Work Text:
CHAPTER 1: Snake Pit
“Hey, I know you…” his muscular frame turned slightly, “you’re Wakatsuki Takeshi.”
Steel blue eyes glanced into the window of the parked car. His usual stone-cold face softened in a way that only those familiar with him would notice.
“I remember you. You’re one of Sekibayashi’s sisters.”
“It’s Suki…” A haze gaze glanced him over.
“You’ve grown,” His attention drew back into the bustling crowd. A circle of parked cars created a makeshift arena for the fighters.
‘Jun’pei Sekibayashi was scheduled to fight the overhyped newcomer Tokita Ohma. It should be an easy win for him. The only unpredictable factor was the presence of Wakatsuki Takeshi. This event could have become an opportunity for any potential partnerships between Gundai and Furumi Pharmaceuticals. The most interesting fighter alive with his unique form always struck curiosity about the kind of power his fists could produce. He would never consider teaching me…
Suki slid out of the passenger’s seat and shifted next to Wakatsuki. Despite wearing a decent heel size, he towered above her. The intensity of his presence drenched the space in between.
“Then, you remember me?” she questioned.
“Of course,”
Loud roars cut through the lot. The attention shifted to the center of the arena. Seki…her thumb rubbed against her bottom lip. What could I possibly learn from pro wrestling?
“…I’m the first ‘real warrior’ you’ll face in the Kengan Matches!” Sekibayashi’s teasing was underway.
“Take your stance…BEGI-”
Tokita Ohma drove a heavy blow straight into Seki’s cheek, but he was met with a sickening smack into the pavement. Back and forth exchanges of fists ended with Seki slamming the newcomer into a parked car.
“hehe…That’s good, make full use of your rights.”
“Huh? Rights?”
“YES! You people have rights!” Seki pointed a meaty finger at the rookie’s crumpled form, “The right to avoid a one-way ticket to the pain train!”
So cringey... Junpei hid behind an onyx wall of loose-end box braids. Sekibayashi’s brash voice bounced off the stone walls. Mobs of businessmen cheered for him.
“That’s the difference between your ‘rights’ and our ‘responsibility! Now, go ahead and make use of your rights, CIVILIAN!”
Tokita matched Sekibayashi’s taunting maneuvers. The newbie fell for all of Seki’s tricks. Cheers followed the sound of flesh smacking the concrete. Sekibayashi’s finisher ‘The Argentine Backbreaker’ was interrupted by the sudden burst of energy that flowed through Tokita. His flesh throbbed like a beating heart possessed his human skin. Tokita Ohma became engulfed in a chaotic aura. I had a feeling he was hiding a trump card…
“What the fuck…” Seki lifted his mangled fingers. “Did you do?”
“I took out an Advance!” A rush of attacks barraged Seki’s solid form. He was pushing against his ultimate defense despite their size differences.
He completely changed his fighting style mid-combat. Explosive strikes erupted between the fighters. Despite Seki’s broken fingers, he landed bone-splitting hits while pushing against Tokita’s barrage. The sweep of attacks increased in speed and power. Big bro Seki’s endurance scale is unmatched. There’s a power within such an insane technique and defense.
“Mr. Wakatsuki~” a youthful voice called out.
“Oh, it’s you, Imai…”
“Yo✧! Long time no see,” The boy waved cutely.
Cosmo Imai was the perfect ‘Boy Next Door’ with blonde hair and curious green eyes. The trained eye could see strength bustling underneath his tight-fitted long sleeve decorated with a simple necklace. His aura was bright and friendly, but behind his glow was an indescribable glint. Her eyes trailed him while Wakatsuki’s massive shoulder blocked her existence from view.
“Wow, he’s pretty awesome!” He slid next to Wakatsuki, “He’s putting out just as much power as Sekibayashi!”
“…No. That’s not power. Its Torque. It’s not his power that increased, but his velocity…By increasing his speed, he can overwhelmingly increase the number of punches he throws.” Wakatsuki explained. Of course, his battle assessments were accurate and sourced from his fighting career.
“Ohhhh…” Imai sighed lazily, “That’s a pretty complicated thing to think about while fighting.”
“No, it’s just that you don’t think enough…” Wakatsuki glanced down at Suki’s restless fingers.
“Speaking of,” He motioned in between the two, “this is Junpei Sukibayashi, one of Seki’s sisters.”
“Oh, hey!” A cheeky smirk danced across his face. “Nice to meetcha, I’m Imai Cosmo.”
“…hi.”
Suki refused to spare any more curious glances in the blonde’s direction. The heated battle was decided with an accurate thrust to Seki’s windpipe. Tokita Ohma’s pulsing body swept across the arena with expert precision. Sekibayashi’s weight collapsed into a crater of pavement and blood. The underground parking lot stilled its excitement in a flurry of confusion.
“Did he just…”
“Yeah, the son of a bitch cut off his supply.”
Suki turned swiftly and escaped into the mix of cars and excitement. Whatever happened next was irrelevant. She rummaged through her coat pockets filled with forgotten candy wrappers. A pink ‘Mello Kitty’ burner phone shined in her palm. Her manicured thumbnail flipped the cover open before the 1st ring could finish.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Is Seki an idiot?!” the familiar tone of her older sister, Saki reprimanded on the other end.
“…yes,”
“I cannot believe I just watched Seki lose to a newbie! After you just got signed to Gundai. He’s trying to fuck things up on purpose.”
“I doubt that,” she brushed it off, “Wakatsuki was there,”
“That’s horrible news” she groaned through the phone, “Furumi Pharmaceuticals just agreed to become one of your teams’ affiliates and stupid Seki just embarrassed us as family.”
“…so, when are you coming back to Japan?”
“I’ll be there by the end of the month. Be prepared to focus on your tournament and not Seki’s.”
“…okay,”
“Bye, love you.” she closed the phone with a heavy snap.
Crisp air kissed her cool bronze skin and danced around in her dark tresses. Buildings gleamed in the moonlight while the city bustled with masses of moving cars. A black truck with deep tinted windows slowly pulled up. She hastily climbed into one of the stuffy seats. Sitting across was the star of the show, Sekibayashi.
“How was it, Suki?” a huge grin engulfed his flushed cheeks.
Her hazel eyes scanned over the bruises littering his skin. In terms of overall damage, Tokita seriously exhausted himself whereas Seki sustained injuries less prevalent. Perhaps, that has something to do with his style of pro-wrestling. If this was a video game with HP how different would that match be?
“Good…but you lost and now Saki’s pissed off.” Junpei shuffled in the leather seat.
“Huh? Who cares what that grinch thinks! She doesn’t know anything about pro-wrestling!” he roared.
“Well, Junpei?” Shikano puffed on his cigar, “Are you considering any pro-wrestling characteristics for your fighter?”
“…yes-”
“Of course, she is!” Seki declared.
“I’m not sure if you heard but, the Kengan Annihilation Tournament was announced. It would be an excellent opportunity for you to study an array of unique fighting styles.” Shikando suggested.
“My manager already scheduled for us to attend…”
“Ah, so Saki’s coming back to Japan? It would be for the best; she can mentor you with her fighting knowledge.”
“I’ve already found someone to mentor me. Saki is only my manager, nothing else.” Suki’s gaze wandered outside the window, her mind galaxies away from the conversation.
“Don’t worry, Shikano” Seki proclaimed, “my little sister’s a genius.”
.
.
.
.
“I think you’ll fit right in around here. This place is lacking a woman’s touch,” Kureishi Mitsuyo’s bright smile rivaled the dull hue in the waiting room.
Kureishi Mitsuyo was a chiropractor, MMA master, and a crucial figure in Suki’s research. An odd man with a friendly aura, beautifully feminine eyelashes, and long hair that blushed pink. These peculiar characteristics contrasted perfectly against his muscular build and scarred skin. A rare puzzle piece that precisely fits into the grand scheme.
“…thank you but,” Suki’s glance bounced around the room, “why are you doing this? Hiring me is one thing but teaching me is a complicated commitment.”
“Oh, no need to flatter me!” a flustered expression danced across his face, “Besides, I …owe your sister Saki.”
“…huh?” Suki grimaced.
“Don’t worry about it!” he brushed it off with a wave of his hand.
The doubts that pricked the back of her mind vanished as an overwhelming sense of trust and maturity radiated from him. Kureishi’s understanding of the human body was an untapped well of knowledge. She would an idiot to pass up such an exclusive internship. No matter how much work she had put in, it was worth every second. Obtaining this high-level insight was critical to set everything into motion.
“…what kind of responsibilities will I have?” she peered into his calm seafoam eyes.
“As the taskmistress at the Osteopathic Clinic, I need you to be my eyes when I’m not here. Organizing patient files, scheduling appointments, and keeping this place clean. There’s important training happening over at the gym, so I’m gonna rely on you.”
“You can trust me,” she swiftly responded.
“When the clinic’s not busy, I’ll need help in the gym too. Only small things, so it won’t be too much to handle. There are some members over at the gym that I want you to meet.”
“…okay,” Suki’s head lowered. Meeting people…it’s a part of new beginnings.
“Don’t worry! They won’t bite~” Kureishi teased.
.
.
.
“This is Imai Cosmo and Nishihonji Akira. They’re like my little brother’s. You’ll be seeing a lot of them around here!” Kureishi placed his calloused hands gently on her rigid shoulders.
“Hiya, do you remember me? We met at Seki’s match,” Imai Cosmo, the preppy blonde, grinned.
Suki peered up at the two though they weren’t as intimidating as Seki or Wakatsuki, they earned the respect of someone like Kureishi Mitsuyo. In this setting, Suki could recognize the dedication sculpted into Imai Cosmo’s body. Unlike before he radiated a newfound maturity and expertise but there was an innocence that clung to him. Perhaps it was the baby fat that survived his intense training or the casual tone he used on every person he met. Whatever the reason, it felt as if Suki had met an entirely different boy. Maybe she wasn’t paying enough attention or maybe his true nature was hidden behind a boyish visage.
“…yes-”
“SAKI? Sakibayashi? Bro, I thought you two hat-” Nishihonji Akira abruptly cut the conversation.
Based on first impressions, she categorized Nishihonji Akira as a rich Casanova who chased youth and beauty fruitlessly. A man with power, money, and intelligence. He was the CEO of Nishihonji Security Services and her first challenge. The older man looked down at her with a meticulous glint clouded in his dark wood eyes. Searching for her tick, a giveaway, or for surrender. It was a look that she was familiar with. It was the ‘first glance analysis’ that she mastered. Nishihonji’s bushy eyebrows lifted when he realized she was also scrutinizing him.
“Nope!” Kureishi smoothly interjected, “This is Junpei Sukibayashi. Seki and Saki’s little sister. She’s going to be the new taskmistress in the Osteopathic Clinic,”
“Sorry, you two look a lot alike…not to mention your names are confusing.” Nishihonji scowled but his face softened at the thinnest margin.
“I look forward to working with you and…” Suki bowed slightly, “please perceive me as a person separate from Saki. We are siblings but I’m nothing like either of them.”
Don’t get caught up in your expectations of me, I’m going to create a reputation for myself and then I’ll demand my respect.
“Right! Think of Suki like she’s my little sister instead ♡” Kureishi nudged Nishihonji playfully.
Kureishi easily took control of the conversation, erasing any tension or doubt from the room. That kind of social talent was underrated and unnoticed to the untrained but in the eyes of Suki, he gained admiration. She was discovering more facets that master Kureishi could teach her. The more she studied the flamboyant man and his colleagues, the stakes raised. Let the games begin…
“Oh? Does that make you my lil sis too?” Imai Cosmo chimed in with a sly smirk.
“…sorry, but I’m older than you, Imai.” she tried to match his impish gaze but there was something lurking beneath.
“Huh? Hmm…I guess you’ll be my senpai then~” he teased.
Hidden inside of his tone was a glimpse of his dangerously curious intent. His eyes were like emerald snakes slithering, suffocating, and enticing. Thrill tickled her spine when she gazed deep into the dark specs buried deep in the field of green. It was like slipping her delicate fingers in and out a snake pit. His eyebrow twitched lightly at her as if he were challenging her- no daring her to do it again. To look even further.
“!?” The sound grudgingly crawled up her throat.
“Cya, later!” he waved cutely before turning away on his heel.
Imai flipped his switch gracefully, swiftly, and expertly. Suki’s fingertips squeezed the skin peeking out on her forearm. Just a simple glimpse was enough to have her fascinated. She could not wait for another look, another chance to gamble against his fangs. She glazed over his retreating form, Imai Cosmo you are the most perplexing piece on the board…
End of Chapter Comic (Inspired by the fantastic ending comics at the end of Kengan manga)
SEKI: Why don’t I have a Mello Kitty phone?!
SUKI: …it’s for emergencies, I also have a regular smartphone just like everyone else.
SEKI: Didn’t ask! I just got mine :) Now, I can stay in touch with the lil sis drama!
SUKI:…why bother?
NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW
Enter the world of Junpei Sukibayashi. Hidden in the shadows of her sibling’ massive fighting careers, a shattered gaming passion, and in the depths of the criminal underworld. One opportunity to showcase her worth has finally appeared and she is willing to do anything and work with anyone to ensure her success.
Enter the world of Cosmo Imai. The king of stranglers, the youngest competitor in the Kengan Annihilation tournament, and a new freshman at college. Juggling his double life while keeping his underground fighting a secret from his friends and family just became 10xs harder with the introduction of Kureishi’s new employee.