedy bastards!'

There was no use looking at his diamonds balance, he was zeroed out for betting on the last diamond in Jun, hoping to win a small easy fortune.

More than winning diamonds, Haruki wanted Jun to see that he believed in Jun's ability. He still resented the deserved words in the back alley, about not believing in Jun.

A new message arrived and opened automatically.

...

[New System Message.]

[Promotion, 10 Messages For 1 Diamond!]

[Promotion Valid For 10 Minutes.]

...

'Someone is watching this and laughing a lot at my expense. You will pay me! ' he was sure the developers even made bets on everything that was going on.

He went out to look for his companions.

Even though Haruki was tall, like Jun, he couldn't see them from there. The crowd of holograms and androids in the room blocked his view. Haruki had paid no attention to them yet, but now that he was watching the crowd, he was fascinated by the developers' creativity.

'They were excited about this event.'

In addition to the audience, there were half-naked gladiators in armor and shields, and panthers and tigers, leopards and African lions, which were part of the arena's themed decor. The beasts appeared from anywhere. They were so majestic that they scared even Haruki. "But you are the only feral cat here, aren't you, Mimi?" Haruki complained because the kitten was still trying to escape him, scratching his arm.

The singer was literally feeling the hardships of being a tutor.

"Sorry boy, but with this behavior, I have no choice."

The singer put Mimi in the 'capsule' backpack, as he dubbed it. It was specific for carrying cats, had small vents, and a transparent bubble window that reminded Haruki of a spatial capsule, but for pets. He acquired it with the diamonds from the Fox Mask's sale. The singer was uncertain if it was comfortable for the kitten, though.

Tonight, however, it was the only way to not lose Mimi again.

Haruki continued to look for his friends.

He stopped walking to look at the sky when he realized that the drones with the spotlights had gone to the edges of the Coliseum and saw Miyu-chan's balloon coming. It descended smoothly, landing next to the ring.

"Of course she would come to watch the fight," he murmured, a little annoyed. He supposed she would have the prerogative of Jun's attention after the fight, and couldn't help but feeling jealous even of the poor girl.

'Man, you are not well," he reproached himself for this possessive feeling. Was he going to become a Jun's stalker now?

Okami no AI's avatar was with the player, and the girl seemed fascinated by the crowded arena. And she was having a good time greeting everyone else in her field of vision, cheering at her. After all, her arrival was part of the event, too.

Miyu-chan smiled and waved at the gladiators and pointed out at the big cats. The girl screamed and cringed when she saw a beautiful saber-toothed tiger show up beside her.

She was supported by the android until she recovered from the shock and was taken to an exclusive wing. Saito was there and received her, seeming concerned by her health, but she seemed recovered from the scare.

Haruki did not understand why he was there. He hadn't seen the climber until this moment. First, Haruki was very busy at work. Second, on rest breaks, he purposely avoided the places where the adventurer might be.

The singer heard Daisuke's voice amplified by the speakers, which attracted the attention of those present.

The influencer was in the center of the ring, holding the mic. Ring girls standing like wax statues were in the four external corners of the ring, holding LED plaques.

Daisuke, as always, looked stunning with his flowing scarves and fluid clothing, plus a fedora hat. He looked cool, like a famous rock star, comfortable in his own skin.

'Ohh! but of course, he would take the chance to work,' Haruki had screwed up again. Perhaps he had succeeded in applying to be a sports commentator or even one judge... But once again, he didn't think of it until it was too late.

"Welcome to the biggest challenge of the Arena Coliseum ever!"

Daisuke's fascinating introduction as master of ceremonies glamorized the event. The buzz was over, and all the spotlights were turned to the ring in the center of the arena.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, weighing 77.5 kg, at 1.80m, the 23-year-old challenger SASAKI JUN !!!"

After a LED, lasers, and smoke light show, a gate opened with a thunderous sound, and Jun walked from it, in his red and gold robe. Rap music exalted a man who won over the hardships of his life.

Behind him came Hinata and Takashi, wearing red T-shirts with 'SASAKI TEAM' written in gold.

Haruki felt a bitter taste in his mouth. Was it envy?

'It can only be karma.' He really wanted to be there with them.

Jun jumped the ropes, and taking off his robe, he showed his physique by raising his arms. There was little applause, basically from his team, Haruki, and from a few spectators with red bracelets that lit up.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, weighing 84 kg, with 1.77m, the undefeated champion of the Boxing Androids Championship. And with 30 fights in the World Boxing Robots Prototypes championship, this year: ROCKY LAMOTTA!!!"

The Coliseum Arena shook to the sound of applause and cheering. And another light show started and lasted as long as the android walked with open arms so its most eager fans would touch their gloves. Rocky Lamotta wore a blue and silver robe.

Two androids with faces that Haruki thought he had seen somewhere made part of his staff. He would not be surprised if they were inspired by famous boxers.

His team lowered the ropes, and he entered. The crowd still applauded him. He dropped his robe to reveal the volume of his arms - they were the diameter of Haruki's worked out thighs.

'Damn it. It will be a massacre, 'Haruki who came to believe that Jun could indeed win, seeing the veteran's appearance with his giant biceps and triceps, prayed for Jun's life. Jun's opponent was scary.

"Takeda-san, you were invited to sit with Yoshida-san."

Haruki looked at Saito, and waved.

Miyu-chan looked at Haruki looking like he just recognized him now. And waved back.

"Thank you, I will go next. There is no need to accompany me," he replied so that the android who brought the message would leave him alone.

But the singer had no such intention to do so, and just returned to his now lonely place. He didn't want Jun to see him near Saito; he didn't want any new misunderstandings.

The boxers faced each other in the ring.

The judge approached and began to make gestures and to speak the match's rules. The opponents faced each other, ignoring the referee.

Jun showed the gloves, LaMotta did the same. They greeted each other with a light touch of gloves and walked away.

It was real, the fight was going to start.

Haruki ran to his friends next to the ring, he decided to join them. As he approached the ring, an android security guard pulled him back,

"It's staff only, sir."

Haruki, with no other alternative, stepped back a little, to watch from there.

He put himself in Takashi and Hinata's field of vision and waved frantically, trying to get attention to go and stay with friends. Hinata finally saw him and came closer.

"Hinata, put me on Jun's staff."

"It won't work, it's just two Staff IDs per team."

"Then give me yours."

"Sorry, senpai, but I can't. Jun-senpai is calling me," Hinata blatantly lied and ran out, leaving the singer. And as he passed into the ring area, something in his waist shone.

Haruki looked at the other androids, they all wore the tag on their bodies. Even ring girls used the tag in their belts.

And at that moment, the ring girl with the 1rst ROUND plaque passed by the singer.

Haruki had an idea, at least crazy. Acting fast to not let reason cower him, Haruki grabbed her by the arm and pulled the female android into the men's room that was the closest to them.

"Let go of me, sir," she asked confusedly, "I have to go to the ring."

The singer took the sign, and more carefully the belt of the android, who protested, without stopping him.

"I'm sorry, miss, it's a matter of love" Haruki took off his sweatshirt and t-shirt, putting the backpack back on his shoulders, and equipped himself with the belt. And took the plaque she was holding.

"I'll be back to release you shortly."

And Haruki locked the bathroom from the outside. Very embarrassed, but also very determined, he went to the ring, where the fighters were waiting for the ring girl parade to start the fight.

Haruki dashed to the ring area with his head down.

He knew he was being ridiculous. Yet the singer went ahead in what he already knew would be a reason for mockery until his last days with them. Haruki stopped by the sensor. It was time to reflect on the consequences,

'Jun will find out I love him. And after that night, what will become of me? Of us? Am I going or not going inside the ring? '