Chapter 16: Gomburza vs Matsuki

"Ho-ho," Gomburza finally stood up straight. "Do you really think you can handle me?" He smiled.

Tskk... He's really underestimating me. But that's better. If he lets his guard down, it will be easier for me to turn the tables. Now is the time to attack while he's still groggy. If I want to change the situation, I have to fight and bring this guy down.

"Oh man," Gomburza scratched his head as if it was a habit of his. "I told you not to make a mess or you'll be dead. I don't know how you managed to get out of those ropes... sigh, kids these days are a pain in the ass. Can't even listen--"

I rushed towards him and threw a kick aimed at his stomach, but he was able to stop it by grabbing my feet.

"You're fast," he sighed. "But shouldn't you respect others when they're still not finished talking?"

He glared at me with intensity. "I guess I have to discipline you." Suddenly, his aura changed, and I could sense a malicious intent emanating from him.

Instinctively, I pulled back.

Shit! I need to finish this quickly, or the other guy might notice what's happening here, and we'll be doomed. I can't afford to get caught again. Thankfully, they didn't hurt me too much, and I don't plan on letting them have their way with me anymore.

"You're something, kid," he commented.

"Huh?"

"I must praise your fearless self. Even in this situation, you're standing here and confronting me without fear. That's commendable compared to the guys I've fought before, but..." He assumed a stance, resembling that of a sumo wrestler, with both hands ready to catch someone. "But that fearless behavior of yours could be the very thing that backstabs you!" With that, he sprung himself towards me.

Damn it... I don't think I can win in a fistfight with him. Is there any other way?

Think, Matsuki! Think! Use that brain of yours! After all, I don't want to be beaten again and end up bedridden like before!

Huh? My taser... That's right, if I can use it properly, I might have a chance. But... Sigh, now is not the time to overthink. This is the only plan I can come up with.

"W-wait," I stepped back a little farther from him, immediately raising my hands in the air, assuming a stance as if I were about to surrender. "Gomburza," I made a terrified face, "I s-surrender."

"What?" His jaw dropped in surprise. "That's it? You're not planning to fight me anymore." His aura finally settled down.

"Yeah," I nodded, "I don't think I can beat someone like you. You're strong, you're brave, and your muscles are a work of art." I blatantly lied.

"Oh?" He believed it. "I knew you would understand..."

"...I guess kids these days have good taste."

He crossed his arms, closed his eyes, and nodded as if agreeing with my statement.

"Yeah, no one can compare to you," I added, finally lowering my hands.

Of course, I was just lying. I'm a big liar, after all. There's no way I appreciate his physique. It was actually quite scary to see such a bulky body with visible veins. Ewww...

"Right, right, I know," he scratched his head, appearing slightly embarrassed.

"To think kids these days also understand the beauty of such a physique..."

"Yeah, yeah," I nodded.

"That bicep of yours..." I thought now was the time.

"Right," he nodded.

"That bald head of yours..."

"Right, right," he continued to receive the compliments.

"That bald head of yours, it's so cool, shining like the sun."

"What?" His eyes and mouth opened wide at the sudden change in what I was saying.

"And your irritating nose, flattened like it was stepped on by an elephant's foot."

"What did you say?" Gomburza stood up, his fists clenched by his sides, rolling his shoulders back, glaring at me. "Care to say that again?"

"Heh? Are you deaf? I said you're so ugly it makes me want to puke just by looking at you. You look like a wild boar, or rather, a PIG!" Sticking my tongue out, I continued, "Blee, PIGGY!"

Suddenly, Gomburza's nostrils flared as he stared at me. He stepped toward me, glaring intensely. And before I could react, I was already in his arms, and then he slammed me down onto the floor.

*Bang!

A loud bang reverberated, and I felt an excruciating pain in my back. Ugh! That fucking hurts... But now's not the time to savor the pain.

I smiled wickedly as I saw his horrifyingly outraged face before my eyes dspite the discomfort of the cold floor against my body. Why would I smile in this situation? It's because everything is going according to my plan. By making him angry and letting his guard down, I reached into my pocket, gripped the taser firmly, and made immediate contact with his oblique, then pressed the button.

"Argh!" His body vibrated, and sparks of high voltage crackled next to my hand. And with that, Gomburza was immobilized.

"Hahaha..." I got up, caressing my back as I laughed wholeheartedly, as if I had achieved something truly great.

"He is knocked down now," I looked at the guy, and I saw him faking another faint.

"R-really?" He turned his face towards me, wearing an expression of "What? Are you serious?"

"Is your faith in me that bad that you'd fake being unconscious again?"

"Hehehe... I thought we were already done for because that guy's a monster."

"Seriously, are you not even listening to what's happening?"

I put the taser back in my pocket and dragged my feet as I approached him.

"I mean, I know him very well. He's a monster, and I heard that you surrendered and suddenly pissed him off. I thought we were already doomed, so I kept my ears shut because I thought I'd hear another scream like the ones he did to my pals."

"Shit, I'm still feeling the pain from the shock I received when he slammed me on the floor. He may really be a monster."

I cut the ropes that were binding him. I still didn't fully trust him, but for the time being, I'll be nice to him. He may become useful later, especially since that guy Chris could show up anytime.

"Matsuki," he looked me in the eye as I helped him break free from the ropes.

"Your name is Matsuki Satoro, right? My name is Korosaku, Korasaku Lee." He reached out his hand for help to stand.

Korosaku Lee..What a unique name..

"Thanks for the help," he said.

"I promise I'll be useful in the future."

The future, huh? When will that be?

"I don't want to see Takumi having her way anymore. She's such a bitch, too; she doesn't even have any remorse," he mumbled in himself, seeing his frustration.

Takumi? What did he say again?... Takumi? Did I mishear it?

"Okay, just don't forget that promise of yours," I outstretched my arm. "I think we'll make a good team if we work together." Korasaku gladly held onto my arm and get up.

Why did I say that? Ah, right, I heard before that "A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends."

"For now, we should tie up that Gomburza guy," I suggested. "He may be able to move sooner or later, so we must be cautious."

"Okay, I got it," Korasaku joyfully picked up the ropes that had been used on us and smirked as he tightly tied Gomburza.

The way he tied him seemed so tight. I didn't know what he was thinking, but he was grinning while doing it.

"Ah, right, that guy Chris is still sleeping, right?" Korasaku asked.

"Yeah," I responded as I picked up the metal rod from the ground. I turned around and looked at the closed door where Chris had gone in. "Why did you ask?"

...

Korasaku didn't answer, so I looked towards his direction where he was tying Gomburza. There, Gomburza was enveloped in ropes like a mummy from ancient Egypt. I was about to laugh, but then I noticed that Korasaku Lee was nowhere to be found.

Huh? Where did that bastard go?

"... Don't tell me... He left me here all alone?"

I sighed. "Did I get deceived?" I brushed my hair. Tskk... Whatever. It seems like I have to deal with them on my own. And it's not like I even have a shed of trust on that stranger bastard---

*Creak.

"Gom, what the hell are you doing?"

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from my left side. I looked in the direction of the voice, and there was Chris, standing at the open door.

"I heard something loud," he rubbed his left eye, looking sleepy. "Can't you turn it down? I know you've been having fun agai--"

"What?" His eyes widened as he locked eyes with mine.

Shit! He woke up...

My back still hurt from the fight with Gomburza. Sigh, do I have to fight again?...