K.O.

It was almost surreal when Akan appeared on the screen. The crowd went wild as Saka smirked, waiting for Ori, the small blue orb-like creature to appear. Which only added to the jeers infiltrating Jui's earlobes.

"Ori?!"

"Thats the weakest character!"

"You're toast newb!"

Jui couldn't evade Saka's questioning glance. "Are you sure you want to play with him?"

"Yes."

Jui didn't even return his glance, he was focused. That amazed Saka, which made him even more pumped for their match because he knew he had something up his sleeve. He could feel it in his unwavering gaze. This may be the guy he was looking for.

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Jui chose Ori on purpose. He was light and easy to KO; his mobility was poor which made him hard to approach his attackers. But he was a highly underrated character because he had excellent recovery, his small body made it easier for him to dodge attacks and combos, and most of all…he could obtain his characters abilities, matching it with his own.

"Fight!" the machine exclaimed.

Jui knew that Strike was more about skill, it was a strategy-based gameplay. Even though some players merely focused on brute strength, the goal of the game was to deal enough damage to your opponent to send them flying out of the ring. Brute strength and minimal skill of an opponent can work at times, but Strike was an art of war.

Akan lunged at Ori, but Jui predicted his movements and dodged. Saka and Jui were tied, and Saka built up his HP to use Akan's famed silencer. Silencer was Akan's main Strike pose, where the fox would configure a cannon to demolish his opponent. It was Saka's claim to fame, which Jui had seen multiple times while he watched him play.

"Saka, Saka!" The crowd continued.

But as Jui has learned, patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination.

Akan had to get in reach of Ori to perform his final blow. His arm was surrounded by a black mist as he netted toward the small orb.

"Closer!" Jui said under his breath.

"Silence—" Akan shouted, within reach of Ori.

"Now!" Jui shouted in his mind as Ori disappeared, landing behind Akan.

The little orb opened his mouth, catching Akan off balance and swallowing him. Akan's HP dropped as Saka cursed, dismantling his plan as Ori emerged with a black Wolf mask.

"No way," the crowd roared, "That was amazing, who is this kid?!"

Jui smirked, wanting to beat Saka at his own game. The HP he gained from the swap enabled him to use Saka's final move. Akan reacted, trying to land punches so Ori was unable to power up. However, what Saka forgot is that Ori still kept his enhancements. When Akan missed his kick, Ori disappeared: floating in the sky above the arena. Akan was unable to follow, and his HP was too low to land a finishing move.

Ori powered up as Saka began to sweat, the familiar mist from Akan surrounding the orbs right arm. Akan began to brace, ready for the impact as Ori shouted:

"Silencer!!"

"Wo!!" Everyone shouted as the screen shook and faded to black.

A moment of silence passed as Ori emerged over a toppled Akan.

"K.O."

Jui's face lightened, he did it!! He really did it!

The kids began to cheer as Saka sighed, surprised but also willing to admit defeat.

"That was epic!!!"

"He kicked Saka's ass!"

Jui couldn't help but smile as he was congratulated by complete strangers. It was a great feeling because at that very moment, he felt like he belonged.

As the crowd trimmed down, Jui turned to Saka who still cockily leaning against the machine. Jui blushed a little looking into his eyes. How long had he been waiting to speak with him? It felt like an eternity had passed.

"That was really fun, thank you for that!" Jui initiated to end the awkwardness.

"That was really impressive! Didn't expect you to use my own move against me! I thought I had you." Saka acknowledged, folding his arms as he stood closer to Jui.

Jui rubbed the back of his head, feeling shy again. "I…uh countered enough to replenish my HP. If you used silencer two moves earlier, I would've been toast."

"Huh, we'll I'll remember that next time. You know your stuff, but it'll be a while before you dethrone me. I honestly underestimated you." Saka said, extending his hand to Jui.

Jui was caught off guard by that. Next time?! He…he wants to play with me again?!

"But anyway, my name is Saka."

Jui took Sana'a hand. "Jui...nice to meet you. It was an honor to play Strike with you!"

"The mouse came out of his shell, and he tore you a new one!" Maichi said, slurping a slushy right next to Jui's ear.

Another boy with a bobbed haircut and cut-off jeans gave Saka a noogie. "Pizza is on you today, loser boy!"

Saka pushed the boy's hand away. "Yea…yea, don't get too used to this."

Saka and his friends start to walk off as Jui watches them go. He felt a new fire in his heart, as he turned back to the Strike machine. The game was asking him to input his name to adjust the leaderboard scores.

Jui began to type his gamertag. Jui felt a new fire stir in his soul. He tasted what it's like to be the hero, even if it lasted for a second. He enjoyed hearing people cheer and congratulate him. It was a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time…and it was all thanks to Saka. If he never watched him play…if he never encouraged him…he would have shrunk back into his shell.

Jui pressed enter as his name displayed on the screen. Jui smirked, reveling in the moment. Jui vowed from this day forward, that he would stop at nothing until he took Saka's crown.

As Jui looked at the Strike machine, Saka turned and stopped. He was curious, but only allowed himself to waiver for a few seconds so his friends wouldn't spoil his plan. When Jui moved to leave, he saw his gamertag and smirked: turning as he and his friends exited the arcade.

Saka was right, he had found Jun.