Chapter 161: Don’t Toy Me on a Whim (3)

Chapter 161: Don't Toy Me on a Whim (3)

~Third POV~

[That Night, No Star Slums, Mankanshoku House Rooftop]

Soon all the table occupants ate their food with gusto until nothing remained. Both waited to digest their food as Mako left Ryuko and Mash on top of the roof with a knowing look wiggling her eyebrows getting the message.

She grinned leaving the two on the rooftop that they climbed gazing at the stars above before turning their gazes to each other. Mash looked at Ryuko who stared back with an expectant look as she said, "Well?"

Taking a moment to compose himself turning his attention to the starry night sky finally speaking in a genuinely happy tone, "… Mako's parents are nice people. It makes me a bit jealous for once."

Ryuko raises an eyebrow seeing a chance to discuss something about the guy curling her legs to her arms to grab in a curious tone, "Oh? Didn't expect you to be the jealous type and about them being a family? What about your folks?"

He cringed a bit at the mention of his family. Ryuko recoiled as she stepped on a sensitive topic quickly apologizing, "Whoa… if it's too much you –"

However, he interrupted her words in a calm tone raising his hand as he continued explaining, "You do not need to apologize. You didn't know so it's cool. My folks… I haven't had much time to think about them. Much less my little sister…"

He dryly chuckled at the mention of family Ryuko noticed the mood of sadness in his eyes gazing down as he continued, "God… it has been 2 years since I last thought of them having a nice family meal. It was nice to be reminded occasionally."

This sparked curiosity in Ryuko's mind as she thought to herself confused as she spoke to him in a confused tone, "Then why don't you visit them if you're that depressed man? I mean they can't be that hard to find somewhere in the world?"

Mash held a shallow chuckle at such a simple action knowing the true difficulty of such an action in a sarcastic tone in his thoughts, 'Hahaha… if only that truly was that simple to find my way home…'

But he managed to hide his emotions in front of her as he shrugged changing topics and asking about her in a curious tone, "Sure… but moving on Gear Eyes. I have a question I must ask. Are you going to be a killer someday?"

This immediately ruined the mood as she asked confused by such a question with slight concern in her tone, "Wha… why the heck did you bring that up, dumbass. Way to kill the mood jackass but why the heck would – "

It was when he interrupted her as he spoke in a blunt tone the truth of the possibility of confronting her killer, "Because you're after your father's killer. As your friend, I'm concerned you might become a killer yourself confronting your father's murderer. I just wondered what you'll do when you finally confront him or her. I doubt it would be resolved peacefully considering someone will die. If the chance does happen here's a small piece of advice… Ignore everything else and go for one objective. Go for the kill… it's killed or be killed."

Ryuko tried to open her mouth but froze not finding any words to argue this line of reasoning as she slowly closed her mouth. There was logic in his reasoning when she finally confronted her father's killer a realization finally dawned on her with a conflicted expression as she thought in a serious tone, 'Right… when I finally find my dad's killer… it'll be likely someone will die… but…'

Taking in a deep breath she exhaled as she asked hesitantly to her friend earning his attention in a determined tone, "Maybe you're right… but I set down on this path to find out the truth no matter what. I may not have had a great connection with my old man but… he was my father and family. I don't let some fuckers get away Scot-Free harming my family no matter the cost. But…"

She soon shifted her face to his direction locking their gaze between each other as she asked in a hesitant tone, "… I can know you have my back, right? No matter what happens at the end of my revenge quest?"

He gazed at the vulnerable glint shifting in her eyes as he patted her head responding in a reassuring tone making her blush, "Sure Ryuko. I keep my promises and will be with you to the very end. On my name, I swear to you Gear Eyes."

Shooting a snarky grin Ryuko fixed him with an unreadable look before a smirk made its way onto her face and said returning to her happier tone, "What, ya gonna go back to the nicknames?"

Mash replied shrugging his shoulders feeling a bit better of himself in a proud tone crossing his arms, "Yup, 'sides I like your reaction when I call you by your name."

She blushes as she argues back at him a bit happy and angry at the same time yelling in an embarrassed tone, "That's so not true! You know that's not how I roll shit's way too cheesy for me! I'm goin' to kill you one of these days you hear me!!"

That was when Mash stood up stretching as he spoke leaving Ryuko stunned by his bold words climbing down the rooftop, "Ha! You'll fall in love with me before you do! Now come on it's about time we start going."

He then disappeared leaving her with a bright blush slowly following suit. Ryuko touched her chest trying to calm down her heartbeat. As she began to climb down following him, she thought to herself in a conflicted tone, 'As if! There's no way I'd fall for that jackass of all people… right?'

/////

[That Night, Honnuji Tower]

*Splash*

*Splash*

Stepping out from the REVOC's company helicopter Soroi soon asked in a concerned tone at Satsuki carrying his umbrella in the rain, "I trust your mother wasn't too upset."

Stepping forward ahead to her Tower Satsuki in a stoic tone replied carrying her umbrella in the rain, "Once I explained why I took Junketsu out, she seemed fine. So, you needn't worry."

Her pace stops as her eyes lay on the Sanageyama down on all fours in the rain. She coldly tells him, "I have no time for losers, Sanageyama."

Remaining down on all fours bowing and begging in front of her Sanageyama said in a defeated tone, "I admit my eyesight made me cocky, but if you give me another chance, my lady, I swear I can beat Matoi."

Satsuki didn't even bother looking in his direction remaining to give him the cold shoulder in a stoic tone, "How pathetic. I have no use for subordinates who lack resolve."

Showing off his resolve Sanageyama lifted his head towards her direction as a flash of lightning illuminated light as he spoke in a determined tone, "I have resolve. And here's proof."

*KABOOOM*

Satsuki turned to see Sanageyama's resolve showing a light grin accepting his second chance in an accepting tone, "So you have."

/////

[The Next Morning, Honno City, One-Star District]

Ryuko was busy cleaning her teeth as Mash cooked their breakfast for the day. When both were done they paused seeing a kendo sword with a paper that read the word kanji challenge.

They exchanged gazes as Ryuko grinned overconfident taking the same guy down in an arrogant tone, "Huh? Seems like I'm gonna kick his ass again. Better meet up with his challenge you are coming?"

Mash simply nodded knowing this scene with his eyes closed following Ryuko in a neutral tone with his hands in his pockets as he thought, 'Seems like there might be a change from before if a guy like that came back from defeat. I should know I went through the same thing before but Ryuko on the other hand never had a genuine taste of defeat this could be a good chance to show her need for improvement.'

Finishing his thoughts they soon went ahead to the location where Sanageyama would challenge them…

/////

[Honnouji Entrance]

Both went towards the Honnouji Academy Entrance as it said in the challenge letter and both eyes laid on a change of the scene. Both looked at the school courtyard and saw Sanageyama alone in an arena filled with spikes and surrounded by smoke. Soon huge red letters appeared above.

[HONNOUJIGAHARA]

Mash decided to leave this to Ryuko as he spoke in a serious tone catching her off guard with his words of caution, "I would be careful if I were you Gear Eyes. This guy seemed to up his game."

Leaving finding a place to watch Ryuko was confused by his words but didn't put much thought into them as she focused on Sanageyama saying in a confident tone, "Huh? Didn't think losers got a second chance around here. What do I know?"

Mash noticed Satsuki, who was atop her tower as Ryuko pointed out loud yelling loud enough for her to hear, "Guess you're just a big old softie. Satsuki Kiryuin."

Satsuki standing on the top of her tower replied in a stoic tone judging the match, "Let's see how soft you think I am after the fight. Ryuko Matoi."

Ryuko simply grinned letting a laugh escape as Sanageyama spoke losing his laid-back tone with a serious tone as his hair shadowed his eyes, "I'm going to show you what happens when you force a man to change. Three-star Goku uniform, Blade Regalia. MK. II!!!"

He soon transformed as Senketsu warned Ryuko in a cautious tone feeling a difference between Sanageyama between yesterday and today, "Be careful, Ryuko. This doesn't feel like it did last time."

She nodded her head gripping her Scissor Blade tightly reaching for her glove to transform in a confident tone and apologizing in advance, "Then let's get this over with quick. [Life Fiber synchronized Kamui Senketsu]! Sorry, Senketsu."

*Shinng*

Cutting up a piece of Senketsu Ryuko repeated the same strategy she did to defeat Sanageyama the first time using Senketsu to cover up the eye of Sanageyama, she charged in again, "Covered up all your holes again. Try using that [Higi Tengatsu] now – Ack! What the hell?"

*BAM*

But instead of another victory, Sanageyama countered her attack, and she skidded across the arena in shock as Senketsu pointed out, "Ryuko look. His eyes are shut!"

She soon looked at him with shock seeing Sanageyama's face he sewn his eyes shut as Satsuki spoke in a serious tone for her to hear, "He's realized his mistake and sacrificed everything to beat you. Keep that in mind, Matoi."

Following as he began to march menacingly forward to Ryuko in a cold tone, "En garde."

Sanageyama was completely overwhelming Ryuko, she was unable to attack him as he always knew how and when to deflect them Mash watching the scene with a bemused expression spoke out loud, "Hmm, Eyebrows does have a heart, would you look at that. Speak of the devil and she shall appear huh?"

Closing his eyes he felt Satsuki sizing him with a piercing stare as she stoically said her hands tensing at the handle of her sword, "… We shall talk later, Mash. For the moment, stand at the sidelines and watch the duel."

He simply shrugged but curtly nodded causing her to narrow her eyes even further seeing this reaction instead of interrupting with a frown on her face. Even Sagaeyama found the whole situation off for him.

Despite winning against Ryuko using [Shingantsu] by sealing away his sense of sight, Sanageyama enhances his other senses and his affinity with his Goku Uniform. He gains the ability to anticipate his opponent's actions at a greater level by sensing the area all around him.

He claims that he can see the entire world, and comments that his ability to perceive his surroundings surpassed that of anything he could have hoped to achieve with his eyes open. However, Shingantsu does not work on screens, and the enhanced senses can sometimes backfire.

However, in this case, he detected no change or movement from Mash making him frown but decided to remain focused on fighting Ryuko. The fight continued as Ryuko was sent into the air and crashed down leaving a crater.

*BOOOOM*

Ryuko crashed in the center of the arena where Sanageyama prepared to finish her off he froze as his instincts screamed at him to halt. Being alerted he knew why seeing the sheer intent from Mash as he casually stepped forward picking her up in a friendly tone lightly releasing his [Bloodlust] skill, "Sorry but I think that's a good enough lesson for Gear Eyes today, don't you think? Besides I doubt you'll want to continue with your uniform overheating."

*Fwsss*

Sanageyama did not move as Mash casually picked the defeated Ryuko in a bridal style carrying her. Just then, Sanageyama's Goku Uniform suddenly returned to its normal state, having overheated as he said.

He walked out of the area, but not before eyeing Sanageyama and Satsuki with an embarrassed expression, "Sorry kendo dude but will try this rematch another time. And Eyebrows will talk later."

He walked out of the area without anyone to stop him. The kendo warrior collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily as Satsuki spoke in a serious tone, "You didn't fail Sanageyama. Your power surpassed the uniform's. Limitations are all. But why did you hesitate."

Satsuki leveled him with a questioning glare as he took a moment to regain his bearings in a hesitant tone, "F-Forgive me, my lady. But I simply… couldn't move. Not while I was close sensing… his intent was too overbearing to ignore..."

He could not move at all. His senses were being overloaded once he felt it. Never had he felt such [Bloodlust] radiating from a person nor the amount of blood on a person. It was the amount of bloodlust he emitted that made him stop.

With both gone Satsuki narrowed her eyes seeing not everything had gone as she hoped she turned away to her tower muttering in a disappointed tone, "I had planned on getting you to jump in when Ryuko was about to die, Mash. It seems as if the Lady's Luck is on his side but no matter I will unveil your mysterious one day."

/////

A/N: Thanks guys for your input on what I should add or don't add to my story. I'll soon start making the new arc as to which one... find out when it releases. ;)