Match

'What a shithole this place turned to be. Poor job you did in raising this place, Shiyon-nee.'

He mused as he walked. Surrounded by cheers and praises.

'But you sure did a good job turning all of these students into your personal bitches. I bet if you just hinted, all of them would bend over for you.'

He thought as he walked onto the kendo stage, facing the enthusiastic Sendo...

"Ahh, Aniki! Ya' ready for me?"

'And then, there's you. Sendo. The guy I hate out of all of them. I shouldn't hate you, though. If Shiyon-nee and I are people, then you are a mutt. A honest, dumb, good-for-nothing puppy with nothing on his mind but obeying his master. I suppose that's good in a way. I bet it's convenient for Shiyon-nee to have a lapdog like you.'

"Heh. Sendo. Are you really going to make me wear this ridiculous outfit?" He spurted.

"Yeah! It's for our safety an' all dat."

"Hooo...?"

"Now, now <3" Shiyon said, placing both of his hands on two brothers as they faced each other the stage in school's stadium.< p>

"Everyone! I'm sure you all know my cute little Sen-chun!"

"Aniki stop dat..." Sendo said, looking down with a blush - As the entire school cheered and roared at Sendo's name.

'But... You're loved. Maybe I could use that,' Yuuno mused internally.

"And, we have a new transfer student—another brother of mine. His name is Yuuno-chun! He's a little quirky, but I'm sure you'll all get along wonderfully," the announcement rang out, prompting another round of cheers as Yuuno nodded at Shiyon and then turned to face Sendo.

"Shiyon-nee," Yuuno called out, halting Shiyon in his tracks just as he was about to leave the stage.

"Your nose. What happened?" Yuuno's voice was rough and low. No blood was visible, but he could tell Shiyon's nose was bruised and slightly askew.

"My, Yuu-chun. Couldn't your Aniki have simply taken a tumble down some stairs, walked into a wall, or botched a flip while cheering for Sen-chun?" Shiyon teased, with a playful heart emoji in his voice.

"...Cut the act. Who was it?" Yuuno demanded, his patience worn thin.

"You're being so stern~ And after we haven't seen each other for so long, too..." Shiyon began, trailing off with a singsong cadence, "Alas, I cannot say~ I'm bound by a promise."

"Ah, so there is someone here of value. I'll find him soon enough and put him in his place," Yuuno declared with a cunning smile creeping across his face.

Shiyon offered no response, simply waved, and sauntered off the stage amidst the thunderous applause and cheers for the trio of brothers.

Yuuto sat perched in a seat above the commotion, thinking, 'Is this a school or a K-POP concert?'

'And why am I here again...?' He let out a sigh, then conceded, 'Well, it's an excellent chance to size up your adversaries.'

"Huh? Sakurai?" The voice, tinged with confusion, cut through the clamor.

Yuuto turned to find Shun and his girlfriend Riko meandering through the crowd.

"...Got something to say, cuck?" He tossed the word carelessly at Shun.

Shun's gaze lingered on Yuuto, taking in the faint traces of a scuffle on his face.

"...It's nothing. Let's go, Riko," Shun muttered, steering Riko away to find seats further from Yuuto.

"Wait." Yuuto called, getting Shun to stop and turn around with Riko.

"What?"

 "I have an ear infucktion and I cunt finger it out." Yuuto called with a sneer as he inserted his finger in his ear, then put it close to his mouth.

Shun raised his eyebrow, "What..!?"

"That's about it. Shoo." Yuuto called, waving his palm at him.

"Right..." Shun said as he turned around.

'Was Sato lying?' Yuuto thought to himself, recalling the story he told him.

Riko's voice was low, "His face..."

"Yeah, looks like he got jumped. Anyone who trash-talks Shiyon-san that openly is asking for trouble, especially from those three. But it's just a few bruises on him... Barely noticeable."

Riko observed with a hint of curiosity, "You seem almost let down by that."

Shun just shrugged off the implication. "Not really. But if they did lay into him today, this wouldn't be the end of it. Maybe they just start slow."

"And? Are you hoping they pick up the pace, Shun?"

"... I don't know. I wished I could say that I do, but... Being targeted sucks."

Shun clicked his tongue as he looked away, "Why'd he have to be so damn weird, damn it!"

Riko smiled faintly, seeing Shun's reaction.

'It seems like Shun got over what happened on our first day here... I'm so glad.' Riko thought, recalling Yuuto's last remark in distaste.

Meanwhile, other students from the same class who noticed Yuuto sitting down began whispering amongst themselves, "Hey, look at Pillow. He seems roughed up. Serves him right!"

"But... He doesn't seem all that injured. Were they going easy on him?"

"Dumbass! They did it on purpose! This is a school Shiyon-san has reformed! What would Shiyon-san say if he saw something like that happening again? They're probably roughing him up here and there, waiting for Shiyon-san to leave, and then they would let all hell loose on that jerk."

"Oh.. I suppose it makes sense!"

"Of course it is! Shiyon-san was their Aniki! No way they'd just let him get badmouthed by some nobody!"

"Still..."

"It would've been great to see him more injured..."

"Yeah... Fucker deserves it."

"I can't wait..."

They spoke amongst themselves, glancing at Yuuto with a sneer.

Yuuto whistled quietly, "Sheesh, at least be more discreet about it. This ain't some bully-manga story. Turn around, ya'll creep me out with those faces... Buncha losers." <--- A creep.< p>

"Oh! There you are, Sakurai-senpai!" A cheerful voice sliced through the ambient noise.

'Talk about losers...' Yuuto mused as he saw Sato making his way over, a grin plastered on his face, the rest of the culture club trailing behind, minus Shun.

Sato didn't hesitate, promptly taking the seat next to Yuuto.

The surrounding students started whispering. "Why's Sato-kun cozying up to Pillow?"

"He's a club member of his if I remember right... And it's our kind Sato-kun. Our Overly Hopeful Fool..."

"Seriously, he doesn't have to go that far. Not for that guy."

"What are you doing, Sato?" Yuuto asked, more of a demand than a question.

"I just wanted to sit here... Is that an issue?" Sato replied, meeting Yuuto's gaze squarely.

"You're in my space. That's harassment," Yuuto claimed, his tone brazen.

"That's not harassment, Sakurai-senpai. If you're in a club, you've got to be open to some camaraderie," Sato retorted gently.

Yuuto considered this, 'Has he got some spine after all, or is it just an act for the audience?'

As the rest of the club members found seats in the row below them, Sato continued.

"I was hoping we could have a chat. Is that okay?"

"No," came Yuuto's immediate response.

Sato tilted his head, "Why not?"

"I'm here for the match," Yuuto stated, eyes fixed on the stage.

"Fine, we'll talk later. But since I've already sat down, I'm staying."

Yuuto glanced around, noting the lack of empty seats with a silent curse.

With a resigned shrug, he crossed his arms and settled into his chair, looking down at the stage.

'Nobody had to come, and yet here they all are. It's like a rock concert in here. Shiyon Michaels, you really do run this place. To make students swarm like fans... that's something else,' he reflected, an edge of respect in his thoughts for Shiyon's influence.

Hiyori, towering over Yuuto, took the seat right in front of him, effectively obstructing his view.

"Hey, Sasquatch, mind moving down a bit? You're blocking the whole view," Yuuto called out.

"Zip it, Sakurai. Try harder to see. You chose to come here, didn't you?" Hiyori shot back without a care.

'Typical smartass... She's so much like Nee-chan with that irritating, superior tone...'

"Senpai, please don't be harsh on Hiyorinn!" Chiyoko, a first-year, piped up in defense.

"And what's it to you, runt? My issue's with the bridge-troll here, not you," Yuuto retorted with ease.

"Sakurai-senpai, please, that's enough—" Sato attempted to interject, only for Hiyori to spin around and face Yuuto directly.

"Your snide remarks, whether they're aimed at me, Sakkun, or Chiyokocchi, they're hurtful. Can't you just drop it and act mature for once?" Hiyori confronted him, her blue eyes drilling into his.

Yuuto recoiled as if he'd seen a specter, taken aback.

Silence fell over him, leaving him speechless.

Hiyori, having said her piece, quietly turned back to watch the stage, leaving a tense silence hanging between them.

'That... Smartass...!! I HATE HER. It's like nee-chan returned from America just to scold me for no reason..!' Yuuto thought, his eye twitching as he gritted his teeth as Sato sighed in relief that the confrontation is over.

Onto the stage stepped Sendo and Yuuno, poised for confrontation. Sendo assumed a ready stance, brimming with energy.

"Ya ready, Aniki!?" Sendo shouted, his excitement palpable.

"Not quite, Sendo," Yuuno replied, his voice calm. With deliberate movements, he discarded the protective gear and stripped off his shirt, unveiling a physique sculpted and defined. The audience, particularly the female spectators, erupted into cheers.

"I don't need gear like you do," Yuuno declared, a confident edge in his tone. He adopted an unconventional stance, seemingly leaving himself vulnerable with numerous openings, yet he held his Kendo sword aimed directly at Sendo, a challenge clear in his posture.

Hiyori: "Woah, the dude's jacked, ain't he, Sakkun?"