Chapter 11: The Flow Sense

Six Months Later

It was just a normal morning.

Kaiser walked through the college gates—hoodie half-zipped, bag slung over one shoulder, eyes scanning the courtyard lazily. Calm. Relaxed. Body sculpted through months of pain.

Kai floated beside him, yawning.
“Nice weather today, huh?”

“Yeah,” Kaiser said with a small smirk. “Feels good. I feel… happy.”

“Well, I’m going back to sleep. Try not to get yourself killed or something.”

“Yeah, yeah. Sleep tight.”

Kai disappeared with a lazy wave. Kaiser kept walking.

A Few Moments Later

Heads began to turn. One by one.

Whispers bloomed like wildfire.
“Who is that guy?”
“Wait… is he new?”
“Is that—Kaiser?! No way!”

Girls looked up from their phones, eyes widening.
“Gosh, he looks hot.”
“Hey, is he from our class?”
“He’s actually handsome…”

Boys muttered in disbelief.
“Bro… if my girlfriend sees him, I’m single againg.”
“How the hell does anyone look like that?”
“I gotta be friends with this dude.”

Even a passing professor slowed to glance.

Kaiser started sweating from nervousness, frowning as he walked faster.
“…Why’s everyone staring? Am I naked or something?”
He sighed.
“Whatever. This is creepy. Let’s just get to class.”

First Period

Kaiser slumped into his seat, relieved.
“Finally… I can sit in pea—”

Someone slid into the desk beside him. Long black hair. Subtle makeup. Confident smile.

“Heyyy, handsome,” she said. “You new here?”

Kaiser blinked, even looking around to check if she meant him. He pointed at himself. “…Me?”

“Yes, you dummy.”

“Nope. Been here a while.”

“Huh? Weird. Don’t remember seeing you around.” Her voice had a flirtatious edge.

Kaiser shrugged. “I don’t stand out much.”

She leaned closer, smiling. Trying to make him nervous.

What?! Why’s he not blushing? Not even a twitch? Usually, guys freak out… Whatever. I’ll make him fall for me—and then he’s my personal bank and working dog.

She stared harder. Nothing. Kaiser just scratched his cheek in confusion.

“Well, whatever,” she laughed. “I’m Lyra.”

Kaiser gave a small nod and warm smile. “I’m Kaiser.”

Lyra blinked—blushing a little.
“C-Cool name. So… got a number?”

Is this how friends talk? Does she want food or something?

“Yeah, sure.”

She handed him her phone. He typed his number and passed it back.
“Here you go.”

“I’ll text you after this period.” She winked.

“Okay.”

She sat close—thigh brushing his—playfully poking and running her fingers through his hair during the lecture.

Kaiser let her.
I guess this is how friends behave…

Cafeteria – Break Time

“Byee, Kaiser!” Lyra waved, heading to her friends.

Kaiser grabbed his tray and sat alone.
“Finally… some alone time.”

Then—ambush.

A swarm of girls surrounded him like pigeons spotting bread.

“Can I sit here?”
“What’s your type?”
“Are you single?”
“Can you get me pregnant?”

WHAT THE HECK— Who even asks that?!

Some boys joined in.
“Bro, can you dance?”
“Let’s hit the club—tons of hotties.”
“Please become my brother-in-law!”

Kaiser sat frozen, internally sweating.
What’s with these people and their weird requests? Whatever… they seem nice. Let’s just joke and be polite. Nothing wrong with having a big circle.

He stayed humble, cracked jokes, kept it light.

Then… they arrived.

Two figures entered the cafeteria.
Silence slammed down.

The Queen Bee: Lily—department topper, intimidatingly gorgeous.
The Boxing Prodigy: Zach—tournament champ, killer jawline, rage issues, massive ego.

“Guys—it’s Lily and Zach!” someone whispered.

Lily scanned the room—then her eyes locked on Kaiser.

For a split second, her face twisted in disgust. A vein throbbed on her forehead as she bit her nails.
Who does he think he is to get all the attention… Who is this bastard?

Zach noticed her staring. His jaw clenched.
What the hell?! My girlfreind is getting uncomfortable beacuase of him. I need to beat that guy to assert dominance. That’s what alpha males do.

He stormed toward Kaiser’s table. Chairs scraped and toppled as people backed away.

Kaiser looked up, confused.
Why’s this guy angry? Wait… I think I’ve seen him before. First day?

“H-Hey, bro,” Kaiser said with a friendly smile, scratching his head. “First time talking, right? Did I do something wrong? Or is there something you want to ask?”

Zach’s fists tightened. “You think you’re a hot shot now, huh?”

“…Hot shot?” Kaiser blinked. “Bro, what does hot shot mean?”

Zach’s eyes narrowed—he took it as mockery and swung.
“Let’s see how you talk after this punch.”

But for Kaiser… everything slowed.

Huh? Why are his movements so slow? Oh so this… this is what Kai was talking about. ‘The Flow Sense.’

His body moved on instinct.
BOOM.

A clean punch to Zach’s jaw. The boxing prodigy collapsed instantly.

“…Okay… that was too quick. I really didn’t want to knock him out…” Kaiser muttered, shocked.

Silence for one second—then the cafeteria erupted.

“KAISER! KAISER! KAISER!!”
“He KO’d Zach!”
“In ONE punch?!”

Kaiser stood frozen.

Kai appeared, yawning.
“Why is it so noisy…” He scanned the scene. Saw Zach. Saw Kaiser.

Then paused.
“Kaiser… WHAT THE FU—”