Zenatori soaks in everything to be heard. He couldn't help but lean back slightly.
"So how many people are there?"

Akari continued.
"The 1st years are divided into 3 divisions, or 3 classes, out of 31 first-year students. The class we're in is class division 1."

Zenatori sighed.
"So I have to compete with 30 other first-years?"

Akari nodded.

"This will be a chance for everyone to show themselves, including me. From here on out, it's only our true effort."

Zenatori slightly zoned out and looked at the place where the scar resided on his chest.

"Myself..?" he muttered.

Zenatori thought back on the moment of the first automorph attack in which he nearly died trying to save Kurosawa. He clenched his fist, not in rage, but in ambition. He slightly smirked.
"Akari... I will get first place."

Akari looked at him with an unserious blank expression.
"That's if you can take it from me," but she couldn't help but grin.

"Never have I seen someone face death, and still have ambition to such a degree. What's motivating you, Sakatoro Zenatori?"

As Akari exited her, she noticed the sounds of clapping. She checked Zenatori's expression, and he seemed to notice as well. 

The man behind them finally stood and chuckled at the two. He slowly clapped his hands together as the slow claps felt heavier. 

"Well, well, well, well, well!"

The man was Suda Katashi.

He grinned not in pity, but in amusement.

"Who knew the transfer student paired so well with the ice queen?"

He slowly walked towards their table as the clicking of his shoes hit against the ground. Akari stared at Zenatori and said.
"Who is this guy?"

He looked at the two and said.
"Listen, ice princess, why are you so interested in this transfer student?"

Akari stood complacently

"I wouldn't say I'm necessarily interested, we just got bound together in a lot of circumstances."

"Hmmm, is that so? Hey transfer student, why don't we have a duel in the courtyard?"

Zenatori looked up in amusement.
"Duel?"

"Think of it as a teaching lesson. You see, you are quite interesting in my eyes. So I'll teach you some of my techniques, if you promise not to die."

"Death..?"

"You shouldn't die at the very least! In fact, we're doing it right now."

"Whoa, what?! I haven't said my answer!"

Katashi slowly got closer to Zenatori and kneeled to eye level.

"I'm not giving you a choice. It's probable we'd run into each other during the exam, and I'm giving you a special privilege by learning from me. I'd at least want you to do something when we inevitably clash."

Zenatori got up and stood at Katashi.
"Well, I suppose it can't be helped. Let's go."

The two of them exit the library, leaving Akari to herself. She rested her head on her palm and could only think momentarily.

"Suda Katashi..."

Zenatori opens the doors through the middle of a hallway, making his entrance into the outside. Before his foot made contact with the grass, Katashi grabbed his shoulder and said.
"I want to see if you're worth my time. Give this your all."

Zenatori left the doors and slightly grinned.
"That's oddly motivating, but trust me, I don't plan on losing."

The spring air filled the sky, and the birds quietly chirped on the cherry blossom trees. A silent woman sat on a bench, her white hair combined with her sweet fragrance was all too familiar. It was Nishikiri.

Zenatori didn't pay much attention, even considering that she was quite mysterious. 

"I wonder what her relationship is with him. That aside, I doubt this guy is stronger than Akari, so I should be able to hold my own for however long this takes," he thought over.

 

Katashi stared at Zenatori.
"You ready?"

The fiery determination lit in Zenatori's eyes.

"I was born read-"

Nothing. No sound, no effects, just pure speed. Before Zenatori could even process anything, Katashi was already behind him. But he didn't let that stop him. 

Zenatori flew back in an attempt to hit Katashi, but his fist was effortlessly parried, and Katashi threw him across the grass. He tumbled back, and Katashi jumped forward in an attempt to stomp Zenatori, but he managed to slip out and get his feet back to the ground.

Zenatori stepped back and threw a jab, but Katashi weaved out of the way and sent a thunderous elbow straight square to Zenatori's jaw, causing him to stumble back.

Katashi says slyly.
"Is this all you have to offer, transfer student?"

"Let's settle things, first, my name is Sakatoro Zenatori. Second, I'm not sure how you managed to be this boring!"

Zenatori sent a hook, rippling the air as he went, but Katashi lunged back.

"Despite the fact that he just transferred, he seems to be much stronger than any normal human. Is it possible he awakened how is isotonic core in the span of a couple of days?! Not only that, but he seems to have an intuitive combat instinct. It could be possible he has previous experience with martial arts..."

Katashi grabs Zenatori's forearm and reels him in. He stared at Zenatori for what seemed like mere moments, but felt like hours. 

"No, that look on his face tells me all I need to know."

Katashi grabbed Zenatori and thrashed him into the ground, then hanged him by his right arm, pummeling him with his left.

Zenatori skidded back, only gritting his teeth. Katashi leaned back and couldn't contain the grin that swept across his face. Zenatori readied himself for the inevitable.

Katashi rushed forward in what was a blitz of speed. This time, Zenatori steadied himself, attempting to intercept the strike, but Katashi was too fast. 

Zenatori is struck and falls back, but in an act of surprise, he instantly jolts forward and sends a thunderous right hook to Katashi.

Katashi's overextended body and getting caught off guard allowed Zenatori to finally strike him. Katashi tumbled back and slid across the grass before inevitably stopping himself.

He looked at the ground in silence for several moments. Zenatori kept his guard up in case of any immediate strike.

He muttered in a low but raspy voice.
"Sakatoro Zenatori, was it? You are quite... interesting...  But I think it's time we end this farce."

He raised his head to the sky and let out a short smile. He then looked square at the awakened transfer student, then muttered.
"Syneji, I bow-"

Nishikiri then yelled.
"Katashi!"

After hearing her voice, Katashi's attention piqued and he turnt back as if nothing had happened. He looked at his arms and seemed to have thought over the moment. Suddenly, a quiet smirk formed across his face, but it wasn't one of defeat, rather a victory.
"Yeah, you're quite fun," he said in almost a mocking tone.  "When the exams happen, I'll make sure not to hold back."

He trotted back into the school and said.
"Nishikiri, let's bounce."

She got from her post and elegantly walked alongside Katashi. The two entered the building and vanished.

Zenatori finally lowered his arms in confusion.
"What just happened..?"